Choosing a dissertation topic is a very challenging task and should be done with great care.
Remember when selecting the topic that you will spend a tremendous time researching and studying it. Therefore, you should choose something that truly interests you. Otherwise, your dissertation may seem to go on forever, and you may have trouble making yourself complete it.
You should also keep in mind that once you have completed the study, you will be considered an expert on that topic. For that reason, you should select a topic that will help you to reach your career goals. You must also determine if your study focus adds anything interesting or significant to that field of study. One final concern is whether your study is doable in reference to time, sources, and cost. These are a couple of reasons why dissertation students take a considerable amount of time in deciding on a research area and developing their research questions.
The greatest advantage in writing a PhD dissertation is the experience you gain by completing the process. The dissertation can be viewed as proof that you have the ability to carry through with a full-blown research project. You can also view completing the project as demonstrating the skills and knowledge you have accumulated through all your years of education. Indeed, that is where you may find your topic. Look back at everything that relates to your field of study and determine what you are extremely interested in or what topic inspires you to work hard.
Search for new strategies for dealing with a particular problem. Maybe you have some gaps in your knowledge of a particular topic, and you understand that you will need that information for your career; sooner or later you will have to learn it. Additionally, you must have a willingness to share your knowledge with others. So, why not start right now?
The next point you should consider is your paper’s practical value. Of course, you may like what you are researching. But is anyone else interested in it? Perhaps the topic you have chosen has already been researched several times before, and there is nothing new you can add. Keep in mind that your dissertation has to be useful to other people who deal with the same problem.
Another major point when designing a research project is the logistics in carrying through with it. Think carefully before choosing a topic and do not overestimate your skills. Very often your eagerness to study an issue may divert your attention away from the fact that you are not well-equipped to deal with it. Try conducting a preliminary research; this may help you determine whether there is enough information to rely on, or whether your methods of research match the topic you have chosen. Feel free to choose two or three topics; then rule out the ones that don’t work for you.
People say that a good start is half the battle. This is definitely true if we are talking about writing a dissertation, particularly in choosing a topic as the first step. So, once the topic is selected, you can plan further research work, determine your procedures, and finally, pay attention to all the small details that also matter in successfully writing your PhD dissertation.