How to Choose Topic for Your Thesis Choosing a topic for your thesis, whether it be for a master’s, Ph.D., or undergraduate, can feel like a daunting task, but it can also be exciting. Your thesis is your chance to dive deep into a topic that interests you and contribute something new to your field. To pick the right topic for you, start by brainstorming potential topics without worrying if they're good or not. Then, narrow your topics based on feasibility and your personal strengths. Finally, start researching so you can craft a good thesis question.
Part 1. Brainstorming Possible Topics •
Write down your main interests related to your field of study. Since you’ll likely spend 2 years or more working on your thesis, it’s best to pick something that interests you. Plus, this topic could shape the path you take in the future by directing where you go for your further studies or what type of job you get. To generate topics that interest you:
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Go through your past coursework to find papers you enjoyed writing. You may be able to incorporate a paper you wrote as part of your coursework into your thesis to give you a jumping off point. Sort through the papers you’ve written in your last 2 years of study and identify any that stand out to you. Think about how much you enjoyed researching the topic you were writing about, as well as which topics felt easy
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Research current events to see what's happening in your field. Read the news to see what’s happening in the world right now. Then, do a search on an academic database, like EBSCO or J-STOR, about your field of study or your interests and review the top results. Look for topics that are getting a lot of attention or where people are asking questions. These topics might be good for your thesis
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Look for gaps in current research related to your field. Your thesis should add something new to your field of study, which might seem daunting. However, reviewing current research can help. Consider which areas leave a lot of questions unanswered and then add those topics to your list of potential ideas.
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Ask your professors which topic they think is right for you. Your instructors have a lot of insight into your field of study, as well as prior and current research. Additionally, they likely know a lot about you. They can help you understand the best paths of study for you, so find out what they think. Tell them about your goals and then ask for advice.
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Talk to your classmates about their lingering questions. This might help you recognize areas that need more research. Ask your classmates if they had any questions come to mind during the classes you took together. Additionally, consider asking to see their notes. Look for areas where they seemed to be confused or wrote questions in the margins
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Think about what type of work you plan to do in the future. Your thesis may shape your future path because it can lead to other research opportunities. Plus, you’ll build deeper knowledge and understanding about this topic, making it an asset on your resume. List the goals you have for yourself in the future, then come up with topics that can help you reach those goals.
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Make a list of 5-10 topics that might be interesting thesis topics. Include the best topics you generated during your brainstorming session. Try to include a range of ideas, as you’ll eliminate most of them as you narrow your focus. However, having multiple ideas will make it easier to find one that offers a lot of opportunity for research.
Part 2. Narrowing Your Focus •
Eliminate topics that don’t seem to offer avenues for new research. If a topic has already been well-researched, then it might not be great for your thesis. Think about what you can add to a topic. If you don’t see a lot of room for growth, go ahead and cross that topic off your list.
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Choose your thesis supervisor once you have a general idea of what you’ll research. Look for a professor who has expertise in the areas you want to study. Then, talk to them to see if they’d be willing to be your thesis supervisor. Tell them why you chose them specifically, as well as which topics you’re considering pursuing
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Discuss your top 1-3 topics with your thesis supervisor. Your thesis supervisor will help you pick your thesis topic based on what they think will be the best fit for both of you. Bring your thesis supervisor a short list of topics you’re considering. Then, explain why each topic interests you and ask for their advice
Part 3. Craft Your Thesis Question •
Conduct research into your topic. You need to fully understand your topic before you can formulate a thesis question. Use your library, Internet databases, journal articles, books, and other research materials to learn about your topic. As you read, annotate the materials by writing notes and questions in the margins.
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Write 5-7 potential thesis questions based on your research. At first, don't worry about writing good questions. After you have several that interest you, rewrite each question so that you can argue one side of the issue. Then, phrase your questions using clear, concise wording. Here are some example questions.
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Identify the question you think you can best research and answer. You want to select a question you can answer well so that your thesis will be successful. To determine the best question to focus your thesis on.
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Select a final research question with the help of your thesis supervisor. Once you’ve identified a thesis question that you’d like to use, talk to your thesis supervisor to get their opinion. They may approve it as-is, but they could also offer advice on how to improve it. Work with them to craft the best thesis question for your project
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Select a final research question with the help of your thesis supervisor. Once you’ve identified a thesis question that you’d like to use, talk to your thesis supervisor to get their opinion. They may approve it as-is, but they could also offer advice on how to improve it. Work with them to craft the best thesis question for your project.
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