Choosing a Strong Dissertation Topic: A Step-by-Step Guide

Narrowing down one topic from a broad subject area can seem like a mammoth task. You need to dedicate significant time and energy to this. According to a study, UK students often face challenges in juggling multiple assignments and find it hard to come up with innovative topics for a dissertation. Dissertation writing services in the UK often assist students in selecting the appropriate dissertation topic and also offer guidance for writing it.
Consider this step-by-step process for choosing the right topic, as it can help you have a better research experience and achieve better academic results.
Understand the Subject Area and Personal Strengths
Which dissertation topic would be appropriate for you? This depends on which subject matter you are dealing with. The link with the broader subject area is crucial for your career goals and makes your research experience engaging.
- Jot Down the Different Topic Areas Related to Your Subject: You can find the different topic areas within your subject area to identify your interests.
- Consider the Key Concepts Within Those Areas: Background research on these key concepts can help you develop a basic idea about the topic choices. The relevance of these concepts for your research can also be revealed in the process.
- Consult With Advisors and Discuss the Interests and Potential Topics: Discussion with your mentors can be helpful for having a ground level idea of the concepts and theories for your research.
Study Previous Dissertations of the University
Every University has some set academic paths that set it apart from others. You can look at these to develop ideas on which concepts have mostly been researched and identify common patterns. Dissertation writing services in the UK can help you here too.
Focus Points |
Purpose |
Focus on the key concepts | The commonly used concepts in previous dissertations are possibly greenlit by the professors considering their significance. Covering those could gain you extra points of appreciation from your university mentors. |
Bring in the concepts but find new areas within them | The past dissertations may have significant concepts covered, which you can re-introduce in your dissertation. For an innovative approach, make sure to stress on the concepts in a new light or in a different context. |
Table: Purpose for Studying Previous Dissertations
Explore Existing Literature
The insights from the existing research mainly help in identifying the gap areas, making students well-informed and maintaining academic integrity.
- The ideas covered in existing studies can help you form the basis of your own study.
- Research gaps can be identified from exploring the literature. These gaps are areas of the subject that are yet to be explored. You can thus have some original ideas by focusing on these unexplored areas.
- There is a need to find published and appropriate articles and papers. You can use platforms like Google Scholar, Scopus or IEEE Xplore based on your preference and convenience.
Students often find it difficult to conduct a literature review as it is tedious work. Assignment Help Online Services offer students with comprehensive literature review, allowing them to avoid the time-consuming work.
Brainstorm Ideas
Once you have gathered enough information, start brainstorming!
- Select the key concepts and theories that align with your strengths
- Write down points in University dissertations
- Identify gaps in the literature for innovative focus areas
- Brainstorm these ideas and find possible links between the concepts, topic patterns, and gaps.
Narrow Down Your Topic
By now, you probably have some possible topics developed from the literature gaps, university dissertation topics, and your own area of interest.
- Apply the 5Ws and H. Ask “Who”, “What”, “Where”, “When”, “Why”, and “How”. Answering these questions in the context of your research focus can help you eliminate the irrelevant ones.
- Be Topical and Innovative. Opt for the topic that not only addresses key concepts but can help cover gaps. It also needs to be relevant to current problems or phenomena.
- Your Interest Point is the Final Decider. Consider the options and see which one you are most excited to cover.
If you thoroughly follow these steps, your topic will reflect the academic significance as well as your area of interest, making it more powerful than the usual topics covered by most students.
Here’s a checklist for choosing the right topic for a dissertation. If your topic ticks most of these points, you have a strong dissertation ahead.
Criteria |
Questions to Ask Yourself |
Interest | Am I interested enough in the subject matter? |
Relevance to subject matter | Is the topic and concepts related to the broad research area? |
Literature Gap | Is there a gap in existing literature? Does my topic aim to cover the gap? |
Feasibility | Is enough data available on the topic? Is it feasible to conduct the study? |
Academic Value | Will the topic be significant for academics? Can it benefit future researchers? |
Ethical Considerations | Is the topic controversial? Could it hurt the sentiments of a particular group? |
Table: Checklist for Choosing the Right Dissertation Topic
In Summation
Selecting a strong dissertation topic is a complex task. The subject matter, finding concepts and patterns from university assignments, and covering literature can help you to develop topic options. The final call, however, lies in your instinct and interest.
Want to Find Strong Dissertation Topics?
If these steps of studying university dissertations and academic literature seem like a hassle, you can always opt for your choice of assignment help online services, for quality and relevant dissertation topics.