how to come up with phd research topic

• How to Choose a PhD Research Topic
• Finding a PhD

Introduction

Whilst there are plenty of resources available to help prospective PhD students find doctoral programmes, deciding on a research topic is a process students often find more difficult.

Some advertised PhD programmes have predefined titles, so the exact topic is decided already. Generally, these programmes exist mainly in STEM, though other fields also have them. Funded projects are more likely to have defined titles, and structured aims and objectives.

Self funded projects, and those in fields such as arts and humanities, are less likely to have defined titles. The flexibility of topic selection means more scope exists for applicants to propose research ideas and suit the topic of research to their interests.

A middle ground also exists where Universities advertise funded PhD programmes in subjects without a defined scope, for example: “PhD Studentship in Biomechanics”. The applicant can then liaise with the project supervisor to choose a particular title such as “A study of fatigue and impact resistance of biodegradable knee implants”.

If a predefined programme is not right for you, then you need to propose your own research topic. There are several factors to consider when choosing a good research topic, which will be outlined in this article.

How to Choose a Research Topic

Our first piece of advice is to PhD candidates is to stop thinking about ‘finding’ a research topic, as it is unlikely that you will. Instead, think about developing a research topic (from research and conversations with advisors).

Consider several ideas and critically appraise them:

• You must be able to explain to others why your chosen topic is worth studying.
• You must be genuinely interested in the subject area.
• You must be competent and equipped to answer the research question.
• You must set achievable and measurable aims and objectives.
• You need to be able to achieve your objectives within a given timeframe.
• Your research question must be original and contribute to the field of study.

We have outlined the key considerations you should use when developing possible topics. We explore these below:

Focus on your interests and career aspirations

It is important to choose a topic of research that you are genuinely interested in. The decision you make will shape the rest of your career. Remember, a full-time programme lasts 3-4 years, and there will be unforeseen challenges during this time. If you are not passionate about the study, you will struggle to find motivation during these difficult periods.

You should also look to your academic and professional background. If there are any modules you undertook as part of your Undergraduate/Master degree that you particularly enjoyed or excelled in? These could form part of your PhD research topic. Similarly, if you have professional work experience, this could lead to you asking questions which can only be answered through research.

When deciding on a PhD research topic you should always consider your long-term career aspirations. For example, as a physicist, if you wish to become an astrophysicist, a research project studying black holes would be more relevant to you than a research project studying nuclear fission.

Read dissertations and published journals

Reading dissertations and published journals is a great way to identify potential PhD topics. When reviewing existing research ask yourself:

• What has been done and what do existing results show?
• What did previous projects involve (e.g. lab-work or fieldwork)?
• How often are papers published in the field?
• Are your research ideas original?
• Is there value in your research question?
• Could I expand on or put my own spin on this research?

Reading dissertations will also give you an insight into the practical aspects of doctoral study, such as what methodology the author used, how much data analysis was required and how was information presented.

You can also think of this process as a miniature literature review . You are searching for gaps in knowledge and developing a PhD project to address them. Focus on recent publications (e.g. in the last five years). In particular, the literature review of recent publications will give an excellent summary of the state of existing knowledge, and what research questions remain unanswered.

If you have the opportunity to attend an academic conference, go for it! This is often an excellent way to find out current theories in the industry and the research direction. This knowledge could reveal a possible research idea or topic for further study.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Discuss research topic ideas with a PhD supervisor

Discuss your research topic ideas with a supervisor. This could be your current undergraduate/masters supervisor, or potential supervisors of advertised PhD programmes at different institutions. Come to these meetings prepared with initial PhD topic ideas, and your findings from reading published journals. PhD supervisors will be more receptive to your ideas if you can demonstrate you have thought about them and are committed to your research.

You should discuss your research interests, what you have found through reading publications, and what you are proposing to research. Supervisors who have expertise in your chosen field will have insight into the gaps in knowledge that exist, what is being done to address them, and if there is any overlap between your proposed research ideas and ongoing research projects.

Talking to an expert in the field can shape your research topic to something more tangible, which has clear aims and objectives. It can also find potential shortfalls of your PhD ideas.

It is important to remember, however, that although it is good to develop your research topic based on feedback, you should not let the supervisor decide a topic for you. An interesting topic for a supervisor may not be interesting to you, and a supervisor is more likely to advise on a topic title which lends itself to a career in academia.

Another tip is to talk to a PhD student or researcher who is involved in a similar research project. Alternatively, you can usually find a relevant research group within your University to talk to. They can explain in more detail their experiences and suggest what your PhD programme could involve with respect to daily routines and challenges.

Look at advertised PhD Programmes

Use our Search tool , or look on University PhD listing pages to identify advertised PhD programmes for ideas.

• What kind of PhD research topics are available?
• Are these similar to your ideas?
• Are you interested in any of these topics?
• What do these programmes entail?

The popularity of similar PhD programmes to your proposed topic is a good indicator that universities see value in the research area. The final bullet point is perhaps the most valuable takeaway from looking at advertised listings. Review what similar programmes involve, and whether this is something you would like to do. If so, a similar research topic would allow you to do this.

Writing a Research Proposal

As part of the PhD application process , you may be asked to summarise your proposed research topic in a research proposal. This is a document which summarises your intended research and will include the title of your proposed project, an Abstract, Background and Rationale, Research Aims and Objectives, Research Methodology, Timetable, and a Bibliography. If you are required to submit this document then read our guidance on how to write a research proposal for your PhD application.

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How to Choose a Dissertation Topic – 9 Steps

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Choosing a dissertation topic is really difficult.

When I had to choose dissertation topic I agonized for weeks.

And I’ve supervised over 50 students’ dissertations across undergraduate, masters and PhD levels. All of my students agonized over their topics, too.

So you’re not alone in your struggle.

The below tips for choosing a dissertation topic are the ones I wish I was given when I was in the process of looking for a suitable topic.

If only I’d known these points, I would have saved a lot of time and stress for myself. So if these tips only help one person out, I’ll be happy.

These tips really work for just about anybody. They’re particularly useful for undergraduate and Masters level students who are writing dissertations. But, I’m sure most doctoral students will also find these points relevant, too. Especially tips 1 – 3.

Here are my tips on how to choose a dissertation topic – I hope they come in handy, and good luck on your research journey!

Read Also: 25 Sociology Dissertation Ideas

1. It Doesn’t have to be Unique (Yet).

This is the one piece of advice I wish I had gotten when I was choosing my dissertation topic.

Many students feel like they need to find a unique topic that will blow their markers away.

I was this student.

I thought that I had to choose a topic and idea that was going to make a unique contribution to knowledge. I thought I had to discover something, or, at the very least, choose a topic that no one has ever done before.

So here’s what I wish someone had told me:

It doesn’t matter if other people have done the same topic as you.

Don’t even let it phase you for a moment if someone else has chosen your topic. Just choose whatever topic you want.

Well, because your unique contribution doesn’t come at the start. It comes at the end!

You’ll find a way to make a unique contribution after you have completed your literature review . There is always time and space to find a new angle or different way of doing the topic than other people.

So, don’t choose your topic because it’s unique or different.

Then … how should you choose your topic? Points 2 and 3 give you some tips…

2. Make it Relevant to your Career Goals.

The first thing I recommend to all my students is to consider how their topic can help progress their careers.

When giving guidance to my students, I ask them these three questions:

• a) What sort of specialization do you want in your career? If you’re studying teaching, your questions might be: do you want to be a specialized literacy teacher? do you want to be an expert on behavior management? Do you want to be specialized in play-based learning ?
• b) How do you want to differentiate yourself from your competition? Your dissertation topic is going to be the topic you ‘sell’ as your area of expertise in future job interviews. If you want to get a great job, choose a topic that really stands out in the marketplace. Have a think right now for yourself: what areas of your industry are booming? For example, would it be better to specialize in coal or solar panels? Which one would be best to talk about in a job interview in the 21 st Century?
• c) Do you want to be a research pro? Most of my students don’t want to be researchers as a career. They do their dissertations to prove mastery of their topic – that’s all. The research is a means to an end. But, if you think you want to go on to do the next level degree (a PhD one day?) then you’ll want to focus on having a high quality methodology, not just an interesting topic.

So, have a think now: is there a topic that will help you get to where you plan on going? What expert knowledge do you want to be able to ‘sell’ in a future interview?

3. Ensure it’s Interesting to You.

You’re going to be wedded to your chosen for a long time. And by the end of this journey you’re going to hate it.

To make your life easier, choose a topic you’re interested in.

Here’s two ways of approaching this:

Choose a Topic you Think About a Lot.

Choose a dissertation topic that you find yourself talking about, complaining about or raving about to your parents. Choose something that makes you angry, inspired or intrigued.

For the next week or so, I recommend taking notes whenever you find yourself thinking idly about something. Is that something you’ve thought about a lot?

Or, Choose a Topic by Looking over Past Assessment Tasks.

Another way of approaching the search for an interesting topic is to look over past assignments.

What assessment task have you done in the past few years that gripped you? Which one did you enjoy the most when you were studying it?

Zoom in on that topic and see if you can turn it into a dissertation.

Bonus tip: If you found a topic that was based on a previous assessment task, see if you can convince the person who taught that subject to be your dissertation supervisor.

4. Keep it Simple.

Too often, students want to choose a topic that is complex and complicated. They come up with a long, detailed research question (usually with the help of their professor) that, really, is hard to understand!

The best strategy is to come up with a topic that is really, really straightforward. At least, the topic should start as simple and straightforward.

Your topic is going to grow and expand into a monster. It’ll be hard to tame and control. You’ll be following random tangents down rabbit holes that end up being dead-ends. You’ll research aspects of the topic and realize it was a completely pointless exercise.

The way to minimize the crazy growth of your research project is to simplify it right from the start. Make it a really simple idea.

For example, I had a student who wanted to research:

“How big is the gap in mathematics outcomes between children from middle-class and working-class backgrounds by age 16?”

I would think that this topic may be achievable by a top academic with a sizeable research grant, but my student was completing a 10,000 word dissertation for graduating her Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

After several agonizing research meetings, we peeled it back over and again until we ended up with something much simpler and more specific:

“What are teachers’ opinions of the impact of poverty on learning?”

Why is this simpler and more specific?

Well, with the second study, my student has a clear focus group (teachers) and an achievable methodology (interviews). This will be far simpler than somehow conducting tests on 16-year old children, getting a significant amount of children to participate in the study, and then dissecting their mathematics test results by income level.

Instead, we aimed small and simple to ensure the task itself was achievable.

We’re not here to win a Nobel prize. You can do that with your multi-million-dollar post-doctoral research grant. Get your degree first.

5. Ensure it’s Achievable.

This piece of advice builds on the previous advice, to “keep it simple”.

Keeping it simple means making sure you have a clear, small-scale focus.

Esuring the project is achievable means choosing a methodology that won’t break you.

Small Scale Qualitative Studies are Achievable for Anyone

I always suggest to my Undergraduate and Masters level students to aim for a small scale study with no more than 20 research participants.

Now, I know there will be many of you out there who want to do quantitative research studies. And in reality, you can do a quantitative study with a small group of students. These usually involve quantitative action research case studies.

If you’re set on a quantitative study, that’s fine. But find a supervisor with the right experience.

Personally, I usually recommend a qualitative focus group analysis for anyone doing their first dissertation.

The biggest mistake you can make is biting off more than you can chew.

Small scale qualitative studies are the easiest option . They can be achieved within your time frame. And you can certainly still get a very high grade.

So, let’s take the example of the previous research question, which we changed from:

For the first study, you will have to develop skills in quantitative data analysis , find a sizeable cohort of students, get permission from their parents, get special permission to study children you’re your university ethics committee, develop a quality testing mechanism, pilot the test, conduct the test, analyze the data, then interpret it.

For the second study, you will not have to develop complex mathematical skills, bother with getting permission to research children, or deal with the rigor of quantitative analysis.

In other words, you will be able to bypass many hurdles you may face.

That’s the benefit of a small-scale qualitative study. It’s a nice easy first dissertation methodology. You can do it and do it well.

I know my position is controversial, but hey … I’m here to tell you how to avoid problems, not to stand on a soapbox.

Consider Textual Analysis, Semiotic Analysis or Secondary Research

Finding people to interview, survey or participate in your study in any way at all can be intimidating.

I find it interesting and really fulfilling. But I understand if you think it’s too much for you at this point in time.

If you don’t want to have to go out and find research participants for your study, I recommend one of these types of study:

• Textual Analysis : you can look at policy documents or newspaper articles and analyze their ideological positioning , for example;
• Semiotic Analysis : The quintessential semiotic analysis is the analysis of advertising images or movies and the examination of the ways they depict people of different races, social classes or genders;
• Secondary Research: Look over other people’s research and try to identify themes across a range of research studies.

Now, these three different methodologies are far outside of the scope of this discussion, but consult with your dissertation supervisor if you’re overwhelmed by the idea of conducting research with real human beings. One of these three methodologies may help you bypass that process, and make the dissertation feel more achievable for you.

6. Search Online for Inspiration

If you’re still struggling to choose a dissertation topic,  go online to get inspiration!

There’s a few ways you can do this. Here’s a few good ones:

a) Google Previous Dissertation Topics

Many universities upload their students’ dissertations onto an online repository. This means there are a ton of open, free to access databases of previous students’ dissertations all over the internet.

Simply google “Dissertation” + “pdf” + a topic you’re interested in. If you’re a masters student, you can do “masters dissertation” + “pdf” + the topic; and if you’re an undegrad, then simply do “undergraduate dissertation” + “pdf” + the topic;. Simple!

Up will pop a ton of dissertations that you can instantly download to check out previous students’ successful dissertation topics.

Another benefit of doing this is that you’ll be able to view and model the structure that previous students have used as well. This can be super beneficial for you early on!

b) Look at Recent Articles Published in Journals focused on your Topic

If you scroll through the recent issues of journals in your topic, you’ll find a range of research topic ideas.

To get access to top journals in your topic, simply google “Scholarly Journal” + your topic. For example, I am a professor in education. So I’d google “Scholarly journal” + “Education”.

The homepages for a ton of journals will pop up in the Google search. Quickly scan through the recent issues of those journals to see if any ideas will pop up that interest you!

c) If you’re Studying Education or Teaching, Check Here

Lastly, a quick plug for another post I’ve written for dissertation students:

• 51+ Dissertation Ideas for Education students .

Go check that out if you want to write a dissertation on the ‘education’ topic.

7. Trust your Dissertation Supervisor

Your dissertation supervisor will have walked many students just like you through the research process before.

Look, I know many dissertation supervisors can be disappointingly aloof and disconnected from your research. And relationships can get very frosty with your supervisors indeed.

Trust your supervisor. They make recommendations for a reason. They know how to navigate the dissertation writing process. If your supervisor makes a recommendation, strong – very strongly – consider it.

Your supervisor also has expertise in one area of research or another. Take advantage of their expertise. Be flexible and let them sway you down certain paths. You need a knowledgeable partner in the research process.

So, trust your supervisor. You need their expertise more than you know.

8. Come up with 3-5 Ideas and Bring them to your Supervisor for Feedback

Your initial dissertation topic ideas will probably need a lot of refinement.

The person who will help you to refine your topic will be your dissertation supervisor. Their main job, unfortunately, is to curb your enthusiasm. It’s to show you what problems you’ll face if you follow certain paths and recommend alterations to ensure your topic is achievable.

So, approach your supervisor with your 3-5 top ideas and watch them do their magic. They should advise you on how to turn your ideas into reality.

Your ideas can be specific or broad – really, it doesn’t matter because you’ll walk out of your supervision meeting with a lot of changed ideas. It doesn’t need to be set in stone.

You could, for example, go up to your supervisor and say something like:

• “I’m interested in Erikson’s theory of development. Do you have any suggestions of how I can use Erikson’s ideas for a dissertation?”
• “I’m really into conservative politics. What ideas do you have for an achievable topic?”
• Any other ideas…

They’ll help you shape and mold your topic into something achievable.

9. Lastly, Stick to your Choice

When I did my dissertation, I questioned my topic daily: I’d always be thinking up new, better ideas for my dissertation!

But once you’re locked in, it’s hard to change your mind. You’re going to get ethics permission to conduct your study, not anyone else’s!

So, my advice is simple:

Once you’ve chosen your topic, commit.

If you’re desperate to do another topic, fine, do another degree. If you’re doing your Master’s right now, bank those other ideas for a potential PhD down the track.

But once you’ve made your choice, really … you’ve got to commit, block out all your regrets and dig in.

Don’t worry about your friends who chose a dissertation topic that is better than yours. Stay in your lane, be content with your topic, and create a great product.

Writing a dissertation is an exercise in being practical more than anything. That start from the very first choice: choosing a dissertation topic that’s achievable and good for your career, and will also put you on the path for top marks.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

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Checklist for Choosing a Suitable PhD Topic

Finding a suitable research topic is the first step of your PhD journey. It defines your choice of university programmes and may directly inform the willingness of top-level supervisors to work with you on your project. While many students think that this element may be revised slightly over the course of your programme, this approach may not be deemed effective due to a number of considerations:

• Many highly demanded university supervisors only read topic names when selecting potential candidates for supervision.
• A bland topic creates an impression that you do not know what you want to achieve with your research project.
• A poorly formulated topic does not reflect your deep awareness of your subject area.
• A sub-optimal topic does not demonstrate your competence and capability to set SMART research objectives.

Our experience shows that having a well-developed PhD topic allows you to open many doors before you and successfully apply to multiple universities to have a good choice for your future project. This also facilitates collaboration and networking since you can ask your warm contacts to recommend your project to other academic practitioners for supervision or for co-creating research articles or shared projects based on your area of interest. In this article, we will consider the elements contributing to the quality of PhD topics and will develop a checklist for choosing a suitable PhD topic. You can use these ideas in isolation or combine them where possible to create valuable synergies.

PhD Topic Requirements

Most university guidelines highlight a number of elements shared by all strong PhD topics including:

While some of these elements may seem ambiguous at first, they reflect one central idea, namely the need to create an original piece of work expanding our knowledge of a certain major problem that is relevant for many practitioners. Here are some examples of weak and strong PhD topics:

Wrong: Mass shootings in the US: What can be done to improve the situation

Right: Cultural theory of risk and the gun control debate in the US: The implications of Stanford University MSA Data Project.

Wrong: Homelessness problems in developing countries: The role of government regulations.

Right: The influence of subsidised housing availability on social stratification: A comparison of two UK regions.

Finding such topics may be a challenging task, which is why we would suggest looking for several topics rather than a single topic.

Singular vs Plural

Many guidelines on finding your perfect PhD topic imply that you should be looking for ‘a perfect topic’ rather than ‘several high-quality PhD topics’. This misunderstanding may be extremely costly for you, which is why our writing experts usually offer our clients multiple options right away. Here are some practical benefits of this approach:

• The search for several viable PhD topics does not take much more time than finding a single suitable one.
• Your further analysis of the subject area may reveal greater usefulness of some topics due to the identified research gaps.
• The evaluation of respondent availability and accessibility can make some options more effective than other ones.
• Discussions with prospective universities and supervisors may lead to their readiness to only accept certain topics.
• A list of options grants you sufficient flexibility to proceed with your PhD project no matter what.

Putting it simply, multiple topics allow you to be certain that you always have some viable paths to follow even if you encounter some methodological limitations, competition in some targeted areas or unique supervisor preferences. As discussed in one of the following sections, some universities may offer funding for a number of programmes they deem interesting, which may also convince you to prioritise these areas. Try to find 3-5 suitable PhD topics and work on their refinement using the instruments below. This will ensure that even the worst-case scenario will leave you with some backup options rather than the need to restart your search from scratch.

Finding Inspiration

Many students make the mistake of relying on their own inspiration and knowledge when selecting their proposed PhD topic. This approach seems reasonable at first glance but it has had a highly detrimental effect on the quality of many academic projects according to our experience. The main problem here is the fact that your future thesis has to make a substantial contribution to the existing body of knowledge, close some real research gaps, and create practical value for multiple stakeholders. The problem is, you cannot find your unique niche and achieve all of these objectives without extensive prior research. If you are wondering how to come up with a good phd topic, here is a checklist of activities that may help you find an inspiring topic in your area of interest:

We advise our clients to always ‘start with inspiration’ before listening to the input of their academic advisors. The idea is simple:

While you may choose to slightly adjust your focus down the road to make your project more manageable, there is no sense in pursuing a PhD topic that does not raise your interest. Keep in mind that your research should ideally be intertwined with your career aspirations and your professional development, which is why we always advise spending more time on finding the areas that are appealing to you from these standpoints. Many supervisors are also expecting you to come up with interesting ideas on your own rather than relying on them to do all the hard work. Finding several PhD topics that are interesting to you personally may be a good start.

Analysing the Status Quo

As soon as you have compiled the aforementioned list of 5-7 topics in your area of interest, you need to return to the analysis of academic and practitioner literature on the subject. Allocate 1-2 days per each entry and check the following information in these corresponding spheres:

The checklist in this section is focused on the need to identify whether your topic has sufficient academic novelty. If the targeted sphere has already been covered by multiple earlier studies with a similar focus, you may have to remove such entries from your earlier compiled list. Ideally, you should focus on areas that have not been studied in sufficient detail beyond the point of several pioneer publications showing their high potential value.

Risk of Competition

The world of academia exists in a state of continuous motion, which means that hundreds of new studies are published on a daily basis. This introduces a risk of competition where some other researchers select a similar topic and start publishing articles and/or pursuing a PhD programme based on it. Such rival projects reduce your academic novelty and may even force you to change your focus or PhD topic formulation in the middle of your own journey. The checklist items in the previous section should be thoroughly followed to minimise the risk of competition in your selected sphere. You may also utilise the following methods allowing you to further reduce potential threats in this field:

These activities will ensure that your name will emerge after any search related to your topic of interest, which will convince potential competitors to select another research focus.

Research Existing PhD Programmes in Your Field

Many universities advertise PhD programmes with specified research topics. The analysis of such offerings in your field may be a good indicator of potential competition or potential value in this area. This investigation should ideally lead to the following conclusions:

This analysis will also reveal the universities potentially willing to help you pursue your dream topic right away. If they openly declare their interest in this field and the presence of competent supervisors with sufficient knowledge in it, this may put them on your application shortlist.

Appraise the Funding Availability

The previous section has highlighted the problem of finding a suitable university willing to supervise your project. This challenge is frequently associated with the difficulties of finding and securing external funding. Since this aspect is crucial for your successful PhD journey, you may want to check the following aspects prior to selecting one of the possible thesis topics:

Not all PhD projects may be able to secure funding from supervising universities or other traditional sponsors. However, this preliminary search can help you identify whether such options are available to you. According to the experience of our clients, this process does not take much time but provides highly positive results in many situations. If you find a programme that is 80% similar to one of your pre-developed topics, it may be reasonable to accept this compromise and negotiate with your targeted university to make your PhD journey a little easier.

Know the Greats

If you start analysing branding techniques, chances are you will have to refer to David Aaker, Jean-Noel Kapferer, and Philip Kotler in your discussion of the current status quo in your area. The understanding of key theories in your field of study is a prerequisite for formulating a high-quality topic. Here are some ways you can incorporate this knowledge:

While explicitly referring to some theories or models may not be suitable for all PhD topics, this preparation may greatly assist you in refining them and findings the best focus possible. These activities will also be crucial during your first year when you will need to develop the conceptual framework of your study and link it with existing models and theories.

Narrowing Down

An ideal PhD topic should meet two primary criteria. On the one hand, it must be sufficiently narrow and specific to minimise the risks of competition mentioned earlier. On the other hand, it needs to create sufficient value for a wide variety of stakeholders in order to substantiate the need for your PhD project. Here are some ideas that will help you find a better balance between these two polar opposites:

Here are some examples of excessively wide and sufficiently narrow PhD topics:

Wrong: The influence of taxation systems on SME growth rates.

Right: Ability-to-pay and the Laffer curve: The influence of progressive tax practices in the UK on fintech relocation intentions.

Wrong: Problems of single mothers: Practical evidence from the UK.

Right: Tailored support schemes for single mothers of colour: The problems of social workers in West Sussex.

Finally, analyse the existing gaps in the literature related to specific methods. Judging from our experience, many potentially interesting areas have only been studied using qualitative methods such as small-sample interviews due to respondent availability issues. This opens great opportunities for PhD researchers able to access specific population groups and collect larger quantitative and qualitative samples. The suggested strategy may be especially suitable for people with good industry connections or persons residing in such areas as the Middle East that remain out of the reach of many western scholars. Here are some examples of words and phrases making your topic context-specific:

• …on the example of Serbia.
• …influence on small manufacturing SMEs.
• …professional activities of university teachers.
• …in the post-COVID environment of Croatia’s tourism industry.

The Role of Your Supervisor

This aspect has been one of the most controversial ones in modern discussions in PhD thesis writing. On the one hand, your supervisor effectively becomes your ‘family member’ for the following 3-4 years and seeks to ensure the success of your shared endeavours. On the other hand, there exist many ‘toxic’ practitioners in academia who may be willing to ‘bend you to their will’ in many spheres including your style of work and your creative inputs. This may be caused by a number of reasons including:

• Their lack of expertise in your area of choice.
• Their willingness to supervise a topic they are more familiar with.
• Their decision to have input even if your research topic is realistic and researchable.

While this may not be the case in all situations, you may choose to follow the steps below to ensure that your supervisor is really criticising your topic due to its problematic nature rather than their own subjective judgement:

Keep in mind that student-supervisor conflicts are widespread in academia. It may be a challenging experience but the lack of attention to your opinion and an excessively directive style of cooperation may become even more problematic down the road. Hence, the inability to get clear answers related to your topic change or reformulation may be a red flag for some students who want to maintain a certain level of independence in their projects. Keep in mind that your supervisor will effectively become your ‘family member’ for the following 3-4 years in terms of time spent with each other. If you cannot promote your own vision in choosing a suitable PhD topic and feel that their opinion is biased, this may be a good motivation to look for a more suitable person to direct your project.

Choosing the Right Research Method

Your conversations with your supervisors and the conducted analysis of secondary literature on the topic should lead you to the final aspect potentially informing your formulation of a PhD topic. Your research method may be largely dictated by the following aspects you must appraise first:

If you are planning to use such analysis methods as linear regressions or correlations, you may choose to include some of the following words in your PhD topic to make it more focused:

• …the impact of… on…
• …the links between… and…
• …how… influences…
• …the interaction between… and…

These links make your topic more focused. They allow supervisors to immediately understand the methods you are planning to use and appraise the quality and viability of your project.

Article Summary

The analysis of the methods above suggests the following key methods you can use to create a suitable PhD topic:

These instruments can be used in isolation or combined depending on your research focus and area of interest. The main thing to keep in mind is the need to avoid ‘inspiration barriers’ that are usually associated with the lack of background reading or an excessive focus on a single topic. The strategy aiming to arrive at multiple entries is preferable due to the lack of this fixation since you do not need to create one ultimate option. As you work in several areas simultaneously, this expands the number of identified research gaps and the overall number of topics you can discuss with your prospective supervisors. This flexibility allows you to select the best programme possible and obtain a superior knowledge of your targeted area, which facilitates further adjustments and negotiations with your university of choice.

Robert started working as an academic writer while pursuing his PhD in Economics, after earning his Masters and Bachelors degrees in Finance and Economics. He also has experience using analysis software such as Stata.

• How to Choose a PhD Topic

Written by Ben Taylor

Choosing a PhD topic can seem like a pretty daunting prospect. You’ll need to decide on a subject that’s substantial and original enough to occupy your time for at least three years – and one that you won’t find yourself losing interest in.

Focusing on the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, this page features a selection of tips for finding a PhD research topic, with suggestions on identifying research opportunities and coming up with a thesis idea.

On this page

What makes a good phd topic.

Before we look at some tips for choosing a PhD topic, let's discuss what makes a good one.

There are three things that make a good PhD topic. It needs to be:

• Interesting
• Socially, academically or practically relevant

Bear these points in mind when choosing your PhD topic - they'll help you understand whether an idea is worth pursuing or not.

Tips for choosing a PhD topic

Speak to your tutors.

If you’re currently at university, one of the first things to do is to speak to the tutors and academics in your department. These are the kinds of people who are likely to have an excellent grasp of what the main themes of research interest in your subject are.

It’s worth asking them for information on the following areas:

• What academic journals are publishing the most up-to-date work?
• Are there any particular articles or writers they’d recommend?
• Which university departments have a particular reputation for specialising in this field?

If you’re not currently studying at university, don’t be afraid to get back in touch with your previous tutors. After all, you’ll need to contact them for a PhD reference during your application anyway.

Once you’ve had a chance to speak to some academics, you’ll hopefully come away with a few potential PhD topics to begin researching.

Discuss your ideas with a PhD supervisor

In addition to speaking to your tutors, we'd recommend running research topic ideas by an experienced PhD supervisor.

If you don't already have contact with a PhD supervisor, try reaching out to supervisors of programmes that you're interested in. Contact them to set up a meeting and make sure you prepare appropriately - bringing some PhD topics with you would be a great place to start.

Having a discussion with an expert in your chosen field should help form your ideas into more robust research topics with clear gaols and aims. Listen to their feedback, but don't lose sight of your own topic - it's important that your idea is original and that you believe in it.

Identify topics you already know about

You can also look to the courses your current or past courses to get an idea on what areas of your field ignite your interest.

Think about topics that you find most interesting and that you are most likely to want to read about even in your free time. Once you’ve narrowed these down to a few areas, talk to your tutors to find out whether they have future PhD project potential.

Read the literature

The next step is to follow up on the leads you’ve garnered by doing some research of your own and reading around the subject. Try to find the most recent publications and journal articles, as this will give you the most accurate position of the current state of play in your field.

These are some questions to ask yourself as you do this research:

• Does it leave any unanswered questions?
• Is there any missing context?
• Does it go far enough?

You should be prepared to critically analyse the publications in your chosen area (this will be a big part of the literature review at the beginning of your PhD, so you can consider it preparation). Don’t be afraid to challenge any assumptions made by the authors – you may spot something that becomes an important part of your PhD thesis .

Find where the funding is

Depending on the discipline, there are often certain ‘priority’ areas that a university or Research Council is keen to fund PhDs in. Some institutions list these areas on their website – sometimes as ‘research groups’ or ‘research centres’ – but in other cases you might have to do some detective work to discover where the opportunities lie. These are a few ways you could go about that:

• Check out the work of current PhD students at your prospective university and see if there are any common themes linking their research
• Ask your tutors if they’re aware of any emerging areas in the field that are attracting extra attention from funding providers
• Think outside the box – collaborative, interdisciplinary projects may be able to draw on funding pots from other departments or universities

While it’s important to have an idea of these priority areas, you shouldn’t necessarily let them govern your search for a PhD topic. It’s no use deciding on a topic that attracts some funding if it’s not something you’re passionate about. Which brings us on to the next point…

Finding the right PhD for you

What a more detailed breakdown of how to find your perfect PhD project ? Read out step-by-step guide to picking the right doctorate for you.

Imagine yourself 18 months in

One of the aspects of a PhD that sets it apart from any other academic challenge you’ve encountered so far is the sheer amount of time you’ll be spending on it: at least three years and a thesis of around 80,000 words.

It can be quite easy to romanticise the life of a PhD student, but try and imagine yourself 18 months into a programme, after the novelty has worn off and you’re left with the real nitty-gritty of your project. Do you reckon you could cope with the most boring part of your research, whether that’s trawling through endless archive materials or painstakingly writing up the results of a detailed survey?

If the answer is yes, that’s probably a good sign that your topic is something that holds enough interest to occupy your attention for its duration. If you’re not sure about the prospect of spending days or weeks on a single part of your project, maybe it’s a good idea to consider something that you will be happy to devote your time to.

Look at our advetised PhD programmes for inspiration

Browse through the latest PhD opportunities to see what sort of topic suits you the most. Ask yourself:

• Are these topics similar to ones you've thought of?
• Do any of them interest you?
• What would it need to make you apply?

If you find PhD programmes that are similar to your topic, then it’s a good indication that you’re on to something good. However, if you don’t find similar topics, it doesn’t necessarily mean your idea isn’t a good one – it could mean that it’s a completely original idea. You can always contact PhD supervisors for a second opinion should you need more guidance.

Coming up with a PhD thesis topic

Once you’ve decided on a research topic, you need to think about how exactly you’re going to shape it into a dissertation. Our guide to writing a PhD thesis has more detail on how to go about this, with information on structure, planning and writing up.

Ready to do a PhD?

Search our project listings to find out what you could be studying.

Want More Updates & Advice?

Ben worked in the FindAPhD content team from 2017 to 2022, starting as an Assistant Content Writer and leaving as Student Content Manager. He focused on producing well-researched advice across a range of topics related to postgraduate study. Ben has a Bachelors degree in English Literature from the University of Sheffield and a Masters from the University of Amsterdam. Having also spent a semester at the University of Helsinki through the Erasmus programme, he’s no stranger to study abroad (or cold weather!).

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Getting ready to apply for a PhD? Our guides explain research proposals, references and entry tests for doctoral programmes.

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Our guide explains how to contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying.

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How To Choose A Research Topic

Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + Free Topic Evaluator

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | April 2024

Choosing the right research topic is likely the  most important decision you’ll make on your dissertation or thesis journey. To make the right choice, you need to take a systematic approach and evaluate each of your candidate ideas across a consistent set of criteria. In this tutorial, we’ll unpack five essential criteria that will help you evaluate your prospective research ideas and choose a winner.

Overview: The “Big 5” Key Criteria

• Topic originality or novelty
• Value and significance
• Access to data and equipment
• Time limitations and implications
• Ethical requirements and constraints

Criterion #1: Originality & Novelty

As we’ve discussed extensively on this blog, originality in a research topic is essential. In other words, you need a clear research gap . The uniqueness of your topic determines its contribution to the field and its potential to stand out in the academic community. So, for each of your prospective topics, ask yourself the following questions:

• What research gap and research problem am I filling?
• Does my topic offer new insights?
• Am I combining existing ideas in a unique way?
• Am I taking a unique methodological approach?

To objectively evaluate the originality of each of your topic candidates, rate them on these aspects. This process will not only help in choosing a topic that stands out, but also one that can capture the interest of your audience and possibly contribute significantly to the field of study – which brings us to our next criterion.

Criterion #2: Value & Significance

Next, you’ll need to assess the value and significance of each prospective topic. To do this, you’ll need to ask some hard questions.

• Why is it important to explore these research questions?
• Who stands to benefit from this study?
• How will they benefit, specifically?

By clearly understanding and outlining the significance of each potential topic, you’ll not only be justifying your final choice – you’ll essentially be laying the groundwork for a persuasive research proposal , which is equally important.

Criterion #3: Access to Data & Equipment

Naturally, access to relevant data and equipment is crucial for the success of your research project. So, for each of your prospective topic ideas, you’ll need to evaluate whether you have the necessary resources to collect data and conduct your study.

Here are some questions to ask for each potential topic:

• Will I be able to access the sample of interest (e.g., people, animals, etc.)?
• Do I have (or can I get) access to the required equipment, at the time that I need it?
• Are there costs associated with any of this? If so, what are they?

Keep in mind that getting access to certain types of data may also require special permissions and legalities, especially if your topic involves vulnerable groups (patients, youths, etc.). You may also need to adhere to specific data protection laws, depending on the country. So, be sure to evaluate these aspects thoroughly for each topic. Overlooking any of these can lead to significant complications down the line.

Criterion #4: Time Requirements & Implications

Naturally, having a realistic timeline for each potential research idea is crucial. So, consider the scope of each potential topic and estimate how long each phase of the research will take — from literature review to data collection and analysis, to writing and revisions. Underestimating the time needed for a research project is extremely common , so it’s important to include buffer time for unforeseen delays.

Remember, efficient time management is not just about the duration but also about the timing . For example, if your research involves fieldwork, there may specific times of the year when this is most doable (or not doable at all).  So, be sure to consider both time and timing for each of your prospective topics.

Criterion #5: Ethical Compliance

Failing to adhere to your university’s research ethics policy is a surefire way to get your proposal rejected . So, you’ll need to evaluate each topic for potential ethical issues, especially if your research involves human subjects, sensitive data, or has any potential environmental impact.

Remember that ethical compliance is not just a formality – it’s a responsibility to ensure the integrity and social responsibility of your research. Topics that pose significant ethical challenges are typically the first to be rejected, so you need to take this seriously. It’s also useful to keep in mind that some topics are more “ethically sensitive” than others , which usually means that they’ll require multiple levels of approval. Ideally, you want to avoid this additional admin, so mark down any prospective topics that fall into an ethical “grey zone”.

If you’re unsure about the details of your university’s ethics policy, ask for a copy or speak directly to your course coordinator. Don’t make any assumptions when it comes to research ethics!

Key Takeaways

In this post, we’ve explored how to choose a research topic using a systematic approach. To recap, the “Big 5” assessment criteria include:

• Topic originality and novelty
• Time requirements
• Ethical compliance

Be sure to grab a copy of our free research topic evaluator sheet here to fast-track your topic selection process. If you need hands-on help finding and refining a high-quality research topic for your dissertation or thesis, you can also check out our private coaching service .

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Educational resources and simple solutions for your research journey

How to Choose a PhD Research Topic

For most doctoral aspirants, starting on their PhD journey can be both exciting and challenging at the same time. It often begins with having to make a critical decision – choosing a research topic. A well-considered and relevant PhD research topic is crucial because it significantly impacts the overall success and quality of your Ph.D. research. While it may be perfectly normal for your topic to evolve as you progress in your research and make discoveries, the significance of the right PhD thesis topic cannot be overstated.  

The path to earning a PhD often lasts several years. To maintain the motivation and unwavering commitment throughout this journey, you must have a genuine interest in the subject matter you choose to explore. Your enthusiasm can be a driving force, leading you to overcome obstacles and persist in your academic pursuits.  

Let’s explore some methods to help you navigate the process of PhD topic selection, from brainstorming to finalizing your proposal.¹²³

• Focus on your field of study –  It is always a good idea to consider your past research experiences and what questions or problems intrigue you. Remember, while the subject of your PhD should definitely interest you, it should also contribute to the existing body of knowledge in your field. Deeply engaging with subjects that genuinely captivate you can lead to both academic excellence and personal fulfillment. Therefore, take time to evaluate trending PhD topics carefully – this can also help you make your choice. 
• Review relevant academic literature –  Immerse yourself in the literature of your field. Conduct thorough research to identify gaps, controversies, or unexplored avenues in current research. The existing body of knowledge can provide invaluable insights into potential research areas. 
• Assess available resources –  It is   critical to   assess the feasibility of your chosen topic. Consider the resources, data, and tools required to conduct your research. Ensure that you have access to the necessary resources and that your chosen PhD thesis topic aligns with your academic and financial capabilities. 
• Seek guidance from trusted advisors –  Consulting with experienced mentors and advisors is essential. They can provide guidance, suggest refinements to your topic, and help you avoid potential pitfalls. Their insights can be invaluable in shaping your research direction. 

Table of Contents

Formulating a Focused Research Question  

After PhD topic selection, the next step is to refine it into a straightforward research question. Your research question should be specific, relevant, and well-defined. It should be detailed enough to guide your research and provide clear direction while also leaving room for exploration and analysis. Consider the significance of your question – why is it important, and what contributions can your research make to the field?  

Creating a Research Proposal  

Once you have a well-defined research question, you will need to create a research proposal. This document is a blueprint for your entire research efforts. In the research proposal, you will outline the precise scope of your study, the objectives you aim to achieve, the methodology you intend to employ, and the anticipated outcomes of your research.  

Your research proposal typically goes through a thorough review and approval process involving critical evaluation and feedback from your academic advisors. This scrutiny ensures that your research is not only academically sound but also aligns with the standards and expectations of your academic institution. 

The approval of your research proposal marks the culmination of your efforts to refine your PhD research topic. This process finalizes your research topic and sets the stage for the beginning of your PhD journey. 

Evolution of Your PhD Research Topic  

It’s important to remember that choosing a PhD thesis topic can be daunting, and it’s okay for your topic to evolve as you progress through your doctoral studies. New findings and interesting discoveries may lead you in unexpected directions. This adaptability is a natural part of the PhD journey. 4

Your Ph.D. dissertation serves a dual purpose: enhancing your understanding of your field and making valuable contributions to it. While it doesn’t need to be groundbreaking, it must demonstrate originality and your research and argumentation skills. In essence, a Ph.D. program aims to identify scholars capable of making noteworthy contributions to their fields. Thus, your dissertation is a critical milestone in your academic career, and it all begins with the careful selection of your PhD research topic.5 

References:  

• How to Choose a Dissertation Topic For Your Doctoral Degree. Walden University website.  https://www.waldenu.edu/online-doctoral-programs/resource/how-to-choose-a-dissertation-topic-for-your-doctoral-degree  
• How to Choose a PhD Topic. Doctoral Journey, Grand Canyon University website; August 2020.  https://www.gcu.edu/blog/doctoral-journey/how-choose-phd-topic  
• How do you select a research topic for your dissertation or thesis? LinkedIn Higher Education article, November 2023.  https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-do-you-select-research-topic-your-dissertation  
• How to decide on a PhD topic. The University of Queensland website, April 2022.  https://study.uq.edu.au/stories/how-to-decide-phd-topic  
• John Komlos, John Goldsmith. How does one choose a dissertation topic? IIT Delhi.  https://web.iitd.ac.in/~mamidala/HTMLobj-155/How_to_choose_a_PhD_topic.htm  

R Discovery is a literature search and research reading platform that accelerates your research discovery journey by keeping you updated on the latest, most relevant scholarly content. With 250M+ research articles sourced from trusted aggregators like CrossRef, Unpaywall, PubMed, PubMed Central, Open Alex and top publishing houses like Springer Nature, JAMA, IOP, Taylor & Francis, NEJM, BMJ, Karger, SAGE, Emerald Publishing and more, R Discovery puts a world of research at your fingertips.  

Try R Discovery Prime FREE for 1 week or upgrade at just US$72 a year to access premium features that let you listen to research on the go, read in your language, collaborate with peers, auto sync with reference managers, and much more. Choose a simpler, smarter way to find and read research – Download the app and start your free 7-day trial today !  

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How to find a good topic for a PhD research proposal?

In many countries an application for a PhD position includes a written research proposal, so my questions is what are some advises/strategies to come up with a good topic/idea for a PhD research proposal and how can one assess the quality/fruitfulness of an idea ? As an undergraduate student one just doesn't have the experience to foresee which ideas might have promising research results and which probably won't have. (And I doubt that potential supervisors have the time to comment on every idea of every potential applicant in cases where it is possible to establish some kind of contact before the actual application.)

• graduate-admissions
• application
• research-topic

• It seems unwise to undertake a PhD without at least a general topic already in mind. In my (very limited) experience students already have research experience and have established research relationships with faculty. For example, the fourth year of my undergrad ("Honours" in Australia), was a year supervised research. This is how I developed my research interests and found a supervisor. –  Stephen Tierney Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 11:07
• 1 This is an extremely popular paper on the subject: weizmann.ac.il/mcb/UriAlon/nurturing/HowToChooseGoodProblem.pdf –  Bitwise Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 17:57

5 Answers 5

• Jot down your interests.
• Future goals (long term and short term). Doesn't have to be accurate but just to give you the "big picture".
• Speak with your PhD advisor (if you already have one).
• Align his/her interests with yours and see if you have common ground (you may need to lean towards his interests or find another advisor)
• Once you have a list of topics that you could explore, do a literature review and figure out for what topics you'd have a taste.

Each person has his own formula on what to choose as their PhD proposal. This was the way I went about it.

PhD (Mechanical Engineering Expected Fall 2012)

• 3 I would stress that you should speak to your potential advisor (even if you don't have one yet!). You certainly shouldn't submit something that no potential supervisor has ever seen. This is not necessarily because the proposal would be better with their help, but there might be nobody who would be able to advise you. –  Lars Kotthoff Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 19:21
• Thanks for the answer! The problem in many european countries is, that you don't apply for graduate school and then find a topic and supervisor at the university which accepted you (i believe this is how it works in the U.S.?), but you are supposed to come up with something in before (when you apply in the first place). See e.g. in this example what the applicants and their proposals will be judged on. –  tobigue Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 19:34
• Regardless of what it says officially, it's always a good idea to at least establish contact with your potential advisor. If anything, it will show them that you're motivated. I think most people will be happy to give you at least some feedback on your proposal. –  Lars Kotthoff Commented Feb 15, 2012 at 20:13
• 4 In most cases I know (Europe, Physics) the research proposal was written together between the PhD advisor and the candidate, or by the PhD advisor. You could in theory start without an advisor, but in practice almost everyone finds one before starting. –  finitud Commented Jul 7, 2014 at 10:18

In your case, I would find scientific publications aimed at the student/general population in your field, and read the articles written for the public. Both Science and Nature will have numerous articles in each issue that can be read and understood by the general public. Some subfields have publications directed specifically at the student/enthusiast population (such as IEEE Spectrum for Engineering).

By reading through these publications, you will get a sense for what the current major research focus is in a wide variety of fields, and you'll get a feel for what's interesting to you.

Talk to professors in fields that interest you! You'd be surprised at how many professors (admittedly, not all of them) would be willing to spend 15 minutes talking to you about their research, and their field in general. I'm not going to say "showing initiative is key to making progress", because it's not, but it can help, and you'll learn a tremendous amount this way.

Find a subject that you really really are passionately interested in, and care about finding out more about it. This subject is going to become almost your entire life for a few years, and you will need huge dedication to it, in order to complete.

Talk, ideally over a coffee, but by phone or (worst-case) email if you can't meet in person, with people who recently completed their PhDs and are now actively researching in this field; discuss your ideas and recent developments in the field.

Find an area that your intended supervisor is up-to-date in.

If you do it right, your PhD will lead you to knowing more than anyone else in the world about this very very specific subject: so it will really help if you're going to be keen to pursue it as a career after completing your PhD, even after writing several papers and making plenty of conference presentations on it.

One aspect of a PhD is pursuing original research in your given field. I believe it is hard for an undergraduate to know what research has / hasn't been in covered in all of the topics they may be interested in.

Therefore, I would advise that you consider the topics you are interested in, and find out which Researchers / Professors are working in those fields, in the universities that you are considering. Then, you should ask them what they are working on at the moment, and what potential projects they would have in mind for a new PhD student joining them. This will give you a feel for the kind of research that you could be doing.

There are already very good answers above; I would only like to add that you should also take into account whether you can get a scholarship/funding for your research topic. Your personal interests may not necessarily align with those of your potential funders. Consider how much you would be willing to compromise your own interests to be able to receive a scholarship. Most people cannot support themselves financially through the course of a PhD programme, so this point is not to be underestimated.

If you apply for a government scholarship for example, they will likely want you to study a topic that is of high policy relevance to them and you need to think about whether you can offer that or modify your original ideas in such a way that they will meet the policy priorities of the government at the point of application. Governments tend to publish their strategic priorities in various documents online, so it will not be difficult to make the connections between your research and their needs.

University departments giving scholarships tend to be more flexible with regard to research topics as long as the quality and originality of the proposed research is high, but again, it would be best to get an opinion from a member of the department on the chances of your proposal attracting sufficient interest that it will get funding.

Without funding, it will be close to impossible to do a PhD.

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Selecting a Research Topic: Overview

• Refine your topic
• Background information & facts
• Writing help

Here are some resources to refer to when selecting a topic and preparing to write a paper:

• MIT Writing and Communication Center "Providing free professional advice about all types of writing and speaking to all members of the MIT community."
• Search Our Collections Find books about writing. Search by subject for: english language grammar; report writing handbooks; technical writing handbooks
• Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation Online version of the book that provides examples and tips on grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and other writing rules.
• Select a topic

Choosing an interesting research topic is your first challenge. Here are some tips:

• Choose a topic that you are interested in! The research process is more relevant if you care about your topic.
• If your topic is too broad, you will find too much information and not be able to focus.
• Background reading can help you choose and limit the scope of your topic. 
• Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment.  Ask your professor or TA for suggestions.
• Refer to lecture notes and required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.
• Talk about research ideas with a friend.  S/he may be able to help focus your topic by discussing issues that didn't occur to you at first.
• WHY did you choose the topic?  What interests you about it?  Do you have an opinion about the issues involved?
• WHO are the information providers on this topic?  Who might publish information about it?  Who is affected by the topic?  Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic?
• WHAT are the major questions for this topic?  Is there a debate about the topic?  Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider?
• WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or international level?  Are there specific places affected by the topic?
• WHEN is/was your topic important?  Is it a current event or an historical issue?  Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

Table of contents

• Broaden your topic
• Information Navigator home
• Sources for facts - general
• Sources for facts - specific subjects

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• Last Updated: Jul 30, 2021 2:50 PM
• URL: https://libguides.mit.edu/select-topic

How to Choose a Good Research Topic for Your PhD

Choosing the right research topic is quite often a daunting task, especially for PhD students. However, developing a good research question has a positive impact on students’ research careers. Thesis advisors offer help during this initial stage. Later on, PhD students are expected to choose their own research topic for subsequent studies.

When navigating through several interesting research topics, it becomes necessary to strike the right balance between curiosity and societal needs. Moreover, funding agencies fund compelling research proposals based on meaningful and highly relevant research topics. Selecting a good research topic can, therefore, increase the odds of academic success.

PhD Research Topic and Your Career

Performing a meticulous literature survey helps researchers identify existing research gaps and devise novel strategies for addressing them. Once the research gap is identified, it becomes imperative to choose a meaningful research question. A well-chosen research question can lead to a compelling research proposal. In fact, doctoral researchers can positively shape their entire career by finalizing a good research proposal. Researchers are expected to choose topics that can potentially lead to impactful publications. Good publications fetch good citations. Well-published and well-cited researchers can easily find satisfying jobs in academia or industry. Choosing the right research topic, thus, can open doors to satisfying job opportunities worldwide.

Pathway to Success

There are several ways to ensure success in research. When in graduate school, students need to undertake several measures to identify a compelling research topic. Although conducting a thorough literature survey certainly facilitates this process, it is virtually impossible to choose the right research topic solely based on literature surveys. Students and early-stage researchers, therefore, need to brainstorm thoroughly with their advisor, talk to experts, and attend research seminars/conferences to listen to (and network with) established researchers. Quite often, taking up the relevant coursework (especially for interdisciplinary research areas) simplifies the process of research topic selection.

Choosing the right research question helps researchers stay focused and motivated throughout their career. Meaningful research questions eventually lead to meaningful discoveries and inventions. Robert Smith presented in Graduate Research: A Guide for Students in the Sciences (ISI Press, 1984) a list of 11 research questions to consider:

• Can you enthusiastically pursue it?
• Can you sustain your interest while pursuing it?
• Is the problem solvable?
• Is it worth pursuing?
• Will it lead to other research problems?
• Is it manageable in size?
• What is the potential for making an original contribution to the literature in the field?
• Will the scholars in your field receive the results well if you solve the problem?
• Are you (or will you become) competent to solve it?
• By solving it, will you have demonstrated independent skills in your discipline?
• Will the necessary research prepare you in an area of demand or promise for the future?

Keeping these questions in mind while developing a research question can set the stage for a productive and fulfilling career.

Common Mistakes

There are several mistakes that students and early-stage researchers commit during the process of research topic selection. Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Extending thesis work even after graduate school : If researchers choose topics that are direct extensions or clear derivatives of their thesis work, then they do not make significant value addition to the respective field of study. Choosing a radically new research topic, while still embarking on the broad area of specialization is indeed the key to success.
• Choosing an obscure, irrelevant, or non-compelling research topic : This can adversely affect the researcher’s motivation levels and can drastically decrease their odds of attaining success.
• Letting PhD advisors choose research topics for you : Although researchers often pursue work within the same field even after earning their PhD, they are less likely to conduct research on the same exact topic. For this reason, letting your advisor tell you what to study rather than you developing a question based on your own reading and experiences in the laboratory is another common mistake that can have lifelong consequences.

Finally, scientists should work in an environment that nurtures the natural chaos of developing a research direction. PhD advisors should also make it a point to thoroughly groom and mentor their PhD students. A good thesis advisor enables his/her students to choose good research topics.

Did your thesis advisor choose a research topic for you? Did he/she train and mentor you well? Were you able to choose your own research topic? Are you happy with your chosen research topic? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

Research topics for science or literature: Deep knowledge and a keen interest in any subject with a scholarly attitude are the prerequisites for any research work.

I am allowed to choose my research topic.

i want research topic for p.hd

Thank you for posting your query. Selecting a good research topic is the first step towards carrying out a successful and impactful research study. A good research topic can help you attract funding and also help you to successfully publish in a prestigious journal. Unfortunately we are not aware of your field of research and hence will not be able to suggest you research topics. However, we can share few tips that might be helpful in selecting an appropriate research topic for your PhD. While choosing a research topic, you must carry out a thorough literature survey in your field or genre of research and look for a research gap. Identifying the research gap makes it easy to select a research topic and an appropriate research question. Once you have selected a research topic, you can check through our checklist available here .

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How to decide on a PhD topic

Study tips Published 5 Apr, 2022  ·  4-minute read

Whether you’re diving right into your doctorate after a master’s degree or honours year, or you’re returning to study after a few years out in the field, working out how to choose a research topic for your PhD is an essential first step. We got some tips from two of our PhD candidates, Sarah Kendall and Chelsea Janke.

Some Doctor of Philosophy candidates are lucky. They start a PhD having already discovered their niche interest area, which means they never need to wonder how to choose a PhD topic.

Does this mean there’s something wrong with you if you don’t already have your thesis locked in?

Not at all.

Many students start their PhD journey with just a pure passion for research – a love for testing theories and making new discoveries – and figure out their specific research topic while working on their proposal . If you’re in this camp, or if you haven’t refined your thesis just yet, these tips can help you get there.

Your PhD will take 3-4 years, so it's important that you choose something you're genuinely interested in.

How to choose a PhD topic

Sarah is the first to admit that choosing a PhD thesis topic is daunting. Her thesis examines lawyers’ approaches to prosecuting and defending domestic and family violence cases, but this topic didn’t come to her overnight.

“This can be really hard,” says Sarah.

“It took me years to decide on a PhD topic, and even then, it continued to change after starting my PhD.”

Chelsea, whose research explores ways to keep soil healthy while reducing environmental impact, agrees that your initial thesis may not necessarily stay the same throughout your PhD.

“Keep in mind that, as you progress through your PhD, your topic may change as you make new findings and discover some interesting things,” she says.

“This is fairly normal and is often why PhD topics aren’t always set in stone at the start.”

Remember this if you find yourself getting frustrated with how long it’s taking to pin down your research topic. You’ll be spending significant time ( at least 3 years ) researching this topic, so it’s reasonable to take a while on this decision. Make sure you land on a topic that truly inspires you, as you’ll need that inspiration to keep you motivated for the long haul.

With that said, though, there’s nothing wrong with picking a topic you’re 99% sure of and getting started sooner. As Sarah and Chelsea both say, adapting your thesis along the way is often part of the PhD journey.

Read, read, read

Identify the things that really spark your interest and where you can find research gaps – that is, where there are still things we don't know.

Chelsea believes choosing your research topic begins with, well, research .

“Read widely on the general field that you’re interested in,” she says.

“Identify the things that really spark your interest and where you can find research gaps – that is, where there are still things we don’t know.”

Sarah agrees and acknowledges that sometimes this prior research can even translate into a separate project or even a degree.

“Do some research into the areas that interest you – this could take the form of an honours or other research project, or even a mock project that you do in your spare time,” she says.

“This will help you to decide your level of interest in the topic.”

Consider your subjects and speak with academics

Sarah recommends thinking about the courses from your current or previous program, as these can shine a light on what aspects of your field ignite your curiosity.

“Consider the subjects that you really enjoyed in your previous studies or those topics that you find really enjoyable to just learn about in your spare time,” she says.

“Narrow this down to a few areas, even if these are still pretty broad, then talk to as many academics as possible who do research in those areas. This is a really great way of finding out more about what’s topical in the area and what a potential project could look like.”

If you already know who you’d like to be your PhD supervisor, they are the obvious person to speak with first about refining your research topic. If not, learn how to find the right supervisor .

Check for openings on existing projects

Sometimes the best way to choose a PhD topic is to let the PhD topic choose you instead. Many academics keep open spots in their research projects for potential candidates to fill, providing opportunities for students to pursue their own thesis while assisting in a larger research team. We call these earmarked PhD projects .

In fact, this is what ended up helping Sarah select her thesis topic.

“Keep an eye out for projects that are being advertised by academics,” says Sarah.

“You might find one that fits with your area of interest, saving you much of the trouble of having to decide on your specific topic – this is how I came to be doing the project I’m currently doing!”

View available earmarked PhD projects at UQ

Ready to start researching your chosen topic? Discover the next steps for your PhD application.

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• Aug 4, 2021

A Simple Beginner's Guide to PhD Research Topic Formulation

Greetings!!

Are you puzzled as to how you need to formulate a topic for your PhD research work? Feeling obscured under a lot of articles or books that you’ve read which only led to confusion? If it’s been more than a weeks’ time since you started, and one idea after another is running through your mind without any hint like how to mold one idea into a proper research project – you’re certainly feeling the burden!

We are here to help you in bringing up an appropriate approach for a workable research project. In addition, we have a provided a comprehensive 6-step-guideline for “Finding out a good and original PhD research topic”.

What is a ‘PhD research topic’?

There are some misinterpretations and uncertainty around the word ‘topic’, and many PhD scholars thinks that they require a general topic to get started with their research. However, it is not right. Normally, a PhD research topic is the heart of your research project which simply exposes the complete idea of your research work and further by using it, the dissertation/thesis needs to be framed out. In practice, deciding on a research topic and working out your research questions goes hand-in-hand.

Below six steps will guide you in formulating a good research topic for your PhD

Step 1. Research the state-of-art in your interested research domain

Initially find atleast 5-8 appropriate keywords for a literature search.

Further postulate your search regarding literature survey databases which you search, its publishing dates, topographical areas, or applied methods and techniques.

Summarize all the articles which you read and keep reference number for the same, so you can always revisit articles.

Step 2. Breakthrough your project ideas

Identify and write down all the project ideas which comes to your mind. Just gather your thoughts, without critically assessing them.

Find a quiet spot and write out all project ideas that come to your mind. Just collect all your thoughts, without critically evaluating them.

After few days, revisit your ideas and start reviewing and crossing out research ideas which are not worthwhile.

Continue adding new ideas and refine your list, as you go on with the reading process.

Step 3. Slender down your research ideas

After working on this, go through your formulated list and gradually narrow it down to 2-3 best research ideas.

Further to it, start in brainstorming each promising research idea, may be atleast one per day.

Pen down all possible and clear research questions, problem gaps, ideas for experiments/analysis, how to gather pragmatic evidence, hypothesis you’re having etc.

Step 4. Develop a “project work sheet”

Create and maintain a page “project work sheet” that surface out the specifically more about your research project in terms of approach, methods, techniques to be used of and expected outcomes of the research work taken.

The purpose of maintaining this project work sheet is to test how do you feel about the research topic-either positively or indifferent? You have time to work on the research topic for the approaching years. Preferably, you’re passionate about it.

Step 5. Discussing with your research guide/supervisor

Present all the formulated research topic to your supervisor would be always the best choice as they will help you in knowing whether the topics suggested is good to move ahead or need to work upon.

Now, based on their opinion (regarding time, funds, facilities & methods available) move further with any one of the research topics.

Integrate all their feedback on your “project-work sheet” to further polish them.

Step 6. Decide and develop statement of objectives

During this process, you might have decided one topic which is better and stands out with more potential. Go for that and start to further analyze the pro’s and con’s of it. But finally make a decision and move forward.

For the finalized research topic, create atleast 3-6 objectives which briefly gives the research project’s goal. Include research questions to answer or the hypothesis you’ll work with.

Conclusion:

If you’re one among those PhD candidates, it is most important to find your goal for doing PhD, now identifying the goal is your goal! We know that finding a research topic is a harder part, however the above mentioned six steps will definitely guide you in cracking and bringing about a good research topic.

Hope this article will be helpful for all the readers who are in the beginning stage of your PhD research work. In case of any queries related to this post, feel free to reach us through your comments or visit our website.

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• Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

Published on October 26, 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research question pinpoints exactly what you want to find out in your work. A good research question is essential to guide your research paper , dissertation , or thesis .

All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

Table of contents

How to write a research question, what makes a strong research question, using sub-questions to strengthen your main research question, research questions quiz, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research questions.

You can follow these steps to develop a strong research question:

• Choose your topic
• Do some preliminary reading about the current state of the field
• Narrow your focus to a specific niche
• Identify the research problem that you will address

The way you frame your question depends on what your research aims to achieve. The table below shows some examples of how you might formulate questions for different purposes.

Using your research problem to develop your research question

Note that while most research questions can be answered with various types of research , the way you frame your question should help determine your choices.

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Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them. The criteria below can help you evaluate the strength of your research question.

Focused and researchable

Feasible and specific

Complex and arguable

Relevant and original

Chances are that your main research question likely can’t be answered all at once. That’s why sub-questions are important: they allow you to answer your main question in a step-by-step manner.

Good sub-questions should be:

• Less complex than the main question
• Focused only on 1 type of research
• Presented in a logical order

Here are a few examples of descriptive and framing questions:

• Descriptive: According to current government arguments, how should a European bank tax be implemented?
• Descriptive: Which countries have a bank tax/levy on financial transactions?
• Framing: How should a bank tax/levy on financial transactions look at a European level?

Keep in mind that sub-questions are by no means mandatory. They should only be asked if you need the findings to answer your main question. If your main question is simple enough to stand on its own, it’s okay to skip the sub-question part. As a rule of thumb, the more complex your subject, the more sub-questions you’ll need.

Try to limit yourself to 4 or 5 sub-questions, maximum. If you feel you need more than this, it may be indication that your main research question is not sufficiently specific. In this case, it’s is better to revisit your problem statement and try to tighten your main question up.

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If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

As you cannot possibly read every source related to your topic, it’s important to evaluate sources to assess their relevance. Use preliminary evaluation to determine whether a source is worth examining in more depth.

This involves:

• Reading abstracts , prefaces, introductions , and conclusions
• Looking at the table of contents to determine the scope of the work
• Consulting the index for key terms or the names of important scholars

A research hypothesis is your proposed answer to your research question. The research hypothesis usually includes an explanation (“ x affects y because …”).

A statistical hypothesis, on the other hand, is a mathematical statement about a population parameter. Statistical hypotheses always come in pairs: the null and alternative hypotheses . In a well-designed study , the statistical hypotheses correspond logically to the research hypothesis.

Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .

However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:

• Researchability
• Feasibility and specificity
• Relevance and originality

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McCombes, S. (2023, November 21). Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 25, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-questions/

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