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Thesis Writing

Thesis Topics

Interesting Thesis Topics & Ideas To Get Started

17 min read

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If you’re a student who’s nearing graduation and wondering, “What is the best topic for your thesis?”, you’ve come to the perfect place!

It’s a well-established fact that thesis documents require extreme levels of research and dedication. But, when it comes to choosing a topic for your thesis, it is far from being an easy task as well!

If your supervisor hasn’t assigned you a thesis topic, you can get valuable help from this blog. With thesis ideas ranging from education to diverse fields of study, you can pick the topic perfect topic for thesis writing.  

So without further ado, let’s get started!

• 1. Thesis Topics for Students
• 2. Thesis Topics for Multiple Fields
• 3. How to Choose a Good Thesis Topic?

Thesis Topics for Students

We’ll start with a comprehensive list of thesis ideas for students, then move on to topics for multiple fields. 

Thesis Topics for College Students

• Exploring the psychological effects of student loan debt on college graduates
• The challenges and opportunities of globalization
• The role of education and social mobility in reducing inequality
• The impact of immigration on the economy and society
• The potential of new technologies to improve healthcare outcomes
• The impact of online learning on student engagement and achievement 
• What is the role of artificial intelligence in business decision-making?
• High school bullying and its long-term effects on mental health and social adjustment
• The challenges and opportunities of diversity and inclusion in education
• The impact of early childhood education on long-term success

Senior Thesis Topics

• The industrial revolution has increased the gap between the rich and the poor. How?
• What are the effects of global warming on the world’s population?
• Feminism is becoming as bad as racism. How?
• The relationship between social media usage and perceptions of loneliness
• The long-term effects of income inequality on economic growth
• Placement by age vs. placement by academic ability. Which should be preferred?
• How have viruses such as HIV-AIDS, affected the African economy?
• What are the common sleep disorders and their treatments?
• Using animals for sports and entertainment: Is it legal or illegal?
• Discuss Trump’s “America First” trade and foreign policy.

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Bachelor Thesis Topics

• The impact of E-Sports on traditional sports and the future of competitive gaming
• The economics of renewable energy transition: Case study of Germany
• The influence of music on cognitive performance and productivity in the workplace
• The influence of social media on political movements and activism
• The ethical implications of gene editing technologies: A case study on CRISPR-Cas9
• Urban green spaces and their impact on mental health: A case study of Singapore
• The relationship between smartphone use and sleep quality in young adults
• Investigating the psychological factors influencing consumer brand loyalty
• Cybersecurity threats and mitigation strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises
• The impact of video games on cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities in children

Masters Thesis Topics

• Discuss the relationship between literature and the political climate in the 18th century
• Explain the relationship between rational thinking and religion
• The Civil War is the greatest inspiration for art. Discuss the concept
• Gun violence in the USA during the 2010s: A comparative analysis
• Cyberbullying can lead to suicides - A case study of Australia
• Campus shootings in the USA: Discuss the causes and risk factors
• Labor markets in China: An in-depth analysis
• What are the impacts of global warming on weather conditions in Iceland?
• Explain the women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia in the 2000s
• Write a detailed comparison of the anti-nuclear movements in Germany and Japan

MBA Thesis Topics

• Discuss a case study of rural marketing projects.
• What are the impacts of reducing the retirement age in America?
• Mergers and acquisitions: Evaluating the factors contributing to success or failure
• How can the banking sector influence the economic growth of India?
• Analysis of global supply chain resilience in the post-pandemic business environment
• Online marketing on social media platforms is useful for small companies. How?
• Write a comparative study of organized trading in the USA and UK
• How is technical knowledge essential to make wise financial decisions?
• How can consumer purchases influence brand design?
• Explore the positive and negative impacts of mobile banking

PhD Thesis Topics

• What are the primary professors’ teaching patterns in China?
• Discuss the social benefits of same-sex marriages
• Discuss the legal issue of child labor in Third World countries.
• What is the positive impact of music therapy on patients with brain injuries?
• Explain the impacts of 9/11 on new policies against terrorism
• Discuss the marketing strategies used in political campaigns
• The US presence in Syria: Is it providing justice or violating the law?
• Elaborate on the preventive measures to fight obesity among teenagers.
• How to treat injuries in diabetic patients?
• What are the political and economic effects of Brexit on the UK?

Thesis Topics for Multiple Fields

Here are some interesting and easy to write thesis topics from multiple fields of study.

Thesis Topics in Education

• Special education policies in the USA: Are they effective or ineffective?
• Why is studying abroad a legitimate excuse for traveling?
• Strategies for supporting undergraduate students' transition to college life
• Family involvement has a direct impact on a child's performance. Discuss how?
• Why are students more likely to do the homework assigned by good-looking professors?
• Role of Parental Involvement in early childhood education for academic readiness
• Explain the development of emotional intelligence for modern education
• Informal learning in rural areas through social networks. Is it possible?
• Public school students interact at the same level as the other students. Is it true?
• How can reality television disempower students to some extent?

Thesis Topics in Healthcare

• How does increased physical activity promote healthy aging?
• The impact of telemedicine on healthcare access and quality
• Mental health stigma: Addressing barriers to seeking and receiving care
• How do Supervised Machine Learning models help in Breast Cancer diagnosis?
• Exploring the mental health implications of prolonged pandemic-related stress and isolation
• Innovations in remote patient monitoring for chronic disease management
• How can we improve the affordability of healthcare without sacrificing quality?
• Strategies for addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases
• How can we use social media to promote health literacy and engagement?
• How can we use genomics to improve disease prevention and treatment?

Thesis Topics for Computer Science

• Quantum computing: The future of data processing and cryptography
• How does the feedback system in personnel management work?
• Describe the development of an automated workplace
• How can data be analyzed by using robust AI algorithms?
• Discuss the benefits of the development of a taxi service website
• The dark web: Anonymity, security, and law enforcement challenges
• Verification of webpage layouts. How is it beneficial?
• What are the impacts of mobile computing on global development?
• Big data analytics for predictive maintenance in IoT systems
• How can AI-assisted surveillance systems decrease mass school shootings in the US?

Architecture Thesis Topics

• How have religious buildings in the British Empire affected architecture?
• Discuss the role of architects in combating the impacts of climate change
• Why should we construct sustainable buildings for offices?
• Discuss a case study of small houses to solve homelessness
• Why should we develop public places in small cities?
• How can architecture revitalize urban areas sustainably?
• Are underwater hotels sustainable?
• Discuss the transformation of urban design in the 21st century
• How can we construct houses in developed countries with low income?
• How can architectural design create healing environments in healthcare facilities?

Thesis Topics for Interior Design

• Role of biophilic design in reducing stress and anxiety in workplaces
• Designing interior spaces for people with dementia
• The use of technology to create immersive and interactive interior experiences
• Design of interior spaces for future generations
• Impact of culture on prisons and other correctional facilities design
• Use of universal design to create inclusive restaurants and cafés
• Use of materials and finishes to create a sustainable and resilient built environment
• What is the impact of interior design on human performance?
• Creating inclusive and accessible interior spaces for people with disabilities
• What is the future of interior design in the age of climate change?

Thesis Topics for Textile Designing

• How to design textiles that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional?
• Environmental impact of textile design and how to reduce it
• How can textile design improve the performance of sportswear and activewear?
• Design a textile collection that is accessible and affordable for people with disabilities
• Develop a sustainable textile production process that reduces environmental impact
• Investigate the impact of textile design on consumer behavior
• Explore the use of sustainable materials in textile design
• Challenges and opportunities of new technologies in textile design
• Ethical implications of materials and production methods in textile design
• How can textile design reduce fashion waste and promote circularity?

Psychology Thesis Topics

• Why is emotional intelligence an important factor in professional satisfaction?
• The notion of the self – Is it a myth or reality?
• Evaluating the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral
• Therapy in managing anxiety
• Self-efficacy and academic achievement: A longitudinal study of students
• A good IQ level can have long-term benefits for children. Discuss how?
• How are emotional disorders directly connected to social cognition?
• Analyze the relationship between emotional and episodic memory
• How can rational thinking allow us to make better decisions?
• How common is depression among homosexual teenagers?
• What are the psychological techniques to help obese teens?

Political Science Thesis Topics

• Compare the foreign policies of the US and the UK
• What were the causes of the American Revolution?
• How is religion used as a political power?
• What is the role of social movements in politics?
• Discuss the consequences of the Civil War
• Immigration policies and their impact on social cohesion and diversity
• The impact of campaign finance reform on political corruption
• What are the negotiation methods during wartime?
• Explain the difference between political and armed conflicts
• Give a detailed review of the Human Rights Act 1998

Thesis Topics for Law Students

• The role of international law in addressing global cybersecurity threats
• Human rights and refugee law: Analyzing the legal status of stateless individuals
• Legal aspects of intellectual property rights in the fashion industry
• Consumer protection laws in E-Commerce: Challenges and emerging trends
• How can we ensure that plea bargaining is used fairly and ethically?
• Examining the legal and ethical implications of genetic testing and genetic privacy
• The evolution of copyright law in the digital era: Balancing innovation and protection
• How has globalization changed the landscape of international law?
• What is the future of International Law in a world of increasing nationalism?
• The impact of race and ethnicity on criminal sentencing

International Relations Thesis Topics

• What is the impact of Russia’s intervention in Syria?
• Discuss the trade relations between India and Pakistan
• Discuss the impacts of the US sanctions on Iran
• Explain the reasons for OIC failure
• What is the US foreign policy towards North Korea?
• Critically analyze the human rights violations in Kashmir
• What is the policy of the United States toward Russia?
• Discuss lessons learned politically since 9/11
• Political problems in Africa have been affected by colonial rule. How?
• Discuss how is Israel playing the victim card in the war against Palestine

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History Thesis Topics

• How has World War II saved the world?
• What is the impact of Buddhism on the Chinese empire?
• Discuss the struggles of the North American colonies for independence
• Describe the role of the monarchy in the domestic policy of Great Britain
• Discuss the impacts of the North Korean nuclear program in Northeast Asia
• Evaluate the American and Britain relations during the Cold War Era
• Discuss the global impacts of the Great Depression
• Explain the Women's rights and woman suffrage: 1848-1920.
• Enlist the Military Innovations between WWI & WWII
• Discuss the feminist movement from 1845 to 1920

Criminal Justice Thesis Topics

• What are the ways to deal with domestic violence?
• How can we reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system?
• How is electronic monitoring an abuse of privacy rights?
• What can be done to prevent cyber crimes?
• What are the common child abuse crimes committed?
• How can body cameras reduce police violence?
• Why are men more likely to get the death penalty?
• How can drug courts help people with addictions?
• Discuss the strategies used to stop criminal behavior
• Discuss the effectiveness of capital punishment in deterring crime

Thesis Topics in English Literature

• The influence of feminist theory on the work of Margaret Atwood
• Discuss the effectiveness of verbal communication in displaying feelings
• How do people communicate when there is no shared language?
• Language travels through time. Discuss the concept
• Elaborate on the advantages of learning a second language in graduate school
• Discuss the effectiveness of non-verbal communication for displaying emotions.
• Shakespearean adaptations in modern literature and film
• Narrative techniques in experimental literature and their impact on storytelling
• What are the benefits of learning two languages at once as a child?
• How to best communicate: Verbally or non-verbally? 

Thesis Topics in Mass Communication

• Effects of user-generated content on news credibility and trust in online journalism
• Impact of deep fake technology on media manipulation and trust in visual media
• The role of media in promoting political polarization and extremism
• The challenges of reporting on sensitive topics such as war, violence, and trauma
• The ethics of using media to exploit or harm vulnerable populations
• The influence of TikTok on youth culture and entertainment consumption
• How does sports journalism respond to evolving media landscapes?
• The role of social media influencers in shaping brand image and consumer behavior
• The role of media in promoting corporate interests and agendas
• What is the role of media in the surveillance state and the erosion of privacy?

Thesis Topics in Business Administration 

• How is digital transformation changing business models and strategies?
• What role does venture capital play in funding and supporting startups?
• The role of data analytics in decision-making and improving business outcomes
• The challenges and opportunities of expanding into new markets
• What factors influence call center industry employee retention?
• Comparing leadership structures in manufacturing and retail sectors
• How do varying leadership styles impact worker performance?
• Challenges and opportunities of managing supply chains in a globalized economy
• Is a Human Resources Officer still relevant in today's businesses?
• What is the impact of internal communications on organizational objectives?

Thesis Topics in Physical Education

• Role of physical education in preventing childhood obesity
• Impact of physical activity on sleep quality and overall well-being
• Influence of physical education on self-esteem and body image in adolescents
• What strategies promote gender equity in physical education?
• How can cultural competency be integrated into physical education programs?
• How does virtual physical education impact student engagement?
• What factors contribute to successful youth sports and athlete development?
• How does assessment and feedback improve student learning in physical education?
• How can older adults be encouraged to maintain active lifestyles?
• Does physical education have a measurable impact on academic performance?

Civil Engineering Thesis Topics

• Assessing the impact of climate change on infrastructure resilience
• Optimizing traffic flow and transportation systems for urban mobility
• Risk assessment and management in civil engineering projects
• Green infrastructure and stormwater management in urban environments
• Geotechnical engineering challenges in high-rise building construction
• Resilient infrastructure for mitigating the impact of extreme weather events
• Smart grids and energy-efficient infrastructure for future cities
• The role of 3D printing in construction: Feasibility and applications
• Augmented reality and virtual reality in civil engineering education and design
• What are the risk factors involved in building skyscrapers?

Cyber Security Thesis Topics

• How can network security deal with cyber crimes?
• How can an informational system protect your data?
• How can we prevent the growth of cyber hackers?
• What are the different types of cyber crimes?
• How can we make network security affordable for everyone?
• Discuss the effectiveness of malware protection software.
• How can we improve cybersecurity in wireless networks?
• What are the ways to prevent cyber attacks in organizations?
• How do people become cyber criminals?
• What are the current trends in the field of cybercrime and security?

Sociology Thesis Topics

• What are the consequences of adopting a child?
• Discuss the concept of female empowerment in a conservative society
• Organ transplantation in our society. Is it ethical?
• Explain the diffusion and innovation in European culture
• What are the challenges that most women face at workplaces?
• How difficult is it to be a single parent in a society?
• The impact of economic disparities on how people Live: A sociological study
• Technology has changed the way we eat. How?
• Violations of social norms can be a positive act. How?
• What is the relationship between poverty and education?

Philosophy Thesis Topics

• What is the nature of truth and reality in a post-modern world?
• Is there any life after death?
• Can a person be happy without friends and family?
• Why is there a need to engage children in physical activities?
• Will you have eternal satisfaction if you had all the wealth in the world?
• How morality and religion are related to each other?
• Why do people commit crimes when they’re at the brink of poverty? 
• How to develop a personal philosophy of life: Influences, values, and decision-making
• Can free will exist in a deterministic universe, and what are its implications for agency and responsibility?
• What is the nature of consciousness, and how does it relate to our perception of reality?

Economics Thesis Topics

• Discuss the differences in commercial practices in rural and urban areas
• Critically analyze regional divergence in Europe
• Discuss the relationship between economic geography and the contemporary environment
• What are the impacts of intellectual capital in growing markets?
• Labor regulations are a way to solve the issue of unemployment. Discuss how?
• Explain the factors that determine the market value of a business
• What is the effect of labor force participation on the economy?
• Discuss the impact of government expenditure on the economic growth of Australia
• Discuss the impact of Brexit on small and middle businesses in the UK
• Write a review of the aid and economic growth of developing economies

Want to know how to format thesis papers properly? Get expert guidance from our detailed blog!

Now that you have access to a wide range of thesis topics for multiple fields, you could use some tips to understand how you should pick a good thesis topic. 

How to Choose a Good Thesis Topic?

Follow the easy tips given below to choose a good topic for your thesis.

The following is a detailed description of the tips for choosing thesis paper topics.

• Know Your Target Audience : Understand your audience's preferences, opinions, and ideas, and always consider their feedback for better grades
• Consider Your Strengths : Identify your skills and strengths, and focus on your areas of knowledge
• Follow Your Interests : Select a topic that aligns with your passions and leverage your creativity for an engaging idea 
• Combine Different Ideas : Brainstorm multiple ideas based on your interests and knowledge to create a unique idea 
• Read and Find Gaps : Explore existing literature and research, to identify gaps or areas that require further investigation
• Put Your Idea to the Test : Conduct small experiments or surveys to test your concept, and utilize data and human resources for a comprehensive analysis. Make sure to identify and address any flaws or weaknesses in your thesis idea.

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How to Craft Your Ideal Thesis Research Topic

Table of contents

Catherine Miller

Writing your undergraduate thesis is probably one of the most interesting parts of studying, especially because you get to choose your area of study. But as both a student and a teacher who’s helped countless students develop their research topics, I know this freedom can be just as intimidating as it is liberating.

Fortunately, there’a a step-by-step process you can follow that will help make the whole process a lot easier. In this article, I’ll show you how to choose a unique, specific thesis topic that’s true to your passions and interests, while making a contribution to your field.

Choose a topic that you’re interested in

First things first: double-check with your teachers or supervisor if there are any constraints on your research topic. Once your parameters are clear, it’s time to identify what lights you up — after all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time thinking about it.

Within your field of study, you probably already have some topics that have grabbed your attention more than others. This can be a great place to start. Additionally, consider using the rest of your academic and extra-curricular interests as a source of ideas. At this stage, you only need a broad topic before you narrow it down to a specific question. 

If you’re feeling stuck, here are some things to try:

• Look back through old course notes to remind yourself of topics you previously covered. Do any of these inspire you?
• Talk to potential supervisors about your ideas, as they can point you toward areas you might not have considered.
• Think about the things you enjoy in everyday life — whether that’s cycling, cinema, cooking, or fashion — then consider if there are any overlaps with your field of study.
• Imagine you have been asked to give a presentation or record a podcast in the next three days. What topics would you feel confident discussing?
• Watch a selection of existing lectures or explainer videos, or listen to podcasts by experts in your field. Note which topics you feel curious to explore further.
• Discuss your field of study with teachers friends and family, some with existing knowledge and some without. Which aspects do you enjoy talking about? 

By doing all this, you might uncover some unusual and exciting avenues for research. For example, when writing my Master’s dissertation, I decided to combine my field of study (English teaching methodology) with one of my passions outside work (creative writing). In my undergraduate course, a friend drew on her lived experience of disability to look into the literary portrayal of disability in the ancient world. 

Do your research

Once you’ve chosen your topic of interest, it’s time to dive into research. This is a really important part of this early process because it allows you to:

• See what other people have written about the topic — you don’t want to cover the same old ground as everyone else.
• Gain perspective on the big questions surrounding the topic. 
• Go deeper into the parts that interest you to help you decide where to focus.
• Start building your bibliography and a bank of interesting quotations. 

A great way to start is to visit your library for an introductory book. For example, the “A Very Short Introduction” series from the Oxford University Press provides overviews of a range of themes. Similar types of overviews may have the title “ A Companion to [Subject]” or “[Subject] A Student Companion”. Ask your librarian or teacher if you’re not sure where to begin. 

Your introductory volume can spark ideas for further research, and the bibliography can give you some pointers about where to go next. You can also use keywords to research online via academic sites like JStor or Google Scholar. Check which subscriptions are available via your institution.

At this stage, you may not wish to read every single paper you come across in full — this could take a very long time and not everything will be relevant. Summarizing software like Wordtune could be very useful here.

Just upload a PDF or link to an online article using Wordtune, and it will produce a summary of the whole paper with a list of key points. This helps you to quickly sift through papers to grasp their central ideas and identify which ones to read in full. 

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

You can also use Wordtune for semantic search. In this case, the tool focuses its summary around your chosen search term, making it even easier to get what you need from the paper.

As you go, make sure you keep organized notes of what you’ve read, including the author and publication information and the page number of any citations you want to use. 

Some people are happy to do this process with pen and paper, but if you prefer a digital method, there are several software options, including Zotero , EndNote , and Mendeley . Your institution may have an existing subscription so check before you sign up.

Narrowing down your thesis research topic

Now you’ve read around the topic, it’s time to narrow down your ideas so you can craft your final question. For example, when it came to my undergraduate thesis, I knew I wanted to write about Ancient Greek religion and I was interested in the topic of goddesses. So, I:

• Did some wide reading around the topic of goddesses
• Learned that the goddess Hera was not as well researched as others and that there were some fascinating aspects I wanted to explore
• Decided (with my supervisor’s support) to focus on her temples in the Argive region of Greece

As part of this process, it can be helpful to consider the “5 Ws”: why, what, who, when, and where, as you move from the bigger picture to something more precise. 

Why did you choose this research topic?

Come back to the reasons you originally chose your theme. What grabbed you? Why is this topic important to you — or to the wider world? In my example, I knew I wanted to write about goddesses because, as a woman, I was interested in how a society in which female lives were often highly controlled dealt with having powerful female deities. My research highlighted Hera as one of the most powerful goddesses, tying into my key interest.

What are some of the big questions about your topic?

During your research, you’ll probably run into the same themes time and time again. Some of the questions that arise may not have been answered yet or might benefit from a fresh look. 

Equally, there may be questions that haven’t yet been asked, especially if you are approaching the topic from a modern perspective or combining research that hasn’t been considered before. This might include taking a post-colonial, feminist, or queer approach to older texts or bringing in research using new scientific methods.

In my example, I knew there were still controversies about why so many temples to the goddess Hera were built in a certain region, and was keen to explore these further.

Who is the research topic relevant to?

Considering the “who” might help you open up new avenues. Is there a particular audience you want to reach? What might they be interested in? Is this a new audience for this field? Are there people out there who might be affected by the outcome of this research — for example, people with a particular medical condition — who might be able to use your conclusions?

Which period will you focus on?

Depending on the nature of your field, you might be able to choose a timeframe, which can help narrow the topic down. For example, you might focus on historical events that took place over a handful of years, look at the impact of a work of literature at a certain point after its publication, or review scientific progress over the last five years. 

With my thesis, I decided to focus on the time when the temples were built rather than considering the hundreds of years for which they have existed, which would have taken me far too long.

Where does your topic relate to?

Place can be another means of narrowing down the topic. For example, consider the impact of your topic on a particular neighborhood, city, or country, rather than trying to process a global question. 

In my example, I chose to focus my research on one area of Greece, where there were lots of temples to Hera. This meant skipping other important locations, but including these would have made the thesis too wide-ranging.

Create an outline and get feedback

Once you have an idea of what you are going to write about, create an outline or summary and get feedback from your teacher(s). It’s okay if you don’t know exactly how you’re going to answer your thesis question yet, but based on your research you should have a rough plan of the key points you want to cover. So, for me, the outline was as follows:

• Context: who was the goddess Hera?
• Overview of her sanctuaries in the Argive region
• Their initial development 
• Political and cultural influences
• The importance of the mythical past

In the final thesis, I took a strong view on why the goddess was so important in this region, but it took more research, writing, and discussion with my supervisor to pin down my argument.

To choose a thesis research topic, find something you’re passionate about, research widely to get the big picture, and then move to a more focused view. Bringing a fresh perspective to a popular theme, finding an underserved audience who could benefit from your research, or answering a controversial question can make your thesis stand out from the crowd.

For tips on how to start writing your thesis, don’t miss our advice on writing a great research abstract and a stellar literature review . And don’t forget that Wordtune can also support you with proofreading, making it even easier to submit a polished thesis.

How do you come up with a research topic for a thesis?

To help you find a thesis topic, speak to your professor, look through your old course notes, think about what you already enjoy in everyday life, talk about your field of study with friends and family, and research podcasts and videos to find a topic that is interesting for you. It’s a good idea to refine your topic so that it’s not too general or broad.  

Do you choose your own thesis topic?

Yes, you usually choose your own thesis topic. You can get help from your professor(s), friends, and family to figure out which research topic is interesting to you. 

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How to select a Master's thesis topic if your advisor won't suggest one?

If a master's degree candidate needs to select a thesis topic, but their advisor is unwilling to offer suggestions on the matter, how should one go about selecting a thesis?

• How might one select an area to study?
• How can one evaluate if if is a suitable topic?
• Does the thesis need to focus on an area which is relatively unexplored by prior research?
• research-topic

• 60 Step 1. Get a new advisor. –  Dave Clarke Commented May 22, 2012 at 14:17
• 7 I find this question odd. Surely the first question is "What sort of research should I do?", not "How should I satisfy this administrative hurdle?" –  JeffE Commented Aug 24, 2013 at 13:49

5 Answers 5

One approach is follows:

Find one or two good recent PhD theses in your chosen area. Read these thoroughly. As you read, write down every question that pops into your mind, write down every time the author states that something is left for future work or needs further investigation. This will have a dual effect. Firstly, you will get a good introduction to a particular research field. Secondly, you will have a bunch of questions that need to be investigated.

Prune trivial questions, non-sensible ones, etc.

Next, organize your questions thematically and see whether you can find a common thread to these questions, something that could form the basis of your research.

Remove any questions that do not fit will with the others.

Based on the remaining questions, formulate a couple of coherent questions that your research could address.

Write a plan to address these questions.

Work through plan.

Write thesis.

You'll be amazed at how much the choice of Master's thesis will influence your long-term interest in the field, prospects for jobs within and outside of academia. I'd suggest picking up some mainstream journals or magazines in your field and see what is currently trendy in the field, and what are bread and butter topics. Having a birds eye view of what's going on in the field allows you to be strategic about your topic, with the goal of planning a successful career.

Most likely, a successful career is one that will hook into an existing community of researchers in a topic, with a reliable source of funds that pay for conferences, departments, and students to populate them. A strategic topic is one that has the potential to make an impact in the field, and has the potential to cross-over into related disciplines, or even to have practical applications to real people (god forbid).

Finally, and most importantly, choose a topic that gets your blood flowing. Your master's topic could very easily become a PhD topic, which could then become a career focus. A lot of grad student burn-out is the result of students reaching their limit of interest in a topic, and thus deciding they've had enough.

As you survey mainstream and more specific literatures, be aware of what problems and topics get you excited. Choose something that you actually get excited about, that you can't stop thinking and talking about, and that you can even get other people excited about. That's the topic that will keep you going when you get stuck in the muck of research and don't know if you can keep going for another year.

I would look what are the domain of interest of my advisor, see what he dose, and pick a thesis on one of that domain (In case I can run in trouble he can help). But I will take care to be a topic that I can also find interesting.

I would recommend that you read into some area of your Master which your find interesting. After you have an outline of an idea, then see on your university website which of the professors might be a suitable supervisor.

• 2 or the reverse? Check the available supervisors to see what fits you well? If it was a PhD thesis, I wouldn't suggest this way but Masters it probably could work well. But yes, as Dave Clarke suggested in the comments, Step 1 is to get a new advisor. –  user107 Commented May 22, 2012 at 18:06
• I agree, for a PhD thesis it would be to important who is the supervisor and I guess you can make the same consideration for a master's thesis. –  Bastiaan Quast Commented May 24, 2012 at 6:45

This is summary of what i got from a blog i read. The link will be provided below

1.Idea generation

Rather than look for one perfect idea, it is better to consider several. In the initial stages, you should be open to all ideas, even if they seem crazy. The ideas don’t need to be completely unique, you could start with one idea, then consider multiple variations on a theme. However you approach it, take some time to think of as many different topics as you can.

This stage is crucial, and can save you years of pain.

Before you finalise your thesis topic, you need to test potential ideas for viability. Is the project possible? How will you go about it? What do you need?

Ask yourself, what is the simplest first step that would need to be taken, and figure out if it is possible

3. Elimination and refinement

It’s OK to let go of ideas if they don’t work or are impractical (and much easier to do if you start with several possibilities). But others may just need a little refinement to become viable.

Check out this blog by James Hayton ( http://jameshaytonphd.com/how-to-choose-a-thesis-topic/ ).

• 1 Pursue the various ideas part way. Maybe you can solve them all (Yay!), or some turn out useless/too hard/boring half way through. Then you can prune them, and haven't painted yourself into a corner. –  vonbrand Commented Aug 24, 2015 at 18:16

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How To Find A High-Quality Research Topic

6 steps to find & evaluate high-quality dissertation/thesis topics.

By: Caroline Osella (PhD, BA)  and Derek Jansen (MBA) | July 2019

So, you’re finally nearing the end of your degree and it’s now time to find a suitable topic for your dissertation or thesis. Or perhaps you’re just starting out on your PhD research proposal and need to find a suitable area of research for your application proposal.

In this post, we’ll provide a straightforward 6-step process that you can follow to ensure you arrive at a high-quality research topic . Follow these steps and you will formulate a well-suited, well-defined core research question .

There’s a helpful clue already: your research ‘topic’ is best understood as a research question or a problem . Your aim is not to create an encyclopedia entry into your field, but rather to shed light on an acknowledged issue that’s being debated (or needs to be). Think research  questions , not research  topics  (we’ll come back to this later).

Overview: How To Find A Research Topic

• Get an understanding of the research process
• Review previous dissertations from your university
• Review the academic literature to start the ideation process
• Identify your potential research questions (topics) and shortlist
• Narrow down, then evaluate your research topic shortlist
• Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Step 1: Understand the research process

It may sound horribly obvious, but it’s an extremely common mistake – students skip past the fundamentals straight to the ideation phase (and then pay dearly for it).

Start by looking at whatever handouts and instructions you’ve been given regarding what your university/department expects of a dissertation. For example, the course handbook, online information and verbal in-class instructions. I know it’s tempting to just dive into the ideation process, but it’s essential to start with the prescribed material first.

There are two important reasons for this:

First , you need to have a basic understanding of the research process , research methodologies , fieldwork options and analysis methods before you start the ideation process, or you will simply not be equipped to think about your own research adequately. If you don’t understand the basics of  quantitative , qualitative and mixed methods BEFORE you start ideating, you’re wasting your time.

Second , your university/department will have specific requirements for your research – for example, requirements in terms of topic originality, word count, data requirements, ethical adherence , methodology, etc. If you are not aware of these from the outset, you will again end up wasting a lot of time on irrelevant ideas/topics.

So, the most important first step is to get your head around both the basics of research (especially methodologies), as well as your institution’s specific requirements . Don’t give in to the temptation to jump ahead before you do this. As a starting point, be sure to check out our free dissertation course.

Step 2: Review past dissertations/theses

Unless you’re undertaking a completely new course, there will be many, many students who have gone through the research process before and have produced successful dissertations, which you can use to orient yourself. This is hugely beneficial – imagine being able to see previous students’ assignments and essays when you were doing your coursework!

Take a look at some well-graded (65% and above) past dissertations from your course (ideally more recent ones, as university requirements may change over time). These are usually available in the university’s online library. Past dissertations will act as a helpful model for all kinds of things, from how long a bibliography needs to be, to what a good literature review looks like, through to what kinds of methods you can use – and how to leverage them to support your argument.

As you peruse past dissertations, ask yourself the following questions:

• What kinds of topics did these dissertations cover and how did they turn the topic into questions?
• How broad or narrow were the topics?
• How original were the topics? Were they truly groundbreaking or just a localised twist on well-established theory?
• How well justified were the topics? Did they seem important or just nice to know?
• How much literature did they draw on as a theoretical base? Was the literature more academic or applied in nature?
• What kinds of research methods did they use and what data did they draw on?
• How did they analyse that data and bring it into the discussion of the academic literature?
• Which of the dissertations are most readable to you – why? How were they presented?
• Can you see why these dissertations were successful? Can you relate what they’ve done back to the university’s instructions/brief?

Seeing a variety of dissertations (at least 5, ideally in your area of interest) will also help you understand whether your university has very rigid expectations in terms of structure and format , or whether they expect and allow variety in the number of chapters, chapter headings, order of content, style of presentation and so on.

Some departments accept graphic novels; some are willing to grade free-flow continental-philosophy style arguments; some want a highly rigid, standardised structure.  Many offer a dissertation template , with information on how marks are split between sections. Check right away whether you have been given one of those templates – and if you do, then use it and don’t try to deviate or reinvent the wheel.

Step 3: Review the academic literature

Now that you (1) understand the research process, (2) understand your university’s specific requirements for your dissertation or thesis, and (3) have a feel for what a good dissertation looks like, you can start the ideation process. This is done by reviewing the current literature and looking for opportunities to add something original to the academic conversation.

Kick start the ideation process

So, where should you start your literature hunt? The best starting point is to get back to your modules. Look at your coursework and the assignments you did. Using your coursework is the best theoretical base, as you are assured that (1) the literature is of a high enough calibre for your university and (2) the topics are relevant to your specific course.

Start by identifying the modules that interested you the most and that you understood well (i.e. earned good marks for). What were your strongest assignments, essays or reports? Which areas within these were particularly interesting to you? For example, within a marketing module, you may have found consumer decision making or organisation trust to be interesting. Create a shortlist of those areas that you were both interested in and academically strong at. It’s no use picking an area that does not genuinely interest you – you’ll run out of motivation if you’re not excited by a topic.

Understand the current state of knowledge

Once you’ve done that, you need to get an understanding of the current state of the literature for your chosen interest areas. What you’re aiming to understand is this: what is the academic conversation here and what critical questions are yet unanswered? These unanswered questions are prime opportunities for a unique, meaningful research topic . A quick review of the literature on your favourite topics will help you understand this.

Grab your reading list from the relevant section of the modules, or simply enter the topics into Google Scholar . Skim-read 3-5 journal articles from the past 5 years which have at least 5 citations each (Google Scholar or a citations index will show you how many citations any given article has – i.e., how many other people have referred to it in their own bibliography). Also, check to see if your discipline has an ‘annual review’ type of journal, which gathers together surveys of the state of knowledge on a chosen topic. This can be a great tool for fast-tracking your understanding of the current state of the knowledge in any given area.

Start from your course’s reading list and work outwards. At the end of every journal article, you’ll find a reference list. Scan this reference list for more relevant articles and read those. Then repeat the process (known as snowballing) until you’ve built up a base of 20-30 quality articles per area of interest.

Absorb, don’t hunt

At this stage, your objective is to read and understand the current state of the theory for your area(s) of interest – you don’t need to be in topic-hunting mode yet. Don’t jump the gun and try to identify research topics before you are well familiarised with the literature.

As you read, try to understand what kinds of questions people are asking and how they are trying to answer them. What matters do the researchers agree on, and more importantly, what are they in disagreement about? Disagreements are prime research territory. Can you identify different ‘schools of thought’ or different ‘approaches’? Do you know what your own approach or slant is? What kinds of articles appeal to you and which ones bore you or leave you feeling like you’ve not really grasped them? Which ones interest you and point towards directions you’d like to research and know more about?

Once you understand the fundamental fact that academic knowledge is a conversation, things get easier.

Think of it like a party. There are groups of people in the room, enjoying conversations about various things. Which group do you want to join?  You don’t want to be that person in the corner, talking to themself. And you don’t want to be the hanger-on, laughing at the big-shot’s jokes and repeating everything they say.

Do you want to join a large group and try to make a small contribution to what’s going on, or are you drawn to a smaller group that’s having a more niche conversation, but where you feel you might more easily find something original to contribute? How many conversations can you identify? Which ones feel closer to you and more attractive? Which ones repel you or leave you cold? Are there some that, frankly, you just don’t understand?

Now, choose a couple of groups who are discussing something you feel interested in and where you feel like you might want to contribute. You want to make your entry into this group by asking a question – a question that will make the other people in the group turn around and look at you, listen to you, and think, “That’s interesting”.

Your dissertation will be the process of setting that question and then trying to find at least a partial answer to that question – but don’t worry about that now.  Right now, you need to work out what conversations are going on, whether any of them are related or overlapping, and which ones you might be able to walk into. I’ll explain how you find that question in the next step.

Need a helping hand?

Step 4: Identify potential research questions

Now that you have a decent understanding of the state of the literature in your area(s) of interest, it’s time to start developing your list of possible research topics. There are (at least) three approaches you can follow here, and they are not mutually exclusive:

Approach 1: Leverage the FRIN

Towards the end of most quality journal articles, you will find a section labelled “ further research ” or something similar. Generally, researchers will clearly outline where they feel further research is needed (FRIN), following on from their own research. So, essentially, every journal article presents you with a list of potential research opportunities.

Of course, only a handful of these will be both practical and of interest to you, so it’s not a quick-fix solution to finding a research topic. However, the benefit of going this route is that you will be able to find a genuinely original and meaningful research topic (which is particularly important for PhD-level research).

The upside to this approach is originality, but the downside is that you might not find something that really interests you , or that you have the means to execute. If you do go this route, make sure that you pay attention to the journal article dates, as the FRIN may already have been “solved” by other researchers if the article is old.

Approach 2: Put a context-based spin on an existing topic

The second option is to consider whether a theory which is already well established is relevant within a local or industry-specific context. For example, a theory about the antecedents (drivers) of trust is very well established, but there may be unique or uniquely important drivers within a specific national context or industry (for example, within the financial services industry in an emerging market).

If that industry or national context has not yet been covered by researchers and there is a good reason to believe there may be meaningful differences within that context, then you have an opportunity to take a unique angle on well-established theory, which can make for a great piece of research. It is however imperative that you have a good reason to believe that the existing theory may not be wholly relevant within your chosen context, or your research will not be justified.

The upside to this approach is that you can potentially find a topic that is “closer to home” and more relevant and interesting to you , while still being able to draw on a well-established body of theory. However, the downside is that this approach will likely not produce the level of originality as approach #1.

Approach 3: Uncensored brainstorming

The third option is to skip the FRIN, as well as the local/industry-specific angle and simply engage in a freeform brainstorming or mind-mapping session, using your newfound knowledge of the theory to formulate potential research ideas. What’s important here is that you do not censor yourself . However crazy, unfeasible, or plain stupid your topic appears – write it down. All that matters right now is that you are interested in this thing.

Next, try to turn the topic(s) into a question or problem. For example:

• What is the relationship between X, Y & Z?
• What are the drivers/antecedents of X?
• What are the outcomes of Y?
• What are the key success factors for Z?

Re-word your list of topics or issues into a list of questions .  You might find at this stage that one research topic throws up three questions (which then become sub-topics and even new separate topics in their own right) and in so doing, the list grows. Let it. Don’t hold back or try to start evaluating your ideas yet – just let them flow onto paper.

Once you’ve got a few topics and questions on paper, check the literature again to see whether any of these have been covered by the existing research. Since you came up with these from scratch, there is a possibility that your original literature search did not cover them, so it’s important to revisit that phase to ensure that you’re familiar with the relevant literature for each idea. You may also then find that approach #1 and #2 can be used to build on these ideas.

Try use all three approaches

As mentioned earlier, the three approaches discussed here are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the more, the merrier. Hopefully, you manage to utilise all three, as this will give you the best odds of producing a rich list of ideas, which you can then narrow down and evaluate, which is the next step.

Step 5: Narrow down, then evaluate

By this stage, you should have a healthy list of research topics. Step away from the ideation and thinking for a few days, clear your mind. The key is to get some distance from your ideas, so that you can sit down with your list and review it with a more objective view. The unbridled ideation phase is over and now it’s time to take a reality check .

Look at your list and see if any options can be crossed off right away .  Maybe you don’t want to do that topic anymore. Maybe the topic turned out to be too broad and threw up 20 hard to answer questions. Maybe all the literature you found about it was 30 years old and you suspect it might not be a very engaging contemporary issue . Maybe this topic is so over-researched that you’ll struggle to find anything fresh to say. Also, after stepping back, it’s quite common to notice that 2 or 3 of your topics are really the same one, the same question, which you’ve written down in slightly different ways. You can try to amalgamate these into one succinct topic.

Narrow down to the top 5, then evaluate

Now, take your streamlined list and narrow it down to the ‘top 5’ that interest you the most. Personal interest is your key evaluation criterion at this stage. Got your ‘top 5’?  Great!  Now, with a cool head and your best analytical mind engaged, go systematically through each option and evaluate them against the following criteria:

Research questions – what is the main research question, and what are the supporting sub-questions? It’s critically important that you can define these questions clearly and concisely. If you cannot do this, it means you haven’t thought the topic through sufficiently.

Originality – is the topic sufficiently original, as per your university’s originality requirements? Are you able to add something unique to the existing conversation? As mentioned earlier, originality can come in many forms, and it doesn’t mean that you need to find a completely new, cutting-edge topic. However, your university’s requirements should guide your decision-making here.

Importance – is the topic of real significance, or is it just a “nice to know”? If it’s significant, why? Who will benefit from finding the answer to your desired questions and how will they benefit? Justifying your research will be a key requirement for your research proposal , so it’s really important to develop a convincing argument here.

Literature – is there a contemporary (current) body of academic literature around this issue? Is there enough literature for you to base your investigation on, but not too much that the topic is “overdone”? Will you be able to navigate this literature or is it overwhelming?

Data requirements – What kind of data would you need access to in order to answer your key questions?  Would you need to adopt a qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods approach to answer your questions? At this stage, you don’t need to be able to map out your exact research design, but you should be able to articulate how you would approach it in high-level terms. Will you use qual, quant or mixed methods? Why?

Feasibility – How feasible would it be to gather the data that would be needed in the time-frame that you have – and do you have the will power and the skills to do it? If you’re not confident with the theory, you don’t want something that’s going to draw you into a debate about the relative importance of epistemology and ontology. If you are shy, you won’t want to be doing ethnographic interviews. If you feel this question calls for a 100-person survey, do you have the time to plan, organise and conduct it and then analyse it? What will you do if you don’t get the response rate you expect? Be very realistic here and also ask advice from your supervisor and other experts – poor response rates are extremely common and can derail even the best research projects.

Personal attraction – On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about this topic? Will addressing it add value to your life and/or career? Will undertaking the project help you build a skill you’ve previously wanted to work on (for example, interview skills, statistical analysis skills, software skills, etc.)?

The last point is particularly important. You will have to engage with your dissertation in a very sustained and deep way, face challenges and difficulties, and get it to completion. If you don’t start out enthusiastic about it, you’re setting yourself up for problems like ‘writer’s block’ or ‘burnout’ down the line. This is the reason personal interest was the sole evaluation criterion when we chose the top 5. So, don’t underestimate the importance of personal attraction to a topic – at the same time, don’t let personal attraction lead you to choose a topic that is not relevant to your course or feasible given your resources. 

Narrow down to 3, then get human feedback

We’re almost at the finishing line. The next step is to narrow down to 2 or 3 shortlisted topics. No more!  Write a short paragraph about each topic, addressing the following:

Firstly,  WHAT will this study be about? Frame the topic as a question or a problem. Write it as a dissertation title. No more than two clauses and no more than 15 words. Less than 15 is better (go back to good journal articles for inspiration on appropriate title styles).

Secondly, WHY this is interesting (original) and important – as proven by existing academic literature? Are people talking about this and is there an acknowledged problem, debate or gap in the literature?

Lastly,  HOW do you plan to answer the question? What sub-questions will you use? What methods does this call for and how competent and confident are you in those methods? Do you have the time to gather the data this calls for?

Show the shortlist and accompanying paragraphs to a couple of your peers from your course and also to an expert or two if at all possible (you’re welcome to reach out to us ), explaining what you will investigate, why this is original and important and how you will go about investigating it. 

Once you’ve pitched your ideas, ask for the following thoughts :

• Which is most interesting and appealing to them?
• Why do they feel this way?
• What problems do they foresee with the execution of the research?

Take advice and feedback and sit on it for another day. Let it simmer in your mind overnight before you make the final decision.  

Step 6: Make the decision (and stick with it!)

Then, make the commitment. Choose the one that you feel most confident about, having now considered both your opinion and the feedback from others.

Once you’ve made a decision, don’t doubt your judgement, don’t shift.  Don’t be tempted by the ones you left behind. You’ve planned and thought things through, checked feasibility and now you can start.  You have your research topic. Trust your own decision-making process and stick with it now. It’s time to get started on your research proposal!

Let’s recap…

In this post, I’ve proposed a straightforward 6-step plan to finding relevant research topic ideas and then narrowing them down to finally choose one winner. To recap:

• Understand the basics of academic research, as well as your university’s specific requirements for a dissertation, thesis or research project.
• Review previous dissertations for your course to get an idea of both topics and structure.
• Start the ideation process by familiarising yourself with the literature.
• Identify your potential research questions (topics).
• Narrow down your options, then evaluate systematically.
• Make your decision (and don’t look back!)

If you follow these steps, you’ll find that they also set you up for what’s coming next – both the proposal and the first three chapters of your dissertation. But that’s for future posts!

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

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23 Comments

I would love to get a topic under teachers performance. I am a student of MSC Monitoring and Evaluations and I need a topic in the line of monitoring and evaluations

I just we put for some full notes that are payable

Thank you very much Dr Caroline

I need a project topics on transfer of learning

m a PhD Student I would like to be assisted inn formulating a title around: Internet of Things for online education in higher education – STEM (Science, technology, engineering and Mathematics, digital divide ) Thank you, would appreciate your guidance

Well structured guide on the topic… Good materials for beginners in research writing…

Hello Iam kindly seeking for help in formulating a researchable topic for masters degree program in line with teaching GRAPHIC ART

I read a thesis about a problem in a particular. Can I use the same topic just referring to my own country? Is that being original? The interview questions will mostly be the same as the other thesis.

Hi, thanks I managed to listen to the video so helpful indeed. I am currently an MBA student looking for a specific topic and I have different ideas that not sure they can be turned to be a study.

I am doing a Master of Theology in Pastoral Care and Counselling and I felt like doing research on Spiritual problem cause by substance abuse among Youth. Can I get help to formulate the Thesis Title in line with it…please

Hello, I am kindly seeking help in formulating a researchable topic for a National diploma program

As a beginner in research, I am very grateful for this well-structured material on research writing.

Hello, I watched the video and its very helpful. I’m a student in Nursing (degree). May you please help me with any research problems (in Namibian society or Nursing) that need to be evaluate or solved?

I have been greatly impacted. Thank you.

more than useful… there will be no justification if someone fails to get a topic for his thesis

I watched the video and its really helpful.

How can i started discovery

Analysing the significance of Integrated reporting in Zimbabwe. A case of institutional investors. this is my topic for PHD Accounting sciences need help with research questions

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts.

Excellent session that cleared lots of doubts

It was a nice one thank you

Wow, This helped a lot not only with how to find a research topic but inspired me to kick it off from now, I am a final year student of environmental science. And have to complete my project in the coming six months.

I was really stressed and thinking about different topics that I don’t know nothing about and having more than a hundred topics in the baggage, couldn’t make the tradeoff among them, however, reading this scrubbed the fuzzy layer off my head and now it seems like really easy.

Thanks GRADCOACH, you saved me from getting into the rabbit hole.

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How to Pick a Master’s, Ph.D., or Undergraduate Thesis Topic

Last Updated: February 2, 2024 Fact Checked

• Brainstorming Topics

Narrowing Your Focus

• Crafting Your Question

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 75,491 times.

Choosing a topic for your thesis , whether it be for a master’s, Ph.D., or undergraduate, can feel like a daunting task, but it can also be exciting. Your thesis is your chance to dive deep into a topic that interests you and contribute something new to your field. To pick the right topic for you, start by brainstorming potential topics without worrying if they're good or not. Then, narrow your topics based on feasibility and your personal strengths. Finally, start researching so you can craft a good thesis question.

Things You Should Know

• Jot down your interests in your topic of study. Then, research your interests and go through your past papers to find unanswered questions in your field.
• Narrow down your interests to potential topics you can add value to. Then, find a professor who has experience in your area of study.
• To formulate your research question, research your topic. Brainstorm a few questions you might ask, then select the one you can best answer.

Brainstorming Possible Topics

• Review all of the classes you've taken and the subjects you've covered.
• Think about why you got into your field of study.
• Consider what you like to read about in your free time, especially things related to your field. This might be books, news articles, or blogs.
• Think of people in your field who you admire or aspire to be like. Then, ask yourself what you like about them.
• Consider if you'll continue your academic studies after graduation, as well as what you'd want to study.

• Consider any lingering questions you had working on past projects as a starting point for your new thesis.
• It’s best to stick to your recent work because it will better reflect your current knowledge and abilities.
• You can use the same topic you used in your prior work, or you can use your old work to point you in the direction of a new topic.

Tip: Your past coursework can also tell you what you didn’t like studying. Consider the assignments that you struggled through and the research topics you hated. Then, avoid topics like them.

• For example, let’s say you’re studying politics. You might read about current presidential candidates and reflect on how their platforms have diverted from the historical platforms for their political party.
• If you’re writing a literature thesis, look at the novels that are being nominated for this year’s literary awards and consider their genre, theme, or style.
• For a thesis on psychology, you might look for news about PTSD research or read articles about pop psychology that people are sharing on social media.
• For an aeronautical engineering thesis, you could read up on what SpaceX is currently working on, or look into NASA’s most recent experiments.
• Check prominent research journals in the field you’re interested in to see what current academic conversations look like.
• Make a list of keywords that show up during your searches so you can look up published theses using sites like ProQuest. That way, you know what topics have already been covered.

• You don’t need a topic that’s completely absent from research, as this would be difficult to examine.
• One way to find a unique angle is to combine 2 topics together. Alternatively, you can build on someone else's work.
• For example, let's say you're studying clinical psychology and want to write about PTSD. You might find that not much research has been done into how people with PTSD cope with workplace conflicts.
• Similarly, let's say you're studying politics and want to look at how political party platforms evolve. You might find that there's a gap in research when it comes to evaluating how voters react to platform changes.

• For instance, you might say, “I’m hoping to be a research professor one day, and I want to focus on modern poetry. Which of these thesis topics do you think would make me most attractive to doctoral programs?”

• Focus on questions that can be researched and don’t have a simple answer. For instance, a question like, “How can we motivate people without offering them extrinsic rewards?” can be researched and doesn’t have a simple answer. Conversely, the question, “When did free verse poems start to become mainstream?” is easy to answer with a simple Internet search.

• You don’t need to plan out your whole life. However, it’s good to have an idea about where you’re going.
• Think about the type of work you want to do, the job title you want to attain, or the types of organizations you want to work with.
• For instance, if you want to be a university professor, you might choose a topic that you plan to continue researching through your doctorate and career as a professor.
• As another example, let's say you want to be a project manager for an engineering firm. You might choose a topic that encompasses both your knowledge of engineering and your interest in motivating other engineers to produce their best work.

• Undergraduate theses may be more broad, while master’s or Ph.D. theses should be more specific.
• Choose the best topics that came to you while you were brainstorming.
• You might enjoy doing this activity with a classmate who’s also working on their thesis. You can bounce ideas off of each other.
• For example, you might write down things like "evolution of political party platforms," "effect of civil war on cultural norms," "themes of literature immediately before and after a social crisis," "effects of robotics on the workforce," "mission to Mars," or "building intrinsic worker motivation."

• For instance, you might love William Shakespeare, but finding a new area of research about his work could prove difficult. Similarly, if you're studying psychology, you'll likely want to avoid writing about older ideas that aren't widely supported anymore, like dream analysis.

• Say something like, “Hi, Dr. Gomez. I know you’re really knowledgeable about morality politics. I’m planning to write my thesis about a topic related to morality politics, so I hoped you might be my thesis supervisor.”

Tip: You don’t need to select your thesis topic before you find a thesis supervisor. Just get a general idea of what area you want to pursue.

• For example, you might say, "I'd like to write my thesis about modern American haiku structure, autobiographical expression in contemporary 21st-century poetry, or poetry in the Internet age."
• Your thesis supervisor will likely want you to choose a topic that they know well and are interested in themselves.

Crafting Your Thesis Question

• This will help you figure out what types of questions to ask about your topic.
• If you can, highlight or mark important passages and summarize sections of text in the margins of the work.
• Talk to your librarian. They can help you find materials that might be of interest to you, and they can pull books or journals related to your topic.

Tip: Save your research materials so that you can use them when writing your thesis. You may not use all of your early research, but some of it will be relevant.

• How did 20th-century warfare alter literary themes?
• How have expanding cultural norms impacted the criteria for literary awards?
• What social changes have impacted diplomatic exchanges among world leaders?
• How does detaching morality from public policy affect the efficacy of legislation?
• How does culture adapt in the aftermath of a civil war?
• How can robotics enhance early childhood education?
• What are the best ways to motivate employees to work harder?
• What treatment protocols can enhance recovery in PTSD patients?

• Think about the process you'd need to use to research the topic, such as a digital search, social experiments, or lab testing. Then, decide if you'd be able to complete these tasks with the time and resources you have.
• List the research materials you have available to you, such as computer databases, library materials, or a laboratory.
• Consider your thesis supervisor’s area of expertise.
• Think about the courses you’ve taken and the skills you’ve developed.

For example... The thesis question "How have expanding cultural norms impacted the criteria for literary awards?" works well because it's researchable and debatable. You can explore cultural norms using social science studies, news or journal articles, and survey results from different decades. Then, study the themes and styles of award-winning literature using articles and books. From there, evaluate the relationship between them, which is up for interpretation.

• Listen to your thesis supervisor’s advice. They’ve likely been doing this for a long time, and they know what it’s like to be in your shoes.

Expert Q&A

• Try to choose your topic as early as you can. This will help you stay on track to finish your thesis on time. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• It’s helpful to do additional research throughout the selection process. If you find texts that might be of use to you later, save them to use in your thesis. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Since you’ll spend at least 1-2 years on your thesis, it’s best to choose a topic that interests you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.millersville.edu/honorscollege/thesis/choosetopic.php
• ↑ https://www.ceu.edu/article/2019-03-29/how-choose-your-thesis-topic
• ↑ https://hhd.psu.edu/shm/undergraduate/honors-study-hospitality-management/first-steps-choosing-topic-and-thesis-supervisor
• ↑ https://library.maastrichtuniversity.nl/study/thesis-supportall/choose-thesis-topic/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/guides/how-to-write-a-research-question

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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/ 119 Bloom’s Taxonomy Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ All 6 Levels of Understanding (on Bloom’s Taxonomy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 15 Self-Actualization Examples (Maslow's Hierarchy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Forest Schools Philosophy & Curriculum, Explained!

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• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Published on June 7, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on November 21, 2023.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding the specifics of your dissertation topic and showcasing its relevance to your field.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation , such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organizational structure of your thesis or dissertation. This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.

Table of contents

How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis and dissertation outlines.

While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.

• Working Title
• “Elevator pitch” of your work (often written last).
• Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
• Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
• Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope , population , and data collection ).
• Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
• Answer the research question in a concise way.
• Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.

For a more detailed overview of chapters and other elements, be sure to check out our article on the structure of a dissertation or download our template .

To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.

 Download Word template    Download Google Docs template

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilizing some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the “IS-AV” (inanimate subject with an active verb ) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The “I” construction

Another option is to use the “I” construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and “I” construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as “discuss,” “present,” “prove,” or “show.” Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

• Anchoring bias
• Halo effect
• The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
• The placebo effect
• Nonresponse bias
• Deep learning
• Generative AI
• Machine learning
• Reinforcement learning
• Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

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When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organize your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review , research methods , avenues for future research, etc.)

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

George, T. (2023, November 21). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/dissertation-thesis-outline/

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THESIS TOPICS FOR MASTER AND BACHELOR THESIS

The go-to thesis inspiration platform to find research and thesis topic ideas for students. Find 150+ Bachelor and Master thesis topic examples below.

IT & Computer Science

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Thesis topic ideas and examples for students

Explore good ideas and examples of thesis topics in 24 different research areas and themes. All thesis topics examples and ideas are created by students to find a Bachelor or Master thesis collaboration through Excelerate.

Ready to kickstart your thesis writing? Follow our guide on how to choose a thesis topic or find tips on choosing the perfect topic for your thesis .

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5 Marketing, Communication & Media

Interested in the world of marketing, captivating consumers through messages that resonate and engage people? Explore marketing, communications, and media research topics delving into the art of persuasion and consumer behavior.

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4 Sociology

Interested in human interactions and societal frameworks? Explore sociology research topics examining the complexity of interactions and societal dynamics, uncovering the basis of our actions.

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2 Chemistry

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2 Political Science

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2 Tourism & Hospitality

Interested in the world of travel and leisure, culture, and top-tier hospitality? Explore tourism and hospitality research topics examining the art of crafting immersive experiences and adventures for people.

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1 Psychology

Interested in the depths and complexities of the human mind that shape our behaviors? Explore psychology research topics that seek to investigate and decode the drivers of our actions.

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1 Mathematics & Statistics

Interested in the language of numbers, equations, and probabilities? Explore mathematical and statistical research topics digging into real-world puzzles that unravel complex data, patterns, and problems.

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1 Medicine & Health

Interested in the complexities of human well-being, from cellular mechanisms to healthcare systems? Explore medicine and health research topics delving into solutions for healthier societies.

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Interested in the complexities of the living world, from genes to ecosystems? Explore biology research topics that seek to enrich our understanding of medicine, conservation, and of life itself.

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How to choose a good thesis topic

Choosing a thesis topic is a difficult but essential step on your thesis journey. Your choice of topic not only determines the direction of your research but is also what needs to keep you motivated and satisfied throughout your thesis writing process.

To help you choose a good topic for your Bachelor’s or Master’s, here is our step-by-step guide on choosing a good thesis topic .

Step 1: Reflect and identify your research interests

At the beginning of your thesis journey reflect upon your research interests and personal passions .

What interesting research topics and subjects have consistently fascinated you throughout your studies? Think about your courses, readings, previous projects, and research papers that have inspired and sparked your curiosity in the past.

Use online thesis topic databases like Excelerate.dk to search for interesting topics created by other students and researchers. This way you explore new perspectives and ideas for your thesis project.

Remember, you’ll be spending a huge amount of time investigating and delving deep into your topic. It’s important that your topic genuinely excites you to keep you motivated while writing your thesis.

Step 2: Explore the current research landscape of your interest

Once you’ve identified your research topic interests, conduct a thorough literature review in your chosen research field .

Familiarise yourself with the existing research, ongoing debates and discussions, and potential gaps in the current knowledge. Look at recent publications, research paper topics, and emerging trends in the field.

This approach will not only help you gain a deeper understanding but also identify potential research questions or areas that require further exploration. Perhaps a thesis topic you could dig deeper into in your project?

Step 3: Consult with your academic supervisors and peers

By now you hopefully have a rough idea of the direction your thesis project is going. Discuss your research ideas and initial thoughts with your academic supervisor, professors, and fellow students to receive constructive feedback.

You shouldn’t hesitate to ask your academic advisors and peers for suggestions and recommendations. Their research expertise and knowledge can give you valuable insights to help you get started with your thesis.

Step 4: Define the research goals and objectives for your thesis

It’s time to clearly outline your project’s research goals and objectives . What are the specific questions you want to answer? What is the scope of your thesis? It’s essential that you are realistic about the resources and time available for your research.

You only have 6 to 12 months to write your thesis. Ensure that your thesis topic is not too broad or too narrow. Try to strike a balance that allows you for in-depth analysis within the scope of your research.

Step 5: Consider the practicality and feasibility of your thesis topic

At this point in the process, it’s time to assess the practicality and feasibility of your chosen thesis topic.

Are the necessary resources and data available to you? Do you for example have access to libraries, databases, laboratory equipment, search materials, and archives? Consider also your methodology for collecting the data. Will you need to conduct surveys, interviews, experiments, or collect historical data?

Data collection is time-consuming. It’s crucial that you have a clear plan for your data collection so you realistically obtain the data you need within the time frame of your thesis project.

Step 6: Get your thesis topic approved and begin writing

That’s the way to go! You’re now at the final step of choosing the best thesis topic for your project.

All you have to do now is consult with your thesis supervisor to make any final adjustments and get your thesis topic approved .

We wish you the best of luck with your thesis writing. We root for you!

How to find the best topic for your thesis

What is the best topic for your thesis? That depends on your interests, passions, and future goals. Here are questions to consider and tips on finding the best thesis topic .

 1. Your topic should align with your personal interests

The best topic for your thesis aligns with your personal interests and passions . Pursuing research on a topic that genuinely intrigues you will keep you motivated throughout your thesis writing and lead to a more meaningful project. Think about what excites you within your field and explore research questions that pique your curiosity.

2. Your topic should be relevant and contribute to your research field

The best thesis topic is relevant to your field of study . Your research topic should address a specific issue or contribute to a broader conversation within your discipline. Pick a topic that is meaningful and has the potential to advance knowledge, challenge existing theories, or offer practical solutions to real-world problems. Think about how your research can fill a gap in current knowledge.

3. Your topic should align with your academic and career goals

The best research topic for your thesis is aligned with your future academic and/or career goals . Ask yourself: What are your short-term and long-term goals and aspirations? Your thesis project provides you with invaluable experience and expertise in your chosen research field and industry. The best topic for you is used as a stepping stone towards your future endeavours and career.

10 questions to consider to find the best thesis topic

• What are my key interests – both personally and academically?
• What are the areas my personal passions and academic discipline overlap?
• What courses excited me the most during my studies?
• What theories and concepts did I enjoy working with?
• What do I want to avoid during my thesis writing process?
• What resources and data do I need to obtain?
• What research methods do I like to use?
• What are my academic goals after my thesis?
• What are my career goals?
• What industry do I want to work in?

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our 8 tips for finding the perfect thesis topic .

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How to write a thesis alone, how to write the perfect thesis statement for your master’s – 6 easy steps, thesis writing in a group, thesis writing tips – a guide to writing a good thesis project, what is writer’s block and how do you overcome it, find the perfect thesis topic – 8 useful tips.

Choose a Great Thesis Topic in 4 Easy Steps!

No matter how much you enjoy the research process, choosing a great thesis topic is always a challenge.

What is a thesis topic anyway?

A thesis topic is just what it sounds like—it is the subject you aim to write your thesis about.

A thesis is a long, in-depth research paper that focuses on one specific subject. A thesis topic is just what it sounds like—it is the subject you aim to write your thesis about.

Theses are usually shorter for undergraduate students and book-length for Ph.D. students. However, one thing is always true. Regardless of whether you are an undergraduate or a graduate student, finding the right thesis topic isn’t easy!

Since you are reading this article, you are clearly wondering how you can choose a great thesis topic. We’ll walk you through some simple steps, give you insider tips to find the right thesis topic, and help you begin your research journey with confidence.

What makes a thesis topic great?

Your thesis topic will need to be clear and address a clearly defined research question. At the same time, the answer should contribute to a broader understanding of the research field.

The search for a good thesis statement begins with a good research question. Your thesis is the answer to that question. As the thesis is a relatively long research paper, a good research question should be sufficiently broad. In general, this will mean avoiding “yes/no” questions or reframing such questions.

For instance, instead of asking 

“Does race influence standardized testing in high schools in the UK?”

Reframe your question as

“How does race influence standardized testing in high schools in the UK?”

This will allow you to explore different aspects, analyze interactions among variables, and write a longer, more substantive paper.

While your thesis topic should be broad enough, it should never be vague. Your thesis topic will need to be clear and address a clearly defined research question. At the same time, the answer should contribute to a broader understanding of the research field.

If you create a thesis based on research questions like “ How many kinds of fungi are there in the world? ” or “ What is love? ,” you are going to end up writing a long, frustrating paper. A good thesis topic will answer a much more specific question, like:

“ What kinds of fungi grow in the vicinity of drainage pipes? ” or

“ How do people in Myanmar express love during courtship rituals? ”

In other words, a great thesis topic is your answer to a:

• Somewhat broad
• Very precise and
• Somewhat open-ended question.

While yes/no questions can be acceptable on rare occasions, you should avoid them or rephrase them, especially in science fields.

Finally, a great thesis topic fills a niche in a research field where research on the topic already exists, but there is still more to be discovered or new aspects to be explored. Alternatively, thesis topics could offer a fresh take on an old topic or rebuttals to a well-known theory. You don’t need to necessarily perform groundbreaking research; however, a great thesis topic will always offer a unique element that could make your thesis stand out.

Step 1: Choosing a thesis topic - Getting started

Although thesis topics should ideally be chosen based on the relevance of the topic and its academic merit, requirements related to your assignment/program should also be taken into consideration before finalizing the topic. While this seems quite basic, it is in fact key to choosing your thesis topic. The requirements of your program or class will determine the scope of what you can research.

Every program differs in its requirements, which is why it is so important to check these details beforehand. Some programs might have a specific list of acceptable topics and a narrow range of allowable methodologies. Other programs might just have a minimum word count and a final deadline. This is why knowing the requirements is so important before you move on to the next step of brainstorming.

Step 2: Brainstorming thesis topic ideas

One of the first places to look for a thesis topic is your own past work, such as papers you have written or assignments you have completed.

Once you know the limitations and requirements for your thesis, it is time to begin brainstorming specific ideas. This is often the hardest part of choosing a thesis topic! Especially if your program or school doesn’t narrow down your topic choices, you may find yourself gazing out the window with a hazy mind. So where should you begin brainstorming?

One of the first places to look for a thesis topic is your own past work, such as papers you have written or assignments you have completed. What courses have you particularly enjoyed that are related to your major field of study? What topics have you written about already?

You must make a list of papers you have written as part of your program and rank them on a scale of most to least interesting. You can do this even if you are in a program that is not very writing intensive. Cross the boring half off your list and focus on the more interesting topics. Do any topics catch your eye? If you aren’t feeling excited about anything you’ve already researched, talk to your classmates or colleagues . What areas in your field are you interested in or passionate about? Do your friends, classmates, or peers have any ideas? You can also skim some articles from popular journals in your field to see the current trending research topics. The more you read, the better the chances of you stumbling on an interesting thesis topic.

Once you have come up with some potential thesis topics, it’s a good idea to rank them in order, so you at least have a list of your top three topics. You then need to do some preliminary research and consultations before you finally settle on one topic, and it’s always important to have backups in case your favorite choice isn’t viable.

Step 3: Preliminary research - Reviewing the literature

Any thesis based on a shorter paper will be longer and more involved than the original version.

Now that you have shortlisted your potential thesis topics, it is time to conduct some preliminary research on each topic by finding out what other research studies have been conducted so far. If you had chosen your potential thesis topics from papers you previously wrote, you might be familiar with the literature already. However, that doesn’t mean you can skip the literature review. Any thesis based on a shorter paper will be longer and more involved than the original version. The thesis is expected to cover new angles, which means you need to do some preliminary research .

Where can you find articles for your preliminary research?

Google Scholar is a great resource, and so is the academic library available at your institution. If you are a student, you may have access to a journal database like JSTOR through your university. Even if you don’t, more and more articles are freely available via open-access journals these days, so a quick Google Scholar search will help you find relevant information. If you find a particularly good article, check out the sources the author(s) have referenced for relevant articles to read.

It’s very possible that you will find yourself completely wanting to change your thesis topic once you start the literature review. That’s ok! If you come across something interesting or inspiring, you should read more about it to see if it would be a good thesis topic. However, you should set yourself some limits. If you take the freedom to simply read what interests you, it is possible you will never be able to decide on a thesis topic. Always remember to limit the time allowed to read about a potential new research interest.

Step 4: Finalizing your choice

Even the most interesting topics can become tortuous after spending enough time reading and writing about them.

Once you feel confident that you have narrowed down your potential thesis topics to a handful of options, it’s time to decide. This choice should not be made lightly—your thesis can take over your life . Even the most interesting topics can become tortuous after spending enough time reading and writing about them. With that in mind, you need to make sure your topic meets the following requirements:

• Is your proposed research feasible?
• Can you access all of the necessary research materials? Will you be able to obtain all of the necessary resources for conducting a research study? Will you be able to travel if it was required?
• Do you find the thesis topic interesting? Do you expect the interest to be sustained over the duration of the study?
• Is your topic meaningful and relevant in your field?
• Has anyone already published a paper on your thesis topic from the perspective research question?
• Do you have a suitable advisor willing to oversee the project?

You will need to extensively consult with your advisor, who will hopefully be able to give you the extra bit of guidance necessary to finalize your choice. If your advisor will be chosen depending on your thesis topic, see if you can consult with your potential advisors. Otherwise, talk to a trusted faculty member or mentor to get feedback on your proposed thesis topic. Your thesis topic will need to be approved by your advisor before it is finalized.

Selecting a thesis topic can be daunting, but once you have made your decision, you are ready for the real work to begin. No matter what topic you choose, you are about to embark on a great endeavor. Check out our site for more tips on how to write a good thesis, where to find the best thesis editing services, and more about thesis editing and proofreading services. 

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Review Checklist

Below is a checklist for you to follow as you go through the process of choosing a thesis topic.

Check the requirements for selecting a thesis topic:

Make a note of the word count requirements and the final deadline before you begin

Check for any preliminary deadlines before the final deadline. For example, if there is a proposal deadline, or individual chapter deadlines.

Discuss with your professor to see if they have any specific requirements or limitations for your research.

Inquire about any requirements for your methodology; if a literature review is acceptable; or if you are required to do fieldwork.

Check to see if there is a minimum acceptable study size in case you are expected to do your own fieldwork.

Look out for any other requirements related to your fieldwork like specific required sources or any possible restrictions.

Review your past work and current trending research for potential topics

Talk to friends and professors about interests

Review relevant journals and publications for inspiration

Rank potential topics in the order of how interesting you find them

Review the literature on potential topics

Discuss the feasibility of your proposed topic with your advisor

Select your thesis topic

How do I begin my search for thesis topic ideas? +

• Start with your previous writing work.
• Shortlist topics you have an interest in or are passionate about
• Talk to your supervisors, peers and colleagues for suggestions
• Read popular journals for hot research topics
• Rank your top three thesis topic ideas in order of preference
• Finally, consult your advisor before seeking approval

How do I know if my thesis topic is promising and unique? +

• Begin with identifying a strong research question
• Always avoid yes/no type questions when finalizing a research question
• Make sure your thesis topic addresses all aspects of your clearly defined research question
• The topic should be broad never vague and precise
• It should contribute to a better understanding of the research field

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How to Choose a Master’s Dissertation (Thesis) Topic | Career Advice for Master’s Students to Improve Job Prospects

• September 20, 2017
• Career Guidance , Study Abroad

A Master’s program is not just a continuation of an undergraduate program. You are going to specialize in a particular subject field; hence it’s a process of acculturation. While an undergraduate degree provides you a range of potential jobs, a Master’s degree will put you on a specific track. So, it can certainly increase your job prospects in a niche domain. Within the Master’s program, the dissertation or thesis component is extremely important. It is what you have to show for your time in a master’s degree program; especially, if you don’t have any work experience. In this post, we will look into  how to choose a Master’s Dissertation (or Thesis) topic .

How to Choose a Master’s Dissertation (Thesis) Topic

The thesis or project tell the employer what you can bring to the table. More often than not, you will be asked to describe your dissertation project during your job interview. Even in my case, my dissertation project played a vital role to land up to my first job.

So, how to choose a good dissertation topic? To be honest, there is no bad or wrong Master’s project per se. However, a strategic project selection could influence your career trajectory in many ways. A Master’s dissertation might not provide you the opportunity to conduct groundbreaking research. However,   a Masters degree is an ideal opportunity to establish your domain expertise and showcase your technical and soft skills . Employers take a very close look at the dissertation topic, and so you should be considerate enough before choosing your project.

5 Quick Tips for Choosing a Master’s Dissertation or Thesis Project

Pick a topic that can be done quickly . It’s not a Ph.D. thesis; so you’re not going to have 4 – 5 years to do your research. Every topic expands as you start writing, so pick something concise.  A Master’s thesis is a competency test and not a professional standard .

Evaluate the job market . Have a look what technical skills are being asked by the employers in your domain. You have to realize that though grades are important, employers hardly care about the grades; especially when you have done a Master’s degree. If your research is good enough and your grades aren’t too low, then you have nothing to worry about. It would be wise if you spend your time getting some quality work experience along with a Grade B, rather than earning grade A with no work experience.

You need to be passionate about the project . If you are not excited about the topic, then you might struggle to finish it off, and even fail in the viva. So, pick something that you like. After all, you will need to sell it when you interview for jobs or Ph.D. programs. When you demonstrate excitement about your dissertation thesis, you basically demonstrate your engagement and passion about the field of study. This will help during your interviews.

Ask around and take feedback . Talk to your potential supervisor, personal tutor, and course coordinator. During your thesis, you will work with a supervisor or adviser. Besides, you will also have a personal tutor and course co-ordinator around you.  If you have problems coming up with a thesis topic , sit down with your advisor, personal tutor, and course director and talk about your interests. It could be also a good idea to visit the Careers Services, and speak to the career advisers and/or counselors. Their feedback will surely provide you some good topics that are best for you.

Identify your career trajectory . Choose a topic that creates a trajectory. You don’t need to necessarily take it, but you can keep your options open. It is not practical for everyone to find a topic that they will enjoy for 3 – 6 years. Besides, not everyone wants to do a Ph.D. However, it won’t hurt to have the option open. Even if you wish to opt for an MBA after few years of job, this can again help you with your MBA applications and admission process.

How I Chose My MSc Dissertation (Thesis) Topic

Now, I would take a walk down the memory lane to give you a rough idea about how I chose my dissertation topic. I attended Aston University in the UK for my MSc Pharmacology program (2008 – 2009). The dissertation was unarguably the major component of my Master’s program. My dissertation was not only carrying the maximum number of credit points, but it was also bound to influence the direction of my career after graduation. I knew that 3 – 4 months is not a decent time period for making any ground-breaking discovery. After all, it was my MSc dissertation and not a Ph.D. thesis. However, I needed something intellectually challenging. So, I was more focused on re-establishing the previous findings and hypothesis. My primary objective was to learn what questions to ask and how to conduct a research study. Secondly, I was keen on learning more about molecular pharmacology, and the cross-talk between neuroscience and cardiovascular medicine. Besides, I also needed to focus on learning some useful lab techniques that would make be employable. So, I was really thoughtful and strategic on choosing my dissertation topic. After considering three four options, I decided to do my dissertation on investigating “The Role of RAMP1 in Binding Adrenomedullin at the CGRP Receptor”.

The CGRP project fascinated me from the very beginning. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 amino acid vasoactive neuro-peptide, derived from the alternative splicing of the primary transcript of the calcitonin gene (Amara et al., 1982). CGRP is released from the sensory fibers originating in the trigeminal ganglia (Goadsby & Edvinsson, 1993) or adventitial-medial border of arteries supplying the heart (Gulbenkian et al., 1993). CGRP has been reported to be widely found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, hypothalamus and cardiovascular system of humans and particularly in sensory nerve fibres. CGRP is a potent vasodilator with significant effects on arterioles and capillaries. Apart from significant roles in the nervous system, CGRP also controls cardiovascular functions. CGRP has also got major implications in migraine, nociception, bone formation, glucose uptake, blood pressure regulation, broncho-protection, neurogenic inflammation and tissue repair. But, the exact mechanism by which CGRP exerts its action was poorly understood. My project was supposed to be on understanding the receptor binding and the mechanism of action. Thus, I became very excited with the project background.

The fact that really made me excited was that the CGRP receptor, a family B GPCR, is a heterodimer between a conventional seven-TM (transmembrane) helix GPCR-like protein [known as calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR)] and a single TM protein, receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP-1). The RAMP-1 protein is required for CGRP (ligand) binding to the CLR receptor, and also facilitates the CLR expression at the cell surface. When CLR co-expresses with RAMP-2 or RAMP-3, it functions as the adrenomedullin (AM) receptor.

Image: Heterodimerisation of CLR and RAMP. (a) Molecular constitution of CGRP and AM receptors. (b) Glycosylation and trafficking stages of CGRP receptor. [Source:  Nature Reviews Neuroscience ]

Surprisingly, the CGRP receptor (RAMP1-CLR) was also found to bind AM with 10-fold less affinity than CGRP apart from binding CGRP. In 1999, it was proposed that the glycosylation level was likely to an important role in ligand selectivity. Later in 2001, it was suggested that RAMPs alter the glycosylation status of the receptor-complex (CGRP receptor). There were many other studies in the past that tried to solve this exact puzzle. But, the exact mechanism was ambiguous. So, the primary objective of my dissertation was to understand the role of RAMP-1 in binding AM at the CGRP receptor.

My supervisor had advised me to probe the residues 78 – 89 in the extracellular domain of RAMP1. He further explained that the project will involve chimera studies, cell culture, transfection, gel electrophoresis, cAMP assay, radioimmunoassay, handling of radio-nucleotides and basic exposure to molecular cloning. After understanding the project background and knowing about the potential lab techniques, I was sure that this would be the ideal dissertation topic for me.

You might also like to read the following articles:

How Study Abroad Experience Shaped Up My Career Development and Progression

Challenges That I Faced During My Study Abroad Experience at Aston University in the UK

About Author Tanmoy Ray

I have got a Molecular Pharmacology background with 5 years of research experience in the fields of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cancer Biology, Biomarkers, and Drug Discovery. I did my Masters from the UK (Aston University) and have worked at University of Oxford (UK), Utrecht University (Netherlands), University of New South Wales (Australia) and MeetUniversity (India). Currently, I am working with Stoodnt Inc. as a Career Adviser & Admission Counselor. I can be reached at [email protected]

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Reference management. Clean and simple.

Is it a good thesis topic?

Does the topic have a clear aim?

Is the topic researchable, is the topic original enough, will the topic be interesting to your audience.

• What methodology will your topic require?

Additional criteria for a good thesis topic

Frequently asked questions about having a good thesis topic, related articles.

Before starting the actual research for your thesis, you need to make sure that your topic is well formed. Take a look at this list of questions to find out if your topic is ready to work on.

First things first, is your topic clear enough? The ideal path of deciding a topic starts by making it as comprehensive as possible. This is easier said than done, as people often have one idea in mind but another one in the paper.

Tip: To ensure that your topic is clear and comprehensible, try explaining it to a friend or colleague.

As James Hamilton, coach for Ph.D. students, concludes in his guide on finding a thesis topic “clarity is the key.” Therefore, we recommend explaining your topic to someone foreign to your field.

Dissect every part of the topic and describe them in the most simple way. This will help you see your topic from a different perspective. Once you have a simplified version, you can start adding layers of complexity.

Once you are sure the topic is crystal clear, it is time to find out the most important factor: does the topic offer enough information? If you came up with the topic from material you read before, or you heard about it in a lecture, it means the topic is probably highly researchable.

Use keywords related to your topic and search for them in:

• library catalogs
• academic databases
• academic search engines
• Google scholar
• academic repositories

Consider meeting with an academic librarian, who can help you generate keywords.

Every thesis requires a level of originality but, let's be honest, research is never completely original. Still, why not make it as original as you can within your limits? You will dive in a sea of papers with a similar approach to yours. This is your chance of finding an angle that has never been taken before.

Therefore, we recommend finding a gap in the research, or a certain angle that has been done before but could be further developed. How? By simply paying particular attention to your sources.

Tip: To determine if your thesis topic is original, consider speaking with your advisor, or others in your field, who may know the research landscape really well.

Academic writing shouldn’t be boring. Depending on the level of your thesis, its appeal will vary. Identify the audience of your thesis and adapt its style and structure accordingly.

A bachelor’s thesis has to be interesting for the professor who grades it it. An MA thesis should attract your supervisor, and potential future employers. A Ph.D. thesis should strive to make a clear intervention in the field that will catch the attention of other scholars. It should engage peers, supervisor, and general researchers.

Once you know who you are writing for, it becomes easier to adapt your style to your target audience. We also recommend these 13 ways to make your writing more interesting to read.

W hat methodology will your topic require?

Picking a suitable research methodology is one of the most important components that can make a project fail or succeed.

Being aware of what type of outcome you want and how much time you have to conduct research will help you choose the right methodologies. For example, if you want qualitative data and you have enough time, then you can carry out a focus group.

If you want quantitative data in a short period of time then an online survey suffices. Time and goal will be the decisive factors in almost every project.

Check out our guide on How to gather data for your thesis for further instructions on collecting empirical data and choosing a methodology.

• Qualitative : focus groups, interviews, literature reviews, etc.
• Quantitative : surveys, experiments, longitudinal studies, etc.

You might also ask yourself these questions when you are assessing if your thesis topic is good:

• Is the topic easy to find?
• Is the topic of interest in contemporary culture?
• Will the topic bring you any benefit after graduation?

Every thesis requires a level of originality but let's be honest, research is never completely original. To have an original topic, we recommend finding a gap in the research. How? By simply finding a certain angle that has been done before but could be further developed.

Academic writing shouldn’t be boring. In order to make it interesting, you should identify the audience of your project and adapt it accordingly. A bachelor’s thesis has to be interesting for the professor who grades it it. An MA thesis should attract your supervisor, and potential future employers. A Ph.D. thesis should strive to make a clear intervention in the field that will catch the attention of other scholars.

We recommend explaining your topic to someone foreign to your field. Dissect every part of the topic and describe it in the most simple way. This will help you see your topic from a different perspective.

If you came up with the topic from material you read before, or you heard about it in a lecture, it means the topic is probably highly researchable. Use keywords related to your topic and search for them in catalogs, databases, search engines, and libraries.

Some other questions you can ask yourself (or others) to know if your thesis topic is good:

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Least Known Ways on How To Choose a Thesis Topic

Developing a topic for any given subject is no easy task for anyone. Whether you are in high school, undergraduate or postgraduate level, this is no mean feat. That is why you need to learn how to come up with a thesis topic painstakingly. The key to unlocking all this lies in the next few lines. Journey with me as we master the art of choosing a thesis topic together.

What Are Thesis Project Ideas?

You will quickly know how to pick a thesis topic if you understand what it means. A thesis topic gives you the unique opportunity to showcase your mastery of the field of study you have invested in for years. It also presents you with a chance to contribute to the body of knowledge on a specific subject within your studying area.

Now that you understand a thesis topic knowing how to find a thesis topic becomes an exciting rather than a dreadful moment. Let me show you the fun part of it all.

How To Find Good Thesis Topics: Underlying Challenges

The little attention that all of us give to such an essential part of the writing process is what kills it. Instead of investing hundreds of hours and tremendous effort, many students have underrated this crucial research writing aspect. Below are some of the stumbling blocks to picking a thesis subject:

Most scholars do not understand how cumbersome the whole process is Lack of an effective system of counseling on how to choose a dissertation topic Time constraint for Masters and Ph.D. students

Most students will end up in their final years of study, having no idea how to pick a thesis topic and proceed with their research work.

But this ought not to be the case. With the expert tricks and tips below, you will know how to choose a thesis topic for masters or Ph.D. with ease. Scroll down for more.

How To Pick a Topic For Your Thesis Painstakingly

While these tips may not be the magic formula or secret ‘topic portion’ to selecting thesis ideas, they are essential for starters. They provide you with a good foundation on which to formulate your topic ideas.

Here we go!

Having a researchable topic: First of all, consider all the resources at hand – time, money, and sources. Then, you can choose a thesis topic that you can do justice to effortlessly. The topic should interest you first: I find it odd to do something that I don’t like. Therefore, your thesis topic should ignite the motivation and enthusiasm in you to work it out. What are your strengths? Consider what you are good at, powerful suits that can be applied to a research project. Look at every available resource or things in your life that can propel you to choosing a dissertation topic. Originality, context, and execution: It would be blunt for a reader to bump into a topic that he/she has encountered somewhere else. The thesis topic you choose should be original and one that fits within the context of your audience. Formulate a question: Many thought-provoking questions can act as a stepping stone to your quality thesis topic. Look for gaps in the already published works: None of us knows everything, but we at least know something. Therefore, you can read the published results with an open mind, identify the missing links, and then write on them. Have a specific perspective: From what unique point of view do you wish to present your phenomenon? Embrace creativity: All of us are creative in our unique ways. Making use of your imagination can be a gold mine to finding a top-notch thesis topic. Brainstorm with classmates: This is one of the most common yet misused ways of finding thesis topics. To get the best out of this, brainstorm ideas to expand your knowledge base. Consult your faculty: It will help identify the structure, in-house style, or possible thesis topics for your particular research field.

What excuse do you have now for not coming up with a thrilling thesis topic thick and fast? Here are some professionally handpicked thesis topics examples to get you started:

The Best Thesis Topic Ideas in 2023

• The place of democracy in the US following the violence at its Capitol
• How the coronavirus has changed interpersonal relationships
• The rise of feminists in the 21st century
• The impact of social media in mobilizing and creating awareness
• Why you should always put on your mask
• Is China taking over the world economy?

Interesting Thesis Topic Ideas

• Emerging business ethics in the digital space
• Effectiveness of the death sentence for capital offenses
• Impact of Mandatory Minimum sentencing
• Drunk driving during festivities
• Why doping is still a threat in athletics
• Legalization of marijuana

Controversial Thesis Topics

• Abortion and human rights
• The role of religion
• 5G and coronavirus
• Origin of coronavirus
• Is assisted suicide legal?
• Gun control policies

Easy Thesis Topics

• Legal drinking age
• Masks and coronavirus prevention
• The role of mentors
• Is TV causing obesity?
• Internet and moral decay
• Is homework beneficial?

Master Thesis Ideas

• College admission policies
• Online writing sites
• Is it legal to pay for thesis?
• Sex education in schools
• Alternative energy sources
• Geoengineering

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Graduate College

On the dissertation: how to find a research topic.

A new book sheds light on a vital academic skill: the art and craft of figuring out what you want to investigate.

When it comes to choosing a dissertation topic, students in the lab sciences have it the easiest. Because their funding comes from their adviser’s lab, their dissertations will typically be carved out of the professor’s research agenda. That practice has its problems. The most obvious: These graduate students have only limited input into their own thesis topic. They don’t get to learn and practice an important skill that all researchers need once they’re on their own — the knack of figuring out what to study.

Clearing an easy path to a thesis topic defers an important part of doctoral education in the sciences. But what about everyone else? All graduate students need to learn how to identify and develop a topic and formulate a research agenda. And it’s not an easy skill to teach — especially if the instructor doesn’t know much about how to do it, either.

I’ve long wanted to spotlight this subject in The Chronicle’s occasional series on the dissertation (earlier essays focused on  drafting the introduction  and the  value of writing groups ). But I hesitated because I wasn’t sure of what to say. Back when I was a graduate student, I got lucky: My topic snuck up on me. It emerged from a course I devised at the time. (The course was called “The Literature of the Bizarre, the Grotesque, and the Macabre,” and it led to a dissertation on the grotesque in antebellum American literature.)

The best I can say for myself is that when I did stumble upon a thesis topic, I had the good sense to notice. However, my experience isn’t exactly teachable. I’ve advised many student dissertations over the years, and I confess that topic design has never been one of my strengths.

For better and worse, I’ve been cautious about offering advice on this front. The sciences are not the only fields in which students end up with a topic that mirrors their adviser’s work. I’ve seen that happen more than a few times in the humanistic precincts I inhabit, with decidedly mixed results.

And I don’t want to dictate thesis topics to my students. After all, they have to live for two or three years with their topic. I don’t. On the other hand, if I hold myself at too great a distance from their thought process, I’m not helping them — or doing my job.

So how can students — and professors like me — learn the art and craft of topic design?

Fortunately, an  excellent new book  from the University of Chicago Press has come to the rescue. Thomas S. Mullaney and Christopher Rea’s Where Research Begins, is a revelation. Unlike previous books in the field (such as the valuable and many-times revised The Craft of Research, published in 1995), Mullaney and Rea focus on how to release and develop your own analytical creativity, and then how to shape it into what they call “a research project that matters to you (and the world).”

Where Research Begins is fundamentally a workbook, and it’s filled with exercises. The book has two parts. The first section describes what Mullaney and Rea call “self centered” research, which they define as discovering what matters to you and framing it as a problem that can be investigated.

Too often, the book says, academics try to “please some imaginary, external judge.” Or maybe that judge is not imaginary at all. I’ve seen plenty of graduate students — including some under my own direction — try to please the teacher before pleasing themselves. Perhaps the book’s single greatest virtue lies in its emphasis on the importance of uncovering what matters to you and separating that from everything else, including what you think your dissertation adviser wants.

Via a series of exercises, the book gradually moves the reader from topic to questions, and then to a research problem. Repeatedly in framing a topic, Mullaney and Rea encourage the researcher to look for “the effect on you.” Their emphasis on a step-by-step process to transform a personal interest into a viable research topic is the second cardinal virtue of the book.

Where Research Begins shows how a topic will enter both a field of study and a “problem collective” made up of researchers who may belong to different fields, but who are working on similar questions. For example, someone trying to learn why bourbon has become so popular in the United States might identify her field as American food studies. But she might share her problem with a researcher tracing the emergence of religious denominations in Europe, or someone studying fads in Japan.

The shift from self-centeredness to intellectual community makes up the second part of the book. Mullaney and Rea call this second stage “Getting Over Yourself.”

In moving from exercise to exercise, the book advises the reader to “write as you go.” If you do, the end result will be what the authors cleverly call “draft zero,” a step away from a first draft.

Such formulations led one of my former students to remark that Mullaney and Rea “have the best metaphors.” Where Research Begins is indeed filled with witty analogies that make reading the book a pleasure. Instead of merely encouraging the reader to ask rigorous questions, they write: “Think of a question as if it were a car,” and “stress test” the steering and brakes.

To get from sources to arguments, Mullaney and Rea ask the researcher to “connect the dots.” In real life, as opposed to dot-to-dot coloring books, you have to find the dots to connect. What happens when there are only a few of them? When you don’t know what picture they form? “Figure out which dots belong to your picture,” they advise. This extended metaphor delivers a powerful and memorable lesson on how to identify and plumb an archive.

Playful metaphors do more than make the reader smile. Metaphors, as the linguist George Lakoff reminds us, shape thought.

The authors recommend a method that I would describe (to offer my own metaphor) as quarrying. They direct the researcher to quarry, examine, and reflect — and then repeat the procedure. Discover things, study them, figure out what they say to you (including about your personal interests), and then use that knowledge to discover more things. The book’s exercises employ this recursive method again and again.

Where Research Begins is a gratifyingly student-centered book but it will help experienced researchers as well as beginners, teachers as well as students. For faculty members who advise graduate students, it particularly helps expose the assumptions baked into our own methods of thinking. I’ll be a better teacher for that, and my students will arrive at better research topics.

That’s a valuable takeaway for all concerned, but good dissertation topics especially matter for students from underrepresented groups. Many of them want to do research that reflects their personal commitments — and they’re more likely to leave graduate school if they are discouraged from pursuing those interests. That subject deserves particular attention, and I’ll have more to say about it in my next column.

Original article: https://www.chronicle.com/article/on-the-dissertation-how-to-find-a-research-topic

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How to choose a thesis topic

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Criteria to help you decide

Choose a topic you like.

This may be the most important criteria. It is often not an easy decision and requires time you have to invest in order to decide on your topic. Your (quality of) life will be much better if the hours spend on your project are spent enjoyably. What’s more, the quality of your research, writing, and arguments will be much better if you feel a genuine passion for your work. Choose a topic you find both fascinating and significant.

Seek feedback

Discuss your ideas with peers and others, make your ideas explicit and seek feedback. Know that the thesis is a major project, but it isn’t your life’s research. Adequate feedback should help you narrow down your topic to realistic proportions.

Consider your future career

Select a topic that will be helpful in your career path. If your goal is an academic career, pick a topic that you can easily modify into journal articles and maybe lends itself well to future research. If you are going into industry, choose a topic that will make you more marketable.

Select a manageable topic

Use the expertise you have gained in you study and avoid exploring a completely new idea. Do your research and find a topic that fits into existing bodies of literature, but that builds upon theory and expands it. In doing so make sure this topic has not been done before. Finally; think carefully before you choose a controversial topic, think carefully about whether it might restrict your employment, tenure, or publishing opportunities.

Theoretical background

A simplified but very usable technique based on this theory consists of listing the advantages and disadvantages of each option. The list will result in a T-model in which you indicate all the positive points of an alternative on the left side and all the negative points on the right side. Subsequently, you value each aspect by grading it with a number. Eventually, you count the numbers together for the two lists and you will see directly whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Questions to ask yourself

• What are my major interests?
• What major personal experience relative to my discipline do I have?
• What courses were most exciting?
• What theories and concepts are interesting?
• What do I want to avoid?
• What data do I need?
• What research methods do I like?
• What are my career goals? (Articulate and answer your individual questions too.)

Otto Taborsky model

The following model by Otto Taborsky displays stages you should go through while choosing your thesis topic.

• Realise you have to choose
• Accept the uncertainty of the decision you will have to make
• Freely explore
• Make a decision
• Execution of your decision

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How to Choose Your Thesis Topic

Finding your thesis topic is not an easy task. We are supposed to find something interesting, innovative and relevant within our disciplinary fields. The anxiety increases every day as the deadline for submitting our thesis topic and possible supervisor is closer. This is perhaps harder than writing the thesis itself. Here are a few tips that can help you find something that is interesting, feasible and perhaps original.

1. Identify something you are interested in or passionate about

You decided to study in this program for a reason, so remind yourself constantly what topics you find appealing inside this field. From the beginning, keep track of those discussions or issues that ring a bell for you. While reading or during the lessons, try to identify those moments in which you are puzzled or interested. Write them down in a notebook, or in your cellphone. Try to articulate your thoughts on the subject, writing them or recording your voice. If you find that there is a topic that you keep referring to, you might have found something already. This is a huge step, perhaps the main one.

2. Discuss your interests with people

The greatest ideas are not inventions of geniuses that work in isolation. Knowledge depends greatly on collaboration and dialogue. So, don't feel bad if you cannot come up with something on your own―no one does. Instead, try to discuss your interests with people, even if there are still very general ones. Talk to your classmates and your teachers. Try to ask people if they know something about this subject and if they can give you references. This will help you narrow down your interest and identify possible questions or gaps.

3. Talk to the faculty

While talking to your classmates is very important, I strongly advise you to talk to a few of your teachers very early, even if you don't have anything in mind yet. They can give you great guidance and help you identify who to work with, what to read, and what the interesting gaps in the field are. If you don't know which professors you can approach, you can check their research fields on the department's website and find who works with topics related to your general interests. You can also ask second-year students if they know which professors might be able to help you. Contact them by email, explaining generally what you are curious about and asking for an appointment during their office hours. Discuss your broad interests with them. You can start the discussion by asking for bibliographic references, a particular question, or about their knowledge on this particular topic. Tell them that you are trying to narrow down your thesis topic, they probably will give you suggestions and ideas. Even if the teacher is not the right fit for your subject, she or he can tell you who in the department might be. Usually, professors are really willing to help, so don't be afraid to talk to them.

3. Use your class assignments to develop your interests

Try to use the class assignments as much as possible to develop aspects of those topics that ring a bell for you. This will help you to explore and to start narrowing down what exactly you are really interested in. It will give you the chance to examine the bibliography related to the subject and to articulate some thoughts about it. In my case, one small assignment during my first semester ended up being my MA thesis and the topic of my research project for my PhD application. So, don't underestimate the small assignments! A small fascination can develop into a great passion.

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While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
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How to structure your PhD thesis

Organising your PhD thesis in a logical order is one of the crucial stages of your writing process. Here is a list of the individual components to include

Shama Prasada Kabekkodu

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Using non verbal cues to build rapport with students, emotionally challenging research and researcher well-being, augmenting the doctoral thesis in preparation for a viva, how hard can it be testing ai detection tools.

The task of writing a PhD thesis is top of mind for many aspiring scholars. After all, completing one is no small task. And while these pieces of writing often share a standard format, this can differ slightly based on the requirements of your institution or subject. So what elements make up a PhD thesis?

A doctoral thesis usually contains:

• A title page
• Declarations from the candidate and supervisor
• A certificate from the candidate and supervisor
• A plagiarism report
• Acknowledgements 
• A table of contents
• Abbreviations 
• An abstract

Chapters typically cover:

• A general introduction 
• Literature review
• Analysis of the gap in research with aims and objectives
• Materials and methods
• Summary and conclusion
• References or bibliography. 

You should also include a list of papers you have published and any relevant achievements at the end. 

An explanation of each of the components of a PhD dissertation 

Title page: a PhD thesis starts with a title page that contains the complete title of the research work, the submitting university, names of the candidate and supervisor, affiliation and month and year of submission.

Abstract: this serves as a concise synopsis of the dissertation, covering the research context, purpose of the study or research questions, methodology, findings and conclusions. This section is usually one to two pages in length. 

Table of contents: this page lists the thesis content and respective page numbers.

General introduction and literature review: this component is usually 20 to 40 pages long. It presents the readers with the primary material and discusses relevant published data. It provides an overview of pertinent literature related to the thesis such as texts that critically assess the existing literature to identify the gap in research and explain the need behind the study. 

Aims and objectives: this section of the thesis is typically one to two pages long and describes the aims and objectives of the study. Structure them as three to four bullet points describing specific points that you will investigate. Approach this by thinking about what readers should understand by the end of the thesis. Ensure you:

• Give a clear explanation of the purpose and goals of your study 
• Outline each aim concisely
• Explain how you will measure your objectives
• Ensure there is a clear connection between each aim
• Use verbs such as investigate, evaluate, explore, analyse and demonstrate.

Materials and methods: this section briefly explains how you have conducted the study and should include all the materials you used and procedures you implemented. For example, if your research involves working with chemicals, list the chemicals and instruments used, along with their catalogue numbers and manufacturers’ names. This section should also explicitly explain the methodology you used, step-by-step. Use the past tense while writing this section and do not describe any results or findings of the study yet.

Results: this section is sometimes called the “findings report” or “the experimental findings” (referring to data collection and analysis). Write the results concisely and in the past tense. Include text, figure and table infographics created with tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator and BioRender to visualise your data . 

Discussion: this is a chance to discuss the results and compare the findings of your study with the initial hypothesis and existing knowledge. Focus on discussing interpretations, implications, limitations and recommendations here.

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Summary and conclusion: this section should be shorter than the discussion and summarise your key findings. The summary and conclusion should be brief and engaging, allowing the reader to easily understand the major findings of the research work. Provide clear answers to the research questions, generate new knowledge and clarify the need for the study. 

Future perspective: this section of the thesis (which is often combined with a summary or conclusion) talks about the study's limitations, if any, and indicates the directions for future studies based on your findings. 

References or bibliography: the last section should include the list of articles, websites and other resources cited in the thesis.

Always remember that, depending on the department, university or field of study, you might have to follow specific guidelines on how to organise your PhD thesis. Ensure you consult your supervisor or academic department if you have any doubts.

Shama Prasada Kabekkodu is a professor and head of cell and molecular biology at Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India.

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Native Woody Diversity, Composition, and Tree Growth Responses to Invasive Plant Treatment in Non-Industrial Private Forests, Gabriela Krochmal Master's Thesis Defense

Please join us on June 24 th  at 10:00 am to support Gabriela Krochmal as they defend their thesis.

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Presentation Master's thesis - Noah Simhy - Social Psychology

Roeterseilandcampus - Building A, Street: Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B, Room: GS.01

This study looks at the role of dyadic empathy in the relationship between inter- and monocultural couples and relationship satisfaction and conflict. Previous research suggests intercultural couples face difficulties due to cultural differences, possibly resulting in relationship dissatisfaction. For romantic love to positively influence one's life, the relationship must be satisfying. Therefore, it is important to know what helps these couples deal with these unique challenges. 

'Unbelievable': Oregon man's dog runs 4 miles for help after car crash

Brandon garrett has his dog blue to thank for helping save his life after he accidentally drove off an embankment last week. he spent the night in the woods, but blue alerted his family he needed help.

An Oregon man who accidentally drove off an embankment and spent the night at the bottom of a steep ravine was saved after one of his dogs ran 4 miles for help.

Brandon Garrett was driving with his four dogs along Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, a two-land paved road that winds through the Wallowa Mountains , when he failed to “negotiate a curve” last week. That caused Garrett's car to plummet off the embankment on June 2, according to a news release from the Baker County Sheriff’s Office. 

One of Garrett's dogs, named Blue, ran 4 miles to a campsite where Garrett and his brother had been staying. Blue arrived to “alert the rest of the party that something was wrong,” the sheriff's office said.

Garrett spent the night in the woods, setting up camp about 100 yards away from his car. 

Garrett's family members were able to find Garrett's car the next morning but couldn't reach him because of the extreme terrain. That's when they called authorities.

Here’s what we know.

Authorities share detail of dramatic rescue

Garrett’s brother reached out to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office the morning on June 3, telling them that Garrett did not make it to camp.

He told them that they had found Garrett’s car but were unable to make contact. A number of agencies, including the sheriff’s office, made their way to the crash site. Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash soon found Garrett and his three other dogs alive at the crash site.

Ash administered first aid as volunteers began to carve a path to Garrett with chainsaws. 

Then, members of the search and rescue team “began the difficult task of reaching Garrett,” using a highline rope system to load and secure him into a rescue basket before being pulled across the ravine, the sheriff's office said.

Garrett was airlifted to a regional hospital. Baker County sheriff's spokesperson Ashley McClay told USA TODAY on Monday that Garrett was out of the hospital and is at home recovering.

Blue praised in the comment section, many call dog a 'hero'

It didn't take long for Garrett's rescue to gain some traction, with many giving Blue high praise in the comment section of the sheriff's post detailing the rescue.

"Amazing," Farrah Huff Chastain said. "Somebody get that dog a bone, he saved his person."

Sharon Foster Bessey called Blue's actions "unbelievable."

"That dog deserves a medal for that!!!!" she said. "And then to find everyone alive and rescued, that is a wonderful ending to the story!"