A dissertation topic is the specific subject or research questions that a student chooses to investigate for their dissertation, which is a major research project typically required in the final year of a master’s or PhD program. It is a core idea that your whole dissertation revolves around.
A dissertation topic should:
✔️ Be focused enough that you can explore it in depth
✔️ Be original or offer a fresh angle
✔️ Connect to your academic field
✔️ Be researchable
✔️ Be interesting to you
Examples of Dissertation Topics for Different Disciplines
Here are some examples of dissertation topics that you can explore and get inspiration from:
Dissertation Topic Ideas in Nursing
Topic 1: How can the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) improve nursing practices across the globe?
Topic 2: Why should nurses be taught stress management while dealing with patients?
Topic 3: Role of nurses in managing the emergency departments of hospitals in case of calamities.
Dissertation Topic Ideas in Psychology
Topic 4: Role of cognitive biases in human decision-making.
Topic 5: How can early investigation of disease prevent the severity of illness for psychological patients?
Topic 6: Is family therapy a good way to maintain the mental health of all members? Does it lead to unresponsiveness from the participants while being present with others?
Dissertation Topic Ideas in Law
Topic 7: Would implementing environmental law in every country be an effective approach to reduce environmental pollution, or do we need other measures to follow?
Topic 8: What privileges does the law provide you in case of discriminatory behaviour based on race, religion, or sex at your workplace?
Topic 9: Is there any loophole available in international criminal law that criminals can use to exploit the lives of innocent people?
Dissertation Topic Ideas in Economics
Topic 10: Role of big corporations in exploiting third-world economies like Ghana, Bosnia, Mexico, and so on.
Topic 11: What role does artificial intelligence play in cutting down labour resources, resulting in increased unemployment?
Topic 12: Is technological advancement bringing death to the traditional economic system?
Dissertation Topic Ideas in History
Topic 13: What were the reasons behind the French Revolution? Are we heading again towards the same reasons now?
Topic 14: Do the ancient scientific advancements provide a base step for today’s technological advancements?
Topic 15: How has the governing system shifted from utilitarianism to democracy? What causes that shift, apart from the Treaty of Westphalia?
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7 Steps to Follow for Choosing a Dissertation Topic
Here are the essential steps that you should follow to choose the right dissertation topic for you:
Step 1. Assess the course requirements
The first step in choosing a dissertation topic is to assess the course requirements. It is important to note that each course has specific requirements, terms, and conditions that guide students to determine the dissertation topic that best suits their needs.
The nature and suitability of your chosen dissertation topic are dependent on the academic course being studied. Review your course requirements before narrowing down the topics, rather than getting caught up in confusion.
Your department’s dissertation writing requirements significantly specify the minimum and maximum word count, outlining the list of possible topics, and identifying the methodological requirements.
What is included in dissertation requirements?
These are the non-negotiable requirements set by your university:
- Credit Hours
- Residency Requirement
- Timeline & Deadlines
- Candidacy Status
- Committee Formation
- Proposal Defense
- Final Defense
- Formatting & Style
- Abstract
- Registration & Submission
Step 2. Select an extensive field
Once you understand the requirements, the next step is to select a broad research theme. The best practice is to evaluate topics that are interesting for students in their courses. For instance, students can choose a familiar topic, as it is relatively easy to start research on a known topic, since they will not have to write from scratch.
There is no need to have advanced knowledge about the topic since basic information can also guide students to investigate the topic further and narrow it down to something relevant, valuable, and manageable.
Step 3. Search relevant academic literature
This is another important aspect of how to choose a dissertation topic. Students should find reliable and credible books, online dissertation topic databases, and articles to explore possible topics. Highly rated scholarly sources frequently publish articles that introduce readers to new research on any subject.
Another way to choose a dissertation topic is to use Google Scholar, a good resource for finding relevant journals across any subject. It includes abstracts of relevant research that can inspire students to select their dissertation topic.
Many universities have online libraries that students can access to find information about their specific subjects. While reading different books and articles, students should also make notes about ideas that can be used to create a list of possible topics.
What are the best sources to find relevant literature?
The best sources to find relevant literature include academic databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed, Scopus, along with books, journals, newspapers, and government reports.
Step 4: Narrow the topic to a niche
Now that you have already completed the preliminary research, the next step would be to evaluate every topic and narrow it down to a niche.
Identify a niche that still needs more research or a topic that is still debatable among researchers. You can investigate contemporary issues that have an impact on humans and society. Here are some examples:
EXAMPLE 1
❌ The “New Woman” in the Novels of Thomas Hardy
✔️ Confined by Convention: The Suicides of Heroines as a Critique of Female Agency in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure.
EXAMPLE 2
❌ The Role of Political Cartoons in the French Revolution
✔️ Pamphlets and Pictorial Propaganda: How the Libelles and Cartoons of the Palais-Royal District Shaped Anti-Monarchical Sentiment in Paris, 1787-1789.
Whatever the specific niche, it is crucial that adequate information on the topic is available. It’s because of the need to provide a robust theoretical basis for the dissertation. Develop a research problem statement and research questions to narrow the topic further.
Step 5. Consider the best research approach
Selecting the research method also exponentially helps in choosing a dissertation topic. The two methods of research used in academic research are primary and secondary research.
For instance, if you have chosen a dissertation topic in education, then you might decide to base your dissertation on primary research because it would enable you to address a research problem that is of critical importance to the education industry by filling a noticeable gap in knowledge.
On the other hand, if you are testing a hypothesis, and you find out that there is sufficient literature already available on the subject, then you could base your dissertation purely on secondary data.
However, dissertations can also include one or multiple approaches to research. You should consult with your mentors about the best research method.
What are the main types of research?
Here are the two main types of research:
- Primary research: It involves collecting new, original data for a specific research question.
- Secondary research: It involves analysing and synthesising information from sources that have already been published or collected by others.
Step 6. Demonstrate the relevance of the topic
It is also essential to ensure that the topic is relevant to your field of study. Your topic should be academically relevant and aim to fill a gap in existing knowledge or provide new insights into the field.
It should also be socially relevant, as the results should promote social change and contribute towards an understanding of society. Finally, it must be practically relevant by contributing to problem-solving or improving the quality of life.
A relevant topic should be linked to contemporary subjects, debates, and issues. The research problem can be used to demonstrate the relevance of the topic.
Step 7. Submit the topic to the committee
Once you have selected a topic and are ready to proceed, submit the topic with a brief description to the program supervisor or coordinator. Once approved, a dissertation research proposal will be needed as the next step.
If your supervisor doesn’t approve your chosen topic, there is still no need to panic. You can follow the same steps on how to choose a dissertation topic and send them more suggestions.
What are the steps to choosing a dissertation topic?
- Assess the course requirements
- Select an extensive field
- Search relevant academic literature
- Narrow the topic to a niche
- Consider the best research approach
- Demonstrate the relevance of the topic
- Submit the topic to the committee
Tips on Choosing the Right Research Topic for Your Dissertation
Here are the tips that you must follow to choose the right dissertation topic:
Tip 1: Relevance to your subject
Selecting the relevant topic to your field of study is the most important step in the writing process.
Tip 2: Filling a research gap
Always shortlist a topic that fills any research gap, like population, knowledge, empirical evidence, and so on.
Tip 3: Consider your expertise
Don’t pick any idea that is not compatible with your expertise. Always select a topic within your research background boundaries to craft the perfect piece.
Tip 4: Take your time
Spend as much time as you want to narrow down a topic on which not so many resources or studies are available to really contribute something valuable to the world of research.
Tip 5: Consult experts
If you are still confused, ask dissertation experts which topics are suitable for you and which are not. They would also help you to finalise the topic.
What are some tips to choose the right dissertation topic?
When choosing a topic for your dissertation, make sure it is relevant to your subject and fills a research gap. Also, consider your expertise, take your time, and consult experts for professional assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, your dissertation topic matters significantly. It shapes your research, impacts your engagement, and influences your academic and career path. A well-chosen topic aligns with your interests, contributes to your field, and enhances your overall learning experience.
To choose a dissertation topic, assess the course requirements, select an extensive field, search relevant academic literature, narrow the topic to a niche, consider the best research approach, demonstrate the relevance of the topic, and submit the topic to the committee
Yes, you can change your dissertation topic, but the process varies by institution and department. Consult with your advisor and review departmental guidelines. Changing topics may require additional time, research, and resources.
A dissertation topic’s length varies, but it is typically concise. Most titles range between 10 and 15 words. The aim is to be descriptive and clear while capturing the essence of the research.
Yes, a dissertation needs a title. It conveys the essence of the research and provides a first impression to readers. It helps in identifying the work’s main theme and acts as a reference point for scholars, researchers, and anyone engaging with the dissertation.
