Recently, a student asked me about her dissertation topic. When should she pick one? And what should she study?
I paused to reflect on my #dissertation.
As I entered the third year of my Ph.D. program, my advisor asked what I wanted to study. I replied that I wanted to look at a familiar topic using an existing dataset.
He replied: try again!
So I did.
He gave me the same answer.
Over the next several months, we tried out several topics. Eventually, we found one that my #advisor found interesting.
I then wrote a reasonable, yet #uninspired, dissertation.
I’ve always looked back with some regret. My topic was born of necessity- not from passion - it was a bit dull - even lackluster.
So when #advising, I encourage #phdstudents to find a topic that sparkles & can work on for many years to come.
So how do you pick an interesting, sustainable topic?
First, talk to your advisor. Get a feeling for what they find interesting. They will usually give you broad brushstrokes on what a good topic looks like.
This is important. You need an engaged #advisor to finish.
Note. Good advisors guide the selection process. They don’t pick the topic.
Second, take some time to look around. Examine what top journals are publishing - in terms of #topics, #methods & #data. Read blogs to find out what people away from the #IvoryTower are thinking about.
This will help you understand what is possible & what has #impact.
Third, be patient. You don’t just wake up & have a topic. Most good dissertations are born from a lot of #coffee & conversations. Ideate. Pick up & discard topics.
Ideation can’t be rushed.
Fourth, take your best ideas to your advisor. Sort through your thoughts & only present real possibilities for discussion. You want to be taken seriously.
There is genuine #peril to sharing random ideas - you could irritate your advisor or get stuck with an impossible to study topic!
Fifth, be pragmatic. I proposed a multi-survey, multi-case study dissertation. It was a train wreck.
Pick a topic that you can realistically study in the time you have left funded by your program.
Sixth, make sure you find the topic interesting. I wrote one paper on my dissertation topic. I never want to see it again.
When I look back, I wasted two years of my life.
Since finishing, I have written several papers on the topic that I wanted to study.
Seventh, pick a timeless topic. While I advise, look at the world & be pragmatic, connect the phenomenon to an enduring theme or theory in your literature.
Really good dissertations abstract away from a phenomenon & offer insight into enduring problems - governance, identity, communication, adaptation - not just issues of the day - like fake news or social media.
This sets you up for a long career.
In the end, my advice is to take your time, be pragmatic, pick an enduring topic & make sure it interests you.
If you do, you will have a lot more fun!
Best of luck!
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