For those who write them, either as a course requirement or a genuine sense of academic perseverance, dissertations are simultaneously the most rewarding and most infuriating part of any degree. It is also usually the only fully independent research project in a taught degree.
Given their unique nature, particularly for undergraduates who might not be used to formulating their own research questions, as well as their prominence within one’s academic career, it is important to have an idea of how to go about writing them. It all starts with choosing a topic, and here are some tips to help make the process easier.
- Check department guidelines
Possibly an odd thing to say when the focus is on “independent” research, but it is important to remember that different departments, let alone different universities, have specific parameters to work with. Examples include specifying broad areas of research, module pre-requisites for certain topics, restrictions for inter-departmental degrees or courses with a study abroad component, and sometimes even a minimum average grade in order to actually take the dissertation as a module. Word limits are also important; the difference between a 10,000 and 12,000 word ceiling can drastically change the nuances of the research.
- Contact faculty members
It is good practice to get in touch with faculty members as soon as you can so that you can run your idea by a seasoned academic. Whether or not the teaching staff who specialises in your topic ends up being your supervisor – something which is also dependent on department guidelines – they should be more than happy to act as an informal sounding board. This early feedback is a great way to streamline your topic ahead of having to declare it.
- Be passionate – and be creative
It is extremely important to pick something that you are genuinely passionate about. While this might not always be possible due to a lack of overlap between non-academic interests and your field of study, it is still better to consider any possible topic that motivates you before falling back on tried and tested areas. In fact, if you can make your research innovative and challenging, it reflects better on your academic profile – not to mention making the actual task of writing a lot more fun. Picking creative and inspiring topics will also inevitably make you more original, as you are likelier to do your own research instead of relying solely on what other academics have already said.
- Think big
It is nigh on impossible to accurately predict exactly how much substantial content you can fit into any given word limit. It is, therefore, unwise to try and narrow a topic too much out of fear of a bloated word count. Instead, be ambitious; while it is important to pinpoint a specific area in your research, it usually works better if you start with a very broad topic and narrow it down over the course of your writing, including consulting with your supervisor, than if you start with something very precise and realise you do not have enough to fill the body of your essay with.
- Ask the question
Finally, a simple test to verify the viability of your topic. Is it possible to frame it as a question? Research is almost always geared at coming up with solutions. If you can present your topic as a problem that can then be solved, you have struck gold.
What dissertation topic have you chosen? How did you decide on it? Let us know in the comments below.
Note from Career Camel: It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on essay and dissertation writing services like The Pensters. Apparently if they are used as a reference point for your dissertation, then they may be okay. It would be great to get feedback on this from our readers.
Photo: Sean MacEntee / Flickr
PhD Politics student from Bangladesh, writing on the British Empire and its creation of the utopian/dystopian binary. Sees a lot wrong with the world and tries to contribute to their solutions. Or at the very least rants about them.
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