Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Choose a Solvable and Manageable Research Problem

It is important to select a problem that is narrow enough that you can address it or solve it in a reasonable period of time. You should select a topic that can be completed within a two-year time frame.

A longer time frame could allow many unexpected and competing events to occur. If you find yourself spending an exorbitant amount of time pursuing and identifying a research problem, it is possible that the problem is not solvable.

With a longer time frame, you also run the risk of someone else identifying and solving the problem before you do. Hence, the concept of “original” contribution to the field is lost and you might have to start over. Moreover, you run the risk of your enthusiasm diminishing.

The Research Problem Must Be Worthy Of Your Time

Finding a topic that is compelling enough to sustain further research is critical. Employers evaluate potential employees based on the student’s ability to not only finish the dissertation but also make future contributions to the field.

choosing dissertation topic. Make Your Research Topic Is Original - Has It Been Done Before?

The prerequisite for finding a new research topic is to be informed because most things have been studied before. Staying on top of the current debates in your academic field puts you in a position to identify the gaps in knowledge. After identifying the gaps, all you need to figure out is what kinds of information will fill these gaps.

Hone Your Research Skills

One way to evaluate your research skills and make sure they are up to par is to pursue a potential topic in your Research Methods or Statistics courses where you can get immediate feedback from an instructor. You can use these courses to work out potential problems in your methodology or your review of the literature; thus allowing you to work out any kinks earlier in your academic career rather than later.

As You Read — Ask the Following Questions.

· What is the Research Question in the Study?

Did the Researcher Focus on the Wrong Group/subjects?

· Did the Research Leave Some Group/Something Out?

· Is the Methodology Faulty?

· Were the Findings Faulty?

· Can I Pursue the Author’s Recommendation for Future Research?

· What Are the Limitations of the Study? Dissertation Topic

How to Choose a Dissertation Topic

Exploring Dissertation Ideas

Don't remain pending you are finished with your qualifying or inclusive exams. Start congregation ideas for your dissertation topic accurate away throughout your graduate courses. You will throw your graduate job into congestion if you put off in selecting your dissertation topic. Without a dissertation topic, you can't start writing or defending the suggestion segment. As well as more outstandingly, you can't start researching or writing your dissertation without a topic.

Tips to Selecting Dissertation Topics

1. Don’t Panic — Keep Things in Perspective

Let’s features it, not as well many people will interpret a dissertation topic. A dissertation topic is not the type of article that piques the broad public’s interest largely for the reason that of its educational rigidity and writing style. The dissertation topic is usually of interest only to the student, experts in the pasture and the student’s consultant and committee members.

2. Be Organized — Maximize Your Research Efforts

In arrange to exploit your research efforts, you should be prepared and competent in your search efforts. The more organized you are in the commencement, the more time you will have to write your dissertation topic. Be there hard-working about charge pathway of your files in the early phases of your research to reduce your anxiety level presently on when your enthusiasm begins to decline. If you have to back track on your research efforts, being prepared from the commencement will assist make the procedure less hurting.

3. Choose a Subject Area First — Then a Dissertation Topic

The more information you consume in your broad subject area, the more patterns will emerge. In your coursework readings, you may notice repeated results and conclusions by more than one source, or facts that favor one view more than another. Paying attention to these patterns should help you become more conversant with the relevant literature as well as help you to narrow your focus. Narrowing your topic should be done with help from your advisor and committee members.

4. Consider Expanding a Masters Thesis Into a Dissertation

If you’re working towards a PhD and you wrote a dissertation, consider expanding on that topic for your dissertation. You already are familiar with the topic and much of the research is done. This approach can accelerate your progress towards your goal: Completion!

5. Make Sure the Topic Is Interesting

It is essential that both you and your consultant are concerned in your dissertation topic. A number of advisors are hesitant to recommend dissertation topics since of the understood responsibilities connected with guiding a student throughout the procedure from start to achievement Your advisor’s interest for your dissertation topic will decide his or her enthusiasm to read, maintain, finance, and give appropriate feedback and course to your work.