Design Dissertation Topics

Once your topic has been accepted by your department, you need to begin the process of refining the topic and turning it into something that is focused enough to guide your project.

Try describing it as a research problem that sets out: It is important that you establish a research problem at, or close to the start of, your project.

This sets out your research field but does not frame a research problem because it is too general.

You do not have time to study everything about a topic, so you should focus on an aspect that you are interested in.

This guide addresses the task of planning and conducting a small research project, such as for an undergraduate or masters’ level dissertation.

It aims to help you develop a clear sense of direction early on in the project, and to support you in organising, planning, and monitoring your project.Some focused thought at the beginning, then at the planning stage of each phase, could save hours later on. It could be time in the library; the resource of your working hours; or the use of equipment or room space that needs to be booked in advance.Some people find that they procrastinate more than they would like.It should build on the thinking that you have done in defining your research problem; on the discussions that you have had with your supervisor; and on early reading that you have done on the topic.A comprehensive research proposal will make you think through exactly what it is that you are going to do, and will help you when you start to write up the project.Then allocate research tasks to the remaining time.January It is very important to be realistic about how long each task is likely to take.It is useful to work out how many weeks you have until you need to submit your completed dissertation, and draw a chart showing these weeks.Block out the weeks when you know you will be unable to work, and mark in other main commitments you have that will take time during this period.If, for example, you are unsure about the limitations of your methodology you should talk to your supervisor and read a bit more about that methodology before you start.A dissertation is an extended project that asks you to manage your time and undertake a variety of tasks.