buy dissertation topics

buy dissertation topics

The Importance of Choosing the Right Dissertation Topic

1. Introduction

There are three principal objectives in writing a dissertation: first, to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the selected topics in the graduate’s field of study, in this case education; second, to reveal a capacity to carry out independent research; and third, to present the findings in a clear, coherent manner. It is evidence of the second objective, a capacity to carry out independent research, that most distinguishes the dissertation from the term paper. It’s not easy to determine precisely what a term paper is, but it is usually a written summary of work covering the entire semester and it accounts for a large portion of one’s grade. Most often, the term paper relies heavily upon existing research in the field and is merely intended to encourage further understanding or synthesis of specific topics. Conversely, the dissertation is supposed to be a progenitive work which adds something original to one’s area of study. This is not to say that discoveries made by a graduate student will be earthshaking and the field of human knowledge is always advanced in leaps and bounds; it is just that the dissertation should add something new to the extant scholarship. This can be in the form of primary research such as one would do in the experimental sciences, or it could be in the form of a new synthesis of existing ideas collected from a vast array of sources. Step one in this undertaking, something all too often undermined, is choosing the right topic.

2. Factors to Consider when Choosing a Dissertation Topic

There are a number of factors to consider when deciding on the topic area for a dissertation. One of the most important considerations is to make sure that the topic fits within the constraints of the dissertation format. Primary amongst these is the need to refer to existing literature on the topic. This will be much easier to do if a topic is chosen that builds on existing work, but aims to take it further. Doing something completely new is a possibility but it may be harder to find supporting literature. Another important factor is that the topic is one that is academically valid, within the specialism of the degree and has scope for the application of research and analysis. Finally, and most importantly, the topic must be of interest to the person who has to work on it for a number of months, so that they can maintain interest in and enthusiasm for their project.

3. Benefits of Selecting an Engaging and Relevant Topic

The most obvious result of selecting a relevant and engaging topic is that it will be easier to maintain a strong focus on your goal and manage your own workload throughout the next few years. A clear understanding of the research problems, questions and hypotheses and the rationale for this particular research will help you maintain focused and coherent throughout. It may seem that a lot of work has to be done before you start the actual research – this is true – but the biggest mistake some students make is to try and identify the research questions, and even sometimes the hypotheses, at the beginning of the research, which are either too broad or are not sufficiently specific or detailed. Starting at this point will inevitably lead to changing your topic later down the line. This is not necessarily a bad thing if it is a true reflection of what you want to research, it is more likely that it is due to a lack of planning and a common reason for this is a lack of understanding about your research problem. Another important aspect is that if your topic is exciting and rewarding for you, your enthusiasm will rub off on your markers and you are more likely to receive a higher mark. Secondly, it will make the research process more enjoyable for you which is important in terms of the amount of work you will have to get through over the next few years! Finally, studying a topic which you have a passion for can provide you with a sense of achievement and a great sense of satisfaction, which are both important factors in keeping you motivated which is a key attribute for a self-funded, self-motivated research student.

4. Potential Challenges in Finding the Perfect Dissertation Topic

How do you know what will make a good dissertation topic? It is the topic that is usually the cause of the most dilemmas and stress. Often students realise too late that their dissertation is based on a bad decision for a topic and have no choice but to start again. The aim is to be comfortable with your choice of topic, and feel that it has the potential to be developed further. Some potential challenges when deciding on a dissertation topic are: – Coming up with a new idea or angle – it can be hard to decide what has not been written on your topic already. You want to be original, but not so obscure that there is nothing written on your idea and no research material available. – Taking on a topic that the student isn’t interested in – choosing a topic that will maintain your interest is vital as you will be working on it for 9-12 months. Choosing a topic on one of your favourite modules or something that you occasionally discuss with friends will make the process of research and writing far more enjoyable. – Gauging the amount of source material available – it can be very frustrating to spend precious time in researching a topic only to find that there is a little amount of source material available. This can lead to an inflated price of books and there may be some journal articles that you cannot gain access to. – Deciding on what type of data to collect – if your dissertation involves primary research you may be faced with the challenge of choosing what type of data will be most relevant and useful to your topic. This could involve further dilemmas about what is manageable within your time frame and also your budget. Mixing a full time job with a part time degree and a dissertation could be asking too much, and something has to give.

5. Conclusion

We would advise students to seek feedback, to plan ahead, to set goals and meet deadlines, to discuss their progress with their tutors, to make use of the resources available and above all, to persevere. Like many challenges, dissertation writing is a long process, which is often quite difficult. It is also a mark of the student’s capability to pursue a costly area of interest to its conclusion. Thus it is a useful transition to the world of work and an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate academic ability. At times, it is a wish to write something but there is a worry that it won’t be well received by tutors that puts students off writing using their own initiative. If tutors were more comprehensive in their feedback regarding work that is planned but not yet written, it would be a great encouragement to students. With feedback and perhaps a formal plan with goals and deadlines, the writer could feel that there was less risk in pursuing an independent direction. This may be an area where the student could take some responsibility and make an initiative to discuss with tutors.