CHARACTERISTICS OF A
GOOD DISSERTATION TOPIC
Topic Importance:
- Is
relevant to a larger, significant problem, but is conceptually bounded
- Is
focused but not trivial
- Reflects
a creative or original perspective
- Has
important practical implications
- Has important
methodological implications
- Is
acceptable within my academic or professional field.
Personal Match
- Reflects
a strong personal interest
- Will
promote my academic and career interests
- Is of
interest to potential dissertation chairpersons and committee members
- Is
acceptable within my academic department and school
Operational
Feasibility
- Is a
good fit with knowledge and skills I have or can acquire
- Is a
good fit with the resources I have or can acquire
- Can
effectively build on prior personal and professional experience with
possible methods
- Can be
developed into a manageable study
- Can be
investigated in an ethical manner
David R. Krathwohl,
and Nick L. Smith, How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal:
Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral
Sciences (Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2005),
pp.69-70.
Reprinted with permission of Syracuse University Press.