The top critical part when writing a dissertation is topic selection as it determines the content of your overall work. For that reason, strive to put the following factors into consideration when selecting a senior thesis topic: institutional/departmental requirements, the areas you’re well conversant with, your special interests, its general social or scientific relevance, sources, availability of data, time restrictions, and targeted length of your work.
It is important to put into consideration some of the following steps to come up with a thesis idea.
- The dissertation requirements
This is a very crucial step in identifying critical requirements for your work including the scope of your research. Amongst the things to check out are; the time limit, if there is a list of topics to choose from, any restrictions, the required number of words, and if there are any methods that need to be followed while doing your research.
- Choosing a wide research field
Consider identifying a general scope of your research in advance. You can decide to start by looking at the general background of the chosen topic.
- Looking for evidence from academic sources such as published articles and books
Carefully peruse through the available materials in your school library, the internet, and other academic databases to look for academically relevant materials and scholarly information as well as note them as your references.
- Choose a suitable niche
Now that you have gathered some broad information, you now need to search for a specific niche to major on. An example of such is technological history with the specific idea being computer memory. Try to venture into a less explored subject for additional information. Your objectives, research questions, and problem statement can help to narrow down and identify if the specific ideas do not have enough supporting evidence or have been tackled before.
- Know your research type
Here you will be tasked with methods for collecting data, analysis, interpretation, and comparison of information with other available scholarly evidence. Your chosen method will have an impact on how your ideas will be addressed.
- The relevance of your work
The topic needs to be relevant to the scientific field you are working on. This can easily be achieved by ensuring the chosen topic covers current issues in both academic and societal arenas. Readers need to see this relevancy from the word go.
- Is it reasonable?
The time used to collect data for your work is another critical factor. If the time allocated would not be enough then the writer should be in a position to change their ideologies to something that will be completed within a shorter time. Aim at choosing a topic that will entirely interest you throughout your research.
- Get approval to continue with the topic
In most institutions, a student has to give a short snippet of their topic before a supervisor is assigned to them. Afterward, you must engage your supervisor before continuing to with your dissertation and during the entire writing period for relevant corrections.