best research topics for phd

• How to Choose a PhD Research Topic
• Finding a PhD

Introduction

Whilst there are plenty of resources available to help prospective PhD students find doctoral programmes, deciding on a research topic is a process students often find more difficult.

Some advertised PhD programmes have predefined titles, so the exact topic is decided already. Generally, these programmes exist mainly in STEM, though other fields also have them. Funded projects are more likely to have defined titles, and structured aims and objectives.

Self funded projects, and those in fields such as arts and humanities, are less likely to have defined titles. The flexibility of topic selection means more scope exists for applicants to propose research ideas and suit the topic of research to their interests.

A middle ground also exists where Universities advertise funded PhD programmes in subjects without a defined scope, for example: “PhD Studentship in Biomechanics”. The applicant can then liaise with the project supervisor to choose a particular title such as “A study of fatigue and impact resistance of biodegradable knee implants”.

If a predefined programme is not right for you, then you need to propose your own research topic. There are several factors to consider when choosing a good research topic, which will be outlined in this article.

How to Choose a Research Topic

Our first piece of advice is to PhD candidates is to stop thinking about ‘finding’ a research topic, as it is unlikely that you will. Instead, think about developing a research topic (from research and conversations with advisors).

Consider several ideas and critically appraise them:

• You must be able to explain to others why your chosen topic is worth studying.
• You must be genuinely interested in the subject area.
• You must be competent and equipped to answer the research question.
• You must set achievable and measurable aims and objectives.
• You need to be able to achieve your objectives within a given timeframe.
• Your research question must be original and contribute to the field of study.

We have outlined the key considerations you should use when developing possible topics. We explore these below:

Focus on your interests and career aspirations

It is important to choose a topic of research that you are genuinely interested in. The decision you make will shape the rest of your career. Remember, a full-time programme lasts 3-4 years, and there will be unforeseen challenges during this time. If you are not passionate about the study, you will struggle to find motivation during these difficult periods.

You should also look to your academic and professional background. If there are any modules you undertook as part of your Undergraduate/Master degree that you particularly enjoyed or excelled in? These could form part of your PhD research topic. Similarly, if you have professional work experience, this could lead to you asking questions which can only be answered through research.

When deciding on a PhD research topic you should always consider your long-term career aspirations. For example, as a physicist, if you wish to become an astrophysicist, a research project studying black holes would be more relevant to you than a research project studying nuclear fission.

Read dissertations and published journals

Reading dissertations and published journals is a great way to identify potential PhD topics. When reviewing existing research ask yourself:

• What has been done and what do existing results show?
• What did previous projects involve (e.g. lab-work or fieldwork)?
• How often are papers published in the field?
• Are your research ideas original?
• Is there value in your research question?
• Could I expand on or put my own spin on this research?

Reading dissertations will also give you an insight into the practical aspects of doctoral study, such as what methodology the author used, how much data analysis was required and how was information presented.

You can also think of this process as a miniature literature review . You are searching for gaps in knowledge and developing a PhD project to address them. Focus on recent publications (e.g. in the last five years). In particular, the literature review of recent publications will give an excellent summary of the state of existing knowledge, and what research questions remain unanswered.

If you have the opportunity to attend an academic conference, go for it! This is often an excellent way to find out current theories in the industry and the research direction. This knowledge could reveal a possible research idea or topic for further study.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Discuss research topic ideas with a PhD supervisor

Discuss your research topic ideas with a supervisor. This could be your current undergraduate/masters supervisor, or potential supervisors of advertised PhD programmes at different institutions. Come to these meetings prepared with initial PhD topic ideas, and your findings from reading published journals. PhD supervisors will be more receptive to your ideas if you can demonstrate you have thought about them and are committed to your research.

You should discuss your research interests, what you have found through reading publications, and what you are proposing to research. Supervisors who have expertise in your chosen field will have insight into the gaps in knowledge that exist, what is being done to address them, and if there is any overlap between your proposed research ideas and ongoing research projects.

Talking to an expert in the field can shape your research topic to something more tangible, which has clear aims and objectives. It can also find potential shortfalls of your PhD ideas.

It is important to remember, however, that although it is good to develop your research topic based on feedback, you should not let the supervisor decide a topic for you. An interesting topic for a supervisor may not be interesting to you, and a supervisor is more likely to advise on a topic title which lends itself to a career in academia.

Another tip is to talk to a PhD student or researcher who is involved in a similar research project. Alternatively, you can usually find a relevant research group within your University to talk to. They can explain in more detail their experiences and suggest what your PhD programme could involve with respect to daily routines and challenges.

Look at advertised PhD Programmes

Use our Search tool , or look on University PhD listing pages to identify advertised PhD programmes for ideas.

• What kind of PhD research topics are available?
• Are these similar to your ideas?
• Are you interested in any of these topics?
• What do these programmes entail?

The popularity of similar PhD programmes to your proposed topic is a good indicator that universities see value in the research area. The final bullet point is perhaps the most valuable takeaway from looking at advertised listings. Review what similar programmes involve, and whether this is something you would like to do. If so, a similar research topic would allow you to do this.

Writing a Research Proposal

As part of the PhD application process , you may be asked to summarise your proposed research topic in a research proposal. This is a document which summarises your intended research and will include the title of your proposed project, an Abstract, Background and Rationale, Research Aims and Objectives, Research Methodology, Timetable, and a Bibliography. If you are required to submit this document then read our guidance on how to write a research proposal for your PhD application.

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Navigating Your PhD Topic Choice

Embarking on an impactful research career, starting with your thesis.

We’ve compiled this guide to share the tools and frameworks we think will be most helpful to you if you’re searching for a meaningful thesis topic for your PhD.

About this guide

If you’re applying for a PhD, this guide can provide comprehensive assistance throughout your journey towards finding the best possible PhD for you. In the first part we focus on how you can decide whether to pursue a PhD, identify the values you want to guide your research and start generating research ideas. In the second half we will introduce a framework you can use to narrow your ideas down to a specific research question and ultimately create a PhD proposal. Finally, we will help you with finding the best possible supportive environment for your project and identifying the next steps of your PhD journey.

If you are not yet very familiar with core concepts like career capital and the ITN framework , we recommend reading the linked articles. We also recommend you read this article to understand why systematic approaches to career decisions are probably more useful than popular advice like “follow your passion”, and why helping others with your career will help you experience your job as more meaningful. 

How to use this guide

We recommend completing this guide over multiple sittings, e.g. working through one section per week. However, please adjust the pace to suit your circumstances. We think you will get the most out of this guide if you start from the beginning, but you might want to skip some sections if you’ve already thought deeply about the content.

After reading the articles linked in each step, take some time (5-10 minutes) to answer the prompts we list, or to complete the exercises we recommend. We find that writing your thoughts down on paper is a step that people often want to skip, but it can help tremendously in getting clarity for yourself. 

Is a PhD the right next step for you?

Lots of people “stumble” into PhDs. For example, they might see it as a default step in completing their education, or they might have been offered to continue with their previous supervisor. Before committing to a PhD programme, it is good to consider a broad range of alternatives in order to ensure that a PhD is the best path for you at this stage. Make sure you have done enough reflection and updated your plans based on your experiences thus far, instead of going down the “default” academic path.

We also recommend that you take some time to browse through these short descriptions of core concepts , particularly ‘Expected Value’, ‘Opportunity Cost’ and ‘Leverage’.  Perhaps note down a few takeaways that apply to your decision.

Reflection prompts

If you’re unsure whether a PhD is right for you, here are some prompts to consider.

• Where do you envision yourself a few years after completing a PhD? 
• How does a PhD align with your long-term goals and aspirations?
• Are you genuinely interested and intrinsically motivated by the subject area you intend to pursue with your PhD? 
• Have you carefully assessed whether obtaining a PhD is a necessary requirement for your desired career path? 
• Are there alternative routes or professional qualifications that may lead you to your desired destination more efficiently, e.g. in less time/ with a better salary?
• Have you talked to people who completed or are currently pursuing the kind of PhD you are considering?

Exercise: exploring career paths

One helpful activity to undertake could be to search for job opportunities that you find exciting. To start, do a job search (2-5 hours) and list the five most attractive options you can find. Now, check which job requirements you’re currently lacking. Do you need a PhD to get the role? Would you get there faster or be better prepared by taking a different route?

Here are some more articles if you are interested in the question ‘Who should do a PhD?’:

• Survival Guide to a PhD – Andrej Karpathy
• Why I’m doing a PhD – Jess Whittlestone
• Pro and Cons of Applying for a PhD – Robert Wiblin

Reflect on your values and moral beliefs

Understanding your values and moral beliefs is an ongoing endeavour and you don’t need to have it figured out before choosing your topic. However, we do encourage reflection on this, as doing so might significantly shift your motivation to work on some problems over others. If that happens, the earlier you make this shift the better. What do we mean when we say doing good ? Most people agree that they want to “do good” with their lives. However, it is worth reflecting on what this actually means to you. We recommend reading the article linked above to learn more about some concepts we think are particularly relevant when reflecting on this question, such as impartiality, the moral circle, and uncertainty. This will help you to get a better understanding of what sort of thesis topics would align with your values and what kind of problems you want to contribute to solving with your research.

• How much do you value animal lives vs human lives ?
• How important do you think is it to reduce existential risks for humanity?
• How much do you value future generations ? How do you feel about improving existing lives vs lives that exist in the future?

This flowchart from the Global Priorities Project can help you navigate through this cause prioritisation process.

Here are two further resources that could help you with this reflection:

How to compare global problems for yourself – 80,000 Hours

World’s Biggest Problems Quiz | ClearerThinking.org

Getting inspired

Now it’s time to get inspired! You can read more about how research can change the world , and how academic research can be highly impactful . Finally, have a look at our thesis topic profiles for inspiration or, if you have no time constraints, sign up to our Topic Discovery Digest to receive biweekly inspirational emails. These emails cover a range of particularly impactful research areas, along with example research questions that are recommended by our experts and relevant to many different disciplines of study. We recommend you read the 3-5 profiles that interest you the most in depth.

• Which of the topic profiles that sparked your interest are new to you? How could you quickly get a better understanding of what it is like to work on these topics?
• How would disregarding your current skill set change your top choices? Would you consider taking some time out to “upskill” to switch to a new area of research, if possible?
• What are the uncertainties that, if you could find an answer to them, would help you decide between your top choices?

See here if you want to learn more about how we go about writing our thesis topic profiles and why we prioritise these topics.

Side note: Because we try to feature problems that are particularly important, tractable, and neglected, you might see some problems listed on our site that it’s uncommon to see described as global problems, while others are not featured. As an example, in our “human health and wellbeing” category, we list anti-aging research but not cancer research. We think research on widely recognised problems such as cancer is highly important. However, because so many more researchers are already working on these problems, we think that – all else equal – you will probably have a bigger impact working on problems that are relatively neglected.

Generating ideas

After reading a few of our topic profiles , we recommend that you start a brainstorming document as an ongoing way of collecting research questions you’re interested in. This will help you keep track of and develop your ideas during your idea generation phase, and make it easier for others to give you feedback later on. 

In addition to exploring our topic profiles, you could also identify questions through a literature review and reach out to your supervisor or other researchers in the field(s) you’re interested in and ask what they think some of the most important and neglected open questions are. Moreover, you could contact some of the organisations listed on our topic profiles and ask if there are research projects you could undertake that would be decision-relevant for them. Reaching out to others at this stage can also help to discard unfeasible ideas early on, before you invest too much time in them.

Some tools that might be useful during the idea generation phase:

• Connected papers – explore connections between research papers in a visual graph.
• Elicit – an AI research assistant to help you automate research workflows, like parts of literature review.
• Find more resources and tools for research here .

We recommend collecting at least 20 research questions, grouped into overarching topics or research fields, and then adding some context, e.g. relevant papers and researchers, why you think this question is worth addressing, what relevant expertise you already have, and how qualified you are to work on this compared to other options. 

NB : We think that many people feel too limited by their past work, so we think you should probably lean towards considering questions and topics that are slightly outside your comfort zone.

Exercise: create a brainstorming document

Use this template to create a brainstorming document.

Comparing options

Once you feel you have collected enough research questions in your brainstorming document, you can start comparing how these research questions score on the factors that are most important to you. We recommend you take 15-20 minutes to think about which factors are key to your decision of pursuing a PhD and write them down. Here are some factors (adapted from this post ) that you could consider:

• Importance – How large in scale and/or severity is the problem your question would address? 
• Tractability – How realistic is it that you would make progress? Is your research question concrete and manageable, and do you have a clear strategy to tackle it?
• Neglectedness – Will others work on this question if you don’t?
• Actionability – Would your research have a clear audience and could it inform positive actions? Will this project generate genuinely new and useful findings/data? Will it help to translate/ communicate important ideas that need more attention/ awareness?
• Learning value – Will you learn useful things from working on the project? Will it help you build valuable research skills, build your model of how something important works, and/ or help you refine a vaguely defined concept into a crisp, important question?
• Exploration value – Will this project help you decide what to do next? 
• Personal fit & situational fit – Does your personal background make you a good fit for working on this question? Do you currently have or can you find support for working on it, e.g. excellent mentorship? 
• Credentials and career capital – Will the output demonstrate your research competence? For example, if you could get a reference from a particularly prestigious researcher by working on one of the projects you’re interested in, this might be an important consideration. Will the project reflect well on you, and is it shareable with others (or could it be developed into something shareable/ a publication)? Will the project allow you to build relationships with people whom it will be helpful to know going forward? 
• Intrinsic motivation   – Are you excited about working on this project?
• Method efficacy – How well can a particular approach help solve the problem that you are trying to address?

Exercise: sketch theories of change for your research questions

Once you’ve considered which of these factors matter to you, take a few minutes to sketch a theory of change for each research question you’re considering. 

A theory of change is a step by step plan of how you hope to achieve a positive impact with your research, starting with the context you’d be working in, the research outputs you would plan to produce, and the short- and long-term impacts you would hope to achieve with your research. Sketching some theories of change will help you outline how your research ideas could have a positive impact, giving you something to get feedback on in the next step below.

Consider whether your research could have negative outcomes too

When you’re considering the value of working on a particular research problem, it may also be important to remember that research isn’t a monolithic force for good. Research has done a lot of good, but there are many examples of it doing a lot of harm as well. There is a long history of research being biased by the discriminatory beliefs and blindspots of its time, as well as being used to justify cruelty and oppression . Research has made warfare more deadly and has facilitated the development of intensive factory farming . Dual-use biotechnology research is intended to help humanity, but could, for example, cause a catastrophic pandemic in the event of a lab accident or if the technology was misused. While some researchers are trying to increase the chance that future artificial intelligence is safe for humanity , many more researchers are focused on making AI more powerful. 

While it isn’t realistic for researchers to foresee every way their research could be (mis)used, many researchers are trying to create frameworks for thinking about how research can do harm and how to avoid this. For example, if you’re interested in working on biosecurity or AI safety, you could explore concepts such as differential progress and information hazards . If you’re working on global health questions, it may be important to educate yourself about the concept of parachute science .

Reach out to others for feedback

At this point, we think it could be helpful to identify some experts who might be interested in talking about your collection of potential research questions, and reach out to them for feedback. Getting feedback might then help you to prioritise between questions, develop your methodology further or discard projects before investing too much effort in them. You could seek feedback via two strategies – firstly, by sending your brainstorming document to people asking for general comments, and secondly, by seeking out people who have specialist knowledge on specific questions you’re considering and asking for their feedback on those ideas.

Here are some ways of connecting with other researchers:

• Reach out to your existing connections
• Attend research conferences related to your field of interest and speak to relevant people there, e.g. 1-1s at EAGs could be a great place to reach out to people for feedback on research ideas on directions that we recommend
• Are there any local student and/ or reading groups in your area that focus on a research area that you are planning to work on? 
• Public Slack channels on your research area, e.g. List of EA Slack workspaces

When preparing to reach out to experts, keep these key points in mind:

• Give the expert relevant information about yourself (e.g. What is your background? What is the scope of the project you’re planning to work on?).
• Prepare a short agenda if they’ve agreed to call you and share it with them beforehand (although they might not have time to read it, many people appreciate having the option to consider topics of discussion in advance).
• Think about what your key uncertainties actually are and what kind of feedback you want from the expert. Would you like their overall reaction? Detailed comments? Feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your research ideas? Specific suggestions to improve your ideas? Feedback on how you plan to use the outputs of your research project? 
• Consider having a brainstorming document ready to share with them.
• You might want to have a look at this and this for more information about how to prepare.

Exercise: creating a weighted-factor model

Choosing which factors you want to base your thesis decision on will help you to reflect on what is important to you. Once you’ve done the exercise above and gathered some feedback from other people about your ideas, think about how much weight you want to give each factor. Lastly, try to evaluate how the research questions you’re considering score on each factor. The outcome of this ranking can serve as guidance for deciding on a question and can help clarify your intuitions about which questions would be the best fit for your dissertation. Here is an example of a ranking of potential thesis questions using a weighted-factor model (WFM).

Refining your research question

Once you have settled on a research question, it is time to develop a well-scoped and viable research proposal. The purpose of the proposal is to identify a relevant research topic, explain the context of the research, define concrete goals, and propose a realistic work plan to achieve them. If you’ve already built a Theory of Change for your research question, we recommend adding detail at this stage to help you create a proposal. We also think it’s important to reach out to your supervisor or other relevant people in the field of your research interests to ask for feedback, as this will help you develop an appropriate methodology. 

Here are a few more tips that could help you with narrowing the scope of your research project or refining your research question:

• First, make sure you have a detailed model of the problem you are planning to address in your research. Who are the different actors involved? How can research help fill gaps in our current knowledge? What are the particularly neglected approaches and interventions for this problem?
• You will only be able to make a valuable research contribution if your project is focused. Break down goals into discrete tasks and summarise what you are actually going to do. We suggest you create a detailed plan for the first few months of your project, a less detailed but fully coherent plan for the first year, describe a direction you might take in the second year, and generate some ideas for the following years. This will help you understand how much work is involved in every step and evaluate what is feasible in the available time frame.
• Consider practical questions. What kind of facilities do you have? Do you meet the university requirements?
• Try to develop the smallest possible question that can be answered and that data can be collected on, then have conditional upgrades/sub-questions based on that. This can be ambitious, but each stage should be developed enough to not be overwhelming or too vague.
• Start with a research question that’s as simple as possible and that you’re confident will be successful. From there, you can slowly and incrementally work towards pursuing more complex research questions. 

Find the best possible supportive environment

There are many different types of PhD programmes available – from 3-year PhDs to which you apply with a very specific project idea, to 6-year PhD programmes in which the first years are dedicated to coursework. It is important to find the best environment for your studies, with crucial considerations including the university and its community, the supportiveness of the supervisor/lab and the availability of funding. This section has advice on these three points and aims to facilitate you reflecting on them.

How much does the reputation of the university where you study your PhD matter for an academic career?

This is a commonly asked question among students, and we have compiled a set of key insights based on conversations with 30 of our experts. 

• The general advice is that you should pick the most prestigious university or research hub that you can get into.
• The importance of your university’s reputation varies across regions, with the US and the UK placing more significance on it compared to Europe or Australia. For the US especially, you will likely get a much better education and teaching quality, as well as access to resources, from a more prestigious university.
• It is worth noting that high-quality research labs (and supervisors) can be found outside of big-name universities, as specific research hubs may exist elsewhere. 
• It is important to note that even researchers in the most prestigious universities can be poor supervisors. 
• Ideally, you’ll find a great supervisor at a highly reputable institution. However, if you have to decide, finding an excellent supervisor seems to be the superior consideration – see below. 
• The significance of the university’s reputation increases if your career aspirations involve influencing government, e.g. in policy roles.
• Outstanding research, impactful contributions to the field, and a strong professional network could potentially outweigh the importance of a university’s reputation. 

Find a standout advisor

We think it is very important to find someone who genuinely cares about your research question and who will make a lot of time to supervise you well. Further, your supervisor will influence how effective you are in your work and how much you enjoy the research, as they will be the primary person guiding you throughout your whole research process. Especially at the PhD level, your advisor’s network matters tremendously for how well- connected you are and what sorts of opportunities will be open to you. So, here are some green flags to look out for in a supervisor:

• They care about your research question (pitch your ideas to the supervisor and see how enthusiastic they are about the potential project).
• They have the skills to supervise your project (check if they have experience in the methodologies you want to use).
• They truly care about mentoring you well (ask questions about their mentoring style, get a feel for how you match as a person).
• Their previous and current students are satisfied with them as a supervisor (ideally the person has a good track record of supervising other students – arrange a meeting with at least one current or past student). 
• They are successful (e.g. based on their citation count and general prestige).

Sign up for access to our database of potential supervisors who work on the research directions we recommend. Here are more tips on finding the right person to supervise you. 

Financing your studies

Even if you get accepted to a programme, it does not automatically mean that you get funding as well. Here are some tips if you need to apply for funding independently:

Consider a wide range of funding sources, e.g. national scholarships, university scholarships, grants and foundations dedicated to specific causes, and excellence scholarships (e.g. Gates or Rhodes Scholarships). Here is our funding database which includes funding opportunities relevant to the research directions we recommend.

• Consider the university environment – Would you be happy to live in the city of the programme you are applying to for 3-6 years? Do some university environments offer a more stimulating environment than others? Are there other researchers with similar values or motivations to you in this research hub?
• Do you have any hard criteria for choosing the location for your PhD? For example, would you consider moving abroad for an exciting opportunity? 
• What do you already know about the application process? What uncertainties do you have and how can you go about resolving them?

We recommend that you make a list of the programmes that best fit your research interests and other factors that are important to you. Then, check the requirements and deadlines for each of them and write down the next steps you need to take to apply. We also recommend reaching out to people who have gone through the PhD programme(s) you are applying to to hear about their experiences.

Set out your next steps

Take a few minutes now to write down your next steps for applying to the programs you’re interested in.

It could be helpful to sign up for some accountability buddy schemes, ask friends to check on your progress, or to set yourself a hard deadline on some important next steps that you want to take. You could schedule some time in your calendar right now, or make a note in your to-do list about a task that you want to complete soon.

Reflection prompts:

• What information do you need to get right now?
• What are you uncertain about? 
• What is keeping you from advancing with your project and how could you concretely resolve this?

Examples for concrete next steps could be:

• Reach out to people for feedback on your brainstorming document
• Reach out to potential supervisors
• Apply to an EAG or other academic conference and make a list of people you want to speak to 
• Reach out to people who have gone through the program you are applying to
• Reach out to current PhD students about proposal examples

Here are some further resources that could be helpful for you:

• Tips on impactful research
• Resources and tools for research
• Looking after your mental health
• Our Effective Thesis Community
• Research internships and other opportunities

For more general career advice, there are some other organisations that could help you with 1:1 advising. We recommend the following:

• 80,000 hours offers one-time 1:1 advising calls about using your career to help solve one of the world’s most pressing problems. They can help you choose your focus, make connections, and find a fulfilling job to tackle important problems.
• Magnify Mentoring pairs mentees who are interested in pursuing high-impact careers with more experienced mentors for a series of one-on-one meetings.
• Probably Good is running 1:1 advising calls to brainstorm career paths, evaluate options, plan next steps, and to connect you with relevant people and opportunities. 
• Lastly, please leave us some feedback . Thank you! 

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How to Choose a Good Research Topic for Your PhD

Choosing the right research topic is quite often a daunting task, especially for PhD students. However, developing a good research question has a positive impact on students’ research careers. Thesis advisors offer help during this initial stage. Later on, PhD students are expected to choose their own research topic for subsequent studies.

When navigating through several interesting research topics, it becomes necessary to strike the right balance between curiosity and societal needs. Moreover, funding agencies fund compelling research proposals based on meaningful and highly relevant research topics. Selecting a good research topic can, therefore, increase the odds of academic success.

PhD Research Topic and Your Career

Performing a meticulous literature survey helps researchers identify existing research gaps and devise novel strategies for addressing them. Once the research gap is identified, it becomes imperative to choose a meaningful research question. A well-chosen research question can lead to a compelling research proposal. In fact, doctoral researchers can positively shape their entire career by finalizing a good research proposal. Researchers are expected to choose topics that can potentially lead to impactful publications. Good publications fetch good citations. Well-published and well-cited researchers can easily find satisfying jobs in academia or industry. Choosing the right research topic, thus, can open doors to satisfying job opportunities worldwide.

Pathway to Success

There are several ways to ensure success in research. When in graduate school, students need to undertake several measures to identify a compelling research topic. Although conducting a thorough literature survey certainly facilitates this process, it is virtually impossible to choose the right research topic solely based on literature surveys. Students and early-stage researchers, therefore, need to brainstorm thoroughly with their advisor, talk to experts, and attend research seminars/conferences to listen to (and network with) established researchers. Quite often, taking up the relevant coursework (especially for interdisciplinary research areas) simplifies the process of research topic selection.

Choosing the right research question helps researchers stay focused and motivated throughout their career. Meaningful research questions eventually lead to meaningful discoveries and inventions. Robert Smith presented in Graduate Research: A Guide for Students in the Sciences (ISI Press, 1984) a list of 11 research questions to consider:

• Can you enthusiastically pursue it?
• Can you sustain your interest while pursuing it?
• Is the problem solvable?
• Is it worth pursuing?
• Will it lead to other research problems?
• Is it manageable in size?
• What is the potential for making an original contribution to the literature in the field?
• Will the scholars in your field receive the results well if you solve the problem?
• Are you (or will you become) competent to solve it?
• By solving it, will you have demonstrated independent skills in your discipline?
• Will the necessary research prepare you in an area of demand or promise for the future?

Keeping these questions in mind while developing a research question can set the stage for a productive and fulfilling career.

Common Mistakes

There are several mistakes that students and early-stage researchers commit during the process of research topic selection. Some of the most common mistakes include:

• Extending thesis work even after graduate school : If researchers choose topics that are direct extensions or clear derivatives of their thesis work, then they do not make significant value addition to the respective field of study. Choosing a radically new research topic, while still embarking on the broad area of specialization is indeed the key to success.
• Choosing an obscure, irrelevant, or non-compelling research topic : This can adversely affect the researcher’s motivation levels and can drastically decrease their odds of attaining success.
• Letting PhD advisors choose research topics for you : Although researchers often pursue work within the same field even after earning their PhD, they are less likely to conduct research on the same exact topic. For this reason, letting your advisor tell you what to study rather than you developing a question based on your own reading and experiences in the laboratory is another common mistake that can have lifelong consequences.

Finally, scientists should work in an environment that nurtures the natural chaos of developing a research direction. PhD advisors should also make it a point to thoroughly groom and mentor their PhD students. A good thesis advisor enables his/her students to choose good research topics.

Did your thesis advisor choose a research topic for you? Did he/she train and mentor you well? Were you able to choose your own research topic? Are you happy with your chosen research topic? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

Research topics for science or literature: Deep knowledge and a keen interest in any subject with a scholarly attitude are the prerequisites for any research work.

I am allowed to choose my research topic.

i want research topic for p.hd

Thank you for posting your query. Selecting a good research topic is the first step towards carrying out a successful and impactful research study. A good research topic can help you attract funding and also help you to successfully publish in a prestigious journal. Unfortunately we are not aware of your field of research and hence will not be able to suggest you research topics. However, we can share few tips that might be helpful in selecting an appropriate research topic for your PhD. While choosing a research topic, you must carry out a thorough literature survey in your field or genre of research and look for a research gap. Identifying the research gap makes it easy to select a research topic and an appropriate research question. Once you have selected a research topic, you can check through our checklist available here .

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Choosing Topics for PhD Applications: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you considering applying for a PhD program? Congratulations on taking the first step towards advancing your academic career! However, with this exciting opportunity comes the daunting task of deciding which topic to pursue in your application. As an applicant, you want to choose a topic that not only aligns with your interests and strengths but also stands out among other applicants. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming and intimidating to make this decision. But fear not, because in this blog post we will provide you with the ultimate guide on choosing topics for PhD applications that will help set you apart and increase your chances of being accepted into a program. So buckle up and get ready to discover how to leave a lasting impression through an impressive choice of topic.

Navigating PhD Application Topics: US vs UK Perspectives

In both the US and UK, the potential topic of your PhD application plays a critical role in the admission process; however, there are key differences to consider. In the US, your research proposal is less emphasized in the initial application. Students often spend their first couple of years on coursework before defining their research topic alongside their chosen advisor. Conversely, in the UK, students are expected to present a detailed research proposal right from the application stage. The proposal should outline the research question, methodology, and proposed timeline, demonstrating the applicant’s capability to conduct independent research. This divergence stems from the different philosophies of doctoral studies between the two countries, with the US favoring a more holistic approach and the UK favoring a more specialized and targeted one.

When preparing your statement of purpose for a PhD application, it’s crucial to tailor your approach to the requirements and expectations of either the US or UK education system, as they differ significantly.

If you are applying to a US institution, your statement should reflect a wide-ranging understanding of your chosen field, highlighting your academic achievements and intellectual curiosity. You aren’t expected to fully commit to a particular research question at this stage.

On the other hand, having a specific research topic in your statement of purpose can stand you in good stead, even when applying to US institutions. A well-defined research question demonstrates your ability to think critically, your understanding of the field, and your aptitude for independent study. This can leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee and distinguish your application from others. While it’s not mandatory to stick to this topic throughout your PhD, it serves as an indicator of your research interests and potential.

Conversely, if you are applying in the UK , your statement should demonstrate a focused and informed understanding of your proposed research topic. You should provide details of your research question, proposed methodology, and tentative timeline. This shows your ability to conduct specialized, independent research. Capture your awareness of the research landscape and show how your work would contribute to the existing body of knowledge.

In either case, remember to emphasize your passion for your chosen field, your preparedness to undertake rigorous academic work, and your potential to contribute meaningfully to the academic community.

Trust the adventure

Embarking on a PhD journey often feels like stepping into the unknown; it’s a venture filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Embracing the mantra ‘Trust the adventure’ when choosing potential topics for PhD applications translates into maintaining an open mind towards unexplored research areas that spark your curiosity. It’s about daring to venture beyond your comfort zone and delving into fields that might initially seem daunting or tangential to your primary area of interest. Often, the most groundbreaking discoveries occur at the intersection of disparate disciplines. By allowing your curiosity to guide you, you may find yourself at the forefront of innovative research, breaking new ground and contributing novel insights to your field of study.

Start brainstorming early

As you embark on your PhD journey, the importance of starting your brainstorming early cannot be overstated. It isn’t a process that should be hurried; rather, it is a thoughtful exploration of potential research topics that may serve as the cornerstone for your academic pursuits. The sooner you engage in this intellectual exploration, the more time you will have to thoroughly investigate. This early onset not only allows you to refine your interests but also provides ample time to assess the feasibility and scope of your research. Remember, a PhD is a commitment of several years; hence, the topic you choose should not only intrigue you, but it should also have the potential to contribute significant insights to your chosen field. Nurturing your ideas from the embryonic stage can lead to a robust research proposal that is both innovative and achievable.

Follow your interests

When considering potential topics for your PhD applications , it’s crucial to align your research interests with these topics. The essence of a PhD journey is the passion, curiosity, and intellectual excitement that a research question can inspire within you. This is not just about finding a suitable topic; it is about identifying an area or question in your chosen field that truly resonates with you. Choosing to explore an issue that you are genuinely interested in can make the process of researching and writing significantly more engaging, and it often results in higher-quality work. This is mainly because passion fuels perseverance, a trait indispensable when facing inevitable research hurdles. It’s important to remember that a PhD is not a sprint; it’s a marathon that requires sustained interest and dedication over several years. Hence, following your interests can serve as a guiding compass in the vast sea of research possibilities, leading you towards a topic that could potentially sustain your motivation throughout your PhD journey.

Look for gaps in existing research

When examining potential topics for PhD applications, identifying gaps in existing research is a crucial step. This process involves critically analyzing current literature in your field of interest and determining what questions have been left unanswered. These gaps may represent areas of study that have been overlooked, underdeveloped, or yet to be explored in depth. By focusing on these gaps, your research could answer lingering questions or clarify ambiguities in your field. This approach requires a fine balance of critical thinking, creativity and intellectual curiosity as you seek to identify not only what is known but, more importantly, what remains to be discovered. Ultimately, pursuing these areas of uncharted knowledge allows you to expand on existing research in a meaningful and impactful way.

Consider broader trends and themes

When exploring potential topics for PhD applications, it’s essential to consider broader trends and themes within your field. These often reflect the evolving dynamics and directions in which your discipline is headed. Engaging with these emerging themes can position your research at the forefront of academic thought and debate. Consider how your unique perspectives or insights could contribute to these conversations. Maybe you’ve observed a trend that others haven’t, or perhaps you can apply a new theoretical framework that could shed light on these emerging themes. By aligning your research with these broader trends, you not only increase its relevance and potential impact, but also demonstrate your ability to contribute meaningfully to your field. Remember, a PhD isn’t just an academic endeavour, but a conversation with the broader academic community.

Talk to professors and professionals

Engaging in detailed conversations with professors and professionals in your field can provide invaluable insights when it comes to identifying potential PhD research topics. These individuals possess a wealth of knowledge and experience, have a deep understanding of the current landscape of the field, and are usually up-to-date with the latest research trends and emerging topics. Conversing with them can help broaden your perspective, provide new angles for your research, and even challenge preconceived notions you may have. They may highlight certain areas of study that you might not have otherwise considered or share their own experiences and challenges they faced during their research journey. Furthermore, they can guide you towards resources and literature that could be instrumental in shaping the direction of your PhD research . Therefore, it is crucial to leverage their expertise and experiences as you navigate the terrain of potential PhD research topics.

Review conference programs and journals

Reviewing conference programs and academic journals in your field is another strategic way to discover potential PhD research topics. These platforms often spotlight novel theories, groundbreaking methodologies, and recurring themes in the discipline, giving you a sense of the most pressing issues and the direction the field is moving in. Conferences and journals disseminate cutting-edge research and are the venues where scholars introduce innovative ideas and paradigms, and discuss and challenge current thinking. By studying these resources, you can identify patterns, trends, and gaps in the existing literature, which could lead to a unique and relevant PhD research topic. For instance, a particular theme may repeatedly appear but lacks comprehensive exploration, or there might be contradictory findings that require further investigation. Additionally, you may uncover a novel approach to an issue that has never been applied before, presenting an opportunity to extend its application and contribute a new perspective to your field. Hence, staying informed about these platforms can help you find a research topic that is both of interest to you and of value to your field.

Connect topics to your skills and background

Connecting potential topics to your skills and background is critical when exploring potential topics to write about in your statement of purpose for PhD applications. This exercise not only allows you to capitalize on your unique strengths, experiences, and knowledge but also enables you to showcase your ability to contribute significantly to the field of study. For instance, if you have extensive experience in data analysis, you might consider focusing on a research topic that would benefit from this expertise. Similarly, if your background is in a unique area, perhaps you could integrate this into your research by investigating a topic that intersects your field of study and your unique background. By relating your research topic to your skills and background, you convey to the admissions committee that you are not just academically capable but also bring a unique perspective to the table, thus elevating your candidacy. Therefore, reflecting upon and articulating your unique skills, experiences, and background in relation to your potential research topic can make your statement of purpose more compelling and increase your chances of acceptance.

Experiment with different angles

Experimenting with different angles or giving fresh twists to topics can be a valuable tactic when selecting a PhD research topic. This approach involves looking at common or established topics from a new perspective or applying novel methodologies or theories. For instance, you might study a well-known issue but through the lens of a lesser-explored theoretical framework, or apply an established method to a new population or context. Such innovative twists can yield unique insights, thereby adding value to the field and setting your application apart. By demonstrating your ability to think creatively and critically, you showcase your potential to make original contributions to your discipline. Moreover, this approach can also demonstrate your adaptability and resilience, traits that are highly valued in research environments. However, it’s essential to balance this originality with feasibility. Ensure that your ‘twist’ is not so out-of-the-box that it becomes impossible to manage within the scope of a PhD program , or doesn’t resonate with potential advisors or funding bodies. So, while you dare to think differently, also ensure your topic is grounded in academic rigour and practical viability. This delicate balance between originality and pragmatism can truly give you a competitive edge in your PhD applications .

Don’t be afraid to rework your ideas

Embracing flexibility in refining your research ideas is not just beneficial but often necessary for a robust research plan to discover topics for PhD applications. When scouting potential topics for your statement of purpose, don’t feel constrained by your initial ideas. As you delve deeper into the literature and engage in academic discussions, you may find angles or aspects that necessitate a rethinking or reshaping of your original concept. Perhaps new findings emerge that challenge your initial assumptions or the practicality of your methods, or perhaps feedback from a trusted mentor or peer points towards a more fruitful direction. In such instances, don’t hesitate to rework your ideas. This process is not indicative of failure, but of growth and refinement. It demonstrates your capacity to understand, adapt and improve, which are critical skills for any successful researcher. In fact, a proposal that has been iteratively refined may likely be more compelling and robust than one that hasn’t been questioned or challenged. Remember, the ultimate goal is not to stick to your first idea, but to arrive at a research question that is meaningful, manageable and has the potential to contribute significantly to your field. Hence, see this process of reworking and refining as a journey towards a stronger, more compelling research proposal

Trust your instincts

Trust in your instincts is a key guiding principle when choosing potential topics for PhD applications. This is not to say that you should ignore practical considerations or informed advice, but it means that at the core of your decision-making process, your innate curiosity and intellectual passion should have a significant role. It is this curiosity that will sustain your motivation during the challenging journey of in-depth research. When you stumble upon a topic or a research question that sparks your interest and makes you want to delve deeper, pay close attention. If it keeps drawing you back, it might just be the right path for you. This innate draw towards a topic often signifies a personal connection, a vested interest, and a level of commitment necessary for rigorous scholarly research. It’s like a compass pointing you towards the areas where you can make significant contributions. So, as you navigate the complex landscape of research topics, remember to trust your instincts and let your innate curiosity guide you towards the right path.

In conclusion, applying for a PhD program is an exciting but challenging journey. Choosing the right topics for PhD application can be intimidating, but with our guide, you now have the tools to make a well-informed decision. Remember to align your interests and strengths while also standing out from the competition with your topic choice. And if you feel like you need an extra boost for your application, don’t forget to check out our statement of purpose services specifically tailored for PhD applicants. This could be just the edge you need to secure your spot in a prestigious program. So don’t let fear hold you back, take the leap and start crafting your impressive application today. Trust us when we say that all of your hard work and dedication will be worth it in the end when you are accepted into the PhD program of your dreams. Congratulations once again on taking this courageous step towards advancing your academic career. We wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

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How to decide on a PhD topic

Study tips Published 5 Apr, 2022  ·  4-minute read

Whether you’re diving right into your doctorate after a master’s degree or honours year, or you’re returning to study after a few years out in the field, working out how to choose a research topic for your PhD is an essential first step. We got some tips from two of our PhD candidates, Sarah Kendall and Chelsea Janke.

Some Doctor of Philosophy candidates are lucky. They start a PhD having already discovered their niche interest area, which means they never need to wonder how to choose a PhD topic.

Does this mean there’s something wrong with you if you don’t already have your thesis locked in?

Not at all.

Many students start their PhD journey with just a pure passion for research – a love for testing theories and making new discoveries – and figure out their specific research topic while working on their proposal . If you’re in this camp, or if you haven’t refined your thesis just yet, these tips can help you get there.

Your PhD will take 3-4 years, so it's important that you choose something you're genuinely interested in.

How to choose a PhD topic

Sarah is the first to admit that choosing a PhD thesis topic is daunting. Her thesis examines lawyers’ approaches to prosecuting and defending domestic and family violence cases, but this topic didn’t come to her overnight.

“This can be really hard,” says Sarah.

“It took me years to decide on a PhD topic, and even then, it continued to change after starting my PhD.”

Chelsea, whose research explores ways to keep soil healthy while reducing environmental impact, agrees that your initial thesis may not necessarily stay the same throughout your PhD.

“Keep in mind that, as you progress through your PhD, your topic may change as you make new findings and discover some interesting things,” she says.

“This is fairly normal and is often why PhD topics aren’t always set in stone at the start.”

Remember this if you find yourself getting frustrated with how long it’s taking to pin down your research topic. You’ll be spending significant time ( at least 3 years ) researching this topic, so it’s reasonable to take a while on this decision. Make sure you land on a topic that truly inspires you, as you’ll need that inspiration to keep you motivated for the long haul.

With that said, though, there’s nothing wrong with picking a topic you’re 99% sure of and getting started sooner. As Sarah and Chelsea both say, adapting your thesis along the way is often part of the PhD journey.

Read, read, read

Identify the things that really spark your interest and where you can find research gaps – that is, where there are still things we don't know.

Chelsea believes choosing your research topic begins with, well, research .

“Read widely on the general field that you’re interested in,” she says.

“Identify the things that really spark your interest and where you can find research gaps – that is, where there are still things we don’t know.”

Sarah agrees and acknowledges that sometimes this prior research can even translate into a separate project or even a degree.

“Do some research into the areas that interest you – this could take the form of an honours or other research project, or even a mock project that you do in your spare time,” she says.

“This will help you to decide your level of interest in the topic.”

Consider your subjects and speak with academics

Sarah recommends thinking about the courses from your current or previous program, as these can shine a light on what aspects of your field ignite your curiosity.

“Consider the subjects that you really enjoyed in your previous studies or those topics that you find really enjoyable to just learn about in your spare time,” she says.

“Narrow this down to a few areas, even if these are still pretty broad, then talk to as many academics as possible who do research in those areas. This is a really great way of finding out more about what’s topical in the area and what a potential project could look like.”

If you already know who you’d like to be your PhD supervisor, they are the obvious person to speak with first about refining your research topic. If not, learn how to find the right supervisor .

Check for openings on existing projects

Sometimes the best way to choose a PhD topic is to let the PhD topic choose you instead. Many academics keep open spots in their research projects for potential candidates to fill, providing opportunities for students to pursue their own thesis while assisting in a larger research team. We call these earmarked PhD projects .

In fact, this is what ended up helping Sarah select her thesis topic.

“Keep an eye out for projects that are being advertised by academics,” says Sarah.

“You might find one that fits with your area of interest, saving you much of the trouble of having to decide on your specific topic – this is how I came to be doing the project I’m currently doing!”

View available earmarked PhD projects at UQ

Ready to start researching your chosen topic? Discover the next steps for your PhD application.

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How to Choose a Dissertation Topic | 8 Steps to Follow

Published on November 11, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 20, 2023.

Choosing your dissertation topic is the first step in making sure your research goes as smoothly as possible. When choosing a topic, it’s important to consider:

• Your institution and department’s requirements
• Your areas of knowledge and interest
• The scientific, social, or practical relevance
• The availability of data and resources
• The timeframe of your dissertation
• The relevance of your topic

You can follow these steps to begin narrowing down your ideas.

Table of contents

Step 1: check the requirements, step 2: choose a broad field of research, step 3: look for books and articles, step 4: find a niche, step 5: consider the type of research, step 6: determine the relevance, step 7: make sure it’s plausible, step 8: get your topic approved, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about dissertation topics.

The very first step is to check your program’s requirements. This determines the scope of what it is possible for you to research.

• Is there a minimum and maximum word count?
• When is the deadline?
• Should the research have an academic or a professional orientation?
• Are there any methodological conditions? Do you have to conduct fieldwork, or use specific types of sources?

Some programs have stricter requirements than others. You might be given nothing more than a word count and a deadline, or you might have a restricted list of topics and approaches to choose from. If in doubt about what is expected of you, always ask your supervisor or department coordinator.

Start by thinking about your areas of interest within the subject you’re studying. Examples of broad ideas include:

• Twentieth-century literature
• Economic history
• Health policy

To get a more specific sense of the current state of research on your potential topic, skim through a few recent issues of the top journals in your field. Be sure to check out their most-cited articles in particular. For inspiration, you can also search Google Scholar , subject-specific databases , and your university library’s resources.

As you read, note down any specific ideas that interest you and make a shortlist of possible topics. If you’ve written other papers, such as a 3rd-year paper or a conference paper, consider how those topics can be broadened into a dissertation.

After doing some initial reading, it’s time to start narrowing down options for your potential topic. This can be a gradual process, and should get more and more specific as you go. For example, from the ideas above, you might narrow it down like this:

• Twentieth-century literature   Twentieth-century Irish literature   Post-war Irish poetry
• Economic history   European economic history   German labor union history
• Health policy   Reproductive health policy   Reproductive rights in South America

All of these topics are still broad enough that you’ll find a huge amount of books and articles about them. Try to find a specific niche where you can make your mark, such as: something not many people have researched yet, a question that’s still being debated, or a very current practical issue.

At this stage, make sure you have a few backup ideas — there’s still time to change your focus. If your topic doesn’t make it through the next few steps, you can try a different one. Later, you will narrow your focus down even more in your problem statement and research questions .

There are many different types of research , so at this stage, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what kind of approach you’ll take to your topic. Will you mainly focus on:

• Collecting original data (e.g., experimental or field research)?
• Analyzing existing data (e.g., national statistics, public records, or archives)?
• Interpreting cultural objects (e.g., novels, films, or paintings)?
• Comparing scholarly approaches (e.g., theories, methods, or interpretations)?

Many dissertations will combine more than one of these. Sometimes the type of research is obvious: if your topic is post-war Irish poetry, you will probably mainly be interpreting poems. But in other cases, there are several possible approaches. If your topic is reproductive rights in South America, you could analyze public policy documents and media coverage, or you could gather original data through interviews and surveys .

You don’t have to finalize your research design and methods yet, but the type of research will influence which aspects of the topic it’s possible to address, so it’s wise to consider this as you narrow down your ideas.

It’s important that your topic is interesting to you, but you’ll also have to make sure it’s academically, socially or practically relevant to your field.

• Academic relevance means that the research can fill a gap in knowledge or contribute to a scholarly debate in your field.
• Social relevance means that the research can advance our understanding of society and inform social change.
• Practical relevance means that the research can be applied to solve concrete problems or improve real-life processes.

The easiest way to make sure your research is relevant is to choose a topic that is clearly connected to current issues or debates, either in society at large or in your academic discipline. The relevance must be clearly stated when you define your research problem .

Before you make a final decision on your topic, consider again the length of your dissertation, the timeframe in which you have to complete it, and the practicalities of conducting the research.

Will you have enough time to read all the most important academic literature on this topic? If there’s too much information to tackle, consider narrowing your focus even more.

Will you be able to find enough sources or gather enough data to fulfil the requirements of the dissertation? If you think you might struggle to find information, consider broadening or shifting your focus.

Do you have to go to a specific location to gather data on the topic? Make sure that you have enough funding and practical access.

Last but not least, will the topic hold your interest for the length of the research process? To stay motivated, it’s important to choose something you’re enthusiastic about!

Most programmes will require you to submit a brief description of your topic, called a research prospectus or proposal .

Remember, if you discover that your topic is not as strong as you thought it was, it’s usually acceptable to change your mind and switch focus early in the dissertation process. Just make sure you have enough time to start on a new topic, and always check with your supervisor or department.

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .

However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:

• Researchability
• Feasibility and specificity
• Relevance and originality

All research questions should be:

• Focused on a single problem or issue
• Researchable using primary and/or secondary sources
• Feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints
• Specific enough to answer thoroughly
• Complex enough to develop the answer over the space of a paper or thesis
• Relevant to your field of study and/or society more broadly

You can assess information and arguments critically by asking certain questions about the source. You can use the CRAAP test , focusing on the currency , relevance , authority , accuracy , and purpose of a source of information.

Ask questions such as:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert?
• Why did the author publish it? What is their motivation?
• How do they make their argument? Is it backed up by evidence?

A dissertation prospectus or proposal describes what or who you plan to research for your dissertation. It delves into why, when, where, and how you will do your research, as well as helps you choose a type of research to pursue. You should also determine whether you plan to pursue qualitative or quantitative methods and what your research design will look like.

It should outline all of the decisions you have taken about your project, from your dissertation topic to your hypotheses and research objectives , ready to be approved by your supervisor or committee.

Note that some departments require a defense component, where you present your prospectus to your committee orally.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 20). How to Choose a Dissertation Topic | 8 Steps to Follow. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/dissertation-topic/

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 great research paper topics.

General Education

One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

• Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
• Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
• How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
• How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
• How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

Current Events

• What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
• How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
• How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
• What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
• How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
• How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
• What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
• What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
• What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
• Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
• Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
• Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
• Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
• Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
• Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
• Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
• What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
• How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
• What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
• Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
• Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
• Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
• How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
• Should graduate students be able to form unions?

• What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
• How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
• Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
• Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
• How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
• How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
• Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
• Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
• Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
• Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
• Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
• Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
• Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
• Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
• How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
• How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
• What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
• Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
• What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
• What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
• Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
• Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
• Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
• What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
• How does stress affect the body?
• Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
• What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
• Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
• How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
• What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
• What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
• What were the causes of the Civil War?
• How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
• Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
• What caused Hitler's rise to power?
• Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
• What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
• How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
• What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

• Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
• Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
• How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
• How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
• What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
• What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
• How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

• How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
• How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
• Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
• Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
• How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
• How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
• What are the pros and cons of fracking?
• What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
• What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
• How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
• Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
• Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
• What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
• What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
• How are black holes created?
• Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
• How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
• Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
• How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
• Has social media made people more or less connected?
• What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
• Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
• What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
• How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
• When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
• Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Choosing a Research Topic for your PhD Program

Rev. prof jonathan edward tetteh kuwornu-adjaottor posted 9th june 2020 post views: 252.

T he courage to start a PhD program starts with choosing a topic not just in a discipline but in an area of the discipline you studied at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This article is vital because your PhD would run for three to four years fulltime depending on your institution or more if you are considering a part-time PhD. I have often encountered PhD candidates who abandon their projects because of a lack of interest in their research work. It is therefore very important to choose a topic that you would be passionate about to keep you glued to your research for the duration of your PhD. You should be able to complete your chosen topic within the given timeframe. This article discusses what a research topic is and outlines some steps to enable you to choose a research topic for your PhD.

What is a Research Topic? A research topic is a subject or issues a researcher is interested in and wants to conduct a study on. A well-defined research topic is the starting point of every successful PhD. Sometimes,  your supervisor may assign you a topic, but most often your supervisors require you to select your own topic of interest.

Choosing a Research Topic When deciding on a topic, there are a few things that you will need to do:

• Brainstorm for Ideas

To brainstorm simply means to think and come up with an idea. However, brainstorming is done individually or in a  group whereby participants generate ideas spontaneously by contributing to its members’ topics. When you are brainstorming, create space for more ideas; use your imagination; don’t throw any away immediately. Write them down as they come to mind; note keywords or concepts that may be of interest to you; these terms could help you form a more focused research topic. An easy way out is to get ideas from your previously published articles (if any) or master’s thesis that you may be still interested in pursuing. You can then go ahead and narrow down the topics to two or three.

• Read General Background Information

You can now read general published articles on the top two or three topics you are considering. Reading a broad summary enables you to get an overview of the topic and see how your idea relates to broader, narrower, and related issues. It also provides a great source for finding words commonly used to describe the topic. These keywords may be very useful to your research later. You can use Google Scholar or Researchgate to find the latest research articles on the topics you have selected (I mentioned these online platforms because you do not need to pay to access the articles available. Some of the articles have restricted views limited to the abstracts while some provide the full article for download). Reading through just the abstract (summary) of the papers you gather can give you ideas on current research on your selected topics. Recommendations for future research on the articles could be possible avenues you may decide to focus on.

• Focus on your Topic (Narrow it)

A topic will be very difficult to research if it is too broad or narrow. One way to narrow a broad topic is to limit your topic by (a) geographical area (b) culture (c) time frame (d) discipline (e) population group.  For example, when considering a topic on Environmental Issues, you could narrow it by: Geographical Area  – What environmental issues are most important in Ghana? Culture  – How does the environment fit into the Ghanaian worldview? Time frame  – What are the most important environmental issues of the last five years? Discipline  – How does environmental awareness affect business practices today? Population  – What are the effects of air pollution on children?

• Make a List of Keywords

Keep track of the words that are used to describe your topic. Look for words that best describe your topic. Look for the words when reading published articles and background information. Find broader and narrower terms, synonyms, key concepts for keywords to widen your search capabilities. Make notes of these words and use them later when searching for databases and catalogs.

• Be Flexible

It is common to modify your topic during the research process. This is a normal part of the research process. When researching, you may not wish to change your topic, but you may decide that an aspect of the topic is more interesting or manageable.

• Define your Topic as a Focused Research Question

You will often begin with a word, develop a more focused interest in an aspect of something relating to the word, then begin to have questions about the topic. For example, Idea  – Mother tongue biblical interpretation. Research Question  – How have the mother tongue bibles been interpreted by scholars in Ghana? Focused Research Question  – What principles do scholars in Ghana use in interpreting texts of the mother-tongue translations of the Bible?

• Research and Read More about the Topic

Use the keywords you have gathered to scholarly work from online research platforms such as Google Scholar and Researchgate as mentioned earlier. Look for enough information to answer your research questions. Remember, selecting a topic is an important and complex part of the research process.

• Formulate a Thesis Statement  

A thesis statement is one sentence that expresses the main idea of a research paper. It makes a claim, directly answering a question. Your thesis statement will usually be one or two sentences that state precisely what is to be answered, proven, or what will inform your audience about your topic. The development of a thesis assumes that there is enough evidence to support the thesis statement.

For example, a thesis statement could be: Mother tongue biblical hermeneutics is being done by scholars in Ghana. The principles the scholars have used to contribute to Biblical Interpretation. The title from the above thesis statement could be: Mother Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics in Ghana: Principles and Practice.

In this article, I have discussed eight steps to help you choose a topic for your PhD research. In the coming weeks I would discuss how to write your introductory chapter. In the meantime, if you are hoping to start a PhD soon you may want to try the following:

• Select a research topic using the eight steps outline above.
• With the aid of Google Scholar and Researchgate search for literature relating to your research topic.

Bibliography Xun Liu, Research Topic, Definition of. In  The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods , ed., Mike Allen. (New York: SAGE, 2017).www. umflint.edu/library/how-select-research-topic

This article is published with the kind courtesy of the author – Prof.  Jonathan Edward Tetteh Kuwornu-Adjaottor. He is an Associate Professor of New Testament and Mother Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics in the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

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626 Dissertation Topics for Ph.D. and Thesis Ideas for Master Students

If you are about to go into the world of graduate school, then one of the first things you need to do is choose from all the possible dissertation topics available to you. This is no small task. You are likely to spend many years researching your Master’s or Ph.D. topic and writing the text. This means that choosing a dissertation topic should not be taken lightly.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

No worries! Just read this article by our Custom Writing service , and you’ll find:

• a collection of great thesis topics on finance, education, management, law, etc.
• a range of tips on choosing a killing Ph.D. topic.
• 👍 Top 10 Dissertation Topics
• 🆚 Thesis vs Dissertation
• 🔝 Top 10 Thesis Topics
• 🎓 Thesis Topics List
• ✅ How to Choose a Topic

👍Top 10 Dissertation Topics

• Ethical alternatives to animal testing.
• What’s the future of the Dead Sea?
• Does accent affect singing ability?
• The importance of corporate values.
• Can we regulate influencer marketing?
• How does inflation affect small businesses?
• Is homeschooling the future of education?
• How does Tourette’s syndrome affect one’s daily life?
• How to conduct market analysis for e-commerce.
• Has globalization affected cultural appropriation?

🆚 Dissertation vs. Thesis: Is There a Difference?

People often consider a thesis and a dissertation to be the same thing. Yet, there is an important distinction between them. The key difference is that you need a thesis to complete a master’s degree, while a dissertation is necessary for obtaining a doctorate. Keep in mind that it’s vice versa in European higher education.

Here are some other differences:

Despite these differences, theses and dissertations have a lot in common:

• You need them to complete a degree.
• Both require certain levels of expertise and writing skills.
• You defend an argument in both of them.
• Plagiarism is prohibited in both theses and dissertations.

🔝 Top 10 Thesis Topics for 2024

• The consequences of obesity.
• The influence of social media .
• Economic development and happiness.
• Feminism in the United States.
• The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Racism in schools and colleges.
• Overeducation in the labor market.
• DNA evidence in criminal justice.
• Sales forecasting techniques.
• Wage difference among athletes.

🎓 Thesis Topics & Ideas

Below, you’ll find a collection of excellent topics for a thesis. To simplify the task, it’s not a bad idea to use a topic chooser . We’ve also prepared a checklist that will help you make the right choice. If you agree with the following statements, you’ve chosen a good thesis topic:

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

• You are interested in this subject.  It will be easier for you to work on it if you like your area of research. Remember that you will have to spend long hours looking through various data. You need to stay motivated.
• The topic is helpful in your career path.  Choose a topic that you can apply to further research if you plan to pursue your career in the academic field. Choose something that you can use in your CV if you decided to work in the industry.
• There is enough available research data.  Don’t choose a topic that is too trivial or uncommon. It is essential to find enough relevant information. Consult your supervisor to understand if you can proceed with it.
• The topic isn’t too broad or too narrow.  Otherwise, it will be harder for you to find credible sources and relevant data.
• You already have an understanding of it . Make a list of thesis topics that include the issues you have researched before. It will save you some time and allow you to evaluate your opportunities.
• Your topic is unique.  Make sure there are no other papers that explore exactly the same issue. The value of your work is your original contribution to the research. If somebody has already investigated the topic, there is not much sense in proceeding with it.

Wondering where to find the most current topic for your research? We’ve collected them below.

Computer Science Thesis Topics

Computers surround us everywhere. From hospitals to home offices, it’s impossible to imagine life without them. A doctorate in computer science can allow you many career opportunities!

• The latest developments in AI use for healthcare services . Healthcare in the US is expensive for its citizens. One way to reduce the cost is using computer algorithms. This technology research topic lets you explore how AI helps physicians with their tasks.
• Computer security for public institutions. Several allegations about hackers stealing data from the US government emerged in recent years. With this dissertation idea, study public cybersecurity. Also, discuss ways to improve cybersecurity practices.
• Visual recognition system architecture: real-time object detection. Discuss a system based on neural networks capable of detecting objects. Focus on the virtual environment. You can alter this trending topic in computer science for real-life settings.
• Blockchain application outside financial technologies. Analyze and discuss the implications of using blockchain systems outside of the fintech sector. For example, study its use for public services and in government agencies. This topic allows exploring ways of applying established algorithms.
• Machine learning and text structures. Discuss ways of visualizing text categorization. Focus on complex hierarchical structures of texts. This topic is suitable for postgraduates.
• Encrypted search: security, performance, and usage. Discuss the use of encryptions to protect data. Say how we can improve it for effective information search.
• Use of computers in education . Study how algorithms can improve learning. This topic can be altered for other fields. For example, choose AI in business or agriculture.
• Graphics and visual computing: current state and the future. By now, CAD programs are an integral part of every engineer’s tool kit. Your thesis can analyze the potential of those programs. What would improve their performance? Is there a chance that they will become obsolete?
• Multimedia databases parsing and indexing. Netflix and YouTube require technology to search across their multimedia databases. This dissertation can be a survey on best practices. Or, add a company name to the title and focus your research on it.
• AI Marketing: the use of algorithms to improve advertising. In the previous list of research question examples, you can choose a narrow marketing theme. Then, discuss the implications of such algorithms.
• Study computation of models for virtual environments .
• Cybersecurity challenges for automated vehicles.
• AI and vehicle automation: potential safety gaps.
• Computer graphics : perspectives for medical imaging.
• Research the use of computer algorithms for medical analysis .
• Discuss the role of bioinformatics in healthcare improvement.
• How is a computer-aided design used in creating automobile parts?
• Review the best practices for System Level Testing of distributed systems.
• Agile project management for software engineers .
• Software development risks analysis for successful employment.
• Study the security mechanisms for WLAN networks .
• Malicious botnets and network worms: an overview.
• What are the best practices in ICT systems development?
• Web-based document management systems using XML.
• Best algorithms for cluster generation.
• Methods for improving Open Web Architecture.
• Analyze software solutions for the increased energy efficiency .
• Protection of systems against terror attacks : a case study and analysis.
• New methods of risk management during software development.
• Analyze how Web space requirements are changing.
• Analyze how e-publishing is affecting libraries.
• New methods for studying the behavior of malware, viruses, and worms with the use of secure programming and runtime environments.
• Analyze redundancy and fault recovery in the 4G wireless network .
• Analyze the implementation and analysis of the optimal algorithm vs the heuristic algorithm for the generation of clusters.
• Analyze how full-text databases affect search engines.

Humanities and Art History Thesis Topics

Do you want to put your passion into words? Would you like to share your ideas with the world? Then pursuing a Ph.D. in the arts or humanities is the right path for you.

• The history of cinema : past and present. With this history dissertation topic, focus on how cinema developed. Explore the period starting from the first short films by the Lumiere brothers. Finish the discussion with modern-day Hollywood examples.
• Art or commerce: a case study of Hollywood films. Discuss the intersection between artistic expression and profit. This exciting arts topic focuses on modern cinema. You can use examples of art-house movies and modern commercially successful ones.
• Hollywood vs. Bollywood . Compare the two distinct film production centers for this art thesis. Next, discuss how local cultures impact Hollywood and Bollywood movies’ direction, genres, and plots.
• The use of visual tools in interior design . This dissertation topic is an intersection between arts and computer science . The focus is on how visualization tools help to create design projects.
• Racism in the 21st-century literature. Focus on how the narratives about racism have changed. Include examples from poetry and prose of this era. Compare it to works published in the past.
• The cultural aesthetic of Afrofuturism in literature. This dissertation idea allows you to explore the intersection of arts. Specifically, see how culture, philosophy of science, and history manifest in Afrofuturism .
• The social value of ecopoetry. Analyze how literature that focuses on ecological problems. Discuss environmental consciousness and environmental issues .
• Graphic novels: the best examples and implications for the development of literature. What does it mean when literary classics are converted into graphic novels? Incorporate the question if graphic novels can become part of the literary canon.
• Theater of the Absurd in the 1950s and 1960s. Discuss this form of theatrical art. Examine how it emerged and why it became influential.
• Post World War II art : cinema and literature. Use examples of films and literary works. Discuss major works of the post-WWII era and their themes.
• Futurism and the Czech avant-garde : the artistic connection between Europe’s East and West.
• Study the phenomenon of the hero archetype.
• Assess dancing as a form of meditation .
• Review the common elements of various African dances.
• Folk dances across Western Europe.
• Discuss regional dances and dance as a ritual.
• Animation as a modern art form.
• Research the art of glass-making and its prospects for the future.
• Analyze the cultural impact of The Beatles beyond music.
• Literature censorship in the US.
• Examine the intersection of ecology and arts.
• Heidelberg Project: is it a model for creating art in urban areas?
• Study kinetic sculptures of the 20th century.
• What characterizes social activism in 20 th -century rock music?
• Jazz in the 21st century: a potential for revival.
• The history of design in various periods of human existence (the ancient times, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, etc.).
• Design as art .
• Philosophy of design.
• Separate branches of design ( interior design , car design, toy design, etc.).
• Stylistic peculiarities of a certain designer.
• Web design as a modern quintessence of design.
• Social significance of design.
• The birth of Communism as it relates to Stendhal.
• The relationship between politics and literature in the 19 th century.
• An analysis and case study of artists and art during times of war.
• How contemporary art is related to American suffering.
• Analyze of how racism relates to the family unit.

List of Science Topics for Your Thesis

A dissertation in science will probably require you to run numerous experiments. Many of them will probably go wrong. But the one that does work might be the next big breakthrough! Find a suitable research theme in the following list of topics:

• Bacterial injections for the treatment of cancer tumors. Injecting bacteria into tumors is a fairly new approach to treating cancer . Review the mechanism of action and evaluate the potential of this method for curing cancer.
• Computer imagining and AI for cancer detection . Examine how AI-assisted cancer screening improves accuracy. Include early detection implications and usage in hospitals.
• Ethics of organ donations and transplantation. With this dissertation topic in science, examine the ethics of encouraging people to donate their organs. Include the implications for medical research and practice.
• An epidemiological and molecular approach to cancer prevention . This topic idea suggests assessing the current understanding of how cancer develops as well as potential prevention strategies.
• Ways of speeding up vaccine development and testing. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the process of vaccine development is relatively slow. It takes a long time to ensure proper testing. You may discuss these issues in your biochemistry dissertation.
• The current state of research into ultra-fast rechargeable batteries. The topic of batteries and energy attracts lots of attention. With this topic, you can examine how to improve the design of aluminum-ion batteries. Include ways to decrease their charging time.
• Nanotechnologies in drug delivery: electrospraying. Current research shows the great potential of nanotechnologies. In particular, the electrospraying technique makes nanoparticle delivery more efficient.
• Prevalence of various Helicobacter Pylori virulence in a population. Conduct quantitative research and examine a sample of patients to determine the number infected with Helicobacter Pylori.
• The relationship between gut microbiota and the person’s appetite . Your research can explore the theory that the gut microbiome has varied effects on the person’s body. Review the implications for obesity treatment for different gut microbiomes.
• The age of antibiotics: is it over? Examine the use of antibiotics and the reasons for its decline. Discuss the evolving nature of bacteria that require remedies other than antibiotics. Include quantitative data in this dissertation for a specific type of disease.
• CRISPR method for studying human DNA.
• The study of human evolution : latest discoveries.
• Denisovans from Siberia: a new type of hominid discovered.
• Study the use of AI in archeology .
• Conduct a study of the Neanderthal genome sequence.
• What are the ways of improving solar cell efficiency?
• The carbon footprint of modern production: how do companies damage the environment?
• Research the use of cesium in solar panels .
• The era of supercapacitors: are we ending the use of batteries?
• Assess the efficiency of Robot Suits for people with permanent paralysis.
• Microscale medial robots: potential applications.
• Look into stem cell mobilization and its mechanisms.
• Discuss the ethics of automated cars .
• Space robotics: can we design robots capable of exploring space?
• Evaluate the efficiency and potential of lithium-based rechargeable batteries.
• Morality and ethics of stem cell research .
• Is behavior controlled or affected by genetics and to what level.
• A look at methods of improving risk factors post-stroke.
• Analyze of Chinese herbal practice and its relevance to conventional medicine.
• Analyze the effect schools have on childhood obesity .

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• New methods of using existing data to gather information that is useful.
• An in-depth look at the factors affecting the decline of the immune system with age.
• Analyze of the potential effect of nanotechnology on health and the environment.
• Analyze of toxicity levels of inhaled nanoparticles.
• The usefulness of nanotechnology in curing some types of cancer .
• An analysis and case study of the treatment of patients who have experienced a loss of memory.
• Analyze the use of DNA typing of remains to identify missing people and the victims of crime.
• The response of immune deficiency diseases to the activation of T-cell subsets.
• The influence and importance of IT in the field of biomedicine.

Architecture Thesis Topics

Architecture is more than just aesthetics. That’s become especially clear ever since the doctrine “form follows function” gained traction. Whether you’re into baroque or Bauhaus, there’s plenty to discover about architecture.

• Religious architecture in the British Empire. Research the transformation of religious buildings and how it affected architecture in general. 
• Modernist architecture in the USSR at the beginning of the 20th century. Compare modernist architecture in the USSR with other countries. 
• Urban greening and its influence on buildings’ design . The dissertation proposal can include green roofs as the main point of research. 
• Brutalism and its history in New York . Provide historical research of brutalism in New York and discuss how it affects modern architecture. 
• Modern-day aboriginal settlements in Australia. Using examples from media and research, indicate how aboriginal settlements are perceived and handled today. 
• Transformation of the urban design in the 21st century. Using London, Hong-Kong, and New York as examples, provide an in-depth discussion of changes in the urban design. 
• The architectural history of Seattle. Conduct research and write a proposal that will compare different architectural styles seen in Seattle. 
• Integration of culture in environmental design. In this proposal, you can use large cities in Asia as primary examples of the synergy between culture and architecture. 
• The architecture of residential buildings during the second half of the 20th century. Choose one or several large cities (e.g., Berlin, Miami, Kyoto) as the basis for your research. 
• The history of Moscow Avant-Garde. Use both Soviet and modern Russian research on Avant-Garde to present the topic accurately. 
• Use of computer visuals in architecture. 
• Review the trends in modern furniture design. 
• Ecology and architecture: integration of green technologies. 
• Discuss the multiculturalism of contemporary urban architecture. 
• The history of architecture in urban areas of the US: the study of New York. 
• Modern city design case study. 
• Research ways of using wood in modern architecture. 
• Commercial architecture: aesthetics and usability. 
• Evaluate the design of municipal buildings in the US. 
• Creativity in postmodernist architecture. 
• How do we integrate smart home technology into architecture? 
• Small scale homes: a study of growing interest in small housing. 
• Discuss the use of lighting in building design. 
• Study innovations in structural design in the digital age. 
• What are the implications of inclusive architecture? 
• Sustainable architecture: recycling spaces and materials.  
• Renewable energy in home design. 
• Assess open concept homes for American families. 
• Conduct a study of family homes design. 
• Research architecture suitable for middle-class families. 

Thesis Topics in English Literature & World Literature

Was your New Year’s Resolution to re-read the 100 most influential classical works? Then you might want to consider writing a thesis in advanced higher English. Check out these engaging prompts:

• In-depth stylistic analysis of The Trial by Franz Kafka . Explain what stylistic devices Kafka used in his story. 
• The influence of The Hound of the Baskervilles on the development of modern detective stories. Prepare several comparisons of The Hound with modern detective stories to pinpoint its influence. 
• The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum : women characters in Heinrich Böll’s fiction. Using the book mentioned in the topic, examine how the German writer depicted women in his prose. 
• Analysis of the terrorism portrayal in modern journalism: The New York Times case study. Pick several articles related to terrorism published in NYT and describe in detail how it is portrayed (keywords, images, etc.).
• A formalist approach to Dostoevsky: analysis of The Brothers Karamazov . Provide the reader with an explanation of the formalist approach and use it to analyze the novel. 
• The depiction of sexual violence in young adult literature. Pick several YA novels published in the 2010s for your research. 
• The use of repetition in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot . Analyze how repetition is used for emphasis and other effects in the play. 
• Feminism and gender in Margaret Atwood’s Cats’ Eye . Review the book from a feminist point of view and discuss how gender issues are presented in the book. 
• How does Phillip K. Dick use intertextuality in The Man in the High Castle ? Find as many references to other literary and historical sources as you can and elaborate how Dick uses them and for what aims. 
• The influence of Steppenwolf on postmodern American literature: the contribution of Herman Hesse. Using Steppenwolf as the primary source, discuss what characteristics common for postmodern literature Hesse uses in this novel. 
• How does racism manifest itself in classical literature? 
• Discuss the oppression of women in The Handmaid’s Tale.  
• Gender roles in The Miniaturist and A Doll’s House : a comparison. 
• Moral ambiguity in David Harrower’s works. 
• Literary techniques in the Perks of Being a Wallflower.  
• The setting in The Murder in the Rue Morgue and its influence on the detective genre. 
• Review the tropes first introduced in The Moonstone .  
• Study the depictions of police’s work in Skinner’s Rule . 
• Assess the influence of Victorian Gothic horror on popular culture. 
• Social criticism in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  
• Analyze cyberpunk elements in Gibson’s Neuromancer .  
• Themes of social equality in modern literature. 
• Research the views on Native American writers in Nature’s Poem.  
• Critique of contemporary children’s literature . 
• Gothic elements in Charlotte Bronte’s works . 
• The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Dracula : a comparative analysis. 
• Terror in The Picture of Dorian Gray .  
• Examine the connection of mental health and society in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye . 
• Magical realism and romanticism in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.  
• How does the cut-up technique contribute to the narration in William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch?  

Criminal Justice Thesis Topics

Are you a forensic science student who prefers research to actual police work? In that case, a dissertation in criminology is a great idea. This way, you can work on preventing crime from the comfort of your desk.

• Recidivism rates among underage Latino first-time offenders: a quantitative study. Research a group of first-time offenders of a particular age (e.g., 18 to 25 years old).
• A comparative analysis of the incidents of gun violence in the USA during the 2010s. Choose several prominent examples and compare them to each other.
• Troublesome statements: the role of witnesses in potentially false accusations. In this dissertation, you can write about the unreliability of statements, using documented examples.

• The patterns of drug trafficking in Germany’s largest cities: a case study of Berlin and Hamburg. Analyze the changes in these patterns in the 2010s.
• Money laundering and corruption in the United States in the 21st century. Using media reports, create dissertation research about corruption schemes.
• Mental health and self-perception of second-time sex offenders . Determine if their self-perception changes.
• School shootings in the USA: causes and risk factors . Using recent and historical data, analyze the cases of mass shootings.
• The influence of cyberbullying on suicide rates among Australian adolescents (13-17 years old). You can base your dissertation report on various research on cyberbullying published in Australian scholarly journals.
• Child abuse and its influence on serial killer’s perception of victims. Discuss interconnections between abuse and potential sadistic behavior.
• The history of forensic interviewing in the USA. Present research and practices that contributed to its development.
• Use of artificial intelligence for forensic investigations.
• Criminal behavior at a young age and its implications for the future.
• Drug use: pattern of recurring arrests among American youth.
• Incarcerated parents: the impact on the child’s perception of crime.
• Research the reforms of the US criminal justice system.
• Propose strategies for improving the juvenile detention system.
• Police officer’s abuse of power: analysis of reports.
• Race and criminal justice: the case of War on Drugs .
• What are the possible alternative forms of incarceration?
• A study of public perception of modern serial killers .
• Training of sniffer dogs.
• The implications of eyewitness testimony.
• Abuse in Hollywood: a case study of Harvey Weinstein.
• Bias against African Americans during investigations.
• A study of college violence.
• Legal implications of medical marijuana legalization .
• Ethics of criminal justice : the problem of confidentiality.
• Review the challenges linked with domestic violence investigations.
• Suggest ways of preventing crimes in schools .
• Gender bias during crime examinations.

Geography Thesis Topics

If you enjoy unveiling Earth’s secrets, this section is for you. Here you’ll find geography dissertation ideas ranging from studies of movement to regional phenomena.

• Species that became extinct in the 20th century: qualitative research. Address the human influence on various species .
• Current issues in the exploration of Arctic. Discuss difficulties and specifics of such explorations.
• A comparison of urban back gardens in the USA and the UK. You can compare their design and other features (for example, vegetation used for decoration).
• The causes and outcomes of floodings in the USA in the 2010s. Address climate change as one of the leading causes.
• Prevention of ecosystem changes with modern technology. Provide various examples of how technology is used to sustain ecosystems.
• Changes in travel destinations in the 2000s: a comparison of the USA and Canada. Demonstrate what changes in preferences were documented in these countries and show what destinations were especially popular.
• The perception of environmentally friendly technologies and their impact on the environment by citizens of large metropolitan areas: a case study of Miami. Explain how various projects based on environmentally friendly technologies are launched in Miami.
• A negative impact of global warming on weather conditions in Iceland. Discuss how tourism in Iceland is affected by these changes.
• The influence of industrialization on climate change. Address the causes of climate change, using industrialization and its consequences as a basis.
• Compare Greenfield and Brownfield land use for construction projects.
• Investigate the significance of red salmon for Kamchatka.
• The social impact of climate change : a study of migration patterns.
• The potential of community gardening in underprivileged neighborhoods.
• Study the link between the strengths of hurricanes and climate change.
• What can be done to stop gentrification in your community?
• Evaluate coastal tourism, its effect, and implications.
• The impact of reservoir locations on water quality .
• How did industrialization affect the development of Chicago?
• Study soil pollution levels in your community area.
• Conduct an analysis of air quality in your city.
• Eco-tourism , its history, and perspectives.
• Differences in soil chemistry across several locations.
• The impact of organic farming on water quality in your area.
• Compare the sustainability of organically vs. conventionally farmed tomatoes.
• Research air pollution levels and data on airborne illnesses in your area.
• What’s the relationship between rock climbing and cliff vegetation?
• Study the changes in soil fertility upon volcanic eruption.
• How does the Chernobyl disaster continue to affect the surrounding area?
• Determine the patterns of floods in a particular area of your choice.

Sociology Thesis Ideas

Sociology studies how humans live together. A dissertation is a great way to dive deeper into a particular subject. You can get as specific as your heart desires! Check out our sociology thesis topics:

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• Single parent stigma and its influence on family’s quality of life and parent-child relationships . Present examples from recent research that illustrate how the dynamics of these relationships change over time due to stigma.
• Women empowerment in Saudi Arabia in 2000s: breakthroughs and challenges. Discuss how this empowerment affected legislation and women’s rights .
• Long-term alcohol addiction and self-perception in young adults. With the help of research, demonstrate whether self-perception of these adults transforms significantly due to their addiction.
• Adoption and its influence on parent-child relationships. Present and discuss challenges that such families face.
• Comparison of traditions related to family dinners in the USA and the UK. What specific differences are there and how can they be explained?
• Influence of the emo culture on suicide rates in high school students. Address the influence of such cultures on adolescents’ behavior.
• The rates of secularization in elderly individuals living in urban and rural areas. Compare the rates and explain why they are different.
• Influence of forced outing on transgender individuals and concomitant changes in their quality of life. Explain the effects of forced outing and why this impact is dangerous.
• Comparison of anti-nuclear movements in Germany and Japan in the 21st century. Explain in detail what differences and similarities are prominent.
• Performance rates of teenagers in schools in low-income neighborhoods: a case study of Boston schools. When writing your dissertation proposal, consider various factors (poverty, limited access to technology, etc.) that affect performance rates of these teenagers.
• Black Lives Matter movement’s immediate impact on racism.
• Research causes of minority bias in the US.
• Affirmative action and its impact on the perception of varied racial groups.
• The impact of religion on people’s attitudes towards race.
• Review the challenges of the US LGBT community.
• Bias towards transgender studies.
• Social activism against gender discrimination in the 21st century.
• The impact of social assistance in schools on a child’s future.
• Research the changes in education after WWII.
• Analyze scholarship policies in the US.
• The impact of student debt on youth’s perception of education in the US.
• Outcomes of public vs. private schools: a comparison.
• Research the preservation of culture in American immigrant families.
• Applying Marx’s conflict theory to social justice movements.
• Assess changing trends in social norms in a country of your choice.
• Attitudes towards prejudice among people of different social backgrounds.
• Comparison of women’s rights in Western and Middle Eastern countries.
• The impact of capitalism on one’s social values.
• How does capitalism benefit society across multiple post-soviet countries?
• Compare healthcare access in autocracies vs. democracies.

💡 Dissertation Topics for Ph.D. students

Below you’ll find a list of excellent dissertation ideas in different fields of study. They are more difficult than thesis topics and require more research. Jump to the section that interests you and find the topic that suits you best! But first:

What Makes a Good Ph.D. Topic?

Usually, universities would expect your dissertation to be original and relevant in the field of the research. Moreover, it would be worthwhile if it has the potential to make a change.

This checklist will help you see whether you’ve made the right choice. Your dissertation topic is good, if:

• You have an opportunity to research it fully.  You need to know that there is enough data and a theoretical basis. Do some prior research to understand if you will be able to answer all your dissertation questions.
• You can fill the gaps in the existing knowledge.  Your research matters if you can provide some new information that contributes to the field of your studies.
• Your dissertation title is catchy.  Try to make it worth the reader’s attention from the first glance.
• You can evaluate how much time you need.  It is vital to understand all the stages of your research and the challenges you might face to plan your work.
• You know the subject well.  You will need to explore your topic in-depth. It’s good to have some previous knowledge about it. Starting the research from the very basics will take more time and effort.
• You have enough resources to investigate it.  Both time and money matter in this case. You need to do high-quality research and meet your deadlines.

Dissertation Topics in Education

Learning is a lifelong experience, and the importance of schools cannot be overestimated. Research in this area is critical to improving education standards. Have a look at these topic ideas to get inspired:

• Gamification as tools for enhancing learning abilities: theory and practice . Many studies have been conducted on different learning approaches. For young learners, engagement is as critical as the outcome. Therefore, this work focuses on gamification and its effect on children’s improvisation and learning. 
• Studying the connection between classroom quality and the learning outcome in kindergarten . Children are strongly affected by their environment, especially when it comes to learning. This dissertation topic example is all about looking into different classroom settings and their effect on kids’ learning outcomes. 
• Evaluating the process of implementation of inclusive education in the US. Professionals argue that inclusive education carries multiple benefits for all students (not just those with limited abilities.) However, it is quite a challenging process to implement all the changes. 
• Factors influencing the decision to transfer to the higher education abroad . In this work, you can focus on finding out the reasons for such a decision. Why do undergraduate students choose to leave their home country? What are the most important factors? 
• Online education vs. traditional face-to-face lessons for adult learners: compare and contrast. Online courses have their own benefits. However, would adult learners prefer them to in-person classrooms? How does it affect their learning and motivation? 
• How does working as a taxi driver and navigating change a person’s brain? 
• To what extent can reality television be disempowering for students?  
• The role of homework in the lives of immigrant adolescents. 
• The impact of teachers’ shocking behaviors in fostering students’ creativity. 
• The determinants of flossing behavior in college students . 
• The classification of drinking styles in the college-age population. 
• Integrating the computer into the curriculum: why you can’t simply plug it in. 
• The preconditions for serious music-making avocation in computer science students. 
• Adult graduate difficulties with learning new technologies. 
• The effect of academic performance on the health of students . 
• The impact of mathematic coaching on students’ self-esteem . 
• The influence of internet on the emotional maturity of students. 
• Academic achievements of students who decide to become teachers. 
• Is it true that students are more likely to do homework given by good-looking professors? 
• Informal learning in rural areas via social networks. 
• Educational blogging for professors: the social networks of educationists. 
• Does learning existentialism cause suicides? 
• Is it possible to reduce summer learning loss without students’ consent? 
• Can we reject classical math and do it at the same time? Yes, we can. 
• What are major career prospects with a degree in Liberal Arts ? 
• Using electronic games in museums as an effective education tool. 

Business Dissertation Topics

There are many things a business administrator should keep in mind. Finances, marketing, and development are just the tip of the iceberg. So, the choice of topics is practically endless. Check out this selection to narrow down the possibilities:

• How are business strategies adjusted to the globalization process? Small businesses’ perspective. Globalization means huge and profitable opportunities. To seize them, all businesses and companies should make some changes in their strategies. Investigate what would be the best action plan for them. 
• Cultural changes and the effect of feedback in an international company: a case study. Choose a multinational company. Study the impact of feedback (both from the employees and customers) on its organizational culture changes. What reaction does it provoke in the company? 
• Human resource management approaches in international non-profit organizations. In this study, look into the strategies HR managers apply in non-profit organizations. One of their main responsibilities is to monitor the performance of the employees. However, at the international level it becomes more difficult. 
• Leadership and organizational culture in making decisions about business strategies. In this research, you study the influence of the organizational culture on leaders. In the case of trying to initiate changes in the business strategy, how is a leadership decision taken? 
• The role of “ foreign direct investment ” in companies in developing countries: a case study of a large business. For this paper, pick a suitable company first. Aim for large companies in developing countries. Then conduct research and find out what strategies they have for foreign direct investments. 
• COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on workplace management in small businesses . The COVID-19 pandemic caused many companies to readjust their HR policies. For instance, they allowed their staff to work from home. Research this phenomenon in your thesis. 
• Social entrepreneurship for large companies. If you want to make the world a better place, social entrepreneurship is a suitable method. We usually associate it with small start-ups. But what about large companies? With this topic, you can research how the concept works for big firms. 
• How innovation affects demand in technology-driven businesses. This MBA dissertation topic combines business studies and technology . Examine how companies create products for establishing markets. 
• Management strategies in times of COVID-19: a case study . The pandemic has forced companies to use Zoom , Skype, and messaging instead of regular meetings. Review how executives can apply traditional management models in the digital space. 
• The impact of burnout on employees . Interview staff members and determine how burnout affects performance. Include the name of a company or industry in your dissertation’s title. 
• Tourism management in the Middle East. 
• How do natural disasters impact the demand for essentials?  
• Compare and contrast Asian and American leadership styles . 
• How does fluctuation in the stock market impact business operations? 
• The art of delegation : how to do it effectively and when to avoid it. 
• How can one efficiently lead a company when unforeseen circumstances occur? 
• What factors determine employees’ work satisfaction?  
• Study the link between a company’s success and innovation . 
• What can business managers do to bridge the gap between generations ? 
• Research the benefits of global and local brand management. 
• What causes changes in Chinese business culture? 
• Choose a small business and analyze its strategy.  
• Organizational changes : what factors impact transformation? 
• Internet banking : barriers to usage. 
• Create a business plan that is focused on a specific issue. 
• Conditions necessary for quality management in MNCs. 
• The role of E-commerce for food retailers. 
• Conduct a case study with the purpose to analyze one or several social phenomena. 
• Workplace ethics in small businesses.  
• The phenomenon of remote working and how it is affecting businesses. 
• Comparison of Generation X and the Millennial Generation . 
• Managing the Millennial Generation. 
• Current trends in consumer behavior in relation to advertising. 
• Analyze which countries margin financing is effective and why. 
• Analyze the macroeconomic factors affecting exchange rates. 
• An empirical analysis of the impact of organizational performance and leadership . 

Law Dissertation Topics for Ph.D. Students

Legal science is not dull as one may think. It’s crucial to evaluate laws at any point in time. Do they fit the current norms? Does something or someone need more protection than before? If you want to garnish your legal education with a Ph.D., here are some topic suggestions:

• Trust law: the circumstances when fully secret and half-secret trusts are necessary. Find out what are the principles that dictate the enforcement of the trusts. There are specific circumstances that determine whether creating trusts would be adequate and relevant. Make sure to take them into consideration.
• Termination of employment in case of employees tested positive for HIV/AIDS. Your task would be to conduct research and see how HIV/AIDS employees are influenced in the workplace. The most common issues are discrimination and termination of employment.
• The influence of the Global War on Terrorism on international criminal law. When the US launched the campaign against terrorism in 2001, international criminal law faced some changes. You can study the most significant changes that have been made.
• The level of effectiveness of the US copyright law in relation to the rights of users. It’s an empirical research topic that would require collecting lots of data. Try to find some cases when the users were left cheated by copyright law. It would bring some diversity to the research and make it more interesting.
• Study the effect that the US immigration policy has on education right now. Educational institutions are also required to adjust to changes connected with immigration. Different requirements and different curriculums are implemented to fit their needs. You are about to look into this issue.
• Select a country and analyze its worker protection laws. Compare the rights and obligations of employees in two countries of your choice. What potential improvements can solidify employee rights ?
• Protection of minorities, legal precedents. Minority rights are becoming more and more relevant. This topic allows you to discuss how laws can be changed to reflect it.
• Regulation of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies allow for anonymity. Besides, they are not regulated by any state. In your thesis, you can analyze cryptocurrency regulations.
• Fake news : legal responsibility. Review how the United States legal system approaches disinformation. Focus on false publications on news resources. Another possible topic is improvements to defamation laws.
• Freedom of expression : a case during a pandemic. This topic is about false information in times of COVID-19. Examine how a state can balance freedom of expression with the spread of false information. Focus on this disease and the fake news about it.
• Legal practices for preventing possible future pandemics.
• Research ways of online journalism protection.
• International law vs. the right to self-determination: comparative case studies of de facto states.
• Review the history of fiscal laws in America.
• Limits to freedom of expression in the US legal system.
• Enforcing regulations concerning domestic violence .
• Study criminal responsibility for drug possession in the US.
• Criminalization of violence against women.
• Review the legal framework for addressing foreign involvement in elections.
• What was the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Health standards for immigrant detention centers in the US .
• Research the loopholes in the US immigration laws .
• Birthright citizenship in the US: pros and cons.
• 1951 Refugee Convention: is it obsolete?
• Illegal immigrants and their rights in the US justice system.
• How criminal laws have been impacted around the world by the war on terror .
• Choose a country and analyze their policies on discrimination.
• Evaluate the protection given to minority shareholders as dictated by company law.
• Provide a critical analysis of the law of omissions liability.
• Investigate and analyze complaints filed in the criminal justice system .
• A critical analysis of the reform of homicide laws .
• The morality and impact of euthanasia and how Canada sets a precedent.
• A detailed analysis of gender and race profiling of suspects in the criminal justice system .
• Analyze the right to bear arms relative to the context in which the law was written into The Constitution.
• Create case studies that represent a review of criminal negligence related to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.

Psychology Dissertation Topics

The mysterious ways of the human mind offer many research opportunities. Psychology encompasses sub-fields such as behavior and cognition. Whatever your area of expertise, you’ll undoubtedly find something interesting in the list below.

• The current effect of the “price ending” method on the consumers’ behavior . Nowadays, everybody knows the most popular trick that shops pull to make customers buy the products. However, does understanding it make it easier to resist it? Is this psychological trap still working?
• Burnout at the executive positions in massive US corporations: is it possible to prevent? The phenomenon of burnout is the most common issue that employees face nowadays. But there are ways to detected it at an early stage. Could they be used to predict and prevent this problem?
• Mindfulness practices and their influence on students’ learning abilities at the top universities (e.g., Harvard). Mindfulness is proved to be extremely useful in overcoming stress and anxiety issues. However, does it affect the learning outcome of the students who study at the best universities in the world?
• The individual struggles with gender issues and their impact on global gender inequality . Everything always starts with a small thing. For this paper, study the relation between some individual cases and the global issue. How do personal struggles contribute to the worldwide movement for justice?
• The positive influence of irrational beliefs on mental well-being. In psychology, irrational beliefs are a set of values and opinions that people believe in despite rational evidence against them. However, what positive effect can they bring?
• Ways of raising awareness of mental health problems. Mental health has been discussed more openly in recent years. Review how this open discussion affects views on personal mental health. As another idea for a psychology dissertation topic, research a specific illness.
• Student burnout and ways to prevent it. Focus on the problems students face and what strategies can reduce their stress.
• Pandemic and mental health . The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to be in isolation from social contacts. Review the potential effects of this practice on people’s well-being. Discuss possible strategies for supporting mental health during possible future pandemics.
• Weight, self-image, and mental health. A clinical psychology thesis can focus on the psychology behind excess weight. Discuss how weight affects a person’s perception of self. Assess implications for clinical psychologists who work with overweight patients.
• Social media vs. reality: normalizing real people. Review current efforts of social media accounts in normalizing body image . Explain how this can reverse the damage that edited photos have on mental health.
• How does gender bias affect mental health in America?
• What factors affect women’s self-esteem in the workplace?
• Specifics of transgender mental health.
• Research the effect of immigration on mental well-being.
• Study the psychology of racism and ways to combat it.
• What distinguishes the mental health of minorities in the US?
• Research the psychology of dissent in the Soviet Union.
• The connection between stress and overeating: latest developments.
• Assess the role of social support for losing weight .
• What’s the role of prejudice in politics?
• Assess the role of endurance in combating stress .
• Developing hardiness: strategies and exercises.
• What’s the effect of emotional resilience on mental health?
• Helping teenagers overcome stress via relaxation techniques .
• Look into the perception of anger and its effect on mental health.
• Understanding the function of the prefrontal cortex in terms of how it is connected to other parts of the brain.
• Understanding how the prefrontal cortex makes us human.
• How emotional and anxiety disorders are connected to social cognition that is impaired.
• Analyze the ability of an MRI to determine brain function.
• Analyze the relationship between emotional and episodic memory.
• A comparison of the plasticity of the child’s brain and the adult brain.
• Analyze the continued relevance of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.
• An in-depth look at the social intuitionist model and how it relates to the emotion and reason involved in moral judgement.
• How the evolution of the human brain can be understood in terms of children cognitive development .
• A demonstration of the multi-dimensional nature of schizophrenia.
• How rational thinking and impulse contribute to decision-making.
• A systematic analysis and review of the psychology of religion.
• How exposure to nature affects happiness.

Nursing Dissertation Topics

A nurse’s work is hard. Unfortunately, they rarely get the credit they deserve. With a Ph.D., you could become an advocate on the problem. Or you could concentrate on optimizing their work environments.

• Exercise, changes in lifestyle , and self-tracking for diabetes prevention and management. Center your research on different lifestyle changes (exercise, reduced smoking and drinking) and explain how and why it prevents diabetes .
• Influence of stigma related to HIV/AIDS on representatives of ethnic minorities: a case study of Native Americans. Using research, provide compelling evidence of how Native Americans are stigmatized and discriminated against.
• Chronic illness management at home: recommended evidence-based practices. Using current nursing and other professional research, discuss how adults and seniors manage chronic and autoimmune diseases.
• Depression and stress and their relation to preterm births in first-time mothers. Collect several articles about the issue and using their conclusions show how depression causes preterm births.
• Burnout in nurses: factors that cause it and practical solutions for prevention . Present outcomes of burnout (decreased performance and concentration, subpar workplace environment) and illustrate how it affects hospitals on a more significant scale.
• Public health: community-based measures to prevent morbid obesity. In this research, you can list various methods that include exercise and education and explain in detail how they prevent the spread of obesity.
• Risk factors and injury rates in psychiatric nursing. Present statistics on different types of injuries in psychiatric institutions .
• Cultural diversity and inclusion in nursing education . When researching diversity, make sure you are using examples of different minority groups’ perception of education.
• Euthanasia legislation in the USA: ethical issues and debates . Provide a thoughtful discussion of ethical and legal issues surrounding euthanasia.
• Organizational climate and its influence on perceived patient safety . Your study should focus on the importance of positive relationships between staff members, and its influence on the prevention of medical errors.
• Dietary practices and their influence on the quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. SLE is a complex disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Describe nutritional research approaches to SLE.
• Fluoride application training in dental nursing.
• Describe the specifics of nursing care for patients with diabetes .
• Assess gender disparity in nursing research.
• Study nurse burnout prevalence in neonatal care in your community.
• Nursing staff advising DASH diet: effects on patients’ blood pressure.
• What are the challenges of asthma management for nurses?
• Nursing for autistic patients : the best strategies.
• Racial differences in nursing care: a case study.
• Evaluate nurses’ role in pain management for patients with dementia.
• Study the connection between nursing staff turnover and burnout.
• How is the role of a nurse changing in the modern healthcare system?
• Review nursing practices for managing elderly patients.
• A holistic approach to obesity management in nursing.
• Describe the specifics of nursing in rural areas .
• Physical activity and mental health: a nursing case study.
• Discuss nursing pain relief strategies for general care.
• Determine the ethical implications of nursing malpractice.
• Nurses consultations for spinal cord injuries .
• Nursing in an urban setting : challenges and prospects.
• What are the specifics of pain management in obstetrical nursing?

Marketing Dissertation Topics

Good marketing is what made you buy that product you didn’t know you needed. Marketing needs plenty of scientific research for it to be successful. You can contribute to this effort with one of the following topic ideas:

• Compare and contrast the effectiveness of traditional and digital marketing in the last five years. Marketing moves towards digital campaigns more and more every year. Though, traditional marketing still exists, of course. Your task is to compare every aspect of these two types in the span of the previous five years.
• The specifics of the relationship marketing and its influence on the loyalty rates among customers: a case study of fast-food chains. Take a few fast-food chains to conduct this research. Then analyze their relationship marketing strategies. There should be a correlation between the methods they use and the loyalty of their customers.
• Direct marketing and artificial intelligence: how do companies use it? The industry of marketing couldn’t have missed the opportunity to use the latest technologies for their benefit. Artificial intelligence helps some companies gain a competitive advantage. Find out what those benefits are.
• Collectivism and individualism : how does culture influence supermarkets? There are some apparent differences in cultures when it comes to shopping. Each shop owner has to implement a specific marketing strategy for targeting the customers. Work on aspects that make those strategies successful in different cultures.
• The strategies that make personalized products sell effectively. Everybody loves customized products, but it seems like not everybody is willing to share their data to get it. Therefore, businesses are forced to work it out. This research looks into marketing tools and methods they use to sell personalized products.
• Influence of online shopping apps on impulsive buying behavior . Using prominent examples such as Amazon and eBay , elaborate how apps affect customer’s decision to purchase an item through recommendations.
• Product design and its impact on consumer’s purchase decision. When preparing this thesis topic, consider using examples of large corporations such as Apple or IKEA to prove your point.
• Customer loyalty : the importance of satisfaction and loyalty programs. Conduct research using available surveys on satisfaction and draw conclusions from these statistics.
• Ethnic differences and their impact on brand perception. This research can review the types of products that target White or Black Americans specifically.
• Preferences for green products: analysis of the income’s influence on consumer decisions. Compare what households are more likely to prefer green products.
• Shopping habits of Muslim consumers in the USA: qualitative research. Here, you will need to do research by engaging Muslim Americans in your study; you can use interviews or surveys for this topic.
• Social media and its impact on the promotion of small business. Make sure your reader understands how social media can promote or negatively present small business through customers’ comments.
• Does globalization make preferences of customers from different socioeconomic backgrounds similar? Interview people from lower, middle, and upper class and discuss the preferences of American households.
• Social media usage by international companies: a case study of Electronic Arts. Study the influence of customers’ reviews and opinions on EA’s sales.
• Consumers’ perception of transaction safety in online shopping applications. Discuss how consumers learn to differentiate between reliable and unreliable apps for payments .
• Marketing high tech products: a case study.
• Study changing marketing techniques during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The future of big data uses in marketing.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of offline vs. online advertising .
• Explore the relationship between marketing strategies and sales.
• Holiday marketing strategies in the 21st century.
• Is marketing tailed towards model devices effective?
• Study the rise of influencer marketing .
• Review the newest trends in digital advertising .
• Brand management in 2020: an analysis.
• Assess the effect of advertising on consumer behavior.
• Targeted ads: are they efficient?
• How did marketing change during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Assess brand management’s contribution to consumer loyalty .
• Impact of social media marketing on brand perception.
• Google Analytics insights for marketing campaigns.
• Marketing for minority populations.
• Youtube marketing: the effectiveness of videos for brand promotion.
• How does partnering with influencers impact brand perception?
• Social influencer marketing for SMEs.

History Dissertation Topics

History is written not only by the victors but also by history students. Your dissertation can shine a light on understudied cultures. Or perhaps you want to focus on how a specific event impacted the world. Find inspiration among the following dissertation questions and ideas:

• The historical context of the creation of Guernica by Pablo Picasso . War wasn’t the only inspiration for Pablo Picasso during the process of making Guernica . In this paper, you would look into the environment of the artist and try to identify what else brought him to the creation of this masterpiece.
• Bismarck and radical nationalism: what influenced the political state? For this research, you would study the underlying reasons for German Nazism before the beginning of World War II. What factors gave it a start when Otto von Bismarck was in charge?
• The rise of Bollywood: historical context. This paper focuses on the success of Indian Bollywood movies in the 1930s. You would need to look into the events that made those movies famous in the whole world. Don’t forget to mention the social views of Bollywood movies.
• The influence of secrecy in the technology intervention during World War II. You would study the role that the US Patent and Trademark Office played in the development of special war technology . Secrecy helped to keep it away from the public and enemies. How did it influence the war?
• Italian prisons in the 19th century: how were they managed after Unification? This paper would require you to study documentation on the management system prison used in Italy at the beginning of the 19th century. You should try to find some practices that might have been socially harmful.
• Gender perceptions in the Middle Age. When preparing the dissertation, use both historical and literary sources to show how gender was presented.
• Secularization in the American South during the post-war period. Provide a detailed discussion of secular societies forming in the South after the 1940s.
• Representation of Jewish history in contemporary art: a case study of Art Spiegelman’s Maus . Using the comic book as the primary basis, explain how Jewish culture and history are presented there.

• The history of medieval warfare and its influence on Modern Era warfare . When constructing this thesis, make sure you are using both historical and current research to provide details.
• American-British relations during the Cold War Era . Explain how the Cold War Era changes these relations and what has affected it the most.
• Germany’s foreign relations during the 1980s. Present a detailed overview of different foreign relations (e.g., with the USA, the USSR, the UK) Germany had during this period.
• The financial crisis in the USA in 2007-2009. Using research and media sources, explain to the reader how the crisis is still affecting the USA.
• The development of Austrian identity after World War II. In this case, you can use both historical evidence and Austrian literature that provides personal opinions of writers and artists on the issue.
• The impact of the Great Depression on the American involvement in the World War II. To show your understanding of historical processes, demonstrate how the Great Depression affected the USA’s perception of WWII.
• How I stopped worrying and learned to love the bomb: the development of nuclear warfare in the 20th century. Discuss the development of nuclear warfare in the USA and the USSR.
• What was the role of China in the Cold War?
• How did the Spanish Flu affect the pandemics that followed it?
• Determine the influence of the stock market crash in 1929 on the World Wars.
• First Battle of Marne’s impact on the outcomes of WWI.
• Tool usage and creation: Aztecs vs. Mayas.
• How did the enlightenment philosophy impact the development of the natural sciences?
• The effects of Christianization in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Assess the role of slavery in the US civil rights movement.
• Study the history of LGBT rights establishment in the US.
• What are the origins of slavery in Africa?
• The Moon Landing and its impact on space exploration.
• Explore the role of the Bible in Jewish history.
• The US’ involvement in WWII.
• The aftermath of WWII: major historical events.
• Research the link between the Mexican-American War and the Gold Rush .
• Cold War insights: lessons from the Suez Crisis.
• Explore the role of democratization in the Soviet Union collapse.
• Global cooperation in early modern Europe.
• Study the legacy of the arms race.
• How did the First Ladies influence life in the 20th century America?

Dissertation Topics in Management

Companies and employees alike benefit from well-thought-out management strategies. So, a thesis in management has the potential to improve work environments even further. Kickstart your research by choosing one of the following topics:

• Ecotourism in Canada: issues and trends in small business. Explain issues that arise in ecotourism with climate change.
• Management ethics: how social media affects employees’ privacy and organizational climate. Present examples of negative and positive influence.
• Leadership styles : a comparison of democratic and autocratic leadership. Discuss what leadership style should be chosen to rule various companies, depending on their business plan.
• Political risk and its influence on emergency management . Explain how political crises affect and shape emergency management.
• Cultural diversity and its impact on employees’ satisfaction and commitment. Show what advantages and disadvantages there are in cultural diversity.
• Economic growth and unemployment rates in Australia during the 1990s: a historical perspective. Explain the causes of economic growth and unemployment.
• Challenges in human resources management working with millennials: qualitative research. Discuss what particular challenges HR managers face and how they can be addressed.
• The significance of organizational routines in international corporations: a case study of Google. Conduct research on the importance of routine and its impact on performance.
• Computer skills and management: the effectiveness of computerized management information system in rural areas. Describe how digital management can be effectively applied in companies working in rural areas.
• The history of digital rights management in the USA. Present the changes in the field during the 1990s-2010s.
• Analyze the best leadership styles for SMEs.
• Examine the changes entrepreneurship underwent in the past decades.
• How do leadership styles relate to work satisfaction ?
• Overview of business negotiation methods using technology.
• Ways of integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.
• Discuss the specifics of airline companies’ management .
• Choose a theory of motivation in the workplace and make a case study on it.
• Study change management in SMEs in times of a crisis.
• Managing diverse workforce: a qualitative analysis.
• Use of employee voice in US companies.
• Research the relationship between the organization’s goals and a manager’s behavior.
• What are the best current practices in public administration ?
• Applying strategic human capital principles in practice.
• The study of female CEOs in a country of your choice.
• Employees’ perception of change management : a quantitative analysis.
• A study of employees’ resistance to change.
• What’s the correlation between a CEO’s leadership traits and employee motivation ?
• Workplace risk management : a study of psychosocial hazards.
• Conduct a quantitative study of the gender pay gap for CEOs.
• Research the relationship between management style and employee productivity .

Qualitative Dissertation: Ideas for Proposals

If you want your thesis to be more practical, you’ve come to the right section. Common approaches for qualitative dissertations include researching case studies, surveys, or ethnographies. Because of this, fieldwork will be an integral part of your doctorate journey.

• A comparison of teaching techniques that targeted children with autism in the 20th and 21st centuries. Provide a detailed overview of techniques and explain how research affected them.
• The development of cognitive-behavioral therapy and its effectiveness in patients with eating disorders . Present the history of CBT and use recent research to demonstrate its effectiveness.
• Ageism and sexism in international organizations of the fashion industry. Describe how the fashion industry defines what it means to be “young and beautiful.”
• Addressing sexual harassment at the workplace : the influence of organizational policies on targets’ decision to file a complaint. Explain what policies can support the target and what can prevent such decision.
• Strategies to eliminate bias in self-evaluation reports of employees. Using research in HRM, outline the best strategies that are currently used to avoid bias .
• Post-cancer therapy: issues and trends. Present and discuss various trends, the research behind them, and the effectiveness of different types of therapy.
• A family history of abuse and its influence on drug use in adults. Explain how abuse can provoke addiction in the future.
• The importance of trusting doctor-patient relationships on patient’s medication adherence and management of a healthy lifestyle. Describe how such relationships negatively or positively affect a patient’s decision to take medicine as prescribed.
• Barriers to the acquisition of social support among young men and women veterans in the USA. Discuss mental and physical disorders as major barriers.
• Single mothers’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public places: qualitative research. Conduct interviews to find out their opinion.
• The impact of online learning on student’s academic performance.
• A study of the youths’ perception of learning smartphone applications.
• Research the issue of gender bias in college education.
• Student’s perception of the mental health support and impact on campus.
• Perceptions of charter school education in the 21 century.
• Discuss homeschooling and its effect on a child’s socialization.
• What’s the impact of cyberbullying on teenagers’ mental health?
• How inmates perceive alternative forms of incarceration.
• Gun violence from the perspective of victims.
• Research bias towards video games as an art form.
• In what ways are minorities disadvantaged in America?
• Evaluate cooking as a therapeutic exercise.
• Assess the link between a principal’s leadership style and the school’s rating.
• The effect of online counseling on patients’ mental health.
• Perception of mental health stigma among students.
• How does gig economy re-define work?
• The implications of freelancing in the 2020s.
• Opinions about a 6-day work week in your community.
• Assess the process of adaptation to working from home .
• Conduct a research study of views on the BLM movement outside the US.

Quantitative Dissertation Proposal Topics

Some scholars just love working with data. Are you one of them? Then you’ll probably enjoy quantitative research. If you’re into finding patterns and making predictions, here are some enticing topics:

• A study of a major city’s livability index. Choose a city and assess whether it’s well-designed or not.
• A quantitative study of biofilms in technology. Discuss methods of using biofilms in technology. Include a list of recent advances and new tools.
• A quantitative study of teachers’ perception of online learning . This topic prompts you to use an evaluation scale.
• An assessment of a link between product reviews and intention to purchase. Study the effect online reviews have on potential customers.
• Immigration and its connection to crime statistics . Analyze data on immigration to the US and the number of violent crimes. Determine the relationship between the two phenomena.
• The relationship between obesity and occupation. Assess the BMIs of participants of different professions. Then, test the results for a correlation and discuss its implications.
• A relationship between nurses’ knowledge of diabetes management and patient satisfaction. Assess the nurses’ knowledge about diabetes and compare the results with patient satisfaction scores. Thus, you can determine if expertise translates into better care.
• A study of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMEs financial operations. With this qualitative dissertation proposal in business and management, choose a small company. Analyze its financial data pre- and post-pandemic. Include a discussion of financial management during pandemics.
• A study of millennials ’ pet ownership. Determine the percentage of millennials who have pets. Compare these patterns with previous generations.
• Economic growth and urbanization. Compare the empirical data about the state of economics and the number of people living in cities.
• Determine how urbanization affects bacterial community compositions.
• The economic impact of immigration on SMEs.
• Study the rates of crimes in the US in relation to nonviolent crimes.
• How do various teaching styles affect learning?
• Compare overconfidence in CEOs of SMEs and corporations.
• How does inclusive language influence social behavior?
• Assess consumers’ satisfaction with online banking in your area.
• Evaluate crude oil price prediction methods.
• Is there a link between smartphone use and mental illness?
• Correlation between eyewitness identification and memory
• What are the attitudes towards AI development among women?
• Determine the rates of cybercrimes since the 1990s.
• A study of the police brutality cases across the US in the last decade.
• Correlation between education level and employment.
• The presence of sleep disorders in mental illnesses.
• Assess the attitudes towards medical care in the US .
• Determine the correlation between eating disorders and physical illness.
• Study the rates of cyberbullying among minority students.
• How various religious groups influence politics : a game-theoretical approach.
• Does regular exercise decrease symptoms of depression in adults?

Dissertation Topics in Educational Leadership

Educational leadership is a science focused on helping students to achieve their academic goals. It includes the motivation of staff and learners, improvement of educational programs, and creation of a healthy, productive environment in institutions. Want to dedicate your research to it? Take a look at these topic samples:

• Fatigue among American medical students. Medical students often need to memorize and analyze big portions of information. That is why many of them don’t sleep enough, get tired quickly, and find it hard to concentrate. What can be done about it?
• How did the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning affect students’ motivation? Online education has multiple benefits and drawbacks. Some students might find it easier to get access to various textbooks online. Others want to return to campus. What is their motivation ?
• Creating better learning conditions on campus : the challenges in 2022. With the increasing speed of technological progress, it is hard to catch up with the latest innovations. Explore them in your dissertation. For instance, you can focus on facilities for students with special needs .
• How can we enhance discipline among first-year students on campus? For some younger students, it is hard to get used to living on their own. They need to accept new responsibilities, find time to take care of themselves, and organize their lives. How can we help them?
• Development of soft skills among undergraduate students. For future employers, soft skills are as important as hard skills. That is why colleges need to pay attention to soft skills such as time management , communication, and creativity.
• The efficiency of workshops for enhancing students’ creativity.
• Do nutrition habits influence the studying process?
• The importance of mental health care in high school.
• What leadership styles are the most efficient in college communities?
• Does the implementation of early childhood education lead to further academic success?
• What is the role of school counseling among teenagers?
• What psychological factors make students drop out of college?
• Developing leadership qualities among MBA students.
• How to help college athletes to cope with psychological and physical pressure.
• Ways of reducing anxiety levels among criminology students.
• Helping students to choose their majors and find a career path.
• How to enhance communication between higher education administration and students?
• Motivating students to succeed after graduation .
• Why do we need psychology classes in high school?
• How can we prevent the bullying of Latin American students in middle and high school?

✅ How to Choose a Thesis Topic: Main Steps

In case you have no idea where to start from, here is a quick guideline on how to choose a Ph.D. thesis topic:

We hope this article helped you to choose a suitable topic for your dissertation. We wish you good luck with your research!

Learn more on this topic:

• Dissertation Critique: Examples, How-to Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Outstanding Dissertation
• How to Write an Abstract: Brief Steps and Structure Example

✏️ Dissertation FAQ

While working on a dissertation, you might deal with several types of research. The main research types are primary, qualitative, quantitative, and legal. In any case, it’s the way in which a researcher studies the subject using a particular methodology.

First of all, make sure that you are personally fascinated by the subject. This is essential for any thesis, be it master’s or an undergraduate dissertation. Besides, make sure the topic is feasible and hasn’t been studies much.

A good dissertation title is the one that represents the subject under study. To state which aspect is being studied is also important. The title should include neither a hypothesis nor a conclusion: think about it as “spoilers”—nobody likes them.

Just like any paper, a great dissertation is the one that is well-organized. The topic of the paper should correspond to the title. The text should have a cohesive structure with a definite introduction, argumentative main part, and a logical conclusion.

🔗 References

• Dissertation Topics 1961-Present: Rudgers University
• Completed Thesis and Dissertation Topics: University of Florida
• Current Legal Topics: Library of Congress
• The Right Dissertation Topic: Academics.com
• Days and Nights at the Museum…there’s a Dissertation for that!: Proquest.com
• Dissertation Titles: University of Michigan
• How to Pick a Master’s Thesis Topic: Medium.com
• How to Come Up With a Thesis Topic: Gradschools.com
• How to Choose Your Thesis Topic: Central European University
• How Do I Choose a Thesis Topic?: Grad School Hub
• Senior Thesis Topics: Hamilton College
• Arizona Research Topics: Arizona State Library
• Dissertation Proposal: Bartleby.com
• Dissertation Guide Essay
• How to Start Your Dissertation: 10 Top Tips: Studential.com
• How to Write a Dissertation or Bedtime Reading for People Who do not Have Time to Sleep: Purdue University
• A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Ph.D. Dissertation: ThoughtCo
• Dissertations Guide from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Developing a Thesis Statement: University of Wisconsin Madison
• Thesis/Dissertation Writing and Editing, Formatting, and Defending: Massey University
• Business Management Research Topics: Top Universities
• Law Topics: Law.com
• Psychology Topics: APA
• Marketing Topics: Marketing Profs
• Topics: History.com
• Computer Science: Encyclopedia Britannica
• Humanities: Research Topics Ideas: University of Michigan-Flint
• Art Topics: Art UK
• Topics: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Nurses Topics: Medscape
• Architecture: Research Topics: University of Washington
• Topics in Geography: Research Gate
• New Topics in Sociology: University of Toronto
• Business Management Topics: The University of Maine
• Qualitative Case Study: Science.gov
• All Topics: Science News
• Criminology: Science Direct
• Topics in Literature: Sheridan College: Libguides
• Advanced Computer Science Topics: The University of Texas at Austin
• Application of Computer Techniques in Medicine: NIH
• Important Leadership and Management Topics: WHO
• Quantitative Research: University of Southern California
• Action Research: Brown University
• 10 Traits of Successful School Leaders: University of San Diego
• HIST 280 Topics: Texas A&M University
• The Relationship Between Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety: Frontiers In
• College of Nursing: University of Missouri–St. Louis
• All Topics: Educause
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Good evening Sir/Ma’am i wish to request for a PhD project topic in the field of clinical research and Life sciences .

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• Aug 4, 2021

A Simple Beginner's Guide to PhD Research Topic Formulation

Greetings!!

Are you puzzled as to how you need to formulate a topic for your PhD research work? Feeling obscured under a lot of articles or books that you’ve read which only led to confusion? If it’s been more than a weeks’ time since you started, and one idea after another is running through your mind without any hint like how to mold one idea into a proper research project – you’re certainly feeling the burden!

We are here to help you in bringing up an appropriate approach for a workable research project. In addition, we have a provided a comprehensive 6-step-guideline for “Finding out a good and original PhD research topic”.

What is a ‘PhD research topic’?

There are some misinterpretations and uncertainty around the word ‘topic’, and many PhD scholars thinks that they require a general topic to get started with their research. However, it is not right. Normally, a PhD research topic is the heart of your research project which simply exposes the complete idea of your research work and further by using it, the dissertation/thesis needs to be framed out. In practice, deciding on a research topic and working out your research questions goes hand-in-hand.

Below six steps will guide you in formulating a good research topic for your PhD

Step 1. Research the state-of-art in your interested research domain

Initially find atleast 5-8 appropriate keywords for a literature search.

Further postulate your search regarding literature survey databases which you search, its publishing dates, topographical areas, or applied methods and techniques.

Summarize all the articles which you read and keep reference number for the same, so you can always revisit articles.

Step 2. Breakthrough your project ideas

Identify and write down all the project ideas which comes to your mind. Just gather your thoughts, without critically assessing them.

Find a quiet spot and write out all project ideas that come to your mind. Just collect all your thoughts, without critically evaluating them.

After few days, revisit your ideas and start reviewing and crossing out research ideas which are not worthwhile.

Continue adding new ideas and refine your list, as you go on with the reading process.

Step 3. Slender down your research ideas

After working on this, go through your formulated list and gradually narrow it down to 2-3 best research ideas.

Further to it, start in brainstorming each promising research idea, may be atleast one per day.

Pen down all possible and clear research questions, problem gaps, ideas for experiments/analysis, how to gather pragmatic evidence, hypothesis you’re having etc.

Step 4. Develop a “project work sheet”

Create and maintain a page “project work sheet” that surface out the specifically more about your research project in terms of approach, methods, techniques to be used of and expected outcomes of the research work taken.

The purpose of maintaining this project work sheet is to test how do you feel about the research topic-either positively or indifferent? You have time to work on the research topic for the approaching years. Preferably, you’re passionate about it.

Step 5. Discussing with your research guide/supervisor

Present all the formulated research topic to your supervisor would be always the best choice as they will help you in knowing whether the topics suggested is good to move ahead or need to work upon.

Now, based on their opinion (regarding time, funds, facilities & methods available) move further with any one of the research topics.

Integrate all their feedback on your “project-work sheet” to further polish them.

Step 6. Decide and develop statement of objectives

During this process, you might have decided one topic which is better and stands out with more potential. Go for that and start to further analyze the pro’s and con’s of it. But finally make a decision and move forward.

For the finalized research topic, create atleast 3-6 objectives which briefly gives the research project’s goal. Include research questions to answer or the hypothesis you’ll work with.

Conclusion:

If you’re one among those PhD candidates, it is most important to find your goal for doing PhD, now identifying the goal is your goal! We know that finding a research topic is a harder part, however the above mentioned six steps will definitely guide you in cracking and bringing about a good research topic.

Hope this article will be helpful for all the readers who are in the beginning stage of your PhD research work. In case of any queries related to this post, feel free to reach us through your comments or visit our website.

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Very useful.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

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The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.

Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.   

Curriculum Information

The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching . 

We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification. 

Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples

Summary of Ph.D. Program

Doctoral Colloquia  In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.

Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.

Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.

Comprehensive Exams  The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.

Dissertation  Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.

Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration

In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.

Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration

In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.

Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration

In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.

Program Faculty

The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.

Jarvis R. Givens

Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.

Paul L. Harris

Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.

Meira Levinson

Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics. 

Luke W. Miratrix

Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.

Eric Taylor

Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers — hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.

Paola Uccelli

Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.

View Ph.D. Faculty

Dissertations.

The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.

• 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
• 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
• 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
• 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)

Student Directory

An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:

Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory

Introduce Yourself

Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.

Program Highlights

Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:

Lost in Translation

New comparative study from Ph.D. candidate Maya Alkateb-Chami finds strong correlation between low literacy outcomes for children and schools teaching in different language from home

Using E-Books to Get Young Readers Talking

New research shows how parents can help kids — and themselves — use e-books as a tool to improve early childhood development

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A Beginner’s Guide to Top 3 Best PhD Research Topics for 2024-25

Starting a PhD journey is exciting but picking the right research topic can be tough. In this guide, we’ll explore the top three best PhD research topics for 2024-25. We’ll also share tips on how to choose a PhD topic that fits your interests and academic goals. Figuring out how to choose a research topic for a PhD may seem tricky, but we’re here to help simplify it for you. 

Selecting the right research topics in commerce for PhD is crucial as it defines the trajectory of your academic journey. A well-chosen topic aligns with personal interests, contributes to existing knowledge, and enhances career prospects. Thorough consideration ensures a meaningful and impactful research endeavor in the dynamic field of commerce and also in research topics in computer science for phd in software engineering.

Whether you’re into advanced technology, groundbreaking science, or social issues, this “how to choose a phd topic” guide will give you the know-how to make a smart decision. Join us as we unravel the mystery of picking strong and meaningful research topics for phd in commerce and in other fields. Let’s make your academic journey a bit smoother together.

How to Choose a PhD Topic?

The ways to how to choose a research topic for PhD is described below:

a) Identify Personal Interests:   ~ Explore topics aligning with your passion within the broader scope of research topics in commerce for PhD.

b) Assess Available Resources: ~ Ensure access to relevant literature, data, and support for your chosen research area.

c) Consider Academic Significance:   ~ Choose a topic that contributes to existing knowledge, addresses gaps, and showcases your intellectual engagement.

d) Consult with Mentors:  

~ Seek guidance from academic mentors to refine your ideas and receive valuable insights.

Research Topics in Commerce for PhD

Let us know how to write innovative research topics in commerce for PhD:

i) Explore Personal Interests: Identify areas within commerce that genuinely interest you.

ii) Review Current Literature: Analyze existing research to discover gaps or emerging trends.

iii) Consult with Advisors: Seek guidance from academic advisors for potential research directions.

iv) Consider Industry Relevance: Look into topics with practical applications and relevance to the business world.

v) Evaluate Resource Availability: Ensure access to necessary data, literature, and support for your chosen topic.

vi) Stay Informed: Keep abreast of current events and advancements in commerce for inspiration and relevant research ideas.

vii) Networking: Engage with peers, professionals, and experts in the field for valuable insights and potential research collaborations.

Research Topics for PhD in Commerce

Now, let’s dive into the best research topics for phd in commerce for 2024-25:

i) Financial Technology (FinTech) Innovations:  

~ Explore the impact of emerging technologies like blockchain and AI on financial systems and services.

ii) Sustainable Business Practices:  

~ Investigate strategies for integrating sustainability into commerce, considering environmental, social, and economic aspects.

#PhD Research Topics in Computer Science

The phd research topics in computer science is described below:

i) Machine Learning for Software Testing Automation: Explore advanced machine learning techniques to enhance automation in software testing processes.

ii) Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing: Investigate novel methods to bolster security and privacy measures in cloud computing environments.

iii) Natural Language Processing for Code Generation: Explore the application of natural language processing in generating code snippets and improving software development efficiency.

#Research Topics in Computer Science for PhD in Software Engineering

The trending research topics in computer science for phd in software engineering is described below:

How to Choose a Research Topic for PhD in Computer Science:

i) Identify Personal Interest: Align the topic with your passion and career goals.

ii) Assess Academic Significance: Opt for a topic that contributes to existing knowledge and addresses gaps in the field.

#PhD Research Topics in Computer Science:

i) Quantum Computing Algorithms: One of the phd research topics in computer science is exploring novel algorithms for quantum computers.

ii) Cybersecurity in IoT: Focus on securing Internet of Things devices and networks.

# Research Topics in Computer Science for PhD in Software Engineering:

i) DevOps in Software Development: Examine the integration of DevOps practices for efficient and collaborative software development.

ii) Software Testing Automation: Explore advancements in automated testing techniques to ensure software quality.

Now, let us dive into the Top 3 Best PhD Research Topics for 2024-25 which can help you to jumpstart your research. 

# Quantum Computing and Its Applications

i)Pioneering Technological Frontier: Quantum computing stands at the forefront of technological innovation, offering unparalleled potential to revolutionize computation, making it an exciting and cutting-edge field.

ii) Interdisciplinary Impact: Its applications span various domains, including finance, logistics, and healthcare, providing an interdisciplinary playground for researchers, appealing to a broad range of interests.

iii) Future-Proofing Research: Choosing a research topics for phd in commerce and also in other fields involves foreseeing its relevance in the future. Quantum computing’s rapid advancements ensure a continuously evolving landscape, making it a future-proof research choice.

iii) Role of Literature Review: Understanding the role of literature review in research is pivotal when delving into quantum computing. A thorough review will uncover gaps, guide methodologies, and position the research within the broader context of existing knowledge.

# Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

i) Climate change mitigation is a critical concern globally, making it an impactful and socially relevant research topic for PhD candidates.

ii) This topic transcends disciplines, attracting researchers from diverse fields, including commerce, computer science, and software engineering, fostering collaboration and a holistic approach to solutions.

iii) Within research topics for PhD in commerce, climate change mitigation strategies offer opportunities to investigate the economic impact of green technologies, sustainable practices, and policy interventions on businesses and industries.

# Data Science for Healthcare and Precision Medicine

i) High Impact on Society:  

Data Science for Healthcare and Precision Medicine is a top PhD research topic due to its potential to revolutionize healthcare, making it socially relevant and impactful on a global scale.

ii) Interdisciplinary Nature:  

This topic seamlessly integrates with various disciplines, attracting researchers not only from healthcare but also from commerce, computer science, and software engineering, fostering collaborative and comprehensive solutions.

iii) Advancements in Commerce and Healthcare:  

Within research topics for PhD, the application of data science in healthcare has significant implications. 

Final Thoughts

In closing our guide to the best PhD research topics for 2024-25, we’ve explored exciting possibilities for new researchers on how to choose a phd topic. Figuring out how to choose a research topic for PhD is a big deal, and we’ve looked at options that suit different interests and academic goals.

Whether you’re into commerce, computer science, or research topics in computer science for phd in software engineering, these top research topics provide a great starting point. Choosing a research topics in commerce for PhD involves connecting your interests with important academic stuff, making sure you have what you need, and being ready for things to change.

As you start this journey, whether it’s in commerce, computer science, or software engineering, enjoy the chances to work with different areas and come up with new ideas if you want to know how to choose a research topic for PhD. May your PhD adventure be full of learning and making a difference as you dive into research in 2024-25!

PhDthesis.in plays a pivotal role in assisting PhD researchers during the crucial phase of topic consultation and topic selection for their research . Here’s how it supports scholars who want to know how to choose a phd topic :

i) Expert Guidance : The platform recognizes the critical significance of a well-defined research topic. It ensures that researchers choose a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. By offering expert consultation, it helps scholars identify captivating and unique topics that align with their academic interests.

ii) Literature Review and Gap Analysis : PhDthesis.in reviews existing literature, identifying gaps and areas for exploration. This process ensures that the selected topic contributes meaningfully to the research landscape. Scholars receive personalized suggestions based on their skill set and career aspirations.

iii) Proposal Foundation : A strong proposal begins with a competent topic. PhDthesis.in assists researchers in formulating research problems that lead to manageable and impactful studies. By providing well-researched and interesting topic ideas, it sets the foundation for remarkable research work .

a) How would I determine whether the topic of my PhD is interesting?

Ans. Interest is subjective; if your PhD topic engages you and aligns with your goals, it’s likely interesting.

b) How did you eventually decide the topic of your PhD thesis?

Ans. After careful consideration of my interests, academic gaps, and future impact.

c) Can you change your PhD topic?

Ans. Yes, you can change your PhD topic with proper approval from your academic advisor.

d) Can two students get their PhD on one thesis topic?

Ans. Typically, two students can pursue PhDs on the same thesis topic with distinct contributions.

e) Should I seek a PhD in a field I have no interest in?

Ans. It’s advisable to pursue a PhD in a topic that genuinely interests you for a more fulfilling journey.

f) Is it possible to choose your own PhD topic in engineering?

Ans. Yes, you can often choose your own PhD topic in engineering with approval from your advisor.

g) What are the hottest PhD research topics?

Ans. Hottest PhD research topics vary, but data science, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy are currently popular.

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Research topics for finance 2023

Research topics for finance 2023.

Finance is the study of money management. The economy runs the world, and financial decisions are made on a daily basis. Currency, loans, bonds, shares, and stocks are all banked, invested, and insured. From small start-ups to large multinational corporations (MNCs), everyone needs finance expertise for insurance and tax reporting. Emerging technologies are constantly changing the way people interact with money, and financial institutions gain from block chain, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud banking, and robotic process automation (RPA).

Are you prepared to be on the cutting edge of knowledge? With the help of our innovative platform, Latest research Topics, stay informed and involved. We keep you abreast of developments in today's quick-paced world by bringing you the most recent Ph.D. Topics examples on a variety of domains

As finance & economics is the most in-demand subject, choosing a topic for in-depth research might be difficult. PhD Assistance may assist you in selecting a topic in finance from a broad array of application industries and study latest technology that financial sector use.

• A topic modelling approach to machine learning in finance
• Dynamic topic networks to evaluate systemic risk in financial markets
• Power dynamics in infrastructure public-private partnerships financing
• A systematic review of Fintech developments and ramifications in Islamic Finance
• A study on Risk evaluation of blockchain-powered supply chain financing research
• Impact of privatization on of banks efficiency and profitability: Role of privatisation.
• Stock prices, and cash supply cycle.
• Creating self-employment and financial independence: Contrasting micro-finance banks, micro-finance institutions and their rural support campaigns.
• CAPM validation in guessing stock values in Bombay stock exchange.
• Using the evidence from the sugar industry and related industries to know stock returns and other basic variables.
• Sales price, debt equity, book, and organization size—which of these are an apt barometer of stock exchange returns.
• Mutual funds, their attributes, their performance in the UK.
• What are the optimal debt and equity ratio in various funds?
• Stock returns on capital market investments.
• Relation between return on investment and price-earning ratio.
• A study on price-earnings ratio to guess future growth patterns.
• How dividend pay-out ratio is impacted by the factor’s effect?
• Price-earnings ratio and growth—what’s the relation?
• Studying the relation between dividends and company’s earning in wheat processing industry in the UK.
• Mutual fund’s performance indicators and size of funds.
• Automobile sector in the UK and how the capital structure is determined.
• What factors contribute to a decision on mutual fund investment?
• Forecasting stock price through a model of dividend discount. A study on building industry.
• How macroeconomic variables impact stock sector of UK.
• Mutual fund performance assessment.
• Studying the stock returns by comparing sales price, debt-equity, and book market value.
• Investment spending in the building industry and cash flow. What is the relationship?
• Studying price-earnings ratio in calculating growth
• Impact of free cash flow in a firm’s investment.
• Long-haul performance of IPO’s in the UK. An empirical analysis
• Investment policy and financial leverage.
• Future developments in financial reinforcement learning Techniques
• Structure of the board of directors and the composition’s impact on an organization’s performance.
• How taxation affects an organization’s dividend payout ratio?
• Islamic (Ijara contract) financing and its client satisfaction percentage.
• How mergers and acquisitions affect the firm’s performance in the building sector?
• Causes of changes in price to earnings ratio.
• Share price fluctuations and reasons for fluctuations.
• Stock price, economic variables such as interest rate, inflation, and GDP.
• How profitability is impacted by capital structure.
• How a banks’ profitability is affected by interest rate changes.
• The rate of inflation and stock market returns. Is there a connection?
• Stock price volatility versus Dividend policy.
• Pharma sector and what determines the capital structure.
• Stock’s returns and how it is affected by leverage?
• Factors that forecast mutual fund’s performance in the UK.
• Results of various traits that lead to acquisitions and mergers in the UK.
• Factors impacting leverage in concrete sector industry in the UK.
• How the bank’s profitability is affected by liquidity?
• Free cash flows and investment in the textile sector in the UK. Is there a connection?
• How working capital impacts a firm’s revenue and profits? Study of UK concrete sector.
• Is there a connection between capital structure and corporate strategy?
• Judging the profitability factors of Islamic banking in UAE.
• Does turnover affect inflation?
• Is the investment decision affected by dividend?
• Study of assets and liabilities in balance sheets of various firms.
• The fiscal policy’s impact on the economy of India.
• Bond market capitalization in Australia. What are the factors?
• CPI and bond price. Is there a connection?
• A literature review on Future Applications of financial instruments 2023

In conclusion, know the statistical techniques and data collection methods before deciding upon a topic.

Also, to get assistance on dissertation topics in education, interior design thesis topics, physiotherapy research topics, dissertation topics in microbiology, IIM dissertation topics, sociology dissertation topics, political science dissertation topics, dissertation topics in pediatrics, and also for Research topics in English literature for Phd, avail our Ph.D topic selection support service today !

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Research Topics & Ideas: Politics

100+ Politics-Related Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation or thesis. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a politics-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of politically-related research ideas across a range of disciplines, including political theory and philosophy, comparative politics, international relations, public administration and policy.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also, be sure to sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Politics-Related Topics

• Political theory and philosophy
• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Public administration
• Public policy
• Examples of politics-related dissertations

Topics & Ideas: Political Theory

• An analysis of the impact of feminism on political theory and the concept of citizenship in Saudi Arabia in the context of Vision 2030
• A comparative study of the political philosophies of Marxism and liberalism and their influence on modern politics
• An examination of how the Covid-19 pandemic affected the relationship between individual freedom and collective responsibility in political philosophy
• A study of the impact of race and ethnicity on French political philosophy and the concept of justice
• An exploration of the role of religion in political theory and its impact on secular democracy in the Middle East
• A Review of Social contract theory, comparative analysis of the political philosophies of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
• A study of the concept of the common good in political philosophy and its relevance to the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe
• An examination of the relationship between political power and the rule of law in developing African countries
• A study of the impact of postmodernism on political theory and the concept of truth, a case study of the US
• An exploration of the role of virtue in political philosophy and its impact on the assessment of moral character in political leaders

Topics & Ideas: Comparative Politics

• A comparative study of different models of federalism and their impact on democratic governance: A case Study of South American federalist states
• The impact of ethnic and religious diversity on political stability and democracy in developing countries, a review of literature from Africa
• An analysis of the role of civil society in promoting democratic change in autocratic regimes: A case study in Sweden
• A comparative examination of the impact of globalization on political institutions and processes in South America and Africa.
• A study of the factors that contribute to successful democratization in authoritarian regimes, a review of the role of Elite-driven democratization
• A comparison of the political and economic systems of China and India and their impact on social development
• The impact of corruption on political institutions and democracy in South East Asia, a critical review
• A comparative examination of the impact of majoritarian representation (winner-take-all) vs proportional representation on political representation and governance
• An exploration of Multi-party systems in democratic countries and their impact on minority representation and policy-making.
• A study of the factors that contribute to successful decentralization and regional autonomy, a case study of Spain

Topics & Ideas: International Relations

• A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of diplomacy and military force in resolving international conflicts in Central Africa.
• The impact of globalization on the sovereignty of nation-states and the changing nature of international politics, a review of the role of Multinational Corporations
• An examination of the role of international aid organizations in promoting peace, security, and development in the Middle East.
• A study of the impact of economic interdependence on the likelihood of conflict in international relations: A critical review of weaponized interdependence
• A comparative analysis of the foreign policies of the EU and the US and their impact on international stability in Africa
• An exploration of the relationship between international human rights and national sovereignty during the Covid 19 pandemic
• A study of the role of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO)s in international politics and their impact on state behaviour
• A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of international regimes in addressing global challenges such as climate change, arms control, and terrorism in Brazil
• An examination of the impact of the rise of BRICS on the international system and global governance
• A study of the role of ideology in shaping the foreign policies of states and the dynamics of international relations in the US

Tops & Ideas: Public Administration

• An analysis of the impact of digital technology on public administration and the delivery of public services in Estonia
• A review of models of public-private partnerships and their impact on the delivery of public services in Ghana
• An examination of the role of civil society organizations in monitoring and accountability of public administration in Papua New Guinea
• A study of the impact of environmentalism as a political ideology on public administration and policy implementation in Germany
• An exploration of the relationship between public administration and citizen engagement in the policy-making process, an exploration of gender identity concerns in schools
• A comparative analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration, decentralisation and pay and employment reform in developing countries
• A study of the role of collaborative leadership in public administration and its impact on organizational performance
• A systematic review of the challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion in police services
• A study of the impact of corrupt public administration on economic development and regional growth in Eastern Europe
• An exploration of the relationship between public administration and civil rights and liberties, including issues related to privacy and surveillance, a case study in South Korea

Topics & Ideas: Public Policy

• An analysis of the impacts of public policy on income inequality and poverty reduction in South Sudan
• A comparative study of the effectiveness of legal and regulatory, economic and financial, and social and cultural instruments for addressing climate change in South Korea
• An examination of the role of interest groups in shaping public policy and the policy-making process regarding land-use claims
• A study of the impact of globalization on the development of public policies and programs for mitigating climate change in Singapore
• An exploration of the relationship between public policy and social justice in tertiary education in the UAE
• A comparative analysis of the impact of health policies for the management of diabetes on access to healthcare and health outcomes in developing countries
• Exploring the role of evidence-based policymaking in the design and implementation of public policies for the management of invasive invertebrates in Australia
• An examination of the challenges and opportunities of implementing educational dietary public policies in developing multicultural countries
• A study of the impact of public policies on urbanization and urban development in rural Indonesia
• An exploration of the role of media and public opinion in shaping public policy and the policy-making process in the transport industry of Malaysia

Examples: Politics Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a politics-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various politics-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• We, the Righteous Few: Immoral Actions of Fellow Partisans are Judged as Less Possible (Varnam, 2020)
• Civilizing the State: Civil Society and the Politics of Primary Public Health Care Provision in Urban Brazil (Gibson, 2012)
• Political regimes and minority language policies: evidence from Taiwan and southeast Asia (Wu, 2021)
• The Feminist Third Wave: Social Reproduction, Feminism as Class Struggle, and Contemporary Women’s Movements (Angulo, 2019)
• The Politics of Immigration under Authoritarianism (Joo, 2019)
• The politics of digital platforms: Sour Dictionary, activist subjectivities, and contemporary cultures of resistance (Okten, 2019)
• Vote choice and support for diverse candidates on the Boston City Council At-Large (Dolcimascolo, 2022)
• The city agenda: local governance and national influence in the policy agenda, 1900-2020 (Shannon, 2022)
• Turf wars: who supported measures to criminalize homelessness in Austin, Texas? (Bompiedi, 2021)
• Do BITs Cause Opposition Between Investor Rights and Environmental Protection? (Xiong, 2022)
• Revealed corruption and electoral accountability in Brazil: How politicians anticipate voting behavior (Diaz, 2021)
• Intersectional Solidarity: The Political Consequences of a Consciousness of Race, Gender and Sexuality (Crowder, 2020)
• The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Coalitional Representation of Latinxs in the U.S. House of Representatives (Munoz, 2019)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. In other words, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your dissertation or research project, check out our Topic Kickstarter service below.

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Top 50 Emerging Research Topics in Physics

Explore the Fascinating Research Topics in Physics

Table of contents

1. quantum computing, 2. dark matter, 3. quantum gravity, 4. high-temperature superconductors, 5. neutrino physics, 6. exoplanets and astrobiology, 7. topological matter, 8. quantum simulation, 9. plasma physics, 10. gravitational waves, 11. black holes, 12. quantum sensors, 13. photonics and quantum optics, 14. materials science, 15. nuclear physics, 16. quantum thermodynamics, 17. high-energy particle physics, 18. quantum materials, 19. astrophysical neutrinos, 20. topological superconductors, 21. quantum information theory, 22. exotic particles, 23. 3d printing of advanced materials, 24. quantum biology, 25. quantum networks, 26. space-time crystal, 27. supersolidity, 28. soft matter physics, 29. dark energy, 30. quantum spintronics, 31. quantum field theory, 32. terahertz spectroscopy, 33. holography and ads/cft, 34. quantum cryptography, 35. quantum chaos, 36. mesoscopic physics, 37. quantum gravity phenomenology, 38. spin-orbit coupling, 39. optomechanics, 40. quantum metrology, 41. quantum phase transitions, 42. quantum chaos, 43. topological quantum computing, 44. superfluids and supersolids, 45. quantum key distribution, 46. quantum spin liquids, 47. topological insulators, 48. quantum artificial intelligence, 49. environmental physics, 50. acoustic and fluid dynamics.

Physics is a field that constantly evolves as researchers push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. Over the years, countless ground-breaking discoveries have been made, from the theory of relativity to the discovery of the Higgs boson. In this article, iLovePhD will present you with the top 50 emerging research topics in physics, highlighting the frontiers of knowledge and the exciting possibilities they hold.

• Quantum algorithms for optimization problems • Quantum error correction and fault tolerance • Quantum machine learning and artificial intelligence

• Identifying dark matter particles • Dark matter and galaxy formation • New experimental techniques for dark matter detection

• String theory and its implications • Emergent space-time from quantum entanglement • Quantum gravity and black hole information paradox

• Understanding the mechanism behind high-temperature superconductivity • New materials and applications • Room-temperature superconductors

• Neutrino mass hierarchy and oscillations • Neutrinos in astrophysics and cosmology • Neutrinoless double beta decay

• Characterizing exoplanet atmospheres • Habitability and the search for life beyond Earth • The role of water in astrobiology

• Topological insulators and superconductors • Topological materials for quantum computing • Topological photonics

• Simulating complex quantum systems • Quantum simulation for materials science • Quantum simulators for fundamental physics

• Fusion energy and the quest for sustainable power • Space weather and its impact on technology • Nonlinear dynamics in plasmas

• Multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves • Probing the early universe with gravitational waves • Next-generation gravitational wave detectors

• Black hole thermodynamics and the information paradox • Observational techniques for studying black holes • Black hole mergers and their cosmic implications

• Quantum-enhanced sensing technologies • Quantum sensors for medical diagnostics • Quantum sensor networks

• Quantum communication and cryptography • Quantum-enhanced imaging and microscopy • Photonic integrated circuits for quantum computing

• 2D materials and their applications • Metamaterials and cloaking devices • Bioinspired materials for diverse applications

• Nuclear structure and reactions • Nuclear astrophysics and the origin of elements • Applications in nuclear medicine

• Quantum heat engines and refrigerators • Quantum thermodynamics in the quantum computing era • Entanglement and thermodynamics

• Beyond the Standard Model physics • Particle cosmology and the early universe • Future colliders and experiments

• Quantum phase transitions and exotic states of matter • Quantum criticality and its impact on materials • Quantum spin liquids

• Neutrinos from astrophysical sources • Neutrino telescopes and detection methods • Neutrinos as cosmic messengers

• Majorana fermions in condensed matter systems • Topological qubits for quantum computing • Topological superconductors in particle physics

• Quantum communication protocols • Quantum error correction and fault tolerance • Quantum algorithms for cryptography

• Search for axions and axion-like particles • Magnetic monopoles and their detection • Supersymmetry and new particles

• Customized materials with novel properties • On-demand manufacturing for aerospace and healthcare • Sustainable and recyclable materials

• Quantum effects in biological systems • Photosynthesis and quantum coherence • Quantum sensing in biological applications

• Quantum key distribution for secure communication • Quantum internet and global quantum connectivity • Quantum repeaters and entanglement distribution

• Time crystals and their quantum properties • Applications in precision timekeeping • Space-time crystals in quantum information

• Theoretical models and experimental evidence • Quantum properties of supersolids • Supersolidity in astrophysical contexts

• Colloidal suspensions and self-assembly • Active matter and biological systems • Liquid crystals and display technologies

• Nature of dark energy and cosmic acceleration • Probing dark energy with large-scale surveys • Modified gravity theories

• Spin-based electronics for quantum computing • Spin transport and manipulation in materials • Quantum spin devices for information processing

• Conformal field theories and holography • Nonperturbative methods in quantum field theory • Quantum field theory in cosmology

• Terahertz imaging and sensing • Terahertz sources and detectors • Terahertz applications in healthcare and security

• Holography and black hole physics • AdS/CFT correspondence and quantum many-body systems • Holography in condensed matter physics

• Secure quantum communication protocols • Quantum-resistant cryptography • Quantum key distribution in real-world applications

• Quantum manifestations of classical chaos • Quantum chaos in black hole physics • Quantum scrambling and fast scrambling

• Quantum dots and artificial atoms • Quantum interference and coherence in mesoscopic systems • Mesoscopic transport and the quantum Hall effect

• Experimental tests of quantum gravity • Quantum gravity and cosmological observations • Quantum gravity and the early universe

• Spin-orbit coupling in condensed matter systems • Topological insulators and spintronics • Spin-orbit-coupled gases in ultracold atomic physics

• Quantum optomechanics and its applications • Cavity optomechanics in quantum information • Cooling and manipulation of mechanical resonators

• Precision measurements with entangled particles • Quantum-enhanced sensors for navigation and geodesy • Quantum metrology for gravitational wave detectors

• Quantum criticality and universality classes • Quantum phase transitions in ultra-cold atomic gases • Quantum Ising and XY models in condensed matter

• Topological qubits and fault-tolerant quantum computing • Implementing quantum gates in topological qubits • Topological quantum error correction codes

• Exotic phases of quantum matter • Supersolidity in ultra-cold gases • Applications in precision measurements

• Quantum cryptography for secure communication • Quantum repeaters and long-distance communication • Quantum key distribution in a practical setting

• Novel magnetic states and excitations • Fractionalized particles and any statistics • Quantum spin liquids in frustrated materials

• Topological edge states and protected transport • Topological insulators in condensed matter systems • Topological materials for quantum computing

• Quantum machine learning algorithms • Quantum-enhanced optimization for AI • Quantum computing for AI and data analysis

• Climate modeling and sustainability • Renewable energy sources and energy storage • Environmental monitoring and data analysis

• Sonic black holes and Hawking radiation in fluids • Aeroacoustics and noise reduction • Hydrodynamic instabilities and turbulence The field of physics is a treasure trove of exciting research opportunities that span from the universe’s fundamental building blocks to the development of cutting-edge technologies. These emerging research topics offer a glimpse into the future of physics and the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos and the technologies that shape our world. As researchers delve into these topics, they bring us one step closer to unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

• Astrophysics
• Electromagnetism
• Experiments
• GravitationalWaves
• ParticlePhysics
• QuantumMechanics
• thermodynamics

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iLovePhD is a research education website to know updated research-related information. It helps researchers to find top journals for publishing research articles and get an easy manual for research tools. The main aim of this website is to help Ph.D. scholars who are working in various domains to get more valuable ideas to carry out their research. Learn the current groundbreaking research activities around the world, love the process of getting a Ph.D.

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PhD Research Topics

Of course, the PhD topics of your doctorate are very important on which you do your project and write a research paper. When you select your PhD topics you must have a clear idea of what your doctoral dissertation will look like. In PhD topics, there are a few false impressions and indefinite throughout everyplace 'topics', and numerous PhDs assume that all they need is the overall theme, to begin with, their research from starting your PhD topics ... If you have ideas to choose your PhD topics, if you "work" on it and invest a lot of time, you will create one for yourself and you will be successful! you have a reasonable thought regarding what your PhD journey will be about. In any case, you despite everything need to pound out solid examination addresses that will assist you with organizing your exploration. By and by, settling on a theme and working out your exploration questions goes connected at the hip. Read more

How to choose a PhD topic

Basically, scholars need to know.

PhD topic selection is an important process and the one in which scholars get confused

Good PhD research Topics

Current research topics.

Select a topic in the area which you are interested in, and have more knowledge about.

Be confident with what you choose.

Choose topics that create impact or change by the research.

Be particular about what you are going to choose.

Steps to follow for choosing a PhD Topic

• 1 Basic research is done in a particular area
• 2 Following this do a search about products and techniques
• 3 Explain the gaps in research and the solutions obtained to overcome
• 4 Chapter Writing
• 5 This explains to the reader why the topic was chosen and the need for the topic, improvements made in the topic.

Chapter Models

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - Model and Implementation

Chapter 3 - Methodology

Chapter 4 - Analysis of data obtained

Chapter 5 - Body of the research

Select a unique area of research

Topic should make the reader to read the article

Choose flexible topics

Topic should be ease to implement

The main topic should cover overall ideas and concepts of the paper

A topic tells the main idea of a paragraph.

The first part of the topic should explain the idea and the rest explains the technique

Describe the working of the research

State the seriousness of the problem

Propose a solution for the problem

Describe the benefits of the research

Summarize the problem and solution

Research topics in Engineering

Mechanical engineering.

• Machine design
• Engineering materials
• Designing, manufacturing, and robotics
• Mechatronics
• Fluid mechanics
• Nanotechnology

Architecture engineering

• Heritage and conservation
• Landscape design
• Technology and sustainability in architecture

Aeronautical and Aerospace engineering

• Space flight mechanism
• Aerodynamics
• Computational aerodynamics it's designing
• Experimental aerodynamics

Chemical engineering

• Polymers and complex fluids
• Sustainable energy
• Catalysis and reactions

Instrumental engineering

• Soft computing techniques
• Automated analysis & understanding of biological cells
• Combustion stability monitoring
• Research on wind turbines

Civil engineering

• Design construction and integration
• Engineering informatics and simulation
• Sensing, monitoring, and controlling intelligent systems
• Innovative materials

Electronics and communication engineering

• Fiber optic communication
• Embedded systems
• Nano-electronics
• Human area network
• Marine engineering

Computer science and engineering

• Software engineering and programming
• Computational intelligence
• Computer graphics
• Human-centered computing
• Internet and web computing
• Mobile and cloud computing
• High-performance computing
• Complier optimization
• Data mining

Industrial Engineering

• Optimization
• Production planning and logistics
• Modeling and simulation
• Analytics and statistics
• Education, case studies
• Information system for production and management

Automobile engineering

• Biomechanics
• Designing and manufacturing

Biomedical engineering

• Regenerative engineering
• Cell & Molecular Imaging and bio-photonics
• Neural engineering

Topics for research

Start to study thoroughly on selected research topics.

If you are doing more detailed research when looking for a Phd. Articles, books, and other sources for research want to change or refine your research topic based on your results. The topic development process will help you improve your writing and research skills and you will need to prepare the suggested answers for your research questions. Then you are ready to use the resources found and use the various sources effectively depending on your dissertation and answer your research problems

PhD Topic in Commerce

We are a group of companies and economies that include all the activities that lead to the transformation of goods and services from products to clients in PhD topics. For many years PhD topics in e-commerce have been the fastest-growing commercial industry

Many universities offer specialized PhD degrees in Commerce. At the graduate level. PhD topics in Commerce include international marketing, accounting, finance, marketing, or project management.

The work degree is designed to provide the multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills required in the modern work world.

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Commercial and International Economic Law
• Management and Commerce
• Doctor of Business Administration - Marketing

Base paper Implementation

A base paper is an example project report or a paper that has been distributed by an earlier researcher, that researchers use as reference material for finishing their PhD postulation. The thoughts introduced in the base papers are additionally investigated for a new understanding.

Write a Base paper for Implementation

For good result.

The research and result of the study must be consistent.

Plan and Process

The use of basic text should be similar to the function used as a guide. This is especially true for experimental surveys.

Research on the main work must be on the same topics. For example, research information can be used for analysis to solve a problem. This will ensure that the source code is updated.

The details in the main document should be clear and easy to understand in terms of modules, graphics, and diagrams.

The language used in the paper should be well researched and appropriate to a particular area of knowledge. This will help the scientist understand the range of technical terms that can be used. In addition, the base and shape of the paper should be in line with the appropriate style.

Thesis Writing

Every section of a proposal is imperative and similarly important. While all topics request equivalent consideration, the degree of trouble that they present for each researcher may vary. A few up comers discover the writing audit part is almost overwhelming; for others, information examination ends up being the fault list.

Research topics in technology

• Artificial intelligence
• Gold mining
• Assistive technology
• Information technology
• Space exploration
• Technological innovation

Research topic in medicine

• Health care
• Food and nutrition
• Women health
• Addiction and substance abuse
• Disease and disorders
• Mental health

Research topic in Management

• Corporate planning
• Financial management and accounting
• Human resource management
• Innovation and technology

PhD research topics in education

• Transformative learning
• Developing learner autonomy
• Development education
• Critical pedagogies

Research topics in Science

• Neurobiology
• Rapid-acting anti-depressants
• Molecular Pharmacology
• The evaluation of Health Impacts in Low and Middle-income Countries
• Dementia Care through Community-Based Activity
• Health and Green Space
• Public Health based on the quality of drinking water

Research topics in mathematic

• Algebra, Combinatory, and Geometry
• Analysis and Partial Differential Equations
• Applied Analysis
• Mathematical Biology
• Mathematical Finance
• Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing
• Topology and Differential Geometry

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Our team of experts will work based on your ideas, make your topic unique, arranging guides from your area, correction and editing services, are you ready to build your future , we make you unique to finish your degree, support 24/7, to reach us for any queries, “do one thing, and do it well with us”. if you think we are a good solution for your degree. click out the following link to be a great scholar in the future, we promise you it will well finish in your degree..

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PhD in Computer Science Topics 2023: Top Research Ideas

Why Giving Instant Feedback is Important for Effective Learning

If you want to embark on a  PhD  in  computer science , selecting the right  research topics  is crucial for your success. Choosing the appropriate  thesis topics  and research fields will determine the direction of your research. When selecting thesis topics for your research project, it is crucial to consider the compelling and relevant issues. The topic selection can greatly impact the success of your project in this field.

We’ll delve into various areas and subfields within  computer science research , exploring different projects, technologies, and ideas to help you narrow your options and find the perfect thesis topic. Whether you’re interested in  computer science research topics  like  artificial intelligence ,  data mining ,  cybersecurity , or any other  cutting-edge field  in computer science engineering, we’ve covered you with various research fields and analytics.

Stay tuned as we discuss how a well-chosen topic can shape your research proposal, journal paper writing process, thesis writing journey, and even individual chapters. We will address the topic selection issues and analyze how it can impact your communication with scholars. We’ll provide tips and insights to help research scholars and experts select high-quality topics that align with their interests and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in technology. These tips will be useful when submitting articles to a journal in the field of computer science.

Top PhD research topics in computer science for 2024

Exploration of Cutting-Edge Research Areas

As a Ph.D. student in computer science, you can delve into cutting-edge research areas such as technology, cybersecurity, and applications. These fields are shaping the future of deep learning and the overall evolution of computer science. One such computer science research field is  quantum computing , which explores the principles of quantum mechanics to develop powerful computational systems. It is an area that offers various computer science research topics and has applications in cybersecurity. By studying topics like quantum  algorithms  and quantum information theory, you can contribute to advancements in this exciting field. These advancements can be applied in various applications, including deep learning techniques. Moreover, your research in this area can also contribute to your thesis.

Another burgeoning research area is  artificial intelligence (AI) . With the rise of deep learning and the increasing integration of AI into various applications, there is a growing need for researchers who can push the boundaries of AI technology in cybersecurity and big data. As a PhD student specializing in AI, you can explore deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision and conduct research in the field. These techniques have various applications and require thorough analysis. Your research could lead to breakthroughs in autonomous vehicles, healthcare diagnostics, robotics, applications, deep learning, cybersecurity, and the internet.

Discussion on Emerging Fields

In addition to established research areas, it’s important to consider emerging fields, such as deep learning, that hold great potential for innovation in applications and techniques for cybersecurity. One such field is cybersecurity. With the increasing number of cyber threats and attacks, experts in the cybersecurity field are needed to develop robust security measures for the privacy and protection of internet users. As a PhD researcher in cybersecurity, you can investigate topics like network security, cryptography, secure software development, applications, internet privacy, and thesis. Your work in the computer science research field could contribute to safeguarding sensitive data and protecting critical infrastructure by enhancing security and privacy in various applications.

Data mining is an exciting domain that offers ample opportunities for research in deep learning techniques and their analysis applications. With the rise of cloud computing, extracting valuable insights from vast amounts of data has become crucial across industries. Applications, research topics, and techniques in cloud computing are now essential for uncovering valuable insights from the data generated daily. By focusing your PhD studies on data mining techniques and algorithms, you can help organizations make informed decisions based on patterns and trends hidden within large datasets. This can have significant applications in privacy management and learning.

Bioinformatics is an emerging field that combines computer science with biology and genetics, with applications in big data, cloud computing, and thesis research. As a Ph.D. student in bioinformatics, you can leverage computational techniques and applications to analyze biological data sets and gain insights into complex biological processes. The thesis could focus on the use of cloud computing for these analyses. Your research paper could contribute to advancements in personalized medicine or genetic engineering applications. Your thesis could focus on learning and the potential applications of your findings.

Highlighting Interdisciplinary Topics

Computer science intersects with cloud computing, fog computing, big data, and various other disciplines, opening up avenues for interdisciplinary research. One such area is healthcare informatics, where computer scientists work alongside medical professionals to develop innovative solutions for healthcare challenges using cloud computing and fog computing. The collaboration involves the management of these technologies to enhance healthcare outcomes. As a PhD researcher in healthcare informatics, you can explore electronic health records, medical imaging analysis, telemedicine, security, learning, management, and cloud computing. Your work in healthcare management could profoundly impact improving patient care and streamlining healthcare systems, especially with the growing importance of learning and implementing IoT technology while ensuring security.

Computational social sciences is an interdisciplinary field that combines computer science with social science methodologies, including cloud computing, fog computing, edge computing, and learning. Studying topics like social networks or sentiment analysis can give you insights into human behavior and societal dynamics. This learning can be applied to mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) security management. Your research on learning, security, cloud computing, and IoT could contribute to understanding and addressing complex social issues such as online misinformation or spreading infectious diseases through social networks.

Guidance on selecting thesis topics for computer science PhD scholars

Importance of aligning personal interests with current trends and gaps in existing knowledge.

Choosing a thesis topic is an important decision for  computer science PhD scholars , especially in IoT. It is essential to consider topics related to learning, security, and management to ensure a well-rounded research project. It is essential to align personal interests with current trends in learning, management, security, and IoT and fill gaps in existing knowledge. By choosing a learning topic that sparks your passion for management, you are more likely to stay motivated throughout the research process on the cutting edge of IoT. Aligning your interests with the latest advancements in cloud computing and fog computing ensures that your work in computer science contributes to the field’s growth. Additionally, staying updated on the latest developments in learning and management is essential for your professional development.

Conducting thorough literature reviews is vital to identify potential research gaps in the field of learning management and security. Additionally, it is important to consider the edge cases and scenarios that may arise. Dive into relevant academic journals, conferences, and publications to understand current research in learning management, security, and mobile. Look for areas with limited studies or conflicting findings in security, fog, learning, and management, indicating potential gaps that need further exploration. By identifying these learning and management gaps, you can contribute new insights and expand the existing knowledge on security and fog.

Tips on Conducting Thorough Literature Reviews to Identify Potential Research Gaps

When conducting literature reviews on mobile learning management, it is important to be systematic and comprehensive while considering security. Here are some tips for effective mobile security management and learning. These tips will help you navigate this process effectively.

• Start by defining specific keywords related to your research area, such as security, learning, mobile, and edge, and use them when searching for relevant articles.
• Utilize academic databases like IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Google Scholar for comprehensive cloud computing, edge computing, security, and machine learning coverage.
• Read abstracts and introductions of articles on learning, security, blockchain, and cloud computing to determine their relevance before diving deeper into full papers.
• Take notes while learning about security in cloud computing to keep track of key findings, methodologies used, and potential research gaps.
• Look for recurring themes or patterns in different studies related to learning, security, and cloud computing that could indicate areas needing further investigation.

By following these steps, you can clearly understand the existing literature landscape in the fields of learning, security, and cloud computing and identify potential research gaps.

Consideration of Practicality, Feasibility, and Available Resources When Choosing a Thesis Topic

While aligning personal interests with research trends in security, learning, and cloud computing is crucial, it is equally important to consider the practicality, feasibility, and available resources when choosing a thesis topic. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Practicality: Ensure that your research topic on learning cloud computing can be realistically pursued within your PhD program’s given timeframe and scope.
• Feasibility: Assess the availability of necessary data, equipment, software, or other resources required for learning and conducting research effectively on cloud computing.
• Consider whether there are learning opportunities for collaboration with industry partners or other researchers in cloud computing.
• Learning Cloud Computing Advisor Expertise: Seek guidance from your advisor who may have expertise in specific areas of learning cloud computing and can provide valuable insights on feasible research topics.

Considering these factors, you can select a thesis topic that aligns with your interests and allows for practical implementation and fruitful collaboration in learning and cloud computing.

Identifying good research topics for a Ph.D. in computer science

Strategies for brainstorming unique ideas

Thinking outside the box and developing unique ideas is crucial when learning about cloud computing. One effective strategy for learning cloud computing is to leverage your personal experiences and expertise. Consider the challenges you’ve faced or the gaps you’ve noticed in your field of interest, especially in learning and cloud computing. These innovative research topics can be a starting point for learning about cloud computing.

Another approach is to stay updated with current trends and advancements in computer science, specifically in cloud computing and learning. By focusing on  emerging technologies  like cloud computing, you can identify areas ripe for exploration and learning. For example, topics related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing are highly sought after in today’s digital landscape.

Importance of considering societal impact and relevance

While brainstorming research topics, it’s crucial to consider the societal impact and relevance of your work in learning and cloud computing. Think about how your research in cloud computing can contribute to learning and solving real-world problems or improving existing systems. This will enhance your learning in cloud computing and increase its potential for funding and collaboration opportunities.

For instance, if you’re interested in learning about cloud computing and developing algorithms for autonomous vehicles, consider how this technology can enhance road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and improve overall learning. By addressing pressing issues in the field of learning and cloud computing, you’ll be able to contribute significantly to society through your research.

Seeking guidance from mentors and experts

Choosing the right research topic in computer science can be overwhelming, especially with the countless possibilities within cloud computing. That’s why seeking guidance from mentors, professors, or industry experts in computing and cloud is invaluable.

Reach out to faculty members who specialize in your area of interest in computing and discuss potential research avenues in cloud computing with them. They can provide valuable insights into current computing and cloud trends and help you refine your ideas based on their expertise. Attending computing conferences or cloud networking events allows you to connect with professionals with firsthand knowledge of cutting-edge research areas in computing and cloud.

Remember that feedback from experienced individuals in the computing and cloud industry can help you identify your chosen research topic’s feasibility and potential impact.

Tools and simulation in computer science research

Overview of popular tools for simulations, modeling, and experimentation.

In computing and cloud, utilizing appropriate tools and simulations is crucial for conducting effective studies in computer science research. These computing tools enable researchers to model and experiment with complex systems in the cloud without the risks associated with real-world implementation. Valuable insights can be gained by simulating various scenarios in cloud computing and analyzing the outcomes.

MATLAB is a widely used tool in computer science research, which is particularly valuable for computing and working in the cloud. This software provides a range of functions and libraries that facilitate numerical computing, data visualization, and algorithm development in the cloud. Researchers often employ MATLAB for computing to simulate and analyze different aspects of computer systems, such as network performance or algorithm efficiency in the cloud. Its versatility makes computing a popular choice across various domains within computer science, including cloud computing.

Python libraries also play a significant role in simulation-based studies in computing. These libraries are widely used to leverage the power of cloud computing for conducting simulations. Python’s extensive collection of libraries offers researchers access to powerful tools for data analysis, machine learning, scientific computing, and cloud computing. With libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow, researchers can develop sophisticated models and algorithms for computing in the cloud to explore complex phenomena.

Network simulators are essential in computer science research, specifically in computing. These simulators help researchers study and analyze network behavior in a controlled environment, enabling them to make informed decisions and advancements in cloud computing. These computing simulators allow researchers to study communication networks in the cloud by creating virtual environments to evaluate network protocols, routing algorithms, or congestion control mechanisms. Examples of popular network simulators in computing include NS-3 (Network Simulator 3) and OMNeT++ (Objective Modular Network Testbed in C++). These simulators are widely used for testing and analyzing various network scenarios, making them essential tools for researchers and developers working in the cloud computing industry.

The Benefits of Simulation-Based Studies

Simulation-based studies in computing offer several advantages over real-world implementations when exploring complex systems in the cloud.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Conducting large-scale computing experiments in the cloud can be prohibitively expensive due to resource requirements or potential risks. Simulations in cloud computing provide a cost-effective alternative that allows researchers to explore various scenarios without significant financial burdens.
• Cloud computing provides a controlled environment where researchers can conduct simulations. These simulations enable them to manipulate variables precisely within the cloud. This level of control in computing enables them to isolate specific factors and study their impact on the cloud system under investigation.
• Rapid Iteration: Simulations in cloud computing enable researchers to iterate quickly, making adjustments and refinements to their models without the need for time-consuming physical modifications. This agility facilitates faster progress in  research projects .
• Scalability: Computing simulations can be easily scaled up or down in the cloud to accommodate different scenarios. Researchers can simulate large-scale computing systems in the cloud that may not be feasible or practical to implement in real-world settings.

Application of Simulation Tools in Different Domains

Simulation tools are widely used in various domains of computer science research, including computing and cloud.

• In robotics, simulation-based studies in computing allow researchers to test algorithms and control strategies before deploying them on physical robots. The cloud is also utilized for these simulations. This approach helps minimize risks and optimize performance.
• For studying complex systems like traffic flow or urban planning, simulations in computing provide insights into potential bottlenecks, congestion patterns, or the effects of policy changes without disrupting real-world traffic. These simulations can be run using cloud computing, which allows for efficient processing and analysis of large amounts of data.
• In computing, simulations are used in machine learning and artificial intelligence to train reinforcement learning agents in the cloud. These simulations create virtual environments where the agents can learn from interactions with simulated objects or environments.

By leveraging simulation tools like MATLAB and Python libraries, computer science researchers can gain valuable insights into complex computing systems while minimizing costs and risks associated with real-world implementations. Using network simulators further enhances their ability to explore and analyze cloud computing environments.

Notable algorithms in computer science for research projects

Choosing the right research topic is crucial. One area that offers a plethora of possibilities in computing is algorithms. Algorithms play a crucial role in cloud computing.

PageRank: Revolutionizing Web Search

One influential algorithm that has revolutionized web search in computing is PageRank, now widely used in the cloud. Developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Google, PageRank assigns a numerical weight to each webpage based on the number and quality of other pages linking to it in the context of computing. This algorithm has revolutionized how search engines rank webpages, ensuring that the most relevant and authoritative content appears at the top of search results. With the advent of cloud computing, PageRank has become even more powerful, as it can now analyze vast amounts of data and provide accurate rankings in real time. This algorithm played a pivotal role in the success of Google’s computing and cloud-based search engine by providing more accurate and relevant search results.

Dijkstra’s Algorithm: Finding the Shortest Path

Another important algorithm in computer science is Dijkstra’s algorithm. Named after its creator, Edsger W. Dijkstra, this computing algorithm efficiently finds the shortest path between two nodes in a graph using cloud technology. It has applications in various fields, such as network routing protocols, transportation planning, cloud computing, and DNA sequencing.

RSA Encryption Scheme: Securing Data Transmission

In computing, the RSA encryption scheme is one of the most widely used algorithms in cloud data security. Developed by Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman, this asymmetric encryption algorithm ensures secure communication over an insecure network in computing and cloud. Its ability to encrypt data using one key and decrypt it using another key makes it ideal for the secure transmission of sensitive information in the cloud.

Recent Advancements and Variations

While these computing algorithms have already left an indelible mark on  computer science research projects , recent advancements and variations continue expanding their potential cloud applications.

• With the advent of  machine learning techniques  in computing, algorithms like support vector machines (SVM), random forests, and deep learning architectures have gained prominence in solving complex problems involving pattern recognition, classification, and regression in the cloud.
• Evolutionary Algorithms: Inspired by natural evolution, evolutionary algorithms such as genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization have found applications in computing, optimization problems, artificial intelligence, data mining, and cloud computing.

Exploring emerging trends: Big data analytics, IoT, and machine learning

The computing and computer science field is constantly evolving, with new trends and technologies in cloud computing emerging regularly.

Importance of Big Data Analytics

Big data refers to vast amounts of structured and unstructured information that cannot be easily processed using traditional computing methods. With the rise of cloud computing, handling and analyzing big data has become more efficient and accessible. Big data analytics in computing involves extracting valuable insights from these massive datasets in the cloud to drive informed decision-making.

With the exponential growth in data generation across various industries, big data analytics in computing has become increasingly important in the cloud. Computing enables businesses to identify patterns, trends, and correlations in the cloud, leading to improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer experiences, and better strategic planning.

One significant application of big data analytics is in computing research in the cloud. By analyzing large datasets through advanced techniques such as data mining and predictive modeling in computing, researchers can uncover hidden patterns or relationships in the cloud that were previously unknown. This allows for more accurate predictions and a deeper understanding of complex phenomena in computing, particularly in cloud computing.

The Potential Impact of IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected devices embedded with sensors and software that enable them to collect and exchange data in the computing and cloud fields. This computing technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries by enabling real-time monitoring, automation, and intelligent decision-making in the cloud.

Computer science research topics in computing, including IoT and cloud computing, open up exciting possibilities. For instance, sensor networks can be deployed for environmental monitoring or intrusion detection systems in computing. Businesses can leverage IoT technologies for optimizing supply chains or improving business processes through increased connectivity in computing.

Moreover, IoT plays a crucial role in industrial computing settings, facilitating efficient asset management through predictive maintenance based on real-time sensor readings. Biometrics applications in computing benefit from IoT-enabled devices that provide seamless integration between physical access control systems and user authentication mechanisms.

Enhancing Decision-Making with Machine Learning

Machine learning techniques are leading the way in technological advancements in computing. They involve computing algorithms that enable systems to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed automatically. Machine learning is a branch of computing with numerous applications, including natural language processing, image recognition, and data analysis.

In research projects, machine learning methods in computing can enhance decision-making processes by analyzing large volumes of data quickly and accurately. For example, deep learning algorithms in computing can be used for sentiment analysis of social media data or for predicting disease outbreaks based on healthcare records.

Machine learning also plays a vital role in automation. Autonomous vehicles heavily depend on machine learning models for computing sensor data and executing real-time decisions. Similarly, industries can leverage machine learning techniques in computing to automate repetitive tasks or optimize complex business processes.

The future of computer science research

We discussed the top PhD research topics in computing for 2024, provided guidance on selecting computing thesis topics, and identified good computing research areas. Our research delved into the tools and simulations utilized in computing research. We specifically focused on notable algorithms for computing research projects. Lastly, we touched upon emerging trends in computing, such as big data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning.

As you embark on your journey to pursue a PhD in computing, remember that the field of computer science is constantly evolving. Stay curious about computing, embrace new computing technologies and methodologies, and be open to interdisciplinary collaborations in computing. The future of computing holds immense potential for groundbreaking discoveries that can shape our world.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into the world of computing research or have any questions about specific computing topics, don’t hesitate to reach out to experts in the computing field or join relevant computing communities where computing ideas are shared freely. Remember, your contribution to computing has the power to revolutionize technology and make a lasting impact.

What are some popular career opportunities after completing a PhD in computer science?

After completing a PhD in computer science, you can explore various career paths in computing. Some popular options in the field of computing include becoming a university professor or researcher, working at renowned tech companies as a senior scientist or engineer, pursuing entrepreneurship by starting your own tech company or joining government agencies focusing on cutting-edge technology development.

How long does it typically take to complete a PhD in computer science?

The duration of a Ph.D. program in computing varies depending on factors such as individual progress and program requirements. On average, it takes around four to five years to complete a full-time computer science PhD specializing in computing. However, part-time options may extend the duration.

Can I specialize in multiple areas within computer science during my PhD?

Yes! Many computing programs allow students to specialize in multiple areas within computer science. This flexibility in computing enables you to explore diverse research interests and gain expertise in different subfields. Consult with your academic advisor to plan your computing specialization accordingly.

How can I stay updated with the latest advancements in computer science research?

To stay updated with the latest advancements in computing, consider subscribing to relevant computing journals, attending computing conferences and workshops, joining online computing communities and forums, following influential computing researchers on social media platforms, and participating in computing research collaborations. Engaging with the vibrant computer science community will inform you about cutting-edge computing developments.

Are there any scholarships or funding opportunities available for PhD students in computer science?

Yes, numerous scholarships and funding opportunities are available for  PhD students  in computing. These computing grants include government agency grants, university or research institution fellowships, industry-sponsored computing scholarships, and international computing scholarship programs. Research thoroughly to find suitable options that align with your research interests and financial needs.

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• 02 April 2024

How can we make PhD training fit for the modern world? Broaden its philosophical foundations

• Ganesh Alagarasan 0

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati, India.

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You have highlighted how PhD training assessment has stagnated, despite evolving educational methodologies (see Nature 613 , 414 (2023) and Nature 627 , 244; 2024 ). In particular, you note the mismatch between the current PhD journey and the multifaceted demands of modern research and societal challenges.

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Exploring generative ai at harvard.

Jessica McCann

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Leaders weigh in on where we are and what’s next

The explosion of generative AI technology over the past year and a half is raising big questions about how these tools will impact higher education. Across Harvard, members of the community have been exploring how GenAI will change the ways we teach, learn, research, and work.

As part of this effort, the Office of the Provost has convened three working groups . They will discuss questions, share innovations, and evolve guidance and community resources. They are:

• The Teaching and Learning Group , chaired by Bharat Anand , vice provost for advances in learning and the Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. This group seeks to share resources, identify emerging best practices, guide policies, and support the development of tools to address common challenges among faculty and students.
• The Research and Scholarship Group , chaired by John Shaw , vice provost for research, Harry C. Dudley Professor of Structural and Economic Geology in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, and professor of environmental science and engineering in the Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science. It focuses on how to enable, and support the integrity of, scholarly activities with generative AI tools.
• T he Administration and Operations Group , chaired by Klara Jelinkova , vice president and University chief information officer. It is charged with addressing information security, data privacy, procurement, and administration and organizational efficiencies.

Klara Jelinkova, Bharat Anand, and John Shaw.

Photos by Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer; Evgenia Eliseeva; and courtesy of John Shaw

The Gazette spoke with Anand, Shaw, and Jelinkova to understand more about the work of these groups and what’s next in generative AI at Harvard.

When generative AI tools first emerged, we saw universities respond in a variety of ways — from encouraging experimentation to prohibiting their use. What was Harvard’s overall approach?

Shaw: From the outset, Harvard has embraced the prospective benefits that GenAI offers to teaching, research, and administration across the University, while being mindful of the potential pitfalls. As a University, our mission is to help enable discovery and innovation, so we had a mandate to actively engage. We set some initial, broad policies that helped guide us, and have worked directly with groups across the institution to provide tools and resources to inspire exploration.

Jelinkova: The rapid emergence of these tools meant the University needed to react quickly, to provide both tools for innovation and experimentation and guidelines to ensure their responsible use. We rapidly built an AI Sandbox to enable faculty, students, and staff to experiment with multiple large language models in a secure environment. We also worked with external vendors to acquire enterprise licenses for a variety of tools to meet many different use cases. Through working groups, we were able to learn, aggregate and collate use cases for AI in teaching, learning, administration, and research. This coordinated, collective, and strategic approach has put Harvard ahead of many peers in higher education.

Anand: Teaching and learning are fundamentally decentralized activities. So our approach was to ask: First, how can we ensure that local experimentation by faculty and staff is enabled as much as possible; and second, how can we ensure that it’s consistent with University policies on IP, copyright, and security? We also wanted to ensure that novel emerging practices were shared across Schools, rather than remaining siloed.

What do these tools mean for faculty, in terms of the challenges they pose or the opportunities they offer? Is there anything you’re particularly excited about?

Anand: Let’s start with some salient challenges. How do we first sift through the hype that’s accompanied GenAI? How can we make it easy for faculty to use GenAI tools in their classrooms without overburdening them with yet another technology? How can one address real concerns about GenAI’s impact?

While we’re still early in this journey, many compelling opportunities — and more importantly, some systematic ways of thinking about them — are emerging. Various Harvard faculty have leaned into experimenting with LLMs in their classrooms. Our team has now interviewed over 30 colleagues across Harvard and curated short videos that capture their learnings. I encourage everyone to view these materials on the new GenAI site; they are remarkable in their depth and breadth of insight.

Here’s a sample: While LLMs are commonly used for Q&A, our faculty have creatively used them for a broader variety of tasks, such as simulating tutors that guide learning by asking questions, simulating instructional designers to provide active learning tips, and simulating student voices to predict how a class discussion might flow, thus aiding in lesson preparation. Others demonstrate how more sophisticated prompts or “prompt engineering” are often necessary to yield more sophisticated LLM responses, and how LLMs can extend well beyond text-based responses to visuals, simulations, coding, and games. And several faculty show how LLMs can help overcome subtle yet important learning frictions like skill gaps in coding, language literacy, or math.

Do these tools offer students an opportunity to support or expand upon their learning?

Anand: Yes. GenAI represents a unique area of innovation where students and faculty are working together. Many colleagues are incorporating student feedback into the GenAI portions of their curriculum or making their own GenAI tools available to students. Since GenAI is new, the pedagogical path is not yet well defined; students have an opportunity to make their voices heard, as co-creators, on what they think the future of their learning should look like.

Beyond this, we’re starting to see other learning benefits. Importantly, GenAI can reach beyond a lecture hall. Thoughtful prompt engineering can turn even publicly available GenAI tools into tutorbots that generate interactive practice problems, act as expert conversational aids for material review, or increase TA teams’ capacity. That means both that the classroom is expanding and that more of it is in students’ hands. There’s also evidence that these bots field more questions than teaching teams can normally address and can be more comfortable and accessible for some students.

Of course, we need to identify and counter harmful patterns. There is a risk, in this early and enthusiastic period, of sparking over-reliance on GenAI. Students must critically evaluate how and where they use it, given its possibility of inaccurate or inappropriate responses, and should heed the areas where their style of cognition outperforms AI. One other thing to watch out for is user divide: Some students will graduate with vastly better prompt engineering skills than others, an inequality that will only magnify in the workforce.

What are the main questions your group has been tackling?

Anand: Our group divided its work into three subgroups focused on policy, tools, and resources. We’ve helped guide initial policies to ensure safe and responsible use; begun curating resources for faculty in a One Harvard repository ; and are exploring which tools the University should invest in or develop to ensure that educators and researchers can continue to advance their work.

In the fall, we focused on supporting and guiding HUIT’s development of the AI Sandbox. The Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching’s annual conference , which focused exclusively on GenAI, had its highest participation in 10 years. Recently, we’ve been working with the research group to inform the development of tools that promise broad, generalizable use for faculty (e.g., tutorbots).

What has your group focused on in discussions so far about generative AI tools’ use in research?

Shaw: Our group has some incredible strength in researchers who are at the cutting edge of GenAI development and applications, but also includes voices that help us understand the real barriers to faculty and students starting to use these tools in their own research and scholarship. Working with the other teams, we have focused on supporting development and use of the GenAI sandbox, examining IP and security issues, and learning from different groups across campus how they are using these tools to innovate.

Are there key areas of focus for your group in the coming months?

Shaw: We are focused on establishing programs — such as the new GenAI Milton Fund track — to help support innovation in the application of these tools across the wide range of scholarship on our campus. We are also working with the College to develop new programs to help support students who wish to engage with faculty on GenAI-enabled projects. We aim to find ways to convene students and scholars to share their experiences and build a stronger community of practitioners across campus.

What types of administration and operations questions are your group is exploring, and what type of opportunities do you see in this space?

Jelinkova: By using the group to share learnings from across Schools and units, we can better provide technologies to meet the community’s needs while ensuring the most responsible and sustainable use of the University’s financial resources. The connections within this group also inform the guidelines that we provide; by learning how generative AI is being used in different contexts, we can develop best practices and stay alert to emerging risks. There are new tools becoming available almost every day, and many exciting experiments and pilots happening across Harvard, so it’s important to regularly review and update the guidance we provide to our community.

Can you talk a bit about what has come out of these discussions, or other exciting things to come?

Jelinkova: Because this technology is rapidly evolving, we are continually tracking the release of new tools and working with our vendors as well as open-source efforts to ensure we are best supporting the University’s needs. We’re developing more guidance and hosting information sessions on helping people to understand the AI landscape and how to choose the right tool for their task. Beyond tools, we’re also working to build connections across Harvard to support collaboration, including a recently launched AI community of practice . We are capturing valuable findings from emerging technology pilot programs in HUIT , the EVP area , and across Schools. And we are now thinking about how those findings can inform guiding principles and best practices to better support staff.

While the GenAI groups are investigating these questions, Harvard faculty and scholars are also on the forefront of research in this space. Can you talk a bit about some of the interesting research happening across the University in AI more broadly ?

Shaw: Harvard has made deep investments in the development and application of AI across our campus, in our Schools, initiatives, and institutes — such as the Kempner Institute and Harvard Data Science Initiative. In addition, there is a critical role for us to play in examining and guiding the ethics of AI applications — and our strengths in the Safra and Berkman Klein centers, as examples, can be leading voices in this area.

What would be your advice for members of our community who are interested in learning more about generative AI tools?

Anand: I’d encourage our community to view the resources available on the new Generative AI @ Harvard website , to better understand how GenAI tools might benefit you.

There’s also no substitute for experimentation with these tools to learn what works, what does not, and how to tailor them for maximal benefit for your particular needs. And of course, please know and respect University policies around copyright and security.

We’re in the early stages of this journey at Harvard, but it’s exciting.

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