Selection of Dissertation Topic and Searching for Literature
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The document discusses selecting a dissertation topic and searching for relevant literature. It emphasizes that the topic should be narrow but important, and part of a broader problem. The review of literature is crucial to understand previous work and avoid duplication. Feasibility must be considered in terms of time, resources and the ability to complete the project. Choosing a topic the author is fascinated by and has the skills to research is key to success. The process involves planning, exploring feasibility, reviewing literature, developing a proposal and obtaining necessary approvals.
Selection of Dissertation Topic and Searching for Literature
- 1. Selection of Dissertation Topic and Searching for Literature Dr Amit Agrawal, MCh
- 2. Selection of Research Topic: A very important element in creating a successful completion Searching topics Exploring feasibility
- 3. Dissertation: Objectives “It is a scientific undertaking which, by means of logical and systematized techniques” we try to: Discover new facts or verify and test old facts Analyze their sequence, interrelationships and causal explanations Filling the gaps in information Find answers to questions so far unexplained
- 4. Selecting a topic ● Each research study is part of an existing body of knowledge ● Most of the studies are a logical extension of past research
- 5. Selecting a topic New research grows out of old
- 6. ● The hardest part for many ● Choosing a right and meaningful dissertation or thesis topic is a difficult decision to make ● Not the same as choosing a topic—that’s easier Posing the Research Question
- 7. Resources ● Plan a literature map before starting Find key words Make list of correct terms keywords on your subject Search the databases Textbook A journal article and then search for the references in the article Use an outline or a research map to proceed further
- 8. Nested hourglass model ● The whole thesis ● Each section, subsection ● Most paragraphs ● Broad focus at beginning, end; specifics/narrow focus in middle
- 9. Criteria for selecting a research topic Relevance Feasibility Cost-effectiveness Applicability of the results Urgency of data needed Avoidance of duplication Acceptability (including ethical acceptability)
- 10. Ask questions? ● Do I answer the question? ● Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? ● Does my thesis pass the "So what?" test? ● Does my thesis pass the "how and why?" test? Can it be enthusiastically pursued? Can interest be sustained by it? Is the problem solvable? Is it worth doing? Will it lead to other research problems? Is it manageable in size? Is it the an original contribution? Are we competent to solve it?
- 11. ● Will the examining institute's standards be met? ● Does the topic contain issues with clear links to theory? ● Are the research questions and objectives clearly stated? ● Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into the topic? ● Are the findings likely to be symmetrical? ● Does the research topic match your career goals? Is it worthwhile?
- 12. ● It’s not enough to argue that no one has studied it before (maybe nobody cared!) ● It’s usually not enough to replicate prior work using one more demographic group, one new little methodological wrinkle ● Yet it doesn’t need to be the Great American Research Idea, either! Important???
- 13. ● A question can be very interesting and important but not answerable, or not answerable within the scope of a dissertation project ● Can the research question be framed in terms of specific, measurable constructs, can the hypotheses be tested? ● Are the library resources or data you need available or gettable? ● Can the project be done in a year or so? Can you cover the costs? Answerable???
- 14. Prerequisites for Getting started ● Keep an open mind ● Focus, focus, focus ● Take one step at a time ● Do your homework ● Planning and time line
- 15. Planning and time line
- 16. ● Answer the question: “What is the gap that needs to be filled?” and/or “What is the problem that needs to be solved?” ● Avoid using a thesis that is too broad or too narrow Statement of the Problem
- 17. ● Your dissertation director/mentor ● Other faculty in the department ● Other doctoral students ● Completed dissertations in your field ● Your school’s office of graduate studies and school- specific guidelines for dissertations ● Books on the subject Resources
- 18. ● The focused review, which adds to the literature of the proposal ● The broad scan, which may help you identify a research problem ● The best methodologies and research techniques for your particular topic ● How other scholars have written about your topic Review of Literature
- 19. Review of literature ● It is a review of what has been published on that topic so we do not duplicate someone else’s work. ● Make sure that you have read and understood cited work ● Organize your content according to ideas instead of individual publications. ● Do not simply quote or paraphrase the contents of published articles.
- 20. Review of literature ● Conduct a thorough literature search before designing your methodology and collecting your data. ● The literature review should provide context and clarify the relationship between your topic and previous work in that area. ● When writing the literature review, present major themes, theories, and ideas that have been published in the area, and the findings of related studies. ● Conclude the review of the literature with a short section that describes your topic, highlighting why it is important to address the problem you have investigated.
- 21. ● Anticipated outcomes of your study ● Anticipated problems associated with your proposed research and how you intend to overcome them ● A select reference list of the key references found through an initial literature search –both those relating to your topic and those relating to the methodology you propose to adopt Planning a proposal
- 22. Exploring feasibility ● Reasonable likelihood that Constraints on “Time” & Other “Resources” will not Prevent a Project from meeting its Key Objectives
- 23. Levels of Feasibility Assessment ● A feasibility study of an idea is conducted at three levels ● Operational Feasibility ● “Will it work?” ● Technical Feasibility ● “Can it be built?” ● Economic Feasibility ● “Will it make economic sense if it works and is built?” ● “ Will it generate PROFITS?”
- 24. ● Are you fascinated by the topic? ● Capability: is it feasible? ● Do you have the necessary research skills? ● Can you complete the project in the time available? ● Will the research still be current when you finish? ● Do you have sufficient financial and other resources? ● Will you be able to gain access to data? A good research topic
- 25. ● Dissertation is journey not a destination ● One Step at a Time ● No short cuts ● Plan ● Anticipate ● Discuss ● Start it, Do it and Finish it What we need?
- 26. Be SMART S Specific M Measurable A Achievable R Relevant T Time-bound
- 27. The most successful research topics are narrowly focused and carefully defined, but are important part of broad-ranging, complex problem Finding your focus is the key to success. Broaden your thinking Choose the topic that you are interested and can be managed If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, again. Conclusion
- 28. Thank You