How to Choose a Thesis Topic

How to Choose a Thesis Topic How to Choose a Thesis Topic Writing a thesis is an exciting part of your academic career. Not only is it an opportunity for you to display your mastery of the field, it’s also a chance to contribute to the knowledge of the topic in your discipline. Choosing your thesis topic is the first major step in your journey as a researcher. A well-chosen topic often leads to a study that is timely, relevant, and meaningful. Here are some tips to keep in mind when coming up with your thesis topic. Start with a broad idea When brainstorming on your thesis topic, start with a general idea of what you want to cover. Think of a particular topic in your field that interests you and best suits your field of study. Read on relevant literature Once you’ve selected a topic, collect articles relating to that topic. Read up on these articles and take notes. One expert note-taking process consists of: Creating a table with four columns. In the first column, write down all the main ideas relevant to the topic you chose. In the second column, list down all of the supporting ideas of each main idea. In the third column, list the original references or citations used by the article you are reading. In the last column, list your remarks or notes regarding the main idea. Determine gaps in all available literature While you’re going through articles of related literature, you may begin to notice topics that no other researcher has examined. A thesis paper is basically about â€Å"filling in the gaps of the literature† in your field. These gaps may include a certain group that has not been studied, or variables that may not have been previously considered. You can also find gaps in literature by reading the recommendation section of other research papers. Narrow down your topic Once you’ve determined possible gaps in the available literature of your chosen topic, decide which gaps you’d like to include in your own thesis topic. The topic you ultimately choose must possess the following qualities: It must be timely and address relevant issues that your field is currently facing. It is based on a logical rationale that is tied to an established theory. The variables are clearly stated. It must contribute to the existing body of knowledge available in your field. Choosing your thesis topic is only the first step of the journey. Writing your thesis can be a challenging journey, with many ups and downs throughout the process. Everything from the introduction to the conclusion of your paper must be well-written and grounded, producing a strong piece that is valuable to your chosen discipline. If you have made the first step in choosing your topic, but require assistance with writing your thesis, call . You can reach us at (647) 436-7280 for our Toronto and GTA location, (587) 880-4707 for our Calgary location, and (604) 245-5865 for our Vancouver location. You can also reach us toll-free at 1-800-573-0840.