How to Pick a Dissertation Topic
Narrow broad interests into a feasible, original and supervisor-approved research question.
A dissertation is usually the single biggest piece of work in a degree, and the topic you choose determines the next six months of your life. A good topic is a triangle with three equal sides: it interests you, it is feasible with your time and resources, and it is acceptable to your supervisor.
Start broad, then narrow twice
Begin with a broad area that genuinely interests you, then narrow it with a question ('why', 'how', 'to what extent' rather than 'what'). Then narrow it again with a scope you can actually reach: a specific population, region, dataset or time period. 'How does remote work affect team trust?' becomes 'How does hybrid work affect trust between new hires and managers in Australian SaaS companies?'
Feasibility beats brilliance
A brilliant topic you cannot finish is a failed dissertation; a modest topic done well is a pass. Before you commit, check three things: can you get the data or participants ethically and in time, do you have the skills or access to methods the question demands, and does the scope fit the word limit? If the answer to any is a shaky 'yes', shrink it.
Aligntopic with supervisor early
Your supervisor has limited capacity and deep knowledge of specific subfields. Bring them a shortlist of two or three narrowed topics with a one-paragraph rationale each, and let them steer you toward the one they can actually supervise well. A supervisor who is genuinely interested in your question is worth more than any clever idea.
Test your topic before it is too late
Write a one-page mini-proposal: the question, why it matters, how you will answer it, and what you expect to find. If you cannot explain the design in a page, the topic is not yet clear enough. Run it past a classmate and the library liaison, then commit — a locked topic you can defend is better than a 'perfect' one that keeps you paralysed.
Continue reading
The full guide on the original site