THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

ST. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, WEST INDIES

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Tel: (868) 662-2002 Exts. 82027, 82405, 82406, 82408, 83232 Fax: (868) 662-6295

HOW TO CHOOSE A TOPIC

Choosing a topic is a major stumbling block for Master students in the practicum stage of
the programme. The following are some proactive ways to selecting the right topic.

1. Develop a topic that has interested you throughout your graduate or undergraduate
career.
Make a list of classes you have taken as an undergraduate and graduate student. Look at
the project and essays you have written. Make a list of your favourite texts and authors.
Make a list of things you like to read or think about. What patterns emerge? What topics
and questions have continually interested you? Look for ways to connect seemingly
disparate topics.
Start a file of topics that interest you. If you begin early in your graduate career, youll
have a jump-start on choosing a dissertation topic. If youre reading this because you are
now at the dissertation stage of your graduate career, a file can still be useful if you
include ideas for later projects.
2. Think about the top three issues based on your topic, you want to study and turn
them into questions.
Here is where the research questions based on your topic comes into consideration. The
research questions will guide your entire practicum from literature review to organizing
analysis.
3. Look for what other scholars say needs more study and conduct preliminary
research.
At this stage, preliminary research on your topic will provide what is left to research.
Liaising with past lecturers or scholars in the field of which you want to research will
provide insights on what is to research, in turn will assist in choosing a topic.
4. Choose a topic you are passionate about, but also keep in mind your viability in the
job market.
Get feedback on potential topics from your advisor; your topic may not interest others in
the field as much as it interests you.
5. Do research to discover why your topic has not been studied before.
6. Choose a do-able topic.