Dissertation proposals should be penned in detail to Topic of choice
give a clear idea of the questions being asked and their significance, the relevant historiography, the conceptu- Some PHD students are fortunate and they have a nag- al framework, the sources as known, and your research ging question to which strategy. But before we come to the proposal stage here they should know the are some tips to select a good Ph.D. dissertation topic. solution. A question accessible to the tools of Topic of interest the subject, the sources required, the student The key factor in choosing a Ph.D. thesis topic is that already has the skills it should interest you; it is also vital that it suits your needed to effectively research it, the question is one that intellectual capa- quickly reminds others as important, and it’s a project bilities and your a faculty member in the student’s department is well- student life situa- equipped to advise. This ideal conjunction is rare. More tions. Ideally, you often humanities graduate students find themselves, will be working as they approach the end of course work, or complete on your topic for their preliminary exams, intrigued by many questions, a long duration – and by many historical methodologies. They may have from its start as a a topic but no sources, or a fascinating archive, but no proposal to end as a book. In a worst-case scenario, the question, or both a problematic and documentation choice of a topic becomes an obstacle to your finishing one that lacks skill. Many students are distracted by your degree or publishing it. The obvious task of select- nervousness, convinced that if only they can identi- ing a PHD topic is not always that all apparent. fy the next “important” topic, their future will be safe. An “apt” topic will give research and write-up support funds (grants), fellowships for post-doctoral, and lead to a professional employment. Historical questions projects that take a lot of you time in the public librar- ies reviewing printer material. There are restrictions, The first step is to think very openly about the historical limitations, or gaps that can be effectively resolved, but questions that engage you. An effective strategy here is some should be accepted and a topic selected that ac- simply to make a list of the books you have read that commodates them. when you thought, “I wish I had known that” Or, if there was a material or a course that made you choose Brainstorming graduate work in management, review it or go back over After you have made your initial lists – of the books you your notes. Then ponder on what it is, exactly, that you would have liked to have written at this point, in ad-
found so convincing. Was it the questions asked? The
dition to brainstorming with colleagues and teachers, rhetorical style? The evidence used? This thought pro- you should turn your attention seriously to the existing cess should filter the field of probable sub-disciplines. history and source possibilities. You must review what Historical research others wrote on, or related to, this topic? If it’s a topic in which no one seems to have written for a long time, The next phase is to assess the type of historical research why is the reason? If there is a big amount of work that for which you have the required know-how. There are has been developed in the last five years, is there really projects that take a lot of you time in the public libraries space for you? What kinds of references might there be? reviewing printer material. There are Dissertation proposal best possible support to you. Your committee can only be useful if it really understands the project; and finally, The proposal has three purposes and comprises a) To c) Provide content to showcase other scholars over the give you with a compass of your project for the next next couple of years, that will give them a clear direc- couple of years. It is very easy, even required, to lose the tion of your work. big plan as you work your way through the sources. It is critical, therefore, to have a clear view/statement of the Dissertations are academic qualifications. Much larger goals – the main idea, the key questions, and the more significantly, however, researching and writ- fields of study. Needless to say, this view changes over ing a dissertation is a great adventure. The best time as you work on your MBA thesis; b) To communi- Ph.D dissertation topics are the ones their authors were cate to your instruction board members to provide the motivated to write.
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