why is it important to choose a relevant,significant,and interesting research topic
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Relevance of your dissertation topic
Published on December 2, 2016 by Sarah Vinz. Revised on March 2, 2021.
It’s important that your dissertation topic is relevant. Relevance means that your research can contribute something worthwhile. But for whom must it actually be relevant?
The answer is simple: the topic should be relevant for all of the parties that are involved in your dissertation. You and your educational program are just the starting point.
If you are writing your dissertation about an organization where you are interning or working, it should also be relevant to that entity.
Finally, your dissertation may also need to have scientific, social or practical relevance.
Start looking for sources
Brainstorm search terms
Make a list of words that describe your topic. In addition to words for broad concepts [e.g. poverty, feminism] consider brainstorming more specific keywords, such as:
Event: an event within the context of your topic.
Time: a particular time period connected to your topic.
Person or group: an individual or group identified with the topic or particularly affected by it.
Place: a region, city or other geographical unit connected to your topic.
Read over background information on your topic using encyclopedias or a specialized dictionary… or Wikipedia, just don’t end your research there.
Use your list to do a few basic keyword searches in the library catalog and one or two databases relevant to your subject to see if your topic can be supported by the available information. Schedule a library lab or stop by the reference desk to ask a librarian where to start looking.