How to choose your topic

Writing a thesis is a process in which you spend a lot of time.
Therefore, choose a topic that interests you. A topic that fascinates you will give you more motivation.

Does your program provide a list of possible topics for your thesis?
Then, it's up to you to select the topic(s) you prefer! 

• This is how to select a topic from a list (infographic)
• Find more criteria to help you choose your topic (website)
• 10 tips that will help you find your dissertation or thesis topic (video, 20'14)

Would you prefer to submit a thesis topic of your own? 
Check the guide to see if this is possible and what the procedure implies. 

But how do you come up with a topic yourself?

• Generate your topic in 5 steps (infographic)
• Watch the video to find out how to define your thesis topic (video, 5’)
• A step-by-step guide to formulate a dissertation topic (website)
• Learn how to generate new ideas (website)

Without proper delineation, your topic can become too broad and unmanageable, significantly losing time and energy.
Concretize your subject by zooming in:

• Step 1: Browse the literature on your subject
  Find out what your topic covers.
• Step 2: Make an overview of subtopics within your subject
  Sub-topics can then be broken down into even smaller subtopics.
  Drawing a visual diagram, such as a mind map or concept map, can be helpful.
• Step 3: Concretize your topic by, for example: 

- Choosing a subtopic 
- Specifying a location 
- Selecting a clear target group 
- Focusing on one or certain cases

- Fine-tuning your topic with the 5 W's (infographic)
- Choosing a narrow, specific, not-too-broad title for your thesis (video, 3’ 40)
- How to narrow down your research topic? (website + video 1’ 55)

Chosen a topic? Time to write your research proposal!
A research proposal typically includes the following elements:

• Introduction to your topic
• Problem or objective of your research
• Research plan
• Literature list

This is how to write a research proposal (video, 7’)
Guide to writing a research proposal (website)
Check these tips about how to write a research proposal (infographic)

Try to look for things that interest you within your subject anyway.

• Explore your subject
  Search for literature and get to know all aspects of the subject. You may find an angle interesting after all.
• Look for the relevance of your subject:
  • Why is this topic relevant to the research field?
  • What can your topic contribute to science or practice?
    Finding out the usefulness of your topic can spark your interest
• Engage in conversation
  Talk to others who are researching or have researched a similar topic. This can lead to inspiration, new ways of thinking and angles you might find interesting.