How To Brainstorm Outstanding Dissertation Topic Ideas


Choosing a topic is often the most challenging part of the dissertation writing process. Some graduate students know exactly what they want to explore in their papers. However, it is more of an exception than a rule. The majority of students don’t know what they want to write about and start their search of suitable ideas for their research projects. Brainstorming is commonly used to come up with raw ideas that may be successfully developed into interesting topics. Take the following steps to brainstorm productively:

  • Decide on your area of interest.

    • What classes have you taken as an undergraduate or graduate student? What lectures and seminars have been particularly interesting for you? What authors, researchers, or works have left ineradicable traces in your heart? Make a list of things that are appealing to you or that you want to know more about. Decide what areas may be useful for your career path. Think of three broad topics you would like to study in your dissertation.

  • Conduct a brainstorming session.

    • Take a piece of paper and simply write down all ideas within your broad areas of interest. These may be words, phrases, or short sentences. Don’t worry about the words you choose or mistakes you make. Just write everything down. You may also draw a spray diagram to see all the facets of the subject. In the process of brainstorming, try to answer the following questions:

    • What issues are of current interest?
    • Do you know any theories or examples related to these issues?
    • What questions arise when you think about the issue?
    • Are there any obscure or intricate facets of the issue?

  • Review your lists.

    • As a result, you will get three lists of raw ideas in different fields of your interest. Choose the most appealing idea in each subject area. Consult with your advisor and do preliminary research to make your final decision.

To brainstorm more effectively, refer to all available sources of information. For example, lots of outstanding ideas may be found in the latest news. Here are several suggestions to boost your inspiration:

  • Islamic financing to stop the economic crisis in the world.
  • Eco-labels as a marketing strategy.
  • Current problems of commercial logistics.
  • The Bologna process in developing countries: assessing results.
  • Modern advertising techniques that should be banned.
  • Impact of foreign investment on the growth of e-commerce.
  • Terrorism in the Eastern Europe.
  • Freedom of speech in developing countries.
  • Convention of Human Rights: hidden problems.
  • The taxation system in need of reformation: why and how?