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The science of motivation
Motivation is important in almost every aspect of human behavior. When you make a decision, your choice is certainly influenced by your motivational state. When you study mathematics, your motivation to study mathematics clearly affects the way you learn it. Despite its obvious importance, empirical research on motivation has been segregated in different areas for long years, making it difficult to establish an integrative view on motivation. For example, I studied a number of motivation theories proposed in educational psychology (as my PhD is in educational psychology) but these theories are not connected with the motivational theories studied in social psychology or organizational psychology. Furthermore, the way motivation is defined and theorized is fundamentally different in cognitive/affective neuroscience (Murayama, in press). In other fields such as cognitive psychology, motivation has been normally treated as a nuisance factor that needs to be controlled (see Simon, 1994).
The times have changed, however. In recent years, researchers have recognized the importance of more unified and cross-disciplinary approach to study motivation (Braver et al., 2014). This multidisciplinary, multimethod pursuit, called Motivation Science, is now an emerging field (Kruglanski, Chemikova & Kopez, 2015). Our Motivation Science lab takes an integrative approach, drawing from multiple disciplines (e.g., cognitive, social and educational psychology, cognitive/social neuroscience) and multiple approaches (e.g., behavioral experiments, longitudinal data analysis, neuroimaging, meta-analysis, statistical simulation/computational modeling, network analysis ). We explore a number of overlapping basic and applied research questions with the ultimate goal of providing an integrated view on human motivation.
Motivation and learning
If you are motivated, you learn better and remember more of what you learned. This sounds like an obvious fact, but our lab showed that the reality is more nuanced. The critical fact is that not all motivations are created equal.
In the literature of achievement goals, for example, people study primarily for two different goals — to master materials and develop their competence, which are called mastery goals, and to perform well in comparison to others, which are called performance goals (Dweck, 1986; Nicholls, 1984). Mastery goals and performance goals represent the same overall quantity of motivation, but they are qualitatively distinct types of motivation. We conducted a series of behavioral experiments to examine how these two different types of motivation influence learning (Murayama & Elliot, 2011).
In the study, participants were engaged in a problem-solving task and received a surprise memory test related to the task. Critically, participants performed the problem-solving task with different goals. Participants in the mastery goal condition were told that the goal was to develop their cognitive ability through the task, whereas those in the performance goal condition were told that their goal was to demonstrate their ability relative to other participants. The participants in the performance goal condition showed better memory performance in an immediate memory test, but when the memory was assessed one week later, participants in the mastery goal condition showed better memory performance. These results indicate that performance goals help short-term learning, whereas mastery goals facilitate long-term learning.
That was a laboratory study where the learning situation was somewhat artificial. To further test whether mastery orientation facilitates long-term learning, we turned to an existing longitudinal survey dataset. In this study, we used longitudinal survey data on more than 3,000 schoolchildren from German schools (Murayama, Pekrun, Lichtenfeld & vom Hofe, 2013). Using latent growth curve modeling, we showed that items which focus on the performance aspect of learning (“In math I work hard, because I want to get good grades”) in Grade 7 predicted the immediate math achievement score whereas items focusing on the mastery aspect of learning (“I invest a lot of effort in math, because I am interested in the subject”) in Grade 7 predicted the growth in math achievement scores over three years. These results mirror our findings from the lab, providing convergent evidence that mastery-based motivation supports long-term learning whereas performance-based motivation only helps short-term learning.
With some additional neuroimaging and behavioral experiments, we are now examining the underlying mechanisms of this time dependent effect of motivation (Ikeda, Castel, & Murayama, 2015; Murayama et al., 2015).
Reward and motivation
Do rewards enhance learning outcomes? This is a question that has long sparked controversy in education literature. According to recent findings in cognitive neuroscience, the answer seems to be yes. Indeed, there have been a number of studies, including ours (Murayama & Kitagami, 2014), that have shown that rewards (e.g., money) enhance learning due to the modulation of hippocampal function by the reward network in the brain (Adcock, Thangavel, Whitfield-Gabrielli, Knutson & Gabrieli, 2006). On this basis, some argue for the value of reward in education (Howard-Jones & Jay, 2016).
But research in social psychology has also found that extrinsic rewards can sometimes undermine intrinsic motivation when people are engaged in an interesting task. This phenomenon, called the undermining effect or overjustification effect (Deci, Koestner & Ryan, 1999; Lepper, Greene & Nisbett, 1973), suggests that extrinsic rewards are not always beneficial for learning.
To demonstrate this possibility, we replicated the undermining effect using a neuroimaging method (Murayama, Matsumoto, Izuma & Matsumoto, 2010). Participants were randomly assigned to a reward group or a control group and engaged in a game task while being scanned inside an fMRI machine. Participants in the reward group were instructed that they would receive performance-based monetary rewards whereas participants in the control condition did not receive such instructions (i.e., they played the game just for fun). After the scanning session, we found that participants in the reward group showed less voluntary engagement in the task than those in the control group, indicating that their intrinsic motivation for the task was undermined by the introduction of extrinsic rewards. A follow-up brain imaging session showed that the undermining effect was reflected in the decreased activation in the striatum, part of the reward network in the brain.
The undermining effect suggests that rewards may not benefit learning on tasks that people would perform without extrinsic incentives (i.e., interesting tasks). To directly test this possibility, we examined learning performance on interesting and boring trivia questions when participants were rewarded (Murayama & Kuhbandner, 2011). The results showed that working on a trivia question task for a reward enhanced memory performance (in comparison to a non-reward condition) after a delay, but this was the case only for boring trivia questions. This outcome indicates an important limit of the facilitation of learning by extrinsic rewards — they may be effective only when the task does not have intrinsic value. As we showed elsewhere, intrinsically interesting tasks are memorable by themselves (Fastrich, Kerr, Castell & Murayama, in press; McGillivray, Murayama & Castel, 2015), and rewarding intrinsically interesting learning materials may be a waste of money (i.e., no benefit of rewards) or even detrimental to later engagement or performance.
In sum, this line of findings showed a nuanced picture of how rewards facilitate learning. Surely rewards are effective in motivating people and enhancing learning, and this is supported by a neural link between the motivation (reward) and memory systems in the brain. But there are certain conditions, such as when a task is intrinsically interesting, where rewards may undermine motivation and thus bring no benefits for learning.
Competition and motivation
In our society, it is common for authority figures to introduce competition as a means to increase people’s motivation and performance. But does this assumption that competition is an effective way to increase people’s motivation and performance have an empirical basis? A large empirical literature has addressed the effects of competition on performance, but these studies have been conducted rather separately and no integrated theoretical perspective has been offered.
To address this issue, we conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize the previous studies on the effects of competition (Murayama & Elliot, 2012). When we computed the average effect of competition on performance, with 174 studies (more than 30,000 participants) including both experimental and survey studies, we found a very small average effect (r = 0.03, 95% CI = [-.00, .06]). We tried to identify potential moderating factors, but none emerged. However, we observed considerable variability in effect sizes across studies.
One straightforward interpretation is that competition has virtually no effects on task performance. But this does not fit with our phenomenological experience of competition. When we are placed in competitive situations, we can clearly feel that our motivation is altered. Therefore, we proposed an alternative motivational model that could explain the puzzlingly weak competition-performance link.
According to our model, when we face competition, we adopt two different types of motivational goals: performance-approach goals and performance-avoidance goals (Elliot & Harackiewicz, 1996). Performance-approach goals are goals that focus on positive outcomes of the competition (“My goal is to outperform others”) whereas performance-avoidance goals focus on negative outcomes (“My goal is not to do worse than others”). Importantly, previous research has shown that performance-approach goals positively predict task performance whereas performance-avoidance goals negatively predict performance (Elliot & Church, 1997).
We posited that competition triggers both performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals, and that these co-activated goals cancel each other out (because they have opposing effects), producing an ostensiblye weak effect. We tested this “opposing processes model of competition and performance” with an additional meta-analysis, longitudinal surveys, and a behavioral experiment, providing strong support for the model. These results indicate that competition engages multi-faceted motivational processes, which explains why the introduction of competition does not consistently bring motivational benefits (see also Murayama & Elliot, 2009).
Curiosity, metamotivation and motivation contagion
We are currently working on several different projects on motivation, with the core aim of unraveling the nature and function of intrinsic rewards in human behavior. Although extrinsic incentives undoubtedly play an important role in shaping our behavior, humans are endowed with the remarkable capacity to engage in a task without such incentives, by self-generating intrinsic rewards. Forms of motivation triggered by intrinsic rewards are often referred to as interest, curiosity or intrinsic motivation. But the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying the generation of intrinsic rewards are largely unclear (Braver et al., 2014).
For example, we are currently examining the neural correlates when curiosity leads us to make a seemingly irrational decision. There are a number of anecdotal stories where curiosity pushes people to expose themselves knowingly to bad consequences, such as Pandora’s box, Eve and the forbidden tree, and Orpheus, but this seductive rewarding power of curiosity has been underexamined in the literature (for exceptions, see Hsee and Ruan, 2015; Oosterwijk, 2017). In our ongoing project, we present participants with magic tricks (to induce curiosity) and ask them whether they are willing to take a risk of receiving electric shock to know the secret behind the magic tricks. The preliminary findings from our neuroimaging analysis indicated that the striatum is associated with people’s decision to take such a risk to satisfy their curiosity, suggesting that internal “rewards” play a critical role for curiosity to guide our decision making.
Although intrinsic rewards and extrinsic rewards play a similar role in some situations, some aspects of intrinsic rewards are unique. One such aspect is metamotivation. Metamotivational belief refers to our beliefs and understanding of how motivation works (Miele & Scholer, 2018; Murayama, 2014; Scholer, Miele, Murayama & Fujita, in press). Like recent findings on metacognition (Kornell & Bjork, 2008; Murayama, Blake, Kerr & Castel, 2016), our studies indicate that people are often inaccurate in their beliefs about the motivating property of intrinsic rewards. Specifically, when we asked participants to work on a boring task and to make a prediction about how interesting the task would be, their prediction was inaccurate. Their predicted task engagement was less than their actual task engagement, indicating that people tend to underestimate their power to generate intrinsic rewards when faced with boring tasks (Murayama, Kuratomi, Johnsen, Kitagami & Hatano., under review). This inaccuracy of our metamotivational belief could partly explain why authority figures are often so reliant on extrinsic rewards to motivate other people (Murayama et al., 2016).
There may be multiple ways that we generate intrinsic rewards. One may be through observational effects (Bandura, 1977). Imagine that you have a friend who likes mathematics. Even if you initially did not like mathematics, observing your friend enjoying mathematics repeatedly may create a fictive internal reward, making you feel as if you also like mathematics. We call this motivation contagion (Burgess, Riddell, Fancourt & Murayama, under review), and we are working on several different behavioral and neuroimaging studies to explore this idea using a variety of network analysis methodologies. Through behavioral experiments, diary methods and computational modeling, our lab also explores other channels through which humans generate intrinsic rewards (e.g., intrinsic rewards produced by challenging situation).
In sum, motivation matters. But at the same time, we need a comprehensive picture of how different types of motivation fit and function together to produce behavior. Our Motivation Science Lab is working to achieve this integrated understanding of human motivation.
Acknowledgements
The work described here was funded by the Marie Curie Career Integration Grant (PCIG14-GA-2013-630680), JSPS KAKENHI (15H05401 and 16H06406), a grant from the American Psychological Foundation (F.J. McGuigan Early Career Investigator Prize), Leverhulme Trust Project Grant (RPG-2016-146), and Leverhulme Research Leadership Award (RL-2016-030). I thank my collaborators on these projects, including Andrew Elliot, Reinhard Pekrun, Alan Castel and Kenji Matsumoto.
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7 Ways To Successfully Keep Your Motivation During Your PhD
Written by Jeanette McConnell, PhD
I reached a place in the third year of my PhD studies when I couldn’t see the point anymore.
Running one reaction after another, making yet another molecule to test and characterize.
I wasn’t learning anything, I wasn’t making any grand discoveries, and it wasn’t exciting.
I didn’t know how to deal with the stress, anxiety, and depression that I faced on a daily basis.
I was burnt out.
I used to find lab work exciting.
I was the first one in the lab in the morning and I couldn’t wait to find out how the newly synthesized molecule faired in my biological tests.
I was filled with drive and motivation.
But at the beginning of year three, it was gone.
When I talked to my family, they couldn’t understand. “ You’ve lost your motivation? But, you’re trying to cure cancer!? ”
No, no I’m not.
I’m cooking up and purifying useless compounds all day long.
I wondered how I got to this point.
Where was the passion and motivation that had gotten me this far?
Determined to get my mojo back, I did some research.
I found out that I wasn’t alone . I read tons of stories about other people overcoming their personal motivation loss — in academia, in a job, in fitness, and in writing.
It was inspiring.
I tried to absorb all the information and loved the support I received from my alternative career mentor .
I started to take care of myself.
I went to the gym and practiced yoga.
I reconnected with my passion for soccer.
And, I remembered why I began this PhD in the first place.
I figured out a way to re-inject some adventure into a project that I had completely lost interest in.
With each change I made, I felt the motivation and passion return, not only for my research, but also for my life.
Why Losing Motivation In Grad School Is Normal
First, remember that you are not alone in your motivation loss.
Even Usain Bolt, the only sprinter in history to win both the 100m and 200m gold medal at three consecutive Olympics, struggles with motivation.
Before the 2016 Olympic games, he told The Guardian that he struggled to get out of bed for training.
Sustaining motivation toward a goal that is several years away is daunting.
According to a survey by the NSF , the average time taken to earn a PhD from the beginning of the doctoral program is 5.7 years. And according to the NIH , a postdoc lasts between 2 to 7 years, on average.
That’s a potential 12-13 years trying to maintain your passion and motivation, despite grueling and frustrating work.
(Sound too long to you? Take a look at the reasons why PhDs should stop applying for postdocs and start applying for research scientist positions .)
Based on those long timelines, it’s not surprising that according to a study by The Council of Graduate Schools, 44% of doctoral students lose their motivation and do not complete their degree within 10 years.
That’s a 44% dropout rate for doctoral candidates.
So how do you become part of the 56% of students who find their motivation and finish their degree?
7 Ways To Not Lose Your Motivation As A PhD Or Postdoc
Losing motivation is normal, particularly when you’re facing real challenges.
The kind that are daunting, even scary… but definitely uncomfortable.
According to motivational speaker and former clinical defense attorney Mel Robbins , we will only ever feel motivated to do the things that are easy.
Resilience, as developed by persevering through adversity and rejecting the comfort zones we love so much, is the real path to success in industry, and anywhere else.
This is what makes PhDs the most sought after job candidates .
Your ability to take life’s most challenging problems and try and find solutions.
You will do an experiment countless times if you feel it will take you one step closer to uncovering the truth.
There are days when you want to give up (which you now know is normal).
There will be days when you wonder why you started in the first place.
A PhD success story is always about one that never gave up and fought against motivation crashes.
Here are seven ways to maintain your motivation as a PhD or postdoc…
1. See the big picture.
It is easy to become demotivated by a never-ending to-do list of mundane tasks.
Ditch your addiction to the to-do list and focus on how each action you take contributes to a larger overall goal.
In the Harvard Business Review article, The Power of Small Wins , researchers showed that employees were more motivated and happy when they felt they were making progress toward their overall goal.
What is your big picture goal?
If you have forgotten it along the way — go dig it back up.
Now, write it down.
Focus on how each action you take during the day gets you one step closer to that goal.
Be purposeful with your actions so that they actually do serve your big picture goal.
2. Celebrate successes.
Achieving any big goal doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s important to celebrate all the successes along the way.
Celebrate your big wins, as well as the small ones.
Celebrate your coworkers’ wins.
Celebrate your supervisor’s wins.
Beyond bringing some fun into your life, celebrating small successes along your path brings joy back into the journey.
The technique of celebrating can be incredibly helpful when you’re struggling with motivation.
It breaks your rut and helps you focus on what you’re working towards, and not just what you’re frustrated with in the short-term.
On difficult days, reward yourself for the basics — even if it’s just setting up an experiment.
Over time, the impact of those rewards can be huge.
3. Focus on another passion.
A study published in the International Journal of the History of Sport found that the ‘dual-career’ demand faced by student athletes is beneficial to their performance in both areas.
When your academic achievements soar, so does your performance in other areas of your life, typically.
During struggles with motivation, identify with another passion you have and cultivate it.
Reconnect with your passion for sports, hobbies, or other talents that you have enjoyed in the past, to benefit from the ‘dual-career’ idea.
Invest time in something you are passionate about.
Do not feel guilty about spending time on something that is not your research.
The time away will benefit your research.
The motivation you feel for this second passion will flood over into your PhD or postdoc work.
4. Eat and eat well.
Most PhDs have lost count of the number of times they skipped a meal to finish an assay or start another reaction.
If you have sacrificed meals for the lab, you might have even bought into the idea that this is a sign of devotion to your project.
In reality, it’s just setting yourself up for failure.
Lack of food reduces your blood glucose level — and you need that to focus.
Your cognitive abilities are directly affected by the food you eat.
Take the time to eat a good, healthy breakfast and lunch.
Give your body the nutrients it needs, and it will reward you with top-notch focus and an improved mood.
In fact, this study in the British Journal of Health Psychology found a correlation between eating fruits and vegetables, and a higher state of mental well-being.
5. Drink water.
In addition to eating regularly, drinking an adequate amount of water is essential to maintaining your motivation.
The amount of water your body needs to function is often underestimated.
PhD candidates and postdocs tend to choose drinks with caffeine, rather than water.
Sacrificing hydration for stimulation to push through is a grad school trademark.
But an unhealthy one.
An article in Nutrition Reviews discusses how dehydration can lead to a lack of motivation, reduced cognitive function, headache, and reduced kidney function, among many other adverse physiological effects.
Give yourself a leg up and combat the contribution that dehydration is playing in your lack of motivation by drinking lots of water.
6. Change your perspective.
You used to have motivation and passion for your project.
Try to remember why.
What about the project previously motivated you?
See your situation through the eyes of that freshly minted undergraduate.
For many, early motivation can simply be attributed to the fact that your PhD is something new.
Every new thing seems sparkling with adventure.
Until the newness burns out .
Whatever moved you to the diligence and passion you had in the beginning, try and remember what it was.
How can you bring that excitement back to your present situation?
How can you make this project you have been working on for years seem new?
How can you make this project feel new again?
It might be that learning a new technique and applying it is enough.
For others, it might be creating a new adventure by trying something new in a different part of the world.
However you reinvent newness with a new thought or process for your work, improved motivation will be a byproduct of that creative process.
7. Invest in yourself.
This one is especially tough when you are at the bottom of a motivation pit.
Think about it…
Who does your experiments?
Who analyzes your data?
Who gives your presentations?
You do (obviously).
You and your well-being are of the highest importance.
According to an article in The Guardian , happy and healthy employees are more motivated and productive.
If you are not at your best, your project and your motivation suffer.
Investing in oneself means something different for everyone.
Maybe you take the time to do yoga every morning, or go to the gym every afternoon.
Maybe you set aside Sundays to bake, play video games, or go for a long walk.
Your physical and mental health are key to regaining your motivation and maintaining that motivation throughout the rest of your PhD or postdoc.
This same work will also help you maintain that motivation and overcome frustration and depression while job-hunting after your PhD or postdoc.
It is common to lose your motivation during the long process of a PhD or postdoc. You are not alone and there is a way out. Reject the complacency of your comfort zone and the monotony that is draining your motivation and focus. Take the time to invest in your well-being, eat well, drink water, and adjust your focus. The motivation to keep going is there; you just have to let it out.
If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.
Hi, I'm Isaiah Hankel, PhD
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ABOUT JEANETTE MCCONNELL, PHD
Jeanette is a chemistry PhD turned science communication enthusiast. During her PhD she realized that her favorite part about research wasn’t actually doing research, but rather talking and writing about it. So, she has channeled her passion for discovery into teaching and writing about science. When she isn’t talking someone’s ear off about her latest scientific obsession, you’ll find her on the soccer field or reading a good sci-fi novel.
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Top Industry Career eBooks
63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs
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Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.
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Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.
How to Get a Ph.D. in Positive Psychology
In order to find a satisfactory answer to this question, we asked:
- this question in our positive psychology Facebook community
- all the people whom we know and are currently doing a Ph.D. within the field of positive psychology
- Dr. Martin Seligman , Lisa Sansom , and Louis Alloro
After putting all of their responses to this question together, we feel like we’re in a good position to give you a satisfactory answer to this question.
Doctoral Programs in Positive Psychology
Option 1: claremont graduate university (cgu).
The Quality of Life Research Center at Claremont Graduate University offers two streams of Ph.D. positions:
- one in Positive Developmental Psychology
- one in Positive Organizational Psychology
Please visit their website or send an e-mail to [email protected] if you want to find out more.
Option 2: University of East London (UEL)
Although it’s not as clear as CGU’s program, apparently there is a possibility of doing a Ph.D. at the University of East London as well. You can follow the link and fill in the form for further inquiry.
I will ask the current lecturers of the MAPP program at the UEL for more information and update this page accordingly.
Option 3: Get the Ph.D. position in a field of your own choice
Lisa Sansom remarked that “at the Ph.D. level, it’s more about your supervisor than the actual name of the program. Marty’s Ph.D. students at Penn don’t, as far as I know, get a Ph.D. in positive psychology but that is what they are studying effectively. Same with Barb and Sonja and most of the big names. Find the supervisor who is working and researching in the field you want to spend several years of your life and go there.”
This means that if you know which branch of positive psychology (e.g. subjective wellbeing , mindfulness , resilience , positive psychotherapy etc.) you like to do research into, you should find a positive psychology researcher who is active in that field by using this list and then contact him or her about the possibilities for doing a Ph.D. under their guidance.
What is a Ph.D. Exactly?
A Ph.D. is a research degree while BSc and MSc (or BA and MA) are taught degrees. In a research degree, students learn through research and take full responsibility for their learning. In other words, a Ph.D. is a relatively big research project that the research student conducts independently with only the supervision of a senior research professor at the university.
Such research projects lead to a thesis of publishable quality of roughly about 80,000 words. The research and hence the thesis should make an original scientific contribution to the field of its study.
What does a Ph.D. in Psychology Look Like?
A Ph.D. in psychology usually takes three years full-time, and up to six years when studied part-time. What you need to consider about a Ph.D. in positive psychology, is that at the Ph.D. level, positive psychology merges with psychology in general. So, you do not need to find a university specializing in positive psychology. In fact, even universities that do not teach positive psychology at BSc or MSc level, conduct some research on various topics that are directly related to positive psychology.
Know your Outcome
However, before you make a final decision, think carefully about the topic of your research. It would be hard to spend three years researching a topic that you’re not truly passionate about.
Ask yourself: “Do I really want to spend at least three years, researching this particular topic?” Additionally, think about what you want to do with your Ph.D. What is your main motivation and what do you expect to achieve through that Ph.D.?
Choosing a University
Make sure that you choose a university that is suitable for you in all respects. Gather as much information as possible beforehand. Find out about their facilities, accommodation (if required) and most importantly about their research culture.
Also, learn about your potential supervisor (e.g. about his/her research experience, publications and methods) and arrange to meet your supervisor (or at least contact him/her by email) even before applying for the course, to see if they are willing to supervise your proposed topic. Be aware of miscalculating what is required of you.
How to get Funding or a Scholarship?
Securing the necessary funding for your Ph.D. is another vital step in achieving your research ambitions and there are various funding systems.
Obviously, one method is raising your own private funds (self-funding), but most people rely on studentships granted by the university or a research body (e.g. Medical Research Council in the UK) that supports the university. Your chosen university can provide details of such grants.
Make sure that you understand the available funding systems, the eligibility criteria for each scheme and the extent of the support provided by each arrangement, before applying for the course.
An important point to remember is the fact that Ph.D.’s supported by studentships, grants or scholarships usually relate to a specific topic. Such subject matters could cover a wide spectrum or can be associated with a narrowly defined area. This will limit your choices, so you need to search far and wide to find the studentship that supports your favorite topic.
Further Resources
Visit the following websites to see a selection of advertised studentships and additional information about Ph.D. places.
- http://www.jobs.ac.uk/phd
- http://www.findaphd.com
- Positive Psychology Degree
That’s all there is to it!
We wish you the best of luck in finding a Ph.D. position within the field of Positive Psychology! If there’s anything that we can help you with please don’t hesitate to ask.
All the best!
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What our readers think.
Nirwan University, Jaipur (NUJ) has a strong commitment to high quality research and aims to enhance the professional competence of the scholars. The University offers Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) Programme to the eligible scholars, who are interested in doing research. Every candidate is expected to follow the procedures laid down for fulfilling the requirements of Ph.D. Programme of the University & University Grant Commission (UGC).
I hold a PhD in psychology, an MS in counseling psychology, and post-doc work in marriage and family therapy – do I need to pursue further studies in positive psychology to obtain a license to practice as a positive psychotherapist?
Hi Jacqueline,
The requirements to become licensed and practice as a therapist tend to differ between locations. Generally, yes, you need to complete a number of practicum hours, be supervised by another licensed therapist, and obtain a license to begin practicing. To help, we recently released a comprehensive guide on becoming a therapist to help you figure out these requirements. You can learn more about the guide here .
Hope this helps!
– Nicole | Community Manager
Hi , i want to know more about funding system .. I’m from Egypt and i want really have PhD in positive psychology but have some issues with it’s fees
I’m an m.sc psychology post graduate from India. I do not have funds for my PhD. I would like to do my PhD in positive psychology. How do u suggest me to go about it.
yes , wonderful to be part of this affirmation community .Appreciative enquiry is the leading topic and relevant topic today .I live in India and I want to pursue Ph.D. in this field . How can some one help me
I am interested in positive psychology in changing the lives of the severely mentally ill. I believe a real connection with positive life will lead against what exists in Australia as a culture of failure, abominably referred to as “mental health” ( what I call ‘Pantosis’) As you would understand low expectations lead to low outcomes. Please contact that I may more substantially raise awareness of ability to overcome for the neglected and assigned; those who are said to be psychotic.
Pointer: consult your GP whether there are any sort of IAPT solutions (Improving Access to Mental Treatment) in your area.
Mr zolfagharifard salam.etelat dar morede gereftane paziresh PHD dar reshteye positive psychology mikham.che tor mitunam ba shoma tamas dashte basham?sepasgozar
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The following dissertations were successfully defended by students in our PhD in Leadership Studies program:
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Research proposal motivation.
Motivation research topics
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Interesting Topics for Research Proposal on Motivation without Wasting Time on Google
The dissertation needs motivation as well as interesting topics for building its discussion on., maintaining focus throughout the dissertation writing process is difficult, but once you have a good topic in your hand; it becomes easier to maintain the focus. but first is the research proposal on motivation.
A research proposal on motivation is the first thing to submit to your supervisor. A proposal has to be approved if a student wants to move to the next step – dissertation writing .
The majority of students use different terms to find topics on motivation these terms are dissertation on motivation, topics related to motivation, employee motivation topics, topics to motivate employees, etc. We generate topics for all your related terms these motivation research topics examples are the best collection to fulfill your requirements.
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Motivation research proposal topic suggestions:.
These are the best-selected motivation research topics:
- How important is it to be motivated in an office environment for an employee?
- Techniques to improve the motivation of employees keep in mind the goal of the organization.
- Motivation – How to keep your employees engaged in times of stress and degradations amongst other employees?
- Ways to motivate employees without raising their pay structure but by influencing them with other benefits to loosen the ties between employees and management.
- Results of de-motivating employees in an organization, how has that been overcome by the new strategic plan of the HRM policies?
- Why is the employees’ motivation important?
- Adopting game techniques to motivate employees to improve their products without worrying about company benefits.
- Self-motivation is the key ingredient in the motivation factor of union workers of an organization.
- Is money or recognition more important for an employee?
- What is the role structure of motivation in the proper development of an organization’s future welfare?
- Motivation, knowledge transfer, and organizational forms play an important role in team building for existing employees.
- A comparative study of motivating employees in public and private organizations for better outcomes in productivity.
- Influence on work due to an increase in motivation amongst the employees of a growing organization.
- Expectancy theory and its implication on employee motivation in relation to their work improvement.
- Wage equity and employee motivation in profit and non-profit organizations.
- The role of motivation in fostering public service motivation message to overcome the issue of employment.
- Leadership motivation in an organization planning structure.
- The impact of reward and recognition programs on employees’ performance based on their annual progress reports.
- Motivation techniques for different organization management.
- Building a team on motivation amongst employees.
- The role of employee motivation in an office environment. Explore in your paper the importance of keeping office employees motivated.
- Techniques of improving-employee motivation depend on the goal of the company. Discuss what techniques of motivation are better to use in certain conditions.
- Methods of keeping employees motivated in stressful times. Investigate in your dissertation how to motivate your employees in difficult times for the organization.
- Strategies of employee motivation that don’t include money-rewards. List and discuss how to motivate employees without raising their payments.
These are the best motivation research topics, if you still have not found your interesting topic fill out the form below and get a customized topic mini proposal service.
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626 Dissertation Topics for Ph.D. and Thesis Ideas for Master Students
If you are about to go into the world of graduate school, then one of the first things you need to do is choose from all the possible dissertation topics available to you. This is no small task. You are likely to spend many years researching your Master’s or Ph.D. topic and writing the text. This means that choosing a dissertation topic should not be taken lightly.
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No worries! Just read this article by our Custom Writing service , and you’ll find:
- a collection of great thesis topics on finance, education, management, law, etc.
- a range of tips on choosing a killing Ph.D. topic.
- 👍 Top 10 Dissertation Topics
- 🆚 Thesis vs Dissertation
- 🔝 Top 10 Thesis Topics
- 🎓 Thesis Topics List
- ✅ How to Choose a Topic
👍Top 10 Dissertation Topics
- Ethical alternatives to animal testing.
- What’s the future of the Dead Sea?
- Does accent affect singing ability?
- The importance of corporate values.
- Can we regulate influencer marketing?
- How does inflation affect small businesses?
- Is homeschooling the future of education?
- How does Tourette’s syndrome affect one’s daily life?
- How to conduct market analysis for e-commerce.
- Has globalization affected cultural appropriation?
🆚 Dissertation vs. Thesis: Is There a Difference?
People often consider a thesis and a dissertation to be the same thing. Yet, there is an important distinction between them. The key difference is that you need a thesis to complete a master’s degree, while a dissertation is necessary for obtaining a doctorate. Keep in mind that it’s vice versa in European higher education.
Here are some other differences:
Despite these differences, theses and dissertations have a lot in common:
- You need them to complete a degree.
- Both require certain levels of expertise and writing skills.
- You defend an argument in both of them.
- Plagiarism is prohibited in both theses and dissertations.
🔝 Top 10 Thesis Topics for 2023
- The consequences of obesity.
- The influence of social media .
- Economic development and happiness.
- Feminism in the United States.
- The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Racism in schools and colleges.
- Overeducation in the labor market.
- DNA evidence in criminal justice.
- Sales forecasting techniques.
- Wage difference among athletes.
🎓 Thesis Topics & Ideas
Below, you’ll find a collection of excellent topics for a thesis. To simplify the task, it’s not a bad idea to use a topic chooser . We’ve also prepared a checklist that will help you make the right choice. If you agree with the following statements, you’ve chosen a good thesis topic:
- You are interested in this subject. It will be easier for you to work on it if you like your area of research. Remember that you will have to spend long hours looking through various data. You need to stay motivated.
- The topic is helpful in your career path. Choose a topic that you can apply to further research if you plan to pursue your career in the academic field. Choose something that you can use in your CV if you decided to work in the industry.
- There is enough available research data. Don’t choose a topic that is too trivial or uncommon. It is essential to find enough relevant information. Consult your supervisor to understand if you can proceed with it.
- The topic isn’t too broad or too narrow. Otherwise, it will be harder for you to find credible sources and relevant data.
- You already have an understanding of it . Make a list of thesis topics that include the issues you have researched before. It will save you some time and allow you to evaluate your opportunities.
- Your topic is unique. Make sure there are no other papers that explore exactly the same issue. The value of your work is your original contribution to the research. If somebody has already investigated the topic, there is not much sense in proceeding with it.
Wondering where to find the most current topic for your research? We’ve collected them below.
Computer Science Thesis Topics
Computers surround us everywhere. From hospitals to home offices, it’s impossible to imagine life without them. A doctorate in computer science can allow you many career opportunities!
- The latest developments in AI use for healthcare services. Healthcare in the US is expensive for its citizens. One way to reduce the cost is using computer algorithms. This technology research topic lets you explore how AI helps physicians with their tasks.
- Computer security for public institutions. Several allegations about hackers stealing data from the US government emerged in recent years. With this dissertation idea, study public cybersecurity. Also, discuss ways to improve cybersecurity practices.
- Visual recognition system architecture: real-time object detection. Discuss a system based on neural networks capable of detecting objects. Focus on the virtual environment. You can alter this trending topic in computer science for real-life settings.
- Blockchain application outside financial technologies. Analyze and discuss the implications of using blockchain systems outside of the fintech sector. For example, study its use for public services and in government agencies. This topic allows exploring ways of applying established algorithms.
- Machine learning and text structures. Discuss ways of visualizing text categorization. Focus on complex hierarchical structures of texts. This topic is suitable for postgraduates.
- Encrypted search: security, performance, and usage. Discuss the use of encryptions to protect data. Say how we can improve it for effective information search.
- Use of AI in education . Study how algorithms can improve learning. This topic can be altered for other fields. For example, choose AI in business or agriculture.
- Graphics and visual computing: current state and the future. By now, CAD programs are an integral part of every engineer’s tool kit. Your thesis can analyze the potential of those programs. What would improve their performance? Is there a chance that they will become obsolete?
- Multimedia databases parsing and indexing. Netflix and YouTube require technology to search across their multimedia databases. This dissertation can be a survey on best practices. Or, add a company name to the title and focus your research on it.
- AI Marketing: the use of algorithms to improve advertising. In the previous list of research question examples, you can choose a narrow marketing theme. Then, discuss the implications of such algorithms.
- Study computation of models for virtual environments.
- Cybersecurity challenges for automated vehicles.
- AI and vehicle automation: potential safety gaps.
- Computer graphics : perspectives for medical imaging.
- Research the use of computer algorithms for medical analysis.
- Discuss the role of bioinformatics in healthcare improvement.
- How is a computer-aided design used in creating automobile parts?
- Review the best practices for System Level Testing of distributed systems.
- Agile project management for software engineers.
- Software development risks analysis for successful employment.
- Study the security mechanisms for WLAN networks .
- Malicious botnets and network worms: an overview.
- What are the best practices in ICT systems development?
- Web-based document management systems using XML.
- Best algorithms for cluster generation.
- Methods for improving Open Web Architecture.
- Analyze software solutions for the increased energy efficiency.
- Protection of systems against terror attacks: a case study and analysis.
- New methods of risk management during software development.
- Analyze how Web space requirements are changing.
- Analyze how e-publishing is affecting libraries.
- New methods for studying the behavior of malware, viruses, and worms with the use of secure programming and runtime environments.
- Analyze redundancy and fault recovery in the 4G wireless network .
- Analyze the implementation and analysis of the optimal algorithm vs the heuristic algorithm for the generation of clusters.
- Analyze how full-text databases affect search engines.
Humanities and Art History Thesis Topics
Do you want to put your passion into words? Would you like to share your ideas with the world? Then pursuing a Ph.D. in the arts or humanities is the right path for you.
- The history of cinema: past and present. With this history dissertation topic, focus on how cinema developed. Explore the period starting from the first short films by the Lumiere brothers. Finish the discussion with modern-day Hollywood examples.
- Art or commerce: a case study of Hollywood films . Discuss the intersection between artistic expression and profit. This exciting arts topic focuses on modern cinema. You can use examples of art-house movies and modern commercially successful ones.
- Hollywood vs. Bollywood. Compare the two distinct film production centers for this art thesis. Next, discuss how local cultures impact Hollywood and Bollywood movies’ direction, genres, and plots.
- The use of visual tools in interior design. This dissertation topic is an intersection between arts and computer science. The focus is on how visualization tools help to create design projects.
- Racism in 21st-century literature. Focus on how the narratives about racism have changed. Include examples from poetry and prose of this era. Compare it to works published in the past.
- The cultural aesthetic of Afrofuturism in literature. This dissertation idea allows you to explore the intersection of arts. Specifically, see how culture, philosophy of science, and history manifest in Afrofuturism.
- The social value of ecopoetry. Analyze how literature that focuses on ecological problems. Discuss environmental consciousness and environmental issues .
- Graphic novels: the best examples and implications for the development of literature. What does it mean when literary classics are converted into graphic novels? Incorporate the question if graphic novels can become part of the literary canon.
- Theater of the Absurd in the 1950s and 1960s. Discuss this form of theatrical art. Examine how it emerged and why it became influential.
- Post World War II art: cinema and literature. Use examples of films and literary works. Discuss major works of the post-WWII era and their themes.
- Futurism and the Czech avant-garde: the artistic connection between Europe’s East and West.
- Study the phenomenon of the hero archetype.
- Assess dancing as a form of meditation .
- Review the common elements of various African dances.
- Folk dances across Western Europe.
- Discuss regional dances and dance as a ritual.
- Animation as a modern art form.
- Research the art of glass-making and its prospects for the future.
- Analyze the cultural impact of The Beatles beyond music.
- Literature censorship in the US.
- Examine the intersection of ecology and arts.
- Heidelberg Project: is it a model for creating art in urban areas?
- Study kinetic sculptures of the 20th century.
- What characterizes social activism in 20 th -century rock music?
- Jazz in the 21st century: a potential for revival.
- The history of design in various periods of human existence (the ancient times, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, etc.).
- Design as art.
- Philosophy of design.
- Separate branches of design (interior design, car design, toy design, etc.).
- Stylistic peculiarities of a certain designer.
- Web design as a modern quintessence of design.
- Social significance of design.
- The birth of Communism as it relates to Stendhal.
- The relationship between politics and literature in the 19 th century.
- An analysis and case study of artists and art during times of war.
- How contemporary art is related to American suffering.
- Analyze of how racism relates to the family unit.
List of Science Topics for Your Thesis
A dissertation in science will probably require you to run numerous experiments. Many of them will probably go wrong. But the one that does work might be the next big breakthrough! Find a suitable research theme in the following list of topics:
- Bacterial injections for the treatment of cancer tumors. Injecting bacteria into tumors is a fairly new approach to treating cancer. Review the mechanism of action and evaluate the potential of this method for curing cancer.
- Computer imagining and AI for cancer detection. Examine how AI-assisted cancer screening improves accuracy. Include early detection implications and usage in hospitals.
- Ethics of organ donations and transplantation. With this dissertation topic in science, examine the ethics of encouraging people to donate their organs. Include the implications for medical research and practice.
- An epidemiological and molecular approach to cancer prevention. This topic idea suggests assessing the current understanding of how cancer develops as well as potential prevention strategies.
- Ways of speeding up vaccine development and testing. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the process of vaccine development is relatively slow. It takes a long time to ensure proper testing. You may discuss these issues in your biochemistry dissertation.
- The current state of research into ultra fast rechargeable batteries. The topic of batteries and energy attracts lots of attention. With this topic, you can examine how to improve the design of aluminum-ion batteries. Include ways to decrease their charging time.
- Nanotechnologies in drug delivery: electrospraying. Current research shows the great potential of nanotechnologies. In particular, the electrospraying technique makes nanoparticle delivery more efficient.
- Prevalence of various Helicobacter Pylori virulence in a population. Conduct a quantitative research and examine a sample of patients to determine the number infected with Helicobacter Pylori.
- The relationship between gut microbiota and the person’s appetite. Your research can explore the theory that the gut microbiome has varied effects on the person’s body. Review the implications for obesity treatment for different gut microbiomes.
- The age of antibiotics : is it over? Examine the use of antibiotics and the reasons for its decline. Discuss the evolving nature of bacteria that require remedies other than antibiotics. Include quantitative data in this dissertation for a specific type of disease.
- CRISPR method for studying human DNA.
- The study of human evolution: latest discoveries.
- Denisovans from Siberia: a new type of hominid discovered.
- Study the use of AI in archeology.
- Conduct a study of the Neanderthal genome sequence.
- What are the ways of improving solar cell efficiency?
- The carbon footprint of modern production: how do companies damage the environment?
- Research the use of cesium in solar panels.
- The era of supercapacitors: are we ending the use of batteries?
- Assess the efficiency of Robot Suits for people with permanent paralysis.
- Microscale medial robots: potential applications.
- Look into stem cell mobilization and its mechanisms.
- Discuss the ethics of automated vehicles.
- Space robotics: can we design robots capable of exploring space?
- Evaluate the efficiency and potential of lithium-based rechargeable batteries.
- Morality and ethics of stem cell research .
- Is behavior controlled or affected by genetics and to what level.
- A look at methods of improving risk factors post-stroke.
- Analyze of Chinese herbal practice and its relevance to conventional medicine.
- Analyze the effect schools have on childhood obesity .
- New methods of using existing data to gather information that is useful.
- An in-depth look at the factors affecting the decline of the immune system with age.
- Analyze of the potential effect of nanotechnology on health and the environment.
- Analyze of toxicity levels of inhaled nanoparticles.
- The usefulness of nanotechnology in curing some types of cancer .
- An analysis and case study of the treatment of patients who have experienced a loss of memory.
- Analyze the use of DNA typing of remains to identify missing people and the victims of crime.
- The response of immune deficiency diseases to the activation of T-cell subsets.
- The influence and importance of IT in the field of biomedicine.
Architecture Thesis Topics
Architecture is more than just aesthetics. That’s become especially clear ever since the doctrine “form follows function” gained traction. Whether you’re into baroque or Bauhaus, there’s plenty to discover about architecture.
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- Religious architecture in the British Empire. Research the transformation of religious buildings and how it affected architecture in general.
- Modernist architecture in the USSR at the beginning of the 20th century. Compare modernist architecture in the USSR with other countries.
- Urban greening and its influence on buildings’ design. The dissertation proposal can include green roofs as the main point of research.
- Brutalism and its history in New York . Provide historical research of brutalism in New York and discuss how it affects modern architecture.
- Modern-day aboriginal settlements in Australia. Using examples from media and research, indicate how aboriginal settlements are perceived and handled today.
- Transformation of the urban design in the 21st century. Using London, Hong-Kong, and New York as examples, provide an in-depth discussion of changes in the urban design.
- The architectural history of Seattle. Conduct research and write a proposal that will compare different architectural styles seen in Seattle.
- Integration of culture in environmental design. In this proposal, you can use large cities in Asia as primary examples of the synergy between culture and architecture.
- The architecture of residential neighborhoods during the second half of the 20th century. Choose one or several large cities (e.g., Berlin, Miami, Kyoto) as the basis for your research.
- The history of Moscow Avant-Garde . Use both Soviet and modern Russian research on Avant-Garde to present the topic accurately.
- Use of computer visuals in architecture.
- Review the trends in modern furniture design.
- Ecology and architecture : integration of green technologies.
- Discuss the multiculturalism of contemporary urban architecture.
- The history of architecture in urban areas of the US: the study of New York.
- Modern city design case study.
- Research ways of using wood in modern architecture.
- Commercial architecture: aesthetics and usability.
- Evaluate the design of municipal buildings in the US.
- Creativity in postmodernist architecture.
- How do we integrate smart home technology into architecture?
- Small scale homes: a study of growing interest in small housing.
- Discuss the use of lighting in building design.
- Study innovations in structural design in the digital age.
- What are the implications of inclusive architecture?
- Sustainable architecture: recycling spaces and materials.
- Renewable energy in home design.
- Assess open concept homes for American families.
- Conduct a study of family homes design.
- Research architecture suitable for middle-class families.
Thesis Topics in English Literature & World Literature
Was your New Year’s Resolution to re-read the 100 most influential classical works? Then you might want to consider writing a thesis in advanced higher English. Check out these engaging prompts:
- In-depth stylistic analysis of The Trial by Franz Kafka. Explain what stylistic devices Kafka used in his story.
- The influence of The Hound of the Baskervilles on the development of modern detective stories. Prepare several comparisons of The Hound with modern detective stories to pinpoint its influence.
- The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum : women characters in Heinrich Böll’s fiction. Using the book mentioned in the topic, examine how the German writer depicted women in his prose.
- Analysis of the terrorism portrayal in modern journalism : The New York Times case study. Pick several articles related to terrorism published in NYT and describe in detail how it is portrayed (keywords, images, etc.).
- A formalist approach to Dostoevsky: analysis of The Brothers Karamazov . Provide the reader with an explanation of the formalist approach and use it to analyze the novel.
- The depiction of sexual violence in young adult literature. Pick several YA novels published in the 2010s for your research.
- The use of repetition in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot . Analyze how repetition is used for emphasis and other effects in the play.
- Feminism and gender in Margaret Atwood’s Cats’ Eye . Review the book from a feminist point of view and discuss how gender issues are presented in the book.
- How does Phillip K. Dick use intertextuality in The Man in the High Castle ? Find as many references to other literary and historical sources as you can and elaborate how Dick uses them and for what aims.
- The influence of Steppenwolf on postmodern American literature: the contribution of Herman Hesse. Using Steppenwolf as the primary source, discuss what characteristics common for postmodern literature Hesse uses in this novel.
- How does racism manifest itself in classical literature?
- Discuss the oppression of women in The Handmaid’s Tale.
- Gender roles in The Miniaturist and A Doll’s House : a comparison.
- Moral ambiguity in David Harrower’s works.
- Literary techniques in the Perks of Being a Wallflower.
- The setting in The Murder in the Rue Morgue and its influence on the detective genre.
- Review the tropes first introduced in The Moonstone.
- Study the depictions of police’s work in Skinner’s Rule .
- Assess the influence of Victorian Gothic horror on popular culture.
- Social criticism in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
- Analyze cyberpunk elements in Gibson’s Neuromancer.
- Themes of social equality in modern literature.
- Research the views on Native American writers in Nature’s Poem.
- Critique of contemporary children’s literature.
- Gothic elements in Charlotte Bronte’s works.
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Dracula : a comparative analysis.
- Terror in The Picture of Dorian Gray .
- Examine the connection of mental health and society in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye .
- Magical realism and romanticism in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
- How does the cut-up technique contribute to the narration in William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch?
Criminal Justice Thesis Topics
Are you a forensic science student who prefers research to actual police work? In that case, a dissertation in criminology is a great idea. This way, you can work on preventing crime from the comfort of your desk.
- Recidivism rates among underage Latino first-time offenders: a quantitative study. Research a group of first-time offenders of a particular age (e.g., 18 to 25 years old).
- A comparative analysis of the incidents of gun violence in the USA during the 2010s. Choose several prominent examples and compare them to each other.
- Troublesome statements: the role of witnesses in potentially false accusations. In this dissertation, you can write about the unreliability of statements, using documented examples.
- The patterns of drug trafficking in Germany’s largest cities: a case study of Berlin and Hamburg. Analyze the changes in these patterns in the 2010s.
- Money laundering and corruption in the United States in the 21st century. Using media reports, create dissertation research about corruption schemes.
- Mental health and self-perception of second-time sex offenders. Determine if their self-perception changes.
- Campus shootings in the USA: causes and risk factors. Using recent and historical data, analyze the cases of mass shootings.
- The influence of cyberbullying on suicide rates among Australian adolescents (13-17 years old). You can base your dissertation report on various research on cyberbullying published in Australian scholarly journals.
- Parental abuse and its influence on serial killer’s perception of victims. Discuss interconnections between abuse and potential sadistic behavior.
- The history of forensic interviewing in the USA. Present research and practices that developed it.
- Use of artificial intelligence for forensic investigations.
- Criminal behavior at a young age and its implications for the future.
- Drug use: pattern of recurring arrests among American youth.
- Incarcerated parents: the impact on the child’s perception of crime.
- Research the reforms of the US criminal justice system.
- Propose strategies for improving the juvenile detention system.
- Police officer’s abuse of power: analysis of reports.
- Race and criminal justice: the case of War on Drugs .
- What are the possible alternative forms of incarceration?
- A study of public perception of modern serial killers.
- Training of sniffer dogs.
- The implications of eyewitness testimony.
- Abuse in Hollywood: a case study of Harvey Weinstein.
- Bias against African Americans during investigations.
- A study of college violence.
- Legal implications of medical marijuana legalization.
- Ethics of criminal justice: the problem of confidentiality.
- Review the challenges linked with domestic violence investigations.
- Suggest ways of preventing crimes in schools.
- Gender bias during crime examinations.
Geography Thesis Topics
If you enjoy unveiling Earth’s secrets, this section is for you. Here you’ll find geography dissertation ideas ranging from studies of movement to regional phenomena.
- Species that became extinct in the 20th century: qualitative research. Address the human influence on various species .
- Current issues in the exploration of Arctic. Discuss difficulties and specifics of such explorations.
- A comparison of urban back gardens in the USA and the UK. You can compare their design and other features (for example, vegetation used for decoration).
- The causes and outcomes of flooding in the USA in the 2010s. Address climate change as one of the leading causes.
- Prevention of ecosystem changes with modern technology. Provide various examples of how technology is used to sustain ecosystems.
- Changes in holidays destinations in the 2000s: a comparison of the USA and Canada. Demonstrate what changes in preferences were documented in these countries and show what destinations were especially popular.
- The perception of environmentally friendly technologies and their impact on the environment by citizens of large metropolitan areas: a case study of Miami. Explain how various projects based on environmentally friendly technologies are launched in Miami.
- A negative impact of global warming on weather conditions in Iceland. Discuss how tourism in Iceland is affected by these changes.
- The influence of industrialization on climate change. Address the causes of climate change, using industrialization and its consequences as a basis.
- Compare Greenfield and Brownfield land use for construction projects.
- Investigate the significance of red salmon for Kamchatka.
- The social impact of climate change: a study of migration patterns.
- The potential of community gardening in underprivileged neighborhoods.
- Study the link between the strengths of hurricanes and climate change.
- What can be done to stop gentrification in your community?
- Evaluate coastal tourism, its effect, and implications.
- The impact of reservoir locations on water quality.
- How did industrialization affect the development of Chicago?
- Study soil pollution levels in your community area.
- Conduct an analysis of air quality in your city.
- Environmental tourism, its history, and perspectives.
- Differences in soil chemistry across several locations.
- The impact of organic farming on water quality in your area.
- Compare the sustainability of organically vs. conventionally farmed tomatoes.
- Research air pollution levels and data on airborne illnesses in your area.
- What’s the relationship between rock climbing and cliff vegetation?
- Study the changes in soil fertility upon volcanic eruption.
- How does the Chernobyl disaster continue to affect the surrounding area?
- Determine the patterns of floods in a particular area of your choice.
Sociology Thesis Ideas
Sociology studies how humans live together. A dissertation is a great way to dive deeper into a particular subject. You can get as specific as your heart desires! Check out our sociology thesis topics:
- Single parent stigma and its influence on family’s quality of life and parent-child relationships. Present examples from recent research that illustrate how the dynamics of these relationships change over time due to stigma.
- Women empowerment in Saudi Arabia in 2000s: breakthroughs and challenges. Discuss how this empowerment affected legislation and women’s rights.
- Long-term alcohol addiction and self-perception in young adults. With the help of research, demonstrate whether self-perception of these adults transforms significantly due to their addiction.
- Adoption and its influence on parent-child relationships. Present and discuss challenges that such families face.
- Comparison of traditions related to family dinners in the USA and the UK. What specific differences are there and how can they be explained?
- Influence of the emo culture on suicide rates in high school students. Address the influence of such cultures on adolescents’ behavior.
- The rates of secularization in elderly individuals living in urban and rural areas. Compare the rates and explain why they are different.
- Influence of forced outing on transgender individuals and concomitant changes in their quality of life. Explain the effects of forced outing and why this impact is dangerous.
- Comparison of anti-nuclear movements in Germany and Japan in the 21st century. Explain in detail what differences and similarities are prominent.
- Performance rates of teenagers in schools in low-income neighborhoods: a case study of Boston schools. When writing your dissertation proposal, consider various factors (poverty, limited access to technology, etc.) that affect performance rates of these teenagers.
- Black Lives Matter movement’s immediate impact on racism.
- Research causes of minority bias in the US.
- Affirmative action and its impact on the perception of varied racial groups.
- The impact of religion on people’s attitudes towards race.
- Review the challenges of the US LGBT community.
- Bias towards transgender studies.
- Social activism against gender discrimination in the 21st century.
- The impact of social assistance in schools on a child’s future.
- Research the changes in education after WWII.
- Analyze scholarship policies in the US.
- The impact of student debt on youth’s perception of education in the US.
- Outcomes of public vs. private education: a comparison.
- Research the preservation of culture in American immigrant families.
- Applying Marx’s conflict theory to social justice movements.
- Assess changing trends in social norms in a country of your choice.
- Attitudes towards prejudice among people of different social backgrounds.
- Comparison of women’s rights in Western and Middle Eastern countries.
- The impact of capitalism on one’s social values.
- How does capitalism benefit society across multiple post-soviet countries?
- Compare healthcare access in autocracies vs. democracies.
💡 Dissertation Topics for Ph.D. students
Below you’ll find a list of excellent dissertation ideas in different fields of study. They are more difficult than thesis topics and require more research. Jump to the section that interests you and find the topic that suits you best! But first:
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What Makes a Good Ph.D. Topic?
Usually, universities would expect your dissertation to be original and relevant in the field of the research. Moreover, it would be worthwhile if it has the potential to make a change.
This checklist will help you see whether you’ve made the right choice. Your dissertation topic is good, if:
- You have an opportunity to research it fully. You need to know that there is enough data and a theoretical basis. Do some prior research to understand if you will be able to answer all your dissertation questions.
- You can fill the gaps in the existing knowledge. Your research matters if you can provide some new information that contributes to the field of your studies.
- Your dissertation title is catchy. Try to make it worth the reader’s attention from the first glance.
- You can evaluate how much time you need. It is vital to understand all the stages of your research and the challenges you might face to plan your work.
- You know the subject well. You will need to explore your topic in-depth. It’s good to have some previous knowledge about it. Starting the research from the very basics will take more time and effort.
- You have enough resources to investigate it. Both time and money matter in this case. You need to do high-quality research and meet your deadlines.
Dissertation Topics in Education
Learning is a lifelong experience, and the importance of schools cannot be overestimated. Research in this area is critical to improving education standards. Have a look at these topic ideas to get inspired:
- Educational games as tools for enhancing learning abilities: theory and practice. Many studies have been conducted on different learning approaches. For young learners, engagement is as critical as the outcome. Therefore, this work focuses on educational games and their effect on children’s improvisation and learning.
- Studying the connection between classroom quality and the learning outcome in kindergarten . Children are strongly affected by their environment, especially when it comes to learning. This dissertation topic example is all about looking into different classroom settings and their effect on kids’ learning outcomes.
- Evaluating the process of implementation of inclusive education in the US. Professionals argue that inclusive education carries multiple benefits for all students (not just those with limited abilities.) However, it is quite a challenging process to implement all the changes.
- Factors influencing the decision to transfer to the higher education institution outside the US. In this work, you can focus on finding out the reasons for such a decision. Why do undergraduate students choose to leave their homecountry? What are the most important factors?
- Online education vs. traditional face-to-face for adult learners: compare and contrast. Online courses have their own benefits. However, would adult learners prefer them to in-person classrooms? How does it affect their learning and motivation?
- How does working as a taxi driver and navigating change a person’s brain?
- To what extent can reality television be disempowering for students?
- The role of homework in the lives of immigrant adolescents.
- The impact of teachers’ shocking behaviors in fostering students’ creativity.
- The determinants of flossing behavior in college students.
- The classification of drinking styles in the college-age population.
- Integrating the computer into the curriculum: why you can’t simply plug it in.
- The preconditions for serious music-making avocation in computer science students.
- Adult graduate difficulties with learning new technologies.
- The effect of academic performance on the health of adolescents.
- The impact of mathematic coaching on students’ self-esteem .
- The influence of internet on the emotional maturity of students.
- Academic achievements of students who decide to become teachers.
- Is it true that students are more likely to do homework given by good-looking professors?
- Informal learning in rural areas via social networks.
- Edublogging for professors: the social networks of educationists.
- Does learning existentialism cause suicides?
- Is it possible to reduce summer learning loss without students’ consent?
- Can we reject classical math and do it at the same time? Yes, we can.
- What are major career prospects with a degree in Liberal Arts ?
- Using electronic games in museums as an effective education tool.
Business Dissertation Topics
There are many things a business administrator should keep in mind. Finances, marketing, and development are just the tip of the iceberg. So, the choice of topics is practically endless. Check out this selection to narrow down the possibilities:
- How are business strategies adjusted to the globalization process? Small businesses’ perspective. Globalization means huge and profitable opportunities. To seize them, all businesses and companies should make some changes in their strategies. Investigate what would be the best action plan for them.
- Cultural changes and the effect of feedback in an international company: a case study. Choose a multinational company. Study the impact of feedback (both from the employees and customers) on its organizational culture changes. What reaction does it provoke in the company?
- Human resource management approaches in international non-profit organizations. In this study, look into the strategies HR managers apply in non-profit organizations. One of their main responsibilities is to monitor the performance of the employees. However, at the international level it becomes more difficult.
- Leadership and organizational culture in making decisions about business strategies. In this research, you study the influence of the organizational culture on leaders. In the case of trying to initiate changes in the business strategy, how is a leadership decision taken?
- The role of “foreign direct investment” in companies in developing countries: a case study of a large business. For this paper, pick a suitable company first. Aim for large companies in developing countries. Then conduct research and find out what strategies they have for foreign direct investments.
- COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on workplace management in small businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic caused many companies to readjust their HR policies. For instance, they allowed their staff to work from home. Research this phenomenon in your thesis.
- Social entrepreneurship for large companies. If you want to make the world a better place, social entrepreneurship is a suitable method. We usually associate it with small start-ups. But what about large companies? With this topic, you can research how the concept works for big firms.
- How innovation affects demand in technology-driven businesses. This MBA dissertation topic combines business studies and technology. Examine how companies create products for establishing markets.
- Management strategies in times of COVID-19: a case study. The pandemic has forced companies to use Zoom, Skype, and messaging instead of regular meetings. Review how executives can apply traditional management models in the digital space.
- The impact of burnout on employees . Interview staff members and determine how burnout affects performance. Include the name of a company or industry in your dissertation’s title.
- Tourism management in the Middle East.
- How do natural disasters impact the demand for essentials?
- Compare and contrast Asian and American leadership styles.
- How does fluctuation in the stock market impact business operations?
- The art of delegation: how to do it effectively and when to avoid it.
- How can one efficiently lead a company when unforeseen circumstances occur?
- What factors determine employees’ work satisfaction?
- Study the link between a company’s success and innovation.
- What can business managers do to bridge the gap between generations?
- Research the benefits of global and local brand management.
- What causes changes in Chinese business culture?
- Choose a small business and analyze its strategy.
- Organizational changes: what factors impact transformation?
- Internet banking: barriers to usage.
- Create a business plan that is focused on a specific issue.
- Conditions necessary for quality management in MNCs.
- The role of E-commerce for food retailers.
- Conduct a case study with the purpose to analyze one or several social phenomena.
- Workplace ethics in small businesses.
- The phenomenon of remote working and how it is affecting businesses.
- Comparison of Generation X and the Millennial Generation.
- Managing the Millennial Generation .
- Current trends in consumer behavior in relation to advertising.
- Analyze which countries margin financing is effective and why.
- Analyze the macroeconomic factors affecting exchange rates.
- An empirical analysis of the impact of organizational performance and leadership.
Law Dissertation Topics for Ph.D. Students
Legal science is not dull as one may think. It’s crucial to evaluate laws at any point in time. Do they fit the current norms? Does something or someone need more protection than before? If you want to garnish your legal education with a Ph.D., here are some topic suggestions:
- Trust law: the circumstances when fully secret and half-secret trusts are necessary. Find out what are the principles that dictate the enforcement of the trusts. There are specific circumstances that determine whether creating trusts would be adequate and relevant. Make sure to take them into consideration.
- Termination of employment in case of employees tested positive for HIV/AIDS. Your task would be to conduct research and see how HIV/AIDS employees are influenced in the workplace. The most common issues are discrimination and termination of employment.
- The influence of the Global War on Terrorism on international criminal law. When the US launched the campaign against terrorism in 2001, international criminal law faced some changes. You can study the most significant changes that have been made.
- The level of effectiveness of the US copyright law in relation to the rights of users. It’s an empirical research that would require collecting lots of data. Try to find some cases when the users were left cheated by copyright law. It would bring some diversity to the research and make it more interesting.
- Study the effect that the US immigration policy has on education right now. Educational institutions are also required to adjust to changes connected with immigration. Different requirements and different curriculums are implemented to fit their needs. You are about to look into this issue.
- Select a country and analyze its worker protection laws. Compare the rights and obligations of employees in two countries of your choice. What potential improvements can solidify employee rights?
- Protection of minorities, legal precedents. Minority rights are becoming more and more relevant. This topic allows you to discuss how laws can be changed to reflect it.
- Regulation of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies allow for anonymity. Besides, they are not regulated by any state. In your thesis, you can analyze cryptocurrency regulations.
- Fake news: legal responsibility. Review how the United States legal system approaches disinformation. Focus on false publications on news resources. Another possible topic is improvements to defamation laws.
- Freedom of expression: a case during a pandemic. This topic is about false information in times of COVID-19. Examine how a state can balance freedom of expression with the spread of false information. Focus on this disease and the fake news about it.
- Legal practices for preventing possible future pandemics.
- Research ways of online journalism protection.
- International law vs. the right to self-determination: comparative case studies of de facto states.
- Review the history of fiscal laws in America.
- Limits to freedom of expression in the US legal system.
- Enforcing regulations concerning domestic violence.
- Study criminal responsibility for drug possession in the US.
- Criminalization of violence against women .
- Review the legal framework for addressing foreign involvement in elections.
- What was the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Health standards for immigrant detention centers in the US.
- Research the loopholes in the US immigration laws.
- Birthright citizenship in the US: pros and cons.
- 1951 Refugee Convention: is it obsolete?
- Illegal immigrants and their rights in the US justice system.
- How criminal laws have been impacted around the world by the war on terror .
- Choose a country and analyze their policies on discrimination.
- Evaluate the protection given to minority shareholders as dictated by company law.
- Provide a critical analysis of the law of omissions liability.
- Investigate and analyze complaints filed in the criminal justice system .
- A critical analysis of the reform of homicide laws.
- The morality and impact of euthanasia and how Canada sets a precedent.
- A detailed analysis of gender and race profiling of suspects in the criminal justice system.
- Analyze the right to bear arms relative to the context in which the law was written into The Constitution.
- Create case studies that represent a review of criminal negligence related to the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007.
Psychology Dissertation Topics
The mysterious ways of the human mind offer many research opportunities. Psychology encompasses sub-fields such as behavior and cognition. Whatever your area of expertise, you’ll undoubtedly find something interesting in the list below.
- The current effect of the “price ending” method on the consumers’ behavior. Nowadays, everybody knows the most popular trick that shops pull to make customers buy the products. However, does understanding it make it easier to resist it? Is this psychological trap still working?
- Burnout at the executive positions in massive US corporations: is it possible to prevent? The phenomenon of burnout is the most common issue that employees face nowadays. But there are ways to detected it at an early stage. Could they be used to predict and prevent this problem?
- Mindfulness practices and their influence on students’ learning abilities at the top universities (e.g., Harvard). Mindfulness is proved to be extremely useful in overcoming stress and anxiety issues. However, does it affect the learning outcome of the students who study at the best universities in the world?
- The individual struggles with gender issues and their impact on global gender inequality. Everything always starts with a small thing. For this paper, study the relation between some individual cases and the global issue. How do personal struggles contribute to the worldwide movement for justice?
- The positive influence of irrational beliefs on mental well-being. In psychology, irrational beliefs are a set of values and opinions that people believe in despite many rational pieces of evidence against them. However, what positive effect can they bring?
- Ways of raising awareness of mental health problems . Mental health has been discussed more openly in recent years. Review how this open discussion affects views on personal mental health. As another idea for a psychology dissertation topic, research a specific illness.
- Student burnout and ways to prevent it. Focus on the problems students face and what strategies can reduce their stress.
- Lockdown and mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to be in isolation from social contacts. Review the potential effects of this practice on people’s well-being. Discuss possible strategies for supporting mental health during possible future pandemics.
- Weight, self-image, and mental health. A clinical psychology thesis can focus on the psychology behind excess weight. Discuss how weight affects a person’s perception of self. Assess implications for clinical psychologists who work with overweight patients.
- Social media vs. reality: normalizing real people. Review current efforts of social media accounts in normalizing body image . Explain how this can reverse the damage that edited photos have on mental health.
- How does gender bias affect mental health in America?
- What factors affect women’s self-esteem in the workplace?
- Specifics of transgender mental health.
- Research the effect of immigration on mental well-being.
- Study the psychology of racism and ways to combat it.
- What distinguishes the mental health of minorities in the US?
- Research the psychology of dissent in the Soviet Union.
- The connection between stress and overeating: latest developments.
- Assess the role of social support for losing weight .
- What’s the role of prejudice in politics?
- Assess the role of endurance in coping with stress.
- Developing hardiness: strategies and exercises.
- What’s the effect of emotional resilience on mental health?
- Helping teenagers overcome stress via relaxation techniques.
- Look into the perception of anger and its effect on mental health.
- Understanding the function of the prefrontal cortex in terms of how it is connected to other parts of the brain.
- Understanding how the prefrontal cortex makes us human.
- How emotional and anxiety disorders are connected to social cognition that is impaired.
- Analyze the ability of an MRI to determine brain function.
- Analyze the relationship between emotional and episodic memory.
- A comparison of the plasticity of the child’s brain and the adult brain.
- Analyze the continued relevance of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development.
- An in-depth look at the social intuitionist model and how it relates to the emotion and reason involved in moral judgement.
- How the evolution of the human brain can be understood in terms of human cognitive development.
- A demonstration of the multi-dimensional nature of schizophrenia .
- How rational thinking and impulse contribute to decision-making.
- A systematic analysis and review of the psychology of religion.
- How exposure to nature affects happiness.
Nursing Dissertation Topics
A nurse’s work is hard. Unfortunately, they rarely get the credit they deserve. With a Ph.D., you could become an advocate on the problem. Or you could concentrate on optimizing their work environments.
- Exercise, changes in lifestyle , and self-tracking for diabetes prevention and management. Center your research on different lifestyle changes (exercise, reduced smoking, and drinking) and explain how and why it prevents diabetes.
- Influence of stigma related to HIV/AIDS on representatives of ethnic minorities: a case study of Native Americans. Using research, provide compelling evidence of how Native Americans are stigmatized and discriminated against.
- Chronic illness management at home: recommended evidence-based practices. Using current nursing and other professional research, discuss how adults and seniors manage chronic and autoimmune diseases.
- Depression and stress and their relation to preterm births in first-time mothers. Collect several articles about the issue and using their conclusions show how depression causes preterm births.
- Burnout in nurses: factors that cause it and practical solutions for prevention. Present outcomes of burnout (decreased performance and concentration, subpar workplace environment) and illustrate how it affects hospitals on a more significant scale.
- Public health: community-based measures to prevent morbid obesity . In this research, you can list various methods that include exercise and education and explain in detail how they prevent the spread of obesity.
- Risk factors and injury rates in psychiatric nursing. Present statistics on different types of injuries in psychiatric hospitals.
- Diversity and inclusion in nursing education. When researching diversity, make sure you are using examples of different minority groups’ perception of education.
- Euthanasia legislation in the USA: current issues and debates. Provide a thoughtful discussion of ethical and legal issues surrounding euthanasia.
- Organizational climate and its influence on perceived patient safety. Your study should focus on the importance of positive relationships between staff members, and its influence on the prevention of medical errors.
- Dietary practices and their influence on the quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus . SLE is a complex disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Describe nutritional research approaches to SLE.
- Fluoride application training in dental nursing.
- Describe the specifics of nursing care for patients with diabetes.
- Assess gender disparity in nursing research.
- Study nurse burnout prevalence in neonatal care in your community.
- Nursing staff advising DASH diet: effects on patients’ blood pressure.
- What are the challenges of asthma management for nurses?
- Nursing for autistic patients : the best strategies.
- Racial differences in nursing care: a case study.
- Evaluate nurses’ role in pain management for patients with dementia.
- Study the connection between nursing staff turnover and burnout.
- How is the role of a nurse changing in the modern healthcare system?
- Review nursing practices for managing patients over the age of 65.
- A holistic approach to obesity management in nursing.
- Describe the specifics of nursing in rural areas.
- Physical activity and mental health: a nursing case study.
- Discuss nursing pain relief strategies for general care.
- Determine the ethical implications of nursing malpractice.
- Nurses consultations for spinal cord injuries.
- Nursing in an urban setting: challenges and prospects.
- What are the specifics of pain management in obstetrical nursing?
Marketing Dissertation Topics
Good marketing is what made you buy that product you didn’t know you needed. Marketing needs plenty of scientific research for it to be successful. You can contribute to this effort with one of the following topic ideas:
- Compare and contrast: the effectiveness of traditional and digital marketing in the last five years. Marketing moves towards digital campaigns more and more every year. Though, traditional marketing still exists, of course. Your task is to compare every aspect of these two types in the span of the previous five years.
- The specifics of the relationship marketing and its influence on the loyalty rates among customers: a case study of fast-food chains. Take a few fast-food chains to conduct this research. Then analyze their relationship marketing strategies. There should be a correlation between the methods they use and the loyalty of their customers.
- Direct marketing and artificial intelligence: how do companies use it? The industry of marketing couldn’t have missed the opportunity to use the latest technologies for their benefit. Artificial intelligence helps some companies gain a competitive advantage. Find out what those benefits are.
- Collectivism and individualism : how cultures affect supermarkets? There are some apparent differences in cultures when it comes to shopping. So each shop owner has to implement a specific marketing strategy for targeting the customers. Work on aspects that make those strategies successful in different cultures.
- The strategies that make personalized products sell effectively. Everybody loves customized products, but it seems like not everybody is willing to give out their info for it. Therefore, businesses are forced to work it out. This research looks into marketing tools and methods they use to sell personalized products.
- Influence of online shopping apps on impulsive buying behavior. Using prominent examples such as Amazon and eBay, elaborate how apps affect customer’s decision to purchase an item through recommendations.
- Product design and its impact on consumer’s purchase decision. When preparing this thesis topic, consider using examples of large corporations such as Apple or IKEA to prove your point.
- Customer loyalty : the importance of satisfaction and loyalty programs. Conduct research using available surveys on satisfaction and draw conclusions from these statistics.
- Ethnic differences and their impact on brand perception. This research can review the types of products that target White or Black Americans specifically.
- Preferences for green products: analysis of the income’s influence on consumer decisions. Compare what households are more likely to prefer green products.
- Shopping habits of Muslim consumers in the USA: qualitative research. Here, you will need to research by engaging Muslim Americans in your study; you can use interviews or surveys for this topic.
- Social media and its impact on the promotion of small business. Make sure your reader understands how social media can promote or negatively present small business through customers’ comments.
- Does globalization make preferences of customers from different socioeconomic backgrounds similar? Using several classes (lower, middle, and upper), discuss the preferences of American households.
- Social media usage by international companies: a case study of Electronic Arts. Study the influence of customers’ reviews and opinions on EA’s sales.
- Consumers’ perception of transaction safety in online shopping applications. Discuss how consumers learn to differentiate between reliable and unreliable apps for payments.
- Marketing high tech products: a case study.
- Study changing marketing strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The future of big data uses in marketing.
- Conduct a comparative analysis of online vs. offline advertising.
- Explore the relationship between marketing strategies and sales.
- Holiday marketing strategies in the 21st century.
- Is marketing tailed towards model devices effective?
- Study the rise of influencer marketing.
- Review the newest trends in digital advertising.
- Brand management in 2023: an analysis.
- Assess the impact of ads on consumer behavior.
- Targeted ads: are they efficient?
- How did marketing change during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Assess brand management’s contribution to consumer loyalty .
- Impact of social media marketing on brand perception.
- Google Analytics insights for marketing campaigns.
- Marketing for minority populations.
- Youtube marketing: the effectiveness of videos for brand promotion.
- How does partnering with influencers impact brand perception?
- Social influencer marketing for SMEs.
History Dissertation Topics
History is written not only by the victors but also by history students. Your dissertation can shine a light on understudied cultures. Or perhaps you want to focus on how a specific event impacted the world. Find inspiration among the following dissertation questions and ideas:
- The historical context of the creation of Guernica by Pablo Picasso . War wasn’t the only inspiration for Pablo Picasso during the process of making Guernica . In this paper, you would look into the environment of the artist and try to identify what else brought him to the creation of this masterpiece.
- Bismarck and radical nationalism: what influenced the political state? For this research, you would study the underlying reasons for German Nazism before the beginning of World War II. What factors gave it a start when Otto von Bismarck was in charge?
- The rise of Bollywood: historical context. This paper focuses on the success of Indian Bollywood movies in the 1930s. You would need to look into the events that made those movies famous in the whole world. Don’t forget to mention the social views of Bollywood movies.
- The influence of secrecy in the technology intervention during World War II. You would study the role that the US Patent and Trademark Office played in the development of special war technology. Secrecy helped to keep it away from the public and enemies. How did it influence the war?
- Italian prisons in the 19th century: how were they managed after Unification? This paper would require you to study documentation on the management system prison used in Italy at the beginning of the 19th century. You should try to find some practices that might have been socially harmful.
- Gender perceptions in the Middle Age. When preparing the dissertation, use both historical and literary sources to show how gender was presented.
- Secularization in the American South during the post-war period. Provide a detailed discussion of secular societies forming in the South after the 1940s.
- Representation of Jewish history in contemporary art: a case study of Art Spiegelman’s Maus . Using the comic book as the primary basis, explain how Jewish culture and history are presented there.
- The history of medieval warfare and its influence on Modern Era warfare. When constructing this thesis, make sure you are using both historical and current research to provide details.
- American-British relations during the Cold War Era . Explain how the Cold War Era changes these relations and what has affected it the most.
- Germany’s foreign relations during the 1980s. Present a detailed overview of different foreign relations (e.g., with the USA, the USSR, the UK) Germany had during this period.
- The financial crisis in the USA in 2007-2009. Using research and media sources, explain to the reader how the crisis is still affecting the USA.
- The development of Austrian identity after World War II. In this case, you can use both historical evidence and Austrian literature that provides personal opinions of writers and artists on the issue.
- The impact of the Great Depression on the American involvement in the World War II. To show your understanding of historical processes, demonstrate how the Great Depression affected the USA’s perception of WWII.
- How I stopped worrying and learned to love the bomb: the development of nuclear warfare in the 20th century. Discuss the development of nuclear warfare in the USA and the USSR.
- What was the role of China in the Cold War?
- How did the Spanish Flu affect the pandemics that followed it?
- Determine the influence of the stock market crash in 1929 on the World Wars.
- First Battle of Marne’s impact on the outcomes of WWI.
- Tool usage and creation: Aztecs vs. Mayas.
- How did the enlightenment philosophy impact the development of the natural sciences?
- The effects of Christianization in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Assess the role of slavery in the US civil rights movement.
- Study the history of LGBT rights establishment in the US.
- What are the origins of slavery in Africa ?
- The Moon Landing and its impact on space exploration.
- Explore the role of the Bible in Jewish history.
- The US’ involvement in WWII.
- The aftermath of WWII: major historical events.
- Research the link between the Mexican-American War and the Gold Rush.
- Cold War insights: lessons from the Suez Crisis.
- Explore the role of democratization in the Soviet Union collapse .
- Global cooperation in early modern Europe.
- Study the legacy of the arms race.
- How did the First Ladies influence life in the 20th century America?
Dissertation Topics in Management
Companies and employees alike benefit from well-thought-out management strategies. So, a thesis in management has the potential to improve work environments even further. Kickstart your research by choosing one of the following topics:
- Ecotourism in Canada: issues and trends in small business. Explain issues that arise in ecotourism with climate change.
- Management ethics: how social media affects employees’ privacy and organizational climate. Present examples of negative and positive influence.
- Leadership styles : a comparison of democratic and autocratic leadership. Discuss what leadership style should be chosen to rule various companies, depending on their business plan.
- Political risk and its influence on emergency management . Explain how political crises affect and shape emergency management.
- Cultural diversity and its impact on employees’ satisfaction and commitment. Show what advantages and disadvantages there are in cultural diversity.
- Economic growth and unemployment rates in Australia during the 1990s: a historical perspective. Explain the causes of economic growth and unemployment.
- Challenges in human resources management working with millennials: qualitative research. Discuss what particular challenges HR managers face and how they can be addressed.
- The significance of organizational routines in international corporations: a case study of Google. Conduct research on the importance of routine and its impact on performance.
- Computer skills and management: the effectiveness of computerized management information system in rural areas. Describe how digital management can be effectively applied in companies working in rural areas.
- The history of digital rights management in the USA. Present the changes in the field during the 1990s-2010s.
- Analyze the best leadership styles for SMEs.
- Examine the changes entrepreneurship underwent in the past decades.
- How do leadership styles relate to work satisfaction?
- Overview of business negotiation methods using technology.
- Ways of integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.
- Discuss the specifics of airline companies’ management.
- Choose a theory of motivation in the workplace and make a case study on it.
- Study change management in SMEs in times of a crisis.
- Managing diverse teams: a qualitative analysis.
- Use of employee voice in US companies.
- Research the relationship between the organization’s goals and a manager’s behavior.
- What are the best current practices in public administration ?
- Applying strategic human capital principles in practice.
- The study of female CEOs in a country of your choice.
- Employees’ perception of change management: a quantitative analysis.
- A study of employees’ resistance to change.
- What’s the correlation between a CEO’s leadership traits and employee motivation?
- Workplace risk management: a study of psychosocial hazards.
- Conduct a quantitative study of the gender pay gap for CEOs.
- Research the relationship between management style and employee productivity.
Qualitative Dissertation: Ideas for Proposals
If you want your thesis to be more practical, you’ve come to the right section. Common approaches for qualitative dissertations include researching case studies, surveys, or ethnographies. Because of this, fieldwork will be an integral part of your doctorate journey.
- A comparison of teaching techniques that targeted children with autism in the 20th and 21st centuries. Provide a detailed overview of techniques and explain how research affected them.
- The development of cognitive-behavioral therapy and its effectiveness in patients with eating disorders . Present the history of CBT and use recent research to demonstrate its effectiveness.
- Ageism and sexism in international organizations of the fashion industry. Describe how the fashion industry defines what it means to be “young and beautiful.”
- Addressing sexual harassment at the workplace : the influence of organizational policies on targets’ decision to file a complaint. Explain what policies can support the target and what can prevent such decision.
- Strategies to eliminate bias in self-evaluation reports of employees. Using research in HRM, outline the best strategies that are currently used to avoid bias.
- Post-cancer therapy: issues and trends. Present and discuss various trends, the research behind them, and the effectiveness of different types of therapy.
- A family history of abuse and its influence on drug use in adults. Explain how abuse can provoke addiction in the future.
- The importance of trusting doctor-patient relationships on patient’s medication adherence and management of a healthy lifestyle. Describe how such relationships negatively or positively affect a patient’s decision to take medicine as prescribed.
- Barriers to the acquisition of social support among young men and women veterans in the USA. Discuss mental and physical disorders as major barriers.
- Single mothers’ perceptions of breastfeeding in public places: qualitative research. Conduct interviews to find out their opinion.
- The impact of online learning on student’s academic performance.
- A study of the youths’ perception of learning smartphone applications.
- Research the issue of gender bias in college education .
- Student’s perception of the mental health support and impact on campus.
- Perceptions of charter school education in the 21 century.
- Discuss homeschooling and its effect on a child’s socialization.
- What’s the impact of cyberbullying on teenagers’ mental health?
- How inmates perceive alternative forms of incarceration.
- Gun violence from the perspective of victims.
- Research bias towards video games as an art form.
- In what ways are minorities disadvantaged in America?
- Evaluate cooking as a therapeutic exercise.
- Assess the link between a principal’s leadership style and the school’s rating.
- The effect of online counseling on patients’ mental health.
- Perception of mental health stigma among students.
- How does gig economy re-define work?
- The implications of freelancing in the 2020s.
- Opinions about a 6-day work week in your community.
- Assess the process of adaptation to working from home.
- Conduct a research study of views on the BLM movement outside the US.
Quantitative Dissertation Proposal Topics
Some scholars just love working with data. Are you one of them? Then you’ll probably enjoy quantitative research. If you’re into finding patterns and making predictions, here are some enticing topics:
- A study of a major city’s livability index. Choose a city and assess whether it’s well-designed or not.
- A quantitative study of biofilms in technology. Discuss methods of using biofilms in technology. Include a list of recent advances and new tools.
- A quantitative study of teachers’ perception of online learning . This topic prompts you to use an evaluation scale.
- An assessment of a link between product reviews and intention to purchase. Study the effect online reviews have on potential customers.
- Immigration and its connection to crime statistics. Analyze data on immigration to the US and the number of violent crimes. Determine the relationship between the two phenomena.
- The relationship between obesity and occupation. Assess the BMIs of participants of different professions. Then, test the results for a correlation and discuss its implications.
- A relationship between nurses’ knowledge of diabetes management and patient satisfaction. Assess the nurses’ knowledge about diabetes and compare the results with patient satisfaction scores. Thus, you can determine if expertise translates into better care.
- A study of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SMEs financial operations. With this qualitative dissertation proposal in business and management, choose a small company. Analyze its financial data pre and post-pandemic. Include a discussion of financial management during pandemics.
- A study of millennials ’ pet ownership. Determine the percentage of millennials who have pets. Compare these patterns with previous generations.
- Economic growth and urbanization. Compare the empirical data about the state of economics and the number of people living in cities.
- Determine how urbanization affects bacterial community compositions.
- The economic impact of immigration on SMEs.
- Study crime rates in the US in relation to nonviolent crimes.
- How do various teaching styles affect learning?
- Compare overconfidence in CEOs of SMEs and corporations.
- How does inclusive language influence social behavior?
- Assess consumers’ satisfaction with online banking in your area.
- Evaluate crude oil price prediction methods.
- Is there a link between smartphone use and mental illness?
- Correlation between eyewitness testimonies and memory
- What are the attitudes towards AI development among women?
- Determine the rates of cybercrimes since the 1990s.
- A study of the police brutality cases across the US in the last decade.
- Correlation between education level and employment.
- The presence of sleep disorders in mental illnesses.
- Assess the attitudes towards medical care in the US.
- Determine the correlation between eating disorders and physical illness.
- Study the rates of cyberbullying among minority students.
- How various religious groups influence politics: a game-theoretical approach.
- Does regular exercise decrease symptoms of depression in adults?
Dissertation Topics in Educational Leadership
Educational leadership is a science focused on helping students to achieve their academic goals. It includes the motivation of staff and learners, improvement of educational programs, and creation of a healthy, productive environment in institutions. Want to dedicate your research to it? Take a look at these topic samples:
- Fatigue among American medical students. Medical students often need to memorize and analyze big portions of information. That is why many of them don’t sleep enough, get tired quickly, and find it hard to concentrate. What can be done about it?
- How did the COVID-19 pandemic and distance learning affect students’ motivation? Online education has multiple benefits and drawbacks. Some students might find it easier to get access to various textbooks online. Others want to return to campus. What is their motivation?
- Creating better learning conditions on campus : the challenges in 2023. With the increasing speed of technological progress, it is hard to catch up with the latest innovations. Explore them in your dissertation. For instance, you can focus on facilities for students with special needs.
- How can we enhance discipline among first-year students on campus? For some younger students, it is hard to get used to living on their own. They need to accept new responsibilities, find time to take care of themselves, and organize their lives. How can we help them?
- Development of soft skills among undergraduate students. For future employers, soft skills are as important as hard skills. That is why colleges need to pay attention to soft skills such as time management, communication, and creativity.
- The efficiency of workshops for enhancing students’ creativity.
- Do nutrition habits influence the studying process?
- The importance of mental health care in high school.
- What leadership styles are the most efficient in college communities?
- Does the implementation of early childhood education lead to further academic success?
- What is the role of school counseling among teenagers?
- What psychological factors make students drop out of college?
- Developing leadership qualities among MBA students.
- How to help college athletes to cope with psychological and physical pressure.
- Ways of reducing anxiety levels among criminology students.
- Helping students to choose their majors and find a career path.
- How to enhance communication between higher education administration and students?
- Motivating students to succeed after graduation .
- Why do we need psychology classes in high school?
- How can we prevent the bullying of Latin American students in middle and high school?
✅ How to Choose a Thesis Topic: Main Steps
In case you have no idea where to start from, here is a quick guideline on how to choose a Ph.D. thesis topic:
We hope this article helped you to choose a suitable topic for your dissertation. We wish you good luck with your research!
Learn more on this topic:
- Dissertation Critique: Examples, How-to Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Outstanding Dissertation
- How to Write an Abstract: Brief Steps and Structure Example
✏️ Dissertation FAQ
While working on a dissertation, you might deal with several types of research. The main research types are primary, qualitative, quantitative, and legal. In any case, it’s the way in which a researcher studies the subject using a particular methodology.
First of all, make sure that you are personally fascinated by the subject. This is essential for any thesis, be it master’s or an undergraduate dissertation. Besides, make sure the topic is feasible and hasn’t been studies much.
A good dissertation title is the one that represents the subject under study. To state which aspect is being studied is also important. The title should include neither a hypothesis nor a conclusion: think about it as “spoilers”—nobody likes them.
Just like any paper, a great dissertation is the one that is well-organized. The topic of the paper should correspond to the title. The text should have a cohesive structure with a definite introduction, argumentative main part, and a logical conclusion.
🔗 References
- Dissertation Topics 1961-Present: Rudgers University
- Completed Thesis and Dissertation Topics: University of Florida
- Current Legal Topics: Library of Congress
- The Right Dissertation Topic: Academics.com
- Days and Nights at the Museum…there’s a Dissertation for that!: Proquest.com
- Dissertation Titles: University of Michigan
- How to Pick a Master’s Thesis Topic: Medium.com
- How to Come Up With a Thesis Topic: Gradschools.com
- How to Choose Your Thesis Topic: Central European University
- How Do I Choose a Thesis Topic?: Grad School Hub
- Senior Thesis Topics: Hamilton College
- Arizona Research Topics: Arizona State Library
- Dissertation Proposal: Bartleby.com
- Dissertation Guide Essay
- How to Start Your Dissertation: 10 Top Tips: Studential.com
- How to Write a Dissertation or Bedtime Reading for People Who do not Have Time to Sleep: Purdue University
- A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Ph.D. Dissertation: ThoughtCo
- Dissertations Guide from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Developing a Thesis Statement: University of Wisconsin Madison
- Thesis/Dissertation Writing and Editing, Formatting, and Defending: Massey University
- Business Management Research Topics: Top Universities
- Law Topics: Law.com
- Psychology Topics: APA
- Marketing Topics: Marketing Profs
- Topics: History.com
- Computer Science: Encyclopedia Britannica
- Humanities: Research Topics Ideas: University of Michigan-Flint
- Art Topics: Art UK
- Topics: American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Nurses Topics: Medscape
- Architecture: Research Topics: University of Washington
- Topics in Geography: Research Gate
- New Topics in Sociology: University of Toronto
- Business Management Topics: The University of Maine
- Qualitative Case Study: Science.gov
- All Topics: Science News
- Criminology: Science Direct
- Topics in Literature: Sheridan College: Libguides
- Advanced Computer Science Topics: The University of Texas at Austin
- Application of Computer Techniques in Medicine: NIH
- Important Leadership and Management Topics: WHO
- Quantitative Research: University of Southern California
- Action Research: Brown University
- 10 Traits of Successful School Leaders: University of San Diego
- HIST 280 Topics: Texas A&M University
- The Relationship Between Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety: Frontiers In
- College of Nursing: University of Missouri–St. Louis
- All Topics: Educause
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Good evening Sir/Ma’am i wish to request for a PhD project topic in the field of clinical research and Life sciences .
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I need PhD research topic in Statistics- Robust regression or time series. Thanks
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- Graduate School
How to Write a PhD Motivation Letter with Samples and Expert Tips
Article Contents 11 min read
Reading over some PhD motivation letter samples will give you an idea of how to make yours a strong, central component of your application to get into grad school . In addition to your grad school CV , a PhD motivation letter is a chance for you to demonstrate objectively why you are an excellent candidate for the faculty to which you are applying. Unlike a personal statement, a PhD motivation letter is distinct in its unique focus on your academic and research background with little mention of your personal story. This article will take you through the significance of the PhD motivation letter, describe what makes a stellar motivation letter, and provide examples.
Note : If you want us to help you with your applications, interviews and/or standardized tests, book a free strategy call . If you are a university, business, or student organization representative and want to partner with us, visit our partnerships page .
Do You Need to Write a PhD Motivation Letter?
Yes, you must write a PhD motivation letter. It is mandatory for most, if not all, PhD programs, regardless of your field of study. Disciplines ranging from arts and humanities to physics and computer science all consider motivation letters (aka “statement of purpose” in some countries) a major component of your application.
Of course, you will also have to fulfill the other documentation requirements, like submitting your transcripts, CV, personal statement, and letters of recommendation, but a motivation letter has a specific intent: to summarize your academic achievements up to the present and what you plan to achieve in the future at this particular school.
The faculty who ultimately consider your application look for how you and your PhD topic match with the mission and values of their program. Personal details and other motivations are best left to your personal statement or letter of intent because the motivation letter is strictly an academic summary.
A great PhD motivation letter should highlight how and why you are prepared for the rigors of PhD-level work. It should include the details of your academic career that have propelled you further into your field of study, like an inspiring professor or undergraduate course that sparked interest in your field.
The following list will provide more insights, but you should remember that whatever you write must be backed up by a concrete, real-world demonstration. It is not enough to say, “I am interested in XYZ because of XYZ.” You must include specific events in your undergraduate and graduate studies where you excelled.
If you are applying for a PhD, that in itself suggests you have a bevy of academic and extracurricular experience to glean from, be it co-authoring a published paper, your time as a TA, or some type of academic recognition. Many stand-out motivation letters single out specific instances when you showed an outsized passion for your studies.
Dos and Don’ts in a PhD Motivation Letter
1. Gain Skills and Experiences
The track to obtaining a PhD degree is a long one, which is why anyone who wants to become a PhD should commit early on to what it entails. All PhD candidates must have both an undergraduate and a master's degree to even apply, so that means structuring your studies around those requirements.
You should gain as much experience in your field, learn new skills related to your studies (a new language, for example, or technical skills), and participate in as many extracurricular activities as possible. Gathering the necessary skills and experiences to enter a PhD program should be the first step, since they are a reflection of your commitment.
2. Start Writing Early
You should begin drafting your PhD motivation letter at least a few months before the deadline. Because it is one of the most important parts of your application, you want to give yourself time to refine it. Refining means going through multiple drafts, soliciting and receiving feedback from other candidates, getting professional grad school application help, and making changes as you go along.
3. Consider Your Audience
The people who will read your motivation letter are renowned academics who have devoted their lives to one particular subject. Your letter needs to reflect your respect not only for them, but for the field of study that you both share. You should write with genuine verve when talking about your topic. Remind them of why they committed so full-heartedly to their career by demonstrating how enthralled you are with your studies.
4. Use Active Voice
You should put “you” in your story. Avoid using the passive voice and hiding behind your achievements as if they spoke for themselves. The admissions committee members want to read about how you approached your studies and learn about your insights into the future of your field of interest. They do not want a cold recitation of your CV but a spirited defense or explanation of what you value most about your topic.
1. Don’t Forget About the Formatting
PhD admission requirements differ between the many programs out there, so be cognizant of how they ask you to format your paper. If the requirements state a two-page limit, then write two pages. The same goes for other criteria like font size, paragraph spacing, and word length. A rambling, incoherent letter is the last thing you want to submit, so make sure to keep it within the guidelines.
2. Don’t Include Personal Stories
A personal statement is the place for formative stories from the past, not your motivation letter. You can include personal thoughts and opinions about your field of study, even unfavorable ones, to show you have a unique perspective, but steer clear of using personal elements like early childhood experiences or anything unrelated to your program.
3. Don’t Ramble
Keep in mind that your writing and organizational skills are also on display when you submit your motivation letter, along with everything else about you (grades, college letter of intent , transcripts). Again, remember who you are writing for: professors with years of experience researching and writing. They, more than anyone, know what good writing looks like, so be concise and clear in your writing.
4. Don’t Shy Away from Failures
The collected experience of those reading your essay guarantees that they know a thing or two about failure. Whether it was an unpublished paper, or a failed experiment, showing your determination in the face of adversity paints a complete picture of who you are as a researcher and academic.
But, again, setbacks in your personal life should not be mentioned. Limit your story to problems you encountered during your undergrad, graduate, or research fellowships and how you sought to overcome them. Mention a class or subject you struggled with or a drop in your grades and how you improved them.
Structure of Your PhD Motivation Letter
The structure of a great motivation letter is easy to follow because its focus is so narrow. The body of your letter should only mention highlights from your academic career, in a very specific chronology starting with your undergrad and progressing from there. But the structure should also cover three main points:
You can adjust the structure based on the requirements of the PhD program you are applying to, but it should cover the reasons you want to commit yourself to this program, what you plan on achieving, and how you have prepared yourself to accomplish those goals. If you already went to grad school, then you can rework your college statement of purpose to use as a template.
PhD Motivation Letter Sample #1
Dear Members of the PhD Selection Committee,
My name is David White, and I am writing to you to express my interest in pursuing a PhD in the Migration Studies program at X University. I recently completed a Master of Ethnography at Y University with an emphasis on the cultural exchange between migrant communities and their adopted homelands viewed through the lens of shared trauma and memory.
In the media, migration is often described as a “crisis,” a designation that has always made me bristle. I assert that migration is one of the most fundamental aspects of our species, yet it has been flagrantly mislabeled to serve the political and socioeconomic interests of a few.
My research is centered around the ways that migrants form new identities based on their experiences. Conversely, I have also explored how an innate identity based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation impacts a migrant’s journey and how those markers expose them to further exploitation or, at the other end, fortify their resolve and inspire perseverance in the face of tremendous odds.
The need for further investigation into identity and the interplay of migration and culture came into focus for me during my second-year undergrad Political Science degree at XYZ University. I was influenced by the work of writers like Franz Fanon and Edward Said, who questioned the foundations of a post-colonial identity and whether it was ever possible for colonized people to form an identity separate from their colonizers. I took an anthropology course, The Nature of Humans, that impacted me greatly. It prompted a Cartesian examination of my own beliefs around identity, as it firmly associated the emergence of human societies with factors such as migration, evolution, adaptability, and diversity.
During my time as a graduate student, I secured a place on a research project headed by Prof. Mohamed Al-Nasseri, a diaspora studies expert. Professor Al-Nasseri's thesis was that policymakers were ignoring the psychological profiles of migrants when assessing their material needs and financial assistance levels.
Our four-person investigative team liaised with a local, non-profit resettlement agency who connected us with volunteer migrant families based in University Town. Under the supervision of Professor Al-Nasseri, we formulated a questionnaire based on the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-V for traumatic events, while taking into account the newly revised definitions.
Mindful of the possible triggering effect our questions could have, we invited a peer, fellow survivor/migrant, and, in some cases, a religious leader before we conducted the interviews or to sit-in on our interviews.
During the interviews, I felt both inspired and indignant. I maintained my composure and objectivity, but the fire within raged. Unfortunately, our findings were inconclusive and what we discovered in our interviews did not wholly support Dr. Al-Nasseri’s thesis. But the experience and motivation I took from the project were enough to fuel my desire to explore the topic of identity formation in migrant communities who have undergone severe trauma.
The Migration Studies program at your institution will provide what I consider the perfect research and support network to further my investigation of these topics. I have followed the work of the esteemed Dr. Ellerman whose research into the treatment of post-traumatic stress has informed the direction of my own research. Dr. Ellerman has opened new pathways for thinking about trauma that I wish to incorporate into my thesis project when the time comes.
Until then, I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to this institution and am ready to discuss my future with you should my candidacy prove successful.
David White
My name is Melanie Hicks, and I am writing this letter to fulfill the admission requirements of the Visual Arts PhD Program at Z University. I have already submitted my audiovisual portfolio, CV, and transcripts, along with three letters of recommendation from, respectively, my master’s degree supervisor, Dr. Dana Redmond, my thesis supervisor, Dr. Allan Lee, and my research colleague, Mark Fowler.
I would like to take this opportunity to expand further on the conceptual themes I have focused on in my artistic output over the past decade, contextualize the pieces I have submitted, and elaborate on the goals I have should my application to this program be successful.
My artistic career, from very early on, has been defined by modes of observation, the interplay of observation and reflection between subjects and objects within a sociopolitical realm, and the harnessing of Blackness as a form of radical self-interpretation – all of it couched within the media of still and moving images.
During my undergrad as a Fine Arts student at X University, I was lucky enough to be showcased at the Kepler Gallery for my series, Painted Faces, a collection of photographs I took while working as a freelance photographer for an independent newspaper in Chicago. My focus in that series was the effort and preparation female congregants of an all-Black church put into readying themselves for Sunday services.
After my undergrad, I traveled to Boston to volunteer in local after-school programs with children from minority backgrounds who had an interest in photography. All of them had grown up with easy access to a phone capable of taking crisp, digital images and had never taken film photographs, so it fell to me to show them how to develop prints in a darkroom.
As part of my portfolio, I have submitted photos I took during that time, along with selections from my Painted Faces series. I never constructed a specific narrative with the photos I took during my volunteer work, but they were informed by the social realist photographers and photojournalists who captured the Civil Rights Movement by participating in protests and documenting the unrest.
Gordon Parks is a major influence and part of the reason I am pursuing my PhD studies at this institution. Prof. Alys is a foremost expert on Parks’ work and curated the Parks Retrospective at the Local Museum. Parks himself said that the subject was always more important than the photographer, and I agreed with that statement for a long time, until I began reading Arthur Danto and his artist-centered philosophy of art. While many disagree with Danto’s definition of art as an elitist utopia, I would argue that he opens the gates to everyone, and that anyone can gain entry to the “artworld.”
There is no better exemplar, I think, of the democratization of the “artworld” first posited by Danto than Basquiat, who was not only “allowed” access to the “artworld” but redefined it, in his indomitable way. Basquiat’s quality of outsider-turned-insider and Danto’s liberating of the parameters of what defined art are central themes of my project to understand whether “outsider” artists still exist, given how new technologies and platforms have pushed Danto’s definitions beyond their logical boundaries, if not obliterated them completely.
I hope this program can help me refine my project while matching my urgency to further expand the definition of art and artists to be more inclusive of not only racial minorities, but non-binary and trans people, who are at the forefront of questioning the validity of assigned identities through the curation of their very genders or lack thereof.
I am grateful to this esteemed panel for considering my application, and I would like to close by expressing my profound admiration for the achievements in art, art theory, and the philosophy of art each of you has contributed to a long, continuing train of thought.
I would be honored to accept a place beside you as a PhD candidate.
Melanie Hicks
Motivation letters are used in areas other than academia, but a PhD motivation letter is different for several reasons. Regardless of your particular field of research, the letter should include important points about your academic achievements, research interests, and why you want to continue your research at the faculty to which you are applying.
Even though PhD motivation letters tend to be short – between 500 and 700 words – their length is often the most vexing thing about them. Because students have a hard time condensing their years of study and research into a few words, we hope this article will help you focus your writing and give you insight into what to include.
No, they are not the same. A motivation letter has many different applications but is primarily a summary of your academic and professional achievements. A personal statement is an essay explaining your personal reasons for wanting to enter a specific profession or academic institution.
You should focus only on concrete, real-world examples of how you performed, learned, or grew as the result of an event in your trajectory toward a PhD and how you plan on contributing something new to your field of study. You should also make sure to have enough material, in the form of experience or academic goals, to write a compelling letter.
PhD motivation letters are important because they let prospective PhD candidates distill their background and experience succinctly, so that selection committees can more easily judge their character, commitment, and potential.
Some people do find it challenging to write a letter about themselves without rambling or sounding incoherent. But if you prepare ahead of time, think honestly about your answer, and write several drafts, you should be able to write an above-average letter. If you are still struggling you can also get application help from professionals.
Programs tend to ask for either a one or two-page letter, between 700 and 900 words.
You can talk about anything that has do to with your past work to get to the PhD level, including aspects of your academic career, internships, independent or supervised research, fieldwork in a specific context, and any work experience you have related to your field of study.
You should not mention any personal motivations for wanting to pursue a PhD. You can write about your intrinsic motivations to become a doctor of philosophy in your personal statement, if you are asked to submit one with your application.
PhD programs around the world have various entry requirements that differ among schools. Some institutions ask for a motivation letter, while others ask for a personal statement or letter of recommendation and letter of intent, which has elements of a motivation letter but is not the same.
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How to Choose a Good Research Topic for Your PhD
Choosing the right research topic is quite often a daunting task, especially for PhD students. However, developing a good research question has a positive impact on students’ research careers. Thesis advisors offer help during this initial stage. Later on, PhD students are expected to choose their own research topic for subsequent studies.
When navigating through several interesting research topics, it becomes necessary to strike the right balance between curiosity and societal needs. Moreover, funding agencies fund compelling research proposals based on meaningful and highly relevant research topics. Selecting a good research topic can, therefore, increase the odds of academic success.
PhD Research Topic and Your Career
Performing a meticulous literature survey helps researchers identify existing research gaps and devise novel strategies for addressing them. Once the research gap is identified, it becomes imperative to choose a meaningful research question. A well-chosen research question can lead to a compelling research proposal. In fact, doctoral researchers can positively shape their entire career by finalizing a good research proposal. Researchers are expected to choose topics that can potentially lead to impactful publications. Good publications fetch good citations. Well-published and well-cited researchers can easily find satisfying jobs in academia or industry. Choosing the right research topic, thus, can open doors to satisfying job opportunities worldwide.
Pathway to Success
There are several ways to ensure success in research. When in graduate school, students need to undertake several measures to identify a compelling research topic. Although conducting a thorough literature survey certainly facilitates this process, it is virtually impossible to choose the right research topic solely based on literature surveys. Students and early-stage researchers, therefore, need to brainstorm thoroughly with their advisor, talk to experts, and attend research seminars/conferences to listen to (and network with) established researchers. Quite often, taking up the relevant coursework (especially for interdisciplinary research areas) simplifies the process of research topic selection.
Choosing the right research question helps researchers stay focused and motivated throughout their career. Meaningful research questions eventually lead to meaningful discoveries and inventions. Robert Smith presented in Graduate Research: A Guide for Students in the Sciences (ISI Press, 1984) a list of 11 research questions to consider:
- Can you enthusiastically pursue it?
- Can you sustain your interest while pursuing it?
- Is the problem solvable?
- Is it worth pursuing?
- Will it lead to other research problems?
- Is it manageable in size?
- What is the potential for making an original contribution to the literature in the field?
- Will the scholars in your field receive the results well if you solve the problem?
- Are you (or will you become) competent to solve it?
- By solving it, will you have demonstrated independent skills in your discipline?
- Will the necessary research prepare you in an area of demand or promise for the future?
Keeping these questions in mind while developing a research question can set the stage for a productive and fulfilling career.
Common Mistakes
There are several mistakes that students and early-stage researchers commit during the process of research topic selection. Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Extending thesis work even after graduate school : If researchers choose topics that are direct extensions or clear derivatives of their thesis work, then they do not make significant value addition to the respective field of study. Choosing a radically new research topic, while still embarking on the broad area of specialization is indeed the key to success.
- Choosing an obscure, irrelevant, or non-compelling research topic : This can adversely affect the researcher’s motivation levels and can drastically decrease their odds of attaining success.
- Letting PhD advisors choose research topics for you : Although researchers often pursue work within the same field even after earning their PhD, they are less likely to conduct research on the same exact topic. For this reason, letting your advisor tell you what to study rather than you developing a question based on your own reading and experiences in the laboratory is another common mistake that can have lifelong consequences.
Finally, scientists should work in an environment that nurtures the natural chaos of developing a research direction. PhD advisors should also make it a point to thoroughly groom and mentor their PhD students. A good thesis advisor enables his/her students to choose good research topics.
Did your thesis advisor choose a research topic for you? Did he/she train and mentor you well? Were you able to choose your own research topic? Are you happy with your chosen research topic? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
Research topics for science or literature: Deep knowledge and a keen interest in any subject with a scholarly attitude are the prerequisites for any research work.
I am allowed to choose my research topic.
i want research topic for p.hd
Thank you for posting your query. Selecting a good research topic is the first step towards carrying out a successful and impactful research study. A good research topic can help you attract funding and also help you to successfully publish in a prestigious journal. Unfortunately we are not aware of your field of research and hence will not be able to suggest you research topics. However, we can share few tips that might be helpful in selecting an appropriate research topic for your PhD. While choosing a research topic, you must carry out a thorough literature survey in your field or genre of research and look for a research gap. Identifying the research gap makes it easy to select a research topic and an appropriate research question. Once you have selected a research topic, you can check through our checklist available here .
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Our Motivation Science lab takes an integrative approach, drawing from multiple disciplines (e.g., cognitive, social and educational psychology, cognitive/social neuroscience) and multiple approaches (e.g., behavioral experiments, longitudinal data analysis, neuroimaging, meta-analysis, statistical simulation/computational modeling, network …
Here are seven ways to maintain your motivation as a PhD or postdoc… 1. See the big picture. It is easy to become demotivated by a never-ending to-do list of mundane tasks. Ditch your addiction to the to-do list and focus on how each action you take contributes to a larger overall goal.
Option 3: Get the Ph.D. position in a field of your own choice. Lisa Sansom remarked that “at the Ph.D. level, it’s more about your supervisor than the actual name of the program. Marty’s Ph.D. students at Penn don’t, as far as I know, get a Ph.D. in positive psychology but that is what they are studying effectively.
PhD in Leadership Studies Dissertation Topics The following dissertations were successfully defended by students in our PhD in Leadership Studies program: Adell, Robbie - Principal Mentoring in Western North Carolina: An Investigation Of The Existence Of A Relationship Between Participation In A Mentoring Program And The Years Of Service Of A ...
Motivation research proposal topic suggestions: These are the best-selected motivation research topics: How important is it to be motivated in an office environment for an employee? Techniques to improve the motivation of employees keep in mind the goal of the organization.
Top 10 Thesis Topics for 2023 The consequences of obesity. The influence of social media. Economic development and happiness. Feminism in the United States. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Racism in schools and colleges. Overeducation in the labor market. DNA evidence in criminal justice. Sales forecasting techniques.
A great PhD motivation letter should highlight how and why you are prepared for the rigors of PhD-level work. It should include the details of your academic career that have propelled you further into your field of study, like an inspiring professor or undergraduate course that sparked interest in your field.
Selecting a good research topic can, therefore, increase the odds of academic success. PhD Research Topic and Your Career Performing a meticulous literature survey helps researchers identify existing research gaps and devise novel strategies for addressing them.