Navigating the Challenges of Identifying a Research Topic vs. Completing a PhD Dissertation

It is often stated that identifying a legitimate research topic is more challenging than completing a PhD dissertation. In fact, my Ph.D. students frequently hear me say, when you can state your thesis topic in a sentence or two, your thesis is half done. This statement emphasizes the critical thinking involved in selecting a topic, as opposed to the more mechanical process of researching and writing the dissertation.

The journey from selecting a topic to completing the dissertation to the acceptable standards at universities involves one crucial step: obtaining approval from the multi-member Dissertation Committee. Many institutions require the topic to be approved beyond the Thesis Advisor, possibly all the way to the Deans' level. This additional layer of oversight introduces more challenges and hurdles for the students.

Once the topic is approved and the research progresses satisfactorily, another challenge comes into play: the fear of someone else publishing similar work before the thesis is completed. This uncertainty adds an element of risk, making the completion of the dissertation more challenging than the selection of the topic itself.

Impact of External Funding

The answer to whether identifying a research topic is harder than completing a PhD dissertation can often depend on the source of funding. Students with research assistant roles in graduate school are typically given publication-worthy topics, although these may not always be to their liking. They are provided with a pre-selected set of research options, akin to being served a vegetable platter by a child.

For students not benefiting from research assistant roles or funders with a bounty of research ideas, the situation can be more daunting. Here, the challenge lies in sourcing a unique and valuable research topic. For many graduate students, including myself, the hardest part is not executing the research idea but identifying it. Once a viable research topic is found, the implementation can often proceed more smoothly.

Strategies for Identifying Research Topics

For those without a steady stream of research ideas, pursuing internships, building relationships with industry professionals, or participating in external fellowships can be beneficial. These activities can provide a pipeline of potential research ideas, as well as practical applications and potential partnerships.

A significant challenge when attempting to come up with novel research ideas is the extensive literature review that must be undertaken. It's a common instinct to want to check if others have previously pursued the same idea, but the language used in older publications can be difficult to understand, especially in the early stages of your search.

Building Confidence

Instead of directly searching the literature, I recommend the following approach: when a promising idea pops into your mind, create a simple toy example or problem statement that demonstrates your solution. This helps clarify the problem and solution, making it easier to find relevant literature later. By doing so, you can quickly determine if someone has already published similar ideas.

If you find that someone has already published the idea, especially recently, this is actually a positive outcome. It shows that you have a publication-worthy idea; someone else has simply beaten you to the finish line. This is not the end of the world, as it is highly likely that you can continue to come up with more ideas and refine them based on the existing literature.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, identifying a research topic is indeed more challenging than completing a PhD dissertation, especially when faced with the uncertainties of originality and the approval processes involved. However, with the right strategies and a structured approach, students can find and pursue valuable research topics effectively.

So, fellow researchers, good luck in the kitchen (or research lab) as you work on your projects. May your soups and ideas bring you success and satisfaction!

Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experiences and general advice. The challenges and strategies may vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific field of study.