One of the first steps in the dissertation journey is to develop and create a relevant, focused, and meaningful research topic that will add to the greater body of knowledge in research, theory, and practice. Below are some ideas to consider when choosing your dissertation topic. Keep in mind that these ideas are cyclical rather than linear, and as you become more familiar with the research that exists on your topic, you will likely be revising your topic quite a bit before it is completed and formally proposed to your committee.

Your topic will not likely come to you as an isolated revelation in the wilderness. Rather, most people solidify their dissertation topics after much hard work, wise counsel, further research, and purposeful dialogue with professors and fellow students. Roberts and Hyatt (2019) caution, “Waiting for inspiration is not the best approach to topic selection. Dissertation topics do not mystically appear” (p. 51). It is better to think in terms of creating, rather than stumbling upon, a topic. This means having a system, a strategy, and the desire to dive deeply and decisively into the current research regarding your tentative topic(s). Becoming immersed in this research will allow you to learn more about previous research conducted on this topic, to know where gaps may exist, and to understand what has already been learned about the topic. If you can only find a few research articles on the topic, then that is a good sign to look for another topic. In determining where to search for a potential topic, Machi and McEvoy (2012) identified five possible interest resources: professional experience, suggestions from experts, academic journals, topical debates within your profession, and examining academic theory in your field.

Choose a topic you find fascinating, socially significant, and about which you are passionate. You are going to be spending much time with this project, and your quality of life and work will be much better if these hours are spent doing something that genuinely interests you. While it is important to follow your passion, it is also important think outside of your current educational or organizational context and experiences. Dissertations are not written to prove a point or to support your preconceived notions of the primary issues confronting your specific organization. Your experiences are a good place to draw ideas for a topic, but be sure that your topic is backed by research and supported in other educational settings as well.

While pure objectivity is an illusion, one must be aware of the possible subjective biases that might influence the study. Machi and McEvoy (2016) explained the strengths and weaknesses associated with personal interests, “Personal attachment to an interest provides the passion and dedication necessary for conducting good research, which is a plus. However, personal attachment can also carry bias and opinion, causing researchers to jump to premature conclusions” (p. 21). Speak candidly and openly with your advisor and professors about your topic and why you are passionate about this area of research.

After determining your passion, that passion and personal interest must be transformed into a researchable interest. The research topic must present a problem that points to the need for conducting a research study. Machi and McEvoy (2012) described the creation of a topic,

The origin of most research interests stems from the conflicts, issues, concerns, or beliefs encountered in daily work. We question why specific facets succeed while others fail, why some strategies or tactics succeed more than others, or why people think, learn, and act in certain ways. (p. 14)

Asking yourself these questions will assist you in transitioning from a personal interest to a research interest that seeks to investigate an issue or conflict.

For example, a personal interest could be, “Students should have access to technology in schools.” If you take this statement and ask yourself questions like, “Why do some students have access to more technological devices than others? What makes some technology implementation plans successful, and others unsuccessful? Why does student engagement increase with technology implementation in some schools while others do not?”, then you are more likely to transform your personal interest into a research study.

One aim of your study should be to answer essential questions regarding research, theory, and practice. In order to provide adequate answers, you must first understand the questions. So, in your search for a pertinent, researchable topic, it is important to ask who, what, when, where, and why questions, such as:

• • WHO has done research on this topic? Who might publish or has published information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic?

  • WHAT other research is on the topic? What are the major research questions others have posed on this topic? What range of issues and viewpoints are important to consider? What are the conflicts, anomalies, and/or research gaps revealed in the literature?

  • WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national, or international level? Are there specific places affected by the topic?

  • WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current event or an historical issue? Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

  • WHY did you choose the topic? Do you have an opinion about the issues involved? Why is this topic relevant and significant?

When creating a topic, do your research and find a topic that fits into existing bodies of literature, builds upon and expands theory, and helps you develop a niche in your field. If your career goals involve academia, create a topic that you can easily modify into journal articles or a book, and that will lend itself well to future research. If you want to be a successful educator, administrator, leader, then consider a topic that is pertinent to your career path. Whatever your career goals, ask yourself, “How will my topic sound when I discuss it at my interview for a new job?” For example, if your dissertation topic is about supporting beginning teachers in education, then this would be good information to include in an interview for an administrative or district-level position.

Allow yourself to be flexible. Also, you are not necessarily “stuck” for life with the initial topic you select. Some aspects of your topic will either morph slightly or change drastically as you progress in your research and writing. This is a very normal part of the dissertation process! As you become more familiar with the research surrounding your topic, you will continue to narrow and focus your area of study. However, Joyner, Rouse, and Glatthorn (2018) provided some sound advice, “Just remember that there is no right topic, and get on with concluding your study of the one you chose” (p. 31).

• "A Grid and Group Analysis of the Role of Culture in School Improvement Planning" (White, 2013)

• "Principals' Perceptions of How Current Accountability Measures Influence their Roles in Leading Title I Schools" (Armstrong, 2012)

• "Mentoring Relationships: A Mentoring in Action Explanation of a State Resident Teacher Program" (Bittle, 2008)

• "A Systems Theory Approach to the District Central Office's Role in School Improvement (Mania, 2014)

• "Leading through Crisis: A Case Study of Superintendent Leadership during Crisis" (Cantrell, 2016)

• "The Role of School Culture in Supporting Beginning Teachers: A Case Study" (Richardson, 2014)

• "Teacher Effectiveness: Examining the Relationship between Teacher Grit and Teacher Self-Efficacy" (Dobbins, 2016)

• "Parent Engagement and Involvement: A Case Study Exploring the Manifestation through Participation in a Parent Education Program" (Nation, 2015)

Reflect on and answer the following questions/statements.

1. What educational or organization issues exist in your field?

2. What are your personal interests and what background knowledge do you have regarding this interest?

3. What personal experiences do you have that influences your thoughts about this issue or interest? What potential researcher bias might exist?

4. How can your personal interest be transformed into a research interest? Describe the conflict, issue, problem, or concern addressed by your topic.

5. How can you make your research interest be more focused, narrow, and manageable?

6. What impact could your study potentially contribute to the field?

7. What type of information could you collect to further explore the conflict, issue, problem, or concern? From what perspective will your study be -- individuals, groups, organizations, etc.?

8. Based on your research interest, how could this study contribute to your career path?