1. Defining the field of research
Firstly, we need to define our research area. This is a very crucial step because it directly affects the subsequent research work. So, how to identify the research area? Here are two tips for your reference:
(1) Use the name of your major programme as a keyword to search on Google Scholar. Since the major programme is the field you are most familiar with, using its name as a keyword can greatly narrow down the search scope, thus providing you with more accurate search results.
(2) After identifying the general scope of your research area, you can further narrow down the topic by reviewing more data sources. This will not only help you determine the topic of your dissertation faster, but also improve the quality of your dissertation.
2. Evaluate the feasibility of the topic
Next, we need to assess the feasibility of the chosen topic. This is a very important part of the process because an unfeasible topic will waste your valuable time and effort. Here are a few ways to assess the feasibility of a topic:
(1) While selecting a topic, you need to ask yourself, ‘Do I have a clear understanding of the topic?’ If the answer is no, then you are advised to revisit the topic or change it.
(2) Next, you need to consider the ease of data collection. If you anticipate that it will take more than 7 days or more to collect the required data, then the topic may not be suitable for you.
3. In-depth Reading of Literature
After determining the research area and the feasibility of the topic, we need to start reading the relevant literature in depth. This is a very important step as it can help us understand the latest developments in the field and provide inspiration for our research. At the same time, reading the literature can also help us discover new research perspectives and fill in the research gaps.
4. Formulating research questions
On the basis of in-depth reading of the literature, we need to formulate a research question. This is the core of the whole research process because it determines the direction and method of our research. When formulating research questions, we need to follow the following principles:
(1) The research question should have a clear research object and research purpose;
(2) The research question should have practical significance and application value;
(3) The research problem should be feasible and innovative.
5. Writing a thesis outline
After formulating the research question, we need to start writing the dissertation outline. This is an important preparation for writing a thesis because it can help us plan the structure of the thesis and make sure that the content of the thesis is logical and coherent. When writing a dissertation outline, we need to follow the following principles:
(1) The dissertation outline should contain all parts of the dissertation, including abstract, introduction, body, conclusion and references;
(2) The dissertation outline should arrange the parts in a logical order so that readers can easily understand and accept them;
(3) The dissertation outline should be as detailed as possible, so that it can be revised and improved at a later stage.
6. Communication with Supervisor
Finally, we need to communicate fully with our supervisor. This is a crucial part of the dissertation research and writing process, because our supervisor can provide us with guidance and suggestions to help us better complete our dissertation. When communicating with our supervisor, we need to pay attention to the following points:
(1) Prepare in advance and send the research questions to the tutor together with the preliminary research methodology so that the tutor can give more targeted feedback;
(2) Respond positively to your tutor’s comments and suggestions, and adjust the research programme and the content of the thesis in a timely manner;
(3) Respect your supervisor’s opinions and decisions, and maintain a good co-operative relationship.
