Choosing the right topic of interest for research

Updated on: Thursday, February 28, 2013

With most of the topics you come across appearing to be groundbreaking thereby promising academic fame and recognition, writing a research proposal can be a harrowing process. Many struggle before narrowing down on the final topic, sometimes finally producing a thesis minimally acquainted with the initial proposal. It is important to choose a topic, and one that really interests you, says Deepti, a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad. “If you are interested in a topic, then you will want to know more. Initial research is the base for further efforts. A thesis is ultimately a collaborative work influenced by the latest work done on the topic, the inputs of your guide and the results of your research-work, so there is a flexibility of deviating from your original topic,” she says.

Further elaborating on zeroing-in on a topic, Professor Mohan G Ramanan, dean of the School of Humanities, University of Hyderabad, says, “Students should choose a broad area of immense interest and narrow it down to a particular topic after some research. A proposal must give enough elbow room for possible change, being suitably tentative without being vague. The tone must come through as that of someone who has spent time and thought on the research and topic.” He suggests students come up with a hypothesis and visualise the methodology and possible outcomes which can be reflected in the proposal along with, preferably, a working bibliography.

So, what makes for an attractive proposal? Originality, says, the head of the Department of English Literature at EFL University. “Does the topic break new ground academically and alert us to new aspect of texts we already know? Clarity of thought and expression is important. A good proposal is thought through and well written. It takes into account important work done in the area. Also, we like to see if the candidate has done some ground work and expect a good sample of the kind of work he/she is capable of doing.” he says. It isn’t the thoroughness as much as a demonstration of skills required for research, he says, that the panel looks for.

Every discipline has its trends and there might be some topics that hold more allure. “Theoretical and philosophical sophistication is always highly valued. Proposals that take into account the latest theoretical work are often privileged over those that do not,” says the head of the Department of English Literature at EFL University. However, he adds, many a time, a senior student has helped the applicant, which is what the interview questions can obliquely be aimed at finding. Also, he says, a student needs to write well-this means when a professor reads a hundred proposals, a particular student’s proposal should stand out at amongst that of others.

A good proposal is the first good impression that a student can make on the selection committee that determines scholars’ admissions, stipend and perks. There is no dearth of online communities that offer help with writing a statement of purpose (SoP) or research proposal. In the final analysis, for admissions within the country, the candidate’s performance in the written exam and interview contribute to the overall impression, which must be favourable because no institution wants to miss out on stellar research candidates.

TIPS FOR THE INTERVIEW

    Be able to answer the question, ‘what is your argument/ hypothesis/thesis?’ in two or three clear sentences
    Do not write a lot, because your committee is not going to have the time to read it entirely. One page is ideal because it can be read in under a minute
    Before going to the interview, read your primary texts- at least most of it and be ready to explain in detail every term/ reference used in the proposal
    Answering some prepared questions about the proposal can cut the time needed to think in an interview and lessen the surprise element in the whole experience

Choosing the right topic of interest for research

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