Choosing a Researchable Topic

How to turn a broad interest into a focused, doable doctoral study

A strong topic is the foundation of everything that follows. It shapes your literature review, your method, your timeline, and how much you enjoy the work. This guide walks you from "I'm interested in..." to a problem you can study, step by step.

Inside this guide:

• What Makes a Topic Researchable
• From Interest to Problem: The Funnel
• Where to Find Strong Topics
• Narrowing Techniques
• Testing Your Topic
• Writing a First Problem Statement
• Red Flags to Watch For
• Worksheet: Topic Development
• Worksheet: Topic Scorecard
• Bring It to Your Chair: The One-Page Topic Brief

Who it's for: Dissertation & capstone writers.

Format: Instant PDF download · 8 pages · US Letter, printable, with fill-in worksheets.

Licensed for the purchaser's personal use. Written by Professor Takara M. Carter, English professor, Ph.D. researcher, and dissertation editor.