Three Tests
- Debatable (Other points of view exists) 值得商榷，有争议的
- Plausible (supportable by valid evidence) 合理
- Consequential (outcome is significant)
Try to choose a topic that aroused your interest and prior learning
Theme (Slant, focus, point of view, unifying idea), Place (), Time () comprise to a good question:
Example: Under whose laws should be the employees of Blackwater USA be held accountable?
Process:
- Identify broad area research;
- Find the research topic that covered by the dissertation committee or dissertation chair;
- Also, fit your own personal interest;
- Review available literature, the concept will be narrowed to what you found most interesting;
- Ask some questions:
- what's already been done?
- what methods have not worked?
- what methods have others found?
- What is missing from the literature?
- What are the next steps?
- Identify a research problem and questions.
- Determine which theoretical perspective fits your study best
- Determine what method you use
Suggestions:
- Dissertation process is an iterative one
- Write, revise, revise, revise, revise more before finalize;
- Accept & embrace feedback
- Ask questions
- Keep it together
- interest not equal to emotional investment
- Use your committee
- Slove just a piece of the problem
