Choosing a research topic

Research topic hunting in the wild

One month into my PhD and the milestone I have reached is no farther than a collection of literature. That doesn’t mean to say I’ve actually read them. I know what I want to work on, at the very least, which is climate change adaptation,  disaster risk management, and development. Yet I still don’t know how to approach those themes and the theoretical underpinnings of my research. The worse (or better) part of being in the initial phase of a PhD work is, it can change any time (it did after my meeting with my professor today).

This is not my first time to be in this predicament though. I went through this phase more than a year ago. I hunted for about a month for my Master’s thesis topic. By no means exhaustive, I’m going to outline my personal random strategies I executed- and now am executing- to pin down a research topic.

1. Revisit the past. Recall what you wanted to learn before you started your academic pursuit. Was it the theory of relativity? Or explaining the ineptness of politicians? Whatever it may be, there is something you’ve always wanted to learn that brought you back to the hallways of the university, and that could be a good take off point. In my case, I’ve always wanted to learn how policy making works (or doesn’t).

2. Don’t look too far… What’s the latest goings-on down the university block? Browse through the research web pages of your university website. Who knows your next earth-shaking research is just around the corner.  Check out billboards, just like during the time you looked for your flat or your part-time job.

3. …But also talk to people outside your circles. Be it a face-to-face meeting with another student or expert in your city or a Skype call with a renowned scientist half around the world, a chat with someone outside your circle of peers can trigger an untapped corner in your gray matter. I talked to about 10 people consisting of professors, PhD students, and consultants in the renewable energy sector and policy experts before I came up with my thesis topic that analysed policymaking of the renewable energy law in the Philippines.

4. Read, read, and read. It’s an understatement to say that it’s an oft-repeated advise. Ideas abound in journals, books, magazines, and websites. And you’ll be doing a lot of it as you take on your research. It’s one fool-proof way to discovery, and to spark your personal experiences and interests that is worth considering for research.

Remember, every topic is worthy of intellectual inquiry. Happy hunting!

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