Choosing a topic is not the same as formulating your research questions. In the beginning, you should start by formulating an area of interest.
If you do not know what should be the topic, use these questions to make a brainstorm:
- What do you find interesting?
- What has been the most motivating you have done throughout your studies so far? Is there anything there you can elaborate or expand on?
- Do you wish to draw on previous experience? Can you build on some earlier work? Or do you wish to explore new areas?
- What do you not find interesting?
- Consider which type of project you want to write: empirical, theoretical, construction?
- What kind of knowledge would you like to produce in your project?
- What do you want to do with your project work? Should it be interesting to others?
- Do you wish to develop specific knowledge and skills which might make you an attractive employee within a specific branch? If so, you must ask yourself within which area you would like to work - talk to people from your network - what is hot out there? And how can you combine that with your own interests and skills?
Other places to find inspiration
If you find it difficult to find an area of interest, take a look a the world around you. Look for inspiration by answering the following questions:
- What are your main interests outside your studies? Sometimes it is possible to combine personal interest with the content of your studies!
- Read newspapers - are there any current discussions, new technologies, findings etc. within your academic area and interest?
- What happens in the organization of your student job or volunteering job? Anything interesting? Have you considered collaborating with a company?
- Last but not least, you can get inspired by conversations with your teacher or co-students.