How to Narrow a Dissertation Topic Without Losing Its Value

·         Methodological limitations.

·         Contexts that receive limited attention.

The literature can help you identify a specific area where your research can make a meaningful contribution.

Turn a Broad Topic Into a Research Question

A strong research question provides a practical boundary for your dissertation. Start with your broad subject and gradually introduce specific elements such as population, location, variables, context, or timeframe.

For example:

Broad topic:
The impact of social media on students.

Narrower topic:
The relationship between social media use and academic engagement among undergraduate students.

Focused research question:
How does daily social media use influence academic engagement among undergraduate students at selected universities?

The final version gives the researcher a clearer population, relationship, and context to investigate.

Avoid Narrowing the Topic Too Much

There is also a risk of making a dissertation so narrow that it lacks sufficient evidence or academic significance. A useful topic should have enough scholarly literature to support a meaningful investigation.