RTG Student Work Group
Conducting Thesis Research
Led by Philip Dixon
Discussion Notes • July 26, 2007
What constitutes the ideal thesis topic?
- Novel
- Interesting
- Important
- Doable
Most thesis topics are not a perfect combination of these. There are some compromises along the way!
Why do we write a thesis?
- It is the capstone of the student career.
- We gain experience conducting independent research.
- It provides a contribution to the research community.
Which comes first, the topic or the major professor?
Either approach can work. If you have a general topic in mind, the next step
would be to find faculty who have an interest in the area.
Another option is to approach specific faculty members and see what ideas they have.
How do I stay on track?
One way to stay on track is to present posters or papers at meetings along the way.
A single presentation can just be a small component of the thesis research.
Many conferences have student paper competitions that support student travel.
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