PhD Advice: A test case in finding a dissertation topic – Part 1

Introduction

Ahhh, the dissertation topic…bane of a research student’s existence, more mythical than a unicorn and harder to track down than the Lost City of Atlantis!

In my previous posts, I shared some of my theories and insights into choosing a dissertation topic:

1. Your first choice of topic doesn’t have to be your last
2. The research topic depends on asking the right question
3. Various tips for finding a dissertation topic

For this series of posts, I wanted to share a personal test case for how I arrived at my thesis.  I hope that my search experience will spark different ideas for you as you track down that elusive dissertation topic.

The interest factor

One of the first things that guided my choice of a thesis was the interest factor.  In other words, just how passionate or curious was I about the subject matter?

Now I don’t have any hard data on how many dissertation topics meet this criteria.  All I know is that after 18 months of research, I can honestly say that writing a thesis is killer! I can’t imagine how I would be getting by without a strong sense of interest or passion for the topic.

A passion for leaders

Prior to applying to a PhD program, I spent four years teaching Bible and theology at a small Bible Institute in Paraguay, South America.  And I loved it!

Thus for me, the whole topic of leadership development was at the very center of my ministerial world.  Beyond good hermeneutics and theology, what  key leadership principles did I need to cultivate in my students?  What were some biblical models of leadership that were needed here in Latin America?

Sadly, one of the prevailing models of a church leader was that of an autocrat.  This meant that God communicated his vision for the church solely through the pastor.  In addition, the pastor had complete spiritual authority over the members of his church. (If this is how most pastors run their church, then perhaps I need to update my theology! :))

From passion to topical seed

When I returned to the U.S. to pursue additional studies, I did some serious reflection on my time at the Bible Institute.  Many of the models of leadership I had witnessed were not healthy and yet I had been in a position to influence the direction of many future leaders. I also knew that I would be returning to a similar academic environment in the future.

In addition, as I began to read books on leadership here in the U.S. I realized how many of them had borrowed their techniques from the business world…pastor CEO, right?

It was then and there that I decided that I would be doing my research in the area of biblical leadership. I wanted to find out for myself what the scriptures had to say about this important topic.  I was now a motivated and excited student!

The next step in the process was winnowing down the biblical / theological discipline in which to pursue my studies.  But that will have to wait for another post.

Check back in later where I will continue my personal test case in choosing a dissertation topic.

Your comments are always greatly appreciated.  I would be interested in knowing how you chose your topic and whether you chose something about which you were passionate.

Happy researching!