From Topic Selection to Defense – 30 Dissertation Writing Prompts

Sino Turkish
1 March 2025

I. Topic Selection and Research Direction

Please analyze the current research hotspots and frontier issues in [research field]. Based on [specific research direction], suggest 3-5 PhD dissertation topics with academic value and innovation and briefly explain their significance and potential research value. (This prompt helps explore research fields and identify valuable issues.)
Based on [keywords/research topic], retrieve highly cited PhD dissertations from the past five years and summarize their research methods, main conclusions, and limitations. Can these limitations serve as new research entry points? (This prompt is used for literature review to find research gaps and opportunities from highly cited papers.)
I plan to research [preliminary research direction]. Please evaluate whether this direction has sufficient academic depth and breadth to support a PhD dissertation. If not, suggest improvements to make it more focused and valuable. (This prompt helps assess and refine the initial research direction to ensure depth and feasibility.)
Compare and analyze [Theory A] and [Theory B] in explaining [research phenomenon], discussing their strengths and weaknesses. Explore the possibility of combining them or developing a new theory to provide a theoretical framework for my dissertation. (This prompt aids in constructing the theoretical framework by comparing different theories and identifying innovation points.)
Regarding [research question], analyze possible research ideas and methods from the perspective of interdisciplinary fields such as [Discipline A] and [Discipline B]. Discuss potential innovations and challenges of such interdisciplinary research. (This prompt expands research ideas and discovers new perspectives through multidisciplinary studies.)

II. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

Construct a logically structured literature review framework around [core concept], including but not limited to: concept definition, developmental trends, major research schools, contributions and limitations of existing research, and future research directions. (This prompt helps structure the literature review logically and systematically.)
Detail the history of [core theory] and analyze its current application and limitations in [research field]. Based on this, discuss how to improve or expand the theory to explain [research phenomenon] better. (This prompt deeply analyzes core theories to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.)
Compare and analyze [Paper A], [Paper B], and [Paper C] regarding research methods, conclusions, and theoretical contributions, summarizing their insights for my dissertation research. (This prompt facilitates a comparative analysis of literature to extract key takeaways.)
Recommend 5-8 representative core papers on [research question] and summarize each paper’s main viewpoints, research methods, and innovations. (This prompt quickly identifies key literature and major research contributions.)
Based on existing literature, refine 3-5 key research hypotheses or questions related to [research question] and explain their theoretical basis and logic. (This prompt helps refine research hypotheses or questions to ensure theoretical foundation and coherence.)

III. Research Design and Methods

Evaluate the suitability of [Research Method A], [Research Method B], and [Research Method C] for [research question], and recommend the most appropriate method with justifications. (This prompt aids in selecting the best research method by comparing different options.)
If I plan to use [research method], design a detailed research plan, including but not limited to: research subjects, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, research process, and ethical considerations, ensuring scientific rigor and feasibility. (This prompt ensures a comprehensive and scientifically sound research design.)
Explain the principles and applicability of [statistical analysis method/research model] in [research field]. Please guide me on correctly applying this method to analyze [research data] and interpret the results. (This prompt helps in understanding and correctly applying research methods.)
Design a [questionnaire/interview] outline for [research subjects], ensuring the questions effectively collect information on [research variables] while meeting academic and ethical standards. (This prompt ensures the research tools are valid and properly structured.)
Analyze the characteristics of [data type] and suitable analytical methods. Discuss ways to improve data collection quality and efficiency while ensuring data reliability and validity. (This prompt focuses on data quality control.)

IV. Dissertation Writing and Argumentation

Draft a well-structured dissertation outline, including primary, secondary, and tertiary headings, ensuring the chapter content effectively supports the central argument. (This prompt helps structure the dissertation logically and comprehensively.)
Based on [research topic] and [core argument], write a [word count] dissertation abstract that accurately summarizes research objectives, methods, key findings, and conclusions while highlighting innovation and academic value. (This prompt helps craft a precise and impactful abstract.)
I would like to improve the [Introduction/Literature Review/Research Methods/Results Analysis/Discussion/Conclusion] section of my dissertation to better align with academic standards, enhance logical coherence, and strengthen arguments. (This prompt optimizes specific dissertation sections to improve quality.)
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of my dissertation draft in terms of academic rigor, logic, innovation, and standardization. Identify shortcomings and suggest improvements. (This prompt provides a thorough review for enhancements.)
Construct a logically sound argumentation chain based on my research findings, ensuring seamless progression from hypotheses to data analysis to conclusions. (This prompt strengthens the logical flow and persuasiveness of the dissertation.)

V. Dissertation Revision and Refinement

Check my dissertation for logical flaws, weak arguments, vague concepts, and data misinterpretations. Identify each issue and suggest modifications. (This prompt ensures academic and logical integrity.)
Refine the language of my dissertation to align with academic writing norms, making it more precise, concise, and fluid while enhancing professionalism and readability. (This prompt enhances the dissertation’s language quality.)
Verify whether my dissertation formatting complies with [target journal/university] submission guidelines, including citation style, table and figure formats, and layout. Provide necessary corrections. (This prompt ensures formatting adheres to submission requirements.)
Compare my dissertation with [high-level comparable papers] in structure, argumentation, and language. Identify areas for improvement and suggest specific methods. (This prompt benchmarks against high-quality papers to identify gaps.)
Analyze reviewers’ [specific comments], identify their underlying concerns, and guide me on how to revise my dissertation effectively to address their critiques. (This prompt helps me address peer review feedback effectively.)

VI. Dissertation Innovation and Expansion

Based on my research conclusions, discuss my study’s theoretical contributions and practical significance from academic and social application perspectives. (This prompt highlights the impact and value of the research.)
Based on my findings, reflect on potential future research directions and propose 3-5 innovative and forward-looking research ideas. (This prompt explores future research opportunities.)
Analyze the innovation and uniqueness of my research in [research field] and help refine the distinctive contributions of my dissertation. (This prompt emphasizes and sharpens the dissertation’s innovative points.)
Explore how my research findings can be applied to other fields or integrated with other disciplines to generate new research value. (This prompt expands interdisciplinary research applications.)
Evaluate whether my PhD dissertation meets the standards of an [outstanding PhD dissertation] and comprehensively assess its topic, research design, methods, conclusions, and writing. Identify areas for further improvement. (This prompt provides a final assessment for refinement and excellence.)

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/NoJQRpemyccy30jSTGUfaQ