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Topic: Student Questions

Phd Topic

Posted by ghenwa_ac on 5/28/2014 at 5:17 PM ET 250 Points
I am applying for phD next month in the UK. I will do my research in my home country because there's a huge lack of research and I want to help with this issue even though I won't make that big of a difference.

I am torn between two topics :

1- Online trust

2- Understanding the current practices in mobile communication amongst lebanese youth ( my supervisor said this had to be more specific).

Any help pr advice ?

Thank you,
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 5/28/2014 at 6:54 PM Accepted
    Either one needs to be more specific.
  • Posted by saul.dobney on 5/29/2014 at 8:19 AM Accepted
    Online trust meaning privacy, relationships between online acquaintances, trust in purchasing, trust in recommendations or discussions, reputation?... How would you measure it? What factors drive trust? What outcomes do you have from trusted relationships? Does online trust between individuals transfer to offline trust too? Is it different in different countries, or among different age groups?

    Current practice is difficult for a PhD that'll take three years at least with the online world continually changing - you'll be out of date before you finish. So what about drivers of use (eg ease, cost, privacy, social reputation) for different modes. How are types of communication used differently - eg is email for school, Whatsapp for friends etc, multiple phones/SIMs? Reactions to advertising in among private communication. Geographic/location based communication. How communication is changing shopping behaviour - eg checking prices online while in store, photographing and seeking approval or friends before buying, likes, ratings, reviews etc.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 5/29/2014 at 9:49 AM Accepted
    What are your goals post-doc? I'd pick a topic that dovetails with your professional aspirations.
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 5/29/2014 at 5:37 PM Accepted
    By saying there's a huge lack of research in your country and by then countering that statement by telling us you won't make much of a difference you're not painting the brightest picture. I suggest you approach this from the point of view of making the biggest difference you possibly can make.

    What's your background that led you to pursue a Ph.D? What will you DO with your doctorate once you've got it? How will you make a difference?
  • Posted by ghenwa_ac on 5/29/2014 at 8:14 PM Author
    Thank you everyone.

    I am planning to follow the academic path. There's a big lack of professors in my country.
    I'm still struggling with the topic but I have hope.

    Thank you again!
  • Posted on 5/31/2014 at 5:30 PM Accepted
    Pick something that's meaningful to you and that could have some value to a prospective client someday -- as a consultant or outside expert. You are going to spend hours and hours on this; make sure it's something that won't bore you or turn you off after a few months of hard work.

    Be VERY specific ... a single company, geography, issue. Otherwise you'll be drowning in sub-topics and hypotheses to test. I've been there; specificity is the key to a manageable dissertation topic.
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