How to decide on a PhD topic ?

Choosing a PhD topic is tough as it is a decision that makes you happy and motivated to dedicate 4-5 years of your life to a given subject. PhD consists of a research problem that has not been solved before. Different people might work on the same problem, or you may the lucky one who has no competition. To identify a research problem is a problem in itself, since we all want it to be good and its applications must be far reaching. Students are very confused since only few of them know what they really like and where they want to invest their time. Here are some points:

Practicality: Choosing a topic that has potential applications in the industry is very important. For example, networking topics related to wireless networking protocols applied to mobile ad hoc networks. Any topic we pick needs to have a potential application and this defines the practicality of our work. In fact, some of the startup(s) in the bay area were PhD topics that got converted into business ideas. Choosing a topic with too much theoretical work might land you trouble, especially when you desire a job in the industry. Of course, the academia is a different place where some elegant theoretical results will land you with a good. The bottom line is that all topics have potential applications in present and future. Of course, some of the weirdoes might reinvent the wheel with applications in the past, and might be planning to destroy the earth and save their application for such a future.

Toughness: The title sounds like testing the strength of a metal it is actually your metal only. If you plan to pick up a PhD topic which is hard to solve, life might become quite frustrating and you might end up dropping out of the PhD program, and sadly called a PhD dropping. Save yourself from being booed, and be a winner. Try to analyze your abilities and to what extent you can solve. For example, some of us can solve computer graphics problems or networking problems etc. Another important factor to consider is the speed at which you can solve a given problem. Harder the problem, more time it will take, possibly someone with more gray cells might hump you technically. So, be sure to take a topic that you can solve in a time frame that gives you lead in the scientific world.

Adviser Advisory: Choosing a good adviser is important as he/she will guide you in the process of your PhD. This will include – PhD topic selection, criticism of your work, how to write excellent research papers, and may other things depending on your subject. Make sure that the professor is technically sound, has common interests with you, and has a good research track record. Try to do a thorough analysis of your professor by asking questions and analyze his/her ability to answer them in person or in class. It should not become the case where you joined the professor for funding reasons and later repent your decision or always think of bailing out of the PhD program.

It is a very tough decision as it has so many factors. But I am sure all of us find a way out.I hope these points are of some help! Post your PhD related query to start meaningful discussions here.

Good luck!