6 Tips in Preparing to Write Your Dissertation Tip 5: Crystallize a topic choice, and determine if it is researchable and manageable 論文撰寫六大準備技巧五：釐清主題，確定內容與範圍適合研究
取得碩博士學位的最終步驟是完成論文，然而，撰寫論文的過程通常是既漫長又嚴謹的長期抗戰。本次學術專欄特別推出「論文撰寫六大準備技巧」，幫助你做好準備工作，順利完成論文。每一項準備技巧，將定期刊登於本專欄。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.
Tip # 5 – Crystallize a topic choice, and determine if it is researchable and manageable
釐清主題，確定內容與範圍適合研究
The final criterion in choosing a topic is, how well does it advance your candidacy for a degree? A topic sometimes appeals because it is not challenging enough, neither challenging your research skills, nor your peers’ intellect. The Council of Graduate Schools (an American. organization with affiliate members around the world) says a dissertation must “demonstrate breadth of scholarship, depth of research, and ability to investigate problems independently.” It also must significantly contribute to a body of scholarship. An easy topic will misserve you.
選擇主題最後一個標準，就是判斷該主題是否能讓你更有資格取得學位。有時候主題看來吸引人是因為不夠困難，無法激發你的研究技巧或激盪學術同儕的腦力。研究所委員會（美國組織，分會遍布全球）表示，一篇博士論文必須能「展現學識廣度、研究深度，以及獨立研究問題的能力」，同時必須對學識有重大貢獻；太簡單的主題無法展現你的能力。
Like any other academic writing, a dissertation reveals how well a writer can analyze raw research data and reports, interpret them fairly and correctly, and then bring together the material into a synergistic document. These research and composition skills are best displayed when the material being plumbed is deep enough to truly warrant “analysis.” Artfully restating what is obvious and shallow is not the same as critical discovery and original reporting. A chosen topic should lead to revelation and surprise, or at least to compelling fresh evidence.
論文就像其他學術文章，能展露作者是否善於分析原始資料與報告、公平正確的解釋，並綜合所有資料精華、加以發揮。要展現研究與寫作技巧，研究題材必須有深度，值得「分析」。投機取巧，把顯而易見、膚淺的內容換句話說，無法稱得上是重要發現與或原創研究報告。研究者所選的主題應該能帶來啟發或新意，起碼也要產生有說服力的新證據。
Finally, a chosen topic must be practicable in respect to the methodology used to produce it. An ethnographic study that requires actual assimilation into a foreign culture might not be possible for logistical reasons. An experiment requiring years of blind studies probably won’t work because of time constraints, whereas a survey often is suitable, or a case study, or exhaustive historical research. A topic often dictates methodology, which in turn can determine the feasibility of a topic. When choosing a topic, realistically determine if it can be accomplished.
最後，主題必須在研究方法上切實可行。稍加思索可預知，採用民族誌研究法，研究者必須實際融入外國文化，並不切實；由於時間限制，需要進行多年盲性試驗的實驗方法也不太可行，通常適合的是調查法、個案研究法或詳盡的歷史研究。研究方法多半依主題而定，也能反過來用以判斷主題是否適合研究。選擇主題時必須實事求是，判斷它是否具研究價值並能順利完成。
The final step in earning many master and doctorate degrees is completion of a thesis or dissertation. The process involved typically is lengthy and exacting. Following is one of 6 recommendations to help you get started on your dissertation in such a way that you can successfully complete it. Each tip in the series will appear on the TPS Fans page.
Tip # 5 – Crystallize a topic choice, and determine if it is researchable and manageable
釐清主題，確定內容與範圍適合研究
The final criterion in choosing a topic is, how well does it advance your candidacy for a degree? A topic sometimes appeals because it is not challenging enough, neither challenging your research skills, nor your peers’ intellect. The Council of Graduate Schools (an American. organization with affiliate members around the world) says a dissertation must “demonstrate breadth of scholarship, depth of research, and ability to investigate problems independently.” It also must significantly contribute to a body of scholarship. An easy topic will misserve you.
選擇主題最後一個標準，就是判斷該主題是否能讓你更有資格取得學位。有時候主題看來吸引人是因為不夠困難，無法激發你的研究技巧或激盪學術同儕的腦力。研究所委員會（美國組織，分會遍布全球）表示，一篇博士論文必須能「展現學識廣度、研究深度，以及獨立研究問題的能力」，同時必須對學識有重大貢獻；太簡單的主題無法展現你的能力。
Like any other academic writing, a dissertation reveals how well a writer can analyze raw research data and reports, interpret them fairly and correctly, and then bring together the material into a synergistic document. These research and composition skills are best displayed when the material being plumbed is deep enough to truly warrant “analysis.” Artfully restating what is obvious and shallow is not the same as critical discovery and original reporting. A chosen topic should lead to revelation and surprise, or at least to compelling fresh evidence.
論文就像其他學術文章，能展露作者是否善於分析原始資料與報告、公平正確的解釋，並綜合所有資料精華、加以發揮。要展現研究與寫作技巧，研究題材必須有深度，值得「分析」。投機取巧，把顯而易見、膚淺的內容換句話說，無法稱得上是重要發現與或原創研究報告。研究者所選的主題應該能帶來啟發或新意，起碼也要產生有說服力的新證據。
Finally, a chosen topic must be practicable in respect to the methodology used to produce it. An ethnographic study that requires actual assimilation into a foreign culture might not be possible for logistical reasons. An experiment requiring years of blind studies probably won’t work because of time constraints, whereas a survey often is suitable, or a case study, or exhaustive historical research. A topic often dictates methodology, which in turn can determine the feasibility of a topic. When choosing a topic, realistically determine if it can be accomplished.
最後，主題必須在研究方法上切實可行。稍加思索可預知，採用民族誌研究法，研究者必須實際融入外國文化，並不切實；由於時間限制，需要進行多年盲性試驗的實驗方法也不太可行，通常適合的是調查法、個案研究法或詳盡的歷史研究。研究方法多半依主題而定，也能反過來用以判斷主題是否適合研究。選擇主題時必須實事求是，判斷它是否具研究價值並能順利完成。
Posted at 2011-08-17 10:29:06
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