The First Steps: Choosing a Topic and a Thesis Supervisor

There are two key choices you must make when you embark on your thesis: choosing a topic and choosing a supervisor.

Choosing a Topic:

A research topic can be very broad – it is a more general area of interest that you may have, but has not yet been narrowed down to a specific research question1. Here are some tips for choosing a successful thesis topic:

• Let your interests guide you. This project will consume a considerate amount of your time during your junior and senior years, so pick a topic that you are genuinely interested in and committed to exploring. Think about interesting topics or readings from your coursework — what caught your attention? What has piqued your curiosity?
• Pay attention to your social world. Look to the media, news outlets, social media, your friends–what issues are people debating now within the field of recreation, park, and tourism management? What questions need answering?
• Think of your thesis as an opportunity to explore and address a research question that is totally new. Is there a course you wish that the RPTM Department offered about a certain topic? What research questions would follow from that topic?
• Engage with current or past research. See what has been done already within and outside of the field. Look at journals like Leisure Sciences, Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, Tourism Management, Environmental Education Research, Journal of Leisure Research, Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, etc. What topics have they covered recently? What can you add to the debate or body of knowledge?

Your research topic does not have to be specific yet. Do some brainstorming—write down five to 10 topics that interest you. Talk with friends and professors to see which topics are the most interesting (and could provide the starting point for a strong thesis). Once you have decided on a topic, you are ready for the next step.

Note:

RPTM Honors students are strongly encouraged to enroll in RPTM 530 (Research Methods) during their 4th or 5th semester. This class, which is typically offered in the fall semester, provides students with a basic framework for identifying their thesis topic, posing more specific research questions/hypotheses, and proposing a method to gather and interpret data. Through this class, students are not only exposed to the process and principles of scholarly research, but are also tasked with developing a formal thesis proposal (working in conjunction with their thesis supervisor).

Choosing a Thesis Supervisor

Once you’ve identified the broad subject area you are interested in exploring, you should think about who to choose as a thesis supervisor. Any graduate faculty member in the RPTM Department may serve as a thesis supervisor and it’s a good idea to meet with several faculty members to identify areas of shared interests. A list of the current graduate faculty members is provided in the Appendix.

There are several ways to go about choosing a thesis supervisor. One strategy is to consider professors in courses that you have completed or are currently enrolled. Is your thesis topic relevant to their research interests? A second strategy is to look on the Department website for a listing of faculty members and their research interests. You can also think about interesting articles or books you’ve read in your coursework. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should meet with the Department’s honors adviser to brainstorm about who a suitable thesis supervisor might be.

Once you have identified a potential thesis supervisor, you must ask him or her to supervise your thesis. This should take place during fall or spring semester of your junior year. Before approaching potential supervisors, do some brainstorming on your own. For your own use, write a brief description of your potential topics and 2-3 more specific research questions. When you meet with a potential supervisor, you do not yet need to have a definitive research question. This is something a thesis supervisor can help you with.

You should set up appointments to discuss the thesis with potential supervisors. Send them an email requesting a meeting to discuss the possibility that they advise your thesis. Include the description of your topic. When you have scheduled a meeting, present your potential topic and ask them if they would be interested in advising it. If you are still working on developing your specific research question, ask for their advice or feedback on your potential research questions.

Examples of the questions to ask during your first meeting with a potential supervisor:

1. How promising do you find my research topic? Are there particular directions you think I should explore in developing a research question?

2. How often do you like to meet with advisees?

3. How many drafts are you willing to read? How many days do you require to read a draft?

4. Do you prefer to receive written work or an agenda from me prior to meetings?

5. Do you have any books or journal articles that you think I should read before our next meeting?

Tips for Success:

1. Work closely with your thesis supervisor to make sure that you are on track at all stages. It is a good idea to set up a weekly meeting with your thesis supervisor at which you'll provide updates on your work.

2. Discuss with your thesis supervisor, early on in the process, how he or she expects to receive drafts of your work. For example, some thesis supervisors like to review each chapter draft as it is completed, while others prefer not to review any work until all chapter drafts are completed.

3. Remember: The SHC Handbook and website (e.g., thesis submission guidelines) are your friends; become familiar with important thesis dates, required paperwork, and submission requirements as outlined in these materials.

• SHC Thesis guidelines (formatting and submission):
• Student Records System (for uploading thesis proposal, check ins and final thesis):

Other Faculty Involved with Your Thesis

While your thesis supervisor is your primary mentor and guide for your honors thesis, you will also have regular interactions with your thesis honors adviser and in some cases, a second reader for your thesis.

Thesis Honors Adviser

Alongside your thesis supervisor will be your thesis honors adviser. The thesis honors adviser is essentially the “gatekeepers” for your thesis at the beginning and final stages. While the thesis supervisor actively helps to guide your research study, the role of the thesis advisor is to approve the thesis proposal and the final thesis submission. They can also provide an extra layer of support between you and your thesis supervisor.

Often, your honors thesis adviser is the acting RPTM honors adviser; however, there may be times when your thesis honors adviser is someone outside of the RPTM department. This might happen if you are double majoring and intend to focus your thesis topic on the non-RPTM major; if you are seeking to complete your honors in the realm of your minor; or if you choose a thesis area that is outside of your major or minor altogether. In any of these cases, you would work with the thesis honors adviser in the department associated with your thesis topic area.

Second Reader

In circumstances where your thesis supervisor is also your thesis honors adviser, you may need to acquire a second reader for your thesis. In this instance, you should consult with the thesis honors adviser to select an additional RPTM faculty member (or faculty member from an associated department) to be the second reader for your thesis manuscript.