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What is the best research topic?

What is the general way for a computer science PhD candidate to choose their project/research topic in a US university?

  • I know that many CS PhD's work on many research projects before their dissertation. I just want to know how the PhD works. Is that each time, the adviser talks with me for some hot sub topic, I can select that topic (or can you select your own topic?) after choosing sub topic, I can do research. And is it my choice I can research it on different angular? say, if my adviser wants to me research on search engine in Japanese, I can make it Japanese language modeling and I can make it like Japanese people behavior on search engine, is it I have so much freedom?

  • Answer:

    It really depends on your adviser. Some professors are open-minded, but some only want you to work on stuff they feel promising.  I would recommend you discuss with your adviser, as well as your peers. You also need to do your homework, i.e. read research papers to understand state-of-the-art and challenges on the topics of interest.

Zhao Wu at Quora Visit the source

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Your dissertation topic is negotiated between you and your advisor.  If you advisor doesn't like your choice, she can (ultimately) stop paying you (assuming you're) funded by your advisor).  If you don't like her selection, you can (ultimately) find a new advisor. If funding isn't an issue and your advisor already has tenure, you may end up choosing your topic yourself and having your advisor ratify it.  On the other hand, if your advisor only has money to do one thing and needs publications sooner rather than later, your choices will be that one thing or a new advisor. In short, talk to your advisor.  You're in the process of becoming their colleague, so treat them like a (senior) colleague and see where your interests overlap.

Barry Rountree

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