Example methodology dissertation topic 8:

A critique of the complications involved in using interviews within primary research.

Walliman (2001) asserts that interviews are a useful method of obtaining both information and opinions from experts during the early stages of a research project. However, Sarantakos (2005) warns that the process of interviewing can be affected by many diverse problems, leading to errors. These problems generally tend to be associated with the nature of the method used, which includes data recording, evaluation, and instruction errors. This dissertation accordingly, therefore, also discusses the proactive steps that researchers can take in order to recognise potential errors and to mitigate against them. This is a dissertation that would be ideal for a researcher who has previously conducted research using interviews.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Gubrium, J.F. and Holstein, J.A. (eds) (2001). Handbook of interview research: Context and method. London: SAGE.
• Sarantakos, S. (2005). Social research (3rd edn.). Basingstoke: Macmillan.
• Walliman, N. (2001). Your research project. London: SAGE.