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Ask HN: How to pick a CS Master's thesis topic?

2 points by redwoolf ↗ HN
I'm currently enrolled in a MS in Computer Science program and need to come up with a topic for research before I take my thesis credits next semester. We have the option of doing either a project or a thesis, and most of my peers have chosen the project option so I don't have many good examples of successful theses at my institution. I would like to apply for a PhD program in the future so looking at doing original research and a thesis.

For those of you who have written a thesis, how did you select your topic? Were you able to parlay your MS research into successful placement in a PhD program? Any advice on how to find a research topic within a larger domain (for example, programming languages)?

2 comments

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throwawayacc2
Depends on what you want and how cynical you are. A relatively easy option would be a meta study. Pick a subject, get a bunch of studies about it and compare methodologies, results, sample sizes, types, devices used to run, os choice, etc. Works great if you have an interest and inclination towards statistics.
gradschool
Strategically the best thing you can do career-wise is to write something with multiple chapters on a common theme but with each chapter understandable separately with a minimal introduction, get each chapter published as a separate conference paper, and then stick them all together into a thesis. Then you not only have a publication list all ready by the time you graduate, but you make it awkward for the examiners to find fault with your thesis given that it has already passed peer review. You'll probably have to pick the trendiest topic you can find even if your interests lie elsewhere, but you'll be in a better position to vary your research agenda when you're more established in your career. This advice is the opposite of what I was given, which is that a Ph.D. is a time to explore your own interests and then get serious later.