Writing An Excellent Geography Master’s Dissertation

Geography is an incredibly diverse and varied field of academic study, incorporating numerous factors from physical geography and ecology, to human factors like urban organization and agricultural practices. The study of geography is usually divided into two main subfields, human geography and physical geography. Within both of these divisions, there are many areas of study that you can explore if you’re working on a dissertation for a Master’s degree in geography. For your thesis, you’ll want to find a research topic that’s original and unique, since you’re generally required to make an original contribution to the field in order to get your graduate degree. Your dissertation will require a lot of energy and time, so it’s important to get started as soon as possible. The first step to writing your dissertation is choosing a topic or research question. You need to choose a topic that you’re comfortable dedicating nearly all of your time to working on, so it should be interesting to you, and relevant to your ultimate career goals. A genuine interest in the subject can make a significant difference in the ease of your research, and the quality of your writing, so don’t choose just anything to write about. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re choosing a topic for your Geography Master’s thesis.

• Decide what areas of study you’re interested in. Different geography students often have markedly different areas of interest. You may be interested in fluvial soil ecosystems, or you might be more interested in civil engineering and urban planning. By the time you’re working on your Master’s dissertation, you’ll probably know what areas of geography you’re most interested in researching.
• Look to contemporary issues for original ideas. Current areas of social or ecological concern can be a great source for original research for your dissertation. This includes physical geography topics, like the effects of human activities on ecosystems, soils, the flow of rivers, erosion, and other geological and biological processes. It also encompasses social issues, like conflicts between cultures over geographic areas, or factors in urban planning that contribute to sedentism and obesity.
• Examine historical issues or events in geography. Historical events can be analyzed and researched, both for physical geography and for human geography. Topics like the effects of the Little Ice Age, climate change during the Quaternary period, and historical ethnic conflicts in subsaharan Africa, could all be fruitful topics for your dissertation.