Finding a master’s thesis topic is often framed as a linear process, but in practice, it’s rarely that simple. I recently had a conversation with Horst Hörtner to discuss my current academic trajectory. I came to the meeting prepared with my previous projects and a defined topic, but I had to be direct: the current direction wasn’t working. Over the past few weeks, my interests have shifted significantly due to new input, leaving my original proposal feeling disconnected from my current goals. The talk centered on moving away from a random search for ideas and toward a strategic approach to problem-solving.
The Strategic Framework
Hörtner suggested a specific method for filtering thoughts into a viable research project. In a typical work environment, we don’t always get the chance to align our technical skills with our personal observations of the world. He proposed a dual-axis approach to bridge this gap:
- Positive Indicators: What is currently fascinating or working well in the world?
- Negative Indicators: What is broken, inefficient, or fundamentally frustrating?
By looking at the world through this lens, the goal is to identify a problem that isn’t just an academic exercise, but a “pain point” that requires a solution. The challenge is to use my existing knowledge base to address these frustrations in a systematic way.
Organizing the Thought Process
We used the example of ocean plastic pollution to test this logic. It’s a massive, complex issue, but the conversation focused on how to break it down. Instead of just thinking about the problem, the goal is to collect and form those thoughts into a technical solution.
This involves:
- Observation: Identifying the specific aspect of the problem.
- Analysis: Assessing if my current skill set can realistically impact that area.
- Synthesis: Structuring those observations into a formal research goal.
Key Takeaways
The most valuable part of the discussion was learning how to organize a high volume of new information and interests, especially after a particularly stressful few weeks of intensive learning. It wasn’t about finding an “eureka” moment, but about applying a more experienced, strategic filter to my ideas.
While I haven’t officially committed to the ocean plastic topic yet, the meeting provided a clear method for organizing my thoughts. I now have a framework to evaluate my new interests objectively and decide which one can be transformed into a solid, defensible thesis.
