Is my research topic viable?

Eight questions about the things that actually sink projects. Answer honestly — "not sure" is a useful answer.

1. Is it a topic you care about and that fits your course?

Yes Not sure No

2. Can you state it as one question, not just a subject area?

Yes Not sure No

3. Is it narrowed to a specific group, place or period?

Yes Not sure No

4. Have you confirmed you can reach the people, documents or data?

Yes Not sure No

5. Can you finish it — including writing up — before the deadline?

Yes Not sure No

6. Do you know whether it needs ethics approval, and how long that takes?

Yes Not sure No

7. Do you have, or can you learn in time, the methods it needs?

Yes Not sure No

8. Have you found existing work to build on, and a gap in it?

Yes Not sure No