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Research Topic Evaluator

Our trusted research topic evaluator, score your shortlist. Free to use. Instant access.

Developed by Grad Coach's Doctoral-Qualified Team15 Million Downloads · Used by 500+ Universities

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What it covers

A spreadsheet for comparing candidate topics side by side, instead of choosing on gut feel, built from the same process we’ve used evaluating topics with 10,000+ students. You describe each topic, sketch its aims and rough methodology, then score it out of five against eleven criteria — and the sheet averages them into a single figure you can rank on.

The criteria are the ones that actually decide whether a project finishes:

Originality: how novel is the topic, and how substantial is the gap?
Value and significance: how much would achieving the aim be worth, and to whom?
Data access: how easily and cheaply can you get the data?
Equipment: does the analysis need anything specialized, and can you get it?
Timeframe: how long will this take, and how tight would your schedule be?
Literature: is there enough to build a theoretical foundation on?
Supervisor: would anyone want to supervise it, and do they have the expertise?
Ethics: how much complexity does ethical approval involve?
Personal appeal: does it excite you, and does it fit your career plans?
Risk: is there anything here that could stop you finishing?
Other: a spare column for whatever your situation adds.

Five worked examples come filled in, so you can see how the scoring behaves before replacing them with your own shortlist.

The document can be copied to your Google Drive or downloaded, and is yours to keep.

Frequently asked questions

What format is the worksheet in?

It’s a Google Sheet. Make a copy to your own Drive, or download it as an Excel file if you’d rather work offline. Either way, it’s yours to edit however you like.

Why are the example topics all about education?

They’re there to show you how the scoring plays out once real numbers are in the cells, not to model your subject area. Delete them and drop in your own shortlist whenever you’re ready; the columns work the same regardless of discipline.

How is the final score calculated?

Each of the eleven criteria gets a score out of five, and the sheet averages them into one number per topic so you can rank your options at a glance. A high average isn’t the whole story, though: check which individual criteria dragged a topic down before ruling it out, since a single weak score — data access, say — could be fixable rather than fatal.

Can I edit or add to the eleven criteria?

Yes. There’s a spare “Other” column built in for whatever your situation adds, and since it’s your own copy of the sheet, you’re free to rename or add columns if something here doesn’t apply to your field.

How many topics should I run through it?

There’s no fixed number, but running at least three or four gives the scoring something to differentiate between. Fewer than that and you’re mostly just confirming a decision you’d already made.

What do I do once I’ve picked a topic?

The evaluator narrows your shortlist; it doesn’t turn a topic into a proposal. From here you’d typically firm up your aims and methodology and start drafting, which is what our research proposal template is built for.

Can I share this with friends or colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this worksheet in its original format (no editing allowed). If you post about it on your blog or social media, please reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me choose a research topic?

Yes. If you’re stuck between options or unsure a topic is actually viable, that’s exactly what our coaches help with. Get in touch to discuss our private coaching services.