Demarcation thesis

Before you start your thesis research, your thesis topic should be very clear. This means you have to define your topic. In other words: you make concrete what you are going to research. You already define your thesis in your plan of approach. This allows you to start your thesis research with your research topic clearly set out.

The meaning of demarcation can vary as you can do this in several ways. These are a few examples of demarcations:

• Indicate which aspect of a topic you are addressing.
• Describe the target group you are conducting the research on.
• Name where you are researching (in a particular region, at a particular organisation, etc.).
• Indicate the time period you are looking at.
• Name the specific type of relationship between variables you are investigating.
• Describe what consequences you are looking at (the influence of X on...).

The demarcation of your thesis is important to make your problem statement concrete and to properly describe your thesis topic. It also forms the basis for your research question.

Moreover, a well-defined topic contributes to the validity and reliability of your research. After all, it is easier for others to redo your research if it is clear what exactly you have researched.

Demarcating your thesis does not mean that you have to be too specific in your choice of topic. There must be literature available on the subject. Moreover, the topic should be relevant.

Furthermore, your research must be feasible. For example, if you focus on the satisfaction of MediaMarkt customers in Amsterdam with a specific kitchen appliance, that might be a bit too specific. It will be difficult to find enough customers willing to give their opinion on that one appliance.

You already demarcate your thesis in the plan of approach/action. Your supervisor and a possible client can then assess whether your thesis topic is relevant, specific enough and feasible.

Below is an example of a good demarcation in an action plan and an example of a topic that is not yet sufficiently demarcated.

Well-demarcated topic

1. The impact of Instagram use on the well-being of Dutch adolescents aged 16 to 18;
2. The impact of local anti-smoking campaigns on smoking behaviour among residents of Amsterdam North;
3. The effectiveness of Ahold's measures to promote productive homeworking.

Not well-demarcated topic

1. The impact of Instagram use on young people (which young people are involved and what exactly does Instagram use affect those young people?);
2. The impact of local anti-smoking campaigns (the impact on which, on whom and in which area?);
3. Measures for productive homeworking (which aspect of those measures are you investigating and at which organisation are you doing so?).

How do you describe this demarcation in your thesis?

You describe the demarcation of your thesis in the introduction and the theoretical framework. In the introduction, you indicate the topic of your thesis. In the theoretical framework, you define important terms and thus further demarcate the thesis topic.

In addition, in the method chapter, you discuss which people your target audience consists of. This is also part of the demarcation of your thesis.

Demarcating your thesis is one of the first steps. There is more to come when you start your thesis. So check out our tips for starting your thesis. Also, read our tips for writing your thesis.

Not quite getting there trying to choose a thesis topic? Then read our tips for choosing the right topic.