Studying the effects of a trade economy in a post-apocalyptic zombie world

In most Doctoral programs, a students needs to complete a dissertation in order to graduate.  According to Purdue University, "A dissertation is a lengthy, formal document that argues in defense of a particular thesis. The research performed to support a thesis must be both, and the dissertation must show it to be so. In particular, a dissertation highlights original contributions. The scientific method means starting with a hypothesis and then collecting evidence to support or deny it. Before one can write a dissertation defending a particular thesis, one must collect evidence that supports it. Thus, the most difficult aspect of writing a dissertation consists of organizing the evidence and associated discussions into a coherent form."

There's so much WTF in this picture, I don't know
where to begin.

OK...so in other words, a dissertation is a really, really, long paper.   

So how does one know what to write their dissertation about?  Well, the first step is to review the prior literature, look for gaps, blah, blah, blah, and come up with a question.  This obviously entails hours and hours of reading countless books on boring subjects such as research methodology, statistical analysis, econometric models...are you sleeping yet?

Many of my professors have said that you should write about what interests you.  These people also read scholarly journals for fun.  So what interests me?  What do I read about?  What is my passion?

Zombies.

As a connessuir of all things zombie, I've read dozens of books on zombies.  I've read historical accounts of zombies, stories of biologically created zombies, and step-by-step guides to surviving a zombie attack ("The Zombie Survival Guide").    As a result of this intensive literature review, I've come up with a list of potential dissertation topics, all relevant to the impending zombie apocalypse.

Research.

Standardized Description and Classifications of Zombie viral strains

Executive leadership amongst rogue banded forces and the relationship to organizational survival rates

A study of anti-zombie weaponry choices: a comparative analysis of the pickax, hacksaw, and hatchet

Exploring the relationship between climate humidity and zombie decomposition

Measuring initial hospital response time to patient zero outbreak and total staff infestation

The effects of militia control in stabilizing and decontaminating overrun military installations

Managing food and resources in a post apocalyptic zombie paradigm: a quantitative study measuring length of time until cannibalism sets in

Factors affecting the accuracy of the AR-47 in zombie decapitation

If you have any more, feel free to add them!