A note on literature review study skill: for MBA and Housing Studies students

A note on literature review study skill: for MBA and Housing Studies students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "When doing MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects, what are ways to do literature review so as to develop further my independent, critical and reflective thinking in the review process? Any advices?"

The reply: "To develop your independent, critical, and reflective thinking during the literature review process for MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects, consider the following approaches and advice:

1. Engage Deeply with Sources
   Move beyond summarizing literature by questioning the assumptions, methodologies, and conclusions of each source. Ask yourself: What are the strengths and limitations? Are there contradictions or gaps? How do these studies relate to each other?

2. Synthesize, Don’t Just Summarize
   Integrate findings from various sources to build a coherent narrative. Compare and contrast different theories or findings, highlighting patterns or divergent viewpoints. This builds your skill in making independent judgments.

3. Reflect on Your Own Perspective
   Consider how your own background, experiences, and values influence your interpretation of the literature. Reflect on how the literature challenges or supports your assumptions, which enhances self-awareness and critical reflection.

4. Use Conceptual Frameworks
   Develop or adopt frameworks to organize the literature analytically. This helps you see connections and underlying structures, which advances analytical thinking.

5. Identify Research Gaps and Formulate Questions
   Critically appraise what has not been addressed or fully explored in the literature. This fosters creative and forward-thinking reflection, setting the stage for your own research contribution.

6. Be Organized and Systematic
   Use literature management tools and structured note-taking methods to track key points, critiques, and reflections. Revisiting notes later will help deepen critical thinking.

7. Discuss and Debate Ideas
   Engage with peers, supervisors, or academic forums to challenge your interpretations and develop your arguments further. This interaction promotes independent thought and varied perspectives.

8. Write Reflectively
   Compose reflective memos alongside your review drafts to capture evolving thoughts, critiques, and connections. This iterative process solidifies reflective learning.

By approaching the literature review as an active, interrogative, and reflective process rather than a passive summary, you will sharpen your independent, critical, and reflective thinking skills crucial for your dissertation success."

My question 2: "How to make the literature review study process research objectives-driven in this case? Any any advice on the methods and learning mindset?"

The reply: "To make your literature review study process research objectives-driven in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects, consider the following advice on methods and learning mindset:

Methods for an Objectives-Driven Literature Review

1. Clarify Your Research Objectives Early
   Define clear, specific research objectives that guide what you are looking for in the literature. This focus will help you sift through vast amounts of material efficiently and avoid irrelevant information.

2. Use Your Objectives to Frame Search Strategies
   Develop keywords and search queries based directly on your research objectives. Filter databases and sources according to these, ensuring the literature you review is highly relevant.

3. Map Literature to Objectives
   As you review each source, explicitly connect the findings and arguments to your research objectives. This keeps your review targeted and purposeful rather than broad or general.

4. Organize the Review Around Objectives
   Structure your literature review by the themes or questions derived from your objectives. This approach makes the review coherent and aligned with your overall research goals.

5. Constantly Revisit and Refine Objectives
   Allow the literature to inform and occasionally adjust your objectives. This iterative process enhances reflection and adaptability in your research.

Learning Mindset to Support the Process

1. Adopt a Purposeful Curiosity
   Stay inquisitive about how each piece of literature contributes toward answering your research questions or fulfilling objectives. This mindset sharpens focus and engagement.

2. Be Reflective and Adaptable
   Reflect on how the literature influences your understanding and be open to refining your objectives or approach. This flexible mindset fosters deeper critical thinking.

3. Maintain Discipline and Systematic Habits
   Keep organized records linking notes and critiques directly to objectives. Use tools like literature matrices or annotated bibliographies with objective categories.

4. Embrace Active Analysis Rather than Passive Reading
   Approach each reading session with questions linked to your objectives. Take notes that interrogate relevance, significance, and gaps in relation to your goals.

5. Engage in Dialogue Around Objectives
   Discuss your focus and findings with peers or mentors to test alignment with your objectives and get new perspectives.

By explicitly aligning your literature review methods and reflective mindset to your research objectives, you steer your work purposefully, strengthening its coherence, relevance, and impact. This approach also deepens your independent and critical thinking as you continually integrate objective-driven inquiry into your review process."

My question 3: "Sometimes, I find the academic literature not easy to understand and I also feel sleepy and a bit boring when doing literature review. How to address these issues well?"

The reply: "To address the challenges of finding academic literature difficult to understand and feeling sleepy or bored during your literature review, consider the following strategies:

Making Literature Easier to Understand

• Break it Down: Divide dense academic texts into smaller sections, and focus on understanding one part at a time rather than the whole paper at once.

• Use Supplementary Resources: Look for summaries, reviews, or simpler explanations of key theories and concepts before diving into original papers.

• Highlight Key Points: Identify and mark the main arguments, evidence, and conclusions as you read; this active engagement helps comprehension.

• Ask Questions: Transform sections into questions you need answered, which promotes active reading and clearer understanding.

• Discuss with Peers or Mentors: Talking through complex ideas with others can provide clarity and alternative perspectives.

Overcoming Sleepiness and Boredom

• Set Short, Timed Sessions: Use focused time blocks (e.g., 25-30 minutes) followed by short breaks to maintain concentration and prevent fatigue.

• Create a Stimulating Environment: Choose a well-lit, comfortable, but not too cozy place. Avoid reading in bed or places where you usually relax or sleep.

• Vary Your Approach: Mix reading with note-taking, summarizing, or concept mapping to keep your brain actively engaged.

• Set Clear, Purpose-Driven Goals: Remind yourself how each reading links to your research objectives — this sense of purpose can enhance motivation.

• Incorporate Physical Movement: Take short walks or stretch during breaks to boost circulation and alertness.

By combining these tactics, you can enhance your ability to understand challenging literature while keeping fatigue and boredom at bay, making your literature review process more productive and enjoyable."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.

A note on life and career success via the existentialism lens: for MBA students

A note on life and career success via the existentialism lens: for MBA students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "What are life success and career success with reference to existentialism?"

The reply: "Life success and career success in reference to existentialism can be understood through the lens of core existentialist concepts such as freedom, responsibility, authenticity, and the creation of personal meaning.

1. Life Success in Existentialism:
   Existentialism posits that life has no inherent or predetermined meaning. Instead, meaning is something each individual must create for themselves through their choices, actions, and attitudes. Life success, therefore, is not measured by external standards but by living authentically—making decisions and living in ways that align with one’s true self and values rather than conforming to societal expectations. It involves embracing freedom and the responsibility that comes with it, acknowledging the absurdity and unpredictability of life, and continually choosing to find or create meaning despite this. Authentic life success is about self-discovery, self-definition, and courageously facing existential angst to live a fulfilling and meaningful life on one’s own terms.

2. Career Success in Existentialism:
   Career success from an existential perspective moves beyond conventional metrics like status, salary, or advancement. It is centered on finding personal meaning and purpose in one's work. Career success is about engaging in work that reflects one’s authentic self, values, and passions. It requires taking responsibility for one's career choices and recognizing the freedom to shape one's professional identity despite external pressures. Existentialism encourages individuals to view career success as an ongoing process of self-definition and purposeful engagement rather than a fixed goal. The focus is on doing something meaningful—dedicating oneself to mastering skills, contributing value, and caring about what one leaves behind—rather than merely being somebody or achieving societal benchmarks.

In sum, existentialism reframes both life success and career success as deeply personal, self-created states grounded in authenticity, freedom, and responsibility. Success is about living and working in ways that are true to oneself and meaningful, rather than adhering to pre-established or socially imposed measures of achievement. This philosophy invites ongoing reflection and personal choice as central to what it means to be truly successful in life and career."

My question 2: "Please discuss, the topic here (notably on life and career success, based on existentialism) a bit more with regard to a healthy business management professional in his 60s, still interested in playing in some managerial roles in the Hong Kong economy."

The reply: "For a healthy business management professional in his 60s, still interested in playing managerial roles within the Hong Kong economy, understanding life and career success from an existentialist perspective offers a meaningful framework for ongoing engagement and fulfillment.

Existentialism emphasizes that success is not defined by external metrics or societal expectations, but through authenticity, freedom, responsibility, and self-created meaning. For this professional, life success involves living authentically in alignment with his values and genuine interests rather than conforming to imposed career benchmarks or traditional retirement norms. Embracing this might mean reinterpreting success as ongoing growth, contribution, and self-expression in later life, rather than reaching fixed endpoints like status or title.

In terms of career success, existentialism encourages finding purpose and meaning in managerial roles that resonate personally, beyond salary or prestige. At this stage in life, it may involve choosing roles that enable mentoring younger professionals, leveraging accumulated wisdom, or contributing to meaningful projects that reflect core values. This perspective shifts the focus from competing or climbing further to purposeful engagement, mastery, and leaving a valued legacy in the Hong Kong business context.

Practically, Hong Kong’s evolving economy and social environment supports mature professionals continuing work with flexibility and respect for their wealth of experience. Programs encouraging the employment of seniors demonstrate that mature workers are valued for their problem-solving skills and dedication when workplaces provide appropriate job designs and accommodate physical and personal needs. Flexible arrangements can support work-life balance and physical health, enabling sustainable careers into later decades. Being engaged in a role that fits well with one’s current capacities and interests aligns well with existential authenticity and contributes to healthy aging.

Furthermore, existentialism addresses challenges such as existential career crises, inviting honest reflection on whether current roles align with one’s authentic self and values. This process may lead to renewal, scaling back, or reimagining one’s professional identity in ways that still contribute meaningfully to the local economy and community.

To summarize, a healthy business management professional in his 60s finding existential meaning in life and career success within Hong Kong’s economy is likely to:

• Define success by authentic engagement and personal meaning rather than external status.

• Value roles that leverage experience, mentorship, and contributions that align with deeply held values.

• Seek flexible and supportive work environments that accommodate health and life balance.

• Embrace ongoing self-reflection to ensure work remains a source of purpose rather than obligation.

This existential approach can empower mature professionals to continue thriving and contributing with integrity and fulfillment in their later career stages, navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in Hong Kong’s dynamic economy."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.