Asking chatgpt on how to use perplexity to do desk research: a note

Asking chatgpt (via poe.com) on how to use perplexity to do desk research: a note

My question 1: "I am a university student, presently learning the subject of Research Methods. For my dissertation project, I need to conduct desk research on the Internet, to learn information, e.g. from newspapers and official statistics, related to "the impacts of economic trends on housing affordability in Hong Kong over the last 5 years". I wonder whether it can be called desk research in this case?"

The reply from chatgpt: "Yes, your approach can indeed be classified as desk research. Desk research involves gathering existing information from various sources, such as academic articles, newspapers, reports, and official statistics, rather than conducting new experiments or fieldwork. In your case, you are looking to analyze the impacts of economic trends on housing affordability in Hong Kong over the last five years, which aligns well with the definition of desk research.

Key Areas to Explore

Economic Trends: Investigate how economic factors such as GDP growth, employment rates, and inflation have influenced housing prices and affordability in Hong Kong. For instance, recent studies indicate that property price declines have significant macroeconomic implications, affecting consumption and investment patterns in the region [1].

Housing Affordability: Examine the relationship between economic conditions and housing affordability. The high cost of housing in Hong Kong has been a persistent issue, exacerbated by limited land resources and high demand. Reports suggest that housing prices have increased significantly over the years, making it difficult for low- and middle-income households to afford homes [2].

Government Policies: Analyze the role of government interventions in the housing market. Various measures have been implemented to address housing supply and affordability, including changes in land supply and the provision of subsidized housing. Understanding these policies will provide insight into their effectiveness in mitigating housing affordability issues [1].

Social and Environmental Factors: Consider how social dynamics and environmental conditions impact housing prices. Factors such as urban density, transportation accessibility, and environmental quality can significantly influence housing demand and prices in Hong Kong [2].

Conclusion

By conducting desk research through the analysis of existing literature, reports, and statistical data, you will be able to gather comprehensive insights into the economic trends affecting housing affordability in Hong Kong. This method will allow you to synthesize information from various sources to support your dissertation project effectively."

My question 2: "Tks for clarification. My next question is, is perplexity (the AI tool), a useful tool for me to carry out this desk research? And the related issue is: could you provide a table to compare the tools of perplexity and Google (the search engine) for doing desk research in this case? Please provide relevant criteria for this comparison of their strengths and weaknesses as a desk research tool. Tks a lot."

The reply from chatgpt: "Certainly! Both Perplexity and Google can be valuable tools for desk research, but they serve different purposes and have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a comparative table to help you evaluate them for your research on housing affordability in Hong Kong.

Criteria	Perplexity	Google
Purpose	AI-driven question-answering tool	General search engine
Ease of Use	User-friendly and conversational interface	Familiar interface, widely used
Information Sources	Aggregates information from various sources	Indexes vast amounts of web content
Depth of Information	Provides concise and relevant answers	Can yield extensive but varied results
Context Understanding	Good at understanding context and intent	May require specific keywords to narrow results
Citation and Reliability	May not always provide sources for information	Links to original sources for verification
Real-Time Updates	Limited real-time updates	Constantly updated with new content
Data Analysis	Less suitable for in-depth statistical analysis	Can link to datasets and reports
Multimedia Content	Primarily text-based responses	Can include images, videos, and maps
Search Customization	Less flexible in terms of search parameters	Highly customizable with various filters
Cost	Free to use, limited to its AI capabilities	Free to use, with access to a wide range of resources

 Summary

Perplexity: Best for quick answers and succinct information, especially if you are looking for a conversational interface to explore concepts. However, it may lack the depth and citation reliability needed for academic research.

Google: Ideal for comprehensive desk research, allowing you to explore a wide array of sources, including academic articles, reports, and statistics. It provides the ability to verify information through original sources.

For your dissertation project, you might benefit from using both tools: use Perplexity for quick insights and clarification of concepts, and Google for in-depth research and data collection."

My question 3: "Tks for clarification. My third question is: when using perplexity for desk research exercise of mine, what specific operational advice could you provide me to improve my desk research quality?"

The reply from chatgpt: "Using Perplexity effectively can enhance the quality of your desk research. Here are some specific operational tips to improve your research quality:

Operational Tips for Using Perplexity

Be Specific with Queries:

Frame your questions clearly and specifically. For example, instead of asking "housing affordability," try "how have economic trends affected housing affordability in Hong Kong from 2018 to 2023?"

Utilize Follow-Up Questions:

After receiving an answer, use follow-up questions to delve deeper into specific aspects. For instance, if you get information about housing prices, ask about the factors influencing those prices.

Ask for Sources:

If Perplexity provides information, ask for sources or references. This will help you verify the information and ensure its credibility.

Explore Related Topics:

Use the tool to explore related topics or concepts. Asking about related economic indicators (like GDP or unemployment rates) can provide a broader understanding of the context.

Summarize Key Points:

After receiving information, summarize the key points in your own words. This not only reinforces your understanding but also prepares you to integrate these insights into your dissertation.

Cross-Reference Information:

Use the information obtained from Perplexity as a starting point, then cross-reference with other sources (like Google) for a more comprehensive view.

Document Your Findings:

Keep a record of your queries and the responses you receive. This will help you track your research process and organize your notes for easy reference later.

Review and Reflect:

Regularly review the information gathered. Reflect on how it relates to your research question and whether it supports your thesis or hypothesis.

Consider Limitations:

Be aware of the limitations of AI tools. Understand that while Perplexity can provide valuable insights, it may not cover all aspects of your topic comprehensively.

Engage with Visual Data:

If you come across visual data or statistics, consider how they can enhance your understanding of the topic. You might need to find additional tools or resources for deeper data analysis.

By following these tips, you can maximize the effectiveness of Perplexity in your desk research and gather high-quality information for your dissertation project."

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.