A study note on dissertation project scope

A study note on dissertation project scope (information from poe.com)

My question 1: "As a university student learning the subject of Research Methods, I want to learn about the topic of dissertation project scope. Could you provide an example of describing a dissertation project scope for the following situations:

Situation 1: on a dissertation project about corporate productivity improvement programs in Hong Kong to be done within 3 months.

Situation 2: on a dissertation project about corporate productivity improvement programs in Hong Kong to be done within 6 months.

Situation 3: on a dissertation project about Gen Z perceptions on home ownership planning in Hong Kong to be done within 3 months.

Situation 4: on a dissertation project about Gen Z perceptions on home ownership planning in Hong Kong to be done within 6 months.

Tks in advance."

The reply: "Here are examples of how to describe the dissertation project scope for each of the specified situations:

Situation 1: Dissertation on Corporate Productivity Improvement Programs in Hong Kong (3 months)

Project Scope:

This dissertation aims to investigate corporate productivity improvement programs implemented in Hong Kong over the past five years. The study will focus on identifying the key methodologies used by organizations and their effectiveness in enhancing productivity within a constrained timeframe of three months. Primary qualitative data will be collected through interviews with HR managers and team leaders of corporations in various sectors. Additionally, a review of existing literature and secondary sources will be conducted to understand historical trends and outcomes. The scope is limited to medium-sized enterprises (50-250 employees) in Hong Kong, and the research will analyze data related to productivity metrics before and after implementation of improvement programs.

Situation 2: Dissertation on Corporate Productivity Improvement Programs in Hong Kong (6 months)

Project Scope:

This dissertation focuses on exploring the impact of corporate productivity improvement programs in Hong Kong, with an extended timeline of six months for comprehensive analysis. The project will examine both qualitative and quantitative aspects by conducting in-depth interviews with industry professionals and distributing surveys to a broader audience across various sectors. The research will also include a comparative analysis of productivity metrics within small, medium, and large enterprises in Hong Kong that have implemented these programs. The study aims to provide insights into the best practices and challenges faced by businesses and offer recommendations for future enhancements in productivity programs.

Situation 3: Dissertation on Gen Z Perceptions of Home Ownership Planning in Hong Kong (3 months)

Project Scope:

This dissertation will explore the perceptions of Gen Z individuals (ages 18-24) regarding home ownership planning in Hong Kong within a three-month timeframe. The study will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining online surveys and focus group discussions to gather qualitative and quantitative data from participants. Key areas of focus will include financial challenges, attitudes towards home ownership, and preferred living arrangements. The scope is confined to urban residents in Hong Kong who belong to the Gen Z demographic, and the research will analyze factors influencing their decisions about home ownership in light of the current real estate market conditions.

Situation 4: Dissertation on Gen Z Perceptions of Home Ownership Planning in Hong Kong (6 months)

Project Scope:

This dissertation aims to provide a detailed analysis of Gen Z perceptions regarding home ownership planning in Hong Kong over a six-month period. The research will employ a comprehensive methodology combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to understand the beliefs, motivations, and barriers faced by Gen Z in pursuing home ownership. The study will explore socio-economic factors, lifestyle preferences, and the impact of Hong Kong's housing market on their decisions. A broader demographic analysis will include segmented groups based on gender, familial background, and educational levels, providing insights into the diverse perspectives present within this generation.

These examples highlight the scope of research, methodologies, target populations, and specific focus areas for each dissertation project. Adjustments can be made based on specific academic requirements or personal interests."

My question 2: "In general, how do the researcher' age, gender, working experience, quality of personal social network affect the determination of a dissertation project scope, with reference to the fields of (1) business management and (2) housing studies?"

The reply: "The age, gender, working experience, and quality of a researcher's personal social network can significantly influence the determination of a dissertation project scope, particularly in the fields of business management and housing studies. Here’s how each aspect may affect research scope in these fields:

1. Business Management

Age:

• Perspective and Innovation: Younger researchers may bring fresh perspectives or innovative ideas, tailoring their projects to contemporary trends or emerging issues in business management, such as digital transformation or remote working.
• Relevance: Older researchers might focus on established theories or practices, affecting the scope of the project based on their understanding of what is currently critical in the field.

Gender:

• Focus on Diversity: A researcher’s gender might influence their choice to focus on gender diversity in the workplace, workplace culture, or the impact of gender dynamics in leadership, shaping project themes and methodologies.
• Research Bias: Gender may also affect the selection of study populations and settings, influencing project scope in terms of inclusivity and representation of different gender perspectives.

Working Experience:

• Practical Insights: Researchers with prior industry experience may choose to explore practical problems faced by businesses, resulting in a scope that emphasizes case studies, applied methodologies, or firsthand insights from industry veterans.
• Industry Familiarity: Experience in specific sectors can narrow the project scope to focus on known challenges or innovations within that sector, making the research highly relevant and practical.

Quality of Personal Social Network:

• Access to Data and Participants: A strong social network can facilitate access to organizational leaders and industry practitioners, enabling richer qualitative data collection and broader survey participation.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Researchers may also leverage their networks for collaborative studies or partnerships, potentially expanding or refining the project scope based on available resources and insights gained from peers.

2. Housing Studies

Age:

• Generational Perspectives: Younger researchers might focus on issues relevant to younger generations, such as housing affordability or sustainable living, shaping the project scope toward current market trends.
• Historical Context: Older researchers may approach housing studies from a historical perspective, exploring how past trends influence current policies or housing developments.

Gender:

• Focus on Inclusivity: A researcher’s gender might lead to an emphasis on gender-specific challenges in housing, such as domestic violence shelters or women’s housing needs, impacting the type of research questions and population samples chosen.
• Case Study Choices: Gender dynamics in housing can lead researchers to explore how male and female householders navigate the housing market differently, influencing the scope of research inquiries.

Working Experience:

• Field Knowledge: Researchers with experience in urban planning, real estate, or social services may frame their studies around practical challenges faced in housing, such as zoning laws or the impact of gentrification.
• Stakeholder Insights: Experience can inform the choice of key stakeholders to study, focusing on policymakers, developers, or residents in underrepresented communities, thus narrowing or expanding the research scope accordingly.

Quality of Personal Social Network:

• Networking with Practitioners: A robust network within housing authorities, real estate firms, or community organizations can provide valuable insights and data, shaping the project scope around real-world housing issues.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Having connections across related fields (e.g., sociology, economics, environmental studies) may facilitate interdisciplinary approaches, allowing for a broader or more integrated research scope that captures complex housing dynamics.

Conclusion

In summary, these personal attributes of a researcher can significantly affect the determination of a dissertation project scope by shaping research interests, methodological choices, and access to data. Understanding how these factors interplay within the context of specific fields like business management and housing studies can help researchers develop a focused and relevant dissertation project."

My question 3: "Could you provide with a simple template on dissertation project scope description, with which I can easily produce a concise and organized dissertation project scope description? Tks."

The reply: "Here's a simple template that you can use to create a concise and organized dissertation project scope description. Just fill in the sections with relevant information for your specific project:

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Dissertation Project Scope Description Template

Title of the Dissertation:

[Insert the title of your dissertation here]

Introduction:

• Briefly introduce the general topic of your dissertation.
• State the significance of the study in relation to the field.

Objectives:

• Clearly define the primary objectives of the research. What do you aim to achieve with this study?
  • Objective 1: [Insert objective]
  • Objective 2: [Insert objective]
  • Objective 3: [Insert objective]

Research Questions:

• List the key research questions that will guide your investigation.
  • Question 1: [Insert question]
  • Question 2: [Insert question]
  • Question 3: [Insert question]

Scope of the Study:

• Population and Sample:
  • Define the target population for your study and any specific characteristics of the sample you will analyze.
• Research Methods:
  • Provide an overview of the research methods you will employ (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods).
  • Mention specific techniques (e.g., surveys, interviews, case studies) that will be used.
• Time Frame:
  • Describe the timeframe for the research, including significant milestones.
• Geographical Focus:
  • Specify the geographical area or context in which the research will be conducted (e.g., specific cities, organizations).
• Limitations and Delimitations:
  • Identify any anticipated limitations (e.g., sample size, data availability) and any delimitations (e.g., specific focus areas) relevant to your study.

Expected Outcomes:

• Briefly outline the expected contributions of the research to the field, addressing potential implications for theory, practice, or policy.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the main points and re-emphasize the importance of the research scope in contributing to knowledge in the field."

*** note: as some of the scope description information are covered in other sections of Chapter 1, students need to avoid overlapped content in the project scope description (as suggested in the project scope description template).

Reference: 

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