A study note on "dissertation project scope": for dissertation project students (information from perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "What is "dissertation project scope" all about with reference to MBA and Housing Studies dissertation project?"
The reply: "Understanding "Dissertation Project Scope" for MBA and Housing Studies
What Is Dissertation Project Scope?
The dissertation project scope refers to the boundaries, extent, and limitations of a research study. It details what the dissertation will and will not cover, specifying the focus, objectives, target population, methods, location, and time frame of the project. This helps maintain clarity, manage time efficiently, keeps research feasible, and signals what readers can expect from the study.
Elements of Dissertation Project Scope
A typical project scope description should include:
Introduction: Brief context of the study and its relevance.
Objectives: Main aims of the dissertation.
Research Questions: The central research questions to be addressed.
Population and Sample: Who or what will be studied.
Methods: The research methods and tools that will be used.
Time Frame: The project’s timeline.
Geographical Focus: Locations included in the study.
Limitations and Delimitations: What is intentionally left out or any constraints faced.
Reference to MBA Dissertation Projects
For MBA dissertations:
The scope typically centers on addressing current or emerging business challenges, theories, or practices.
It can involve a traditional theoretical study, practical consultancy project, or internship-based inquiry—all requiring a clear written exploration of a business-related issue.
The scope must be relevant to business practice and focused enough to produce actionable insights, but broad enough to meet academic standards for depth and complexity.
It's recommended to anchor the scope around 2–3 focused research questions, aligned with your interests, available data, and professional goals.
Example MBA Scope Statement:
“This dissertation examines the impact of digital marketing transformation in mid-sized retail companies in Hong Kong, focusing on strategy adaptation, customer engagement, and measurable sales growth. The study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining primary survey data and interviews with business managers collected between September 2025 and February 2026. The research is limited to companies with 50–500 staff headquartered in Hong Kong.”
Reference to Housing Studies Dissertation Projects
For Housing Studies dissertations:
The scope will define whether you’re exploring policy, affordability, sustainability, housing design, or social outcomes.
It sets which housing types, populations, geographic areas, and time periods you’ll examine (e.g., social housing policy in Hong Kong from 2010–2025).
Choice of methods (case studies, surveys, data analysis) and sample sources centers the research and guides achievable outcomes.
Example Housing Studies Scope Statement:
“This dissertation investigates the effectiveness of transitional housing policies implemented in Hong Kong between 2018 and 2025, focusing on low-income families in the Sham Shui Po district. The research is based on interview data from residents and policymakers, supported by policy document review, and aims to assess program outcomes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.”
Tailoring the Scope
Factors such as your working experience, age, gender, and personal network can influence what’s feasible within your scope:
Experience helps pinpoint real-world problems or datasets you can access.
Networks can open up unique data sources or research partnerships.
Demographic perspective can shape research questions (e.g., focusing on gendered housing needs or generational business challenges).
Key Takeaways
The project scope is essential to define what will be studied, who and where, how it will be approached, and what is excluded.
It is crucial in both MBA and Housing Studies dissertations for feasibility, academic rigour, and real-world impact.
A concise, clear, and focused scope statement supports high-quality, achievable research and stronger dissertation outcomes."
My question 2: "What are the ways to narrow the dissertation project scope if there is a concern that its existing scope is too broad or too complicated? What are the advices on the dissertation project scope adjustments with reference to our discussion topic.?"
The reply: "How to Narrow a Dissertation Project Scope
If your dissertation project scope is too broad or complex—whether in an MBA or Housing Studies context—using a systematic approach to narrow it will make your research more manageable, focused, and impactful. Here are practical strategies and advice, tailored to the themes discussed previously:
Ways to Narrow Dissertation Project Scope
Refine Your Research Questions
Reduce the number of research questions to 1–2 central ones.
Prioritize those questions that align closely with your personal interests, available data, and expertise.
Focus on one specific aspect of a wider topic (e.g., only customer engagement in digital marketing, rather than all business outcomes).
Limit the Target Population or Sample
Select a specific demographic (e.g., only women, senior managers, or a particular income group).
Focus on one sector, company size, or family type (e.g., only mid-sized firms, public housing tenants).
Constrain the Geographical Scope
Choose one district, city, or even a single case study site instead of multiple locations.
For Housing Studies, look at a neighborhood (e.g., Sham Shui Po only) rather than an entire city.
Narrow the Time Frame
Restrict your study to a defined period (e.g., analyze policies or business changes from 2020–2023, not 2010–2025).
This is especially useful if there’s been a significant recent policy or market change.
Focus Methodologically
Limit methods: Choose either qualitative (interviews) or quantitative (survey) rather than both, or reduce the number of data sources.
Select fewer case studies or industry examples.
Define or Exclude Certain Variables
Clearly state which factors will not be addressed (e.g., exclude technology adoption if focusing purely on policy outcomes).
Be explicit about what’s out of scope to prevent “scope creep.”
Advice for Adjusting the Scope (Specific to MBA and Housing Studies)
MBA Dissertations
Narrow to one business area (e.g., marketing strategy, not overall business transformation).
Target a specific business challenge that is timely and relevant.
Choose companies, data sets, or networks to which you have direct access—this often speeds up research and increases its feasibility.
Housing Studies Dissertations
Concentrate on one policy theme (e.g., transitional housing effectiveness) or one vulnerable group (e.g., elderly, low-income families).
Align your scope with data accessibility—sometimes government or NGO data may only be available for certain years or areas.
Avoid trying to cover every aspect of housing (supply, design, policy) in a single dissertation. Select the one area you find most meaningful and have enough information about.
General Tips
Ask your supervisor/mentor to review the scope—they may see overlap or excess complexity you missed.
Create a short, clear scope statement (2–3 sentences) and see if others can easily understand what you will and won’t study. If not, revise for clarity and simplicity.
Remember that a focused dissertation is usually judged as more rigorous and achievable than an overambitious, sprawling one.
Use the “SMART” criteria for objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
By narrowing the scope using these techniques, you’ll improve the quality and feasibility of your dissertation—leading to clearer insights and a stronger final result. This approach ensures that your project remains academically rigorous and practical, without becoming overwhelming or unfocused."
My question 3: "Is it always the case that a narrower dissertation project scope is easier to produce a reasonably satisfactory and manageable dissertation project with reference to our discussion topic?"
The reply: "It is generally the case that a narrower dissertation project scope tends to make producing a reasonably satisfactory and manageable dissertation easier because it allows the researcher to focus deeply on a specific issue, question, population, or context, thereby increasing feasibility, clarity, and depth of analysis. This holds true for both MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects as discussed.
Key reasons why a narrower scope is usually easier to handle and leads to better outcomes include:
Focused Research Questions: Narrowing limits the study to 1–2 precise questions that align well with your interests and available data, avoiding the strain of addressing multiple complex issues at once.
Manageable Population and Sample: By restricting the population or case study area (like a single district or company size), data collection and analysis become more practical and less time-consuming.
Clearer Boundaries: Defining what is included and excluded helps prevent scope creep, which can otherwise overwhelm the project with too much material or complexity.
More Feasible Methods: A limited scope often means fewer data sources or a singular methodological approach, making the research process more straightforward to implement and analyze.
Improved Rigor and Depth: Depth of inquiry on a narrow focus is typically richer and more original because the researcher can engage thoroughly with the topic rather than skimming many unrelated areas.
However, there are important caveats:
Over-Narrowing Can Limit Impact: Too narrow a focus might restrict the dissertation’s relevance or significance, making it less useful or harder to justify academically.
Balance Needed: The scope must be sufficiently broad to meet degree requirements and contribute meaningfully to the field but remain narrow enough to be achievable within time and resource constraints.
In summary, while a narrower dissertation scope usually facilitates a more manageable and satisfactory project by improving focus and feasibility, it must be carefully balanced to avoid being overly restrictive or trivial. This matches advice from prior discussion and research on scope definition in academic projects, emphasizing clarity, feasibility, and relevance to the chosen field (MBA or Housing Studies)."
A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.
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