How does the choice of research philosophy affect an MBA dissertation proposal formulation: an example

How does the choice of research philosophy affect an MBA dissertation proposal formulation: an example (information from perplexity.ai)

My question: "I am interested to find out how the choice of research philosophy affect the formulation of research objectives and research questions as well as the selection of suitable research methods for a 4-month MBA dissertation project. For example, if my research theme is : "the consumption downgrade in Hong Kong in 2025 from the perspective of consumer behavior", please suggest two dissertation proposals, each of which with a project title, 3 research objectives, 3 research questions, 2 research methods to use, given that one proposal is based on interpretivism and the other one is based on pragmatism."

The reply: "Here are two MBA dissertation proposals based on interpretivism and pragmatism research philosophies for the theme "the consumption downgrade in Hong Kong in 2025 from the perspective of consumer behavior":

Proposal 1: Interpretivism-Based

• Project Title: "Understanding Consumer Narratives of Consumption Downgrade in Hong Kong 2025"

• Research Objectives:

  1. Explore how Hong Kong consumers interpret and experience the consumption downgrade phenomenon.

  2. Identify the meanings and social contexts consumers attach to changes in their consumption behavior.

  3. Understand the subjective factors influencing consumer choices during economic slowdown.

• Research Questions:

  1. How do consumers describe their experiences of consumption downgrade?

  2. What social or cultural meanings do consumers associate with downgraded consumption?

  3. What personal and contextual factors shape consumer behavior in this period?

• Research Methods:

  1. In-depth semi-structured interviews to collect rich qualitative data on consumer experiences.

  2. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify patterns and interpretations.

Proposal 2: Pragmatism-Based

• Project Title: "Consumer Behavior and Consumption Downgrade in Hong Kong 2025: A Mixed-Methods Approach"

• Research Objectives:

  1. Quantify the extent and patterns of consumption downgrade among Hong Kong consumers.

  2. Investigate the practical reasons behind consumers’ choices to downgrade consumption.

  3. Develop actionable insights for retailers and policymakers to address consumer needs.

• Research Questions:

  1. What are the measurable consumption downgrade behaviors among Hong Kong consumers?

  2. What economic, social, and psychological factors drive these behaviors?

  3. How can stakeholders respond effectively to mitigate negative impacts of consumption downgrade?

• Research Methods:

  1. Survey questionnaire to gather quantitative data on consumption patterns and influencing factors.

  2. Follow-up focus groups or interviews to gain qualitative insights on motivations and decision-making.

Summary of philosophy impact:

• Interpretivism leads to research focusing on subjective understanding, meanings, and socially constructed realities through qualitative methods.

• Pragmatism aims for practical solutions by combining quantitative measures and qualitative insights for comprehensive understanding.

These proposals balance focus, objectives, questions, and methods consistent with their philosophical foundations for a 4-month MBA dissertation project on consumption downgrade in Hong Kong 2025."

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