A note on how to improve the quality of discussion in the literature review chapter of the dissertation report: for MBA students

A note on how to improve the quality of discussion in the literature review chapter of the dissertation report: for MBA students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question: "With reference to the part-time 4-month MBA dissertation project works, one frequent comment from dissertation supervisors is that the discussion in the chapter of literature review (Chapter 2) is weak in discussion quality; the discussion is not critical. Could you advise an MBA student can how to improve the discussion quality of the literature review in Chapter 2 (Literature Review) of the dissertation report?"

The reply: "To improve the discussion quality of the literature review (Chapter 2) in an MBA dissertation report, an MBA student should focus on several key strategies to make the discussion critical, analytical, and well-structured rather than just descriptive or a summary of existing literature.

Here are specific recommendations for enhancing the chapter's discussion quality:

Develop a Clear Objective and Structure

• Clearly define the purpose of the literature review in relation to the dissertation topic. It should show how the review supports the research objectives, identifies gaps, and frames the theoretical foundation.

• Use a "funnel" approach: start with broad context and general theories, then narrow down to specific studies directly relevant to the research questions.

• Organize themes logically with smooth transitions to guide readers through the arguments and build a coherent narrative.

Critical Analysis and Synthesis

• Go beyond summarizing studies; critically evaluate the methodologies, findings, and theoretical contributions of each source.

• Compare and contrast different studies showing agreements, contradictions, strengths, and limitations. Highlight methodological biases, outdated sources, or narrow scopes.

• Identify research gaps explicitly, showing how the literature falls short and justifies the new study.

• Synthesize information by grouping studies into themes or concepts rather than listing them one by one, drawing connections between studies.

Express the Student's Scholarly Voice

• Make the student's evaluative voice clear at the paragraph level, especially in topic sentences and concluding sentences of paragraphs.

• Take a position on the theories and evidence presented, explaining why some are more valid or applicable.

• Use critical questions to probe assumptions, generalizability, and alternative interpretations.

Use Theoretical Framework and Practical Relevance

• Link the literature review closely to the theoretical framework that guides the dissertation methodology.

• Discuss how the reviewed literature relates to the practical problem the dissertation addresses, reinforcing the significance.

Enhance Clarity and Impact

• Use schematic diagrams or conceptual models for complex theories or relationships to make the discussion more vivid and memorable.

• Summarize key points at the end of each section to reinforce the critical insights gained.

By incorporating these strategies, the literature review will transform from a descriptive summary into a critical, analytical, and well-argued foundation supporting the dissertation research."

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