An updated guide to apply Leon Lai's gold statement for producing an MBA dissertation proposal prototype

An updated guide to apply Leon Lai's gold statement for producing an MBA dissertation proposal prototype

The gold statement of Leon Lai is "not to eat breakfast empty-stomached" [唔空肚食早餐]; in the context of producing an MBA dissertation proposal prototype, that basically means learning and conducting a number of exploratory tasks. These tasks are explained in the following blog notes:

1. how to produce a preliminary dissertation proposal prototype (version 0)
2. how to formulate a crude research theme for MBA dissertation proposal formulation
3. on MBA research theme brainstorming with one of the key words being a different research philosophy
4. formulating an MBA research theme that is multi-disciplinary in nature
5. turning an MBA concrete research theme into a dissertation proposal prototype: an example on reskilling and upskilling in HK banks

By following the suggested way to conduct the preliminary exploratory exercise, an MBA student should be able to produce a preliminary MBA dissertation proposal prototype. To improve the quality of the proposal prototype produced, the student is recommended to also conduct some initial learning on the subject of research methods (e.g. study the lecture notes on research methods). The overall learning process involved in the whole MBA dissertation life cycle is portrayed in my practice note on this topic.

Also read the original note on Leon Lai's gold statement for producing a preliminary proposal prototype.

About Leon Lai (a song).

A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

1. Research philosophy (a) and research philosophy (b)
2. Research approaches.
3. Research methodology.
4. Primary and secondary research methods.

5. Research method: questionnaire survey

6. Research method: semi-structured interview

7. Research method: structured observation

8. Research method: focus group

9. Research method: participant observation

Lecture note on participant observation for MBA students

 Lecture note on participant observation for MBA students

 

Highlight 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices based on the 4 main ideas on the research method of participant observation in the context of MBA dissertation projects.

Based on participant observation literature for MBA doctoral and dissertation work, here are the 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices:

4 Main Ideas of Participant Observation for MBA Dissertations

Idea	Core Concept	MBA Dissertation Relevance
1. Dual Role Integration	The researcher simultaneously participates in activities and observes them, balancing practitioner and scholar roles	Particularly suited for "practitioner-scholars" doing qualitative field research in organizations where you're already engaged
2. What People Actually Do vs. Say	Reveals real behaviors in everyday life, not just self-reported accounts from interviews or documents	Critical for business research where stated policies often differ from actual practices (e.g., governance, ethics, management)
3. Building Rapport Through Friendship	Developing trust and close relationships enables participants to speak freely; requires commitment over time	Enables access to deeper organizational insights, but requires ethical care to avoid exploiting trust
4. Reflective Practitioner Stance	Standing back intellectually to reflect, objectify observations, and make theoretically-informed sense of what's occurring	Essential for MBA work to move from description to analysis; you must "observe while participating" not just participate

3 Practice Advices (Based on the 4 Main Ideas)

Advice 1: Document Systematically with Detailed Notes

·        Take detailed textual notes during or immediately after observation (as full as possible)

·        Include maps/diagrams to show spatial relationships between stakeholders/entities

·        Revisit notes within hours to add missed details while fresh; add analysis after 1–2 days

·        Why: Supports the dual role by capturing both participation experience and observational data for later theoretical analysis

Advice 2: Manage Bias and Identity Tensions Explicitly

·        Acknowledge your integrated practitioner-scholar identity and potential biased interpretation

·        Practice intellectual standing back regularly during fieldwork to maintain reflective distance

·        Address ethical conduct concerns about exploiting friendships; offer anonymity when needed

·        Why: Directly addresses the dual role integration challenge and reflective practitioner requirement

Advice 3: Analyze Qualitatively by Seeking Patterns and "WHY"

·        Follow qualitative interview analysis: become familiar with data → find themes → code for comparison → search for puzzles asking WHY

·        Only analyze after several days of observation, not immediately

·        Look for consistencies AND inconsistencies between what people do (observed) vs. say (interviews)

·        Why: Enables the reflective practitioner to move from description to theoretically-informed MBA-level analysis

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Key Takeaway: For MBA dissertations, participant observation works best when you're an engaged insider (e.g., studying your own organization) but must maintain reflective distance to produce academic analysis rather than just practitioner description.

** A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

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

Lecture note on focus group for MBA students

 Lecture note on focus group for MBA students

 

Highlight 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices based on the 4 main ideas on the research method of focus group in the context of MBA dissertation projects.

Based on focus group methodology for MBA dissertation projects, here are 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices:

4 Main Ideas: purpose & fit; group dynamics; representative sampling; benefits & limitations

Idea	Key Point	MBA Dissertation Relevance
1. Purpose & Fit	Focus groups are structured group discussions (6–10 participants) designed to understand the range of perspectives within a group through participant interaction	Use when you need to reveal how participants build on each other's ideas and identify common themes—more efficient than conducting multiple one-to-one interviews
2. Group Dynamics	Unlike interviews, focus groups encourage participants to interact with each other, potentially revealing new insights as they discuss and disagree	This dynamic helps identify group behaviors, different perspectives from subgroups, and why experiences differ—valuable for business/management research
3. Representative Sampling	Participants must be representative of the demographic you're studying; typically 4–8 or 6–10 people	Critical for MBA dissertations to ensure findings reflect your target population (e.g., consumers, employees, managers)
4. Benefits & Limitations	Benefits: rich discussion, multiple perspectives, data collected efficiently; Limitations: dominant participants, non-talkers, sensitive topics, potentially too much irrelevant data	MBA students must weigh efficiency against risks like dominant voices skewing data or generating excessive irrelevant information

3 Practice Advices (Based on the 4 Ideas)

1.    Choose focus groups only when group interaction adds value Before starting, ask: "Is a survey better? Is an interview better?" Use focus groups specifically when you need participants to interact and build on each other's ideas—not just to collect individual opinions.

2.    Recruit carefully and manage dynamics as moderator Select 6–10 representative participants. As moderator, encourage balanced participation, steer derailed discussions back to your protocol, and actively encourage quiet participants to speak. Avoid inserting yourself—guide, don't dominate.

3.    Plan for ethical rigor and data management Ensure consent forms are signed, confirm audio recording is okay, create a comfortable setting (circle seating, refreshments), and provide participants with transcripts for accuracy verification before analysis. This is critical for MBA dissertation ethics approval.

These principles align with qualitative research standards for business and management dissertations, where focus groups offer efficient access to multiple perspectives while requiring careful moderator skills and ethical oversight.

** A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

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

 

Lecture note on structured observation for MBA students

 Lecture note on structured observation for MBA students

 

Highlight 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices based on the 4 main ideas on the research method of structured observation in the context of MBA dissertation projects.

Based on structured observation as a research method for MBA dissertations, here are the 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices:

4 Main Ideas

1. Predetermined Criteria and Coding Systems

Structured observation uses predefined checklists or coding schemes to record specific behaviors or events. Researchers decide ahead of time what they're looking for—such as frequency of actions, duration of behaviors, or occurrence counts—ensuring they don't miss important information.

2. Controlled Environment Setting

The method is typically conducted in controlled or simulated settings (labs, simulated environments) rather than natural settings, which minimizes uncontrolled variables. This controlled approach allows researchers to focus on particular variables of interest while reducing external influences.

3. Quantitative Data Collection with Statistical Analysis

Structured observation yields quantitative data that can be analyzed statistically, providing a solid evidence base for conclusions. This enables precise conclusions, enhances replicability, and facilitates analysis of complex behaviors across larger populations.

4. Reduced Observer Bias Through Standardization

Using set checklists and standardized protocols minimizes observer bias and subjectivity, leading to more objective data collection. Training observers to follow the same protocols maintains consistency across different observers.

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3 Practice Advices (Based on the 4 Ideas)

1. Develop a Detailed Observation Protocol Before fieldwork

Create a structured checklist with predefined categories specific to your MBA research question (e.g., time spent in areas, number of interactions, specific actions). Document your objectives, research questions, and methodological approach in a study protocol outlining how data will be collected, analyzed, and reported.

2. Train Observers and Ensure Consistency

Train all observers to follow identical protocols and coding systems to maintain reliability across different observers. Practice reflexivity by regularly reflecting on your biases and documenting these in a research diary to understand how personal perspectives may impact the study.

3. Balance Structure with Ethical Considerations

While maintaining the controlled framework, obtain informed consent from participants ensuring they understand the study's purpose and procedures. Be prepared with backup plans (extra batteries, paper, contingency plans) since observational studies can be unpredictable, and review/analyze notes promptly to identify emerging themes or knowledge gaps.

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Key Limitation to Note: Structured observation may miss deeper motivations or emotions behind behaviors due to its focus on specific observable actions, so consider complementing it with other methods if your MBA dissertation requires understanding "why" behind behaviors.

** A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

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

 

Lecture note on semi-structured interview for MBA students

 Lecture note on semi-structured interview for MBA students

Highlight 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices based on the 4 main ideas on the research method of semi-structured interview in the context of MBA dissertation projects.

Based on guidance for MBA dissertation projects, here are the 4 main ideas of semi-structured interviews and 3 practice advices derived from them:

4 Main Ideas

Idea	Core Concept
1. Flexible yet structured design	Semi-structured interviews combine a pre-determined set of open-ended questions (interview guide) with the freedom to explore relevant lines of enquiry that stray from the guide when appropriate
2. Interviewee-centred approach	The method gives informants freedom to express views in their own terms, making it "a conversation with a purpose" that is reflexive and effective for understanding context-bound experiences
3. Depth through probing	Researchers can prompt or encourage interviewees for more information, probe to elaborate on responses, and follow new lines of inquiry introduced by what the interviewee says
4. Comparable qualitative data	Despite different participants or interviewers, semi-structured interviews deliver reliable, comparable qualitative data across interviews while allowing deep discussion that delivers new ways of understanding

3 Practice Advices (based on the 4 ideas)

1. Develop and pilot a structured interview guide Create a list of open-ended questions organized in logical sections with an introduction, middle, and end. Well signpost topic changes (e.g., "I'd now like to ask you about…") and pilot the guide to test question functionality, estimate interview duration, and identify needed changes.

2. Master active note-taking throughout Since protocols are open-ended questions requiring careful note-taking, practice note writing before, during, and after interviews. This requires considerable investment in thought but assists in investigating detailed hidden stories (why, how) behind phenomena.

3. Balance following the guide with flexible probing Start by keeping the interview on track and to time, but be sensitive to body language and non-verbal cues and provide prompts when interviewees seem interesting but incomplete. Follow relevant lines of enquiry when they feel appropriate, even if straying from the guide.

These advices directly operationalize the flexibility, interviewee-centredness, probing depth, and comparability that define semi-structured interviews for MBA dissertations.

 

** A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

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