Asking Chatgpt to clarify pragmatism with regard to dissertation proposal formulation: a note for MBA students.

Asking Chatgpt to clarify pragmatism with regard to dissertation proposal formulation: a note for MBA students.

I am a part-time MBA student. Presently, I am working on the formulation of my dissertation project proposal. My research topic is to evaluate the work-from-home policy of the Bank I work for in Hong Kong. I would like to adopt pragmatism for my research design. However, I am not familiar with pragmatism as a research philosophy. Below is my dialogue with the assistant bot (accessed via poe.com) on the topic of pragmatism for dissertation proposal formulation:

Finding 1

My first query is: "Could you explain to me its underlying ideas in terms of its ontological, epistemological and axiological stances?"

The reply from the assistant bot: "Certainly, I'll be happy to provide an overview of the pragmatist research philosophy and its key tenets.

Ontological Stance:

The pragmatist ontology is based on the view that there is no single objective reality that exists independently of our perceptions and experiences. Instead, pragmatists believe that reality is constantly evolving and is shaped by the interactions between individuals and their environments. From this perspective, the focus is on understanding the practical consequences and usefulness of different beliefs and actions, rather than seeking to uncover some universal truth.

Epistemological Stance:

Pragmatists believe that knowledge is derived from practical experience and inquiry, rather than being based solely on abstract theorizing. The emphasis is on understanding the practical implications and consequences of knowledge, rather than on establishing universal, objective truths. Pragmatists argue that knowledge is contextual and that it should be evaluated based on its ability to solve practical problems or improve human conditions.

Axiological Stance:

The axiological stance of pragmatism is centered on the idea of valuing what works in practice. Pragmatists are primarily concerned with the practical application and consequences of research, rather than with abstract ethical principles or moral absolutes. They believe that the value of research should be evaluated based on its ability to address real-world issues and improve human well-being.

In terms of your research on the work-from-home policy at the Bank in Hong Kong, a pragmatist approach would likely involve:

Focusing on the practical implications and consequences of the work-from-home policy, rather than seeking to establish universal truths.

Emphasizing the contextual nature of the policy and its effectiveness in addressing the specific needs and challenges of the Bank and its employees.

Evaluating the policy based on its ability to improve employee well-being, productivity, and the overall performance of the organization.

Embracing a flexible and iterative research design that allows for the incorporation of new insights and the adaptation to changing circumstances.

By adopting a pragmatist approach, you can focus on understanding the real-world impact of the work-from-home policy and developing practical recommendations that can help the Bank address the challenges and opportunities associated with this policy."

Finding 2

My second query is: "Tks for clarification. The dissertation project background of the Bank I work for is that the top management intends to cancel the work-from-home policy in the near future, but the Human Resource Department is quite concerned about the negative impacts on human resource management outcomes. I wonder what a research design, using both primary and secondary research, based on pragmatism would be like in this case?"

The reply from the assistant bot is: "Given the background you've provided about the Bank's intention to cancel the work-from-home policy, despite the HR department's concerns, a pragmatist research design could involve the following components:

Primary Research:

Qualitative Interviews:

Conduct in-depth interviews with a diverse range of employees who have experienced the work-from-home policy, including managers, individual contributors, and HR professionals.

Explore their perceptions, experiences, and the practical implications of the policy, both positive and negative.

Understand the specific challenges and benefits they have encountered, as well as their perspectives on the proposed policy change.

Employee Surveys:

Design a comprehensive survey to gather quantitative data on employee satisfaction, productivity, work-life balance, and other relevant metrics under the work-from-home policy.

Collect data from a representative sample of employees to understand the broader trends and patterns.

Include open-ended questions to capture additional insights and contextualize the quantitative findings.

Secondary Research:

Industry Benchmarking:

Conduct a review of existing studies, reports, and industry practices related to work-from-home policies.

Identify best practices, common challenges, and emerging trends in the banking/financial sector and other relevant industries.

Assess how the Bank's current policy and proposed changes align with industry norms and practices.

Internal Data Analysis:

Examine the Bank's internal data on employee performance, turnover, absenteeism, and other relevant HR metrics before and during the work-from-home policy.

Identify any measurable changes or trends that could be attributed to the policy implementation.

Assess the practical implications of these findings for the Bank's operations and human resource management.

The pragmatist approach would emphasize the practical utility and contextual relevance of the research findings, rather than seeking to establish universal truths. The goal would be to provide the Bank's management with a comprehensive understanding of the real-world impacts of the work-from-home policy, both positive and negative, to inform their decision-making process.

The research design should be flexible and iterative, allowing for the incorporation of new insights and the adaptation to changing circumstances as the study progresses. The focus should be on generating actionable recommendations that can help the Bank address the challenges and opportunities associated with the work-from-home policy."

Finding 3

My third query is: "How can we effectively analyze the internal data for actionable insights?"

The reply from the assistant bot: "To effectively analyze the internal data for actionable insights, a pragmatist approach could involve the following steps:

Identify Relevant Metrics:

Start by reviewing the available internal data and determining the key performance indicators (KPIs) and HR metrics that are most relevant to evaluating the impact of the work-from-home policy.

This could include measures such as employee productivity, engagement, turnover, absenteeism, work-life balance, and others.

Comparative Analysis:

Conduct a comparative analysis of the relevant metrics before, during, and after the implementation of the work-from-home policy.

Look for any significant changes or trends in the data that could be attributed to the policy implementation.

Consider factors such as the timing of the policy changes, seasonal variations, and other contextual variables that may have influenced the observed patterns.

Contextual Interpretation:

Complement the quantitative data analysis with a qualitative understanding of the organizational context and the lived experiences of employees.

Integrate insights from the primary research (interviews and surveys) to help interpret the internal data and understand the practical implications.

Explore any discrepancies or unexpected findings in the data, and seek to understand the underlying reasons and their practical consequences.

Scenario Analysis:

Based on the insights gained from the comparative analysis and contextual interpretation, develop scenarios that explore the potential outcomes of canceling the work-from-home policy.

Estimate the likely impact on key metrics such as employee productivity, retention, and overall organizational performance.

Consider both the short-term and long-term consequences of the proposed policy change.

Actionable Recommendations:

Synthesize the findings and develop practical, context-specific recommendations that the Bank can implement to address the challenges and opportunities associated with the work-from-home policy.

Focus on recommendations that are grounded in the pragmatic realities of the organization and its employees, rather than abstract theoretical proposals.

Suggest ways to mitigate the potential negative impacts of canceling the policy or provide alternatives that could better balance the needs of the organization and its workforce.

The goal of this pragmatist approach is to provide the Bank's management with a comprehensive understanding of the real-world implications of the work-from-home policy, informed by both quantitative data and qualitative insights. This will enable them to make more informed and practical decisions that align with the organization's goals and the well-being of its employees."

Finding 4

My fourth query is: "How can we gather qualitative insights from employees effectively?"

The reply from the assistant bot: "To gather effective qualitative insights from employees as part of a pragmatist research approach, you can consider the following strategies:

In-Depth Interviews:

Conduct one-on-one interviews with a diverse range of employees, including managers, individual contributors, and HR professionals.

Use open-ended questions to encourage participants to share their personal experiences, perceptions, and perspectives on the work-from-home policy.

Explore the specific challenges, benefits, and practical implications they have encountered in their day-to-day work.

Probe for contextual details and allow the conversation to flow naturally, rather than following a rigid script.

Focus Groups:

Organize small focus group discussions, bringing together employees with similar roles or experiences.

Encourage open and interactive dialogue, allowing participants to build on each other's insights and share their different viewpoints.

Use a skilled facilitator to guide the discussion and ensure that all participants have an opportunity to contribute.

Observe group dynamics and explore any emergent themes or divergent perspectives.

Reflective Journaling:

Provide a select group of employees with a structured journal template and ask them to document their daily experiences, challenges, and reflections on the work-from-home policy.

Encourage participants to be candid and introspective in their entries, capturing the nuances of their lived experiences.

Collect the journal entries periodically and analyze the content for recurring themes, unique insights, and practical implications.

Employee Shadowing:

Arrange for the researcher to observe and shadow select employees in their day-to-day work activities, both in the office and in the remote work environment.

Take detailed notes on the employees' behaviors, interactions, and the practical challenges they encounter in their work.

Engage the employees in informal conversations to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and the contextual factors influencing their work.

Feedback Sessions:

Organize periodic feedback sessions where employees can openly discuss their experiences and share their suggestions for improving the work-from-home policy.

Encourage a constructive and solution-oriented dialogue, where employees can voice their concerns and contribute ideas for addressing practical challenges.

Document the feedback and incorporate it into the ongoing analysis and development of recommendations.

By utilizing a combination of these qualitative research methods, you can gather rich, contextual insights that complement the quantitative data analysis. This holistic approach, grounded in the pragmatist philosophy, will help you develop a deeper understanding of the practical implications of the work-from-home policy and inform more actionable and relevant recommendations for the Bank's management."

Some overall evaluation comments

The replies from the assistant bot are informed, useful and concrete.

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.