A note on literature review effort adequacy in dissertation project work: a note for MBA students

A note on literature review effort adequacy in dissertation project work: a note for MBA students, based on a discussion with chatgpt (accessed via poe.com)

My question 1: "I am a part-time MBA student, currently learning to do dissertation project. On the dissertation project task of literature review, my Research Methods lecturer suggests that a dissertation project should cite around 50 references as an indication of adequacy of effort on literature review. Among these 60 references, about 30 of them should be academic references, such as academic journal articles, academic books, academic conference papers and finished dissertation reports. My question 1 is: what is the purpose of doing literature review in MBA dissertation projects?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "The literature review in an MBA dissertation serves several important purposes:

Establishing Context: It provides a framework for your research by situating it within the existing body of knowledge. This helps to clarify how your study fits into the broader academic conversation.

Identifying Gaps: By reviewing existing literature, you can identify gaps in research that your dissertation could address. This is crucial for justifying the relevance and contribution of your project.

Understanding Theories and Models: A literature review allows you to explore and understand the theories, models, and concepts that are relevant to your research topic. This foundational knowledge is essential for developing your own arguments and analyses.

Methodological Insights: It can inform your choice of research methods by highlighting methodologies used in similar studies. This can help you design a more robust research project.

Avoiding Duplication: Reviewing existing literature helps ensure that your research does not duplicate previous studies, thereby contributing something new to the field.

Supporting Arguments: A well-conducted literature review provides evidence to support your arguments and claims, lending credibility to your research.

Guiding Future Research: Finally, it can point to areas for future research, showing how your work can pave the way for further studies in the field.

Overall, the literature review is a foundational component of your dissertation that demonstrates your understanding of the subject and your ability to engage with scholarly work."

My question 2 is: "Tks for clarification. My question 2: if 50 references is a very rough measure on adequacy of literature review effort, what then are the criteria to assess the adequacy of literature review effort in MBA dissertation project work?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Assessing the adequacy of a literature review in an MBA dissertation involves several criteria beyond just the number of references. Here are key criteria to consider:

Relevance: The selected literature should be directly related to your research question and objectives. Each reference should contribute meaningfully to your understanding of the topic.

Diversity of Sources: A good literature review includes a variety of sources, such as academic journal articles, books, conference papers, and credible industry reports. This diversity enriches the review and provides a well-rounded perspective.

Recency: The literature should be current, with a balance between classic foundational texts and recent studies. This ensures that your research reflects the latest developments in the field.

Thematic Organization: The review should be organized thematically or chronologically, making it easy to follow the evolution of ideas and key themes in the literature.

Critical Analysis: It’s important to not just summarize existing research but also critically evaluate it. Discuss strengths, weaknesses, and contradictions in the literature, highlighting areas where further research is needed.

Integration: The literature review should synthesize findings from different sources, showing connections and relationships between studies. This demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the field.

Clear Gaps Identification: The review should clearly identify gaps in the existing research that your dissertation aims to fill, establishing the significance of your study.

Citations and Referencing: Proper citation and adherence to academic standards for referencing are crucial. This reflects academic integrity and supports the credibility of your work.

Logical Flow: The literature review should have a coherent structure and logical flow, guiding the reader through your argumentation and supporting your research question.

Relevance to Methodology: It should inform your research methodology, showing how existing studies have approached similar problems and what methodologies have been effective.

By applying these criteria, you can evaluate the adequacy of your literature review and ensure that it meets the expectations of your MBA program."

My question 3 is: "If I only use 10 academic references for my MBA dissertation project, is it prima facie evidence that my literature review effort is inadequate?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Using only 10 academic references in your MBA dissertation could raise concerns about the adequacy of your literature review, but it does not automatically mean it is inadequate. Here are some considerations:

Depth and Quality: If those 10 references are highly relevant, influential, and provide comprehensive coverage of your topic, they may be sufficient. Quality often outweighs quantity.

Scope of Research: Depending on your research question, a narrower focus might legitimately require fewer references. If your study is very specific, fewer sources may be appropriate.

Integration of Sources: If you effectively synthesize and critically analyze the 10 references, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic, that could compensate for the lower number.

Complementary Sources: If you include a variety of credible sources beyond academic references (e.g., industry reports, case studies, etc.), this could strengthen your literature review.

Feedback from Supervisors: Ultimately, your dissertation supervisor or committee will have specific expectations. Their feedback will be crucial in determining if your literature review meets the required standard.

In summary, while 10 academic references may seem low, the adequacy of your literature review will depend on the relevance, quality, and depth of engagement with those sources. It is advisable to discuss your approach with your dissertation supervisor for tailored guidance."

My question 4 is: "My MBA classmate told me that her dissertation supervisor had some doubt where she has actually read the academic references she has cited in her dissertation report. To show that my classmate has actually done so, her supervisor asked my classmate to show her supervisor copies of the academic references for verification. My question is: does a dissertation supervisor have the authority to ask a dissertation student to provide copies of academic reference for this purpose?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Yes, a dissertation supervisor typically has the authority to ask a student to provide copies of academic references for verification purposes. This request can stem from several reasons:

Academic Integrity: Supervisors want to ensure that students are engaging with the literature they cite. This helps maintain academic integrity and ensures that students understand the sources they reference.

Quality Assurance: Verifying references can help supervisors assess the quality and relevance of the sources used in the dissertation. This is important for maintaining academic standards.

Support and Guidance: By reviewing the references, supervisors can provide more informed feedback and guidance, helping students strengthen their literature review.

Clarifying Doubts: If a supervisor has doubts about the appropriateness or depth of the literature used, requesting copies can clarify these concerns.

While it may feel intrusive, this practice is generally aimed at supporting the student's academic development and ensuring the credibility of the dissertation. If a student is asked for this, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate their engagement with the material."

My question 5: "Another MBA classmate has asked her dissertation supervisor how many academic books to review for doing her dissertation project, and her supervisor said: "as many books as possible." Since we are part-time MBA students, I find this supervisor's advice quite vague. Do you think that, for doing literature review, studying as many academic books as possible is an appropriate advice to students?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "The advice to read "as many books as possible" can be seen as vague and may not be the most effective guidance for students engaged in a literature review. Here are some considerations regarding this approach:

Quality Over Quantity: It’s more important to focus on the relevance and quality of the academic books rather than simply aiming for a high number. Key texts that offer deep insights into your topic should take precedence over reading many books that may not be directly relevant.

Focused Research: A targeted approach is essential. Students should identify specific themes, theories, or areas of interest related to their dissertation topic and seek out books that address those areas.

Balance with Other Sources: While academic books are valuable, it’s also important to include a variety of sources, such as journal articles, conference papers, and industry reports, to ensure a comprehensive literature review.

Time Constraints: As part-time MBA students, time is often limited. A strategic approach that prioritizes essential readings can be more effective than an exhaustive search for numerous books.

Guidance on Selection: Instead of a vague recommendation, supervisors could provide more specific advice on key texts or seminal works in the field that are essential for the literature review.

Iterative Process: Literature review is often an iterative process. Starting with a few key books and then expanding based on what you find can be a more manageable and effective strategy.

In summary, while reading broadly can be beneficial, students should focus on relevant, high-quality academic books that will genuinely enhance their understanding and contribute to their literature review. Clearer, more actionable advice from supervisors would likely be more helpful."

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