A note on the priority of the literature review efforts

A note on the priority of the literature review efforts [information from poe.com]

My question 1: "As a student of Research Methods, I notice that the literature review exercises review different kinds of academic information, e.g. academic concepts, academic theories, research methods used, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings. My question is: what are the main kinds of academic information reviewed in a literature review exercise? And, when should we pay attention to which kinds of academic information in literature review? Could you clarify for me with regard to the dissertation projects for: (1) business management, (2) housing studies, and (3) accounting and finance? Tks in advance."

The reply: "In a literature review exercise, various kinds of academic information are typically reviewed to build a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Here are the main types of academic information you might encounter:

Main Types of Academic Information

1. Academic Concepts: Fundamental ideas or principles that form the basis for research.
2. Academic Theories: Established frameworks that explain phenomena or relationships within the field.
3. Research Methods: Approaches and techniques used to gather and analyze data.
4. Theoretical Perspectives: Different viewpoints that guide research and interpretation of findings.
5. Empirical Findings: Results from previous studies that provide evidence and context for your research.

When to Focus on Each Type of Information

The emphasis on each type of information can vary based on the specific dissertation project. Here’s a breakdown for the three fields you mentioned:

1. Business Management

• Academic Concepts: Focus on definitions and key principles relevant to management theories (e.g., leadership styles, organizational behavior).
• Academic Theories: Pay attention to theories like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs or Porter’s Five Forces, as they provide foundational knowledge.
• Research Methods: Highlight qualitative vs. quantitative methods, especially case studies or surveys used in management research.
• Theoretical Perspectives: Consider perspectives like stakeholder theory or resource-based view when analyzing case studies.
• Empirical Findings: Emphasize recent studies and data that support or challenge existing theories or practices in management.

2. Housing Studies

• Academic Concepts: Explore concepts such as urbanization, housing affordability, and social equity.
• Academic Theories: Look for theories related to land use, urban planning, or social housing.
• Research Methods: Focus on qualitative methods (e.g., interviews) and quantitative methods (e.g., statistical analysis of housing data).
• Theoretical Perspectives: Consider perspectives from sociology, economics, or environmental studies that affect housing policies.
• Empirical Findings: Review studies that show trends in housing markets, policy impacts, or demographic changes.

3. Accounting and Finance

• Academic Concepts: Identify key concepts such as financial reporting, auditing, and risk management.
• Academic Theories: Pay attention to theories like the Efficient Market Hypothesis or Agency Theory.
• Research Methods: Highlight methods used in financial analysis, such as regression analysis or case studies in auditing.
• Theoretical Perspectives: Explore perspectives from economics, behavioral finance, or corporate governance that influence financial practices.
• Empirical Findings: Focus on recent empirical studies that provide insights into market trends, accounting standards, or financial crises.

Conclusion

In summary, the type of academic information you prioritize in your literature review should align with your research question and objectives. Understanding the context and relevance of each type of information will help you construct a robust framework for your dissertation."

My question 2: "Could you clarify if the priority of the literature review effort is likely to differ for (1) descriptive research, (2) exploratory research, and (3) causal research?"

The reply: "Yes, the priority of literature review efforts can differ significantly depending on the type of research being conducted. Here’s a breakdown of how priorities might vary for descriptive, exploratory, and causal research:

1. Descriptive Research

• Priority: High focus on empirical findings and existing data.
• Key Aspects:
  • Academic Concepts: Important for defining the scope of the study.
  • Empirical Findings: Crucial for establishing a baseline of what is known about the topic.
  • Research Methods: Understanding the methods used in previous studies helps in designing your own study.
• Example: A study describing the demographic trends in housing would prioritize existing demographic data and related empirical studies.

2. Exploratory Research

• Priority: High focus on academic concepts and theoretical perspectives.
• Key Aspects:
  • Academic Concepts: Essential for generating hypotheses and understanding the variables involved.
  • Theoretical Perspectives: Important for framing the research questions and guiding the exploration.
  • Research Methods: Awareness of various methods is necessary, but specific methodologies may not be fully established yet.
• Example: An exploratory study on consumer behavior in new markets would prioritize theoretical frameworks and concepts related to consumer psychology.

3. Causal Research

• Priority: High focus on academic theories and research methods.
• Key Aspects:
  • Academic Theories: Essential for understanding the causal relationships and frameworks that guide the research.
  • Research Methods: Critical to identify and justify the methods used to establish causality (e.g., experiments, longitudinal studies).
  • Empirical Findings: Important to review past research to identify what has been established regarding causal links.
• Example: A study examining the impact of training on employee performance would prioritize theories of learning and performance, along with robust methodological frameworks.

Conclusion

In summary, the focus of the literature review should align with the research type:

• Descriptive Research: Emphasizes empirical findings and data.
• Exploratory Research: Prioritizes concepts and theoretical perspectives.
• Causal Research: Concentrates on theories and research methods to establish causal relationships.

This alignment ensures that the literature review effectively supports the research objectives and enhances the overall study quality."

My question 3: "Tks for clarification. My next question is: would the priority of literature review effort differ if a different research philosophy, e.g. positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism and critical realism, is adopted for a dissertation project?"

The reply: "Yes, the priority of literature review efforts can indeed differ based on the research philosophy adopted for a dissertation project. Each philosophy shapes how researchers approach their work, influencing what type of literature is most relevant and how it should be integrated into the study. Here’s a breakdown of how priorities might differ for various research philosophies:

1. Positivism

• Priority: Emphasis on empirical findings and quantitative data.
• Key Aspects:
  • Empirical Findings: Essential to support hypotheses with statistical evidence.
  • Research Methods: Importance placed on established quantitative methods and methodologies from previous studies.
  • Academic Theories: Relevant theories that can be tested through empirical data should be highlighted.
• Example: A positivist study examining the correlation between advertising spend and sales would focus on quantitative studies and statistical analyses.

2. Interpretivism

• Priority: Emphasis on understanding meanings, experiences, and context.
• Key Aspects:
  • Theoretical Perspectives: Important for framing the understanding of human behavior and social phenomena.
  • Academic Concepts: Focus on concepts that explain subjective experiences and interpretations.
  • Qualitative Research Methods: Highlight qualitative studies, interviews, and case studies that explore the depth of human experience.
• Example: An interpretivist study exploring consumer motivations would prioritize qualitative research and theoretical frameworks around meaning-making.

3. Pragmatism

• Priority: A balanced approach that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative literature.
• Key Aspects:
  • Research Methods: Emphasizes the usefulness of methods over strict adherence to a single paradigm; both qualitative and quantitative approaches are valid.
  • Empirical Findings: Both types of evidence (qualitative and quantitative) are relevant, depending on the research question.
  • Academic Concepts and Theories: Focus on concepts that are practically applicable to real-world problems.
• Example: A pragmatic study on workplace flexibility might draw from both statistical analyses and qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive view.

4. Critical Realism

• Priority: Focus on understanding underlying mechanisms and structures.
• Key Aspects:
  • Theoretical Perspectives: Emphasizes theories that explain deeper causal mechanisms beyond mere correlation.
  • Empirical Findings: Important to identify studies that reveal underlying structures and generative mechanisms.
  • Research Methods: A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods may be employed to uncover complexities in social phenomena.
• Example: A critical realist study investigating social inequality would prioritize literature that explores the mechanisms driving inequality, combining qualitative insights with quantitative data.

Conclusion

In summary, the literature review effort should reflect the adopted research philosophy:

• Positivism: Prioritizes empirical data and quantitative methods.
• Interpretivism: Focuses on understanding subjective experiences and meanings.
• Pragmatism: Balances both qualitative and quantitative literature based on practical relevance.
• Critical Realism: Emphasizes understanding underlying mechanisms and structures.

Aligning the literature review with the chosen research philosophy will enhance the coherence and depth of the dissertation project."

My question 4: "Could you tell me if the priority of the literature review effort is likely to differ if the dissertation project type is mainly consulting oriented or mainly academic oriented?"

The reply: "Yes, the priority of literature review efforts can differ significantly depending on whether a dissertation project is primarily consulting-oriented or academic-oriented. Here’s how the focus may vary for each type:

1. Consulting-Oriented Projects

• Priority: Emphasis on practical applications and real-world relevance.
• Key Aspects:
  • Empirical Findings: Focus on case studies, industry reports, and data that demonstrate best practices or successful implementations.
  • Academic Concepts: Important to include concepts that have practical implications for organizations or specific industries.
  • Research Methods: Preference for methodologies that can be directly applied to solve client problems; may include mixed methods to gather comprehensive insights.
  • Theoretical Perspectives: Relevant theories should support practical recommendations, often highlighting frameworks that can be utilized in consulting scenarios.
• Example: A consulting-oriented project on improving team performance would prioritize literature that discusses applied management strategies and empirical case studies demonstrating success.

2. Academic-Oriented Projects

• Priority: Emphasis on theoretical frameworks and scholarly contributions.
• Key Aspects:
  • Academic Theories: Greater focus on established theories and models that advance knowledge in the field.
  • Research Methods: Detailed examination of research methodologies, including their strengths and limitations, to ensure rigor in the study.
  • Empirical Findings: While still important, the emphasis might be on findings that contribute to theoretical debates or fill gaps in existing literature.
  • Theoretical Perspectives: A deeper exploration of various perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
• Example: An academic-oriented project on organizational behavior would prioritize literature that contributes to theoretical discussions and explores complex relationships within organizations.

Conclusion

In summary, the literature review priorities differ based on the project type:

• Consulting-Oriented: Focuses on practical applications, empirical findings, and actionable insights.
• Academic-Oriented: Emphasizes theoretical frameworks, scholarly contributions, and rigorous methodologies.

Aligning the literature review with the project’s orientation will enhance its relevance and effectiveness in addressing the intended audience's needs. If you have more questions or need further insights, feel free to ask!"

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