A brief note on the dissertation chapter 5 (Discussion of findings) task related to findings and theories: for MBA and Housing Studies students

A brief note on the dissertation chapter 5 (Discussion of findings) task related to findings and theories: for MBA and Housing Studies students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "Regarding the MBA and Housing Studies dissertation report writing, one of the main tasks of writing chapter 5 (Discussion of Findings) is: Discuss whether the findings (i) support, (ii) contradict, or (iii) extend existing theories or expectations. Could you clarify this Chapter 5 task a bit more with reference to the following research themes of a research project using the mixed methods research based on critical realism:

MBA-related: "to evaluate Gen Z's motivation at work in the context of a weak economy in Hong Kong in 2025".

Housing studies related: " to evaluate Gen Z's perceptions on home ownership in the context of a weak economy in Hong Kong in 2025".

The reply: "Chapter 5 of a dissertation, especially in mixed methods research based on critical realism, is where the researcher discusses the findings by interpreting their meaning, linking them back to existing theories and literature, and explaining how the results support, contradict, or extend those theories or expectations.

For the MBA-related theme "to evaluate Gen Z's motivation at work in the context of a weak economy in Hong Kong in 2025," this discussion would involve comparing the findings about Gen Z's motivation with existing motivational theories (e.g., Herzberg's two-factor theory, self-determination theory) and expectations about economic impacts on work attitude. For example, findings might support economic theories about motivation under financial stress, contradict assumptions that Gen Z is less motivated, or extend theory by revealing novel motivational drivers in this economic context.

For the housing studies theme "to evaluate Gen Z's perceptions on home ownership in the context of a weak economy in Hong Kong in 2025," the discussion would interpret how Gen Z's perceptions align or diverge from existing housing market and economic theories on homeownership demand, affordability, and social expectations. It might support current models of economic impact on housing aspirations, contradict assumptions about generational attitudes, or extend theory by incorporating new insights on economic uncertainty's effect on housing views.

In both themes, based on critical realism, the discussion should reflect on the deeper mechanisms and structures influencing observed behaviors, considering both qualitative and quantitative insights to provide a nuanced interpretation of findings and their theoretical implications.

Summary of Chapter 5 tasks in this context:

• Interpret the findings meaningfully in relation to research questions.

• Discuss how findings support, contradict, or extend existing theories or expectations from literature.

• Link findings to broader theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence.

• Explore deeper causal mechanisms as per critical realism.

• Highlight new insights or theoretical refinement arising from the research.

• Acknowledge limitations and suggest areas for further research.

This approach ensures Chapter 5 synthesizes the study results with existing knowledge, demonstrating the research's contribution to theory and practice in both MBA motivation and housing studies fields in the specific economic context of Hong Kong 2025."

My question 2: "Would this Chapter 5 task be performed with a different focus if the dissertation project is based on the research philosophy of pragmatism? Please highlight the main differences if this is the case."

The reply: "If the dissertation project is based on the research philosophy of pragmatism, the focus of Chapter 5 (Discussion of Findings) shifts primarily toward the practical consequences, usefulness, and real-world applications of the findings rather than primarily on theoretical support or contradiction.

Main Differences in Chapter 5 Task Focus: Critical Realism vs Pragmatism

Aspect	Critical Realism Focus	Pragmatism Focus
Theoretical engagement	Emphasizes how findings support, contradict, or extend existing theories and explores underlying causal mechanisms and structures.	Focuses on how findings solve real-world problems and produce actionable knowledge, emphasizing "what works" in practice.
Philosophical underpinning	Concerned with uncovering deeper truths and causal explanations underlying observed phenomena.	Concerned with practical outcomes, usefulness, and applicability of knowledge to specific contexts and problems.
Use of findings	Findings are interpreted in light of existing theoretical frameworks to contribute to knowledge development.	Findings are evaluated based on their potential to inform decisions, change practices, and produce useful results.
Methodological orientation	Emphasizes the integration of qualitative and quantitative findings to reveal complex mechanisms.	Emphasizes problem-solving and flexible use of multiple methods pragmatically to answer research questions.
Researcher role	Often positioned as uncovering hidden realities through analytical interpretation.	Positioned as a facilitator producing knowledge that stakeholders can use to act and improve situations.
Discussion content	Discusses theory validation, contradictions, extensions, and explanatory power of findings.	Discusses implications for practice, relevance to stakeholders, and recommendations based on pragmatic consequences.

 

For example, on the MBA theme evaluating Gen Z's motivation in Hong Kong's weak economy, a pragmatist would discuss practical ways employers or policymakers could apply the findings to improve motivation and workplace outcomes, focusing on effective interventions.

On the housing studies theme evaluating Gen Z’s perceptions of homeownership, a pragmatist would emphasize how the findings could inform housing policies, financial instruments, or counseling services to better meet Gen Z needs.

In short, Chapter 5 under pragmatism prioritizes actionable insights and practical impact, while under critical realism, it centers on deeper theoretical understanding and explanation."

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

A brief note on the kinds of content to be presented in dissertation report chapter 4 and 5: for MBA and Housing Studies students

A brief note on the kinds of content to be presented in dissertation report chapter 4 and 5: for MBA and Housing Studies students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "Regarding the MBA and Housing Studies dissertation report writing, the kinds of content in Chapter 4 (Presentation of research findings) and Chapter 5 (Discussion of findings) appear closely related to me. Could you tell me 3 main kinds of content to provide in Chapter 4 and 3 main kinds of content to provide in Chapter 5. Also suggest any specific kinds of content can be acceptable to be located in either Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. For the context of the discussion, assume that the dissertation report employs the mixed research method approach, the research philosophy of pragmatism, 2 primary research method and 1 secondary research method are employed in the dissertation project."

The reply: "For an MBA and Housing Studies dissertation employing a mixed research methods approach with pragmatism philosophy, here are the main kinds of content typically found in Chapter 4 (Presentation of Research Findings) and Chapter 5 (Discussion of Findings), as well as content that can be located in either chapter:

Chapter 4: Presentation of Research Findings

1. Data Presentation: Present raw data and results derived from both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as statistics, themes, patterns, narratives, or excerpts from interviews and surveys. This chapter focuses on clearly showing the evidence collected without interpreting the meaning extensively.

2. Integration of Mixed Methods Findings: Triangulate and integrate findings from the quantitative and qualitative data sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research questions. Any contradictions or convergences in data should be noted.

3. Descriptive Analysis: Perform initial data analysis to describe the patterns, trends, and basic relationships observed in the data, including statistical analyses and qualitative theme identification.

Chapter 5: Discussion of Findings

1. Interpretation of Results: Provide a detailed interpretation of what the findings mean in relation to the research questions or hypotheses. Discuss whether the findings support, contradict, or extend existing theories or expectations.

2. Link to Literature: Connect the findings back to the literature review, positioning the results within the academic conversation, highlighting how the findings confirm or challenge previous studies, and noting contributions to knowledge.

3. Limitations and Implications: Reflect on the limitations of the study affecting the results and discuss practical and theoretical implications, including recommendations for future research or housing policy and practice.

Content Acceptable in Either Chapter 4 or Chapter 5

• Preliminary Interpretation: Some initial interpretations and insights can be included in Chapter 4 to help explain complex data before a full discussion in Chapter 5.

• Integration and Comparison of Mixed Methods Results: While the integration of data must be shown in Chapter 4 through presentation, further interpretation of how qualitative and quantitative findings complement or diverge can appear in Chapter 5.

• Contextualization of Results: Describing how findings relate to the research framework or methodology can be partly presented in Chapter 4 or discussed more deeply in Chapter 5.

This structure ensures clarity, separating "what was found" in Chapter 4 from "what it means" in Chapter 5, especially important in mixed methods research under pragmatism, where practicality and integration of different data types are emphasized."

My question 2: "Please suggest a Chapter 4 template and a Chapter 5 template for me."

The reply: "Here are suggested templates for Chapter 4 (Presentation of Research Findings) and Chapter 5 (Discussion of Findings) for an MBA and Housing Studies dissertation using a mixed methods approach with pragmatism philosophy:

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Chapter 4 Template: Presentation of Research Findings

4.1 Introduction

• Brief overview of the chapter content and structure

• Restate research questions or objectives

4.2 Quantitative Data Presentation

• Description of quantitative data collected

• Presentation of statistical results (tables, charts, graphs)

• Initial descriptive analysis (means, percentages, correlations, etc.)

4.3 Qualitative Data Presentation

• Description of qualitative data collected

• Presentation of themes, categories, or narratives with illustrative quotes

• Summary of qualitative findings

4.4 Integration of Mixed Methods Findings

• Triangulation of qualitative and quantitative results

• Identification of convergent, divergent, or complementary findings

• Initial synthesis without extensive interpretation

4.5 Summary of Key Findings

• Concise summary of important data points relevant to the research questions

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Chapter 5 Template: Discussion of Findings

5.1 Introduction

• Overview of the chapter’s purpose and structure

5.2 Interpretation of Findings

• Detailed interpretation of key findings from Chapter 4

• Explanation of what the findings mean in relation to research questions and hypotheses

5.3 Comparison with Existing Literature

• Discussion linking findings to previous studies and theoretical frameworks

• Highlighting agreements, contradictions, or extensions to the literature

5.4 Implications of the Study

• Practical implications for housing studies, policy, or practice

• Theoretical implications for academic knowledge

5.5 Limitations of the Study

• Acknowledgement of study limitations affecting interpretation and generalizability

5.6 Recommendations for Future Research

• Suggestions for further investigation based on findings and limitations

5.7 Conclusion

• Summary of the main discussion points and their significance

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These templates provide a clear structure aligning with the standards for mixed methods dissertations under pragmatism, helping ensure clarity and logical flow between the presentation of data and its in-depth discussion and interpretation."

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