A brief note on recommendation writing in dissertation reports: for MBA and Housing Studies students

A brief note on recommendation writing in dissertation reports: for MBA and Housing Studies students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "What is the topic of recommendations all about in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation report writing?"

The reply: "The topic of recommendations in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation report writing refers to the section where the researcher provides practical suggestions based on the findings of the study. These recommendations aim to offer actionable guidance for businesses, policymakers, or other relevant stakeholders to address the issues explored in the dissertation.

In MBA dissertations, recommendations often focus on improving business strategies, management practices, leadership approaches, or operational efficiencies based on the research outcomes. They bridge the gap between theory and practice by proposing solutions that can enhance organizational performance or address specific business problems.

In Housing Studies dissertations, recommendations typically pertain to housing policies, urban development, affordability solutions, or sustainability initiatives. They provide insights on how to improve housing market conditions, regulatory frameworks, or community well-being, guided by data analysis and policy evaluation.

Overall, the recommendations section is about connecting research findings to practical steps that stakeholders can take to implement improvements or changes inspired by the dissertation's analysis and conclusions."

My question 2: "Could the formulation and focus of recommendations be influenced by the chosen research philosophy in the MBA and Housing Studies dissertation project?"

The reply: "Yes, the formulation and focus of recommendations in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects can indeed be influenced by the chosen research philosophy. The research philosophy shapes the underlying beliefs and assumptions about knowledge, reality, and how research is conducted. This foundational perspective directly impacts the research design, methodology, data collection, and interpretation of findings, all of which inform the recommendations.

For example:

• A positivist research philosophy, which assumes an objective reality and emphasizes measurable data, typically leads to recommendations based on quantitative analysis and objective criteria. These recommendations often focus on practical, generalizable solutions or strategies.

• An interpretivist philosophy, viewing reality as socially constructed and subjective, tends to produce recommendations grounded in qualitative insights, focusing on understanding human experiences, context-specific actions, and nuanced solutions.

• A pragmatic approach, which is flexible and problem-solving oriented, may combine both qualitative and quantitative insights, providing recommendations that are practical and adaptable to real-world complexities.

Thus, the research philosophy guides not only how data is gathered and analyzed but also how findings are framed into actionable recommendations that align with the researcher's worldview and study objectives. In MBA and Housing Studies dissertations, this means that the nature and focus of the recommendations will reflect the philosophical lens through which the research was conducted."

My question 3: "Are there any quality criteria to evaluate whether the recommendations are well formulated with regard to our discussion here?"

The reply: "Yes, there are quality criteria to evaluate whether recommendations in MBA and Housing Studies dissertation reports are well formulated. The key criteria include:

• Clarity and Specificity: Recommendations should be concrete, specific, and clearly stated to avoid ambiguity and enhance practical applicability.

• Alignment with Research Findings: Recommendations must be directly supported by the research results and logically stem from the analysis and conclusions of the dissertation.

• Feasibility and Relevance: They should be realistic and feasible within the studied context, addressing practical problems or gaps identified in the research.

• Contribution to Knowledge or Practice: Recommendations should add value either to academic knowledge, business practices, policy, or housing sector improvements.

• Consistency with Research Philosophy: The form and focus of recommendations should reflect the underlying research philosophy guiding the study (e.g., positivism leading to data-driven suggestions, interpretivism to contextualized advice).

• Clear Justification: Each recommendation should be supported by a rationale explaining why it is necessary and how it addresses the research issues.

• Structure and Presentation: They should be well-organized, persuasive, and easy to understand, fitting logically within the overall dissertation structure.

These criteria ensure that recommendations are not arbitrary but are meaningful, actionable, and carefully integrated with the entire research process in the dissertation."

My question 4: "Are design thinking, holistic thinking and humanistic thinking important for the recommendation formulation task with regard to our discussion here?"

The reply: "Design thinking, holistic thinking, and humanistic thinking are indeed important for the task of formulating recommendations in MBA and Housing Studies dissertations.

• Design Thinking: This approach focuses on user-centered, creative problem-solving by understanding end-user needs through iterative processes such as ideation, prototyping, and testing. It encourages innovative and practical recommendations that are empathetic toward stakeholders and grounded in real-world applicability. Design thinking helps formulate recommendations that are structured yet flexible, emphasizing customer or user experience as central.

• Holistic Thinking: It involves viewing problems and solutions within a broader systemic context, recognizing interconnections and multiple dimensions. Holistic thinking ensures that recommendations consider wide-ranging impacts, dependencies, and are not narrowly focused. This is critical in complex fields like business and housing, where multiple factors intersect and influence outcomes.

• Humanistic Thinking: This centers on human values, needs, and ethics, emphasizing empathy, dignity, and social responsibility. Recommendations formed with a humanistic perspective address the well-being and empowerment of individuals or communities, which is especially significant in Housing Studies and socially impactful MBA projects.

Together, these thinking approaches enrich the recommendation formulation process by ensuring that suggestions are innovative, comprehensive, ethically sensitive, and grounded in the realities of human experience and systemic complexity. They align well with research philosophies based on interpretivist or pragmatic paradigms, providing actionable and responsible recommendations."

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