A study note on descriptive, exploratory, evaluation and causal research: for MBA, Housing Studies and Accounting & Finance students

A study note on descriptive, exploratory, evaluation and causal research: for MBA, Housing Studies and Accounting & Finance students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "Describe 4 main features of (1) descriptive research, (2) exploratory research, (3) causal research, and (4) evaluation research with reference to the fields of (1) MBA, (2) Housing Studies and (3) Accounting & Finance.

The reply: "Here are the 4 main features of each type of research—descriptive, exploratory, causal, and evaluation—with reference to the fields of MBA, Housing Studies, and Accounting & Finance:

1. Descriptive Research

• Features: Structured research with clearly defined objectives aiming to describe characteristics or phenomena, using detailed information gathering and measurement often at a single point in time.

• MBA: Describes market segments, customer preferences, or business demographics to inform strategic decisions.

• Housing Studies: Describes housing patterns, demographic profiles of residents, or condition of housing stock.

• Accounting & Finance: Provides an overview of financial statement characteristics, demographic financial behaviors, or firm attributes without establishing cause-effect.

2. Exploratory Research

• Features: Flexible, unstructured early-stage research designed to explore new ideas, define problems, and generate hypotheses. Methods include literature review, expert interviews, focus groups, case studies.

• MBA: Used to explore emerging markets or innovative business models without pre-existing frameworks.

• Housing Studies: Used to identify factors affecting housing affordability or neighborhood changes where little prior information exists.

• Accounting & Finance: Seeks initial insights on new accounting practices or financial trends before rigorous testing.

3. Causal Research

• Features: Investigates cause-effect relationships by testing hypotheses, often through experiments or quasi-experiments. Determines which variables cause changes in others.

• MBA: Used to study the effect of marketing campaigns on sales or the impact of management styles on productivity.

• Housing Studies: Examines how policy changes or interventions affect housing supply or affordability.

• Accounting & Finance: Analyzes causal effects of accounting standards or managerial incentives on financial reporting quality or market outcomes.

4. Evaluation Research

• Features: Assesses the effectiveness or impact of policies, programs, or interventions based on criteria and objectives. Often uses mixed methods.

• MBA: Evaluates the success of business strategies, leadership development programs, or organizational change initiatives.

• Housing Studies: Evaluates the outcomes of housing policies, redevelopment projects, or social programs on community well-being.

• Accounting & Finance: Evaluates financial regulation impacts, audit quality programs, or corporate governance reforms.

Each type of research complements the others in building knowledge, from exploration to descriptive understanding, causal explanation, and impact evaluation in MBA, Housing Studies, and Accounting & Finance disciplines."

My question 2: "For each of the three fields of study, i.e., MBA, Housing Studies, and Accounting & Finance, which research type (or a combination of two of the research types) is most popular to them over the past 15 years?"

The reply: "Over the past 15 years, the most popular research types in each of the three fields are as follows:

1. MBA

• Combination of descriptive research and exploratory research dominates. MBA research frequently employs surveys, interviews, and case studies to describe market/customer characteristics and to explore new business models or strategic initiatives. Quantitative descriptive methods like surveys and polls are highly favored, alongside qualitative exploratory methods such as interviews and focus groups.

2. Housing Studies

• Typically integrates exploratory research and evaluation research. Exploratory methods are used to identify emerging housing issues and factors influencing affordability, while evaluation research is common for assessing the impact of housing policies and community interventions.

3. Accounting & Finance

• Combines descriptive research and causal research. Descriptive studies analyze financial data characteristics and reporting trends, while causal research investigates the effects of accounting standards or regulations using empirical testing, often through experiments or quasi-experiments.

Thus:

• MBA research favors descriptive + exploratory research.

• Housing Studies emphasizes exploratory + evaluation research.

• Accounting & Finance relies on descriptive + causal research.

This combination in each field reflects the balance between understanding phenomena, exploring new insights, and testing impacts within their respective domains over the recent 15-year period."

My question 3: "Which research type is most useful for studying (1) original topics in the academic community, (2) hot and controversial topics in the public domain and (3) key practical (know-how) concerns for a particular professional community or business sector, with reference to MBA, Housing Studies and Accounting & Finance dissertation projects."

The reply: "For studying the three types of topics in MBA, Housing Studies, and Accounting & Finance dissertation projects, the most useful research types are:

1. Original Topics in the Academic Community

• Exploratory Research is most useful for original topics. It helps investigate new, uncharted areas, generate hypotheses, and gain initial insights before detailed study.

• Applicable across all three fields:

  • MBA dissertations often explore new business models, innovative strategies, and emerging markets using exploratory methods.

  • Housing Studies use it to identify novel housing issues or demographic shifts.

  • Accounting & Finance apply it to new accounting practices or financial phenomena.

2. Hot and Controversial Topics in the Public Domain

• Descriptive Research combined with some causal research is useful here.

• Descriptive research helps quantify and describe the issues as they stand in the public eye.

• Causal research tests relationships and effects for potentially controversial causes or policy impacts.

• In MBA, studies may describe and analyze trending management practices or disruptive technologies.

• Housing Studies describe current demographic impacts and evaluate policy outcomes.

• Accounting & Finance describe financial irregularities and analyze policy changes or regulatory effects.

3. Key Practical (Know-How) Concerns for Professional Communities or Business Sectors

• Evaluation Research combined with causal research is most suited to practical concerns.

• Evaluation research assesses effectiveness of programs and strategies.

• Causal research can pinpoint what works and why.

• MBA applies this in assessing leadership programs, training, and business strategy implementations.

• Housing Studies evaluate housing programs and community initiatives.

• Accounting & Finance evaluate regulatory compliance frameworks and auditing quality improvements."

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