Saturday, 4 October 2025

A brief note on research theme and dissertation report title

A brief note on research theme and dissertation report title (information from perplexity.ai)


My question: "What is a research theme and a dissertation report title in the context of an MBA and a Housing Studies dissertation project? Briefly compare them in terms of their differences and purposes served in a dissertation project."

The reply: "A research theme in an MBA or Housing Studies dissertation refers to the broad subject area or central topic around which the entire study is focused. It sets the general direction of the inquiry, outlining the key issues, concepts, or problems that the research will address. The research theme is more conceptual and serves to position the study within a wider field of academic or practical interest.

In contrast, a dissertation report title is a precise, concise statement that encapsulates the specific focus or research question of the dissertation. It is often narrowly defined to reflect the exact scope of the research project and typically highlights the core problem, context, or variables studied. The title communicates what the dissertation is explicitly about and guides readers on the study’s content at a glance.

The key differences and purposes they serve in a dissertation project are:

Aspect

Research Theme

Dissertation Report Title

Definition

Broad subject area or overarching topic

Specific, concise statement of research focus

Purpose

Frames and situates the research broadly

Identifies the exact scope and focus of the project

Scope

General and conceptual

Narrow, specific, and well-defined

Role in dissertation

Guides formulation of research questions, literature review, and methodological approach

Provides clarity and immediate understanding of the study's content

Example in MBA

"Digital Marketing Strategies in SMEs"

"Evaluating the Effectiveness of Social Media Marketing on Customer Engagement in Hong Kong SMEs"

Example in Housing Studies

"Housing Affordability Challenges for Gen Z"

"Assessing the Impact of Government Policies on Housing Affordability among Middle-Class Gen Z in Hong Kong"


Thus, while the research theme sets the broad academic or practical context, the dissertation title denotes the precise research undertaking within that theme. The theme reflects the area of interest and inquiry direction, whereas the title communicates the focused research question or problem the dissertation intends to solve or analyze. Both are essential but serve different organizational and communicative roles within the dissertation project structure. This distinction holds for both MBA and Housing Studies dissertations or any other academic research projects."


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


Friday, 3 October 2025

A study note on research issue and research question in dissertation project works

A study note on research issue and research question in dissertation project works (information from perplexity.ai)


My question 1: "What is a research issue and a research question in the context of an MBA and a Housing Studies dissertation project? Briefly compare them in terms of their differences and purposes served in a dissertation project."

The reply: "A research issue in the context of an MBA or Housing Studies dissertation is the broad problem, gap, or practical difficulty in existing knowledge or practice that the researcher aims to address. It represents the overarching area of concern or challenge that motivates the study and provides focus and clarity to why the research is necessary. For example, in Housing Studies, it could be concerns about housing policy effectiveness, while in an MBA context, it might be a business challenge or inefficiency to improve.

A research question, on the other hand, is a specific, precise inquiry derived from the research issue that the dissertation seeks to answer. It clearly defines the scope of investigation and guides the research process by focusing on a particular aspect of the broader problem. A research question is usually formulated as an open-ended question that the research aims to address, such as "Does a citizen's gender affect perceptions of public housing policy?" in Housing Studies or "What is the impact of digital marketing on customer acquisition?" in an MBA project.

Differences and purposes:

  • A research issue is broad and identifies the general problem or gap in knowledge that justifies the research, serving as the foundation and rationale for the project.

  • A research question is narrow, focused, and formulated to guide the actual investigation, serving as the operational inquiry the researcher answers through data collection and analysis.

  • The research issue helps frame the significance and context of the study, while the research question defines the specific objectives and direction for research design and methodology.

  • In a dissertation project, the research issue establishes why the study matters, and the research question sets what the study specifically examines to fulfill that purpose.

In summary, the research issue is the "problem to solve," and the research question is the "question to answer" that directs the dissertation work in both MBA and Housing Studies projects."


My question 2: "Please provide 3 illustrative examples on research issue and research question for a MBA dissertation project and another 3 examples for a Housing Studies dissertation project."

The reply: "Here are illustrative examples of research issues and research questions for MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects:

MBA Dissertation Examples:

  1. Research Issue: Challenges faced by online business startups and young entrepreneurs in their first year.
    Research Question: What are the critical challenges faced by online business startups during their first year, and how can these risks be mitigated?

  2. Research Issue: Impact of digital marketing on consumer behavior.
    Research Question: How does digital marketing influence customer acquisition and purchasing decisions in the UK retail sector?

  3. Research Issue: Effects of flexible work policies on employee retention.
    Research Question: To what extent do flexible work policies improve employee retention rates in multinational corporations?

Housing Studies Dissertation Examples:

  1. Research Issue: Effectiveness of public housing policies in urban areas.
    Research Question: How do residents perceive the effectiveness of current public housing policies in improving their living conditions?

  2. Research Issue: Gender differences in housing satisfaction.
    Research Question: Does gender affect residents' satisfaction levels with their housing environment in public housing estates?

  3. Research Issue: Impact of affordable housing programs on community development.
    Research Question: What is the impact of affordable housing programs on social cohesion and economic development in inner-city neighborhoods?

Each research issue identifies a broad problem or topic area, while the related research question specifies a focused inquiry guiding the investigation in the dissertation project. This distinction helps frame the purpose and scope of the study clearly for both MBA and Housing Studies disciplines."



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

A brief note on research theme in the context of an MBA and a Housing Studies dissertation project

A brief note on research theme in the context of an MBA and a Housing Studies dissertation project (information from perplexity.ai)


My question: "What is a research theme in the context of an MBA and a Housing Studies dissertation project? Could you provide 3 research theme (mildly contextualized in this case) examples for an MBA dissertation project and a Housing Studies project."

The reply: "A research theme in the context of an MBA or Housing Studies dissertation project is a broad, overarching topic or subject area that guides the research focus and inquiry. It represents the major area of interest around which research questions, objectives, and analysis are structured, reflecting both academic and practical relevance in the field of study.

Here are three mildly contextualized examples of research themes for each type of dissertation project:

MBA Dissertation Project Research Themes

  1. Impact of Digital Transformation on Business Performance
    Exploring how digital technologies affect operational efficiency, customer engagement, and competitiveness in various industries.

  2. Sustainable Business Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility
    Investigating how companies integrate sustainability into their business models and the impact on brand loyalty and financial performance.

  3. Leadership and Organizational Change in the Post-Pandemic Era
    Studying leadership styles that effectively manage remote teams, hybrid work environments, and organizational adaptability.

Housing Studies Dissertation Project Research Themes

  1. Housing Affordability and Its Effects on Low-Income Households
    Examining how rising housing costs influence financial stress, mental health, and social well-being among vulnerable populations.

  2. The Role of Public Subsidized Housing in Promoting Social Inclusion
    Analyzing how government housing programs impact community cohesion, health outcomes, and access to essential services.

  3. Housing Market Dynamics and Buyer Behavior in Urban Areas
    Investigating the factors that influence residential property purchasing decisions amid market fluctuations and policy changes.

Each of these themes provides a foundation for developing specific research questions, methodology, and analysis aligned with the dissertation's academic discipline and real-world application."



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