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