A brief note on claims, implications of research findings and recommendations in dissertation report

A brief note on claims, implications of research findings and recommendations in dissertation report (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "Regarding the topic of writing the MBA and Housing Studies dissertation report chapter on "conclusions and recommendations", I need your advice and clarifications on the following two questions:

1. Which of the following four research philosophies is good in leading the dissertation investigation effort to produce some concrete recommendations with relatively higher actionable value.

2. The following discussion items very often appear in the chapter of "conclusions and recommendations", i.e., (i) the implications of the research findings and (ii) recommendations. What should be the discussion content of these two discussion items? To what extent are they different?"

The reply: "

1. Regarding the best research philosophy for leading an MBA or Housing Studies dissertation for producing concrete, actionable recommendations, pragmatism and critical realism are commonly good choices. Pragmatism focuses on practical outcomes and solutions that affect real-world applications, making it suitable for producing recommendations with actionable value. Critical realism emphasizes understanding underlying mechanisms and contexts, which also helps generate meaningful, context-sensitive recommendations with practical implications.

2. On the discussion items in the "conclusions and recommendations" chapter:

• Implications discuss the broader significance and impact of the research findings, answering the question "What do these findings mean?" They explain how the findings affect theory, practice, or future research directions, highlighting the value or contribution of the study.

• Recommendations propose specific, practical, and actionable steps that stakeholders should take based on the findings. They answer "What should be done next?" and offer solutions, policy advice, or future research directions grounded directly in the data.

While both stem from the research findings and are related, implications are about the meaning and importance of the results, whereas recommendations are about concrete actions to address issues identified.​

Summary table on Differences Between Implications and Recommendations

Aspect	Implications	Recommendations
Purpose	Explain broader impact or significance	Propose specific actions or solutions
Question answered	What do findings mean?	What should be done next?
Focus	Importance to theory, practice, future research	Practical, actionable steps for stakeholders
Position in report	After findings discussion	After implications, before concluding remarks
Content example	Findings suggest emotional support is critical	Recommend periodic assessments to support intervention

 

This distinction helps structure the chapter clearly and adds value by showing both the research's significance and practical utility."

My question 2: "Where should the following discussion topics appear in the dissertation report, i.e. chapter 4: presentations of research findings, chapter 5: discussion of research findings, and chapter 6: conclusions and recommendations. The discussion topics to review are: (1) the implications of the research findings, (2) recommendations, (3) Major claims arising from the arguments of the study."

The reply: "In a typical dissertation structure, the three discussion topics you asked about should appear in the following chapters:

1. Implications of the research findings: These generally belong in the discussion chapter (Chapter 5). Here, you interpret what your findings mean for theory, practice, or future research. It is where you explain the broader significance and impact of your results, linking back to literature and research questions.

2. Recommendations: These typically appear in the conclusions and recommendations chapter (Chapter 6). Recommendations are specific, actionable steps or proposals for stakeholders based on your findings. This section answers "What should be done next?" in practical or policy terms.

3. Major claims arising from the arguments of the study: These are often integrated into the discussion chapter (Chapter 5) as well. This chapter is where you develop your argument, highlight key claims supported by your data, and synthesize the meaning of your findings.

To summarize by chapters:

Discussion Topic	Suggested Chapter	Role/Content
Implications of the research findings	Chapter 5: Discussion	Explain broader meaning and significance of results
Recommendations	Chapter 6: Conclusions & Recommendations	Propose specific actions based on findings
Major claims arising from study arguments	Chapter 5: Discussion	Develop key claims supported by evidence, synthesize findings

 

This flow aligns with best practices that separate analytical interpretation from practical application, maintaining logical clarity and enhancing the dissertation's impact."

My question 3: "Is it mandatory for an academic-oriented dissertation report to provide recommendations (in the recommendation chapter) to certain clients and stakeholders?"

The reply: "It is not universally mandatory for an academic-oriented dissertation to provide recommendations to clients or stakeholders; it largely depends on the nature of the study, the academic discipline, and institutional requirements. Recommendations are more common and expected in professionally oriented or practice-based research (such as MBA or applied Housing Studies dissertations) where actionable insights for stakeholders are valuable.

Key points to consider:

• Recommendations are typically included when the research is intended to guide future practice, policy, or further research, especially in applied fields.

• Some purely theoretical or exploratory academic dissertations may not include recommendations if the focus is on advancing knowledge without immediate practical application.

• Universities and academic programs may have specific guidelines about whether recommendations are required. It is essential to check these.

• When included, recommendations should be evidence-based, specific, and feasible, targeting relevant stakeholders who can benefit or act on the research findings.

• Even if not required, providing recommendations can enhance the practical relevance and impact of the dissertation and help bridge the gap between research and practice.

In summary, while recommendations to stakeholders are not strictly mandatory in every academic dissertation, they are highly encouraged and commonly expected in applied research fields to add value and ensure the research has real-world utility."

My question 4: "Offer one advice for good recommendation proposing practice with regard to each of the following perspectives: (1) axiology, (2) stakeholder management, (3) pragmatism, and (4) critical realism."

The reply: "Here is one advice for good recommendation proposing practice from each perspective:

1. Axiology: Ensure your recommendations reflect ethical and value-based considerations, explicitly addressing "what ought to be" in terms of fairness, respect, and societal good. Make recommendations that are justifiable not only practically but also morally, to enhance their legitimacy and acceptance.

2. Stakeholder management: Tailor your recommendations to the needs, capacities, and interests of key stakeholders and clearly communicate who the recommendations are for and why. This promotes relevance, buy-in, and the likelihood of implementation by those who have the power to act.

3. Pragmatism: Focus on practical feasibility and usefulness by proposing recommendations that provide clear, actionable solutions to real-world problems identified by your research. Avoid abstract suggestions; instead, emphasize what works best in context, balancing effectiveness and simplicity.

4. Critical realism: Ground your recommendations in an understanding of the underlying mechanisms and contexts revealed by your study. Highlight how context-specific factors influence outcomes and suggest interventions that address root causes rather than superficial symptoms, enabling more sustainable change.

These practices align recommendations with foundational research philosophies, enhancing their meaningfulness and impact in both academic and practical domains."

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