A note on learning and doing dissertation projects with a prototype: for part-time students

A note on learning and doing dissertation projects with a prototype: for part-time students (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "In the context of doing Research project assignments, my Finance and Accounting students could obtain obtain a good dissertation proposal prototype from you (perplexity.ai). But as a lecturer, I need students to make use of the proposal prototype to guide their own study and review, so as to come up with their own proposal with their own voices. My question is: could you offer 4 main advices how they can do their own study (e.g. reading academic references), after obtaining the illustrative proposal prototype from you) to develop their own dissertation proposal, bearing in mind that these Finance and Accounting students are part-time students in Hong Kong."

The reply: "Students can absolutely start from an illustrative proposal prototype, but then they need to “make it their own” through targeted, independent work.

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1. Read strategically around the topic

Part‑time Finance and Accounting students rarely have time to “read everything”, so focus is essential. After getting the prototype, they should:

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• Extract 3–5 key concepts or variables from the sample (e.g. capital structure, earnings quality, IFRS disclosure) and search them in major databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, SSRN) with Hong Kong or regional terms added.
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• For each concept, skim 5–8 recent articles (past 5–10 years) and write brief notes on purpose, data, methods and key findings, then highlight where Hong Kong or part‑time/working adult contexts are missing or under‑researched.
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2. Redesign the research question to fit their own context

A prototype question is only a starting point; students should adapt it to their own industry, firm type or role as working professionals. Concrete steps:

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• Change at least one of: population (e.g. HK‑listed SMEs instead of large caps), time period, or theoretical lens, based on what they know from work and the literature they just read.
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• Write 2–3 alternative versions of the research question and discuss them with classmates/lecturer to check feasibility (data access, time, skills) before choosing one.
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3. Build a mini, personalised literature review

Rather than copying any wording from the prototype, students should use its structure but fill it with their own interpretation of the literature. For efficient, after‑work study:

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• Group the articles they have read into 3–4 themes (e.g. determinants of dividend policy, corporate governance and earnings management, market reactions in Asian markets) and summarise each theme in their own words.
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• Explicitly state the “gap” their project will address (e.g. “few studies test X in Hong Kong SMEs” or “prior work uses archival data; this study uses practitioner surveys”), showing a clear rationale for the proposed study.
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4. Tailor methods and timetable to a part‑time student reality

Proposal prototypes often assume ideal conditions; part‑time students must adapt methods and plans to what they can realistically do while working. They should:

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• Choose methods that match their access and skills (e.g. secondary data from HKEX, simple panel regressions, or small‑scale surveys/interviews with colleagues) and briefly justify why these are appropriate for answering their specific question.
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• Draft a realistic work plan (e.g. Gantt‑style) that fits evenings/weekends, allocating clear weeks to literature reading, data collection, and analysis; this can be short but must show awareness of all key tasks in the dissertation process."

My question 2: "Are your advices also applicable to my part-time Housing and MBA students learning and doing dissertation projects?"

The reply: "Yes, the four pieces of advice are broadly applicable to part-time Housing Studies and MBA students in Hong Kong, as dissertation proposal development follows similar academic principles across disciplines. The key steps—strategic reading, personalizing the research question, building a tailored literature review, and realistic planning—align with guidance for these fields, though examples shift to relevant topics like housing policy or business strategy.

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Adaptations for Housing Students

Housing Studies proposals often emphasize policy, affordability, or urban issues in dense markets like Hong Kong. Students should:

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• Target readings to local sources (e.g. Hong Kong Housing Authority reports, Census data) alongside journals like Housing Studies or Urban Studies, focusing on gaps in public rental schemes or aging-in-place.
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• Redesign questions around practitioner-accessible methods like interviews with estate managers, ensuring feasibility amid part-time schedules.
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Adaptations for MBA Students

MBA projects prioritize practical, industry-relevant angles, often linking to career goals in Hong Kong's business landscape. They can apply the advice by:

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• Using readings from business databases (e.g. ABI/INFORM, HKU Business School resources) to explore strategy, marketing, or sustainability gaps.
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• Aligning methods and timelines with work demands, such as case studies of local firms or surveys via LinkedIn networks, while setting supervisor check-ins."

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