Lecture note on narrative reviews as a secondary research method: for MBA students

Lecture note on narrative reviews as a secondary research method: for MBA students

 

Highlight 5 main ideas of the secondary research method of narrative reviews in the context of MBA dissertation projects.

In the context of MBA dissertation projects, narrative reviews function as a flexible yet rigorous form of secondary research that synthesises existing literature to build coherent arguments, identify gaps, and inform primary research design. Below are five main ideas that capture their value and distinctive features.

1. Thematic synthesis rather than exhaustive systematics

Narrative reviews organise studies around concepts, debates, or theoretical lenses (e.g. consumer behaviour models, branding frameworks) rather than attempting an exhaustive, protocol-driven inventory like a systematic review. This makes them well-suited to MBA dissertations where the goal is often to develop a conceptual framework or contextualise a business problem rather than meet strict systematic review criteria.paperguide+3

2. Flexibility in scope and method aligned with pragmatic constraints

Because they do not require pre-registered search strings, inclusion/exclusion algorithms, or meta-analytic statistics, narrative reviews can be completed within typical MBA timelines and resource limits. They are especially useful when time, funding, or access to specialised databases is constrained—common realities for part-time MBA candidates balancing work and study.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+1

3. Gap identification and theory-building for dissertation contributions

A core purpose is to expose contradictions, under-researched areas, or emerging trends in the literature, thereby justifying the dissertation’s research questions or hypotheses. In marketing or strategy dissertations, for example, a narrative review might reveal how digital transformation has reshaped customer loyalty models, prompting a focused primary study on a specific industry or region.jenni+3

4. Iterative, story-driven construction supporting critical analysis

Narrative reviews are built through an iterative process of reading, classifying, and “story-building” where the researcher constructs a coherent analytical narrative rather than merely listing studies. This encourages critical engagement—evaluating methods, assumptions, and applicability to the MBA context—which strengthens the dissertation’s argumentation and theoretical grounding.scribd+2

5. Foundation for both standalone chapters and mixed-methods designs

In many MBA dissertations, the narrative review serves as the literature review chapter that frames the entire project, but it can also stand alone as a publishable review article or feed into mixed-methods designs (e.g., informing survey instrument design or interview guides). Its adaptability allows it to support diverse dissertation structures, from purely conceptual work to empirical studies grounded in a well-articulated theoretical base.litmaps+2youtube

Together, these ideas highlight why narrative reviews are a pragmatic, high-impact secondary research method for MBA dissertations: they balance scholarly rigour with feasibility while directly advancing the dissertation’s conceptual and empirical contributions.

 

Where should we explain this secondary research method design of narrative reviews: in chapter 2 (Literature review) or chapter 3 (Research methodology) of an MBA dissertation report? Where should we present the research method findings of this secondary research method: in chapter 2 or chapter 4 (presentation of research findings)?

In a standard MBA dissertation structure, the explanation of the narrative review as a secondary research method belongs in Chapter 3 (Research Methodology), while the findings from that narrative review are presented in Chapter 2 (Literature Review). Here’s why and how to organise it:

Where to explain the narrative review design: Chapter 3 (Research Methodology)

Narrative reviews are a research method (a form of secondary research design), so the rationale, search strategy, selection criteria, and analytical approach should be described alongside your primary research methods in Chapter 3. This allows you to:litmaps+1

• Justify why a narrative review (rather than a systematic review or meta-analysis) suits your MBA research question and constraints.labeeb
• Describe your process (e.g. databases used, keywords, time frame, inclusion/exclusion logic) transparently, even if less formal than a systematic review.openpublishing.library.umass+1
• Show how the narrative review informs or complements your primary data collection (e.g. shaping interview questions or survey constructs).edutechprojects+1

Even if your dissertation is primarily empirical, examiners expect the methodological choices for all research components—including secondary synthesis—to be documented in the methodology chapter.documents.manchester.ac+1

Where to present the narrative review findings: Chapter 2 (Literature Review)

The substantive output of the narrative review—themes, debates, gaps, and theoretical frameworks—is the content of your literature review chapter. In Chapter 2 you should:library.soton+1

• Synthesise existing studies and theories narratively (not just list them) to build a coherent argument.paperguide+1
• Identify gaps or contradictions that justify your research questions/hypotheses.labeeb+1
• Develop the conceptual framework that underpins your primary research design.thesisacewriters+1

Chapter 4 (Findings/Results) is reserved for primary data (e.g. survey statistics, interview themes, case study evidence), not for the secondary literature synthesis.edutechprojects+1

Practical tip for clarity

To avoid confusion, you can briefly signpost in Chapter 2 that the literature was gathered and analysed using a narrative review approach, with full methodological details in Chapter 3. This keeps the literature review focused on content while maintaining methodological transparency.

** A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

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