Friday, 28 October 2022

The more independent variables in multiple regression formula, the better: a note

The more independent variables in multiple regression formula, the better: a note:

The more independent variables (Xs) do not make a multiple regression formula more "comprehensive" or "strong in explanation power". Some considerations are as follows:


1. If certain X variables are closely related (e.g. correlated), that could negatively affect the ability of the regression formula to work out the influence of these X variables. You need to ensure that all the X variables are mainly independent (e.g. with very low correlation with the other X variables).

2. There is a need to examine the organization structure of the X variables. It is likely that they do not make up a simple many-to-one relationship with the dependent variable (the Y variable).

3. More fundamentally, there is a problem of "do not know what we don't know". We do not know what other important variables have been omitted in the multiple regression formula.

4. Related to point 3, even if we are aware that a particular independent variable is is important for the construction of the multiple regression formula, there may not be data available on this  independent variable or that the variable can be quantified/ measured satisfactorily.


Beyond that, there are fundamental limitations of multiple regression analysis, especially using a relatively simple statistical tool of Excel. A notable example is that the multiple regression analysis is based on linear equations between the X and Y variables. It is quite possible that the correlation between variables is non-linear. Also, the data you gather for the multiple regression analysis can be biased, e.g. when your data sample is not probabilistic.


Thursday, 27 October 2022

Study materials (videos) on the main topics related to quantitative research methods

 Study materials (videos) on the main topics related to quantitative research methods


For students who are serious about learning and using quantitative research methods in their dissertation projects, the following collections of study materials (videos) are useful:


1. Related to quantitative research methods

2. Related to statistical methods

3. Related to sampling.

4. Related to hypothesis testing.

Two types of housing dissertation project: a briefing

Two types of housing dissertation project: a briefing


Type 1: housing-concerns- [non-academic stakeholders]/ also called consulting-oriented (Based on the agile literature review approach)

85% housing-concerns driven (Based on the agile literature review approach) [housing-concerns owned by non-academic stakeholders]

15% research-gap driven [as identified from the academic literature]

Main project value: practical value [especially actionable value]


Type 2: academic-oriented (very often inspired by a specific academic article or a specific academic dissertation report).

85% research-gap driven [as identified from the academic literature]

15% housing-concerns driven (Based on the agile literature review approach) [housing-concerns owned by non-academic stakeholders]

Main project value: academic value [especially originality value] [it makes useful contribution to the academic knowledge of the Housing Studies field]


Note: academic value and practical value are not totally separate; academics are also concerned that academic knowledge being useful to address practical problems in the real world.


Now, mainly related to type 2 project type, students need to also study the topic of research objectives, research aims and research questions.

Saturday, 22 October 2022

Two types of MBA dissertation project: a briefing

Two types of MBA dissertation project: a briefing


Type 1: consulting-oriented (Based on the agile literature review approach)

85% management-concerns driven (Based on the agile literature review approach)

15% research-gap driven


Type 2: academic-oriented (very often inspired by a specific academic article or a specific academic dissertation report).

85% research-gap driven

15% management-concerns driven (Based on the agile literature review approach)


On type 2 project type, it is also highly relevant to study the topic of research aims, problems and questions. Students interested in type 2 MBA dissertation project examples could refer to academic journals such as Journal of Business Research and Management Research Review to find illustration of academic research articles.


*** A related reading is on the two versions of contextualization in dissertation project works.