PhD research proposal draft development 3.0

Question

Hi there.
Let it be as a diary, sharing research development and question as well.

So, I have several consultations with academia representatives and 2 MBB consultants with PhD degrees.

So, the field of my research going to have more boundaries.

The DRAFT: Research Proposal Summary
•    Title: A Qualitative Examination of Business Problem-Solving Consultant Methods (Methodologies?) and Academic Research Methods (Methodologies?)
•    Research Question: What are the boundaries, overlaps, limitations, and opportunities between Business Problem-Solving Consultant Methods (Methodologies?) and Academic Research Methods (Methodologies?)?
•    Data Collection: Analysis of literature on methodological approaches and case studies. Semi-structured (?) interviews with both academic researchers and business
•    Keywords:
#Methodological Comparison in Consulting and Academia
#Business Problem-Solving Methodologies
#Academic Research Methodologies
#Epistemological Structure
•    Objective/Goals: ?
•    Significance: ?

I have two questions:
• Do you find the research topic understandable and relevant?
• Can this topic have clearly defined research Objectives/Goals and Significance?
While I find the topic intriguing, I am struggling to articulate its practical application - it seems to me as a “research about research”, or exploring not the “knowledge gap”, but “methodological gap” (if I could find one).

Any insights or directions you can guide me towards? Any keywords to emphasize or add?

Thanks for sticking around till the end! Hope it us fun for you!

PS:

1.0 PhD research proposal draft development - What academic research related to consulting can be most interesting to you? | PrepLounge.com

2.0 PhD research proposal draft development - be part of academic research partly related to consulting field | PrepLounge.com

Answer 1

I like your perseverance.

My main issue with your research question is that it is too exploratory and too wide.

‘Boundaries, overlaps, limitations and opportunities’ are already 4 categories of content that are enormous.

'Business Problem-Solving Consultant Methods (Methodologies?) and Academic Research Methods (Methodologies?)' are also two categories that are enormous.

If you look at the crossroads of these themes, you'll be writing for the rest of your life.

I would recommend you look for something significantly more convergent. For instance, how first principles thinking is used by both consultants and academics (predominantly those in STEM). But even then, you need to go on to explain WHY this research is important and how it can contribute (i.e., what it DOES).

Good luck!
Cristian

Answer 2

Please stop.

This isn't the right forum for this. Talk to your professor. They're there to advise you.

We are not academics. We are not PhD thesis paper advisors.

This is the 3rd time now…

Answer 3

I will state this again, as I have already answered a similar question from you before. YOU DONT KNOW THE OBJECTIVE, BUT YOU NEED ONE!

You need an objective. If you don't have one, then it is not interesting, but POINTLESS.

Start with the objective. THEN, and ONLY then, think about how you can reach the objective.

Answer 4

Hi there,

I am not sure this is the right place for the question :) I suggest you contact with your PhD mentor to clarify all your questions.

Good luck!

Alberto

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