Tenacity of the Abstraction

Remembering ideas, concepts, abstractions, and personal events—intentionally or unintentionally.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

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Dissertation Proposal, Research Problem, and Literature Review

The Research Problem is the starting point of the Dissertation Proposal, so it should be well-justified and clearly articulate its contribution to scholarship, whether in Concept/Theory, Perspective/Methodology, Practice/Empirical, or Program/Policy. 

The Literature Review is fundamental because the Research Problem must be grounded in the identification of Gaps. A comprehensive Literature Review plays a pivotal role in the Research Problem by rationalizing the Research Gaps and justifying the Original, Significant Contribution, either by creating novel/innovative work or by extending, improving, or advancing the scholarship. Therefore, it should be a critical, in-depth evaluation of previous authors’ work. It must show that you are making an original contribution, given the vast body of scholarly work, and situate your paper within the existing body of literature. 

Always remember that if the Literature Review is strong (well-defended), the other aspects of your dissertation will follow; hence, the Research Gaps are apparent, the Research Problem is distinctive, and the contribution to novel/innovative knowledge is justified. 

(Brillo 2026, 2017 [message/lecture])

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The Research Problem

The research problem is the core academic articulation and justification that directly contributes to the existing body of literature (either creating novel work or extending, improving, or advancing innovative scholarship), with the ultimate goal of producing and situating an original piece within the vast body of scholarly work.

The research problem is an explicitly literature-grounded statement that identifies meaningful gaps in the existing works (primarily using peer-reviewed journal articles and scholarly books). That is why the literature review is crucial for recognizing the research problem, justifying the research gaps, and arguing that this is an original contribution.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

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Literature Review, Research Gaps, and Research Problem

Always remember that if the Literature Review is strong (well-defended), the other aspects of your dissertation will follow; hence, the Research Gaps are apparent, the Research Problem is distinctive, and the contribution to original knowledge is justified. 

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

Blogger: http://bbbrillo.blogspot.com

X: https://x.com/bbbrillo

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo

Inequality, Equality, and Extreme Inequality

Inequality is acceptable since there is no such thing as complete equality in the real world—intellectual elites, ordinary individuals, and lesser mortals have different values, interests, and perspectives, making them distinct.

But what I strongly oppose is extreme inequality, as a fundamental must-have, explicitly for the disadvantaged, marginalized, and debilitated.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture]).

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Objectivity and Subjectivity

With people, there is no pure objectivity— only perspectives (and interests)

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture]).

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Why do I write more quickly and often?

Time is infinite; even if the Earth ends, time carries on.

However, life is finite; even a 100-year lifespan, for me, is not enough. 

That is why I write constantly, intentionally, and with purpose.

(Brillo 2026 [message/lecture])

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Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/bbbrillo