Succesful entrepreneurial companies can grow and expand very quickly'. An examination of the factors influencing the management of very rapid growth

To have your final research project (graduation assignment) considered for registration,
students must submit a proposal that outlines their intended research. Proposals should be
presented under headings that provide the title while addressing each of the points listed below.

Title of the study - The title can be a working title; it can be changed at a later date. It should
convey the essence of the proposed work.

Introduction to research topic – provide a clear introduction to the selected research topic.
Try to focus on the research topic instead of a case/company or context.

Problem Statement (Focus of the study) – a clear statement of the overall focus of the
proposed research. It should be made clear whether the study has the primary aim of problem-
solving for the benefit of one particular organization or intends to generate general knowledge.

Relevant background literature – a section outlining key research that has already been
carried out in the particular area and/or other academic or professional literature as contextual
information. The literature review should be maximum two short paragraphs.

Main research questions and/or sub-research questions – clearly focused research
questions/hypotheses that are worth asking and capable of being answered within the confines
of a final research project. It should be indicated what discipline(s) are involved within the
domain of business and management studies.

Sub research questions should be relevant and related to the main research question, logically
structured aimed to resolve the research problem statement and formulated within the main
research context.
The student has to provide the variables from the discipline(s) involved or other variables which
are key to finding the answers to the research questions. The student is expected to use
(existing) conceptual frameworks (models) to clarify what he or she wishes to investigate and
explain.

Research Objectives
While problem statement serves to describe the main focus of a research project, the research
objectives provide an accurate description of the specific actions a researcher will take in order
to reach the aim of the research. Normally, research objective should be framed in a single
sentence. However, some research topics might require more than one sentence.

 Research objective(s)
 must be highly focused and feasible.
 address the more immediate project outcomes.
 make accurate use of concepts and be sensible and precisely described.
 emphasize how aims are to be accomplished.
 are usually numbered so that each objective reads as an 'individual' statement to convey
your intention.

Purpose of the study – explain whether it is exploratory, descriptive or explanatory/causal
study. Avoid confusing the purpose of the study with your research objectives. 

Research methodology – the student has to make clear and justify the methods which he or
she wishes to apply to obtain the data needed to give substance to the relevant variables.
Where statistical measurement is involved, it is necessary to explain which statistical method
will be applied, including its relevance and feasibility.

Significance of the research – a statement that illustrates why the research question(s) or
hypotheses are worth addressing.

Ethical considerations – consideration of ethical issues involved in carrying out the research
such as whether informed consent needs to be obtained and, if so, how this will be done.

Timetable for the research – a proposed timetable is extremely important because it gives an
indication as to the feasibility of the proposal.

Anticipated problems and limitations – a section that highlights any anticipated problems and
limitations in the proposed study, including threats to reliability and validity and how these will be
countered.

Bibliography/Reference – a list of references relating to the proposal (presented according to
Harvard style referencing).

Appendices – (if appropriate), which contains any material that will be used or adapted for the
benefit the study, including permissions to make use of certain sources.