Contents of Chapter 1: Working Title/ Topic

CONTENTS OF CHAPTER 1
 Working Title (Topic)

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Research Objectives
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Significance of the study
1.6 Research Assumptions
1.7 Delimitations
1.8 Limitations
1.9 Chapter summary
Working Title/ Topic
 The topic or title of the proposal should accurately reflect the scope or
content of the study in not more than 20 words.
 A good title should be clear and be able to explain itself.
 A working title that is good should have an underlying business
concept for instance corporate governance, CSR, organizational culture,
corporate entrepreneurship etc in order to guide the researcher when
doing literature review
1.0 Introduction
 This is meant to introduce the underlying business concept for the

benefit of your readers especially those who do not have an exposure in
the area.
 The introduction should also outline what will be shown in the proposal/
chapter one. Normally an introduction does not go beyond half a page.
1.1 Background of the study/ to the problem
 The background describes the context from which the research idea has
emerged. It should provide evidence of the existence of the problem and
make the reader feel the significance or importance of studying the
existing problem in order to better understand it and contribute to its
solution. It is therefore a build up to the problem identified.
1
 This is supposed to give a detailed account of what is transpiring in the
organisation. This detailed account is the one that is supposed to show
that there is need to carry out a research
 Background study should normally be between 1.5 to 2 pages of text but
may exceed because of tables and graphs presented as evidence of the
existence or magnitude of an underlying problem.
1.2 Statement of the problem
 This must be a brief summary of what was discussed in the background.

This must be a single paragraph made up of a few sentences that are
specifically summarizing what is in the background.
 The problem must be researchable thus it must be solved through
research, that is, the problem should be solved through collection and
analysis of scientific data.
 Statement of the problem can be a paragraph and this should be enough
to describe the problem in the particular organization (undergrad)
industry/sector (Postgrad).
1.3 Research Objectives (these are formulated from the statement of the
problem and the background of the study)
 Research objectives are statements of specific aims arising from the

problem identified.
 Thus they spell out what the researcher intends to achieve at the end of
the day through the study
 Objectives are supposed to be achieved in chapter 4 and they should be
SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time bound
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 Normally research objectives can be between 3 and 4.
 When formulating our research objectives we must avoid vagueness.
Good objectives should for example be: To measure, To determine, To
establish, To assess etc.
1.4 Research Questions
 The research questions should arise directly from the research objectives
 Research questions state the investigative curiosity underlying the
intended study
 Research questions must be able to be analyzed scientifically through
gathering data or research evidence
 Start your questions with words like, what, why, how

 Questions must not start with terms such as TO, ARE and WERE,
1.5 Significance of the study (Practical significance/importance to the sector

or industry and theoretical significance to the body of knowledge)
 This section attempts to answer the question: how is my study of

significance to theory and practice? Thus it refers to the relevance or
importance of the study in terms of academic contribution (theory) and
practical use that might be made of the findings by the company,
industry or society.
 Significance of the study should reflect on knowledge creation as well as
its value to relevant stakeholders or society in general.
It is here where the researcher states how the solution(s) to the problem will
positively influence theory and practice. It is also here where you consider
who benefits from the study and how. In short the section should be split
between:
1.51 To theory
3
You need to tell us what other authorities have done around your area of
research and what it that they have not covered that you wish to look at.
Maybe they have looked the issue of capitalization in other countries and
none have been done in Zimbabwe especially looking at your sector
1.5.2 The organisation(s) and sector
You must illustrate how the organisation(s) and/or sector are bound to
benefit from your study. (this may encompass internal stakeholders such
as management, employees as well as external stakeholders such as
clients. Usually as the organisation benefits something, these also
directly or indirectly benefit as well). However where there is need to
separate what these stakeholders are to benefit from the study with what
the organisation will benefit, you can still do so.
1.5.3 Researcher
You are supposed to illustrate what you as a researcher are going to
benefit from this study, e.g. how your research skills are to be refined
and how your understanding of a particular area of study is going to be
enhanced.
Please DO NOT write that the research is of significance to the
researcher because it is being done in partial fulfilment of your degree
program!!
1.5.4 To the university
Tell us how the organisation is going to benefit from your research
1.6 Assumptions
These are statements of what the researcher believes to be facts. They
cannot be verified but they strengthen the basis of your study.E.g It is
assumed that the economic environment is not going to change during
the period of study or it is assumed that respondents will be forthcoming
and truthful when completing research questionnaires
4
Though its ok you need to have conceptual assumptions that look at
your area of study on concept e.g if capitalization strategies were
effective SMEs would not be closing down
1.7 Delimitation/ Scope of the study
 The objective of delimiting the study is to narrow down the study so that
it becomes manageable in terms of time, geography (Physical), as well as
concept.
1.8 Limitations
 These are constraints which may negatively impact on the research

findings. They can be viewed as conditions beyond the control of the
researcher. Limitations are literature and methodology related only.
 When you state significant limitations, you are advised to suggest
compensatory factors that ensure that the research remains valid.
1.9 Chapter Summary
 This must summarise what is in the entire chapter. Provide the reader
with the major highlights of the chapter. Take note that you are not
supposed to write a simple outline as you did in the introduction, rather
you must specify what was exactly discussed.
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CONTENTS OF CHAPTER 1

 Working Title (Topic)

Working Title/ Topic

 This is meant to introduce the underlying business concept for the

1.1 Background of the study/ to the problem

1.2 Statement of the problem

 This must be a brief summary of what was discussed in the background.

 Research objectives are statements of specific aims arising from the

1.4 Research Questions

 Start your questions with words like, what, why, how

1.5 Significance of the study (Practical significance/importance to the sector

 This section attempts to answer the question: how is my study of

1.7 Delimitation/ Scope of the study

 These are constraints which may negatively impact on the research

1.9 Chapter Summary

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