After determining the company and a possible topic of research, the student has to define a proper and specific main research question which allows for recommendations. Students are strongly recommended to approach the lecturers to receive feedback on their main research question.
The research question will be answered and result in SMART recommendations by conducting thorough secondary research and by analysing and applying the data gathered. The quality of secondary research is strongly determined by using relevant and up-to-date sources of high quality. Students are required to also make use of peer reviewed articles (using the Hanze Library).
Every student may determine his/her own topic concerning a specific company, provided it is related to Governance, Compliance and Risk Management. The secondary research should lead to recommendations on improvements which the chosen company could implement.
After determining the company and a possible topic of research, the student has to define a proper and specific main research question which allows for recommendations. Students are strongly recommended to approach the lecturers to receive feedback on their main research question.
The research question will be answered and result in SMART recommendations by conducting thorough secondary research and by analysing and applying the data gathered. The quality of secondary research is strongly determined by using relevant and up-to-date sources of high quality. Students are required to also make use of peer reviewed articles (using the Hanze Library).
3.3. Academic Writing below).
A. COVER PAGE including student name & number, lecturer(s) name(s), date, report title, word count of the main body.
B. ABSTRACT of 250 words maximum;
C. TABLE OF CONTENTS;
D. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of 1 page maximum;
E. MAIN BODY of the report should include the following parts in the following order:
1) Introduction: relevant background of the company, problem statement (brief description of a wrongdoing and its consequences) and research question(s)
2) Theoretical/regulatory framework (literature review, including the key theory / theoretical concepts and/or regulatory framework(s) relevant to the research topic)
3) Methodology
4) Secondary research (reviewing and critically analysing the various literature specifically relevant to the chosen corporate wrongdoing). This is the main part of the report. It should provide enough findings to formulate recommendations in the following section.
5) Conclusions and Recommendations
F. REFERENCE LIST following APA Referencing;
G. APPENDICES (optional)
H. EVALUATION OF AND REFLECTION ON THE PROCESS OF DOING RESEARCH, including an evaluation of the chosen approach and what will be done differently in the future (max. 2 pages)
The Individual GCR Report must contain the following sections in the order provided (please also see paragraph
3.3. Academic Writing below).
A. COVER PAGE including student name & number, lecturer(s) name(s), date, report title, word count of the main body.
B. ABSTRACT of 250 words maximum;
C. TABLE OF CONTENTS;
D. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of 1 page maximum;
E. MAIN BODY of the report should include the following parts in the following order:
1) Introduction: relevant background of the company, problem statement (brief description of a wrongdoing and its consequences) and research question(s)
2) Theoretical/regulatory framework (literature review, including the key theory / theoretical concepts and/or regulatory framework(s) relevant to the research topic)
3) Methodology
4) Secondary research (reviewing and critically analysing the various literature specifically relevant to the chosen corporate wrongdoing). This is the main part of the report. It should provide enough findings to formulate recommendations in the following section.
5) Conclusions and Recommendations
F. REFERENCE LIST following APA Referencing;
G. APPENDICES (optional)
H. EVALUATION OF AND REFLECTION ON THE PROCESS OF DOING RESEARCH, including an evaluation of the chosen approach and what will be done differently in the future (max. 2 pages)
A. The Individual GCR Report should be written in the passive voice – this means not using “I” or “we”. To offer more structure, the reports are written in sections which have sub-headings and are numbered;
B. The main body of the Individual GCR Report consists of a minimum amount of words (3.500) and a maximum amount of words (5,000), excl. appendices;
C. The main text should be kept to the point: leave out what may be interesting but is not strictly necessary. Lack of quality cannot be covered by quantity. Additional information can be put into the appendices. The way in which the report is presented will vary according to the topic;
D. Someone else’s exact words can only be used if they are included in quotation marks and are referenced appropriately, using APA Referencing. The ideas of someone else can only be used if they are acknowledged properly.
For a description of all report sections required, please use the IBS Report Writing Guide (please enrol for the Blackboard course ‘IBS Report Writing Hub’ – you can find the IBS Report Writing Guide under Report Writing Standards).
When writing an academic report, please take into account the following rules.
A. The Individual GCR Report should be written in the passive voice – this means not using “I” or “we”. To offer more structure, the reports are written in sections which have sub-headings and are numbered;
B. The main body of the Individual GCR Report consists of a minimum amount of words (3.500) and a maximum amount of words (5,000), excl. appendices;
C. The main text should be kept to the point: leave out what may be interesting but is not strictly necessary. Lack of quality cannot be covered by quantity. Additional information can be put into the appendices. The way in which the report is presented will vary according to the topic;
D. Someone else’s exact words can only be used if they are included in quotation marks and are referenced appropriately, using APA Referencing. The ideas of someone else can only be used if they are acknowledged properly.