Assignments on how to do and write research

Thee hurdles were identified:

- They do not read intellectual stimulating books. Standing on the shoulders of giants may trigger the mind to go beyond what is known, or to consider what is meaningful in life.

- Their ability to reflect and think creatively is seriously impaired by what they think they know. Creative thinking is the ultimate human resource. Breakthroughs then come spontaneously.

- Their ability to articulate and present thoughts in a format that would catch the attention of any user or reader is not well developed. Students are addicted to numbers and find it very difficult to explain financial concepts and constructs in their own words.

In order to combat these realities, the students were requested to do assignments. The first of the assignments gave the student an opportunity to be free from conformed practices – a journey of discovery into the secret corners of their minds:

“You are required to construct a portfolio of 50 relevant and profound quotations from an accounting/finance/financial management book or any trans-disciplinary book which offers NEW THINKING IDEAS on our disciplines or on research.” In this assignment the candidates are also challenged to present their portfolio in a creative way. Creative thinking of any kind requires more than just knowing where to look things up. You have to know that they’re there before you know you need them.

“My philosophy is based on the following truth: Learning is what you do when you don’t know what to do. Candidates must explore the unknown and be the source of their own discoveries and creations. This will impact positively on their research skills”, says Prof Daan Gouws, Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Financial Management.