6. Guidelines

6.1 Choice of topic

The paper should include at least two of the programme components: 'business' plus 'mathematics' and/or 'informatics'. The business administration approach should be strongly in evidence throughout. This requirement must be borne in mind when selecting the topic.

Providing this requirement is met, the choice of topic falls entirely to the student. There are two main options:

• the student selects a topic which has been suggested by the work placement coordinator. A list of potential topics - is to be found on the internet, together with a list of the titles of past theses.
• the student makes his/her own proposal. This may be based on a newspaper article, a subject raised during a lecture, or experience in the private sector itself (e.g. during previous employment).

A student with a marked interest in the subject matter of the work placement can choose to base the research project and resulting paper on that topic.

6.2 Producing the paper

Based on the resource material, the student will prepare a 'working plan' for the production of the paper. The most important element at this stage is the structure (i.e. the division into chapters). Attention must also be devoted to the structure of each individual chapter. Because the report is being written for the benefit of a manager, it is important to include an informative 'management summary' (also known as the 'executive summary'). This summary must appear in both Dutch and English.

The paper must be written in correct Dutch or English. The total length of the main body of the paper (i.e. excluding the preface, summary, table of contents, introduction and appendices) should be no more than 10,000 words (approximately twenty A4 pages). Further tips are given in a separate document (the ' Author's Guide).

Previous theses are available for inspection from the Work Placement Office. Some have also been placed on line. For a list, click here.

6.3 Giving the presentation

Both the speaker and the audience will find the presentation more effective if it is well structured and supported with overhead sheets on which the key points are listed.

6.4 Prize for the best paper

At the end of each calendar year, a prize is awarded in recognition of the best paper submitted in that year, based on the criteria of quality and originality. The winner is chosen by a panel of ‘BMI paper’ judges. For further information, click here.