Original Contribution to Knowledge: What exactly does this mean?

The fundamental aim of scholarly research is to contribute to  existing knowledge in ways that bring solutions to business problems. As a gardener you are contributing to an ever changing body of knowledge that can be likened  to a garden ecosystem. This ecosystem is made up of the soil, the elements in the soil, in the water, in the air, your thoughtfulness, your values, the moon energy, the sun energy, the known and unknown cosmic forces that co-create the fruit of your garden. You can then appreciate how important it is for you to be a humble person to be a great scholar.

The approach to creating unique and original knowledge is not definitive but rather explanatory, giving room for multiple academic insights. These insights must be expressed in a way that is equally informative as it is eloquent. This is achieved through mastering focus and nurturing the uniqueness of your own voice, thus creating a work that is both of individuality and of sophistication. You now can appreciate what it takes to be a great scholar.

The first step in  contributing to knowledge is to develop a thesis statement. A thesis statement can only be written after a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis statement requires you to look for possible relationships between known facts about your research topic. To do this you need to look for surprising contrasts or similarities; and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you  have done this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis,” a basic or main idea, an argument that you think you can support with evidence but that may need adjustment along the way. Click here to download the PowerPoint slide that delves deeper into the approach and steps you can take to contribute to knowledge.

Prof P Msweli
Executive Dean and CEO (A)
School of Business Leadership
2 September 2020