Guidelines for Research Project and Dissertation

1. Paper and Page Setup

  • Page Size: A4
  • Margins:
    • Left & Right: 1.25 inches
    • Top & Bottom: 1 inch

2. Fonts and Paragraph Styles

  • Main Text: Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, Justified
  • Headings: Times New Roman, Bold, 16 pt
  • Subheadings: Times New Roman, Bold, 14 pt
  • Footnotes/Sources: Courier, Italic, 10 pt

3. Binding

  • Type: Hardbound or Spiral Bound

4. Cover Page and Preliminary Pages

5. Title of the Research

  • Concise, keyword-rich, jargon-free, and clearly aligned with research objectives and scope
  • May include methodological or theoretical orientation
  • Start with a working title and revise as the study progresses

6. Abstract

  • Word Count: 150–300 words
  • Includes:
    • Project Objectives
    • Methodology
    • Major Findings
    • Key Conclusions

Chapter-wise Thesis Format

Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Thesis Statement
  • Background and Context
  • Significance of the Study
  • Research Questions or Hypotheses
  • Methodological Overview
  • Structure of the Thesis

Problem Purpose Statement & Questions

Chapter 2: Review of Literature

Choose one of the two structures:

  • Chronological Format: From earliest to latest scholarly work
  • Thematic Format: Organized around key themes or concepts

Include:

  • Summary of Key Studies
  • Gaps in Existing Literature
  • Justification of Your Study’s Position

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

  • Research Design and Approach
  • Data Collection Methods
  • Sampling Techniques (if applicable)
  • Tools and Instruments Used
  • Ethical Considerations
  • Data Analysis Plan
  • Passive voice and objective tone preferred
  • Include references to any external tools or sources
  • Do not include research results

Chapter 4: Results

  • Clear presentation of findings only
  • Use text, tables, and figures for clarity
  • Do not interpret results here
  • All visual data must be labelled and numbered

Chapter 5: Discussion

  • Interpretation and Analysis of Results
  • Relationship with Existing Literature
  • Theoretical or Practical Implications
  • Discussion of Patterns or Anomalies
  • How the Results Address the Research Questions
  • Contributions to the Field

Chapter 6: Conclusion

  • Summary of Major Findings
  • Reaffirmation of Objectives and Research Questions
  • No New Data Introduction
  • Limitations of the Study
  • Suggestions for Future Research

Chapter 7: Recommendations (If Applicable)

  • Actionable Steps or Proposals
  • Directly Linked to Results and Conclusions
  • Ordered by Priority or Feasibility
  • Especially important for policy-based or applied research

References / Bibliography

  • Follow a standard style: APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard
  • Entries organized alphabetically by author’s last name or by title if no author is listed
  • Ensure consistency and accuracy

Referencing in Research Papers, Dissertations and Theses

Appendices

  • Only include relevant supplementary material
  • Label each appendix clearly (e.g., Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire)
  • Mention each appendix in the main body of the text
  • Consistent formatting and legible content
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