Dissertation Project Format

Format, Structure and Sequence

  1. Preliminaries

•  Front Cover (To contain title of Project, Author's name, Institution's name and date of submission).

•  Flying Page

•  Title Page

•  Approval Page

•  Dedication (if any)

•  Acknowledgements

•  Abstract

•  Table of contents (Start numbering with small roman numerals placed one cm from bottom of page and centered).

•  List of Tables

•  List of Figures or Illustrations

•  List of Appendices

2. Chapter 1
Introduction (Is first page, is not numbered but remaining pages are numbered consecutively inclusive of appendices).

•  Statement of general problem

•  Background to the subject matter

•  Rationale for the study

•  Limitations i.e. constraints (also a word of caution regarding to what extent generalizations can be made based on the study).

•  Definition of terms

3. Chapter II

Literature Review
(May not necessarily be titled “Literature Review” but content should review existing literature – books, published articles, dissertations or projects. Must also review fundamental concepts that make up the project). Researcher can then proceed to state the hypotheses that are serving as a basis or guide for the study.

4. Chapter III

Methodology

•  Research methods or approaches used

•  Justification

•  Instruments or tools used

•  Research population and sample size

•  Sampling procedures employed

•  Justification for sample selection procedure/sample size and the justification for using a particular sample

•  Statement of Hypothesis A

•  Statistical Techniques used in analysing the data

5. Chapter IV

Presentation and Analysis of Data

•  Data may be presented in Tables, Bar Charts, Histograms, Graphs, etc.

•  Classification by age, social class, sex, regions, states, types, etc. as applicable

•  Opinions of respondents should be tabulated, analysed and interpreted using statistical tools chosen.

6. Chapter V

Discussion of the Results
(Sometimes merged with chapter IV i.e. Presentation and analysis of data. It is recommended that this should stand on its own as a separate chapter. The chapter should address the following questions).

•  Are your findings consistent with existing knowledge and views? Are they different? In what ways? Why?

•  Any new findings in the course of your investigation?

•  Proof of Hypotheses

7. Chapter VI
Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations

•  Summary of findings

•  Conclusions Arising from the Research Findings

•  Recommendations

8. Bibliographical References

9. Appendices

SPECIAL NOTES

Footnotes:
Project writers should use footnotes as and when required. They should be used to explain some points on which writers wish to throw more light. Footnotes should be identified by asterisks and placed at the bottom of the page below a line separating the text and the footnote.

Bibliography:
Author's surname, or names where there are two authors, followed by year of publication and the page number all placed in bracket e.g. Smith (1987, p22). If the authors are three or more in number, use the Latin abbreviation of et al e.g. Smith et al (1986 p90) meaning Smith and Co.

Abstract:
A brief summary of the entire project work should be prepared stating the nature and scope of the research undertaken and of the contribution made to knowledge of the subject treated. There should be a brief statement of the method of investigation and outline of the principal arguments of the work and a summary of any conclusion reached. The Abstract should not exceed one page.

Research Proposal
It is recommended that before embarking on the project, students should be asked to prepare a brief outline of what they intend to do. Experience has shown that this outline, otherwise known as RESEARCH PROPOSAL , saves a lot of time as it helps to clarify issues for both the student and the supervisor. For the supervisor, he now has a written commitment of the student, which he can refer to in guiding him and helping him to further develop his project. It becomes a kind of framework or agreement between the researcher and those supervising the research project.

The proposal should be a maximum of two typed pages (1½ spacing), but Project Supervisor may ask for a more detailed proposal. Whatever the case, it should be made up of the following Sections:

•  Introduction (start by highlighting the problem in two or three paragraphs)

•  Objectives of the study

•  Rationale for the study i.e. why is the study important? Who will benefit from it?

•  Methodology (including tools of measurement)

•  Sample to be investigated (briefly justifying its choice)

•  Hypotheses you intend to prove or disprove

•  Expected findings/conclusions. Review of objectives of the study can help in this direction.

The role and importance of the proposal is similar to that of the architect's building plan. With it, the builder and the project engineer have a clearly established picture of what they are working towards. Without a proposal, the researcher and the supervisor hardly have any common frame of reference.