RESEARCH PROJECT FORMAT
PRELIMINARY PAGES
- Cover / Title Page
This page consists of the title of the study which is stated at the upper half of the page. This is to be followed by the author’s full names with the surname first and other.Note that when the surname comes first,it is separated from the other names with a comma.
Inside Cover page – This page contains the title of the study which is stated at the upper half of the page. This is to be followed by the author’s full names with the surname first and other names. The lower part of the page is to have the statement that reads: ‘A project presented to the Distance Learning Institutes, University of Lagos,Akoka in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), Business Administration, Accounting etc of University of Lagos. The student shall indicate at the bottom of the page the month and year the project was completed (e.g. February, 2012).
- Certification Page
In this page shall be the certification of the project supervisor of the originality of the study as a true work carried out by the student. The statements here shall read: This is to certify that this research project titled: “ …………………..’’, written by (Student surname and other names) with the matriculation number (e.g. 100200670) under my supervision”. Followed by the supervisor’s name, signature and date.
- Dedication Page
This page provides the author the opportunity to express some words of gratitude to those dear to him/her one way or the other.
- Acknowledgement Page
This page provides the author the opportunity to acknowledge the help and contribution of different people who directly or otherwise had contributed to the success of the work.
- Abstract Page
This page consists of a synopsis of the entire work. It states briefly the problems of investigation, purpose of the study, how it was carried out; major findings and recommendation. This is to be done in about 360 words (this could be done with the aid of computer word count).
- Table of Content
This page consist the list of chapters and sub-units with their respective page numbers as contained in the main body of the work. The pages before the main body of the work are numbered in roman numerals, while other pages are numbered in Arabic numerals. Other parts of the table of contents are:
- List of Tables to be numbered 1,2,3, 4…………N
- List of Figures to be numbered I,II,III …………N
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
- Background to the Study
Students are expected to describe in general terms the larger area of the problem being investigated. This will serve as the basis of introducing the problem. It will also be a way to establish relationship that exists between the problem being investigated and the larger area of concern to people and organizations.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Research study is to provide answers /solutions to identified problems. Students should be able to state the problem clearly and convincingly, justify/show the necessity to find solution to it, as well as the implication of such problem. If possible, such problem could be linked to given theory or fact.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The author is expected to narrow the problem or state the problem in specific terms. The purpose of the study is to be given as finding a solution to the problem or finding relationships that exist between the problem and other problems by breaking the problem into its component parts through exploration or analysis. Four (4) to five (5) specific statements (objectives) of what the research intends to do to achieve the main aim could be stated.
1.4 Relevant Research Questions
These are guide to the research in his quest to provide answers to the problem being investigated. Such research questions should be in line with the aim and objective of the study. When the research questions are answered, the objectives of the study are achieved. From the general research questions, minor research questions can be formulated and these are specific questions which, may be used eventually as questions for the construction of the questionnaire or study instrument. The major research questions should be raised using active verbs such as are, is, does etc… This will subsequently reinforce both the validity and the reliability of the instrument.
1.5 Relevant Research Hypotheses
Hypotheses are basic assumptions regarding the variables i.e. the statements of relationship between variables. They are conjectural or tentative statement about the relationship between the variables to be proved right or wrong. It also serves as guide to the investigator in his/her quest for data or information for the investigation. Hypotheses could be derived from the literature reviewed and should be in line or complement the research questions to achieve the study objectives.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This section provides justification for the study and what will be contributed to knowledge by the study if successfully carried out. It provides the author the opportunity to justify his/her attempt to solve the problem.
1.7 Scope of the Study
Delimitation or scope of the study enables the research to circumscribe his research within a manageable limit. It provides the researcher the opportunity to explain the boundaries of the study and describe the aspect of a general /wide problem area covered as well as what aspects will not be covered.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The definition of unfamiliar terms will be necessary when technical terms are used or when concepts are used in a specific way in the study. This serves as the dictionary of the report; hence, the terms are arranged alphabetically.
End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Preamble
This requires a brief outline of the works in this chapter
2.2 Theoretical framework of the study
Relevant theories to the problem being investigated in the study should be briefly discussed and linked to the study to provide the right framework for the study i.e. theories on which the study is anchored. It also, provides an avenue to review relevant and known literature to the problem being investigated.
2.3 Empirical Review of Previous work in the area of studies
This provides the researcher the opportunity to review some of the previous works by other authors in this area of concern. A brief historical background will enable the researcher to follow the trend of thought in this area. This will enable or help the researcher situate or relate his/her study to previous works done in the area of concern.
End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Preamble
This requires a brief outline of the works in this chapter
3.2 Research Design
This has to do with the blueprint of the study that point the way to what should be expected. It shows the particular research design being adopted for the study and why.
3.3 Population of the study
This has to do with the characteristics of the population of the study i.e the total elements of the universe covered by the study. The population of the study is a consensus of all items or subjects that possess the characteristics, or have knowledge of the phenomenon, being investigated or studied. This should be indicated with verifiable references. The nature of the study population must be known because it helps in the choice of sampling technique
3.4 Sampling, Procedure and Sample size
The sample is part of the population or representative part of the population. Before drawing the sample, the researcher must define what is the unit of analysis or unit of study, that is, what or who is being studied and what constitute the population from which the sample will be drawn. The manner of selecting the sample is as important as the size of the sample. The size of the sample is the number of the population elements that are selected for study..It must be adequate for generalization, hence, a sample less than 30% is considered worthless for purpose of statistical analysis. This should be indicated with verifiable references.
3.5 Data Collection Instrument and Validation
Validity is concerned with the instrument measuring what it is suppose to measure while reliability is concerned with the constituency obtained from results of the application of the instrument. An instrument may be reliable without being valid. It is important that the researcher should subject the instrument to the test of validity and reliability. Only data which have relevance to the theory in respect of the current study should be collected.
3.6 Method of Data Analysis
The method of data analysis should consist the basic elements of data preparation, tabulation and analyses. It should contain the breakdown and ordering of the quantitative information gathered through the research. A brief strategy and procedure for summarizing and exploring relationships among the variables on which data have been collected is required here. For example single variable analysis or one variable at a time (univariate analysis) which is often done for descriptive purpose – frequency distribution; frequency distribution by grouping the data; useful summary through some measure of dispersion such as rang, variance and standard deviation. Relationships involving more than one variable (multivariate analysis) such as regression models, correlational analysis, analysis of variance, t-test, factor analysis, and discriminant analysis. Furthermore the student may embrace the use of computer programmes such as Statistical Packages for Social Sciences. Students will have to choose the methods that best suites the data collected as well as justify the choice of the methods. This gives the possible relationship that might exist among the key variables of the study; and thus makes easier the actual analysis.
3.7 Limitation of the methodology
Relevant observed extraneous circumstances or imperfections encountered in sampling from population, design etc should be stated as limitation to the methodology
End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Preamble (a brief outline of the Chapter to provide insight in to the content of the chapter).
4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data According to Research Questions
Data collected are to be presented and analysed.Students will have to choose the methods that best suites the data collected. Data could be presented using tables, pie charts, bar charts, histogram etc. Data presented should be accompanied with the interpretation of the associations and relationships among the data groups with the appropriate implication to the study or the unit of study. The summary of interpretation should provide answers to the research questions.
4.3 Test of Hypotheses
Relevant data collected and tables where necessary could be used to test the stated hypotheses showing how it tests the hypothesis one after the other at relevant level of significance as well as the relevant interpretation and avoiding types of errors i.e. type I or Type II errors.
4.4 Discussion of Finding
Discuss your findings and identify implications of the study
End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary
A brief summary or highlight of each chapter should be stated in a concise manner that captures the importance of the study.
5.2 Conclusions
Conclusions should be drawn from the findings
5.3 Recommendations
Recommendations should also be based on the conclusions
Bibliography (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)
Appendix
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
- Background to the Study
- Statement of the Problem
- Aim and Objectives of the Study
- Relevant Research Questions
- Relevant Research Hypotheses
- Scope of the Study
- Significance of the Study
- Brief Outline of Literature to be reviewed (Journals, Chapters in textbooks etc). Plus the relevant theories.
- Research Methodology
- Research Design
- Characteristics of Study Population
- Sampling Techniques
- Data Collection Instrument
- Data Presentation
- Data Analysis