BACHELORS DEGREE PROGRAMME: RESEARCH PROJECT WRITING BASIC GUIDELINES.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT (SBM)1

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Title of Project

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STUDENT NAME:

3)

STUDENT REGISTRATION NUMBER:

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A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF .. (e.g. MARKETING) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF (e.g. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT), POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA.

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SUPERVISOR: ..

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DATE/YEAR: .

COMPILED BY K. Boamah (Dean). August 2007

Declaration

I, (Forename Surname), declare that this project is my own original work, and that all sources have been accurately reported and acknowledged, and that this project has not been previously in its entirety, or in part been submitted at any academic institution in order to obtain an academic qualification.

. SIGNATURE

.. DATE

Abstract:

......................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .. ....................................................................................................................................................

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Dedication (Optional):

............................................................................................
Acknowledgements:

.................................................................................

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TITLE OF PROJECT ................................................................................................................ I STUDENT NAME: .............................................................. I STUDENT REGISTRATION NUMBER: ....................................... I ABSTRACT: ............................................................................................................................ II DEDICATION (OPTIONAL):................................................................................................... III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: ..................................................................................................... III 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.1 3.2 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 LEARNING OUT COMES............................................................................................ 2 GENERAL RULES....................................................................................................... 2 SUBMISSION............................................................................................................... 2 IMPORTANT DEADLINES .......................................................................................... 3

3.3 EXTENSION (S) OF DEADLINE(S) FOR SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS .............................................................................................................................. 3 3.4 3.5 3.6 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................................... 4 ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH PROJECTS............................................................ 4 FAILING GRADES FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS .................................................... 4 HOUSE STYLE ............................................................................................................ 5 PLAGIARISM ............................................................................................................... 5 CITATION .................................................................................................................... 6 DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES ..................................... 8 PROJECT SUPERVISORS RESPONSIBILITIES...................................................... 9 STUDENT/RESEARCHERS RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................. 12 RELEVANT FORMS .............................................................................. 14 PROJECT EVALUATION FORM .............................................................. 15 SUPERVISORY MEETING FORM ........................................................ 18 INTERVENTION FORM ......................................................................... 20 THE MAIN BODY OF THE RESEARCH WORK....................................... 22

APPENDICES: APPENDIX 1: APPENDIX 2: APPENDIX 3: APPENDIX 4

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1.0

Introduction

A requisite part of the study programme for all the Bachelors Degree programmes of the Polytechnic is the submission of a Research Project (RP) in the form of a dissertation. The RP is a comprehensive report embracing technical economic and human aspects of the appropriate study programme and their interaction. For the Bachelors Degree programmes, a RP is defined as follows: "A Research Project submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements for the award of a Bachelors Degree and shall constitute a piece of independent research in which knowledge, comprehension, ability to critically analyse, evaluate and apply subject-specific theories and concepts are demonstrated, and be submitted in accordance with the appropriate course regulations." Students at this level are also expected to demonstrate the generic abilities to write in a clear and accessible language, to adhere to institutional academic practice, and to sustain a coherent line of argument that is directed towards a topic of interest to their field of discipline. The School of Business and Management (SBM) of the Polytechnic of Namibia is responsible for providing suitable guidelines for the teaching of Research Methodology and the coordination of the supervision of Research Projects undertaken by the bachelors degree students. The enormity of this responsibility requires the supervisors to be competent in the field and/or related area and have time to supervise students adequately. Supervision of Research Projects is a specialized form of teaching that is considered by the Polytechnic to be very important. The roles and responsibilities of the supervisors, the respective departments and students are clearly stated in the sections below.
The performance of supervisors and students will be regularly reviewed and reflected upon by means of progress reports. All parties should be prepared to discuss performance matters at progress meetings. However, the Head of Department (HOD), supervisors or students may raise issues relating to performance at any time.

2.0

Learning Out comes2

The determination of the evaluation criteria is among others, guided by the following learning outcomes of the Research Project. At the end of the course students should be able to: Correctly apply different research methods and techniques in their areas of specialisation. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. Integrate the use of information technology into the execution of a Research Project Present the findings of the research work in the form of a written report.
3.0 GENERAL RULES

The following rules shall apply to all Research Projects done by students.
3.1 Submission

Students shall submit three hard copies of their projects to their supervisors. Upon completion of the final assessment and corrections made to the satisfaction of the internal examiner and the Head of Department, the student shall submit an electronic copy and the three hard copies for assessment purposes. These copies shall be bound in the colour of the School and distributed as follows: 1 hard copy to the Examinations Department 1 hard copy kept by the School 1 hard copy given to the student as his/her personal copy The electronic copy shall be further edited and the best ten selected by the School Research and Publications Committee (SRPC), shall be bound in the form of a manual and kept in the library as a reference material.

PoN Prospectus, SBM syllabi.

3.2

Important deadlines

Submission of Research Proposal Submission of first Draft Research Projects: Submission of Final Research Projects

31st July 30th October 15th December3

In case where the last day for the submission of either of these documents fall on a public/PON holiday or weekend, the next official working day immediately following shall be the deadline for submission.

3.3

Extension (s) of Deadline(s) for Submission of Research Projects

In the event that a student is unable to submit the final Research Project by the scheduled deadline, he/she shall apply in writing to the Department for an extension to enable him/her finish the project. This application for extension shall be submitted to the Department before the day of the official deadline and not later than 15th November. In applying for an extension for a deadline, a student shall first, indicate his/her progress in the completion of the Research Project; and secondly, outline the circumstances that prevented him/her from completing his/her work as scheduled. A letter of support shall accompany such an application from the student's Supervisor. Upon approval of a student's application for extension of deadline to submit the final Research Project, the Department shall also indicate a new deadline for the completion of the work. The new deadline shall normally not be scheduled beyond the first day of the beginning of the new academic year (January 21st to February 28th). Such a student may not qualify for graduation that year. No further request for extensions shall be entertained after this.

Due to the uniqueness of the COLL programmes the deadline for the submission of their final Research th Projects shall be 30 October.

3.4

Assessment of Research Methodology

A Research Methodology shall be assessed at the end of the first semester. Its assessment shall be continuous based. The expected outcome of this course shall be the submission of a research proposal. (Refer to the relevant sections of the Polytechnic of Namibia prospectus).
3.5 Assessment of Research Projects

All Research Projects shall be assessed together with other courses at the end of the second semester, and shall be submitted to external examiners for moderation. The internal examiner, who shall be the student's Research Supervisor, shall first grade the Research Project and submit the project and the marks to the Department for consideration. The Department shall forward the marked project to the external examiner/moderator for moderation. A simple average grade between the internal and external examiners shall constitute the final mark of the student. A student shall be deemed to have passed the Research Project with an average pass mark of 50% or above. Where the differences between the examiner and moderator marks are 10% or more, another moderator shall be appointed to remark the project and his/her mark shall be considered as final.
3.6 Failing Grades for Research Projects

A student, who, upon assessment by the two examiners attains a mark below the institutional required mark of 50%, shall be required to repeat and/or resubmit the Research Project subject to whether the required revision is minor or major. A student shall be allowed to revise and re-submit the project as supplementary paper only if he/she has obtained a grade between 45% and 49% in the original submission; and the examiner/supervisor agrees that the original project is of sufficient quality as to benefit from minor revision. Students undertaking minor revision shall be given an extension of 30 days from the date of the publication of the results to complete and resubmit for assessment. Such students shall not be required to register and pay tuition fees. Failure by the student to meet this deadline shall result in a
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failing grade in the course. The student shall then be asked to repeat the Research Project. Students obtaining a final mark of 44% and below shall be deemed to have failed the course and shall be required to repeat it and resubmit the project for examination during the course of the year and such a student shall be required to register and pay the required tuition fees. Students failing to pass after being afforded the minor adjustment opportunity shall be deemed to have failed and shall be required to repeat the course and pay the required registration fee. The student may submit the project during the course of the year.
4.0 House Style

Students shall adopt the APA House style. References and text Citations shall therefore be in the order prescribed by the APA. The detail APA house style, entitled APA Formatting and Style Guide, can be assessed at this Web address: http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocAPA.html OR (http://owl.english.purdue.edu./owl/resource/560/01/) Students are advised to visit the Web-Site regularly to update themselves to ensure proper citations.
5.0 Plagiarism4

For the bachelors degree programme, plagiarism is defined as follows: Plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward. And the following may be considered as such: presenting someone else's work as your own copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit failing to put a quotation in quotation marks giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit copying so many words or ideas from a source that makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not .
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6.0

Citation

The problem of plagiarism has become so rampant to students of research that both the students and the supervisors are cautioned to stick to proper and prescribed methods of citation. A "citation" is the way you tell your readers that certain material in your work came from another source. It also gives your readers the information necessary to find that source again, including: information about the author the title of the work the name and location of the company that published your copy of the source the date your copy was published the page numbers of the material you are borrowing The Need for citing sources Giving credit to the original author by citing sources is the only way to use other people's work without plagiarizing. But there are a number of other reasons to cite sources: Citations are extremely helpful to anyone who wants to find out more about your ideas and where they came from. Not all sources are good or right. Your own ideas may often be more accurate or interesting than those of your sources. Proper citation will keep you from taking the rap for someone else's bad ideas. Citing sources shows the amount of research you have done. Citing sources strengthens your work by lending outside support to your ideas. It must be emphasized that citing sources does not make your work less original at all. On the contrary, citing sources actually helps your reader distinguish your ideas from those of your sources. This will actually emphasize the originality of your own work. Whenever you borrow words or ideas, you need to cite to acknowledge their source. The following situations always require citation:

Whenever you use quotes. Whenever you paraphrase. Whenever you use an idea that someone else has already expressed. Whenever you make specific reference to the work of another. Whenever someone else's work has been critical in developing your own ideas.

7.0

Departmental Administrative Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Department include the provision of the following facilities, resources and support for the research students: To recommend to Senate through the Board of Studies, within the required timeframe, the names of supervisors and external moderators for approval. To allocate appropriately qualified supervisors who have specific knowledge of the subject area of the students proposed work and the research techniques used. To ensure that supervisors who accept the role to supervise do so with the expectation that they intend to remain in the service of the Polytechnic for the duration of the students research project period. To arrange for the provision of alternative supervisors should the primary supervisor be absent for a period exceeding 3 weeks. To be assured that changes in supervision occur only in exceptional circumstances e.g., a major change in research topic, the resignation or redeployment of the supervisor, or irreconcilable working relationship between the supervisor and the student. To undertake to employ an external supervisor where an alternative supervisor is not available within the Polytechnic, should the primary supervisor, for whatever reason, be unable to continue to offer supervision to the student. To provide information and guidance on Departmental, School and the Polytechnic regulations and the assessment process of the Research Project. To ensure the provision of research and related skills, such as for example basic IT skills and data retrieval training. To have in place a clear complaints procedure to which research students may have recourse if dissatisfied with any aspect of their supervision or with the facilities available for their research. To have in place clear procedures for the change of supervisor should the student and supervisor relationship break down. Under no circumstances shall a supervisor be allowed to discontinue the supervision without proper reasons in writing and thorough discussion and agreement with the head of department.

8.0

Project Supervisors Responsibilities

8.1

Benefits to the Supervisor

Project supervision generally can be frustrating as well as rewarding but, used correctly, it can also produce results well in excess of the amount of staff time invested in it. At a time when lecturers are stretched, Projects supervision can be an extremely efficient way of keeping up to date in your current field or developing knowledge in a new area. Significant benefits can accrue to the supervisor if projects are well thought out and sensitively managed, these projects can, and should, be used to supplement your own research and teaching. Examples of this include: Contributing to ongoing research programmes. Producing material for publication as papers. Developing material for use in teaching - case studies, games, etc. Field studies to validate ideas. Improve understanding of technology/business issues overseas (by using local knowledge). Producing a literature review to act as the basis of research proposals. 8.2 Once appointed, supervisors shall take broad interest in the progress of their students during the period and highlight any academic or personal problems that arise in order that remedial action/help can be arranged. 8.3 The following shall in brief constitute the responsibilities of the supervisor: Complement the Research Methodology lecturers effort by providing advice and guidance to potential candidates for the project during the topic selection stage. Arrange meeting (1st meeting) with the student. At this meeting information exchange is necessary. The supervisor and the student shall exchange, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, agree on meeting dates and discuss briefly any other issues that may be pertinent to the process. Give guidance about the nature of research and the standard expected, about the planning of the research, the relevant literature and sources and about requisite techniques (including

arranging for instruction where necessary) and about the problem of plagiarism. Advise the student on the choice of a suitable topic in the relevant discipline of study. Arrange regular meetings with the student and set aside adequate time to discuss progress of future work. Be accessible to give advice at regular intervals. Arrange, in consultation with the HOD and the student, for a replacement supervisor in the event that the primary supervisor is unable to continue his/her role for a period longer than three weeks. Provide the student with a letter of introduction (on PoN letterhead) if the student should visit other organizations for information especially to conduct interviews. Give detailed advice on the necessary completion dates of successive stages of the work in order to ensure that the project is submitted within the time allowed as stipulated in the regulations. Request from the student written work as appropriate and return such work with constructive comments in a reasonable time. Warn the student of inadequate progress or of standards of work below what is generally expected. Advise the Head of Department if and when there is significant likelihood that a student will not meet the standard required for the degree for which he/she is registered. Complete the Schools consultation/progress report forms in a timely fashion and to provide additional written projects when requested to do so. Note and act as appropriate to the decisions and recommendations of the Schools Research and Publications committee. Mark the project as the internal examiner and forward the same to the external examiner/moderator through the Examinations Department. Ensure that the required number of copies (hard and electronic) of the final research project is submitted to the concerned departments by the due date.

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Grant the students the opportunity to discuss their work with the supervisor and exchange telephone numbers and email addresses to ensure adequate contacts during the course of the research work. Discuss work accomplished with the student and to revise the research objectives as the work proceeds in the light of progress made and other external factors (such as unexpected discoveries and newly published findings of other researchers). Invite feedback from the students on their supervision Inform the student that he/she may approach the head of department, as appropriate, to discuss any matters related to his/her supervision. Maintain regular contact with students through regular tutorial meetings, to ensure the meetings are largely uninterrupted and to make appropriate alternative arrangements when you are working away from the Polytechnic. Be accessible to students at other appropriate times when they may need advice on issues pertaining to their Research Projects. Inform students of when you will be away for any extended period of time so they may plan accordingly. Give detailed advice on the necessary completion dates of successive stages of the work so that the whole project may be submitted within the scheduled time. Make student aware of forthcoming events and any developments which would benefit them. Request written work as appropriate and return such work with constructive criticism and in reasonable time Ensure that the student is made aware if either he/her progress or the standard of work is unsatisfactory and arrange any necessary supporting action

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9.0

Student/Researchers Responsibilities

The students shall be reminded that they have the sole responsibility during the duration of the project and should note that they are responsible for their work and that the role of the supervisor is to provide guidance and advice. The students roles shall include the following: To agree with the supervisor the type of guidelines and form of comments found most helpful. To agree with the supervisor a suitable topic for the Research Project and to proceed to work on the topic. To discuss with the supervisor the type of guidance and comment he or she finds most helpful and agree on a schedule of meetings and to attend such meetings. To produce written work in accordance with the agreed schedule agreed with the supervisor to allow time for comments and discussion before proceeding to the next stage of the research project. To take initiative in raising problems or difficulties, however elementary they may seem. In the event of the student being dissatisfied with any aspect of the supervision or other arrangements, discuss such dissatisfaction with the HOD at the earliest possible opportunity and in the event of such discussion producing unsatisfactory outcome, the student shall submit a formal written statement to the Dean outlining the reasons for the dissatisfaction. To complete the consultation/progress report forms and any other documents when requested to do so. To discuss with the supervisor the preparation of the project and to decide, taking due account of the advice from the supervisor, when it is ready for submission. Need not confine their requests for advice to their supervisor and they are encouraged to approach anyone who can help. They should, however, keep their supervisor informed of any other person they have been discussing the work with. To attend any seminars or workshops provided to assist them in carrying out their research or presenting it appropriately
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To submit the Research Project by the scheduled deadline as stipulated in the regulations. To type the project on A4 paper with font size 12 in Times New Roman and double spaced. The number of pages shall be a minimum of 25 and no maximum restriction required. (This excludes appendixes and other attachments). To number and justify all pages. To start every chapter on a new page. To write the project with the researchers own point of view clearly evident in the discussion of the team and the project as a whole. To use British English language effectively and present information clearly, precisely, logically and unambiguously. To provide feedback on the performance of the supervisor by filling in the supervision form (appendix 1) regularly to say something about making sure the supervisor meets the expectations laid out in the guidelines. The student shall not change the supervisor once allocated at will without a written statement to the Head of Department/Dean outlining the reasons for the dissatisfaction.

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APPENDICES:

RELEVANT FORMS

The following forms shall be made available to all student researchers, examiners and supervisors. Project evaluation sheet. (Appendix 1) Progress Report Form Monthly review (Appendix 2) Supervision Meeting Form (Supervisee record Form) (Appendix 3) Research Proposal Format (Appendix 4)

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APPENDIX 1:

PROJECT EVALUATION FORM

EVALUATION SHEET (B-TECH RESEARCH PROJECT) STUDENT NUMBER: NAME OF INTERNAL EXAMINER: NAME OF EXTERNAL EXAMINER/MODERATOR: EXAMINER CRITERIA Background to & Statement of the problem Presentation Problem clearly identified and stated Significance of the study Research objectives Statement of objectives Research question(s) Literature Review Relevance Theoretical framework 15% 15% 10% 15% % MODERATOR %

Research methodology Data collection methods and strategies Tools and appropriateness of data analysis

Findings, Discussions and Analysis of Data Clarity of discussion and presentation Relevant recommendations/policy implications

30%

Overall presentation Structure of the dissertation Adherence to house style and use of language.

15%

Total

100%

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REMARKS INTERNAL EXAMINER/SUPERVISOR5:

Signature:

Date:

REMARKS EXTERNAL EXAMINER/MODERATOR (To state whether you agree or disagree with examiner and give reasons)

Signature:

Date:

Expected Remarks may include such comments as: The RP shows a high degree of mastery of the subject matter. It demonstrates understanding and appropriate application of relevant tools/techniques/ methodologies. The RP shows very highly developed ability to analyse, synthesise and apply knowledge and concepts. There is evidence of highly developed critical abilities and some use of original ideas. The work is very well argued; all the main issues are explored and evaluated and the reasons for the conclusions are clearly indicated The project objectives are met. Depth of analysis and outcomes are commendable. Recommendations for further work (where applicable) are practical and convincing. The project shows a high level of written communication skills with few or no grammatical and spelling errors. Well structured with good use of headings and sub-sections that show the development of a logical argument. Diagrams, contents sheet, page numbering, references and bibliography are presented correctly with few or no errors.

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*The examiner/moderator may use additional paper [s] for comments if need warrants.*

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Appendix 2: SUPERVISORY MEETING FORM

Supervision Meeting Action Form Student:. Supervisor

Date of Meeting. The formed shall be filled in anytime there is a meeting and the student shall keep this record during the period of the Research Project. The Supervisor shall also keep a copy for actions agreed. We discussed and agreed that the following actions would be completed before the next meeting: (incorporates work, training, and specific things they have agreed to do) 1: .. 2: .. 3: . 4: . 5: . 6. 7.

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Progress Indicators:
Red Amber Green

Comments: .......................... Signature of student: Date: . Signature of supervisor: Date:

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APPENDIX 3:

INTERVENTION FORM

Research Student Progress Report - Monthly review

THIS REPORT MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE SUPERVISOR WITH THE STUDENT PRESENT, AND SUBMITTED TO THE HOD OR DEANS NOMINEE WHEN THE PROGRESS REPORT OF THE STUDENT (Appendix 2) INDICATES RED FOR 2 CONSECUTIVE PERIODS. ___________________________________________________________________________

Student name:...................... Department: .................

Commencement Date: ....................... Estimated completion time ............................... Research Project Title: ...................... Supervisor:................... 5. Please circle below your assessment of English language ability. a) Spoken b) Written 6. poor poor fair fair Good Good

Please describe the student's progress by circling the appropriate phrase below:

very good

good

satisfactory

unsatisfactory

If you have circled either satisfactory", or "unsatisfactory", please indicate what remedial action you recommend to address the problem.

comment and (If

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necessary, use additional sheet of paper). .. .................................................................................

8.

If progress has been less than satisfactory, please give date of next review (it is recommended that this takes place soonest)

9.

Indicate action plan you propose for the student as soon as possible.

Signature of Student Date..............................

Signature of Supervisor Date......................

Please ensure that the student receives a copy of this report .. N.B. Please return the completed report to the HOD, who will address any issues raised with the Supervisor/student and the School Research and Publications Committee if necessary.

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APPENDIX 4 THE MAIN BODY OF THE RESEARCH WORK

(in past and or present tense) Chapter One 1.1 Introduction: General description of the study area in order to wet the appetite of the reader about the topic. 1.2 Problem analysis/statement: State the problem carefully to show how it is a problem, and link it to given fact if possible to show the implications of the problem and relating such to its symptoms. 1.3 Purpose of the study/Objective (s): Why the research, i.e. objectives, what would be covered in the research work. 1.4 Research questions (research/sub-problems): They serve as a guide to you in your quest to provide answers to the decision (main) problems to be investigated. They are more specific and drawn from the main problem at hand. After being further broken down into more specific questions they can serve as questions to be asked in the questionnaire/ interview 1.5 Statement of research hypothesis: It is a tentative statement of relationship between variables. It must be simple, clear and related to the research questions. Not compulsory for all types of research. 1.6 Definition of (unfamiliar) terms: This serves as a dictionary of the report in a form of an operating definition of concepts, constructs, words, group of words and acronyms that the researcher would be using in the research work. 1.7 Delimitation and scope of study: This is for the circumscribing of the work within a manageable limit. What is not part of the purpose/objectives or what would not be covered in the research work. While the purposes are those things that would be covered in the research, the delimitation and scope spells out those things that will not be covered in the research for proper management purposes of the research work. It is different from the limitation as would later be discussed in chapter three.

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1.8

Significance of the Research: knowledge development.

It is the justification or importance of the work to

stakeholders. It also deals with the research contribution or addition to knowledge and or

Chapter Two:
2.0

Review of Relevant Literature and Theoretical Framework:

Overview6 (A short NOTE)

A literature review is an account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers. In writing the literature review, your purpose is to convey to your reader what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. As a piece of writing, the literature review must be defined by a guiding concept (e.g., your research objective, the problem or issue you are discussing or your argumentative thesis). It is not just a descriptive list of the material available, or a set of summaries. Besides enlarging your knowledge about the topic, writing a literature review lets you gain and demonstrate skills in two areas:
1. Information seeking: the ability to scan the literature efficiently, using manual or computerized methods, to identify a set of useful articles and books 2. Critical appraisal: the ability to apply principles of analysis to identify unbiased and valid studies.

Thus a literature review must do the following things:

a. be organized around and related directly to the thesis or research question you are developing; b. synthesize results into a summary of what is and is not known; c. identify areas of controversy in the literature; and d. formulate questions that need further research.

2.1

Introduction:

This chapter gives you an opportunity to launch yourself into the class/club of experts in the field of your research. You are expected to review the views of other expert, to show that you are very conversant with various views on the problem at hand. You trace the historical trend of the thought, review the models and theories that relate to the problem, as well as construct any model for the variables. You should review current literature on the issue from journals articles (most ideal because they are more current), books, Internet, news papers, etc.

The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It. http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/pdf/litrev.pdf

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2.2

Theoretical framework/models building

This part deals with issues relating to the development of theoretical frames and models related to the topical issue and helps to further re-enforce the relationship between variables in the problem concern.

NOTE: Rhetorical moves in the Background of the Literature Review Chapter MOVE 1: Point out the most significant and relevant sources of information to date.

Important Issues to ponder on: Read everything, but only include in your literature review those sources that teach you something significant about the causes, constraints and potential resources for addressing the problem. MOVE 2: Identify consistent patterns and points of agreement about these causes, constraints and resources across these texts. Important Issues to ponder on: Develop a grip of common points about these causes, constraints and resource. Organize your source notes based on these points. Use these points as heading or topic sentences in your report. The review should not be a list of articles summaries, but a discussion of key points about the problem, supported by sources. Move 3: Identify inconsistencies and unresolved issues across these texts, to establish what it is known. Important Issues to ponder on: Name these gaps and unresolved questions as the focus of your research. Revise your introduction to emphasize your unique contribution.

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Chapter Three: in the past tense)

3.1

Methodology: Research Design/Frame (this is ideally written

Restatement of research questions and hypotheses. You might need to restate your research questions and or hypotheses now that youve read more and know more about the topic. If nothing has change then you leave them as they were in chapter one.

3.2

Research design: This is simply the framework or plan for a study used as a guide in collecting and analysing data (blueprint) relating to the purpose/objective of the research. It must be in line with the stated objective(s) in Chapter One.

i)

Exploratory Research Design:

To break broad and vague problem statements into smaller, more precise sub-problems/statements. It helps to formulate problems more precisely, develop hypotheses, establish priorities for research, eliminate impractical ideas, and clarify concepts. E.g. our sales are down because our price is too high; our advert is weak. Types: literature search, experience/key informants survey, focus groups, analysis of selected cases. ii) Descriptive Research: (This deals with questions such as what, where, who, when, why and how) Describe the characteristics of certain groups, estimate proportion of people in a population who behave in a certain way, and make specific predictions. (For instance, what is the admission entrance level for the next five years so as to plan for the hiring and training new lecturers) 3.3 Characteristics of the study population: The population of the study is a census of all items or subjects that possess the characteristics or that have knowledge of the phenomenon, being studied. Use only the working population rather than the universal population. 3.4 Sample design and procedure: Are you adopting a random or non-random sampling method, and why the choice? Your size of the sample must tally with what you propose to do.

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3.5

Data collection instrument: This is the device for collecting data or measuring the variable, which is used for answering research questions and or testing hypotheses. The data collection schedule (i.e. schedule of instruments) is a questionnaire that is designed to measure several variables.

3.6

Pilot studies: These are conducted to pre-test the study schedule, to validate the study schedule, especially for newly developed studies. The research instruments must be tested for validity and reliability (operational definition of variables).

3.7

Administration of data collection schedule: This area deals with how the questions going to be asked. Is it telephonic, by mail/email, personal interviews, group interviews, recording, direct observation, or combination of two or more methods.

3.8

Data processing procedure: The researcher needs to state, beforehand, how he plans to process the data generated, based on the characteristics of the data/scale used to get the data. This must also relate to the purpose as well.

3.9

Limitations of the methodology: Stating the imperfections that might have cropped up at this stage e.g. failure of respondents to return the questionnaires, failure to meet up with some respondents, etc. It is different from the Delimitations in Chapter 1.

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Chapter Four:

Presentation and analysis of data:

4.0 4.1

A brief introduction of what the reader is likely to read in the chapter. Respondents characteristics and classifications of collected data. Coding/sorting out of data/putting data into tables.

4.2

Presentation and analysis of data according to research questions/hypotheses, using relevant statistical analysis/computer-aided (software SPSS) programme to answer these questions one by one, and test for hypotheses accordingly. Making sure that all the research questions are answered and the relevant hypotheses [if there is the need based on the type of research design and your earlier stated research objectives/purposes] are tested correctly. It is reported without adding conclusions or implications. These are meant for chapter five.

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CHAPTER FIVE: Summary,

Conclusions,

Recommendations

and

Recommendations for Further Studies:

This is the main body of the research work. 5.1 Summary of Findings: This must be an objective report based on the analyses of all the work-based on only important findings. You dont have to repeat findings earlier mentioned in previous chapter(s). 5.2 Conclusions: These are deduced and or induced from the findings in chapters four, two and one based on your own interpretations of the meanings of the findings [the relationship between the analyses, the literature, the problem(s) and the solution(s) proffered. 5.3 Recommendations for action: This is based on the conclusions alone (no subjective view is allowed). Also include only the most important recommendations. 5.4 Recommendations for further studies: Here you met the appetite of potential researchers. It is based on some aspect of your study or result of your study that may interest other researchers. APPENDICES: At the very end of the document e.g. your approved research proposal, sample of the Questionnaire(s) distributed to the respondents, Maps, detailed data, cover letters etc. are attached to your project.

REFERENCES: List all the references/citations in the report at the back of the project as part of the references. This must be done in accordance with the APA house style. Never include any references that have not been used in the report in the reference list.

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