KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY

Mukthagangothri, Mysuru – 570 006

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING

PROJECT REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES

AND RESEARCH IN COMMERCE
Website: www.ksoumysuru.ac.in
e-mail: [email protected]

1
 Contents

Contents Page No.

1.1 Course Description 1

1.2 Course Objectives 1
1.3 Course Outcomes 1
1.4 Project Guidelines
1.4.1 Type of Project 2
1.4.2 Selection of an Organization 2
1.4.3 Selection of a Topic 3
1.4.4 Project Guide/Supervisor 3
1.4.5 Submission of Project Approval Letters 4–5
1.4.6 Project Report 5–7
1.5 Evaluation of Project Report 7

Annexures
1. Proforma of Project Approval Letters ( in Duplicate)
2. Proforma of Bio-data of the Proposed External Guide
3. Letter of Acceptance from the Company
4. Proforma of Project Report Title Page
5. Chairperson’s Certificate
6. Internal Guide Certificate
7. External Guide Certificate
8. Project Completion Certificate
9. Declaration by the Student

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DESIGN COMMITTEE

Smt. Usha C.
Chairperson,
DOS & R in Commerce,
KSOU, Mysore.

Dr. Mahesha V.
Assistant Professor,
DOS & R in Commerce,
KSOU, Mysore.

Dr. Sukanya R.
Assistant Professor,
DOS & R in Commerce,
KSOU, Mysore.

Dr. Chaya R.
Assistant Professor,
DOS & R in Commerce,
KSOU, Mysore.

Dr. Naveen G.V.

Assistant Professor,
DOS & R in Commerce,
KSOU, Mysore.

December 2022
© Karnataka State Open University, 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by
mimeography or any other means, without permission in writing from the Karnataka
State Open University.

Further, information on the Karnataka State Open University courses may be obtained
from the University’s office at Mukthagangotri, Mysuru – 570 006.

Printed and published on behalf of the Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, by
the Registrar, KSOU, Mysuru.

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 GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING PROJECT REPORT

Dear Learner,

As you are aware that, as per the syllabus for M.Com. (CBCS), you are required to work on
the project report (Course Code – MCOSC 4.2) by selecting the topic of your choice under
the specialisation/ stream which you have been studied and submit the Project Report in the
fourth semester. The project work is of eight credits and the students have to spend about 240
hours of total work in completing the project work. The project work carries 200 marks (150
marks for the project report and 50 marks for Viva-Voce Examinations).

1.1 COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will work on a project for one semester based on concepts learned in a subject of
their choice. The primary objective of the project report is to give the students practical
exposure in the field as well as to inculcate research habits among the learners. In order to
gain knowledge of the versatility of the same in application, they are encouraged to take up
project work. The study may focus on industry-related, farm-related, field-related, or
business-related issues. As a result, the study's findings would aid in the resolution of the
problems encountered.

1.2 COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to enable the students to-

1. Understand the need for research so as to inculcate the research habits among the
students.
2. Select a research problem.
3. Design research methodology, analyse and interpret the data using statistical tools.
4. Draw findings, suggestion and conclusions.
5. Prepare project report.

1.3 COURSE OUTCOMES

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to –

1. Choose an appropriate topic for study and be able to clearly formulate the research
problem.

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 2. Conduct the literature survey and construct the research objectives of the study.
3. Prepare the research design, including the sampling size and techniques and the
statistical tools for the analysis of the data.
4. Gather relevant data, analyse and interpret the same, and test the hypotheses if
necessary.
5. Draw appropriate findings and suggestions on the research problem based on data
analysis and interpretation, and arrive for the logical conclusions.
6. Create a logically coherent project report.
7. Clearly and effectively communicate research themes and contexts in writing and
orally.

1.4 PROJECT GUIDELINES

Considering the importance of Project Work for M.Com students and the constraints of
distance education, the Department of Studies and Research in Commerce has proposed
simple and flexible guidelines. The students shall start all the approval procedures, i.e.
selection of an organisation, selection and approval of the proposed topic and approval of
the guide (from 1.4.1 to 1.4.5), and complete them during the 3rd semester of M.Com (i.e.
before the 4th semester begins).

In preparing the project, the student shall be required to follow the guidelines/instructions
mentioned below:

1.4.1 TYPE OF PROJECT

The project work you are taking may be any of the following types:
a) A case study of an organization/Industry/Companies.
b) A comparative study of inter-organizational or intra-organizational performance during
different periods.

It may be based either on primary data or secondary data or both.

1.4.2 SELECTION OF AN ORGANISATION

The student, before starting the project work, should select an organisation where he/she
intends to carry out the proposed project work. Such an organisation may be either the one
where the student is working or any other organisation permitting the student to do the
proposed project work. In both the cases, Official Letter of Acceptance is to be obtained from
the concerned. Finally, at the time of submitting the project report, an original copy of Project

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Completion Certificate on the Company Letter Head that is duly signed by the concerned
officer with a seal must be enclosed.
Note: It is not compulsory to do project by selecting a company. In such a case, the
student is not required to obtain Letter of Acceptance. However, he or she shall select
any academic experts as project guide.

1.4.3 SELECTION OF A TOPIC

The student is advised to select any topic that has relevance to the current scenario of
business/economy/industry, based on his/her area of specialisation chosen at the time of
admission and in consultation with his or her project guide. In case, the student wants to work
in areas like taxation, banking, insurance, etc., they can choose a topic from those areas after
consulting their guide. The student is instructed to mention three (03) proposed title of the
project in the Project Approval Letter.

1.4.4 PROJECT GUIDE/SUPERVISOR

1. A Proposed guide can be a full time faculty with the following eligibility.
a) A post-graduation in Commerce/Management from a recognised university with a
minimum of five years of teaching and research in his/her area of specialisation; or
b) A Professional, may be a CA, CMA, CS, etc., with an outstanding research
contribution through publications, like Books, Articles in leading Journals/Magazines,
etc.; or
c) An Academic Counsellor of the University, handling classes for M.Com with a
minimum of five years research experience in his or her area of study; or
d) A Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor of any Indian University with a
minimum of five years research experience in the field of Commerce or Management;
e) Any approved panel member of the Department of Studies and Research in
Commerce, Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, who has been involved in
course preparation/revision/counselling with a minimum five years of research
experience in the respective field.
2. The Student can also select any full-time faculties of the Department of Commerce,
Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, as a project guide. [Bio-data is not required].

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3. Original certified copy of the bio-data of the proposed guide has to be provided to get an
approval as per the format given in Annexure – 2. The bio-data should be on the
personal/official letter-head of the proposed guide along with duly signed with seal.
(Biodata is not applicable for the department faculties of KSOU, Mysuru.)

Note:
a. Spouse, direct relatives and blood relations are not permitted to be the guide.
b. The student is advised to select the guide in the relevant area of the selected topic or
specialisation.
1.4.5 Submission of Project Approval Letter:
After selection of the topic, selection of guide, the student shall fill the project
approval letter in the format as mentioned in annexure – 1 and send the original (student and
office copies) of the same in duplicate to the below mentioned address:

The Chairperson
Department of Studies and Research in Commerce,
Karnataka State Open University,
Mukthagangothri, Mysuru - 570006

SOME IMPORTANT POINTS BEFORE SENDING PROJECT APPROVAL LETTER

The student shall ensure the following:

1. An original proforma for project approval Letter, in duplicate (Student and Office
Copy) is enclosed (Annexure – 1).
2. Bio-data of the guide (Annexure – 2) or
3. A Letter of Acceptance from the Company (Annexure – 3) is enclosed [only for the
company project].
4. You are requested to send one self-addressed envelope along with the project
approval letter to the department.
5. The student is advised to retain a copy of the project approval letter.
6. Incomplete details will not be considered in any respect.

Note: No student is advised to start the research work until he/she receives the project
approval letter from the University.

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 Communication of the Approval of the Proposed Topic and Proposed Guide: A
written communication of approval or non-approval of the topic among three (03)
proposed project tittle mentioned in the project approval letter and approval or non-
approval of guide will be sent to the student upon receipt of the approval letter in the
Department.
 Resubmission of the Project Approval Letter (Annexure – 1) in Duplicate:
i. If the proposed topic is not approved, the student will be notified with
comments and suggestions for reframing the topic of the project. In such a case,
the student should revise title, based on the suggestions and submit the revised
Approval Letter in fresh along with necessary annexures to the Chairperson,
Department of Commerce (address same as above).
ii. In case the proposed guide is not approved, the student shall be advised to
change the guide and submit the Approval Letter afresh with the seal and
signature of the new guide along with all annexures to the Chairperson,
Department of Commerce (address same as above).

Note:

1) The students shall start all the approval procedures, i.e. selection of an organisation,
selection and approval of topic, approval of the guide (from 1.4.1 to 1.4.5) and complete
them during the 3rd semester of M.Com (i.e. before the 4th semester begins).

2) Selection of an organisation, obtaining letter of acceptance is not applicable to the

student who do not take up project in a company for the study.

1.4.6 PROJECT REPORT

During the fourth semester, the student is required to work on the preparation and completion
of a project report.
1. Specifications of the Project Report:
 Font size: 12; Font Style: Times New Roman; Line Spacing: 1.5 spacing.
 Total number of pages: 100 to a maximum of 120 pages (excluding appendices
and exhibits).
 Printed on one side bond sheet (A4 size only).

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  Hard Binding (Soft binding or Spiral binding will not be accepted).
2. Format of the Project Report
The student shall arrange the following certificates in an order at the time of hard
binding of a project report (As mentioned below).
1. Title Page (Annexure – 4)
2. The original ‘Project Approval Letter’ issued by the Chairperson, Department of
Studies and Research in Commerce, Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru –
Student Copy (as per annexure – 1).
3. Chairperson’s Certificate (Annexure – 5)
4. Guide Certificate (Annexure – 6)
5. A copy of ‘Letter of Acceptance’ from the company (as per annexure–3).
and
A ‘Project Completion Certificate’ from the company on its official letter head
and duly signed by the concerned authority (as per annexure–7). (Not applicable
to the student who do not take up camp any for the study)
6. Declaration of the Student (Annexure – 8)
7. Acknowledgement

 Contents
 List of Tables
 List of Figures
 Abbreviations

CHAPTER DETAILS

Chapter – I: Introduction

A. A broad introduction to the title of the project (in one or two pages)
B. Review of Literature
C. Research Gap
D. Statement of the Problem and justification of the study
E. The need for the study
F. Scope of the Study
G. Objectives of the study
H. Hypotheses of the study
I. Research Methodology
 Selection of Variables
 Sources of Data Collection
 Sampling Size and Design
 Statistical Tools
J. Limitations of the study

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 K. Chapter Scheme

Chapter – III: Conceptual Framework and Industry Profile

Chapter – IV: Data Analysis and Interpretation

Chapter – V: Summary of Findings, Suggestions and Conclusion

 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 APPENDICES (Questionnaire used, financial statements, etc.)

3. Submission of Project Report:

a. Every student must bind a minimum of two sets of the final Project Report
(Hard Bind).
b. Submit one copy to the Chairperson, Department of Studies and Research in
Commerce, Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru – 570006.
c. On the day of the viva-voce examination, bring the second copy as student
personal copy, along with the examination hall ticket.

1.5 EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT REPORT

1. Project Report: The Project Report carries 150 marks (maximum). As a result,
students must pay greater attention not only to the preparation of project but also on
the timely submission of their project report to the department.
2. Viva-Voce Examination:
a. Every student is required to come in person to the Viva-Voce examination on the
day and at the time as scheduled or announced by the university.
b. The viva-voce examination will be conducted by the duly appointed Board of
Examiner’s in the notified centres of the university.
c. The Viva-Voce Examination also carries 50 marks (maximum).
d. The timely submission of the project report is a pre-requisite for attending the
Viva-Voce examination.

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 ANNEXURE – 1 (Student Copy)

KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY

MUKTHAGANGOTHRI, MYSURU-570 006
DEPARTMENT OF STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN COMMERCE

PROFORMA FOR PROJECT APPROVAL LETTER

Reg. No. : __________________________________________
Name of the Student : __________________________________________
Address of the Student : __________________________________________
__________________________________________

Mobile No. : __________________________________________

Area of Specialization : Accounting/ Finance/ HR/ Marketing/ Banking/
Taxation/ Others, Specify_____________________
Name of the Guide : __________________________________________
Designation : __________________________________________
Official Address : __________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Mobile No. : __________________________________________

Proposed Title of the Project : 1.________________________________________

________________________________________.
2.________________________________________
_______________________________________.
3.________________________________________
_______________________________________.

Signature of the Student Signature of the Guide

Date: Date:
(For Office Use only)
Project Topic
APPROVED APPROVED
NOT APPROVED NOT APPROVED

Comments / Suggestions:______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Signature of the Faculty Signature of the Chairperson

 ANNEXURE – 1 (Office Copy)

KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY

MUKTHAGANGOTHRI, MYSURU-570 006
DEPARTMENT OF STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN COMMERCE

PROFORMA FOR PROJECT APPROVAL LETTER

Reg. No. : __________________________________________
Name of the Student : __________________________________________
Address of the Student : __________________________________________
__________________________________________

Mobile No. : __________________________________________

Area of Specialization : Accounting/ Finance/ HR/ Marketing/ Banking/
Taxation/ Others, Specify_____________________
Name of the Guide : __________________________________________
Designation : __________________________________________
Official Address : __________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Mobile No. : __________________________________________

Proposed Title of the Project : 1.________________________________________

________________________________________.
2.________________________________________
________________________________________.
3.________________________________________
________________________________________.

Signature of the Student Signature of the Guide

Date: Date:
(For Office Use only)
Project Topic
APPROVED APPROVED
NOT APPROVED NOT APPROVED

Comments / Suggestions:______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Signature of the Faculty Signature of the Chairperson

 ANNEXURE – 2

In the Official Letter Head

Date: ____________

BIO-DATA OF THE PROPOSED GUIDE

NAME (in block letters) : _______________________________________

Qualification : _______________________________________
Designation : _______________________________________
Official Address : _______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Phone No. : _______________________________________
E-mail id : _______________________________________
No of years of Experience : ______________________________________
Area of Specialization : Accounting/ Finance/ HR/ Marketing/ Banking/
Insurance/Taxation/ Other Specify___________.

I do hereby accept to guide Mr./Ms./Mrs.__________________, Reg.No.________________,

the student of the II year or Final year M.Com (CBCS) Programme of the Karnataka State
Open University, Mukthtagangothri, Mysuru-570006, to carry out the project work for the
academic year __________.

Signature of the Guide with seal

 ANNEXURE – 3

In Company Letter Head

(Applicable for the student who select company for the study)

Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . .

To,
The Chairperson,
DOS & R in Commerce,
Karnataka State Open University,
Mukthagangothri, Mysuru, Karnataka.

LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE

This is to inform you that, we have accepted and granted permission to

Mr./Ms./Mrs. __________________, bearing Reg. No. ________________, for

doing project work on the topic entitled “___________________________________

________________________________________________________________” for

the partial fulfilment of the award of the degree of M.Com at Karnataka State Open

University, Mysuru, Karnataka.

Place:

Date:

Signature of the Officer with Seal

 ANNEXURE – 4

“TITLE OF THE PROJECT”

Project Report submitted to Karnataka State Open University

in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF COMMERCE

Submitted By
Name of the Student:
Reg. No.:
M.Com 4th Semester

Under the guidance of

Name of the Guide:
Designation:
Official Address:_________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Department of Studies and Research in Commerce

KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Mukthagangothri, Mysuru, Karnataka

Year
 ANNEXURE – 5

KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY

MUKTHAGANGOTHRI, MYSURU-570 006
DEPARTMENT OF STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN COMMERCE

CHAIRPERSON’S CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr/Ms./Mrs. ___________________________, bearing the

Reg. No. _____________________, has successfully completed the project work on

“______________________________________________________” under the guidance of

_______________________________________________________. The project report is

submitted to the Department of Studies and Research in Commerce, Karnataka State Open

University, Mysuru in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Master of

Commerce (M.Com) during the academic year 20__ - 20__.

Place:

Date:

Chairperson

DOS & R in Commerce

 ANNEXURE – 6

KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY

MUKTHAGANGOTHRI, MYSURU-570 006
DEPARTMENT OF STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN COMMERCE

GUIDE CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project report entitled “_____________________________

_______________________________________________________________” submitted by

Mr./Ms./Mrs. _________________________, bearing Reg. No. ______________________,

to the Department of Studies and Research in Commerce, Karnataka State Open University,

Mysuru. The work done under my guidance has been satisfactory and is recommended for the

consideration towards partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of Master of Commerce

(M.Com).

Place:

Date:

Name and Signature of the

Guide with seal

 ANNEXURE – 7

In Company Letter Head

(Applicable to the student who select the company for the study)

Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PROJECT COMPLETION CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project work entitled “___________________________________

___________________________________________________________________” is

based on the original project work conducted by Mr./Ms./Mrs. _________________,

bearing Reg. No. _____________________, in our company. The work has been

satisfactory and is recommended for consideration towards partial fulfilment of the

requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Commerce (M.Com).

Place:

Date:

Signature of the Officer with Seal

 ANNEXURE – 8

KARNATAKA STATE OPEN UNIVERSITY

MUKTHAGANGOTHRI, MYSURU-570 006
DEPARTMENT OF STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN COMMERCE

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the Project Report entitled “____________________________

_______________________________________________________________” is submitted

to the Department of Studies and Research in Commerce, Karnataka State Open University,

Mysuru, in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of Master of Commerce (M.Com)

is an original research work carried out by me under the guidance of ___________________

____________________________________________.

I also declare that the report was neither submitted to any other University or

Institution for the award of any Degree/Diploma/Certificate nor published elsewhere any time

earlier.

Place:

Date:

Name and Signature of the Student

Reg. No.
Fourth Semester,
Master of Commerce
Department of Studies and Research in Commerce
Mysuru.