The University of Dodoma

School of Law
Undergraduate Dissertation Guidelines
July, 2022

Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor

Academic, Research and Consultancy
Published by:
Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor
Academic, Research and Consultancy
The University of Dodoma

P. O. Box 259
Dodoma
Tanzania

Tel: +255 026 2310173

Fax: +255 026 2310005

E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.udom.ac.tz

© The University of Dodoma 2022

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1 Introduction

According to the University of Dodoma Undergraduate Studies

Regulations for Undergraduate Programmes and the University of
Dodoma Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) curriculum, students
undertaking the Bachelor of Laws programme are required to
write a dissertation in partial fulfilment of the programme
requirements. These Guidelines are intended to provide a
framework through which preparation, supervision, submission
and assessment of the dissertation are undertaken. These
Guidelines shall be cited as the University of Dodoma - School
of Law Undergraduate Dissertation Guidelines.

2 Dissertation Writing

Dissertation writing involves two stages; proposal writing stage

and dissertation writing stage.

2.1 Proposal Writing

Proposal writing and approval shall be undertaken in the second

semester of the third year of study. The proposal shall contain the
following parts:

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2.1.1 Research Title

Choosing the subject matter for a research is one of the most

challenging aspects of writing a dissertation. A student has to
think of a suitable subject area that may accomplish his/her
imagination. For example, the student may begin by considering
any aspect which is found particularly interesting or controversial
in the courses studied from the first year of the programme. Also,
the student may search for any issues in the news that have an
impact on the area of law. When choosing the dissertation topic,
the student must ask him/herself questions like “what do I want to
do or investigate? Why do I want to do it?”

The title of the dissertation the student opts for should be original.
A student should avoid researching a topic that has been overly
researched. However, if the student has a new angle to research
topics previously researched, he/she may be allowed to continue
with the topic. The research topic should be realistic and
researchable.

The title of the dissertation must reflect the scope of the study. It
should not exceed 15 words (excluding article words), unless
otherwise authorised. It must be concise and clear to the extent

2
that the reader should be able to envisage what the dissertation is
all about.

The student should identify his/her title for the dissertation. The
title of the dissertation should be approved by the Department.

2.1.2 Background to the Problem

Background to the problem provides readers with an

understanding of the context of the problem. It shows what
research has been conducted on the problem and identifies
fundamentals or aspects of the research problem. The background
information describes the history and nature of a research problem
regarding what others have researched on the same topic of the
study. The background information should indicate the root of the
problem being studied.

The historical root of the problem should be the empirical

embodiment of the research problem section. This requires the
researcher to make explicit links between the history of the
research problem, hypothesis, and theoretical approach used. As a
matter of principle, where provisions of law subject to the
research raise queries, it is important for the background to the
problem to explore the circumstances under which the said law
came into existence.

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The background also in certain specific circumstances lays a
foundation for the researcher to justify his/her position. In this
regard, the background to the problem should exhibit that a
particular existing provision, fully justifiable at the time when it
was introduced, is no longer so justifiable because the reasons and
the circumstances that justified its inclusion are no longer valid or
exist.

On the same note, the background to the problem may also show
the history of a legal fact. The gradual evolution of the law or
legal fact on certain lines and the general trend of its change
should be discussed. When the student is conducting a
comparative analysis between jurisdictions, the background to the
problem should cover all jurisdictions being covered by the
researcher.

2.1.3 Statement of the Problem

The statement of the problem briefly explains what the legal

problem is. This statement gives a legal and logical analysis of the
problem. It concisely addresses the question “what legal problem
does the research address?” It should describe how the situation
ought to be in reality (explain how things should be - the positive
side of the problem), explain how the current situation falls short

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of the goals intended to be achieved (negative point of view in the
current situation), and identify the way the researcher propose to
improve the situation. The brief argument of the researcher will
show whether or not the research has a legal problem. The
statement of the problem should focus on only one problem and
should not suggest a solution. The statement of the problem needs
to be much more focused because everything else from the
dissertation logically flows from the problem. The statement of
the problem should not exceed one page.

2.1.4 Objectives of the Study

Objectives of the study are what the researcher intends to achieve

from the research he/she intends to conduct. The objectives must
be closely related to the statement of the problem and provide an
overview of what the student intends to achieve from the study.
They address the purpose of undertaking the research and the
types of knowledge to be generated out of the research. The
section on the objectives of the study should contain the general
objective and specific objectives. While the general objective
should state what the research intends to accomplish, the specific
objectives should state the specific aims that arise directly from
the general objective. Specific objectives should not exceed two
objectives.

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2.1.5 Literature Review

Under this part, the researcher should analyse literature related to,
and/or having bearing on the research problem. The literature
under review should not be too general. The literature review
includes materials from textbooks, articles from journals e.t.c. but
should not include an analysis of statutory provisions, case laws,
or reports.

The literature review should show that the research is original and
that the researcher is not reinventing the wheel. In essence, the
researcher should critically evaluate other literature and show the
gap between his/her research and what other authors have already
covered. The researcher should be able to academically identify
gap in the literature he/she has chosen to use. The researcher
should also provide new insights if the area of the research has
already been covered. The researcher should be able to look at
already researched areas from a new angle or perspective. If there
is nothing new about the researcher’s work then it lacks
originality and the researcher should therefore not continue with
the research.

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As far as the literature review is concerned, the researcher should
not use quotations but should rather summarise or paraphrase any
direct quotations.

2.1.6 Hypothesis

The research hypothesis is a clear tentative statement or

generation or assumption or proposition. It must be empirically
verifiable, testable and comparable with the observed facts
regarding a phenomenon or an experience. It is a presumptive
statement of a proposition or a reasonable guess, based upon the
available evidence, which the researcher seeks to prove through
his study. The hypothesis should be aligned to the research
problem and objectives of the study.

2.1.7 Significance of the Study

In this section, the researcher must demonstrate the relevance of

the study in terms of academic contributions. The significance of
the study should address the way the research is important to legal
and policy formulation or review. In brief, the research may be
important to society for awareness purposes, for the researcher to
acquire more knowledge in the said area or for fulfilling the
requirement of acquiring a degree etc. The study might also be

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useful to other researchers who might want to carry out research
in the same field.

2.1.8 Research Methodology

Research methodology should include; research methods, Area of

the study, targeted population, sample size and sampling
techniques.

2.8.1 Documentary Research

The documentary research/review entails the analysis of

documents containing information on the subject of study. It
refers to the analysis of documents that contains information
about the phenomenon the researcher wish to study. Documentary
review involves a review of legal instruments, legal books, journal
articles, reports, government publications, proceedings, and
others. Through this method, the law as a primary source of data
in legal research is critically analysed to find out the answer to the
research problem. The researcher may state how he/she used
libraries and websites to obtain the data of the study.

2.8.2 Field Research

Field research is the study of an event or activity in its natural

setting through first-hand procedures. Field research allows the

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researcher to engage in detailed observation and conversations
that give the opportunity to elicit information regarding the data
being collected. In this part, the student should, among others,
explain the methods that were used to collect data during field
research.

i. Research Tools

Here the researcher should explain the methods that are used to
collect data. The common methods that are often used for
collection of data during field research include, questionnaire and
interviews.

ii. Area of Study

In the area of study, the student should state the geographical area
where data for the research will be collected. The student should
state the reasons for the selection of the area of study.

iii. Population of the Study

In the population of the study, the student should state the entire
population, or group he/she intends to conduct research in and
draw and draw conclusions from. A sampling frame is then drawn
from this target population.

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iv. Sample Size

In the sample size, the student should state the number of

participants/respondents included in the study.

v. Sampling Technique

In this part, the student should state the process by which a group
of individuals/respondents from the population of the study has
been selected.

vi. Scope of the Study

The scope of the study entails the boundaries within which the
study revolves around. The student has to state all aspects that
will be considered in the research and make it clear what aspects
will not be covered in the topic of the study.

2.8.3 Preliminary Bibliography

Preliminary bibliography includes all literature used in the

proposal.

2.9 Dissertation Writing

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Dissertation writing shall be undertaken after the approval of the
proposal. The student shall collect data after the approval of the
proposal. The dissertation shall include the following parts.

2.9.1 Preliminary pages

All preliminary pages should be in capital letters. The preliminary

pages shall contain the following items arranged in the following
order:

i. Cover Page

ii. Title Page

iii. Declaration

iv. Copyright

v. Certification

vi. Acknowledgment

vii. Dedication (if any)

viii. Abstract

The abstract should be concise but comprehensive. It should not

exceed one page. Essential points to be covered are the objectives

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of the study, the research methods employed, the major findings,
and recommendations.

ix. Table of Contents

The table of contents should list chapters and headings of the

dissertation clearly labelled by page number.

x. List of Legal Instruments and/or Policy Documents

In this part, a student should provide, in a full citation, a list of all

statutes, treaties, conventions, protocols, policy documents and
other legal instruments used in the dissertation.

xi. List of Cases

In this part, a student should provide in a full citation, list of all

cases used in the dissertation.

xii. Acronyms and Abbreviations

In this part, a student should list all acronyms/abbreviations used

in the dissertation and their long forms.

2.10 Main Body

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Unless otherwise advised by the supervisor, all dissertations at the
School of Law shall have four chapters written as a single text.
Chapter one shall be the general introduction that essentially
covers the proposal. Chapter two shall provide a conceptual,
theoretical and/or legal framework. Chapter three shall cover the
discussion of the findings that are essentially found in parts of the
research. The last chapter of the dissertation shall cover the
conclusion and recommendations of the study. The conclusion
precedes the recommendations. Where the supervisor advises
otherwise, chapter one shall cover general introduction, chapter
two shall cover conceptual and theoretical framework, chapter
three shall cover legal framework, chapter four discussion of
findings and the last chapter shall cover conclusion and
recommendations.

2.11 Bibliography

2.12 Annexures (if any)

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3 General Guidelines

3.8 Submission of Research Topic and Assigning of

Supervisor

The supervisor plays a vital role in guiding and helping the

student to accomplish the writing of his/her dissertation within the
timeframe. A third year student undertaking LL.B shall submit
his/her research topic to the Department. The submission of the
research topic shall be done not later than the second week of the
second semester.

The Department shall appoint a supervisor for each student.

During the appointment, regard shall be made to the expertise and
experience on the research topic.

3.9 Progress Report

During dissertation writing process, a student shall be required to

file a report on the progress made. The progress report shall be
filed twice: during the proposal stage and during dissertation
writing stage. The first progress report shall be filed at fifteenth
week of second semester of the third year, while the second report
shall be filed in the second week of the second semester of the

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fourth year. The progress report shall be filed using form number
UDOM/SoL/UGS. F1.

3.10 Dissertation Evaluation

The Dissertation evaluation (examination process) shall comprise

of two (2) stages, namely; oral defence and examination by the
supervisor.

3.10.1 Oral Defence Stage

(a) The student shall be required to appear and defend the

dissertation before the defence panel.

(b) The student shall be allowed to defend the research only if, the
supervisor approves that the work is worth to be presented before
the panel.

(c) The Department shall have the power to determine the number
of copies of the dissertation to be submitted for defence, the
members of the defence panels, the dates for defence and any
other related matters.

(d) The highest total score for oral defence shall be 40 marks
(40%) of the total marks allocated to dissertation; to be graded
using form UDOM/SoL/UGS.F2 and UDOM/SoL/UGS.F3.

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(e) The student shall be required to effect corrections given during
oral defence in liaison with his/her supervisor.

(f) Oral defence should always aim at ascertaining whether or not

the dissertation is an original work, its contribution to legal
knowledge, mastery of chosen area of research, application of
various legal research techniques, arguments and presentation
skills.

3.10.2 Examination by the Supervisor

(a) The highest score for examination of dissertation by the

supervisor shall be 60 marks (60%).

(b) The student’s supervisor shall examine and grade the

dissertation using form UDOM/SoL/UGS.F4.

(c) The form shall be submitted to the Department for record and
uploading.

(d) In case of gross discrepancy of scores between oral

examination and supervisor’s examination, the School
Management may call for re-examination of the dissertation.

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3.11 Supplementary and Carryover

(a) The student who fails the dissertation after examination

process shall be regarded to have supplemented the dissertation
and will be required to re-do it and submit the dissertation during
supplementary/special examinations.

(b) The student who fails the dissertation after

supplementary/special examination session, shall be regarded to
have carried over the course to next academic year.

3.12 Length of the Proposal and Dissertation

The length of the proposal submitted to the supervisor shall not

exceed 12 pages. The dissertation submitted for examination shall
be between 40 and 50 pages, including bibliography.
Preliminaries shall be excluded in determining the length of the
dissertation.

3.13 Writing Style

3.13.1 Typing

The proposal and the dissertation shall be typed in Times New

Roman, 12-font size and 1.5 line spacing. Printing of documents
shall be done on one side of the paper in a good quality A4 paper.

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The font size on the cover page shall be 16 and 14 for the title
page. All words on the cover page shall be in capital letters. All
headings and subheadings in the dissertation shall be in bold
without punctuation marks at the end.

3.13.2 Pagination

Preliminaries shall be numbered in lower case roman numerals

starting from the title page. All numbers in the main body shall be
in Arabic numbers. The page numbers shall appear at the centre
bottom margin.

3.13.3 Margin

The left-hand margin shall be 4.0 cm from the left edge of the
paper, the right-hand margin 2.5 cm from the right edge of the
paper, the top and bottom margins should each be 2.5 cm from the
top and bottom edges of the paper, respectively.

3.13.4 Citation and Referencing

All citations and references shall be made in accordance with the

University of Dodoma School of Law Citation and Referencing
Guidelines.

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3.14 Binding and Submission of Dissertation

(a) Upon completion of writing of the dissertation, the student

shall bind two copies of the final error-free copy and submit to the
Department.

(b) The Department shall, from time to time and considering the
circumstances, determine, materials to be used and binding layout.

(c) No student shall be allowed to bind his/her dissertation for

submission without authorization by the responsible supervisor.

(d) Submission of dissertation shall be accompanied by a soft

copy in PDF format.

(e) The deadline for submission of dissertation which is

approved/signed by the supervisor shall be one week after the end
of semester two University Examinations.

3.15 Anti-plagiarism

(a) It is the duty of the student to avoid plagiarism and other

practices of academic dishonesty.

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(b) If proved beyond doubt that the student has committed
academic dishonesty including plagiarism, the Undergraduate
Studies Regulations shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(c) The supervisor shall, by using the authorized anti-plagiarism

checker, check the student’s dissertation before the evaluation
processes (oral defence and examination by supervisor).

(d) The tolerable percentage of plagiarism shall be 30%.

3.16 Research Supervision

3.16.1 Relationship between the Student and the Supervisor

(a) The supervisor should not become a limiting factor leading to

delays in the supervisee’s work.

(b) In the course of undertaking the research, if any of the

situations in paragraph (c) bellow occurs, either the supervisor or
the supervisee should report the problem, in writing, to the
Department.

(c) the situations mentioned in paragraph (b) above are:

i. A breakdown in communication between the supervisee

and the supervisor;

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ii. A hostile relationship between the supervisor and the
supervisee; or

iii. Arbitrary refusal by the supervisee to follow the

supervisor’s comment.

(d) The Department shall study the nature of the problem in

paragraph (c) above and take one or more of the following
actions:

i. The student be warned, in writing, about his/her

weaknesses (if it is established that he/she is the cause of the
problem);

ii. The student be transferred to another supervisor (where

possible, and where necessary);

i. The supervisor be informed about his/her weaknesses (if it

is established that he/she is the source of the problem);

ii. Depending on the severity of the problem, the supervisor

may continue to guide the supervisee; or

iii. Any other appropriate action.

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3.16.2 Supervisor’s Duties and Responsibilities

The Supervisor is the University’s agent in ensuring that:

i. His/her student maintains satisfactory progress;

ii. The student receives adequate advice and encouragement

on the dissertation;

iii. The proposal and dissertation are reviewed critically and

on a continuous basis;

iv. The student completes the research work he/she started;

v. He/she identifies difficult problems, or inadequate work,

early enough to avoid unnecessary frustrations to the student;

vi. He/she knows the student well, and be familiar with

whatever special problems the student may have;

vii. He/she sees potential and limitations of the research

problem before the student goes too far with the research work;

viii. He/she foresees whether or not the student will get

meaningful data within the time allocated for research or whether
the proposed research is suitable for law student;

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ix. He/she monitors the student’s progress throughout the
research period;

x. He/she meets regularly with the student. Frequent

consultations help to make the supervisor aware of new problems
in the student’s research since the last consultation, and to suggest
remedial measures, before it is too late; and

xi. He/she guides the student in his/her dissertation writing.

Here it should be emphasized that although the writing of the
dissertation is entirely the responsibility of the student, it is the
Supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that the student submits a
dissertation of a standard that is acceptable for Law Degree. In
order to enhance the presentation of acceptable dissertation, the
supervisor should:

(a) Be accessible. The Supervisor should show interest and

enthusiasm in the student’s work, and have a positive and friendly
relationship with the student while maintaining professionalism;

(b) Discuss the research drafts with the student regularly. In

order to give quick feedback to the student on the written drafts,
and to sustain his/her motivation, the Supervisor should, as far as
possible, read and return his/her supervisee’s dissertation drafts
within reasonable time;

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 (c) Read the student’s drafts carefully and critically, giving
constructive suggestions on how and where the dissertation could
be improved. The Supervisor should, for example, advise the
supervisee on the content of the proposal/dissertation as per these
Guidelines.

xii. In the end, he/she reads the entire final draft, and satisfy
himself/herself that the dissertation is suitable for examination.

3.16.3 General Responsibilities of the Student

i. It is the student’s responsibility to be conversant with

these Guidelines and to follow them.

ii. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure regular

consultation with his/her supervisor to discuss the research work.

iii. It is the student’s responsibility to complete his/her

dissertation on time.

iv. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss problems

stemming from his/her dissertation with his/her supervisor.

v. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the authenticity,

clarity and originality of the dissertation.

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3.16.4 Remuneration and Supervision Load

Supervision load shall be determined by the Department in

consultation with the School Management. The Supervisor shall
be entitled to a payment of one hundred thousand Tanzania
shillings per supervised student. This amount may be revisited
from time to time.

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 Annexes

A Sample Cover page

2.5cm

LEGAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO

GRANTING OF BAIL IN TANZANIA

FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME SURNAME

JOHN BAKARI MALINGUMU

- 16 Points
4 cm - Bold
- Centred

2.5 cm
BACHELOR OF LAWS (LL.B) DISSERTATION
UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
JUNE 2022

2.5 cm

26
A Sample Title Page

LEGAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO

GRANTING OF BAIL IN TANZANIA

First Name Middle Name Surname

John Bakari Malingumu

 14 Points
 Bold
 Centred

A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of

the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of
Laws (LL.B) of the University of Dodoma

The University of Dodoma

June 2022

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Declaration

DECLARATION
1, John Bakari Malingumu, declare that this Dissertation is my
original work and that it has not been presented and will not be
presented to any other University for a similar or any other degree
award.

Signature ------------------------------------------

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Copyright
COPYRIGHT
No part of this Dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means
without prior written permission of the author or the University of
Dodoma. If transformed for publication in any other format shall
be acknowledged that this work has been submitted for degree
award at the University of Dodoma.

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Certification

CERTIFICATION
The undersigned certifies that he/she has read and hereby
recommends for acceptance by the University of Dodoma a
dissertation titled: “Legal Challenges Related to Granting of Bail
in Tanzania” in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Bachelor of Laws of the University of Dodoma.

Name of the Supervisor:…………………………………………

Signature: ……………………… Date: ………………………

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

31
DEDICATION

32
ABSTRACT

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A Sample Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Certification ………………………………………………. i
Declaration………………………………………………… ii
Copyright ………………………………………………… ii
Acknowledgements…..…………………………………… iii
Dedication …………………...…………………………… iv
List of Abbreviations ………………..…………………… v
Abstract …………………………………………………. vi
Table of Contents………………………………………… vii
List of Tables ………………..…………………………… viii
List of Figures ………………...………………………… ix

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Problem ……………………… 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ……………………..…. 2
1.3 Research Objectives …………..…………………. 3
1.3.1 Main Objective ……………………….…………… 3
1.3.2 Specific Objectives ……………..…………………. 4

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LIST OF LEGAL INSTRUMENTS AND/OR POLICY
DOCUMENTS

35
LIST OF CASES

36
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

37
 CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION

38
 FORMS
UDOM/SoL/UGS. F1
THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
SCHOOL OF LAW
UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATION

STUDENT ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORT

ACADEMIC YEAR …………………

1. Name in full …………......... Registration No ………........

2. Progress made by Student

……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

3. Comments of the Supervisor on the progress made

……………………………………………………………
……………………………..………………………………
…………………….……..……………………………...…
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

4. Name................ Signature ……….......... Date ……………

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5. Comments of the Undergraduate Coordinator
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………

6. Name ……………… Signature ……… Date ……………

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 UDOM/SoL/UGS. F2
THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
SCHOOL OF LAW
UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATION DEFENCE

INDIVIDUAL PANELIST MARKSHEET

ACADEMIC YEAR …………………………

Student’s Name

Students Registration Number

Clarity of Research Problem 5%

Relevancy, Logic and Consistency of 5%
Argumentation
Relevancy of Research Findings to the 5%
Objectives
Originality of Research and New Ideas 5%
Generated by the Researcher
Language 5%
General Understanding of the Research Topic 5%
Credibility and Reliability of the Research 10%
Findings
TOTAL 40%

Panelist Name: ……………………………………………..

Signature: …………………………………………………..

41
 UDOM/SoL/UGS. F3
THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
SCHOOL OF LAW
UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATION DEFENCE

TOTAL PRESENTATION PANEL MARK SHEET

ACADEMIC YEAR: ………………………

Name of the Candidate:

Dissertation Title:

Oral Result over 40%

Panel Chairperson (Name):

Signature:
Date:
UDOM/SoL/UGS. F4

42
 THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
SCHOOL OF LAW UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATION

WRITTEN WORK MARK SHEET

ACADEMIC YEAR: ……………………

Student’s Name
Students Registration Number
Dissertation Title

Research Statement and Methodology 15%

Relevancy, clarity, specificity of research
question (s)/hypothesis (s); clarity and
appropriateness of research methodology;
execution of research methodology
Research 15%
Scope and depth of research; familiarity with
literature; demonstration of knowledge and input
into issues involved; critical understanding of
material
Arguments 15%
Overall construction of arguments, logic and
flow of arguments and originality of research;
drawing relevant conclusions; answer to research
question (s)/hypothesis (s) posed; golden thread

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Language and Formal Academic Conventions 15%
Language conciseness and clarity; structure,
layout, style guidelines followed; bibliography,
punctuations, meeting deadlines and supervisor’s
instructions
TOTAL 60%

General comments:

Final Marks
Examiner’s Name
Examiner (signature)

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Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Research and
Consultancy

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