SELECT COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

Thesis Format and Guidelines for Masters’ Program

November, 2024
Addis Ababa

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1. General Guidelines
1.1There should be a strict follow-up by the postgraduate office, postgraduate coordinator
on the research process unless, otherwise, there exists major challenges, beyond
the control of the researcher.
1.2There should be continuous communication between postgraduate office, supervisor
and the students on the progress of the research work.
1.3Students should use the American Psychology Association (APA) referencing Style
th n
(2010, 6 ed )
1.4Students should submit their final thesis work in consultation with the supervisor. To
this end, supervisor should be satisfied with the overall work of the student. Upon
the signature of the supervisor, the student will submit two copies and soft copy
of his/her research work to the department.
1.5 The final thesis text should be:
Font style: Times New Roman
Font Size:
◦ Main-heading 16pts
◦ Sub-heading 14pts
◦ Main body 12pts
◦ 1.5 line spacing.
1.6 When students fail to complete their thesis work based on the College’s schedule,
they will pay for the second time and also assigned another supervisor by starting
from scratch or the previous proposal.
2. Role of Supervisor
2.1 Supervisors should communicate with his/her students continuously and within the
College schedule on how to handle the research paper via phone, email and in person
2.2 Supervisors should be willing and ready to help and understand their advises in their
academic life.
2.3 When a student fails to communicate based on the College schedule, the supervisor is
responsible to notify the Postgraduate Office and or the postgraduate coordinator for
possible solution.
2.4 In case there happens a conflict between the student and the supervisor, the case will
be submitted to the Postgraduate Office and/or the postgraduate coordinator for
possible solution

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3. Role of the Student

3.1 Students should have a regular and close contact with their advisor and get
constructive guidance for the betterment of their work. In case the assigned
advisor is not available and cannot be reached for long time, the student
should immediately report to the department.
3.2 It is the student's responsibility to inform their supervisor of progress and to
lead the development of the thesis.
3.3 The student is responsible to inform the postgraduate office/coordinator
and supervisor of any absence such as sickness, personal, family visits,
holidays, work experience during the thesis work.
3.4 Students are responsible in all aspects of incorporating comments forwarded
by advisor and shall develop a sense of independence during thesis work
3.5 Students should make at most attention to abide by the dates stated above.
3.6 A student who fails to go in line with the above guideline and hence do not
meet the final deadline will not get any consideration and will be forced to
face an additional expense of registering in the next academic year by
conducting full Thesis fees .
3.7 Students by themselves shall cross check the state of plagiarism and grammar
problems with the help of some checker software.
3.8 The level of tolerance for plagiarism problem shall be a Maximum of 20
percent only. 80 percent of the thesis shall be an original work of the students.
Otherwise, the student shall not be allowed to present and defend their work in
defense time. And, it should be reported to the Academic Commission for a
decision to determine the academic fate of a student.

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4. Thesis format for Research Paper

The structure of the research paper should be organized into five chapters including
preliminary parts, Bibliography and Appendices. Thus, the layout of the Masters’ Thesis
should comply with the following specifications:

 Title Page
 Declaration

 Certificate

 Acknowledgements

 Abstract

 Abbreviations

 Tables of Contents

 List of Tables

 List of Figures

 Thesis Chapters (Five Chapters)

o Introduction
o Review of Literature
o Research Methodology
o Results and Discussion
o Summery, Conclusion and Recommendation
 References / Bibliography /
 Appendices

The detail components of the final research report are clearly specified in the following
pages.

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 SELECT COLLEGE
SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
MBA/MSc/MA Program

(Put here your Full Title of Your Thesis)

A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF --------------------------- SCHOOL OF

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, SELECT COLLEGE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/MASTER
OF ART IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT/ MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

(PUT YOUR NAME HERE)

(PUT YOUR ADVISOR HERE)

JUNE, 2024
ADDIS ABABA, Eth
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 Declaration

I, (put your name here) ,the under signed, declare that this thesis entitled: “put your title here”
is my original work. I have undertaken the research work independently with the guidance and
support of the research advisor. This study has not been submitted for any degree or diploma
program in this or any other institutions and that all sources of materials used for the thesis has
been duly acknowledged.

Declared by

Name___________________________
Signature: ____________________
Department ___________________________
Date ___________________________

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 Certificate of Approval of Thesis
School of Postgraduate Studies
Select College

This is to certify that the thesis prepared by (put your name here), entitled “put your title
here” and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts
in Project Management/MBA/MSc in Accounting and Finance complies with the regulations of
the College and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality.

Name of Candidate: _____________; Signature: _______________Date: _____________.

Name of Advisor: _____________. Signature: _______________Date: _____________.

Signature of Board of Examiner`s:

External examiner: ____________________Signature: ____________Date: _____________.
Internal examiner: ____________________Signature: ____________Date: _____________.
Dean, SGS: __________________________ Signature: ____________Date: _____________.

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 Table of Contents
Title page .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Declaration and Certification ...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table of Contents .......................................................................
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List of Tables ........ Error! Bookmark not defined.
List of Abbreviations .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Acknowledgement ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Abstract ............ Error! Bookmark not defined.

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1.6 Limitation of the Study ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.7 Definition of Terminologies .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.8 Organization of the Paper .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

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2.4 Summary and Literature Gap
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3.7 Reliability and Validity ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.8 Ethical Consideration ………………………………….... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 4: Finding and Discussions ..................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.1 Results and Interpretaion ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation--- ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.

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5.3 Scope for Further Study………………………

Bibliography/Reference ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Appendices ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

List of Tables

List of Tables

List of Abbreviation

Acknowledgement

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Abstract

The abstract is a summary of the whole document and should be presented in one paragraph that
consists of:
◦ Major Objective/Purpose
◦ Methodologies used in the research
◦ Major findings and major conclusions
◦ Major Recommendation

Chapter One: Introduction

The first chapter of the thesis work should include several comments:
1.1. General background of the concept and the study area
 Provide general information on the discipline
 Provide historical, geographical, societal facts
1.2. Statement of the problem
 Elaborates about the problem and motives
 Develop key research questions
1.3. Objectives of the study
◦ General and Specific Objectives
1.4. Significance of the study
 Justify the importance of the study as to how the results of your study will be useful to the
beneficiaries
 The contribution it makes in augmenting knowledge
1.5. Scope of the Study: Present geographical, conceptual and time scope of the research.
1.6. Limitations of the study
 Specify the limiting factors that hindered the attainment of the research objectives such as:
 Practical weaknesses in the methodologies the researcher adapted
 Lack of access to the right data
 Lack of up-to-date literature in the areas
 Time and resource constraints
1.7. Definition of Terms: Clearly define the terminologies that are employed in this study.
1.8. Organization of the Paper: Shows what each chapter deals within the paper.

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Chapter Two: Review of Literature

2.1. Introduction
2.2. Definitions and Concepts
2.3. Theoretical and Empirical Reviews
………….
2.4 Conceptual Model/Frameworks
Discussing what other authors have done in the area, includes findings and your hypothesis
Use appropriate citations in all of your papers. Conclusion that reflects the main themes,
concepts, variables that are going to be used in your research

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.1. Research Setting

3.2 Research Design
3.3Target Population
3.4. Sampling and Sampling Procedure
3.5. Data Source and Collection Methods
3.6 Variable Measurement and Instrument
3.7. Reliability and Validity
3.8. Method of data Analysis
◦ Data handling and processing
◦ Mathematical or descriptive, pictorial model for data analysis
◦ Computer programs, and the rationale for selecting a particular data analysis
method

Chapter Four: Findings and Discussion

4.1. Research Objectives (Major Issues of Analysis)

◦ Present your data using tables, graphs, texts… then interpret and analyze – show the
implication, support with additional data from interview… and evidences in the
literature
4.2: Discussion of findings by relating to the theoretical discussions made in the literature
◦ Differences and similarities with the other authors findings
◦ Coherence and cohesiveness of arguments

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Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1. Summary of findings: Should answer research questions and meet the objective of the study
5.2. Conclusions
◦ Drawn from the findings
◦ Findings state facts while conclusions represent inferences drawn from the findings
◦ A process of making judgement than reporting fact
◦ Should explain the implications of your findings for the current state of
knowledge of the topic
5.3. Recommendations
 Suggests way forwards
 Suggest policy directions
 suggests corrective actions
 Suggests further study
 Always give possible recommendations as they are related to your research

Bibliography/Reference

References
 Lists of books, journals, internet sources, etc
 Apply consistent style and proper citation
 Don’t forget listing all materials that you have cited in your text
 Start your referencing section at the beginning of the writing process and add to it as you go
along

Appendices

Appendices
 Place for complex table, statistical tests supporting documents, copies of forms and
questionnaires
 keep it to the minimum
 put materials that are ‘interesting to know’ rather than ‘essential to know’

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