Chapter 1.

The Chapter One may vary according to various institutions. However, the following are the components
of Chapter One in Uganda Martyrs University.

- Introduction to Study
- Background to Study
Background to Case Study
- Problem Statement
- Objectives of the Study
Specific Objectives of Study
- Research Questions
- Hypothesis
- Scope of the Study
Content Scope
Geographical Scope
Time Scope
- Justification of the Study
- Significance of the Study
- Conceptual Framework
- Definition of Key Terms

A research is like a human. It has a personality and identity. However, in having a personality and
identity it is has to come to life. Coming to life in this instance means that you have to tell the story. So
you are to tell us story of how Governance is affecting MFI Performance. To concretise this marriage of
your variable you are going to use the case study of Rwanda, xxx Province.

The Introduction of the Study.

The importance of the Introduction to Study is to introduce the variables / concept at hand. In this case
we are dealing with a study that bears a conceptual framework. So the Introduction is going to be
define

- Independent Variable
- Dependent Variable
- Make a basic link of the interaction of the variables i.e. show that the IV and DV have a
semblance / occasion of/ have a level of interaction.
- In case there is a theory to guide the study, ensure you mention it, and state its relevance.
Remember you are introducing the key concepts of the book.

Ideally for research each of the mention Bullets should have 2 – 3 paragraphs. However, do not let the
work spill into more than 2 ½ pages.
The Background of Study.

There are various ways of excelling in writing a Background to the Study. However, in the back of your
mind the one of the key aspects is to show the two variables have been interacting. In this light, this is
shown in: Contextual, Theoretical, Historical, and possibly by Themes. Alternatively, the background can
be developed by using the Funnel approach (advanced by Amin) and this means look at the variables
internationally, regionally, nationally, locally and to case study.

Technically in my thinking Background is what have you read, seen, heard and possibly experienced.

In the Background to the Study there is a Background to Case Study. This section is simply to high light
the specific peculiar aspects of the unit of analysis. This is based on the premise that two persons/
institutions can never be alike. Hence the analysis may be skewed / lean to an opinion due to the case
study.

Research Problem

The research problem is technically what is the issue of concern i.e. the problem. Why the study is being
done. To develop a problem one may possibly look at it from the perspective of: how the variables were
at interplay in the past, and how they are now.

For a justifiable problem, there must have a negative relationship of the variables i.e.

- In past it was bad, currently it is bad hence justifying the study to determine why the
relationship is continuously bad.
- In past it was good, currently it is bad hence justifying the study to determine why the
relationship is going bad.
- In past it was bad, currently it is good hence justifying the study to determine why the
relationship has moved from bad.

*Incidences of both good in the past and present do not lead to justifiable research projects.

Research Objectives

Each academic institution has its appreciation and conceptualization of Research Objectives. Uganda
Martyrs University’s Faculty of Business Administration and Management states the Research
Objectives build the Conceptual Framework and vice versa.

The main objective usually falls in line with topic of the research. The main objective should have the
main variables i.e. IV and DV stated.

Using an example of variables Human Resources Management and Employee Commitment.

Human Resources Practices Employee Commitment

Hence the General Objective would be a relationship of human resources practices and employee
commitment.
 Hence the study develops specific objectives. These variables are developed from either the IV or
DV. The breakdown / unpacking either variables builds the specific research objectives. This is
illustrated below:

B T

This is many sub variables to one variable, hence objectives would be

The impact of A to T

The impact of B to T

The impact of C to T

Or

There is possible another possible relationship where we look at have one variable at interplay with
one variable i.e. one to many. This is illustrated below

S Y

The objectives would hence be

The relationship of S on X

The relationship of S on Y

The relationship of S on Z

NB

There is a possibility of having many variables interacting with many i.e. many to many.

*In Uganda Martyrs University this option is not usually used.

Hence with the appreciation of the above, one can state the Research Objectives, Research Questions
(replica of Objectives but in question form), and have the Conceptual Framework drawn.

The Faculty appreciated that there can’t be a perfect relationship. Hence, the researcher must come up
or think of intervening or moderating variable.

The Justification

Justification primarily means why are you doing this specific study.

The researcher is to give why s/he is interested in the phenomena being studied.

There is an attempt to give a justification, a requirement for a degree. This is NOT related to the study.

The Significance

This primarily means the study should give the possible persons/ organisations going to benefit from the
study.

The Scope

The Scope is divided into 3 sub- themes: Contextual; Time, and; Geographical

- The Contextual Scope is to place the subject areas in which the study is being located. There are
subjects which cut across various disciplines. Placing the study in a subject area also helps the
reviewer of your work to appreciate it further.
- Time Scope is divided into two. The key time span of variables / literature under investigation
i.e. 2012 to 2015. There is also the time span of when the actual research was carried out i.e.
July 2014 to December 2014.
- Geographical Scope is the actual physical geographical area where the study is going to be
carried out.

Definition of Key Terms

Here you define only the Key Variables in the study i.e. the DV and IV. In this to show prudence in
appreciation of the study one should give two opinions:

- Authority
- Your Working Definition / Research Definition
 CHAPTER 2

Literature Review

This section is a review of secondary data the researcher.

Uganda Martyrs University uses the Harvard Referencing Style.

The researcher is to review classical to contemporary arguments in the field of the study.

The term review is NOT to copy and paste, but to read, understand and give the relevance i.e. agree or
dispel the argument.

The arrangement of the Chapter is as follows:

2.1 IV and DV
2.1.1 IV
2.1.2 DV
This review of the variables is to give the reader a deeper appreciation
of the concepts being discussed. The introduction in Chapter 1 does not give an
academic and deep appreciation of the variables.
The recommended length is 3 pages i.e. 1.5 pages per variable.
2.2 Theoretical Review
The study is guided by theory (for Master’s students). In most cases
there is a one lead theory. However, there are incidences when the research has
a supporting theory. The reason for this is the strengthen your argument
There may be incidences of having 2 theories. Here the study is stating
one theory is not sufficient to express the idea of the study. Hence the fusing of
the two ideas being postulated by respective research.
*The ideal number of pages should be approx. 4 pages
2.3 Objective 1
2.4 Objective 2
2.5 Objective 3
2.6 Objective 4
2.7 Any other relevant info deemed by Researcher (Possibly information on Moderating
variable)
For undergraduate, each objective should have at least 3 pages of literature review. Masters student
should have approx. 5 pages of literature per objective.

The study should be taken to review relevant literature. Common mistakes here include:

- Review one side of the Objective.

- Not referencing properly
- Confusing concepts
- Having confusing multi -level numbers
The order of the Literature Review is arranged so that the Reader is not confused or lost in the study. It
is advisable to have numbering up to 3 levels i.e. Chapter 1, Scope of Study and Specific Scope would be
numerate as 1.6.3.
 Chapter 3

Research Methodology

The researcher is TOO JUSTIFY SCIENTIFICALLY how the s/he is to pick raw data from the field and make
meaning out of it to give relevant findings and conclusions.

The order of Chapter 3 according to Uganda Martyrs University is:

- Research Design

The researcher should state and give reasons to the research approach selected. The
researcher should also state and justify the approaches (i.e. qualitative, quantitative or
triangulation) to be used in the study.

- Area of Study

This is the area the study is to be carried out.

- Population of Study

The study population must be stated. The population must have a source to back the
number.

- Sample Size and Sampling Techniques

The study sample size must be stated. It is key to note that the sample must be reached
using acceptable scientific methods. The research will further have to state and justify
how s/he has selected the sample. The sample to must have an acceptable scientific
reason.

- Data Collection Methods and Techniques

The study must state and justify the data collection tools and techniques.

- Quality Control Methods

Validity and Reliability tests must be carried out. The results MUST be presented to
justify the validity and reliability of the tools.

- Data Analysis Techniques

The study must elaborate on how the data is to be managed.

- Ethical Considerations

- Limitations to the Study

 Chapter 4

Presentation, Interpretation and Analysis.

As the title state, the data from the field MUST be presented, interpreted and analysed. Making
reference to Chapter One, the data from the field MUST answer

- Research Problem

- Research Objectives / Research Questions

- Hypothesis

- Conceptual Framework

- Theory

The presentation of the Chapter Four should appear as:

4.1 Demographics of Respondents

4.2Objective 1

4.2 Objective 2

4.4 Objective 3

4.5 Objective 4

4.6 Theory

4.7 Any other Information

The order of the section numbering is in accordance to the order of objectives presented in Chapter
One. The order of Chapter One should be followed throughout the book.

In presentation of data, the study MUST appreciate the approaches of study and proposed means of
analysis and interpretation presented.

In the presentation of findings, it is recommended that the researcher starts analysis with descriptive
aspects and builds to inferential analysis (if the study adopted quantitative approach)
 Chapter 5

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

Summary

The researcher MUST have the ability to summarise the study. In this the study is findings are
compressed in an acceptable format.

The KEY findings of the study are presented.

Conclusion

The researcher is to give AN INFORMED APPRECIATION of the concept s/he has studied. This based on
what has been read and established from the study.

The conclusion determines the appreciation of the study.

Recommendations

These are suggestions to solving the problem.

Areas of Further Study.

This is based on the findings. The assumption is that the researcher has become knowledgeable in the
area studied hence s/he can propose future studies.