Department of Mathematics Education

Project Guide for Action Research

This is a brief guide to assist you in writing your project work at the undergraduate level. You
are advised to read this guide carefully and to follow it closely in your research writing.
You are allowed to choose between action research and a survey
Typing Format
The entire work should be typed using the following information.
Spacing: Double (uniform)
Font-type: Time New Romans
Font Size: 12
Margins: Top, Bottom and Right side is 1 inch (2.54cm) and Left side is 1½ inch (3.81 cm)
Justify: Justify both sides of the work (even distribution)

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Overview
Provide a brief description of the chapter is about (list of sub-headings in the chapter)
1.1 Background to the Study
 Provide brief background information that set the stage for the study
 Discuss the broader view of the context of the study
 Indicate or show why there is the need for the study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
 Briefly describe your concern. This should be a difficulty observed in class that needs to
be improved.
 State the evidence and the causes of the problem (ie. How did you know about this
learning difficulty in the class? What may be the causes?)
1.3 Purpose of the Study
This is the goal(s) you wish to achieve for conducting such a study. The change you wish to
make in the classroom
1.4 Objectives of the Study
 State the objectives of the study in measurable terms. For instance the study seeks to:
(i) find out the effect of ……
(ii) assess the effectiveness of the use of …..
(iii) determine …
(iv) investigate …
(v) identify ….
 It is often derived from the purpose of the study and gives direction to the work.
1.5 Research Questions/Hypothesis
 State the research questions that match with your study objectives.
 Use words that give a sense of questioning. For instance, what is ……..;
1.6 Significance of the Study
 State/Discuss the significance or the importance of the study to the educational
community.
 The significance need to focus on knowledge/theory, policy, practice, and future
research.
1.7 Delimitation
 Describe the boundary/scope (conceptual, population, and geographical) of the work.
Provide reasons(s) for the boundary imposed on the work.
1.8 Limitation of the Study
 Indicate the challenges you faced in the study. For instance during data collection.
 Limitations also include the strength and weakness of the design used.
1.9 Definition of Terms (if any)
 Provide definition of terms used in a special way.
1.10 Organisation of the rest of the Study
 Provide the structure of how the rest of the study has been organised.

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.0 Overview
Provide a brief description of what the chapter is about. It often the list of sub-headings your
readers may come across in the work.
Provide a comprehensive and exhaustive review of literature on the research problem.
For instance,
2.1 Theoretical Framework of the Study
 Briefly review the theories or concepts that underpin/reinforce/strengthen your study
 Theories or concepts reviewed must relate to the objectives of the study
 Group your review under suitable headings.
2.2 Empirical Review
 Review the actual studies related to your work.
 The actual studies you review must relate to the objectives of your study.
 Group your review under suitable headings.
3.3 etc
 CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.0 Overview
Provide a brief description of what the chapter is about. It often the list of sub-headings your
readers may come across in the work.
3.1 Study Area/Setting
Provide a brief description of the study area in relation to the topic under study. You may add
economic activities, geographical location, social amenities and other relevant information about
the study area.
3.2 Study Type and Research Design
 Describe the study design (in this case, action research).
 State the reason(s) /rationale for using such a design in your study.
3.3 Population
 Describe the population of the study. Indicate the broad target group and the number of
individuals involved.
3.4 Sample and Sampling Techniques
 State the sample size and describe in detailed how the sample was selected (You may use
intact class size for action research)
 Provide rational for the selection technique and sample size
3.5 Data Collection Instrument (s)
 State the study instrument used and describe how it was developed.
 Specify the item format used
 Describe how validity and reliability of the instrument were determined.
 Describe the strength and weakness of the instrument
3.6 Intervention Design and Implementation
 Provide a detailed description of the strategies used and its implementation.
 This must focus on classroom activities/interactions.
3.7 Data Collection Procedure
 Provide a detailed description of how data was gathered
 Indicate when data was gathered and how long the exercise took.
 Write in suitable paragraphs
3.8 Data Analysis
 Indicate and justify the statistical tool (s) used to analyse the research question or
hypothesis
 Describe how each research question/hypothesis was answered/tested.
 CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.0 Overview
Provide a brief description of what the chapter is about. It often the list of sub-headings your
readers may come across in the work.
4.1 Pre-Intervention Results
 Group and present the pre-intervention result according to research questions
 You may present in sub-headings
 You may describe in tables or figures
4.2 Post-Intervention Results
 Group and present the pre-intervention result according to research questions
 You may present in sub-headings
 You may describe in tables or figures
4.3 Discussion of Post-Intervention Results
 Group and discuss the post-intervention result according to the research questions
 Discuss and relate to the literature reviewed in the study.

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.0 Overview
Provide a brief description of what the chapter is about. It often the list of sub-headings your
readers may come across in the work.
5.1 Summary of the Study
 Provide a summary of the entire study.
 This entails the rationale, objective, various themes in the methodology,
 Give a summary of key findings (in line with the objectives)
5.2 Conclusions
 Provide conclusion of the study based on the findings.
5.3 Recommendations
 Based on you findings, make recommendations for policy and practice. Suggest actions
that need to be taken by people in authority

REFERENCES
1. This section contains the list of all the works cited in the text.
2. They are arranged in alphabetical order
3. Use the APA style in you reference