Research Project

Preliminary pages
The research proposal preliminary pages shall include the following:
i) Title page
ii) Declaration
iii) Dedication
iv) Acknowledgement
v) Table of contents
vi) List of tables
vii) List of figures
viii) List of Appendices
ix) Abbreviation and Acronyms
x) Abstract

The main body

The main body of the project report/thesis shall normally include the
following:
i) Chapter One: Introduction
ii) Chapter Two: Literature review
iii) Chapter Three: Research Methodology
iv) Chapter Four: Data Analysis Findings and Interpretation
v) Chapter Five: Discussions Summary and Conclusions
Recommendations
vi) References
vii) Appendices:
a) Data collection instruments
b) This two are only required in the proposal
c) Introduction letter from the university
d) Research permit
e) Publications from the thesis
f) Any other relevant support documents

MAIN BODY

Chapter One: Introduction

This chapter should have the following sections:

Background of the study

In this section, the researcher describes the context of the study by
providing a brief discussion of the genesis of the problem, starting with the
global perspective followed by the local scenario. Trends related to the
problem, unresolved issues and social concerns are discussed.

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Statement of the problem
The problem statement describes the need for the research study in terms of
the knowledge gap to be filled. The researcher should present a clear and
precise statement that indicates the gap that previous research studies have
not addressed. The length of the problem statement should not exceed 1
page

Objectives of the study

The general objective- This is the purpose/goal statement which should
emphasize practical outcomes of the study and should be directly linked to
the title of the study.

The specific objectives – these have to be in line with the variables the
candidate hypothesizes to influence the phenomena being investigated. It
should be a breakdown of the general objective.

Research Questions
They should be in line with the specific objectives. Research questions
should be stated in the form of questions and not statements. Hypotheses
when used should be stated in the null.

Significance of the study

The significance of the study is concerned with the relevance of the problem
both to the practice and theory. That is, does who benefits from the study
findings and how

Scope of the study

This is the kind of a caveat. It should indicate the focus of the study,
geographical area or target group/population/depth of focus in concepts or
variables enable the reader to make judgment about the generalizability of
the findings and the time context.

Limitation of the study

This describes the caveat on generalizability of the study findings. The
limitations should NOT be stated in terms of time or financial resources
constraints.

Definition of key terms

These sections define the key terms as used in the study. The intention of
the section is not to have definitions of terms whose meanings are already
known. Define only the key terms used in the study whose meaning departs
from the conventional usage.

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i) Chapter Two: Literature review
Literature review is a critical look at the existing research that is significant
to your project. This chapter should include the following sections:

Introduction
This is an overview of contents of the chapter which should be very brief and
precise.

Empirical Review (Should be organized around the study

objectives/variables)
The literature review section should therefore be organized or categorized
according to the research questions or specific objectives in order to ensure
relevance to the research problem. You should evaluate what has already
been done, show the relationships between different works, and show how it
relates to your project. The style of reviewing should address the following:
a) Refer to work by recognized experts in your chosen area
b) Consider and discuss work that supports and work that opposes your
ideas
c) Make reasoned judgments regarding the value of others’ work to your
research
d) Support your arguments with valid evidence in a logical manner
e) Distinguish clearly between facts and opinions
f) Ensure the review is done chronologically
g) The hypothesized variables should be subheadings of the literature
review to form a framework that would help in analysis.
h) It is not supposed to be just a summary of other people's work but
critique of the existing literature relevant of the study. Review and
critique any previous studies. For the review to be critical, you will
need to develop critical judgment.
i) Indicate what has been done by other researchers including the
methodologies used and identify the emerging Research gaps.

Theoretical review (Should be organized around the key issues

identified in the preceding section)
This section should discuss current/relevant theory that supports the
research problem being studied. Every variable should be anchored on the
relevant theory(ies). For example in a finance problem related to capital
structure, the underlying theory relevant to your project may include for
example: “The Modigliani and Miller theorem, The trade off theory, Static

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trade off theory, The pecking order theory, The market timing theory, Net
Income Approach”

Note: It is not expected that the subheadings “Empirical and

Theoretical review” will appear in this section. Rather the
subheading will be guided by the study objectives.

Conceptual framework
This is a visual/diagrammatic representation of the relationship between the
variables under study. It is informed by the empirical and theoretical review
and should demonstrate an understanding of what variable influences what.
This section should begin with a brief introduction and explanation of the
relationships depicted in the framework. The introduction is then followed by
the presentation of the framework. An explanation of how the framework will
be used in the study should then follow.

Summary
Begin with a prelude of the facts established which serve as the basis for
research gaps to be pursued. Ensure connection/flow to the next chapter.

ii) Chapter Three: Methodology

The section should provide description of the methods and procedures to be
used in conducting the study. Conventionally, this chapter has the following
sections:

Introduction
It is important to start this chapter with an overview of contents of the
chapter. This should be very brief and precise.

Research philosophy
Describe the research philosophy upon which the study is anchored.

Research design
In this section, the researcher should identify and provide justification for the
specific research design(s) or strategy(ies) used in carrying out the study.
The section should emphasize on management and control of variance,
justification of strategy(ies) selected, their merits and demerits. The
researcher should include the procedures used to examine the variables and
steps taken to control for extraneous influences that might threaten the
findings of the study.

Study Area
Describe the study area and the justifications for its choice.

Target population

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The researcher should identify and describe the characteristics of the
population involved in the study. Population refers to the entire group of
people, events, or things of interest that the researcher wishes to
investigate. Target population forms a basis from which the sample or
subjects for the study is drawn. Clearly identify the target population, its size
and characteristics. Justify the choice of the target population. Where
necessary provide the sampling frame in the form of a table.

Sampling design
In this section, detailed description of the sample size determination and
sampling method should be provided. Conventionally probability sampling
techniques are used to ensure fair representation and generalization of
finding to the general population. Typical examples of probability sampling
include simple random sampling, systematic sampling, stratified random
sampling and cluster sampling.

Data collection
The researcher is supposed to discuss the type and source of data which will
be collected. This should be followed by the instruments to be used to collect
the data.

The researcher should justify the chosen methods for collecting data. A
description of the instruments should be given, whether they are developed
by the researcher or standardized instruments. It is worth noting that for
primary data the researcher can use more than one instrument, in such a
case s/he should justify why more than one method is used. The section
should also discuss how the validity and reliability of the data collection
instruments have been addressed.

Once the data collection instruments have been developed and their validity
and reliability assured, the researcher should discuss the step by step
method of administering the data collection instruments. Issues related to
research permit, research assistants should also be discussed. Finally the
research should state the approximate time and the period (dates) of
collecting the data.

Data analysis and presentation

This section addresses the measurement of variables, analysis of data,
hypothesis testing and/or modeling.
Data Analysis
This should present detailed steps of how the quantitative and qualitative
data will be analyzed. Quantitative data should include descriptive and
inferential statistics and show which of these will be used for which objective
or hypothesis. Descriptive statistics include frequencies, measures of central

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tendencies and measures of dispersion among others. Inferential statistics
involve measurement of relationships among the variables and differences
between samples and thus form a basis for conclusions. Finally the section
should explain how the results of data analysis will be presented and justify
why the specific method of presentation should be used. The researcher is
also expected to indicate the name and version of the data analysis software
used.

Empirical model and hypothesis testing

It is possible to build a mathematical model solely out of the abstract
concepts. This section is supposed to capture the empirical model to be used
in testing the research hypothesis in studies where empirical models are
used. The candidate should justify why the chosen model fits his or her
study.

iii)Chapter Four:
Data analysis, presentation and interpretation
This section describes all appropriate information produced by the research
procedures and statistical analyses of the finding. In presenting the results,
use of tables, graphs and figures combined with a brief narrative may be
more effective than using the narrative. State all significant findings in the
text, referring to tables and graphs displaying all significant data. If the study
has produced a large amount of raw data, do not present all of it in this
section. Instead, present only the information most appropriate and relates
to your research objectives and hypothesis. If appropriate, include your raw
data in an appendix, referring to them within your text.

The following subheadings are advisable:

a) Introduction- brief summary of the structure or organization of the
chapter
b) The rest of the subsections should be guided by the
objectives/research questions/hypothesis.
Note: The subsections should begin with a brief introduction, presentation
of results followed by a brief interpretation.

iv)Chapter Five: Discussion of findings, conclusions and

recommendations
The following subheadings are advisable under this section

Introduction
Give a brief Introduction of the structure or organization of the chapter.
Discussion of findings
The discussion should be a brief essay answering the following questions
a) What are the major patterns in the observations?
b) What are the relationships, trends and generalizations among the
results?

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 c) What are the exceptions to these trends, patterns or generalizations?
d) What are the likely causes (mechanisms) underlying these patterns
resulting predictions?
e) Is there agreement or disagreement with previous work?
f) What is the relationship of the present results to the original questions
and hypotheses?
g) What are the things we now know or understand that we didn't know
or understand before the present work?
h) What is the significance of the present results?
i) Revisit the theoretical/conceptual framework

The subheadings may be organized around the objectives/research questions

/hypothesis of the study for logical flow.

Conclusions
With reference to the study objectives, draw conclusions, summarize the
observations, interpretations and insights that have resulted from the
present work. Include the broader implications of your findings and where
appropriate, indicate remedial action to solve the problem.

Recommendations
Research project report/thesis should include recommendations for practice
or improvement. Recommendations should be made from the conclusions.

Suggestions for further research

The researcher should provide suggestions for future research work based on
the findings and conclusions generated from the study.

v) References
The School of Business uses the American Psychological Association (APA)
referencing style 6th edition at the time of publishing this document or the
latest edition. APA referencing guidelines are downloadable from the
internet.
Agreement of text and reference list- note that this is not a bibliography,
the reference cited in the text must appear in the reference list; conversely,
each entry in the reference list must be cited in the text. The author must
make certain that each source referenced appears in both places and that
the text citation and reference list entry are identical.

vi)Appendices:
This should include:
a) Research Instruments
b) Research Permits/authorization letter
c) Published articles of your thesis

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 d) Figures and tables, including captions, should be embedded in the text
and not in an appendix, unless they are more than 1-2 pages and are
not critical to your argument.
Note: Appendices should be sequenced in the order in which they appear in
the text.