Research Guidelines
Research Guidelines
Research Guidelines
Your name
Registration number
Purpose
(in a V SHAPE)
Date
(Month, Year)
Example
Procurement and accountable university procurement systems in Uganda: A case study of Metropolitan
International University
By
Mauda B. Tumuhairwe
Reg No: 20/COM/001/UKS
August, 2023
Research methods are many ways one employs to do research and you will be introduced to these methods in
the methodology course. You may decide to make qualitative, quantitative or a mixture of the two methods of
research or you may decide to do a library research or mega analysis. You may also decide to do start with a
research question and attempt to create theories rather than make use of existing theories (grounded theory).
However, whichever method you choose to use, we encourage you to be creative, please discuss your method
fully with your supervisor.
At the end the end of the methodology course, you will submit a one page summary of the proposal to the
research coordination office through the course lecturer(s). The full research proposal is submitted to the
research lecturer and constitutes the course work for the course. If your research is approved, you will be
allocated a supervisor who will assist you while you prepare and write up the research report. We advise you to
read widely in your chosen area. Once your approach has been approved by your supervisor, you may proceed
with data collection.
Once the data collection period is completed, it is time to correlate, present, and analyze the data. Please ensure
that you keep careful records while in the field and ensure your sample is larger enough to allow for concrete
analysis and recommendations. At this stage of your work, you should still be reading as much as possible in
order to present the background /theories to your research and link your findings with current academic
debates and research.
When you’re analyzing your data, you must do so in light of the current scholarship. Be precise in terms of how
you use secondary source to support (or even refute) your findings. Your use of literature in the area of your
study is extremely important and you must be as familiar as possible with current theories and literature. Once
you have written up each chapter, make sure that you proofread it carefully before submitting it to your
supervisor. You should then amend and correct before submission.
Supervisor expect to see each individual part of your research as these are completed. Allow ample time for
your supervisors to read individual chapters. The full research work should be submitted on the date stipulate.
Please ensure that all the work submitted to your supervisor is quality work that has been carefully proofread
and corrected to eliminate grammatical, typological, and formative errors. Your supervisor is not your
proofreader, also remember that supervisors may need up to three weeks to read a full draft, so ensure that
you allow them enough time to read your work and to return it to you for correction before final submission for
examination.
Supervisors have the right to refuse permission for you to submit research that is not up to the required
standard. You should not that it is advantageous for you to meet all deadlines with quality work. Supervisors
keep detailed supervision records and you should sign this record each time you consult your supervisor.
Let submission: Students who fail to meet deadline for submission of dissertation but are granted permission
to submit within the examination period will pay late submission fee as fixed by university finance office.
Re-registration: students who fail to complete dissertation within the scheduled time will have to re-register in
the following academic year. Such student will pay a re-registration fee as fixed by the university finance office.
Presentation of work: All work should be printed on good-quality paper. Size A4 and one side of the paper only.
The text should be typed using double spacing and the text should be fully justified using the font Times New
Roman (12point). Long quotations, that is, more than four lines of text should be identified and typed in single
spacing without quotation marks. All margins should be set for 2.45cm (1 inch). As far as possible, please ensure
that you use gender inclusive language. Please note that papers, projects, and dissertations are marked for
English language.
Enhancing text: The first page of each chapter: center the number of the chapter in bold capitals. Leave one
line and then center the tittle of the chapter in bold capital letters. Leave two lines and begin typing. Headings
and sub-headings within the chapter should be typed at the left margin in bold letters (not capital) and should
be numbered serially using Arabic numbers e.g. 1.2, 1.2. etc.
Always tab in the first line of the paragraph. Make sure to follow the rule of one space after all punctuation,
including full stops. Before submitting your soft copy for printing, spell-checks your document. The final copy is
to be LaserJet printed.
Order of presentations.
1. Title page (see attached example)
2. Preliminary pages
Dedication (optional)
Acknowledgments (these pages should not be included in the table of contents )and should be numbered using
Roman figures.eg (i) ,(ii) ,(iii)---------------------------------
Abstract (not more than one page, single spaced)
Table of contents (all headings and sub-headings should be listed: indent sub-headings)
List of tables
Preface (optional)
Chapter 1 (start numbering with Arabic figures) e.g. 1, 2, 3, -----------------------
Appendices: (maps, questioners, list of people interviewed and respondents should be numbered as 1,
11,111. etc.
References: Your references is not an appendix and is the last item to be inserted in your work.
Research guidelines: The following guidelines are provided to assist you present your work professionally.
Please ensure that that you follow any additional guidelines given by the faculty.
Abstract: An abstract is a brief summary of the research. It highlights the research questions. Design and
findngs.it is a very useful design of a research report it gives readers a quick over view of the issue addressed
and summary of results obtained.
An abstract facilitates the dissemination of research findings as it enables readers to gain quick access to
research outputs of interests. It is recommended that all dissertations have an abstract at the beginning and be
as concise as possible, in any case not exceeding one page
Dissertation format
Cover page
Approval
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of contents
List of tables list of figures (if any)
List of abbreviations
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE:
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
(Highlights what is to be covered in the Chapter)
1.1 Background of the study
1.1.1 Conceptual Perspective
1.1.2 Historical Perspective
1.1.3 Contextual Perspective
1.1.4 Theoretical Perspective (Masters Level To Add This One)
1.1.5 Philosophical Perspective (Phd Level To Add This One Too)
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.3.1 Major objectives
1.3.2 Specific objectives
1.3.2.1
1.3.2.2
1.3.2.3
etc
1.4 Research Questions or Hypothesis
1.4.1
1.4.2
1.4.3
etc
1.5 Scope of the Study
1.5.1
1.5.2
1.5.3
etc
1.6 Significances of the Study
1.6.1
1.6.2
etc
1.7 Justification
1.8 Definition of Key Terms
1.8.1 IV
1.8.2 DV
1.9 Conceptual Flame Work
CHAPTER TWO:
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theoretical framework may be used here if the conceptual framework was not used in chapter one.
2.0 Introduction
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
Introduction
Response rate
Results on the background characteristics of respondents
Results on the substantive objectives,(imperial results)which should also follow the orders as follows
o Descriptive results like means ,frequencies/percentages
o Correlation results (where applicable)
o Regression results (where applicable)
o Difference of means like etc.
Note
The must be presented logically say objective by objective, the research question by research question,
hypothesis by hypothesis or method by method must be analyzed and interpreted
Results or findings from all methods used in collecting study must be presented
Discussion where you compare the researcher’s findings with the literature should be done in this
chapter, unless what is presented here is mere results from documentary review, (if it was a method
used).
CHAPTER FIVE:
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Summary of findings
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Suggestions for further researcher.
Reference List
Appendix / Appendices
The appendix contains materials and tools that do not normally form part of the normal presentation of the
research findings. These may be questionnaires, copies, structures or laws, pictures, photographs, aerial maps
and lists of original data source.
Reference
All sources of information used in the study should be specified in the reference list. These include library books,
journal article and internet sources that have been used. it is important not to omit resource material that have
been used as some leaders may want to follow up some of the arguments and ideas .it is also an equally
important research ethic not to include resources that have not been used in the bibliography supervisors will
check to ensure academic integrity in this regard.
ASSESSMENT FORM FOR PROPOSAL AND RESEARCH REPORTS
DIRECTORATE OF RESEARCH
Research Report Making guide for under graduate students
Student
name………………………………………………………………………………………
Registration number
……………………………………………………………………………..
Faculty/School
……………………………………………………………………………………..
Area Expectation Require Obtai
d marks ned
marks
Research Précises research subject with clear variable/variables and context 2
topic
Preliminaries Good preliminary pages of 2
i) Declaration
ii) Approval
iii) Dedication
iv) Acknowledgment
v) Automated table of contents
vi) List of tables/figures
vii) Abstract
1. Research background 4
Introduction Clear background with highlights to the research problems
theoretically, historically conceptually and contextually, (must
be
1.5 to 2 pages and summarizes the problem at global,
continental, national and regional level)
2. Research problem 2
Good summary explanation of an issue the research is meant to
address with facts and evidence of factor as per the research
context (must not be more than 1 page)
3. Research objectives, research questions/hypotheses 4
Well stated SMART objectives (General and specific
withcorresponding hypotheses or research questions
(Objectives should clearly show the variables as per the
conceptual framework)
4. The conceptual framework 2
Good explanation of the relationship between variables.(Can
beillustrated diagrammatically or using a model)
5. Research scope 3
Explanation of the boundaries of the research focus(This
shouldbe in terms of content, time and context/geography
6. Research significance 1
Details of how different stakeholders will benefit from the
researchresults
7. Research justification 1
Statement of why the research study is a must
Literature 1. Literature review 6
Review Summary of different sources where the research gaps were
identified from
2. Citation style/format 3
Citation done according to APA format and all cited work
referenced as seen in the reference list
3. Use of current information 2
The student must have used current information to review
literature (Recommended information for students doing
research should be that of 5 years from the current year)
4. Use of relevant information 2
The literature must be relevant to the research study addressing
the research objectives and should be within 8 to 10 pages
1. Research Design 2
Methodology Design relevant to research objectives(eg
descriptive, correlational, case study etc)
2. Target population, sample size 4
Appropriate target population with a significant and
representative sample size(Sample size should be scientifically
determined)
3. Sampling techniques 3
Appropriate sampling technique( Random or Non-Random
ormixed)
4. Data collection methods and tools 4
Appropriate method or methods and tools of data
collection.(Based on type of data and objectives)
5. Data quality control 3
Data quality control well elaborated with focus on the
measurements of validity and reliability)
(Use of Cronbach’s alpha and content validity index can
be emphasized)
6. Data analysis and presentation 5
Appropriate methods of data analysis such as use of descriptive
statistics, frequencies, correlation, regression, t-test etc.
(Should be clearly indicated and how they were used,
software’s used can also be identified here).
7. Ethical considerations 2
Clear indication of how the researcher will ensure there is
observance of ethics
Data 1. Data analysis 10
Analysis and Data analyzed using appropriate methods as indicated in the
presentation proposals such as descriptive statistics, frequencies,
correlations,
regressions, t-tests ANOVA etc and with the software as selected
inthe proposal (eg Excel, SPSS)
2. Data Presentation and Interpretation 15
Data presented using appropriate techniques such as frequency
tables, cross tabulations, graphs, charts, pivot tables etc
(Data should be interpreted after each analysis)
Discussionof 1. Discussion 10
findings Discussion should be done with relation to the existing
literatureand the gaps filled per the objectives
Recommendatio 1. Recommendations 5
ns Realistic recommendations according to different stakeholders should
be made per objective and findings
References 1. References 1
and other List according to APA format and with reflection of all the
Appendices sources used in the body of the research
2. Appendices 2
Appendices such as data collection plans, budgets, tools etc
can be attached( The student should also attach a copy of the
receipt of payment of the research fee and the letter of
introduction to the research filed work accepted by the
organization where research was done from
18
Total Marks 100
Supervisors name:…………………………………………………………………sign………………………………
Guidelines for the presentation of references and bibliography in scholarly work when writing reports, essays,
or dissertations it is important that you give your reader sufficient details to trace the references you use: this
guide shows you how to use the Harvard station system, which is commonly used in academic because it is
concise and makes citing other peoples work easier to read and looks professional
Citation appear in the body of the text and references appear in the list called bibliography. This guide shows
how to write citation and references .if you follow examples in this guide your work will be correctly cited and
referenced
Citing the authors have consulted shows that you have researched the subject and where you obtained your
information or arguments .it also acknowledges that previous authors have proposed arguments that you raise
.by not citing the authors work you may be accused of plagiarism safety of ideas which within academies
consider as a theft
When you cite you should include the authors name and the year of publication after each referencing a text. If
the authors name occurs naturally on the text, the year follows in brackets. If it does not then both name and
year appear in brackets you should also provide the page number as you can-this is mandatory when you use
direct citation. This will help the reader when using bibliography.
When citing document with two authors, the sir name of both are given before the date(all in brackets).if there
are three or more authors. Only the sir name the first author is cited followed by etal. (which means’’ and
others’’) if no authors name is given then then use a (n.d.) if two or more authors make the same point, include
both citations but make sure you clearly state that they are separate and not co-authors of the same paper .the
example below shows how citations look within your text.
References
Example the problem of image retrieval are extenuated by the coverage has “led to a number of intellectual
properly problems “, as noted by the Herner et al.(1994:231) .it may be as Anton Gill(1989:67)pointed out ,that
“we live in techno-centric society ‘’which ignores the social needs of communities in the information
society(Day,1993:leach,1995).
References (bibliographic) appear at the end your text. Each reference has a number of parts which (MUST) be
written in the collect order using the collect layer out.
The order of elements in the Harvard systems are: Author(s) names year of publication Tittle(s) of the
publication place of publication and publisher numeration of the item (e.g. Volume and edition and page
numbers) location or type of the item, if rare or non –print format (website, archive film, TV programmer)
19
Presenting references the Harvard system has strict guidelines on how to present references in bibliographic
and this is as important as writing the references correctly.
Authors names.
The author’s name (s) must be in capital letters. Surnames (family names or given names-KIZITO) are written
first followed by their initials. If there are two authors their order of appearance is exactly as they appear on the
title page. If the source is from a corporate organization then authors name is the organization. The name is
followed by a comma.
Year of publication. After the authors name write the year of publication followed by a full stop. If you cite two
sources by the same author written in the same year you must differentiate the two by labelling them a or b
(Kizito, 1996b).
Title of the publication. This must be written in italics or underlined.
Place of publication. The place is written followed by publication (:) followed by the name of the publisher.
Numeration. For books this is a page number. For journals, this is the volume, edition and page numbers
Location or type. This is only used for non- print sources such as TV programmers, films, and websites or for
rare documents.
Books .example BRIDE.M 1996.Teach yourself HTML publishing on the World Wide Web. London: holders
&Stoughton, KIZITO, P.1996b. good publications. Nkozi: UMU press
CHARPTERS IN EDITED BOOKS
Example; HARRAR, H.J., 1975. Photographs, picture and prints .in: GROVE, (ED). Non print media in academic
libraries. Chicago: American library association .pp.173-192.
JOURNAL ARTICLES the name of the journal and NOT the name of the article should be written in italics (or
underlined)
Example MCLEOD, J., et al.. (1998). Records management today. Managing information .5(7) pp.23-26
NEWSPAPERS ARTICLES some newspaper articles will not have an author. If this is the case use the newspapers
instead .you must put the date and the page number at the end of citation.
Example the times, 1998. Chocks a way.22 September, p.31. FENNEL.e.1998. the harsh law of averages. The
times 22 September p.41.
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT
The same format must be applied to websites as far as possible .may website do not give a publication date do
not guess when it was published. However, you must give the full web uniform resources locator (URL) and the
date when you looked and it.
Examples CHOLAS D., 1998. Hacking the net. Ariadne (web version) issue 16, July
hltp:www.aridnc.ac.uk/issue16/cover/viewed22 9-98)
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21
Assessment of ICT projects
Below Meets
Unaccep
Criteria & Points Missing Expectatio Expect Exceeds Expectations Points Earned
table
Assigned ns ations
0 1 2 3 4
Content
Literatu
re
review
is brief
but
Literature comple
Literatur review is te;
Literature
e review incomplet review
review is
in thesis e and focuses
brief, with
or includes only on
insufficient
project excessive issues
detail.
Summarize, compare is discussion related
Unrelated
and evaluate, at an incompl of to
issues are Literature review is complete;
advanced level, ete unrelated questio
introduced sufficient detail is provided to
and/or issues n;
concepts, research and/or support assertions; assertions
omits and/or review
findings and current minor errors supported with evidence;
importa significant is
theories and models in content. includes original and relevant
nt errors in factuall
in core content areas Assertions insight or analysis of topic.
research content. y
made
of computer science. findings Assertions correct;
without
or are made assertio
adequate
theoreti without ns are
support
cal adequate clearly
from
positions support support
evidence.
. from ed with
evidence. evidenc
e and
approp
riate
use of
logic.
22
or design correctl
framework y to
for thesis or proble
project. m
domain
.
Critical Thinking
Meanin
No clear Project/Q gful
research uestion Project is questio
question posed is not very n/proje
or of innovative. ct is
project questiona Question posed,
posed. ble has been but
Relevanc relevance adequately may
e to or has answered in not be
existing clearly prior fully
Evaluate and literatur been research; no explicat
Project addresses question or
integrate computer e and answered clear ed.
problem that is meaningfully
science literature to theory . Question rationale for Researc
connected to existing literature
address specific not unrelated reexaminati h and
and theory. Student provides
establish to existing on of method
theory or practical clear explanation of
ed. literature. question s
problem. Describe relationship. Research methods
Major Errors in given. selecte
and select selected are appropriate for
errors in choice, Research d
appropriate scientific project. Conclusions follow
choice of execution and approp
logically from evidence
methods to answer research or methods riate
presented.
question. methods interpreta selected are for
or tion of flawed or project.
analysis. methods inadequatel Conclus
Conclusi and/or y carried ions
ons data. out. follow
inconsist Conclusio Conclusions logicall
ent with ns weakly overreach y from
evidence justified evidence evidenc
presente by presented. e
d. evidence. present
ed.
Below Meets
Unaccep
Criteria & Points Missing Expectatio Expect Exceeds Expectations Points Earned
table
Assigned ns ations
0 1 2 3 4
Communication
Minor Present Clear and logical presentation;
No Weak
Written: problems of ation is good development of
logical organizati
organization organiz argument/project rationale;
order to on;
Organization and logic or logic; ed, but transitions made clearly and
informat sentences
Needs work does smoothly.
ion rambling;
on creating not
23
provided ideas transitions present
. repeated. between clear
ideas. argume
nt for
researc
h
positio
n/proje
ct
rational
e.
Problem
s with
Major
mechani
problems
cs of
with
language
mechanic Frequent Infrequ
serious
s of problems ent and
enough
language; with minor
to
Awkward mechanics mecha
Mechanics of writing interfere
sentence of language; nical Clear, readable writing. Good
with
(spelling, punctuation, constructi Occasional proble use of transitions; no problems
effective
grammar, clarity of on; poor awkward ms; with spelling, punctuation, or
commun
writing) or absent sentences Errors grammar.
ication.
transition and poor do not
Frequent
s; transitions impair
errors in
frequentl reduce readabi
punctuat
y difficult readability. lity.
ion,
to
spelling,
understan
sentence
d.
structur
e, etc.
Infrequ
ent
errors
in APA
style;
errors
Minimal
Adequate involve
Use of relevant APA use of
No use of APA minor
APA style;
Style (Title page, evidence style, but aspects All relevant aspects of APA
frequent
citations & APA frequent of APA style used effectively and
errors in
references, use of style errors in style – correctly.
all aspects
language, etc.) used. citations & no
of APA
references. errors
style.
in style
for
citation
s&
referen
ces.
24
ly to e; needs needs answer and well-organized. Responds
question frequent occasional s to to questions in poised,
s posed assistance assistance questio articulate, and professional
by from from ns manner.
committ thesis/pro thesis/proje posed.
ee ject ct advisor. Present
member advisor. s
s. thesis/
project
work in
cohere
nt
manner
.
25
Below Exceeds
Unaccepta Meets
teria & Points Missing Expectation Expecta Points Earned
ble Expectations
Assigned s tions
0 1 2 3 4
grity/Values
Clear
docume
ntation
Exhibits
of
Lack of incomplete Exhibits
complia
understandi understandin understanding
Evidence nce with
ng of g but still and complies
ar of all
scientific complies with with principles
erstanding of transgress relevant
and principles of of scientific,
ion of ethical
adherence to professional scientific, professional
scientific, guidelin
ntific and ethics. professional and/or
professio es.
fessional Inadvertent and/or academic
nal, or Clearly
cs. violation of academic integrity.
academic establish
academic- integrity. Adherence is
integrity. es
conduct Adherence is appropriately
authorsh
code. poorly documented.
ip of
documented.
thesis or
project
work.
ject
nagement Unable to Well-
formulate formulat
project Problem Problem ed,
idea. No Problem formulation formulation and designed
timeline formulation and solution solution design ,and
construct and solution design contain no impleme
ed. Fails contain contain some faults, but nted
to meet numerous faults. Some retain areas for project.
most faults. milestones in significant Complet
rk individually, es
timeline Significant timeline not improvement.
s part of team goals. milestones met. Major project
ere Implemen in timeline Implementati milestones in accordin
ropriate, to tation not met. on exceeds timeline are g to
mulate, analyze, falls Implementa minimal met within timeline.
gn, and below tion requirements acceptable Impleme
lement a expected minimally but does not timeframe. ntation
minimum meets represent Implementation represen
ificant thesis,
standards expected significant represents ts
omputing
. standards. computing significant significa
ect. nt
Demonstr Unable to project. computing
ates lack work Demonstrate project with computi
of ability effectively s marginal minor mistakes. ng
to as team effectiveness Demonstrates project.
function member if as team effectiveness as Demonst
as part of applicable. member if team member if rates
team if applicable. applicable. effective
applicable ness as
. team
member
26
if
applicabl
e.
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x100
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