JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

P.O. BOX 1063 - 20100 NAKURU, KENYA.

TEL: (051) -2216660, FAX (051)2215664

Office of the BPS Coordinator, Nakuru CBD Campus

Email: nakurucbd@jkuat.ac.ke Website: www.jkuat.ac.ke

REVISED RESEARCH GUIDELINES

A) Title page to include:

i. Title
 A concise statement of the main topic and should identify the variables.
 Should be a reflection of the contents of the document.
 Fully explanatory when standing alone.
 Should not contain redundancies such as, a study of ……or, an investigation of…..
 Abbreviations should not appear in the title.
 Scientific names should not be in italics
 Should contain 12 to 18 words
 Don’t include your registration number on his page.
ii. Author’s name and affiliation
 Avoid use of words like, by….from….
 Preferred order of names- start with first, middle followed by last name.
 Full names should be used, initials should be avoided
 Titles like Dr. should not appear in the names.
Affiliation should be well illustrated i.e.
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor
of Philosopy ---------------------- of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and
Technology

The year should follow at the bottom of caption. Don’t include the month.
Note
-For proposals (spiral bound) the cover page should include the title, author and affiliation
(all on one page) and centered.
B) Declaration – Should include both the candidate’s and supervisor’s declaration and
duly signed.
This proposal/thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other
university (NB: This will be tested using University anti-plagiarism software)
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Students name ……… ………………
Signature Date
This proposal/thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as University
Supervisor
Lecturers name ……………… …………………
Signature Date
C) Abstract – This is a brief statement of problem, objectives of the study, study, target
population, sampling technique and sample size, instruments, data processing and
analysis, key findings and major recommendations. It is the executive summary of the
whole document and it should capture the main theme of each chapter. It should be at
least one page or should not exceed 1000 words. A good abstract must have a closing
remark. This section should be single spaced.

D) Table of contents – the rubric should be in title case and single spaced.
 The chapter titles should be in caps and bold

RESEARCH PROJECT/THESIS REPORT FORMAT

Title page
ii. Declaration
iii. Dedication
iv. Acknowledgement
v. Table of contents- includes reference and appendix at the bottom
vi. List of tables
vii. List of figures
viii. List of abbreviations and acronyms
ix. List of appendices
x. Definition of terms
xi. Abstract
NB: Paginate using romans numbers starting with the declaration page.

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTTION

1.1 Background of the study –Should show the understanding and genesis of the problem
 Talk about the global perspective followed by the local scenario
 Talk about the target group in the study
 Should be approximately 5 pages (4-6 pages)
 Should be presented in specific sections with relevant subtitles.
1.2 statement of the problem
 Must indicate exactly what the problem is.
 Indicate why and how it is a problem. Give information to support this e.g. by use of
statistics or evidence. This should be derived from background information to
illustrate connectivity.
 Length – Maximum 1 page
 No paragraphing in this section

1.3 Research Objectives

1.3.1 One general objective which should be in line with the title.

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 1.3.2
Specific objectives-have to be in line with the variables the candidates
hypothesize to influence the phenomenon being investigated.
 Should be related to the general objective.
 Should not be questions in the questionnaire
 Each objective should be numbered in Roman numbers.
1.4 Research Questions / Hypotheses
 They should be in line with the specific objectives and equal in number.
 Have to be numbered and should be questions and not statements.
 At postgraduate level, hypotheses are highly encouraged.

1.5 Significance of the study

 Should illustrate why the research is conducting the research and whom it shall
benefit. At proposal level, use justification, while at final thesis/ research, use
significance of the study. This should be done at three levels namely: corporate,
institutional and individual levels.
1.6 Scope of the study
 This is a kind of a disclaimer. Should cite the focus of the. Should focus on the three
dimensions of the study namely geographical area, period of study and total cost for the
study.
1.7 Limitations of the study
 Not a must for a proposal
 Has to be there in the final thesis/project report.
 Indicate the challenges encountered in the study that may have limited the study and
the delimitations to the encountered challenges.
NOTE:
 Paragraphing should be consistent. Leave space and don’t indent between paragraphs.
 Spacing and indenting should not be used together.
 One sentence paragraphs are unacceptable.
 A paragraph should have a minimum of 3 to 4 sentences.
 A page without subtitles should have three paragraphs presented in blocks.

CHAPTER 2

LITERETURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction
Overview of what is covered in the chapter; not more than one hundred (100) words

2.2 Theoretical Framework

 Review theories relevant to the problem being investigated.
 Show a clear link between theories reviewed and the research variables
 Sub-headings should be labeled as per the theories cited, e.g.,
2.2.1. Theory A
2.2.2. Theory B
2.2.3. Theory C, etc.

2.3 Conceptual Framework

It is a diagram that visually shows the relationship between the independent and
dependent variables of the study.

2.4 Review of Literature on Variables

 The hypothesized variables should form the subheadings of literature review. All the
variables that form the study should be fully discussed and the main constructs
brought out clearly. Each key variable should be 2-3 pages long.

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  Each variable under discussion should be linked to the dependent variable of the
study.
 In each case, respective variables are operationalized as a demonstration on how they
will be measured.

2.5 Empirical Review

 Review the empirical literature relevant to the problem being investigated.
- Should be broad to specific literature.
 Indicate what has been done by other researchers including the methodologies and
concepts used.
 Identify gaps, problems and their magnitude.
 Cite 3-5 references per key section in the text
 Use either APA or Harvard method of citation. Consistency is important in citation.

2.6 Critique of the existing literature relevant to the study

 Outline the shortcomings of previous reviews and the advantages of the proposed
approach.
 Indicate what is intended to be done to ameliorate the problems/shortcomings or gaps
identified.

2.7 Research gaps

Outline the gaps in knowledge as per the above literature review.

2.8 Summary of reviewed literature

CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction
Overview of what is covered in the chapter; not more than one hundred (100) words

3.2 Research design

Indicate the research philosophy, research type, justifying the choice of each by citing
relevant authority.

3.3 Population
Clearly identify the population and the target population. Justify the target population,
respondents, unit of analysis and observation

3.4 Sampling frame

Justify the choice.

3.5 Sample size and sampling technique

Illustrate understanding of the technique
3.5.1 Sample size
3.5.2 Sampling technique

3.6 Data collection instrument

3.6.1 Primary data
3.6.2 Secondary data

3.7 Data collection procedure

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3.8 Pilot test
3.8.1 Reliability test
3.8.2 Validity test

3.9 Data analysis and presentation

CHAPTER 4

RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

 Style of presentation – presentation of raw data followed by discussion

 Should be guided by the methodology. Unit of analysis should be based on the
research questions or objectives and should capture the independent variables.
 Tables should have no vertical lines (use simple formatting)
 Table titles should be at the top of the tables.
 Tables copied from elsewhere should have source below them.
 Any table generated by the research should not have the source quote
 Figure titles should be at the bottom of the figures
 Figures can have different shadings.
 Discussion should follow the results.

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 INTRODUCTION- A brief on the chapter

5.2 SUMMARY- This is an extended abstract. It should be done per study variable 5.2.1 etc.

5.3 CONCLUSIONS- Must be derived from the summary

5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS- Should be derived from the conclusions

REFERENCES

APPENDICES
 Instruments
 Tables
 Figures
 Letters of introduction
 NACOSTI: Permission for data collection

 Budget**
 Work plan**
**Not required for thesis but must be included during research proposal presentation

TOR 2: EVALUATION GUIDELINE

 Shall be guided by the guidelines on the structure of the proposal/thesis.
A) Pre-requisites
- The research must come up with original work. The school shall furnish the
departments with previous research work for reference.

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 - Candidates shall be required to submit synopsis (for Masters Students) and a concept
paper (for PhD candidates) of their proposals to the relevant departments for review
by the chairpersons of the department.
- The synopsis should be 1 page and the concept paper should be 2-5 pages.
- Candidates shall be required to discuss their concepts paper with prospective
supervisor before submitting to the department.
- For PhD candidates, evidence of research work at Masters Level shall be required
otherwise they shall be required to carry out independent studies.
- In case where there is no evidence of research, candidates shall be deemed not
admissible into the program
B) Grading shall be as follows:
1. Pass with minor amendments
2. Pass with major amendments
3. Reject- total overhaul
- Objective oriented evaluation shall be employed (based on the guidelines)
- Scores for proposals shall be on the basis of pass/fail. The respective School’s postgraduate
committee shall constitute the panel.
- Awarding of marks/scoring shall be based on the School’s project/thesis assessment sheet
that already exist.
-Assessment of PhD proposals shall be conducted by the respective School’s postgraduate
committee panel members.
-Submission and evaluation of PhD thesis shall be guided by the University Statutes.

TOR 3: PRESENTATION STYLE

- Proposal length shall not exceed 20 pages double speed. Under special circumstances
a candidate may be allowed to exceed the limit.
- Referencing system should either be Harvard or APA but consistently used.
- Font – Times new Roma 12 should be used Fancy fonts should be avoided.
- There should be a margin of 25 mm on the left hand and 25mm margin on the right
hand side of the paper (A4).
- A 25mm margin should be on top and bottom side of the paper
- Every copy of the thesis should be bound in black. The spine of the thesis should be
embossed in gold with the names of the candidate, the degree and the year. The
writing should read from the bottom to the top of the spine.

TOR 4: MODE OF PROPOSAL/THESIS PRESENTATION

- The presentations must be in power point
- Quality slide (legible from a distance of 20 feet) giving a summary of the whole
proposal/thesis should be presented.
- Slide should not exceed 15.
- Masters proposal presentations shall be limited to 10 minutes.
- PhD proposal presentations shall be limited to 15 minutes.
Note: PhD candidates may submit their research proposals once they are ready but within one
year after their coursework.