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Akinseloyin Olubukola M - ARC-01-9206-The Mtech Architecture Thesis-Contents and Peculiarities
Akinseloyin Olubukola M - ARC-01-9206-The Mtech Architecture Thesis-Contents and Peculiarities
SUBMITTED BY:
ARC/01/9206
M.TECH I
COURSE CO-ORDINATOR:
PROF. OGUNSOTE O. O.
MARCH 2009
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 2
2.0 CONTENTS 3
2.1 Title Page 3
2.2 Preliminary Pages 3
2.3 Table of Contents 3
2.4 Abstract 3
2.5 Chapter One: Introduction 4
2.6 Statement of the Problem 4
2.7 Aims and Objectives of the study 4
2.8 Scope of study 4
2.9 Significance of the study 4
2.10 Limitations of the study 5
2.11 Definition of terms 5
2.12 Chapter Two: Literature Review 5
2.13 Chapter Three: Case Study 5
2.14 Chapter Four: Research Methodology 5
2.15 Chapter Five: Data Analysis 6
2.16 Chapter Six: Summary 6
2.17 Conclusion 6
2.18 Recommendations 6
2.19 Bibliography and References 6
2.20 Appendices 7
3.0 PECULIARITIES 8
3.1 Formatting 8
3.2 Presentation 8
REFERENCES 9
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The M.Tech Architecture Thesis is a report of a research undertaken by the student at the
end of his academic coursework. A student writes it under close supervision by a lecturer. It is a
fundamental part of the requirements for the award of the Master of Technology Degree in
Architecture. It usually covers a specific area of knowledge, often times using a particular area as
a case study e.g. “Effects of Culture on Residential Housing Design: A case study of Okitipupa”.
It is supposed to formulate a hypothesis and test whether it is true. For instance, the hypothesis in
the above example is “Culture is a determinant in the design of Residential Houses”, and thus the
research seeks to prove this statement true or false. It should be stated however, that a hypothesis
might not always be used when researching a topic.
The M. Tech thesis is made up of several parts, which combine to form a whole. These
divisions or chapters, help in the organisation of the report. It usually starts with a proposal,
which is based on a formulated hypothesis, and ends with summed up conclusions, making
useful recommendations based on the conclusions.
The writing of this report is usually the final stage of academic work and would be
subject to examining by a competent juror, who awards marks to the student based on what he
has written.
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2.0 CONTENTS
2.1 Title Page
The Title page comes first in the report. As it suggests, it gives the title of the project.
Apart from this, other information given by the title page includes the name and matriculation
number of the student who has written the report, the department to which it is been submitted
(in this case Architecture) and the month and year of submission.
2.4 Abstract
An abstract is a summary of the research. Normally very brief and on one page, the
abstract gives relevant and precise information on the what the research is about and thus an
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intending reader can decide whether or not to read the whole report or just parts of it. It is usually
about a 100 to 175 words long. Since it is a summary, it is written after the main body of the
report is completed although it appears at the beginning of the report.
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2.10 Limitations of the study
Here the researcher states the limitations he has encountered in his research. Often times
these limitations, may hamper the outcome of the study or even reduce the research scope the
researcher intended initially or set out to cover.
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2.15 Chapter Five: Data Analysis
This may run into more than one chapter depending on the amount of data presented for
analysis. Here the data collected as a result of the interviews, questionnaires, books, etc is
presented and analysed. The researcher is supposed to be objective in his presentation without
any biases.
2.17 Conclusions
Based on the findings of the research, the researcher, having logically presented his
findings, draws direct conclusions in a logical manner. The number of conclusions arrived at are
dependent on the number of questions asked in the statement of the problem.
2.18 Recommendations
Recommendations are made based on the conclusions drawn and inline with the aims and
objectives set out at the beginning of the study. Often times the recommendations are to
government agencies at any of the three tiers, depending on the scope of study, to individuals or
to academicians in the field of study of the report.
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relevant to the research topic, whether or not it has been used in the research study. A standard
format for writing references is that of the American Psychological Association (APA).
2.20 Appendices
These are materials that can be used to support what has been written in the report. They
usually come at the end of the report where they are too bulky to be included in the main body.
They include tables, figures, plates, questionnaires, etc.
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3.0 PECULIARITIES
3.1 Formatting
Paper Size: The paper size is first determined. For a thesis, the standard paper size is the A4
(210mm x 297mm). Only one side of this sheet is typed upon. It is possible to have headers
and footers on each page. Sometimes, the header shows the title of the project while the
footer shows the name of the researcher.
Numbering: The page numbers are usually placed at the bottom centre of every page. The
preliminary pages are numbered using roman numerals (i, ii, iii…) and then from chapter
one, it changes to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…). The page number is not shown on the title
page.
Line Spacing: The double line spacing is the standard used throughout except for indented
quotations and footnotes, which should be typed using single spacing.
Line Justification: The full line justification is preferably used for writing theses.
Character attributes: The font type that has become a sort of standard is the Times New
Romans. The standard font size is 12; the only place where it is not usually so is on the title
page, where different sizes may be used to make emphasis. The chapter headings are usually
in bold font and sometimes underlined. Some sub headings also appear in bold.
3.2 Presentation
The thesis is presented bound with hard cover. The information contained on the title
page is repeated on the front cover of the binding. Usually, the colour for the cover binding is
purple (this colour is used for all post graduate thesis or reports). The selection of colours is to
easily differentiate it from those of the undergraduate students.
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REFERENCE
www.google.com