LIPA CITY COLLEGES

Lipa City

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

OFFICE

THESIS WRITING
and
CAPSTONE
INSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES
AND FORMAT

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 MODULE 1: THESIS WRITING

Course Description:

This course is designed for the students enrolled in Graduate Studies with the
academic track in Lipa City Colleges as their final output requirement. The thesis
writing enables students to apply research skills from research conceptualization to
presentation of findings or production of their creative work. This course is presented to
the panel of examiners for pre-oral and final evaluation.

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THESIS WRITING- An Overview of the Major Parts of a Research Paper

This part discusses and explains the major parts of a thesis to guide the student
in writing a research as the major requirement for the completion of a collegiate and
graduate program. Thesis writing uses IMRAD format, which stands for Introduction,
Methods, Results, And Discussion.

THE PRELIMINARIES (FRONT PART)- it consists of the title page, approval sheet,
abstract, acknowledgment, dedication, table of contents, list of tables, and list of figures
Title Page
Approval Sheet
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures

Title Page. The title page presents the title, the full name of the researcher, and the
submission statement which includes the faculty or school, the degree or course taken
and the month and year in which the thesis was finally defended.
Format Guidelines

 Bold text and centered.

 Research title and name of author should be in uppercase.
 Format the author’s name to: First name, middle initial, last name.
 Capitalized each word for submission statement, the degree or course and
the date.
 Page number should not be visible.

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Approval Sheet. In this portion, the adviser certifies that the thesis prepared by the
researcher is examined, correct in form and content and is recommended for approval
and acceptance for Oral Examination. Certification of the Panel of Examiners provides a
space for the signature of the panel of examiners, dean and other involved persons
indicating their approval and acceptance of the work.

Format Guidelines
 Double line spacing
 The word “APPROVAL SHEET”, “ORAL EXAMINATION” and “PANEL
OF EXAMINERS”, should be in uppercase and bold.
 The research title, name of the author and the panel members should be
in uppercase, bold.
 Oral examination grade should be indicated as “Passed”.
 Comprehensive examination date should be in standard date format.

Abstract. The abstract is a brief and comprehensive summary of the paper in one
paragraph. It should be 150-250 words. The abstract should not contain any undefined
abbreviations and citations. It includes the following in prescribed sequence:
Background, Objectives, Methods, Results, Implications, and Keywords (3 keywords
arranged alphabetically)
Format Guidelines
 Double line spacing
 Title, author, degree, major and adviser should also be indicated

Acknowledgement. It contains expressions of appreciation for assistance and

guidance in the preparation and completion of the study. First to acknowledge is the
thesis adviser, followed by the member of the panel, then the significant others such as
encoders, statistician, consultants, and other persons. Acknowledgement should be
expressed simply, honestly, sincerely, and tactfully. Whether you are a Christian or non-
Christian, always give thanks to the Almighty Lord for His spiritual guidance.

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Format Guidelines
 Double line spacing
 Indent the paragraph to every person whom you acknowledged.
 Researcher’s initial at the right bottom part, bold.

Dedication. Only those persons who are close member of the family or those whom
you personally love should be cited. There are different styles of writing a dedication
depending upon the researcher’s taste and style.
Format Guidelines
 Centered
 Researcher’s initial at the right bottom part, bold.

Table of Contents. It contains the chapter pages and structures with corresponding
page numbers.
List of Tables and Figures. These should follow the Table of Contents. The list of
tables should contain the table number, table title and page. Charts, graphs, maps, and
illustrations are grouped as figures.

THE IMRAD FORMAT (The Main Part) - thesis writing uses IMRAD format, which
stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, And Discussion.

INTRODUCTION. This section lays the groundwork for why the introduction that is part
of the paper is important. The part includes the ideal situation, the reality and/ or
existing problem of the study, the consequence and the rationale of the study.
Literature Review. The literature review is written in topical or thematic format.
References copyrighted within the last ten years are preferred.
Theoretical Framework. The researcher discusses and explains the theory that is
most applicable to the present study. The first part is an explanation of the theory and
the second part is the presentation of a conceptual paradigm. The paradigm may be an
adaptation of a model used in a previous study but with some modifications in order to
fit into the framework of the present study.

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 ObjectivesThe objectives of the study start with the major problem which is
stated as the main purpose of the study. This is also known as the statement of the
problem.

METHODS and MATERIALS.The purpose of this section is to present in a simple and

direct manner what has been done, how, and when, and how the data were analyzed
and presented. This section should provide all the information needed to allow another
researcher to judge the study or actually repeat the experiment. The simplest way to
organize this section is chronologically; include all necessary information, but avoid
unnecessary details that the readers are supposed (ought) to know. The parts of this
section are as follows:
Research Design. The particular method used must be mentioned, whether it is
descriptive, experimental, or historical. Justification in the utilization of the method must
be explained. Other research techniques must be discussed also, like interview,
observation, documentary analysis, survey, etc.
Participants. The participants/respondents must be described in terms of the total
population and representative sample chosen. The sampling technique/procedure must
be explained too, whether it is simple random sampling, purposive, systematic, or two-
stage sampling techniques and the like. The frequency and percentage distribution of
the participants have to be presented in a table.
Research Instrument.In this section, the research instrument used in gathering
data is explained in terms of its construction as to where and how the items or indicators
werę gathered question is "what were the bases of the items in the questionnaire? How
did the researcher up with such items?
Procedure. The researcher narrates and explains briefly and objectively the
activities undertaken in gathering data starting from seeking permission to conduct the
study and ending with the retrieval. How the questionnaires were distributed and
administered must also be explained.

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 Ethical Considerations. One of the most important part of the paper. Full consent
should be obtained to the participants and utmost confidentiality and protection of
privacy or the research participants.
Data Analysis. The statistical measures used in analyzing and interpreting the
data should be explained and illustrated according to the type of data. In other words,
for every set of data, the particular treatment is explained.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS. This section objectively presents the key results with
corresponding discussion, analysis or interpretation, in an orderly and logical sequence
using both text and illustrative materials (Tables and Figures). The results section
always begins with text, reporting the key results and referring to figures and tables as
one proceeds following the order of the statement of the problem. Discussions will be
supported with literatures duly cited using textual citations. If possible, at least 80% of
the citations should be recent and come from published articles in refereed journals.
Format Guidelines
 First to include is the table number. It should be in bold and centered.
 Second to include is the table title. It should be in bold, centered and each
word is capitalized.
 Third to include is the table.
 Fourth is the interpretation of the table.
 Fifth is the support evidences from published works.

Conclusions.Conclusions should, rather than just repeating results, state well-

articulated outcomes of the study and briefly suggest future lines of research in the area
based on findings reported in the paper.
Guidelines in Writing the Conclusions
 generalizations based on findings
 not to contain numerals
 answering appropriately specific questions
 formulated concisely pointing out facts learned from the inquiry
 not repetitious of any statements anywhere in the thesis

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 Recommendations. The recommendation tells the reader what the results mean
and synthesis, often within specific conceptual categories. A summary is a recap of the
important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling,
of that information in a way that informs how the planning to investigate a research
problem.
Guidelines in Writing the Recommendations
1. solve or help solve problems discovered in the investigation
2. be for the continuance of good practice or system
3. aim for the ideal but must be feasible practical and attainable
4. be addressed to persons, entities, agencies that are in a position to implement
them
5. Include recommendation for further research related to the topic.

REFERENCING- the thesis writing will use the APA 7th Edition format. Refer to page 39.

PAPER ELEMENTS AND FORMATTING

The researcher should follow the correct format and style in typing the research
paper. The following are the guidelines with sample illustrations.
1. Template. Researchers are required to follow the institutional template given
by the RDO. Paper size is 8.5″ x 11″ (letter), Arial 12. The template follows
the standardize margin.
2. Page Number. Preliminaries should be in Roman Numerals, while the main
part of the research is in Arabic Numerals.
3. Spacing. The body of the research should be double line spacing. Exceptions
to double line spacing are as follows:
 Title page
 Table numbers, table titles and table figure
 Figures

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  Displayed equations
4. Tables. Tables should only include borders and lines that are needed for
clarity (i.e., between elements of a decked head, above column spanners,
separating total rows, etc.). Do not use vertical borders, and do not use
borders around each cell. Spacing and strict alignment is typically enough to
clarify relationships between elements.
5. Sub-components should be indented and italicized. This is to distinguish the
level of importance of the components of thethesis paper.

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 SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS:

Title Page

Approval Sheet

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Abstract

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Table of Contents

Table
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 MODULE 2: CAPSTONE
(THE POLICY PAPER)

Course Description:
The policy paper is a capstonerequirementfor the students enrolled in Master in Public
Administration- Professional Track program. The capstone is the final requirement of
graduating MPA students focusing on a specific policy issue that provides clear
recommendations for policy makers.

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THE PRELIMINARIES (FRONT PART)
It consists of the title page, approval sheet, acknowledgment, dedication, and
table of contents, list of tables, and list of figures
The Title Page. The title page presents the title, the full name of the researcher,
and the submission statement which includes the faculty or school, the degree or
course taken and the month and year in which the policy paper was finally defended.
In choosing a title for policy paper, it should be concise, descriptive and
comprehensive. Phrases like... A Critical Analysis... An Evaluation...An Assessment of...
A Study... or humorous or catchy titles are NOT appropriate for policy paper.
The criteria in writing the title are as follows:
1. Reflective of the general problem,
2. Clear and descriptive
3. Short and concise, preferably not more than 14 words or two lines using
the inverted pyramid format,
4. Correctly worded and properly edited, and
5. Conforms to the institutional format.
Approval Sheet. In this portion, the adviser certifies that the policy paper
prepared by the researcher is examined, correct in form and content and is
recommended for approval and acceptance for Oral Examination. Certification of the
Panel of Examiners provides a space for the signature of the panel of examiners, dean
and other involved persons indicating their approval and acceptance of the work. In the
master's thesis, the usual number of panelists is three.
Acknowledgement. It contains expressions of appreciation for assistance and
guidance in the preparation and completion of the study. First to acknowledge is the
thesis adviser, followed by the member of the panel, then the significant others such as
encoders, statistician, consultants, and other persons.Acknowledgement should be
expressed simply, honestly, sincerely, and tactfully. Whether you are a Christian or non-
Christian, always give thanks to the Almighty Lord for His spiritual guidance.

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 Dedication. Only those persons who are close member of the family or those
whom you personally love should be cited. There are different styles of writing a
dedication depending upon the researcher’s taste and style.
Table of Contents. This should be typed in capital letters centered between the
margins. All chapter titles should be in capital letters without punctuation marks.
List of Tables and Figures. These should follow the Table of Contents. The list
of tables should contain the table number, table title and page. The table number should
not be punctuated. The table title should correspond to the table title found in the text.
Charts, graphs, maps, and illustrations are grouped as figures. All captions for figures
should show what the figure is all about.

THE MAIN BODY OF POLICY PAPER

Composed of the following chapter headings:
CHAPTER
I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
II INTRODUCTION
III PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
IV METHODOLOGY AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
V ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK
VI POLICY OPTIONS AND ANALYSIS
VII CONCLUSION AND POLICY RECOMMENDATION

CHAPTER I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Comprehensively restate document purpose,

scope, methods, findings, results, conclusions, and recommendations; their purpose is
to help the executive to make personnel, funding, or policy decisions.Chapter I heading
is capitalized and bold and should have at least 3 paragraphs per page.

CHAPTER II. INTRODUCTION. The primary goal of the introductory paragraphs is to

catch the attention of the readers and to get them turned on about the subject. It sets
the stage for the paper and puts your topics in perspective. The purpose of this section
is to provide the reader with background information about the social issue.

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Questions to consider are as follows:
 How did the issue originate?
 What is the historical background of the issue?
 Are there critical incidents which emphasize the importance of the issue?
 Why is this an important issue for society at large and policy makers to
address?
 Why should citizens be concerned with this issue?
 What philosophical or ethical issues underscore the importance of the
issue?

What to cite in this section

 Presentation of the problem situation
 Existence of unsatisfactory condition
 Legal bases
 Rationale of the study
 Research locale
 Link between introduction and statement of intent (personal justification)

Guidelines in Writing Introduction

 Describe the problem situation by considering global, national and local situation
and using the deductive line of reasoning, from macro perspective to micro
perspective.
 Justify the existence of the problem situation by citing statistical data and
authoritative sources (related studies and literature, constitutions, laws, orders,
ordinance, circulars, memoranda, rules and the like) as bases to support the
problem.
 Indicate what is wrong in the present system and explain the desire to discover
ways of enriching or improving something, thus the conduct of the study.
 Cite motives and justification in the conduct the study thus, a clinching statement
is made to relate the background of the study to the research problem.
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  Maintain an objective tone throughout the paper. Keep in mind that a research
paper is a formal exposition of a research problem, not a forum for personal
opinion.
 Present the introduction in three to four pages using the third person point of
view.

CHAPTER III.PROBLEM DESCRIPTION. This chapter focuses on the general and

specific objectives of the researcher in conducting the study. In this portion, it consists
on the objectives, statement of intent and definition of terms.
Objectives. It is the researcher’s statement in the purpose of conducting
the study. There are two parts, the general objectives and the specific objectives. The
general objectives states what is expected to be achieved by the study in general terms
while the specific objectives is the essence of the study and it gives the main idea since
they provide focus to the study.
Statement of Intent. It is the focal point of your paper. The general
statement is just one sentences accompanied by several specific statements into which
the general problem is broken up. Usually, the general problem starts with the phase,
This study...... while the sub-problems begins with ..... Specifically, this study.......

Guidelines in Writing the Specific Problems

1. Arrange them in a logical order (factual to analytical) following the flow in the
research paradigm.
2. State them specifically using grammatically correct language of research without
duplicating or over lapping other sub- problems.
3. Provide corresponding statistical tool for each specific problem requiring such. (If
applicable)

4. Utilize only completely researchable topic ( not answerable by only by yes or no)
3.3. Definition of Terms. Terms which are often used in the study but have
different interpretations, or terms that may be misinterpreted, must have to be

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 defined. These terms can be found in the research titles, statement of the
problem, hypothesis, research paradigm, and some other parts of the study.
A term may be defined lexically (dictionary), authoritatively (published and
unpublished materials), and operationally (as used in the study). If the terms is
lexically or authoritatively defined, the source must be cited.

Guidelines in Defining Terms

 Use introductory sentence/ paragraph before defining the terms.
 Arrange the terms alphabetically.
 Indent and follow each term with a period.
 Emphasize the terms to be defined by underlining them.
 Do not number the terms being defined like 1., 2., 3., and so on.
 Capitalize only the first letter of each term.
 In case both lexical and operational definitions will be used, write the lexical
followed by the operational meanings. Use complete sentences in giving
definitions.

CHAPTER IV. METHODOLOGY AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The methodology section describes your basic research plan. This chapter
consists of the following parts; research design, method and material, ethical
considerations, result and discussion.
Research Design. In this section, the researcher must state the type of
research, its meaning, and how it is applicable to the study. If a certain research design
is used (descriptive, historical, experimental, or any other type), the particular type of
research must be indicated.
Method and Material. Methods, process and data instrument used to
gather the relevant data.
Ethical Considerations. One of the most important part of the paper. Full
consent should be obtained to the participants and utmost confidentiality and protection
of privacy or the research participants.

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 Result and Discussion. The presentation of findings from the gathered
data. This is from the questions posited on the statement of intent.

CHAPTER V. ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK. It consists of the researcher’s own

position in a problem after exposure to various theories that have bearing on the
problem. Analytical framework includes the systems of concept, assumptions,
expectations, and beliefs that support a research study. A concept is in the mind of the
person and therefore it is not known by any other person. This must therefore be
expressed out in a diagram or illustration by identifying the key factors, concepts, or
variables of the study. This illustration serves as a guide in conducting the study.

CHAPTER VI.POLICY OPTIONS AND ANALYSIS

Policy Options. The various policy options that the decision-maker must decide
between are presented and described.

Policy Analysis. This is a structured way to invent, evaluate, and choose

alternative courses of action. It involves looking into the future to predict what will
happen as a result of different actions we might take and then recommending actions
that will lead to the best outcomes. It is the pros and cons of each option are explained.
The value trade-offs implicit in choosing one option over another are explained.

CHAPTER VII. CONCLUSION AND POLICY RECOMMENDATION

Conclusions. These are generalized statements in answer to the sub-problems/
specific problems raised, or the statement of acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis
(if there is). Conclusion are valid outgrowth of findings and therefore they are not
supported or justified. A one-to-one correspondence with the sub-problem is not always
the rule as there are variables that can be subsumed in one paragraph. Hence, flexibility
is considered in making conclusions.

Guidelines in Writing the Conclusions

 generalizations based on findings

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  not to contain numerals
 answering appropriately specific questions
 formulated concisely pointing out facts learned from the inquiry
 not repetitious of any statements anywhere in the thesis

Recommendations. These are drawn from the findings and conclusions of the study.
They must be feasible to be implemented, workable or functional, doable, adaptable,
and flexible. They may be specific or general or both. A suggestion for further studies
must be included.

Guidelines in Writing the Recommendations

 solve or help solve problems discovered in the investigation
 be for the continuance of good practice or system
 aim for the ideal but must be feasible practical and attainable
 be addressed to persons, entities, agencies that are in a position to implement
them
 Include recommendation for further research related to the topic.

3.REFERENCE MATERIALS
The reference materials for a policy paper include bibliography, appendix, and
curriculum vitae.

3.1 Bibliography
A bibliography is a complete list of references cited or utilized in the paper. This
section is written after all the chapters. Refer to page 39 for APA 7 th Edition referencing.

APPENDIX. An appendix should be used for materials that supplement the text but are
not appropriate for inclusion in it. This includes but not limited to: the permit to conduct a
study; type of research instrument; tables containing lesser importance; pertinent long
documents not readily available for enclosing the text; long quotations and speeches
supplementary illustrated materials such as forms; long list of pictures of lesser

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importance Placing lengthy tables and other matters in the appendix prevents the text
from becoming unduly bulky. The appendix are categorized into A, B. C, D, and the like.

CURRICULUM VITAE. This section provides an overview of the researcher's

experiences and other qualifications.

PAPER ELEMENTS AND FORMATTING

The researcher should follow the correct format and style in typing the research
paper. The following are the guidelines with sample illustrations.
1. Template. Researchers are required to follow the institutional template given by
the RDO. Paper size is 8.5″ x 11″ (letter), Arial 12. The template follows the
standardize margin.
2. Page Number. Preliminaries should be in Roman Numerals, while the main part
of the policy paper is in Arabic Numerals.
3. Spacing. The body of the research should be double line spacing. Exceptions to
double line spacing are as follows:
 Title page
 Table numbers, table titles and table figure
 Figures
 Displayed equations
4. Tables. Tables should only include borders and lines that are needed for clarity
(i.e., between elements of a decked head, above column spanners, separating
total rows, etc.). Do not use vertical borders, and do not use borders around each
cell. Spacing and strict alignment is typically enough to clarify relationships
between elements.
5. Sub-components should be indented and italicized. This is to distinguish the level
of importance of the components of a policy paper.

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 MODULE 3: CAPSTONE
(FEASIBILITY STUDY)

Course Description:

The feasibility study is a capstone requirementfor the students enrolled in Master in

Business Administration- Professional Track program. The capstone is the final
requirement of graduating MBA students with a feasibility study as their output .The
feasibility study covers the market, technical, management, financial and socio-
economic study.

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THE PRELIMINARIES (FRONT PART)

It consists of the title page, approval sheet, acknowledgment, dedication, and

table of contents, list of tables, list of figures and summary of the project.

The Title Page. The title page presents the title, the full name of the researcher, and
the submission statement which includes the faculty or school, the degree or course
taken and the month and year in which the feasibility studywas finally defended
In choosing a title for policy paper, it should be concise, descriptive and
comprehensive. Phrases like... A Critical Analysis... An Evaluation...An Assessment of...
A Study... or humorous or catchy titles are NOT appropriate for feasibility study.
The criteria in writing the title are as follows:
1. Reflective of the general problem,
2. Clear and descriptive
3. Short and concise, preferably not more than 14 words or two lines using
the inverted pyramid format,
4. Correctly worded and properly edited, and
5. Conforms to the institutional format.
Approval Sheet. In this portion, the adviser certifies that the feasibility study prepared
by the researcher is examined, correct in form and content and is recommended for
approval and acceptance for Oral Examination. Certification of the Panel of Examiners
provides a space for the signature of the panel of examiners, dean and other involved
persons indicating their approval and acceptance of the work. In the master's thesis, the
usual number of panelists is three.
Acknowledgement. It contains expressions of appreciation for assistance and
guidance in the preparation and completion of the study. First to acknowledge is the
thesis adviser, followed by the member of the panel, then the significant others such as
encoders, statistician, consultants, and other persons. Acknowledgement should be
expressed simply, honestly, sincerely, and tactfully. Whether you are a Christian or non-
Christian, always give thanks to the Almighty Lord for His spiritual guidance.

23
 Dedication. Only those persons who are close member of the family or those
whom you personally love should be cited. There are different styles of writing a
dedication depending upon the researcher’s taste and style.
Table of Contents. This should be typed in capital letters centered between the
margins. All chapter titles should be in capital letters without punctuation marks.
List of Tables and Figures. These should follow the Table of Contents. The list
of tables should contain the table number, table title and page. The table number should
not be punctuated. The table title should correspond to the table title found in the text.
Charts, graphs, maps, and illustrations are grouped as figures. All captions for figures
should show what the figure is all about.
Summary of the Project. This portion summarizes the whole idea of your
feasibility study. It should contain the vision and mission of your project, the plant
location, brief description, market feasibility, technical feasibility, management
feasibility, financial feasibility, and the socio-economic contribution.
Vision and Mission.The mission statement defines the company's
business, its objectives and its approach to reach those objectives. A vision statement
describes the desired future position of the company. Elements of Mission and
Vision Statements are often combined to provide a statement of the company's
purposes, goals and values.
Plant Location. This portion defines the location of your business.
Strategic location of your business will give the researcher a good start in their
business. Make sure to include the complete name and address to where your business
in located.
Brief Description. A brief description of your product gives an overview to
what the product and business is all about. It should be concise and catchy since this is
part of the summary of your business.
Market Feasibility. The market feasibility portion of your report provides
the reader with insightful information about company statistics, market research and the
future outlook for the company. Start by summarizing your company's industry. Discuss
its history, current practices and trends along with future projections for the industry as a

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whole. List your top competitors, your primary sources of materials/revenue, sales
figures and potential niche areas you could pursue to expand your customer base.
The market feasibility section helps your reader gain more of an understanding of
your company, what it has to offer and how your feasibility project could benefit its
growth.
Technical Feasibility. This section outlines several operational factors that
influence the success of your business. Discuss your company's location, materials
needed to create the products or services you offer, the manufacturing process, quality
assurance facilities and necessary transportation to ship your products to retail
locations.
Management Feasibility. This section demonstrates your company's legal
and ethical practices to the reader. This section should include an outline of the general
structure of your company, such as branch locations or departments.
Financial Feasibility. Thissection outlines all aspects of your company's
finances to the reader. In this section, you should include information about your
investors, current revenue, assets and liabilities as well as total annual revenue from the
previous year. You should also include a cost-benefit evaluation that helps support your
business needs.The financial feasibility section aims to convince the reader to either
invest their support, funds or both into the proposed project by showing them the costs
needed to maintain business operations.
Socio-Economic Distribution. This portion shows the contribution of
the study to the government and to the society. This area proves that the business
existed not only for profit purposes, but also for the improvement of the welfare of the
people.

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THE MAIN PART OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Composed of the following chapter headings:
CHAPTER
I - Background of the Study
II - Market Study
III - Technical Study
IV - Management Study
V - Financial Study
VI - Socio Economic Distribution

CHAPTER I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY. The background of the study

emphasizes the reason of the researcher in doing the business. The following are the
structures of the background of the study.
Introduction.This section lays the groundwork for why the introduction that is
part of the paper is important. The part includes the ideal situation, the reality and/ or
existing problem of the study, the consequence and the rationale of the study.
Brief Background of the Business. This portion gives the reader brief
description of the product gives an overview to what your product and business is all
about. It should be concise and catchy since this is part of the summary of your
business.
Objectives of the Study. This portion states the overall objectives of conducting
the feasibility study. It determines the feasibility of selling the product made by the
researcher.
Scope and Limitation of the Study. This portion includes the persons involved,
variables explored, research venue, date or year covered, time frame, and the issues to
which the study is focused are mentioned as the scope of the study.
As to limitation, factors, situations, and circumstances which may affect
the gathering of data but beyond the control of the researchers, should be mentioned so
as to justify the weakness(s) that may come out from the analysis of the data gathered.
Definition of Terms.Terms should be defined operationally since some words
have equivocal meaning.

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 Research Methodology. This portion discusses and elaborates the processes
and procedures used to gather the necessary data.
Research Design.The particular method used must be mentioned, whether it is
descriptive, experimental, or historical. Justification in the utilization of the method must
be explained. Other research techniques must be discussed also, like interview,
observation, documentary analysis, survey, etc.
Research Instrument. The respondents are those from whom the data/
information are to be collected or gathered. The respondents of the study may either be
universal/total populations or a sample from a population. In a universal/total population
all the members of that a population are involved. If a sample is taken from a population
appropriate formula is used.
Respondents of the Study. The respondents of the study are the target market
of the business.
Data Gathering Instrument.In this section, the research instrument used in
gathering data is explained in terms of its construction as to where and how the items or
indicators were gathered question is "what were the bases of the items in the
questionnaire? How did the researcher up with such items?
Summary of Survey Interpretation. This portion summarizes the survey and
interviews conducted by the researcher.
Data Gathering Procedure.The researcher narrates and explains briefly and
objectively the activities undertaken in gathering data starting from seeking permission
to conduct the study and ending with the retrieval. How the questionnaires were
distributed and administered must also be explained.
Statistical Treatment of Data.The statistical measures used in analyzing and
interpreting the data should be explained and illustrated according to the type of data. In
other words, for every set of data, the particular treatment is explained.

CHAPTER II. MARKET STUDY.The market study is generally directed towards

providing a definite and straightforward answer. This chapter covers the demand and
supply analysis, market share, SWOT analysis, marketing programs, product category
and the place of distribution.

27
 Demand and Supply Analysis. This portion gives the historical and projected
demand of the business.This help business firms in their investment decisions based on
the prevailing response of consumers towards a particular commodity, firm can foresee
the demand.
Market Gap Analysis.This portion discusses the research sales opportunities of
the business and makes a logical decision based on market facts rather than opinions.
Market Share.This portion states the estimate of what is the proportion of the total
market that a new business could reasonably expect to have.
SWOT Analysis.The strengths and weaknesses of the company are typically
known much better by the people inside the company and are referred to as "internal"
factors. Opportunities and threats typically come from outside the company and are
referred to as "external" factors.
When doing a SWOT analysis, begin with strengths and weaknesses. Some of
those strengths could lead to opportunities, and some of those weaknesses could lead
to threats (although opportunities and threats may be due to other external factors).
Market Strategies/ Program.A marketing strategy is important for all
businesses because it clearly outlines how they will find new customers and
promote their products and services to ultimately get more sales. The researcher
should indicate the product strategy, place strategy, promotion strategy, brand name,
packaging, pricing strategy and generalization.
Product Strategy.It states where the product will end up. By setting a
product strategy, the researcher can determine the direction of their product efforts. To
write product strategy, Define the target customer or market and identify whom you are
selling to, and what that market looks like.Describe how potential customers will
perceive the product compared to competitive products and understand what makes the
product unique in the market.
Place Strategy. It outlines how and where a company will place its
products and services in an attempt to gain market share and consumer
purchases. Make sure to include the complete address of your place.

28
 Promotion Strategy.Identify what kind of promotions (e.g. brochures,
tarpaulin, or online.) the researcher will do. Make sure that the chosen promotional
strategy will inform, persuade, or remind target audiences about the products.
Brand Name. A brand name or trade name is a name applied to a
particular product. Some brand names simply the name of the founders of a company.
Brand name should be strategic and can be easily remember. In writing, explain briefly
the etymology of the brand name and include the company’s logo.
Packaging.Packaging is the first thing that contributes to the user
experience; it can set the stage for a great user experience or damage the user's
product satisfaction before they've even used your product.
The packaging strategy should fulfil six functions: unique, functional, safe,
easy to remove, promote product benefits and reinforce the brand. The packaging
strategies diagram below captures each of the six functions that your packaging
strategy should fulfil. An effective packaging strategy can contribute to the firm's
competitive advantage.
Pricing strategy.Reflect the value you provide versus your competitors. In
this portion, identify the price of the product in terms of quantity.
Generalization. This portion generalizes the content of the Chapter II. This
discusses the important details and information about market study.

CHAPTER III. TECHNICAL STUDY.The technical study outlines several operational

factors that influence the success of your business. Additionally, this section helps
support the credibility of your financial feasibility section. It discusses the product
description, uses of the product, manufacturing process, process making, production
schedule, plant location, factory equipment, factory furniture and fixtures, factory tools
and supplies, maintenance supplies, office supplies, direct and indirect materials,
permits and licenses, utilities, waste disposal, direct labor requirement, and
generalization.
Product Description. It describes the features and benefits of a product to a
customer. The goal of the product description is to provide the customer enough
information to compel them to buy the product immediately.

29
 To write the product description, briefly describe and introduce the product. Use
the guide below for better writing.
1. Think about the who, what, where, when, and why before writing.
Who is this product for? The target audience can be a gender (women or
men), an age group (college kids, retirees), a lifestyle demographic (new mothers, car
enthusiasts) or some other defined group of people.
What are the product’s basic details? This includes attributes such as
dimensions, materials, product features and functions.
Where would someone use this product? Is it meant for indoor or outdoor
use, for your car or your home?
When should someone use the product? Just as important is pointing out
if a product can or should be used every day or year-round, as that will speak to its
long-term value.
Why is this product useful or better than its competitors? This can be
anything from quality to value to features — really think about the benefits that will
speak to customers. Also consider how images can complement your product copy.
2. Determine the best format to describe your products.
3. Choose goals and KPIs to measure success of your product descriptions.
4. Make your product description copy short and sweet.
Uses of Product.Explain what the product does, how it works, and how it can be
put to commercial or consumer use. Also, write a description of the product's physical
characteristics, including colors, finishes, sizes, specifications and ingredients.
Manufacturing Process. Discuss the process and the raw materials the
researcher’s used in making the product and
Process Making.Present the step-by-step procedure of making the product until
it is finished and ready to sell. Include the detailed instructions and the images while
performing the procedure.
Production Schedule. This portion indicates the timetable of the production
schedule to sustain the flow of production. Present the weekly and annual calendar of
activities. The different schedules that may be prepared include
1. schedule for raw materials to be purchased.

30
 2. schedule for direct labor
3. schedule for other manufacturing costs
4. schedule for finished goods and delivery time
5. schedule for inventory level.
Plant Location.This defines the detailed location of your business. In this
portion, indicate the complete address, landmarks, and map of the plant location. In
selecting the location of the processing plant, the following factors should be given high
consideration:
1. Distance of sources of raw materials
2. Proximity to the market
3. Availability of utilities
4. Availability of labor or skilled work force
5. Transportation facilities
6. Infrastructure facilities including roads, airport and shipping dock
7. Waste disposal system and/or problems
8. Local taxation and legislation
9. Peace and order situation
10. Physical conditions and terrain of the land
11. Prevalent weather condition in the area
12. Attitude, customs, and practices of the community

Factory Equipment. These are the machines to be used in the production of the
product. Also indicated in this portion is the furniture, fixtures, tools and supplies. In
writing the factory equipment, tabularize the equipment, its quantities and the amount of
each. Make sure to indicate the total amount of all the listed equipment.
Maintenance Supplies. In this portion, include the maintenance equipment,
repair and maintenance such as fire extinguisher, cleaning materials, etc.
Office Supplies. In this portion, include the office supplies, their quantities, unit
cost and total cost.
Direct Materials. These are the materials that directly attributed to the
production of your product. Direct material purchases budget is a component of master
budget and is based on the following formula:
Budgeted Direct Material Purchases per Units
= Budgeted Beginning Direct Material in Units

31
 +Direct Material in Units Needed for Production
- Budgeted Ending Direct Materials in Units.
In the above formula, the direct material in units that is needed for
production is calculated as follow:
Budgeted Production during the Period
x Units of Direct Material Required per Unit
= Direct Material in Units Needed for Production
Utilities. This section on utilities and other overhead costs to manufacture the
goods addresses the following questions:
1. Who are the utility providers (light and water)?
2. How much is the expected consumption for utilities?
3. Are there ways to reduce utility consumption?
4. What are the other types of overhead costs that have material effect on
the manufacture of the product?
Waste Disposal System.This selection describes the waste disposal system
that may be adopted based on the type of waste it produces.

This selection of the technical study should answer the following questions:

1. What type of waste disposal system should be adopted?

2. What is the prevalent practice of the community in disposing waste or
trash?
3. What is the expected volume of waste to be produced by the plant in a
month?
4. Is the industrial waste to be produced by the business recyclable?
5. How much is the estimated cost of disposing the garbage?

Direct Labor Requirement. One important concern that must be addressed

squarely in a feasibility study is the availability of skilled workers. This selection
presents the direct labor requirements to produce the goods or to render the proposed
services. It should answer the following questions:
1. What specific direct labor requirements are needed to produce the goods
or deliver the service?
2. Are there enough direct laborers to produce the goods?
3. How long will it take, in terms of numbers of house, to produce the goods?

32
 4. How many workers are involved to produce the goods?
5. How much is the wage of every worker per day or per hour?
6. How much is the prevailing daily wage in the community?
7. How much is the minimum wage in region where the business is located?

Generalization. This portion generalizes the content of the Chapter III. This
discusses the important details and information about the technical study.

CHAPTER IV. MANAGEMENT FEASIBILITY. The term “management” in this section

refers to the scientific and procedural contributions of human resources towards the
accomplishment of the proposed business endeavor. This chapter, therefore,
determines the human resource requirements of the project. This chapter includes
forms of business ownership, capitalization, manpower requirement, compensation,
organizational policies and generalization.
Form of Business Ownership. In this section, the researcher identifies what
form of ownership the business is. It is important to identify the ownership because of
liabilities. The underlying element in liability is the degree of risk of exposure.
Capitalization. The capital requirement to start the business may come directly
from fresh cash infusion of the owners, or may be sourced from creditors. The amount
of capital needed should be enough to cover the infrastructure requirements and the
scale of operation.
Manpower Requirement. Manpower is the necessary workers the startup
business must employ in order to start and maintain the operation. Together with the
number of workers required is the necessary expertise that must accompany each of
the position that management would be creating for the new business. In this portion,
include the needed manpower and the preferred requirements.
Compensation. Once the staffing process has been accomplished, the schedule
of salaries, ages, allowances and other fringe benefits of employees should follow. In
formulating the level of compensation, allowances, and other fringe benefits, the
proponent should consider the following:
1. the amount legally provided in the Labor Code.

33
 2. the statutory minimum wage in the regions as stipulated by the Regional
Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board.
3. the prevailing practice in the industry
4. the demands of the position based on expertise, qualification and work
experience.
5. the technical requirements of the work to be performed.
Organizational Policies. In this portion, the researcher must include the
personnel policies such as the employment process and requirements, the classification
of employees, their work schedule, attendance and code of ethics. Organizational chart
is also needed to include in this section.
Generalization.This portion generalizes the content of the Chapter IV. This
discusses the important details and information about management study.

CHAPTER V. FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY. This chapter deals with the cost of the
projects, the expected revenues to be realized, the estimated operating expenses to be
incurred and the projected profitability of the business endeavor. All financial information
shown in the various financial statements are not historical amounts. They are projected
financial data based on various assumptions used in the study.
Capital Requirement. The capital requirement to start the business may come
directly from fresh cash infusion of the owners, or may be sourced from creditors. The
amount of capital needed should be enough to cover the infrastructure requirements
and the scale of operation.
Total Project Cost. It refers to the estimated initial funding requirements of the
proposed project. The term “initial” in the context is emphatically underscored to
highlight the difference between start-up cost and future operating cost. Total project
cost is the sum of the following:
1. cost of the land
2. cost of the building
3. cost of machinery
4. other infrastructure cost (equipment, pollution system, storage facilities)
5. working capital requirement

34
 6. professional fees to lawyers, accountant, engineers, etc.
7. processing fees and business permits.
Source of Financing. This section should explicitly define the possible sources
of funds to finance the initial funding requirements of the proposed project. Alternative
ways of financing the project should be presented to the prospective investors. This
section must answer the basic question, what is the source of funds to finance the total
project cost requirement?
Financial Assumptions. Using all the data gathered from the research major
assumptions must first be created before a major financial analysis is made such as:
1. date, month or year to start the business.
2. number of owners, capitalizations, and the position in the proposed
business.
3. number of employees and its salaries and benefits.
4. project cost of the business.
5. method of depreciation
6. schedules of purchase/inventory, overhead, VAT, prepared expenses,
payment liabilities, actual amount or projected sales and purchases, cost of sales and
statement of changes partner’s equity (ex. partnership)
7. projected sales.
The Projected Financial Statements. Financial statements are means which
the business communicates all the information about the financial performance. The
information to be disclosed in financial statements includes:
1. profitability of the operating activities
2. liquidity condition
3. solvency status
4. management efficiency in handling resources
5. adaptability performance
The common financial statements included in the study are:
1. statement of comprehensive income
2. statement of financial position
3. statement of cash flow

35
 Financial Statement Analysis. Data in the projected financial statements
remain without value unless they are interpreted as to profitability, liquidity, solvency
and management efficiency. The researcher may use the following tools in analyzing
the projected financial statements.
1. horizontal or comparative analysis
2. vertical or common size analysis
3. trend percentage
4. financial ratio
In analyzing the projected financial statements, the researcher should put
emphasis on factors that will support the financial viability of the project.
Generalization. This portion generalizes the content of the Chapter IV. This
discusses the important details and information about financial study.

CHAPTER VI. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION. This chapter is the last part of the
feasibility study. It is the only aspect in feasibility study that does not resolve pertinent
issues regarding financial viability. Rather, it deals with the social and economic impact
of the proposed project to the local community and the nation in general.
Primary Concerns of a Socio- Economic Study
1. employment contributions
2. government benefits
3. other socio- economic concerns
Other Socio- Economic Concerns
1. the use of local or substitute materials in the production of goods;
2. the reduction in price of a similar product in the market;
3. increase of exports

REFERENCING- the thesis writing will use the APA 7th Edition format. Refer to page 39.

APPENDIX. An appendix should be used for materials that supplement the text
but are not appropriate for inclusion in it. This includes but not limited to: the permit to
conduct a study; type of research instrument; tables containing lesser importance;

36
pertinent long documents not readily available for enclosing the text; long quotations
and speeches supplementary illustrated materials such as forms; long list of pictures of
lesser importance Placing lengthy tables and other matters in the appendix prevents the
text from becoming unduly bulky. The appendix are categorized into A, B. C, D, and the
like.

CURRICULUM VITAE. This section provides an overview of the researcher's

experiences and other qualifications.

PAPER ELEMENTS AND FORMATTING

The researcher should follow the correct format and style in typing the research
paper. The following are the guidelines with sample illustrations.
1. Template. Researchers are required to follow the institutional template given
by the RDO. Paper size is 8.5″ x 11″ (letter), Arial 12. The template follows
the standardize margin.
2. Page Number. Preliminaries should be in Roman Numerals, while the main
part of the feasibility paper is in Arabic Numerals.
3. Spacing. The body of the research should be double line spacing. Exceptions
to double line spacing are as follows:
 Title page
 Table numbers, table titles and table figure
 Figures
 Displayed equations
4. Tables. Tables should only include borders and lines that are needed for
clarity (i.e., between elements of a decked head, above column spanners,
separating total rows, etc.). Do not use vertical borders, and do not use
borders around each cell. Spacing and strict alignment is typically enough to
clarify relationships between elements.
5. Sub-components should be indented and italicized. This is to distinguish the
level of importance of the components of a feasibility study.

37
REFERENCES:
Aduana, N. L. (2015). Writing Project Feasibility Study.
American Psychological Association. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-
guidelines/paper-format/line-spacing?fbclid=IwAR3VLIXfrg0TRHl5y0Wjp-HY-
vN7WgNBdm1PQiVaUZ0I031h5Yesj5ikLRs

Purdue University. College of Liberal Arts,

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and
_style_guide/reference_list_other_non_print_sources.html

Sereno, A. O. et.al. (2014) Business Feasibility Study, A Writing Experience

Trinidad, N. F. (2000). Learning Modules in Advance Research Seminar.The Philippine

Women’s University

Tipan, A. D. Acielo, A. D. (2019). LCC Research Manual, page 51-53.

38
 The APA 7th Edition Referencing

Single Author
Last name first, followed by author initials.

Ahmed, S. (2012). On being included: Racism and diversity in institutional life. Duke
University Press.

Two Authors
List by their last names and initials. Separate author names with a comma. Use the
ampersand instead of "and."

Soto, C. J., & John, O. P. (2017). The next big five inventory (BFI-2): Developing and
assessing a hierarchical model with 15 facets to enhance bandwidth, fidelity, and
predictive power. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(1), 117-
143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000096

Three To Twenty Authors

List by last names and initials; commas separate author names, while the last author
name is preceded again by ampersand.

Nguyen, T., Carnevale, J. J., Scholer, A. A., Miele, D. B., & Fujita, K. (2019).
Metamotivational knowledge of the role of high-level and low-level construal in
goal-relevant task performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
117(5), 879-899. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000166

More than Twenty Authors

List by last names and initials; commas separate author names. After the first 19
authors’ names, use an ellipsis in place of the remaining author names. Then, end with
the final author's name (do not place an ampersand before it). There should be no more
than twenty names in the citation in total.

Pegion, K., Kirtman, B. P., Becker, E., Collins, D. C., LaJoie, E., Burgman, R., Bell, R.,
DelSole, R., Min, D., Zhu, Y., Li, W., Sinsky, E., Guan, H., Gottschalck, J.,
Metzger, E. J., Barton, N. P., Achuthavarier, D., Marshak, J., Koster, R., . . . Kim,
H. (2019). The subseasonal experiment (SubX): A multimodel subseasonal
prediction experiment. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 100(10),
2043-2061. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-18-0270.1

Group Author
Group authors can include corporations, government agencies, organizations,
etc; and a group may publish in coordination with individuals. Here, you simply treat the
publishing organization the same way you'd treat the author's name and format the rest

39
of the citation as normal. Be sure to give the full name of the group author in your
reference list, although abbreviations may be used in your text.

Entries in reference works ( e.g. dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias) without

credited authors are also considered works with group authors.

Merriam-Webster. (2008). Braggadocio. In Merriam-Webster’s Advanced Learner’s

English Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.

When a work has multiple layers of group authorship (e.g. The Office of the
Historian, which is a part of the Department of State, publishes something), list the most
specific agency as the author and the parent agency as the publisher.

Bureau of International Organization Affairs. (2018). U.S. contributions to international

organizations, 2017 [Annual report]. U.S. Department of
State. https://www.state.gov/u-s-contributions-to-international-organizations/

Unknown Author
When the work does not have an author move the title of the work to the
beginning of the references and follow with the date of publication. Only use
“Anonymous ” if the author is the work is signed “Anonymous.”

Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary (11th ed.). (2003). Merriam-Webster.

Two or more Works by the Same Author

Use the author's name for all entries and list the entries by the year (earliest
comes first). List references with no dates before references with dates.

When an author appears both as a sole author and, in another citation, as the
first author of a group, list the one-author entries first.

Agnew, C. R. (Ed.). (2014). Social influences on romantic relationships: Beyond the

dyad. Cambridge University Press.

Agnew, C. R., & South, S. C. (Eds.). (2014). Interpersonal relationships and health:
Social and clinical psychological mechanisms. Oxford University Press.
References that have the same first author and different second and/or third
authors are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the second author, or the
last name of the third if the first and second authors are the same.

Arriaga, X. B., Capezza, N. M., Reed, J. T., Wesselman, E. D., & Williams, K. D. (2014).
With partners like you, who needs strangers?: Ostracism involving a romantic
partner. Personal Relationships, 21(4), 557-569.

40
Two or More Works by the Same Author in the Same Year
Berndt, T. J. (2004a). Children’s friendships: Shifts over a half-century in perspectives
on their development and their effects. Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 50(3), 206-223.

Berndt, T. J. (2004b). Friendship and three A’s (aggression, adjustment, and

attachment). Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 88(1), 1-4.

Introductions, Prefaces, Forewords, and Afterwords

Lang, J. M. (2018). Introduction. In Dujardin, G., Lang, J. M., & Staunton, J. A.
(Eds.), Teaching the literature survey course (pp. 1-8). West Virginia University
Press.

Article in Print Journal

Scruton, R. (1996). The eclipse of listening. The New Criterion, 15(3), 5–13.

Article in Electronic Journal

Baniya, S., & Weech, S. (2019). Data and experience design: Negotiating community-
oriented digital research with service-learning. Purdue Journal of Service-
Learning and International Engagement, 6(1), 11–
16. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284316979

Denny, H., Nordlof, J., & Salem, L. (2018). "Tell me exactly what it was that I was doing
that was so bad": Understanding the needs and expectations of working-class
students in writing centers. Writing Center Journal, 37(1), 67–
98. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26537363

Article in a Magazine
Peterzell, J. (1990, April). Better late than never. Time, 135(17), 20–21.

Article in a Newspaper
Schultz, S. (2005, December). Calls made to strengthen state energy policies. The
Country Today, 1A, 2A.

Review
Baumeister, R. F. (1993). Exposing the self-knowledge myth [Review of the book The
self-knower: A hero under control, by R. A. Wicklund & M. Eckert]. Contemporary
Psychology, 38(5), 466–467.

BASIC FORMAT FOR BOOKS

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Publisher
Name. DOI (if available)

Stoneman, R. (2008). Alexander the Great: A life in legend. Yale University Press.

41
Edited Book, No Author

Editor, E. E. (Ed.). (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle.
Publisher. DOI (if available)

Leitch, M. G., & Rushton, C. J. (Eds.). (2019). A new companion to Malory. D. S.

Brewer.

Edited Book with an Author Or Authors

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle (E. Editor,
Ed.). Publisher. DOI (if available)

Malory, T. (2017). Le morte darthur (P. J. C. Field, Ed.). D. S. Brewer. (Original work
published 1469-70)

A Translation
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle (T.
Translator, Trans.). Publisher. (Original work published YEAR) DOI (if available)

Plato (1989). Symposium (A. Nehamas & P. Woodruff, Trans.). Hackett Publishing
Company. (Original work published ca. 385-378 BCE)

Note: When you cite a republished work, like the one above, in your text, it should
appear with both dates: Plato (385-378/1989)

Edition other than the First

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle (#
edition). Publisher. DOI (if available)

Belcher, W. (2019). Writing your journal article in twelve weeks: A guide to academic
publishing success (2nd ed.). University of Chicago Press.

Article or Chapter in an Edited Book

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year of publication). Title of chapter. In E. E. Editor & F.
F. Editor (Eds.), Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle (pp. pages of
chapter). Publisher. DOI (if available)

Note: When you list the pages of the chapter or essay in parentheses after the book
title, use "pp." before the numbers: (pp. 1-21). This abbreviation, however, does not
appear before the page numbers in periodical references. List any edition number in the
same set of parentheses as the page numbers, separated by a comma: (2nd ed., pp.
66-72).

42
Armstrong, D. (2019). Malory and character. In M. G. Leitch & C. J. Rushton (Eds.), A
new companion to Malory (pp. 144-163). D. S. Brewer.

Multivolume Work
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle (Vol.
#). Publisher. DOI (if available)

David, A., & Simpson, J. (Eds.). (2006). The Norton anthology of English literature: The
Middle Ages (8th ed.,Vol. A). W. W. Norton and Company.

Entry in a Dictionary, Thesaurus, or Encyclopedia with a Group Author

The 7th edition of the APAmanual does not provide specific guidance on how to
cite physical reference works such as dictionaries, thesauruses, or
encyclopedias. Therefore, this citation, as well as the one for an individual author of an
entry in a reference work, is modeled on that of a chapter in an edited book or
anthology, both which are similar in format to reference works.

Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (1997). Goat. In Merriam Webster’s collegiate

dictionary (10th ed., pp. 499-500). Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

Entry in a Dictionary, Thesaurus, or Encyclopedia with an Individual Author

Tatum, S. R. (2009). Spirituality and religion in hip hop literature and culture. In T. L.
Stanley (ed.), Encyclopedia of hip hop literature (pp. 250-252). Greenwood.

Work Discussed in a Secondary Source

Provide the source in which the original work was referenced:

Nail, T. (2017). What is an assemblage? SubStance, 46(1), 21-

37. http://sub.uwpress.org/lookup/doi/10.3368/ss.46.1.21

Note: Provide the secondary source in the references list; in the text, name the original
work, and give a citation for the secondary source. For example, if Deleuze and
Guattari’s work is cited in Nail and you did not read the original work, list the Nail
reference in the References. In the text, use the following citation:

Deleuze & Guattari’s concept of the assemblage (as cited in Nail, 2017)….

43
Dissertation Abstract
The 7th edition of the APA manual does not provide specific guidance on how to
cite dissertation abstracts. Therefore, this citation models that of a journal article, which
is similar in format.

Angeli, E. L. (2012). Networks of communication in emergency medical

services. Dissertation Abstracts International, 74, 03(E).

Dissertation or Master’s Thesis, Published

Angeli, E. L. (2012). Networks of communication in emergency medical
services (Publication No. 3544643) [Doctoral dissertation, Purdue University].
ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

Note: If the dissertation or thesis is not published in a database, include the URL of the
site where the document is located.

Dissertation or Master’s Thesis, Unpublished

Samson, J. M. (2016). Human trafficking and globalization [Unpublished doctoral
dissertation]. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Federal or State Statute

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Publ. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119
(2010). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-
111publ148.pdf

Report by A Government Agency or Other Organization

United States Government Accountability Office. (2019). Performance and
accountability report: Fiscal year
2019. https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/702715.pdf

Report by Individual Authors at Government Agency or Other Organization

Palanker, D., Volk, J., Lucia, K., & Thomas, K. (2018). Mental health parity at risk:
Deregulating the individual market and the impact on mental health coverage.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/About-
NAMI/Publications-Reports/Public-Policy-Reports/Parity-at-Risk/ParityatRisk.pdf

Conference Proceedings
The 7th edition of the APA manual does not provide guidance on citing
conference proceedings. Therefore, this citation models that of an edited collection,
which is similar in format.
Huang, S., Pierce, R., & Stamey, J. (Eds.). (2006). Proceedings of the 24th annual ACM

44
 international conference on the design of communication. ACM Digital
Library. https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1166324&picked=prox

Webpage or Piece of Online Content

If the page names an individual author, cite their name first:

Price, D. (2018, March 23). Laziness does not exist.

Medium. https://humanparts.medium.com/laziness-does-not-exist-3af27e312d01

If the resource was written by a group or organization, use the name of the
group/organization as the author. Additionally, if the author and site name are the same,
omit the site name from the citation.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2019, November

21). Justice served: Case closed for over 40 dogfighting
victims. https://www.aspca.org/news/justice-served-case-closed-over-40-
dogfighting-victims

If the page's author is not listed, start with the title instead. Additionally, include a
retrieval date when the page's content is likely to change over time (like, for instance, if
you're citing a wiki that is publicly edited).

Tuscan white bean pasta. (2018, February 25). Budgetbytes. Retrieved March 18, 2020,
from https://www.budgetbytes.com/tuscan-white-bean-pasta/

If the date of publication is not listed, use the abbreviation (n.d.).

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Mental health

conditions. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions

Wikipedia Article
APA 7 treats Wikipedia articles as special instances of entries in reference
works. Thus, there are a few differences between reference entries for pages on
Wikipedia and those for generic webpages.

Quantum mechanics. (2019, November 19).

In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Quantum_mechanics&old
id=948476810

Wikipedia articles often update frequently. For this reason, the date refers to the
date that the cited version of the page was published. Note also that the manual
recommends linking to the archived version of the page, rather than the current version
of the page on the site, since the latter can change over time. Access the archived
version by clicking "View History," then clicking the date/timestamp of the version you'd
like to cite.

45
Online Scholarly Journal Article: Citing Doi

Article from an Online Periodical with Doi Assigned

Drollinger, T., Comer, L. B., & Warrington, P. T. (2006). Development and validation of
the active empathetic listening scale. Psychology & Marketing, 23(2), 161-
180. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20105

Article from an Online Periodical with No Doi Assigned

If an online scholarly journal article has no DOI and is published on a website,
include the URL. If an online scholarly article has no DOI and is published on a
database, do not include a URL or any database information. The only exception is for
databases that publish articles that are in limited circulation (like ERIC) or that are only
available on that particular database (like UpToDate). Note that retrieval dates are
required for unarchived sources that are likely, or intended, to change over time.

Perreault, L. (2019). Obesity in adults: Role of physical activity and exercise. UpToDate.
Retrieved January 12, 2020, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/obesity-in-
adults-role-of-physical-activity-and-exercise

Abstract
APA 7th edition does not provide guidance on how to cite abstracts. However, if
you only use information from the abstract but the full text of the article is also available,
we advise you to add "[Abstract]" after the article or source name. If the full text is not
available, you may use an abstract that is available through an abstracts database as a
secondary source.

Online News Article

Note: The format for this type of source depends on whether your source comes
from a site with an associated newspaper.

If the source does come from a site with an associated newspaper, leave the title
of the article unformatted, but italicize the title of the newspaper.

Richards, C. (2019, December 9). Best music of 2019: Lana Del Rey sings lullabies
about the end of America. Washington
Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/best-music-of-2019-
lana-del-rey-sings-lullabies-about-the-end-of-america/2019/12/06/6e82c5ec-
15d8-11ea-a659-7d69641c6ff7_story.html

On the other hand, if the source doesn't come from a site with an associated
newspaper, italicize the title of the article, but leave the name of the site unformatted.

Jones, J. (2020, May 10). Why flats dominate Spain's housing market.
BBC. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200506-why-do-flats-dominate-
spains-housing-market

46
Electronic or Kindle Books
It is not necessary to note that you have used an eBook or audiobook when the
content is the same as a physical book. However, you should distinguish between the
eBook or audiobook and the print version if the content is different or abridged, or if you
would like to cite the narrator of an audiobook.

Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of book. Publisher. URL

Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of book [eBook edition]. Publisher. URL
Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of book (N. Narrator, Narr.) [Audiobook]. Publisher. URL (if
applicable)

Dissertation/Thesis from a Database

Duis, J. M. (2008). Acid/base chemistry and related organic chemistry conceptions of
undergraduate organic chemistry students. (Publication No. 3348786) [Doctoral
dissertation, University of Northern Colorado]. ProQuest Dissertations and
Theses Global.

Entry in an Online Dictionary, Thesaurus, or Encyclopedia with a Group Author

Note: An online dictionary, thesaurus, or encyclopedia may be continuously updated

and therefore not include a publication date (like in the example below). If that’s the
case, use “n.d.” for the date and include the retrieval date in the citation.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Braggadocio. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved

January 13, 2020, from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/braggadocio

Entry in an Online Dictionary, Thesaurus, or Encyclopedia with an Individual

Author

Martin, M. (2018). Animals. In L. A. Schintler & C. L. McNeely (Eds), Encyclopedia of

big data. SpringerLink. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32001-4_7-1

Note: If the dictionary, thesaurus, or encyclopedia does not include an edition, simply
skip that step.

Data Sets
Grantmakers in the Arts. (2019). Arts funding trends, United States, 1994-
present (ICPSR 37337) [Data set]. National Archive of Data on Arts &
Culture. https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/NADAC/studies/37337

Graphic Data (E.G. Interactive Maps, Infographics, and Other Graphic

Representations of Data)
Give the name of the organization or individual followed by the date and the title.
If there is no title, in brackets, you should provide a brief explanation of what type of

47
data is there and in what form it appears. Include the URL and the retrieval date if there
is no publication date.

HatchMed. (2017). 8 ways to improve patient satisfaction [Infographic].

HatchMed.com. https://www.hatchmed.com/blog/2017/1/30/8-ways-to-improve-
patient-satisfaction

Google. (n.d.). [Google Map of Purdue University]. Retrieved January 12, 2020,
from https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4237095,-86.9233886,17z

Qualitative Data and Online Interviews

If an interview is not retrievable in audio or print form, cite the interview only in
the text (not in the reference list) and provide the month, day, and year in the text. If the
interview transcript is published in an online periodical, like a magazine, cite the
interview the same way you would cite the medium where it is published, as shown
below:

Schulman, M. (2019, December 8). Peter Dinklage is still punk rock. The New
Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/peter-
dinklage-is-still-punk-rock

If it is an audio file or transcript published in a database, credit the interviewee as

the author and use the following model:

Paynter, W. (1970, September 17). Interview with Will Paynter [Interview]. Studs Terkel
Radio Archive; The Chicago History
Museum. https://studsterkel.wfmt.com/programs/interview-will-paynter

Online Lecture Notes and Presentation Slides

When citing online lecture notes, be sure to provide the file format in brackets
after the lecture title (e.g. PowerPoint slides, Word document).

Smith, C. (2017, October 13). AI and machine learning demystified [PowerPoint slides].
SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/carologic/ai-and-machine-learning-
demystified-by-carol-smith-at-midwest-ux-2017

Computer Software/Downloaded Software

Do not cite standard office software (e.g. Word, Excel) or programming
languages. Provide references only for specialized software.

Maplesoft. (2019). Maple companion (Version 2.1.0). Cybernet Systems

Co. https://www.maplesoft.com/products/MapleCompanion/

Email
E-mails are not included in the list of references, though you should
parenthetically cite them in your main text:

48
(E. Robbins, personal communication, January 4, 2001).

Online Forum or Discussion Posting

Stine, R. L. [RL__Stine]. (2013, October 23). I’m R.L. Stine and it’s my job to terrify kids.
Ask me anything! [Online forum post].
Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1p32dl/

Tweet

Note: If the tweet includes images, videos, or links to other sources, indicate that
information in brackets after the content description. Also attempt to replicate emojis if
possible.

National Geographic [@NatGeo]. (2020, January 12). Scientists knew African grays are
clever, but now they’ve been documented assisting other members of their
species—even strangers [Tweet; thumbnail link to article].
Twitter. https://twitter.com/NatGeo/status/1216346352063537154

Twitter Profile
MLA Style [@mlastyle]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Retrieved January 12, 2020,
from https://twitter.com/mlastyle

Facebook Post
Note: If the Facebook post includes images, videos, or links to other sources, indicate
that information in brackets after the content description. Also attempt to replicate
emojis if possible.

U.S. Department of the Interior. (2020, January 10). Like frosting on a cake, snow coats
and clings to the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah [Image
attached] [Status update].
Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/USInterior/photos/a.155163054537384/25
86475451406120/?type=3&theater

Facebook Page
Little River Canyon National Preserve (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook.
Retrieved January 12, 2020 from https://www.facebook.com/lirinps/

Instagram Photo or Video

BBC [@bbc]. (2020, January 12). Skywatchers have been treated to the first full moon
of 2020-known as a “wolf moon”-at the same time as a [Photograph].
Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7OkWqbBwcf/
Blog Post
Axelrod, A. (2019, August 11). A century later: The Treaty of Versailles and its rejection
of racial equality. Code Switch,
NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/08/11/742293305/a-century-
later-the-treaty-of-versailles-and-its-rejection-of-racial-equality

49
Youtube or Other Streaming Video
Lushi, K. [Korab Lushi]. (2016, July 3). Albatross culture 1 [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AMrJRQDPjk&t=148s
Note: The person or group who uploaded the video is considered the author. If the
author’s name is the same as the username, you can omit the [Username].

Ted Talk
Al-Mutawa, N. (2010, July). Superheroes inspired by Islam [Video].
TED. https://www.ted.com/talks/naif_al_mutawa_superheroes_inspired_by_islam
#t-4909

Or (if on YouTube)

Tedx Talks. (2011, Nov. 15). TEDxHampshireCollege - Jay Smooth - How I learned to
stop worrying and love discussing race [Video].
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbdxeFcQtaU

Podcast Episode
Prime, K. (Host). (2019, March 29). For whom the cowbell tolls [Audio podcast episode].
In Radiolab. WNYC Studios. https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/whom-cowbell-
tolls

Presentation without an Online Source

Matson, E. (2018, Nov. 5). Drones and autonomous vehicles: The latest new technology
to come with potential threat [Conference session]. Dawn or Doom 2018
Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.

Presentation with Online Source

Bailey, C. (2019, April 5). How to get your brain to
focus [Address]. TEDxManchester,Manchester,
U.K. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4Yvq-g7_Y

Individual Presentation in a Larger Symposium/Panel

Fabian, J. J. (2020, May 14). UX in free educational content. In J. S. Doe (Chair), The
case of the Purdue OWL: Accessibility and online content development [Panel
presentation] Computers and Writing 2020, Greenville, NC, United States.

Unpublished Works
You may find yourself needing to cite a dissertation or a manuscript that has not
yet been formally published. To correctly classify the work, describe the work and put
that description in square brackets. Be sure the date you list is the year the work was
completed, whether it’s the final version or not.

50
Unpublished Manuscript
Barkley, S., Chen, M., & McDonald, P. (2018). The effects of sodium on children’s
health [Unpublished manuscript]. Department of Biology, University of Cincinnati.
Manuscript In Preparation
Glass, A. (2019). How avocados changed America [Manuscript in preparation].
Department of Sociology, Michigan State University.

Manuscript Submitted For Publication

Jones, R. (2019). Walt Whitman and the American Dream [Manuscript submitted for
publication]. Department of English, University of Mississippi.

Personal Communication
Any communication that cannot be directly retrieved by a reader is considered
“personal communication.” Emails, phone conversations, text messages, and social
media messages are all examples of personal communication. You do not include
personal communication in your reference list; instead, parenthetically cite the
communicator's name, the phrase "personal communication," and the date of the
communication in your main text only.

(E. Robbins, personal communication, January 4, 2019).

If you reference personal communication in a footnote, as is common practice in certain

fields and publications, you can document it in the same way.

1. P. Smith (personal communication, November 3, 2019) also claimed that many of her
students had difficulties with APA style.

51