CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF GHANA, FIAPRE

FACULTY OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

RECOMMENDED DISSERTATION FORMAT FOR MPH PROGRAMME

Dissertation Preliminary pages (initial pages)
I. Title page
II. Declaration
III. Acknowledgement
IV. Dedication
V. Table of content
VI. List of Figures
VII. List tables
VIII. List of abbreviation
IX. Abstract

Note: Students should use Roman numerals “i,ii,iii,iv….” when assigning page numbers to the
initial pages as showed above, until the body of the thesis begins.

Dissertation Body
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Justification of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Objectives of the study
1.5.1 General objective
1.5.2 Specific objectives
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 The conceptual framework
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Key topic for first specific objective
2.2 Key topic for second specific objective
2.3 Key topic for third specific objective
2.4 Key topic for fourth specific objective
2.5 Summary of Chapter

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Background of the Study Area
3.2 Study Design and Type
3.3 Study Population
3.4 Sampling Technique and Sample Size
3.5 Study Variables
3.6 Data Collection Tool and Technique
3.7 Data Analysis
3.8 Limitation of the Study
3.9 Ethical Consideration

CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
4.1 Demographic data
4.2 Key topic for first specific objective
4.3 Key topic for second specific objective

Note:
Students should provide a clear, systematic presentation of results, linked back to the research
questions and conceptual model or framework.
This section does not include interpretation or discussion of results, but rather, includes;
1. Characteristics of the study sample, including the number of subjects and the response rate.
2. Table(s) or figure(s) addressing each research question. The text highlights but does not
duplicate results shown in tables and figures.

CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION
5.1 Key topic for first specific objective
5.2 Key topic for second specific objective
Note:
This section gives students the opportunity to discuss the finding by commenting on the strengths
and limitations of the research results, compare or contrast key findings with previous work thus,
student ability to integrate his/her findings with relevant information from the literature. Finally,
student should be able to explain the significance and implications of the findings for public
health practitioners or clinicians and possibly provide suggested areas for further research
CHAPTER SIX
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Conclusion
6.2 Recommendation
Note:
Pages for the dissertation body, which begins with chapter 1 and end at chapter 6 are to be
numbered with Arabic numerals beginning with “1,2,3,4….”. All Chapters must begin on a new
page.

OTHER ATTACHMENTS
Reference
Note: Reference list as cited in the narrative should be in APA style.
Appendix

Dissertation Paper Formatting

1. The standard Formatting style as prescribed by the faculty for the dissertation is
American Psychologic Association (APA) style which should be used by students and
must be consistent throughout the paper.
2. The Font should not be larger than 12-point, and font choice should be easily readable
(Times New Roman is acceptable).
3. Margins should be consistent throughout the paper. 1-inch margins all around are
suggested.
4. Text should be double-spaced.
5. Each chapter heading should begin from a fresh page.
6. There is no officially required paper length, but student’s dissertation should not be less
than 65 pages excluding the preliminary pages, reference and appendix. Hence, 65 - 70
pages is typical.