Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Admas University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Feb, 2023
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1. General Guidelines
1.1 There should be a strict follow-up by the department heads on the research
process unless, otherwise, there exists major challenges, beyond the control of the
researcher group.
1.2 There should be continuous communication between the supervisor and the
students on the progress of the research work.
1.3 Students should use the American Psychology Association (APA) referencing
Style (2010, 6th edu.)
1.4 Students should submit their final proposal and senior project work in
consultation and approval of their advisor/supervisor.
1.5 When students fail to complete their senior project work based on the University‟s
schedule; they will start from the scratch.
2. Role of Advisors/Supervisors
2.1 Advisors should communicate with his/her students continuously at least once a week
and within the University schedule on how to handle the research paper via phone,
email and in person.
2.2 Advisors/Supervisors should be willing and ready to help and understand their
advises in their academic life.
2.3 When a student failed to communicate based on the University schedule, the
Advisor/supervisor is responsible to notify the respective Department/Dean office for
possible solutions.
2.4 In case there happens a conflict between the student and the supervisor, the case will
be submitted to the respective Department/Dean office for possible solutions.
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3.1 Students should have a regular and close contact with their
Advisors/supervisor and get constructive guidance for the betterment of their
work. In case the assigned Advisor/supervisor is not available and cannot be
reached for long time, the student should immediately report to respective
Department/Dean office.
3.2 It is the student's responsibility to inform their Advisor/supervisor of progress and to
lead the development of the research project.
3.3 The student is responsible to inform the respective Department/Dean office and
Advisor/supervisor of any absence such as sickness, personal case during the project
work.
3.4 Students are responsible in all aspects of incorporating comments forwarded
by Advisors/supervisor and shall develop a sense of independence during
research work.
3.5 Students should make at most attention to abide by the dates stated in research
project schedule posted by the respective Department/Dean office.
3.6 A student who fails to go in line with the above guideline and hence do not
meet the final deadline will not get any consideration and will be forced to
face an additional expense.
3.7 Students by themselves shall cross check the state of plagiarism and grammar
problems with the help of some checker software.
3.8 Students should take maximum attention for their quality research work,
because if a student scores less than “C” research project grade it is expected
to register in the next academic year by conducting full research work and
registration fees.
4. Senior research project format
The structure of the research paper should be organized into five chapters including
preliminary parts, Bibliography and Appendices. Thus, the layout of the Undergraduate
research project should comply with the following specifications:
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Title Page
Declaration
Approval Certificate
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Tables of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of appendixes (if any)
Abstract
Research Project Chapters (Five Chapters)
1. Introduction
2. Review of Literature
3. Material and Methods
4. Results and Discussion
5. Conclusion and Recommendation
References
Appendices
The detail components of the final research report are clearly specified in the following
pages.
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ADMAS UNIVERSITY
MEGENAGNA SQUARE CAMPUS
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND INFORMATICS
DEPARTMENT OF……………………
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Declaration [New page]
I, [put your name here], the under signed, declare that this thesis entitled: “[put your title here]”
is my/our original work. I/we have undertaken the research work independently with the
guidance and support of the research supervisor. This study has not been submitted for any
degree or diploma program in this or any other institutions and that all sources of materials used
for the thesis has been duly acknowledged.
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APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that the thesis entitled: [insert title of the research project] submitted in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of [insert your study program] of the
Postgraduate Studies, Admas University and is a record of original research carried out by
[insert name of candidate/s] [insert ID. No], under my supervision, and no part of the thesis has
been submitted for any other degree or diploma. The assistance and help received during the
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Table of Contents [New page]
Declaration ................................................................................................................... i
Certificate of Approval ................................................................................................ ii
Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................. iii
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................ iv
List of Figures .................................................................................................................
List of Tables ..................................................................................................................
List of Appendices ..........................................................................................................
List of Abbreviations ......................................................................................................
Abstract ...........................................................................................................................
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3.5 Data Source and Collection Method......................................................................
3.6 Variable Measurement and Instrument .................................................................
3.7 Reliability and Validity .........................................................................................
3.8 Data Analysis Method ...........................................................................................
Appendices .....................................................................................................................
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Abstract [New page]
The abstract is a summary of the whole document and should be presented in one paragraph with
maximum of 250 words that consists of:
◦ Background of the issue under study
◦ Major Objective/Purposes
◦ Methodologies used in the research
◦ Major findings and major conclusions
◦ Major general recommendations
Statement of the problem should clearly explain the problem to be addressed or the question(s) to
be answered though the proposed research. It should also indicate how important the problem is,
who else has worked on that particular problem previously, what methods were used, what the
results or conclusions of previous research were, and the relevance of the current research
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(and the research gaps to be bridged) in relation to other research activities that have been done.
This part should not exceed 2-3 pages.
Elaborates about the problem and motives
Develop key research questions which will be included below
1.3. Research questions
It should be in line with the specific objectives. Research questions have to be numbered (1, 2,
3…..) and should be questions not in statement formats.
State whether your research design is explanatory, exploratory, descriptive, causal, or else.
Briefly discuss why you prefer that research design.
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3.3. Research Approach
State whether your research approach is quantitative, qualitative or mixed research approach,
briefly discuss why you prefer that approach
Discuss which type of data you are going to use (primary Vs secondary data type), and why you
prefer such data type. Discuss your data collection method and data collection tools such as
questionnaires (self-administering semi-structured questionnaires), interviews, document review,
etc; and why you prefer to switch to this method.
3.5. Population and Sample size
3.5.1. Sample Size
Discuss what sample size to include in to your study in respect to the study population
Discuss which sampling technique to use and why you prefer this sampling technique
3.6. Variable Measurement and Instrument
3.7. Method of data Analysis
Discuss what methods are you going to use for analysis for the data you have collected based on
different means that you have discussed in the methods of data collection above.
3.8. Reliability and Validity (only for those who are going to use questionnaires methods of
data collection)
Questionnaire is one of the most widely used tools to collect data in especially social science
research. The main objective of questionnaire in research is to obtain relevant information in
most reliable and valid manner. Thus the accuracy and consistency of survey/questionnaire
forms a significant aspect of research methodology which are known as validity and reliability.
Often new researchers are confused with selection and conducting of proper validity type to test
their research instrument (questionnaire/survey). This review article explores and describes the
validity and reliability of a questionnaire/survey and also discusses various forms of validity and
reliability tests.
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3.9.Ethical Considerations
This part is especially compulsory for research proposals addressing, for example,
health/nutrition aspects, in which case the fundamental principles of research ethics, such
as informed consent, beneficence, justice, respect for persons and community should be
respected.
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Suggests further study
Always give possible recommendations as they are related to your research
General Formatting
Scientific writing requires consistency in style and format in research proposals, thesis and
dissertations. Certain rules are followed consistently throughout these documents. These rules
are presented below.
Times New Roman Font should be used in writing the proposal and thesis. The colour should be
black (Colour for charts or graphs if needed). No other font is used throughout the proposal or
thesis.
Present the COVER AND TITLE PAGES in 16-point font size, Cap lock, and bold font.
Present for FIRST LEVEL HEADINGS in 14-point font size, cap lock and bold.
Present for sub heading in 12- point font size, cap lock each major words and bold
Present for below sub heading in 12- point font size, sentence case and bold.
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Normal body text should be twelve point (12 point) size, using a Times New Roman.
Each of the titles of the preliminaries and the major titles of the text as well as
the titles must be written in bold upper case letters and left. Chapter headings of the text are
numbered with Arabic numerals starting from 1 for the “Introduction” and ending with the
“Appendices”. However, none of the titles of the preliminaries are numbered including in the
Table of Contents.
The second order titles (sub-headings) of the text are numbered consecutively with fractions of
the Arabic numeral of their respective chapters (e.g. 1.1. 1.2., etc. or 2.1.,2.2., etc) and must be
written in bold title case letters (that is, only the first letter of all major words of the headings
written in upper case letters) flushed to left and should not run with text. Moreover, all the third
order and more sub-division headings are numbered consecutively with fractions of the Arabic
numeral of their respective sub-headings or divisions (e.g. 1.1.1., 1.1.2., etc or 2.1.1., 2.1.2., etc,)
and written in bold lower case letters (except the first letter of the first word and proper nouns),
flushed left margin and should not run with text. No titles or headings of any division and
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headings (captions) of either Table or Figures are underlined, punctuated or italicized (italicize if
it is a scientific name or “local name”).
The spacing between the lines in the text is 1.5 and between two paragraphs is always with one
more free line of 1.5 spacing. A free line space is required both between the paragraphs, and
above and below the sub-headings or sub-division headings in the text. Indenting the first line of
a paragraph as a substitute for leaving one free line spacing between two paragraphs is not
acceptable.
Every page has a page number typed on it except the first Cover Page. The use of two different
series of page numbering is recommended. In the first series small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii,
etc,) are used for all the pages starting from the page next to the Cover Page and ending on the
last page preceding the first page of the Introduction. In the second series, Arabic numerals (1, 2,
3, etc.) are used from the first page of Introduction and continues till the end of the Appendix
section. However, Arabic page numbering after the last page of the reference list will not be
considered as part of the fixed number of pages of the main body of the thesis. Page numbers
will not include like periods or dashes. In addition, page number should be located at the right
bottom of the page throughout the document.
This comes soon after the Table of Contents. This section is constituted of the captions of the
Figures and/or Illustrations included in the thesis. The major points to be observed in preparing
the List of Figures/Illustrations include:
In the text, all Figures and Illustrations are numbered consecutively (with Arabic numerals)
starting with Figure 1 for the Figure or Illustration, which appeared first in the thesis, and the
captions apart from being short and descriptive, must appear on the bottom of each Figure.
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In the List of Figures or Illustrations, the number of the Figures, the captions (or titles) with
all the entries corresponding exactly in wording (including fonts and cases) with that in the
text and the page number of the manuscript on which each Figure occurs are entered.
Only the initial letters of the first word and of proper nouns are capitalized both in the text
and in the List of Figures.
No terminal punctuation is used for the headings or after any title listed therein.
It is the section which appears on a new page following the List of figures. The List of Tables is
constituted of the captions of the tables included in the thesis. The major points to be observed in
preparing the List of Tables include:
In the text, all Tables are numbered consecutively (with Arabic numerals) starting
with Table 1 for the table which appeared first in the thesis, and the captions apart from being
short and descriptive must appear on the top of each table.
In the List of Tables, the number of the Table, the caption (or title) with all entries
corresponding exactly in wording (including fonts and cases) with that in the text and
the page number of the manuscript on which each table occurs are entered.
Only the initial letters of the first word and of proper nouns are capitalized both in the
text and in the List of Tables.
No terminal punctuation is used for the headings or after any title listed therein.
A. Book
Simple Book: Name(s) of author(s). Year of publication. Title of the book (Italicized). Volume
number (in case of multivolume book), edition no. (If it is later than the first edition). Publisher‟s
name, place of publication, pagination (when a particular page of the book is cited then “P” for
single page “PP” if multiple pages should be mentioned before page numbers cited.
Example:
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John A., Duffie, William A. and Beckman (1980). “Solar Engineering of Thermal Process”,
Jhonwiley & Sons, New York, USA.
B. Article
Journal Article: Name (s) of author (s). Year of publication of the article. Full name of the
journal (Italicized), volume no; and pages.
Chaurey, A. and Kandpal, T.C. (2010). “A techno economic comparison of rural electrification
based on Solar home systems and PV micro grids”; Energy Policy, vol.38, issue 6: 25-38.
C. Thesis
Name of the author. Year of submission. Title of the thesis. Name of the degree. The word thesis.
Name of the university, place, pagination (when a particular page of the thesis is cited then “p”
should be mentioned before page number cited; “pp” following the page number means total
number of pages contained in the thesis)
D. Conference paper
Author(s) (year of publication). “Paper title”, Conference name, date, place, relevant page
numbers.
Meade B., and Monaco A. (1999). “Environmental management”. The key to successful
operation”, First Pan-American Conference, Latin American Tourism in next Millennium:
Education, Investment and Sustainability, May 19-21, 1999, Panama City, Panama.
E. Government Publications
Name of the Organization. Name of the Department, Section. Year of publication. Title of
publication. Publisher‟s name. Place of publication, pagination (When a particular page of the
publication is cited then “p‟ should be mentioned before page number cited; “pp‟ following the
page number means total number of pages contained in the document).
When citing references in the text of the thesis, the last names of the authors for up to two
authors, and last name of the first author and "et al." for more than two authors should be given
followed by the year of publication within parentheses. When reference is made to more than one
publication by the author (s) in the same year, the publication should be numbered as (a) and (b)
of that year with the earliest publication the year being designated (a) and so on.
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F. Web page
Author (s) (year of publication), “Publication title and “address” (i.e. book, journal, report or
conference title, relevant page numbers - as quoted), web-page URL (as applicable, including
date of issuing/modified as well as accessing the article on the web page).
George Yaw Obeng, Hans Dieter Evers (2009). “Solar PV rural electrification and energy
poverty”; available on, http://mpra.ub.unimuenchen.de/17136/1/MPRA_paper_17136. pdf,
accessed on September 2009, viewed on April 2012.
International Energy Agency (IEA, 2010).”Solar PV road map Targets”, Available on,
http://www.iea.org/papers/2009/PV_roadmap_targets_printing.pdf, accessed on April 2010.
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o In the in-text citation only the surnames of the first author followed by < et al.,> is
used, look like this: <Author #1 Surname et al., (<Publication year>). Example:
(Alvi et al., 2009) for Alvi, M. H., Ghaznavi, K., Hashmi, M., Siddiqui, D. & Zaidi,
R. (2009). <title>…. which is used in the reference list.
o Whatever times the source is cited in your work it appears the same.
It is unacceptable to number the headings with 1.1., 1.1.1., etc. unless there is at least one
more headings to be numbered as 1.2., 1.1.2., etc., respectively.
Scientific names in any part of the research proposal or thesis should be written in italic font
with the genus name starting with a capital letter and species epithet will appear in a small
letter. Local names are also written in italic within this “…” punctuation.
Complicated, long or awkward sentences and incorrect grammatical rules should be avoided.
Must use „should not‟, „cannot‟, „will not‟ instead of using contractions such as „shouldn‟t‟,
„can‟t‟, and „won‟t‟ as well as „and‟ instead of using ampersand (&).
Avoid use of personal pronouns such as I, You, and We rather indicate the researcher/s
Minimize use of jargon and avoid use of informal language (slang).
Hang all references at 0.5”
Order all list of references alphabetically A to Z.
In citation of multiple authors for the same parenthesis/idea order all alphabetically as they
appear in the list of reference and separate the citations with semicolons.
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