www.afru.ac.

ug

AfRU- SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES POLICY

GUIDELINES FOR THE FORMAT OF RESEARCHPROPOSALS,

RESEARCHREPORTS, THESIS AND DISSERTATIONS

March 2018
 www.afru.ac.ug

1.0 Definition of Proposal

This is a written presentation of an intended research specifying the problem, the

purpose, scope/objectives, methodology, references and the financial plan/budget.

2. Components of a Research Proposal

2.1 Title /Topic

The title should accurately reflect the scope/objectives and content of the study. In

addition, it should be concise, simple and interesting in not more than 20 words.

The title should be informative/descriptive yet discrete and contain the key words

of the proposal. Do not use terms like "Research into...","A Study of...",etc

2.2 Background/ Introduction

This section should indicate the problem, brief and summarized Literature,

Justification and significance (showing urgency of the research to be carried out)

and finally the aim. NB: The last sentence of this section should be the aim. (About

600 words, Font type: Times New Roman, Font size 12; 1.5lines spacing double

spaced)

2.3 Research Problem / Problem Statement

i. Presents the burden behind the proposal i.e. what is negatively affecting the

target community (ies) that the intended research if done will solve.

ii. For Emphasis;

Problem is an existing negative state not absence of a solution. Refers to what has

been detected and needs a solution in the practical or theoretical world. Should

attempt to state the estimated magnitude/ extent. Important is that you should Link

the problem to the national development priorities/framework

(NDP), the regional (e.g. AU) and the Global Strategic Development Agenda

2
 www.afru.ac.ug

(SDGs). NB: National development priorities are most preferable; i.e. the problem

should be local. Should be concise and brief (not more than 1page)

2.4 General Objective / Aim/Purpose

This refers to the general intention of the research. Should spell out what the

research is supposed to accomplish. The General Objective always describes the

topic.

2.5 Specific Objectives

These are specific aims / objectives arising directly from the general objective

/purpose/aim of the study. For each specific objective you must have a method to

attempt to achieve it. Actually specific objectives act as fulcrum for entire proposal,

i.e. everything revolves about the specific objectives. Therefore specific objectives

must be measurable and hence realistic.

2.6 Significance / Justification/Importance

This refers to the relevance of study in terms of academic contributions and

practical use that might be made of the findings. It should reflect on knowledge

creation, technological or socio-economic value to the community.

2.7 Justification/Rationale

This answers the question of why? Would the world collapse if this work is not

done?

2.8 Theoretical / Conceptual Framework

(i) Theoretical Framework: Is an examination of existing or self-formulated

theories in relation to the researchers‟ objectives.

Or

(ii) Conceptual Framework

3
 www.afru.ac.ug

Is a scheme of concepts (variables) which a researcher will operationalize in the

study in order to achieve the set objectives. The framework is normally presented

graphically (dramatically).

N.B. Theoretical framework will be a requirement for Masters and Ph.D. Proposals

of AfRU students. Undergraduate students will be required to have conceptual

framework in their proposals as well as reports.

2.9Scope (where applicable)

The scope provides for the boundary of the research in terms of depth of

investigation, content, and sample size, geographical and theoretical coverage.

3.0Literature Review

As earlier said, the specific objectives drive the write-up of Literature Review.

i. This section deals with the analysis of existing literature about your

topic. The intention of navigating literature is to reveal contributions,

weaknesses and gaps; and how your intended research (proposal) will

fill the identified gap.

ii. The Literature Review should be according to the themes of the study

and should reflect the specific objectives, Hypotheses, methods and

population.

iii. Citation should be in accordance with approved format. (See

Guidelines for writing manuscripts -Appendix I)

4
 www.afru.ac.ug

3.1 Hypotheses / Postulates / Research Questions (where applicable).

These are investigative assumptions, which guide the study. In case of hypotheses,

they should be testable. (Hypothesis is usually null or alternate, which ever poses

the investigative question).

N.B. Hypotheses scan come immediately after Specific Objectives.

3.2Methodology

This is a detailed description of selected methodology and should be presented in

un ambiguous terms.

The section comprises:

Research design, which describes the nature and pattern the research intends to

follow e.g. whether it is qualitative or quantitative, historical, descriptive survey,

experimental or quasi experimental and location.

Research Approaches; this could either be qualitative or quantitative in nature.

Description of the geographical area (Study setting) and where population of the
Study exists.
Description of the population (study population) from which samples will be

selected.

Study population is obtained by means of selection criteria i.e. inclusion

and exclusion criteria.

Sample size estimation: this is depends on the specific objectives

Sampling strategies, by which the researcher will select representative elements /

subjects from the population.

Study variables i.e. dependent and independent variables& Measurement scales

involved.

5
 www.afru.ac.ug

Data collection methods and management; including instruments/questionnaire

and procedures to be used in the research described.

Data quality control; which refers to reliability and validity of instruments and

procedures

Data analysis, which involves organization and interpretation of the data

generated.

Note: Both raw data and the analyzed form be kept both electronically and hard

copy for further reference later.

Follow the following steps in preparing data for analysis:

 Receive the raw data sources

 Create electronic database from the raw data sources

 Clean/Edit the database

 Correct and clarify the raw data sources

 Finalize database
 Create data files from the data bases

3.3Ethical Consideration

These include getting clearance from the ethical body (AfRU Ethics

committee/Uganda National Council for Science and Technology– UNCST)and

consent of the respondent. Ethics of the research here refers to the moral

justification of the investigation or intervention; as regards the minimal abuse,

disregard, safety, social and psychological wellbeing of the person and/or

community and / or animals. It shows how the principles of consent, beneficence

and justice are handled in the study. Make sure you include a statement of where

ethical clearance has been or will be obtained.

3.4 Environmental Considerations

6
 www.afru.ac.ug

Where applicable, include a statement on environmental concerns.

3.5 Gender consideration

The section presents the gender issues addressed by the study and how they will

be handled in the analysis.

3.6Limitations / Anticipated Problems

This refers to anticipated constraints imposed by methods/location/situation of

research. Potential sources of bias in the proposed study are presented here.

However, these must not be seen to prevent the study from being carried out;

otherwise it will not start *“Never cut a branch on which you are standing”+. The

limitations are major considerations before embarking on a study to ascertain the

feasibility of accomplishment.

3.7References

This is a list of all works cited in the proposal and should be written according to

the approved format. The approved format is APA Sixth Edition (Appendix I).

3.8Appendices

Comprises of the work plan/ time framework, budget, explanatory notes and

instruments, ethical clearance documents and other study permission documents.

3.9Budget

This is the financial plan for implementation of the research. It should be clear,

realistic and reasonable (affordable)

It should be itemized according to the following:

-Equipment

-Stationery

7
 www.afru.ac.ug

-Materials e.g. nails, wood, chemicals etc.

-Travel

-Subsistence

-Research Assistance

-Services (Secretarial, Photocopying, Printing, Binding etc)

-Other purposes (Specify)

e.g10% Research honorarium (not for those doing higher degrees)

-15% Institutional Administrative fee/Overhead costs (9%

To the SPGS3% to the, Department, 3% to the Faculty/academic

(ii) Time Framework/Work Plan

This is the schedule / time-table of activities covering the period over which the

research is to be implemented with due regard to budgetary consideration as well.

It could be presented in tabular form or in a giant chart (More preferred). It is a

valuable guide for evaluation of a research progress.

(iii) Explanatory Notes

They include research approval letters, maps, and lists of areas to be visited.

(iv) Instruments

These are details of tools used in the research e.g. Equipment,

questionnaire, interview schedule, scales and tests etc.

(v) Length of Proposals for

Bachelors-up to 15 pages excluding appendices

Masters –up to 25 pages excluding appendices

Ph.D.–35 pages

Note: The proposal is first submitted to your department for evaluation and

approval before it is forwarded to the SPGS.

8
 www.afru.ac.ug

4.0 AfRU RESEARCH REPORT, THESIS/DISSERTATION FORMAT

4.1. Definition of Report: Is a detailed account of the study

4.2. Research Report Comprises of:

a) The preliminaries (pages numbered in Roman numerals).

The Preliminaries to consist of:-

Title page (Not numbered)
Declaration (compulsory for certificate &Degree research)
Dedication (optional)

Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
List of Tables (where applicable)
List of illustrations (Figures) (where applicable)

Abbreviations (Acronyms)(where applicable)

Abstract

The Body/Text (Page numbers in Arabic numerals)

b) For the report or dissertation; the text consists of:

b)
 Introduction

 Literature Review and/or Theoretical Analysis

 Methodology/Materials and Methods
 Presentation of results/findings
 Discussion of results/findings

 Conclusions, Summary and Recommendations.

ii) Thesis/Dissertation published as papers and /or as manuscripts.

9
 www.afru.ac.ug

The text consists of:

1. General Introduction
2. Literature Review and/or Theoretical Analysis
3. General Methodology/Materials and Methods

Each of the objectives forms a standalone chapter of a published paper or a

manuscript with:

i) Introduction

ii) ii) Materials and Methods

iii) iii) Results

iv) iv) Discussion

v) v) Conclusion

Then follows the sections (numbered consecutively):

5. General Discussion

6. Conclusion

7. Recommendations

The Bibliography

The Appendices

PRELIMINARY PAGES EXCEPT TITLE PAGE ARE PAGINATED USINGROMAN

NUMERALS (i)…(x) ETC SHOULD INCLUDE:

Example of Title page:

10
 www.afru.ac.ug

EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: EXAMINING THE

DEVELOPMENT IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION ON SSESE

ISLAND, UGANDA.

A DESSERTATIONSUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE

STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

WARD OF A DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS IN THEOLOGYOF AFRICA

RENEWAL UNIVERSITY

BY

JEAN ANKUNDA

MARCH 2018

11
 www.afru.ac.ug

(ii) Declaration (For Diploma/Degrees)

This is a pronouncement by the candidate that; This study is original and has not

been published and/or submitted for any other degree a ward to any other University

before‟.

NB: The researcher must append their signature just below this statement

(iii) Approval by Supervisors. The approved supervisors have to sign the

declaration page following the statement that:

„This report/ thesis/dissertation has been submitted for examination with the

approval of the following supervisors‟: e.g.

Prof. N. Heilfers (BA, MA, PhD)

Signature: …………………………………………Date…………………………

NB: A minimum of two supervisors is preferable.

(iii) Dedication (Optional but very relevant for the report or dissertation or

thesis)

This mentions name(s) to which the research is dedicated.

(iv) Acknowledgement

This entails recognition of mentors, colleagues, individuals, sponsors and

institutions which supported the research.

(v) Table of Contents

This is the list of headings, subheadings starting with declaration paginated at (i)

and their corresponding page numbers. However, the title page is not numbered.

12
 www.afru.ac.ug

(vi) List of Tables

List tables in the report/thesis/dissertation with the corresponding pages; caption

is used.

(vii) List of Figures

Lists figures used in the report and their corresponding pages; caption is used.

These forms present methods or illustrations or results.

(viii) List of Appendices

Lists of appendices in the document and their corresponding pages

(ix) List of Abbreviations

Refers to abbreviations used in the report other than those commonly used.

(x) Abstract/Executive Summary

This entails a brief summary of the report, preferably not exceeding 300 words. The

abstract/summary highlights the type of study, the purpose/aim, objectives,

methodology (for report); additionally, major findings and conclusion (for report,

dissertation, or thesis).

Note: The approved electronic copy of the abstract and the whole report/

dissertation/Thesis as separate documents should also be submitted on a virus free

Compact Disc (CD)to the School of Post Graduate Studies for abstract publications

as you submit the hardcopy of your report/ thesis/dissertation as well.

13
 www.afru.ac.ug

2. THE TEXT (MAIN BODY) SHOULDINCLUDE;

a) Introduction:

This is Chapter 1and provides and presents the background to the study (includes

brief literature), statement of the problem, significance/justification, aim.

b) Literature Review:

This appears as Chapter 2 for both Research report, dissertation/thesis. (Any

relevant Literature may be cited in any of the chapters.

c) Methodology (Materials and Materials.

Each chapter (usually addressing each objective) has an Introduction, Materials

and Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion [For report, dissertation/thesis]

d) The successive chapters depend on the type of Thesis/dissertation;

For a Monograph;

Results can be presented together with discussion as Chapter four or two separate

chapter’s i.e.

(i) Presentation and Interpretation of Results as Chapter 4.

(ii) (ii) Discussion of results as Chapter 5.

For Standalone Chapters as papers

Each chapter (usually addressing each objective) has an Introduction, Materials

and Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion

e) Conclusion: Summary, research based outcomes, recommendations, and the

way forward, should come as the last chapter depending on how one has

presented the preceding chapters.

14
 www.afru.ac.ug

f) References

The reference list at the end of the text provides the information necessary to

identify and retrieve each source. Unlike a bibliography, a reference list cites only

the works which were cited in the text.

g) Citation type

The preferred mode of citation is the American Psychological Association (APA)

Sixth Edition. (NB: respective disciplines may prefer a different citation mode, they

should inform the research coordinator).

h) Appendices:

These comprise of instruments, maps, introductory letters and some essential raw

data, personnel met and research approval letters as well as areas visited.

NOTE:

The r e p o r t / thesis/dissertation is presented in a monograph form as one text.

However when it becomes necessary and applicable it may be presented as a

compilation of several published or publishable papers with the first chapter

handling all the general introductory issues in monograph form.

Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for report preparation,

editing and spell checking should enhance the quality of the work.

Appropriate computer data analysis packages should be used, and the Statistics

department at AfRU should handle this seriously.

The report, dissertation/thesis is spiral bound for examination but hard cover

bound in Malone colour with golden letters bearing what is contained in a title

page in the front cover. The ridge of the report will contain the degree award, name

15
 www.afru.ac.ug

of awardee and year of the award e.g. MBA Dissertation Annette, K. 2017 (in

golden letters).

Each approved report, dissertation/thesis will be cross-checked for correctness by

the supervisor, the examiners/SPGS before final submission.

BIAS

Avoid bias of language regarding gender, racial or ethnic identity, disabilities or

age.

CITATIONS

APA uses the author - date method of citation. For example:

 The last name of the author and the date of publication are inserted in the

text in the appropriate place (Note: This is citation) and a reference will be

automatically generated using END-NOTE.

 When referencing or summarizing a source, provide the author and year.

 When quoting or summarizing a particular passage, include the specific

page or paragraph number, as well.

 When quoting in your paper, if a direct quote is less than 40 words,

incorporate it into your text and use quotation marks. If a direct quote is

more than 40 words, make the quotation a free-standing indented block of

text and DO NOT use quotation marks.

Citation of one work by one author:

In one developmental study (Smith, 1990), children learned... OR In the study by

Smith (1990), primary school children... OR

In1990, Smith’s study of primary schoolchildren…

16
 www.afru.ac.ug

Citation of works by multiple authors:

When a piece of work has 2 authors;

Cite both names every time you reference the work in the text.

(Owens & Munene, 1994). The ampersand (&) is used in place of„ and‟

when the full citation is within parenthesis

When a work has three to five authors cite all the author names the first time the

reference occurs and then subsequently include only the first author followed by

etal. For example:

First citation: Masserton, Slonowski, and Slowinski (1989) state that... Subsequent

citations: Masserton et al. (1989) state that...

For 6 or more authors, cite only the name of the first author followed by etal. And

the year.

Citation of works by no identified author:

When a resource has no named author, cite the first few words of the reference

entry (usually the title).Use double quotation marks around the title of an article,

chapter, or Web page. Italicize the title of a periodical, book, brochure, or report.

For example:

The site seemed to indicate support for homeopathic drugs (“Medical

Miracles,”2009).

17
 www.afru.ac.ug

The brochure argues for home schooling (Education Reform, 2007). Treat reference

to legal materials such as court cases, statutes, and legislation like works with no

author.

Citation of two or more works in the same parenthetical citation.

Citations of two or more works in the same parentheses should be listed in the

order they appear in the reference list (i.e., alphabetically, then chronologically), for

example. Several studies (Jones & Powell,1993;Peterson, 1995,1998;Smith, 1990)

suggest that...

Citation of specific parts of a source

Always give the page number for quotations or to indicate information from a

specific table, chart, chapter, graph, or page. The word page is abbreviated but not

chapter. For example:

The painting was assumed to be by Matisse (Powell, 1989, Chapter6), but later

analysis showed it to be a forgery (Murphy, 1999, p. 85).

If, as in the instance of online material, the source has neither visible paragraph nor

page numbers, cite the heading and the number of the paragraph following it. This

allows the reader to locate the text in the source. For example:

The patient wrote that she was unimpressed by the doctor’s bed side

manner; (Smith, 2006, Hospital Experiences section, Para. 2).

18
 www.afru.ac.ug

COPYRIGHT

Written permission to use previously published text, tables, figures, or tests should

be available on request and acknowledged in reference to the text, table, figure,

plate or tests using asterisk.

FOOTNOTES

Because they are distracting to readers, footnotes should be included only when

necessary. In most cases, important information is best presented in the text, not in

a footnote.

REFERENCES

The reference list at the end of report provides the information necessary to

identify and retrieve each source. Unlike a bibliography, a reference list cites only

the works which were cited in the text.

SECONDARYSOURCES

Whenever possible, original sources should be used. If a work is cited which was

discussed in a secondary source, then the secondary source will be included in the

reference list cited in the text. (According to Byaruhanga and Kwebiha (as cited in

Ojok, Wafula, & Eyoku, 1995), this is true).

SPACING

Report should be double-spaced throughout, which includes all quotations and

references.

FONTTYPE AND SIZE

For uniformity, use Times New Roman font size 12 throughout the text

19
 www.afru.ac.ug

TABLES AND FIGURES

Tables and figures are effective when a large amount of data is to be presented in a

small space. Tables also have limitations and should be reserved for crucial data

that is directly relevant and for text that would be dense with numbers. The APA

Publication Manual has useful information on preparing tables. They should not

repeat what is clearly shown on figures or already described in the text. The Table

caption should be placed at the top while the figure caption is placed at the bottom

of the respective figure.

TITLES

Research Report/dissertation/thesis titles should be a concise statement of the main

topic and should reflect the specific objectives or issues under investigation, and

the relationshipbetweenthem.Therecommendedlengthis10to12words, but not more

than 20words.

EXAMPLES OF REFERENCES

Harris, L. A. (2001). Canadian copyright law (3rd ed.). Toronto, ON: McGraw Hill Ryerson.
Books (pp. 202-205)
Book Harris, L. A. (2001). Canadian copyright law (3rd ed.). Toronto, ON:
1-2 authors (p. 177, 203) McGraw Hill Ryerson.
In-text Citation: (Harris, 2001)
Book Murphy, M. A., Lai, D., & Sookraj, D. (1997). Evaluation of the
3-5 authors (p. 177, 203) neighborhood (congregate) meal program: Final report. Kelowna, BC:
Kelowna Home Support Society.
In-text Citation: (Murphy, Lai, & Sookraj, 1997)

Edited book Burley, J., & Harris, J. (Eds.). (2002). A companion to genethics. Malden,
(p. 177, 202) MA: Blackwell.
In-text Citation: (Burley & Harris, 2002, p. 153)
Article/chapter in Lawrence, J. A., & Dodds, A. E. (2003). Goal-directed activities and
edited book life-span development. In J. Valsiner & K. Connolly (Eds.), Handbook
Multiple of developmental psychology (pp. 517-533). London, England: Sage
authors/editors Publications.

20
 www.afru.ac.ug

(pp. 202, 204) In-text Citation: (Lawrence & Dodds, 2003, p. 524)

Encyclopaedia article Lindgren, H. C. (2001). Stereotyping. In Encyclopedia of psychology

(p. 202, 203) (Vol. 4, pp. 1617-1618). New York, NY: Wiley.
In-text Citation: (Lindgren, 2001)
Book with no author or Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary (10th ed.). (1993). Springfield,
editor MA: Merriam-Webster.
(p. 203, 205) In-text Citation: (Merriam-Webster's, 1993)
Entry in online Globalization. (2005). In J. Scott & G. Marshall (Eds.), A dictionary of
reference work sociology. Retrieved from http://www.oxfordreference.com
No author (p. 205 #29 & In-text Citation: (“Globalization,” 2005)
#30 & p. 176 sec. 6.15)
E-book Ochs, S. (2004). A history of nerve functions: From animal spirits to
(p. 203) molecular mechanisms [ebrary Reader version].

Annon (2002). General Information Brochure. School of Postgraduate Studies,

Africa Renewal University.(A non is used to refer to an anonymous author(s) of a

public/Government document.)

21
 www.afru.ac.ug

Appendix XX

Africa Renewal University procedures for proposal registration and examination

(a) Research Project proposal/

A student having identified a researchable idea, consults with potential

supervisor/advisor/mentor for further development.

Or

Academic member of staff having identified a researchable area probably with

funding identifies a student who may be interested to develop it in to a

researchable topic, or the student to carry out the research project with the

academic member of staff; the academic member will register the candidate’s

topic with the Head of Department.

The candidate will defend her proposal to SPGS for Examination.

 Thereafter, the student presents her approved work to the Ethics committee

 The Candidate goes to the Field for data collection once Ethics committee has

allowed the data collection to go on.

22