Guidelines for Independent Study

FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES

1. Cover Page: Should include the Title and Student Registration number with calendar year
2. Abstract Page: Please limit the abstract to 350 words (no key words)
3. Table of Contents: Please follow international norms (check any of the published books you
use for the research as a guideline)

4. Chapter outline:
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Research Problem (this is the problem statement in 1 - 2 paragraphs)
1.3 Research objectives (2 - 3 Objectives)
1.4 Research questions (must be the same number as objectives, i.e. if 2
objectives, then 2 questions)
1.5 Scope of the Study
1.6 Limitations

Chapter 2 Literature Review

Should include literature relevant to the topic of research, also literature on
applicable theory and Methodology adopted in the independent study (sub –
sections can be determined by the researcher)

Chapter 3 Theory and Methodology

Explain the Theory selected applicable to study, why testing of the particular
theory and describe and justify the methodology selected. Explain fully the
methodology. A conceptual Framework is helpful in the explanation.
Independent study will focus mainly on using secondary sources available via
published reports such as Central Bank, newspapers,
Declarations/MOU/Constitutions or using literature published in journal
articles, books, web sources etc. This may be a review of literature around a
selected topic and a desk research, and expectation is constructive, critical
examination in order to find new interpretations or improve existing knowledge
(sub – sections can be determined by the researcher).

Chapter 4 Discussion and Findings

In this chapter, your research should be analyzed and discussed supporting with
the findings of the research (sub – sections can be determined by the
researcher).

Chapter 5 Conclusion
This should be limited to 3 pages., Concluding chapter should ideally be
without sub sections.

5. List of References: minimum 30 sources of journal articles/published books/web sources etc.

6. Writing Style Guide: Please follow the American Psychological Association (APA) Style
Guide for in-text citations and referencing.

7. Length of the Independent Study: The body of the text excluding appendices and pages in
Roman numerals) should be not more than 8,000 words.

Refer the Annexures attached herewith for the following:

Annexure A: Specimen of a Cover Page

Annexure B: Specimen of the Title Page
Annexure C: Specimen of the Author’s Declaration
 Annexure A (Specimen of a cover page)

TITLE OF THE INDEPENDENT STUDY

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by
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Name of the Candidate

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Reg. No
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Masters in Public Administration and Management (MPAM)

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Faculty of Graduate Studies

University of Colombo
Sri Lanka
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Date of Submission
Month & Year
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 Annexure B (Specimen of the title page)

TITLE OF THE INDEPENDENT STUDY

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by
<font size 14><italic>

Name of the Candidate

<font size 16>
Reg. No.
<font size 14>

Independent Study Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the
Degree of Masters in Public Administration and Management (MPAM)

Faculty of Graduate Studies

University of Colombo
Sri Lanka
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Date of Submission
Month & Year
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 Annexure C (Specimen of the Author’s Declaration)

AUTHOR'S DECLARATION

I hereby certify that this Independent Study does not incorporate without
acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a Degree or a
Diploma in any University, and to the best my knowledge and belief, it does
not contain any material previously published or written by another person
except where due reference is made in the text.

………………………………………...
(Name and Signature of the Author)

……………………………………..
(Date)