SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM or

PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

(Put here Full Title of Your Thesis)

(Put your Full Name here)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Month, Year

1
 SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM OR
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

(Put here Full Title of Your Thesis)

A Thesis Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA) / MA in Project
Management (MPM)

(Put your full name here)

(Put your Supervisor name here)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Month, Year

2
 Declaration [New page]

I, [put your name here], the under signed, declare that this thesis entitled: “[put your title here]”
is my original work. I have undertaken the research work independently with the guidance and
support of the research supervisor. This study has not been submit 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.

Name of Student Signature Date

This is to certify that the thesis entitled [insert title of the thesis] submitted in partial fulfillment

of the requirements for the degree of Masters of [insert your study program] of the Postgraduate

Studies, Queens’ College and is a record of original research carried out by [insert name of

candidate] [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 course of this

investigation have been duly acknowledge. Therefore, I recommend it to be accept as fulfilling the

thesis requirements.

Name of Advisor Signature Date

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 Certificate of Approval [New page]

This is to certify that the thesis prepared by (put your name here), entitled “put your title here”
and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts in
Project Management/MBA/MSc in Accounting and Finance complies with the regulations of the
University and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality.

Signature of Board of Examiner`s:

External examiner Signature Date

Internal examiner Signature Date

Dean, SGS Signature Date

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 Table of Contents [New page]

Declaration .................................................................................................................... i
Certificate of Approval .................................................................................................ii
Acknowledgments................................................................................................................... iii
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................ iv
List of Figures ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
List of Tables .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
List of Appendices ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
List of Abbreviations .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Abstract ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.1 Background of the Study ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2 Problem Statement............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.3 Objective of the Study ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.4 Significance of the Study................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.5 Scope of the Study ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.6 Limitation of the Study ...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.7 Definition of Terminologies .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.8 Organization of the Paper .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 2: Literature Review ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

2.1 Definition of Constract (s) ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2 Theoretical Literature ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3 Emperical Literature .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.4 Conceptual Framework ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 3: Research Methodology ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.1 Research Setting ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.2 Research Design ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3 Target Population .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.4 Sampling and Sampling Procedure.................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.5 Data Source and Collection Method.................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

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3.6 Variable Measurement and Instrument.............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.7 Reliability and Validity ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.8 Data Analysis Method ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 4: Results and Discussions ...................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.1 Response Rate ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.2 Profile of Respondents ...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.3 Results and Interpretaion ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation ..... Error! Bookmark not defined.

5.1 Conclusion ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.2 Recommendation ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Reference ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Appendices ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Abstract [New page]

The abstract is a summary of the whole document and should be present in one paragraph with
maximum of 250 words that consists of:
◦ Background of the issue under study
◦ Major Objective/Purpose
◦ Methodologies used in the research
◦ Major findings and major conclusions
◦ Major general recommendations
◦ Key words (bold)

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Main contents and explanation of the Research
Chapter One: Introduction [New page]
The first chapter of the thesis work should include several comments:
1.1. General background of the study
The introduction must consist of a general description of the background of the research. It
should show the understanding and genesis of the problem. It should provide in-depth analysis
about the problem putting it into local (specific) context. It should also briefly indicate the target
group of the study. It should not exceed 3 pages.
⚫ Provide general information on the discipline
⚫ Provide historical, geographical, societal facts
1.2. Statement of the problem
The problems involved in the research must be clearly defined as it will help to present the rationale
of the entire study. It must indicate exactly what the problem is; and why and how it is a problem.
It is necessary to give information to support the problem by providing evidences from
statistics and/or from literature or through some verifiable experiences.
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
(and the research gaps to be bridged) in relation to other research activities that have been done.
This part should not exceed 2 pages.
⚫ Elaborates about the problem and motives
⚫ Develop key research questions which will be included below
1.3. Research questions
They should be in line with the specific objectives. Research questions have to be numbered (1,
2, 3…..) and should be questions and not statement formats.

1.4. Objectives of the study

1.4.1. General
1.4.2. Specific Objectives

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 This is relate to a clear statement of the specific purposes of the study, which identifiesthe
key study variables and their possible interrelationships and the nature of the population of
interest. One general objective can be indicate and it should be in line with the title. Specific
objectives have to be in line with the variables hypothesized to influence the phenomenon
being investigate. Specific objectives should be relate to the general objective, but not its mere
repetition. It should state in Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3 …)

1.5. Hypothesis of the study

Put your hypothesis or scientific prediction this will be teste by Statistical tools.

1.6. Significance of the study

⚫ Justify the importance of the study as to how the results of your study will be useful to the
beneficiaries
⚫ The contribution it makes in augmenting knowledge
1.7. Scope of the Study
Any known delimitations placed on the study for controlling its scope and the effects of
related influences. Present geographical, conceptual and time scope of the research.

1.8. Limitations of the study

Specify the limiting factors that hindered the attainment of the research objectives such as:
⚫ Practical weaknesses in the methodologies the researcher adapted
⚫ Lack of access to the right data
⚫ Lack of up-to-date literature in the areas
⚫ Time and resource constraints
1.9. Definition of Terms
Clearly define the terminologies that employed in this study.
1.10. Organization of the Paper
Show what each chapter deals within the paper.

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Chapter Two: Review of Literature [New page]
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Definitions and Concepts
2.3. Theoretical and Empirical Reviews
2.4 Conceptual Model/Frameworks

Discussing what other authors have done in the area includes findings and your hypothesis
Use appropriate citations in all of your papers. Conclusion that reflects the main themes,
concepts, variables that are going to use in your research

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Chapter Three: Research Methodology [New page]
This can be named as research methodology or materials and methods based of the type
of the proposed research (may be different for experimental studies and social and related
disciplines). This part may include Description of the study area, research design with its
justification; the target population and its justification; sampling frame, sample size and
sampling technique; data collection procedures; and data processing and analysis (Shall not
exceed 6 pages). More specifically the research methodology includes:

3.1. Description of the study area

Indicate the geographical area including its history, geography, language and general culture.
For the methodological purposes, it is necessary to define some kind of study area where to collect
the empirical data.

3.2. Research Design

State whether your research design is explanatory, exploratory, descriptive, causal, or else. Briefly
discuss why you prefer that research design.

3.3. Research Approach

State whether your research approach is quantitative, qualitative or mixed research approach,
briefly discuss why you prefer that approach

3.4. Data Type and Data Source

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.

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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

3.5.2. Sampling Technique

Discuss which sampling technique to use, why you prefer sampling technique.

3.6. Variable Measurement and Instrument

3.7. Reliability and Validity
3.8. 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.

3.9.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 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 discusses various forms of validity and reliability tests.

3.10. 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 respected.

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Chapter Four: Results and Discussion [New page]
4.1. Response Rate
4.2. Demographic Profile of Respondents
4.3. Research Objectives (Major Issues of Analysis)

◦ Present your data using tables, graphs, texts… then interpret and analyze – show
the implication, support with additional data from interview… and evidences in the
literature
4.4 : Discussion of findings by relating to the theoretical discussions made in the literature
◦ Differences and similarities with the other authors findings
◦ Coherence and cohesiveness of arguments

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Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation [New page]
5.2. Conclusions
Should answer research questions and meet the objective of the study
◦ Drawn from the findings
◦ Findings state facts while conclusions represent inferences drawn from the findings
◦ A process of making judgment than reporting fact
◦ Should explain the implications of your findings for the current state of knowledge
of the topic
5.2. Recommendations
⚫ Suggests way forwards
⚫ Suggest policy directions
⚫ suggests corrective actions
⚫ Suggests further study
⚫ Always give possible recommendations as they are related to your research

Reference [New page]

⚫ Lists of books, journals, internet sources, etc
⚫ Apply consistent style and proper citation
⚫ Don’t forget listing all materials that you have cited in your text
⚫ Start your referencing section at the beginning of the writing process and add to it as you
go along

Appendices [New page]

⚫ Place for complex table, statistical tests supporting documents, copies of forms and
questionnaires
⚫ keep it to the minimum
⚫ put materials that are ‘interesting to know’ rather than ‘essential to know’

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General Formatting

1. GUIDELINE FOR STYLE AND FORMATTING

Scientific writing requires consistency in style and format in research proposals, thesis and
dissertations. Certain rules followed consistently throughout these documents. These rules
presented below.

1.1. Fonts and Margins

Times New Roman Font should use in writing the proposal and thesis. The color should be black
(Color for charts or graphs if needed). No other font 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.
 Normal body text should be twelve point (12 point) sizes, using a Times New Roman.

Margins and other important Rules summarized as follows:

 Left margin: ≥ 3.0 cm

 Right margin: ≥ 2.5 cm
 Top margin: ≥ 2.5 cm
 Bottom margin: ≥ 2.5 cm
 Spacing: 1.5
 Side: One side of the paper (front single)
 Paper format: A4 (normal)
 Breaking a word on 2 lines is not allowed
 Any corrections with fluid after print is not allowed
 Typing machine: Computer
 Printing quality: Clear and visible (Color print for charts or graphs with different colors)
 Copies: High quality photocopy

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1.2. Letter Cases and Numbering of Headings

Each of the titles of the preliminaries and the major titles of the text as well as
the titles must 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 is number including in the Table of
Contents.

The second order titles (sub-headings) of the text 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 headings (captions)
of either Table or Figures are underlined, punctuated or italicized (italicize if it is a scientific name
or “local name”).

1.3. Spacing and Indentation

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.

1.4. Page Numbering

Every page has a page number typed on it except the first Cover Page. The use of two different
series of page numbering recommended. In the first series small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.,)
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 not be considered as part

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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.

1.5. List of Figures or List of Illustrations

This comes soon after the Table of Contents. This section constituted of the captions of the
Figures and/or Illustrations included in the thesis. The major points to observe 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.
 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 capitalized both in the text and in
the List of Figures.
 No terminal punctuation used for the headings or after any title listed therein.

1.6. List of Tables

It is the section, which appears on a new page following the List of figures. The List of Tables
constituted of the captions of the tables included in the thesis. The major points to observe 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 capitalized both in thetext
and in the List of Tables.
 No terminal punctuation used for the headings or after any title listed there in.

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 1.2. FORMATS FOR CITATIONS AND REFERENCES

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 cited then “P” for
single page “PP” if multiple pages should be mentioned before page numbers cited.
Example:
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.

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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 made to more than one publication
by the author (s) in the same year, the publication should numbered as (a) and (b), of that year
the earliest publication the year being designated (a) and so on.
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.

Ways of citation and Reference listing

The name of an author written in a way: last name written first and afterwards initials of thefirst
name/s written; comma put after surname and a full stop is put after each initial.
For example:
1. If one author

Khalid Ghaznavi (2010) written as Ghaznavi, K. (2010) in reference; in citation (Ghaznavi,

2010)
2. If more than one author
If there are more than one author of a publication mention their names exactly in the same sequence
as they presented in the publication in list of reference.

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 If only two authors:
o In the citation only the surnames of the two authors will be used which is separated by
“and” like <Author #1 Surname and Author #2 surname>, <Publication year>.
Example (Alvi & Zaidi, 2009).
o In the reference list both the surname and initial letters of the two authors are used
separated by ‘and’. Thus, it looks like this: <Author #1 Surname, first name’s initial
and Author #2 surname, first name’s initial >, <Publication year>. Example: Alvi, M.
H. & Zaidi, R. (2009). <Title> …
 If more than two authors:
o In the in-text citation, only the surnames of the first author followed by < et al.,>
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 used in the reference list.
o Whatever times the source cited in your work it appears the same.

1.3. Other Common Rules

 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 written in italic font
with the genus name starting with a capital letter and species epithet will appear in a small
letter. Local names also written in italic within this “…” punctuation.
 Complicated, long or awkward sentences and incorrect grammatical rules should 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.

Yonas Chanyalew

Academic Vice president

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