MASENO UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (SASS)

POSTGRADUATE PROPOSAL AND THESIS WRITING FORMAT

By

SASS Postgraduate Studies Committee

© July, 2016
1
INTRODUCTION

This is the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS) Proposal and Thesis writing format that
must be followed by all the postgraduate candidates in the School. The format also stipulates the
responsibilities of students and supervisors in the training and supervision of postgraduate
students. Readers of this manual are also required to familiarize themselves with the other
requirements for postgraduate degrees of Maseno University available at the School of Graduate
Studies.

Regulations

Candidates are responsible for:

a. Maintaining regular consultations with the supervisors.

b. Presenting progress reports to the relevant departments as stipulated in the University
regulations.
c. Securing, organizing and presenting content academically, scientifically and
accurately.
d. Adhering to correct format of presenting quotations, footnotes, references, tables and
other illustrative materials.
e. Editing the proposal and thesis for any possible errors.
f. Presenting proposal and thesis materials according to the requirements prescribed in
this manual.
g. Presenting the intent to submit the thesis for examination to the relevant department as
stipulated in the University regulations.
h. Defending all the aspects of the thesis during oral examination.
i. Making corrections recommended by the Board of Examiners.
j. Ensuring that the required number of original copies of the thesis are duly signed and
presented to the relevant school/department after the certificate of corrections has been
presented.

The Supervisors' responsibilities are to:

a. Serve as a resource person to the postgraduate students.

b. Ensure good quality of the student's work.
c. Offer advice and any other form of help to improve on the proposal and thesis content
and form.
d. Ensure that written reports on the student's progress are submitted as required by the
University regulations.
e. Ensure that a student participates in seminars and conferences as required by University
regulations.

2
Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a failure to acknowledge one's source of literature. Plagiarism can take the
following forms:

a. Not inserting words copied verbatim from another author's work in quotation marks and
citing the source.
b. Piecing together several sentences from one or different authors, changing a few words in
a paragraph or paraphrasing without citation

Plagiarism is an academic offense, which is punishable by disqualification or withdrawal of a

degree already awarded. Students are strongly advised to avoid any form of plagiarism.

3
 PROPOSED SASS PROPOSAL WRITING FORMAT

A. Preliminary Pages

Cover Page (use upper case)

 Title of the study
a) Should not exceed 20 words
b) Bring out scope and key objective of the research
Name and registration number of the candidate
 Statement of the purpose of presentation
 Institutional title: Department, School, University
 Month and the year of submission

Abstract Page
 Rubrics: University, School, Department, Degree of study, Title of study (use upper case
and centre))
 Background of the Study
 Statement of the Problem
 Objectives of the Study
 Theoretical or Conceptual framework (Name of theory, proponent, year and tenets)
 Research Methodology: Research design, study area, study population, sampling
procedure and sample size, data collection methods, data analysis and presentation
 Significance of the Study
 Candidate's full name (in bold) and registration number and Supervisors' full names (in
bold) and their institutional affiliations (Department and University)

The abstract should not exceed 400 words, and should be written as a block. Use font 12, Times
New Roman and single-spaced. There should be no citations within the abstract except for
theoretical or conceptual framework.

N/B: Use British English or Standard French or Standard French or Standard Kiswahili as
appropriate in the entire proposal.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

It is advisable that the candidate uses automated Table of content to eliminate pagination
inconsistencies.
This should be organized to match the headings and subheadings and page numbers

LIST OF TABLES/FIGURES (where applicable)

Each table should be given a number that makes it easy to identify it with the relevant chapter
and own number.

4
DEFINITION OF TERMS/OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS/GLOSSARY OF
TERMS (where applicable)
The terms defined should not be merely conventional dictionary definitions of words, rather they
should be terms and concepts used in a unique way in the document.

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS (where applicable)

The abbreviation and acronyms should be arranged alphabetically

The abbreviations/acronyms should be Capitalized as appropriate
The corresponding explanatory text should be in title Case and aligned to the right
They must be written out in full the first time they appear in the text.

NOTE: These preliminary content pages should be numbered in Roman numerals starting from
the Abstract page. Page numbers should be bottom centered.

B: Contents of the Main Proposal

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

This section should establish the problem leading to the study, and clearly demonstrate the
problem within the larger scholarly literature, discuss the knowledge gaps inherent in the
literature about the problem and focus on an audience.

The section should outline the basis for the problem beginning from a wider world point of view
to a narrow regional context then to the country and specific location of the study e.g. in a
specific place in Kenya.

Statement of the Problem

The statement of the problem must contain a logical argument of knowledge gaps generated from
preceding facts as articulated in the background to the study. It should be specific and very well
done that it clearly states the problem of the topic at hand. There is no room for in-text
referencing here and paraphrasing is highly recommended instead of cut-and-paste from the
background to the study.

Research Questions
They should come from the statement of the problem and knowledge gaps in the background.
They should not elicit Yes/No answers

5
Objectives of the Study

They should be SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable/Achievable, Realistic, Time

bound.
They must reflect the title of the study, knowledge gaps in the background, statement of the
problem, research questions and should be achievable.

Significance of the Study

This section is also known as the JUSTIFICATION of the study. It must demonstrate the benefits
of the current study findings. It should also target a particular audience, explaining how the study
adds to the scholarly research literature in the field and advance the available policy.

Scope of the Study

The section should contain the geographic, academic scope and methodological literature
relevant to the current study. It has to clearly give the extent to which the study will be carried
out, establishing the boundaries and exceptions expected in the study. When necessary, explain
the things that you are not doing and why you have chosen not to do them. Hence, you may also
show the limitations of the study.

Theoretical and/or Conceptual Framework

This section should provide a certain theory that fits the study and precisely discuss its
applicability in the current study.
The proponents of the theory or theories to be used and the year(s) must be mentioned
The main tenets of the theory/concepts must be emphasized for the benefit of its applicability in
analysis of data.
In the case of Conceptual Framework, the researcher is expected to provide a graphic
presentation that is self-explanatory showing how various variables interact and the direction of
the outcomes from such interactions. The concepts must clearly be shown from whence they
come.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

Review literature along the study objectives and use relevant headings developed from the
research objectives to guide the structure of this chapter. Highlight the knowledge you find
already existing in relation to the study problem and bring out the knowledge gaps.
Do not just cut and paste literature but be systematic and coherent in the flow of arguments. One
should demonstrate evidence of in-depth understanding of current research on the subject under
investigation,
Review existing literature based on the theoretical or conceptual framework in relation to the
study.

6
3.0. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. Research Design

The researcher should State the design(s) adopted and provide reasons for the choice by linking
the design to the study topic

Study Area

In this section there is need to outline the characteristics unique to the site that are relevant to the
study problem and provide relevant maps and diagrams where applicable. There should be a
justification for the geographical choice of site of study. The study area should also include the
thematic issue(s) inherent in the study.

Study Population

There is need to describe the population from where the research sample will be selected.
Researcher must justify the choice of the population and give figures supported by credible
sources. The population(s) must cover all the possible target samples in the study.

Sampling Procedure and Sample Size

Researcher must demonstrate the procedure applied to derive a sample category from the
population earlier identified e.g. random, purposive, snowballing etcetera.
Researcher should then give the proportion of the sample in relation to the accessible population.
Numerical findings from the sampling processes in this section must be coherently justified.

Data Collection Techniques

This process involves collecting information through techniques such as observation, interviews,
questionnaires, documents and visual materials etcetera and establishing the methods for
recording information.
The researcher must describe how each instrument will be used in the study and on which
specific population sample.
The researcher must make sure that each instrument is linked to the collection of relevant data
for the study objectives to guide the analysis and findings chapter.

Reliability and Validity/Confirmability

Describe how the research instruments will be tested for their worth using pilot sites. Also the
researcher should explain how validity and reliabity will be achieved e.g. Pilot study

Data Analysis and Presentation

7
Explain the methods that will be applied in analyzing the data based on each objective stated.
The theoretical/ conceptual framework tenets should be mentioned here as parameters of data
analysis. In qualitative studies indicate the method of thematizing and coding, and indicate. In
this section the researcher should explain how data will be presented after analysis is complete
for example whether in textual or tabular forms.

Ethical Considerations

This section requires direct permission to carry out research readily available from the Maseno
University Ethics Review Committee. This is a mandatory procedure without which the study is
invalid. The researcher must show understanding of research ethics and how one will observe
ethical issues related to researching human subjects in particular.

REFERENCES

In SASS, preference is given to American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern

Language Association (MLA) referencing formats which should be strictly adhered to
throughout the document.

APPENDICES (where applicable)

Possible inclusions among others:

Consent letter
Research instruments
Poems
Maps
Copy of Research Ethics certificate

Page Formatting

a. Page Margins

The page margins should be set as follows:

Top: 1 Inch
Bottom: 1 Inch
Left: 1.25 Inches
Right: 1 Inch

b. Line Spacing, Font Type and Font Size

8
Line spacing - 1.5
Font type - Times New Romans
Font size - 12

Size of the Proposal

Proposals should adhere to the following guidelines:

Masters proposals should be a maximum of 25 pages including references.

PhD proposals should be a maximum of 45 pages including references.

9
 PROPOSED SASS THESIS WRITING FORMAT

NOTE: APPLY DETAILS FOR CHAPTERS ONE TO THREE AS PREVIOUSLY

DESCRIBED IN THE PROPOSAL SECTION TO THE THESIS WRITING PROCESS

Preliminary pages

Cover Page (use upper case)

Title of the study

Name and registration number of the candidate
Statement of the purpose of presentation
Institutional title: Department, School, University
Month and the year of submission

DECLARATION

The candidate should declare ownership of the document as their original research which has
not been presented and/or duplicated elsewhere. The candidate, together with the supervisors
should attest to this declaration by signing against their names.

DEDICATION (Optional)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researcher is free to give credit to individuals, groups, organizations, institutions etcetera
in a presentation that does not exceed one typed page. This should not exceed one (1) page.

ABSTRACT

Background of the Study

Statement of the Problem
Objectives of the Study
Theoretical or Conceptual Framework (Name of theory, proponent, year and tenets)
Research Methodology: Research design, study area, study population, sampling procedure and
sample size, data collection methods, data analysis and presentation
Summary of the findings
Conclusions
Significance of the study

The Abstract should not exceed 400 words. The abstract should be written as one block, in
single line spacing, Times New Roman and in font size 12. There should be no citations within
the abstract except for theoretical or conceptual framework.

10
N/B: Use British English or Standard French or Standard Kiswahili as applicable in the entire
thesis.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

It is advisable that the candidate uses automated Table of contents to eliminate pagination
inconsistencies.

LIST OF TABLES/FIGURES (where applicable)

DEFINITION OF TERMS/OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS/GLOSSARY OF

TERMS (where applicable)

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS (where applicable)

These preliminary content pages should be numbered in Roman numerals starting from the
Declaration page. Page numbers should be bottom centered.

B. Thesis chapters

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Objectives of the Study
Significance of the Study
Scope and of the Study
Theoretical or Conceptual Framework

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction
Review literature along the study objectives
Critique the literature along the concepts that underpin the study
Review literature related to theoretical or conceptual frameworks

CHAPTER THREE:RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction
3.2Research Design
3.3Study Area

11
Study Population
Sampling Procedure and Sample size
3.6 Reliability and validity/Confirmability
Data Collection Techniques
3.8. Data Analysis and Presentation
3.9. Ethical Considerations

NOTE: CHAPTER FOUR and the subsequent chapters will depend on the number of
objectives and/or volume of findings. Students are allowed to use either ONE of the two
alternatives:

ALTERNATIVE ONE

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction
Provide the necessary details that preempt the expectations of this chapter.

5.2 Summary of Findings

A summary of the key findings of the study should be provided in line with the objectives of the
study.
5.2 Conclusions
The conclusions should be drawn from the key findings of the study and in line with the
objectives of the study.
Conclusions should be presented in unnumbered paragraphs.

5.3 Recommendations
The recommendations should be made in relation to the challenges identified within the research
findings and in line with the objectives of the study.
Recommendations should be presented in unnumbered paragraphs.

5.4 Suggestions for Further Research

These should identify possible gaps left by individual objectives of the study.
Suggestions should be made in point form.

12
ALTERNATIVE TWO

CHAPTER FOUR and subsequent chapters will be derived from the objectives of the study.

NOTE: For the FINAL CHAPTER (SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS), students should follow the format given for CHAPTER FIVE in
Alternative One.

REFERENCES

In SASS, preference is given to American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern

Language Association (MLA) referencing formats which should be strictly adhered to.

APPENDICES (where applicable)

Possible inclusions include among others:

Consent letter
Research instruments
Poems
Maps
Copy of Research Ethics certificate

Page Formatting

a. Page Margins

The page margins should be set as follows:

Top: 1 Inch
Bottom: 1 Inch
Left: 1.25 Inches
Right: 1 Inch

b. Line Spacing, Font Type and Font Size

Line spacing - 1.5

Font type - Times New Romans
Font size - 12

13