Technicalities in writing a

Thesis and Dissertation

using APA style
MR. EDWIN E. SALVA
Abstract
• It should be written in 350 words of less. Briefly summarizing the main
points of the study. i.e its topics, purpose or hypothesis, method and
findings. The purpose of abstract is to provide summary of the research
focusing on the salient points of the study. Citing references in the abstract
should be avoided. Paraphrase is usually preferred rather than quotations.
Procedures should be written in the past tense and present tense for the
results. The active voice should be used instead of the passive voice.
• The word “Abstract” should be written with the first letter in upper case and
the rest of the word in the lowercase letters. It is placed at the center top of
the page. Its content should be written as a single paragraph in block format,
(flushed left in thesis and justified in full paper). The first line is not
indented.
Paper quality
• It must be 8 ½ by 11 inches in size and 20 pound weight (substance
20). The same paper weight and color must be used throughout the
thesis. Coated paper which “erases” easily will not be accepted for
thesis.
Prints and Fonts
• All thesis copies should be produce with sharp, high-contrast black
image or the original, through typing or word processing and
photocopying. If a word processor is used, laser quality or ink-jet print
is acceptable. Dot matrix or near letter quality print is not acceptable.
Print must be dark enough for clear copies to be made.
• Text font should be readable . Times New Roman or Courier font is
advised. Use default font size 12 all throughout the manuscript except
for footnotes which uses font size 10.
Italics
• In general, use italics infrequently. Use italics for the following:
• a. Title of book, periodicals and microfilm publications
The Element of Style American Psychologist
• b. genera, species, and varieties
Cocos nucifera Bufo marinus
• c. introduction of new, technical or key term of label (after a term has been
used once, do not italicize it.)
The term backward masking is … … box labelled empty could …
• d. letter, word or phrase cited as a linguistic example
…word such as big and little …the meaning of fit tightly together which is
…the letter a…
• e. word that could be misread
the small group ( meaning a designation, not a group size)
• f. letters used as statistical symbols or algebraic variables
F (1.53) = 10.03 trial n SEM
t test a/b = c/d
• g. some test scores and scales
Rorschach scores : F + % Z MMPI scale : Hs, Pd
• h. periodical volume numbers in reference lists
26. 46-67
• anchors of scale
health ratings ranged from 1 (poor) to 5 ( excellent)
Corrections
• Erasures using liquid correction are not permitted unless nearly
invisible on the original and unnoticeable on subsequent copies. Type-
overs, interlineation, or strike-outs are not permitted.
Order Pages
• The preliminary pages and their order of progression are listed below.
Dates on the title page, approval page, and abstract should be the
month and year when the degree is expected to be received, not
when the thesis is complete (which is several months before the
degree is conferred).
1. Blank Sheet 5. Abstract
2. Title page 6. Table of Contents
3. Approval Sheet 7. List of Tables
4. Acknowledgment 8. Lists of Figures(if any)
Pagination
• The preliminary pages or pages before the thesis text (except the
blank pages, approval sheet and title page) are numbered with
lowercase Roman numerals positioned at the upper right corner of
the page. Pages after the preliminary pages (starting with the
Introduction), will be numbered using the Arabic numerals placed at
the upper right corner of the page. Throughout the thesis or
dissertation report or proposal, certain pages may be counted in the
numbering sequence without actually carrying a number. These
included the pages of the beginning of a chapter. Page numbers
continue throughout the appendix. Although the tile page is counted
as page i (one), the page number does NOT appear on it.
Running Head
• The first two or three words of the thesis/dissertation title appear five
space to the left of the page number on every page. The running head
can be inserted as a header, which then automatically appears on all
pages.
Margins
• The left-hand margin must be wide enough for binding, thus 1 ½ in. or
4 cm is suggested while the top, right-hand , and bottom margins are
1 in. or 2.54 cm. respectively.
Alignment
• Flush left ( creating uneven right margin).
Chapters
• The chapters of a thesis or dissertation report which are the
Introduction, Method, Result, Discussion, and Summary, Conclusion
and Recommendation must always begin on a new page.
Spacing
• Double spacing is required throughout most of the thesis or
dissertation proposal or report, except for table titles, figure captions,
references and footnotes where single-spacing is used. Long
quotations are also indented five spaces or ½ in.
Major division heading – use four spaces between the major
division heading and the first line of the text following the heading

Subheading and tables – use triple space before major subheadings

and before and after all table: double space between major
subheadings and the first line of the text. Double space between
secondary (indented or minor) subheadings and the text before and
after those subheadings. Double space text inside the table.
 The text – use double space between lines of text.
Spacing between sentences – use one space between a period and
the next sentence.
Reference list – use single space within the citation itself, but double
space between each complete, individual citation.
Figures, Tables, and Footnotes
Figures and tables used must be mentioned in the thesis and
dissertation report. Refer to all tables as tables and to all graphs,
pictures or drawings as figures. Figure ,tables and footnotes must be
incorporated at the appropriate point in the text. Place short tables on
a page with some text, while place long tables and figures on a
separate page immediately after the page on which the table or figure
is first mentioned. Tables should be given brief and clear explanatory
tiles typed above the pertinent table, and should be numbered using
Arabic numerals (1,2,3,4…); figure caption are typed below the
pertinent figure.
Table format
• Three horizontal lines or rules are the main feature of APA tables. The
first rule comes below the title, the second below the column
headings, and the third at the bottom of the table. There is no specific
instruction specifying the size of height of the rule; a slightly bold line
helps the table stand out. Whatever your preference, be consistent;
use the same height for rules in all tables.
• Tables are numbered consecutively throughout the paper. Partial or
fractional numbers are unacceptable ( i.e., no 5a or 5.1.) Titles should
adequately explain the content of a table.
• Use heading caps and italics for the titles of tables. Titles are
positioned flushed left in line with the table margin. Every column and
row must have a heading set in a sentence caps. Columns should
report comparable values down all rows. That is, the same number of
decimal places should be displayed; commas should be aligned; the
same units of measure should be used. Use a smaller front or type
face for notes, but large enough to be readable.
• Tables of ½ page or less in length may appear on the same page as the
text, and placed closed to the pertinent text. Two or more small
tables may be placed on a single paper and inserted in the text. If the
table is larger than the half page, it should be placed on separate
sheet and placed immediately after the text it illustrates
 Decimal values
The body of a table contains the data. Express the numerical
value in the number of decimal places that the precision of
measurement justifies, and, if possible, carry all comparable values to
the same number of decimal places. Do not change the unit of
measurement or the number of decimal places within a column.
Empty Cell
If the point of intersection between a row and a column (called a
cell) cannot be filled because data are not applicable, leave the cell
blank. If cell cannot be filled because data were not obtained or not
reported, insert a dash in that cell and explain the use of the dash in
the general note of the table.
Title of the table in Heading Caps and Italics Flush With the Left Margin
Stub head Column head Column head Incorrect Values Correct values

Stub (row heading) Data Data 123 123.0

Stub (row heading) Data Data 2,123.0 2,123.0

Stub (row heading) Data Data .123 0.1

Stub (row heading) Data Data 2,232.12 2.232.1

• General notes are used to explain abbreviation , symbols, units of measure,
sources and permission. A general note begins with the word Note in italics
followed by a period. Probability notes are used to identify statistical
significant result. Asterisks are used to mark values in the table and in the
probability note. Once the probability level is assigned on a table, that value
must be carried to all succeeding tables. For example, *p < .05 is generally
the lowest level of significance acceptable in behavioural research, **p
< .01 is better. The symbol p is used in italics.
• The column headings for frequency and influence are called cell spanners.
The mean and standard deviation are presented with the same number of
decimal places. This makes it difficult to focus on the relevance of the two
columns. The important statistic is the means since this indicates the
relative seriousness of the problem area. The standard deviation indicates
the quality of agreement: greater for frequency, less for influence, a point
that might be more effectively made in the text. For example “ The standard
deviation was about 1.00 for frequency (range 0.98 -1.07), and about 1.30
for influence (range, 1.27-1.39), indicating greater agreement on identifying
the problem area relative to their influence on editorial decisions.”
APA Style Problems Identified by Journal Editors
Problem Area Frequency Influence
______________________ ______________________
Mean SD* Mean SD*
References 3.23 1.07 2.27 1.39
(Documentation)

Tables & Figures 3.00 0.98 2.23 1.27

Mathematics & Statistics 2.81 0.99 2.31 1.32

Figure Format
• All figures (photographs, drawings, charts, graphs, etc.) must be
neatly drawn and labelled in black letters or color as needed. All such
figures must fit inside the margins. Oversized materials must be
reduce. If the reduction renders the material unreadable, consider
splitting the material into two. If splitting is not feasible, folding the
material to neatly fir within the margin is acceptable.
• Illustration should be labelled as “ figure”, such as “ Figure 1”, and the
labels should be labelled consecutively throughout the text and
should be placed below the figure itself. Figures and Tables are not
the same and should NOT be numbered with reference to each other.
All pages carrying figures must have page numbers in the upper right
hand corner.
Legend
• The legend is an integral part of the figure; therefore, it should have
the same kind and proportion of lettering that appears in the series of
figures. Because it is scanned as part of the figure, the legend must
appear on the final print, preferably within the axis area. (Capitalized
major words in the legend.
Label
• The axis label should be positioned to its axis. Do not stack letters so
that the label reads vertically. Do not place a label perpendicular to
the vertical (y) axis unless it is very short (i.e.. Two words or a
maximum of 10 characters). The numbering of grid print should be
horizontal on both axes.
Caption
• Figures numbered like tables, starting with 1 and continuing in whole
numbers through the text; the word Figure and number should be
italics. The caption should clearly explain the content so the reader
need not refer to the text.

Figure 3. Fixation duration as a function of the delay between the

beginning of eye fixation and the onset of the stimulus in Experiment 1.
Quotations
• Short quotations
• Quotations of fewer than 40 words should be incorporated into text and enclosed by
double quotation marks (“ “)

Miele (1993) found that “the ‘placebo effect,’ which have been verified as previous
studies disappeared when (only the first group’s ) behaviors were studied in the
manner” ( p. 276)
• Long Quotations
Display quotations of 40 words or more in a double-space block-type written lines with
no quotation marks. Do not single-space. Indent five to seven spaces or ½ in. from the
left margin without the usual opening paragraph indent. If the quotation in more than
one paragraph, indent the first line of the second and additional paragraphs five to
seven spaces of ½ in. from the new margin
Miele (1993) found the following:

The “placebo effect” which have been verified in previous studies,

disappeared when behaviors were studied in the manner.
Furthermore, the behaviors were never exhibited again, even when
reel drug were administered. Earlier studies ( e.g. Abdullah, 1984; Fox,
1979) were clearly premature in attributing the result to a placebo
effect. (p.276)
Title page
Paper title, author(s) affiliation(s), degree, and date of graduation should
appear on the title page.

Appendices
Appendices may be used to present more detailed information where
such inclusion in the thesis text would unnecessarily obstruct clear
presentation of the argument. Appendices most frequently follow the
Reference List. But in some dissertation they precede the reference list. An
appendix should be topically independent of the other appendices. An
appendix should be labelled. Ordinarily, an appendix should not have
footnotes (documentation can be inserted into the text) The word
“Appendix” should be placed in the center, written in capital letters, with
corresponding letters, e.g. APPENDIX A, APPENDIX B, APPENDIX C, etc.
General Guidelines: IN TEXT CITATIONS
• Citing an Author or Authors
• One Author
If the author’s name appears in your sentence, cite only the year of
publication in parenthesis.
Price (1954) described nursing as a combination of both art and science.

If both the year and the author are mentioned in the the text, no
parenthetical citation is needed.
In 1954, Price describe nursing as a combination of both science and art.

If you do not use the name or year of publication in your text, insert the
information where appropriate. If the citation occurs at the end of the
sentence, the end punctuation appears after the parenthetical reference.
A recent study (Barrett, 1997) found that…
The basis for this argument is provided by recent comprehensive study of
… (Barrett, 1997).

Within a paragraph, you need not to include the year in subsequent

reference to a same study
In a recent study of reaction times, Walker (2000) described the
method… Walker also found out that…

Two Authors
Name both authors in the signal phrase or parenthesis each time you cite
the work. In the parenthesis, use the ampersand “&” between the
authors’ names. In the signal phase use “and”
 Spiritual health is achieved when a person finds balance between his
or her own life values, gaols and beliefs system and those of others
(Potter & Perry, 2004)

According to Potter and Perry (2004), spiritual health is achieved when

a person finds balance between his or her own life values, goals and
belief system and those of others.
Three, Four or Five Authors
• Cite all authors the first time the reference occurs. In other
references, include only the last name of the first author followed by
“et al” and the year if it is the first citation in paragraph.
First Citation of the source:
Greasely, Chiu and Garland (2001) posited that the concept of
spiritual care was also associated with the quality of interpersonal care
in terms of the expression of love and comparison towards patients.
In 2001, Greasely, Chiu and Garland posited that the concept of
spiritual care was also associated with the quality of interpersonal care
in terms of the expression of love and comparison towards patients
The concept of spiritual care was also associated with the quality of
interpersonal care in terms of the expression of love and compassion
towards patients (Greasely, Chiu, & Garland, 2001)
 Second Citation of the source:
As Greasely et al. (2001) also discussed…

This study (Greasely et al., 2001) also found…

This study found… (Greasely et al., 2001)

Note: In et al., et should not be followed by a period

Six or More Authors:
Include only the last name of the author followed by “et al.”

One study (Bautista et al., 2996) attempts to explain…

In a recent study… (Bautista et al., 1996)

Unknown Author
If the work does not have an author, cite the source by its title in the signal phrase or give the
first word or two in the parenthesis. Titles of books and reports are italicized, and title of articles
and chapters are place in quotation marks.
Children struggling to control their weight must also struggle with the pressure of television and advertising that, on the one hand,
encourages the consumption of junk food and on the other, celebrates thin celebrities (“ Television, “ 2002)

A similar study was done of students learning to format research papers (“Using APA,” 2001)

Note: In rare case the “ Anonymous” is used for the author, treat it as the author’s name (Anonymous, 2001) In the reference list, use the
name Anonymous as the author.

Organization as Author
The name of groups that serves as author (e.g. corporations, associations and government
agencies) are usually spelled out each time they appear in a text citation. The name of some
associations or government agencies acting as group author, however, are spelled out in the first
citation and abbreviated thereafter. If the name is long and cumbersome and if the abbreviation is
familiar or readily understandable, you may abbreviate the name in the second and subsequent
citations. If the name is short or if the abbreviation would not be readily understandable, write out
the name each time it occurs.
First text citation
Although health is defined as… as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999…
Although health is defined as… (World Health Organization [WHO], 1999)
According to recent study (World Health Organization [WHO], 1999)…
Subsequent text Citations:
In the WHO (1999) report…
A study found that … (WHO, 1999)
Two or More Different Authors:
List the works in alphabetical order and separate them with semi-colons.
There is evidence to suggest that the first four of these needs are recognized, taught and
practiced in nursing curricula and care (Mcherry & Draper, 1997, Narayansamy, 1993, Rose, 1996)
Authors with the same Last Name:
To avoid confusion, use initials with the last names if your reference list includes two or more
authors with the same last name.
Research by D Brown (1989), revealed that…
Research conducted by A. Brown (1990), revealed that…
Multiple Works by One Author with the same Publication Date
Identify works by the same author with the same publication date by adding suffixes a,b,c and so
forth after the year. These kinds of references are ordered alphabetically by the title on the reference
page.
Several studies (Johnson, 1991a, 1991b, 1991c; Singh 1983) found that…
Johnson (1991b) conducted an additional…
Citing Indirect Sources
If you use a source cited in another source, name the original source in your paragraph. Use the
phrase “ cited in” followed by the author and year of the text in which you found the material.
Dombeck mentioned that the word spiritually was derived from the Latin word spiritus, which
refers to breath or wind ( as cited in Potter & Perry, 2005)

Electronic Sources:
When possible, cite an electronic documents as you would any other document (using author-
date style)
A person is composed of body, mind and spirit. When the physical domain of an individual is
compromised, the mind and the spirit are also involved (Makhija, 2002)
Electronic sources may lack author’s name or dates.
Unknown Author
If no author is named, mention the title of the document in a signal phrase or give the first word or two of
the title in the parenthesis.
The body’s basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is measure of its-at-rest energy requirement (“Exercise,” 2003)

Unknown Date
When the date is unknown, APA recommends using the abbreviation “n.d.” ( for “no date”).
Attempts to establish a definitive link between television programming and children’s eating habits have
been problematic (Magnum, n.d.).

Unknown Author and Date

If no author or date is given, use the title in your signal phrase or the first word or two of the title in the
parenthesis then use the abbreviation “n.d.” which means no date.
Another study of student and research decisions discovered that students succeeded with tutoring
(Tutoring and APA,” n.d)
Personal Communication
Personal communication may be letters, memoranda, electronic
communications ( e.g. email or messages from non archived discussion
groups or electronic bulletin boards), personal interview, telephone
conversation, and the like. Since they do not provide a recordable date,
they are not included in the reference list. However, they are cited in
text only. In the text, initials and the surname of the communicator as
well as the exact date should be given.
T.K. Lutes mentioned that… (personal communication, April 18,
2001).
In certain study… (T.K. Lutes, personal communication, April 18,
2001)
Order of Reference in the Reference List
Alphabetizing Name
All entries should be arranged in alphabetical order by surname of the first author, using the following rules:
1. Alphabetize letter by letter.
Brown, J.R. ______
Browning, A.R. ____
2. Alphabetize the prefixes M’, Mc, and Mac literally, not as if they are all spelled as Mac. Disregard the
apostrophe.
MacArthur, J.R
McAllister, J.R
MacNeil, J.R.
M’Carthy, J.R.
Several Works By the Same First Author
When ordering several works by the same first author, give the author’s name in the first and all subsequent
references, and use the following rules to arrange the entries:
1. One-author entries by the same author are arranged by the year of publication, the earliest first:
Hewlett, L.S. (1996)
Hewlett, L.S. (1997)
 2. One-author entries precede multiple-author entries beginning with the same surname:
Alleyne, R.L. (2001)
Alleyne, R.L., & Evans, A.J. (1991)
3. Reference with the same first author and different second or third authors are arranged
alphabetically by the surname of the second author or, if the second author is the same, the
surname of the third author, and so on:
Gosling, J.R., Jerald, K., & Belfar, S.F. (2000)
Gosling, J.R.., & Tevlin, D.F. (1996)
Hayward, D., Firsching, A., & Brown, J. (1999)
Hayward, D., Firsching, A., & Smigel, J. (1999)
Important Notes:
1. Place a comma before the ampersand
Gosling, J.R., Jerald, K., & Belfar, S.F. (2000)
2. Do not place a period after the name of a website.
___. http://www.apa.org/journals/amp/kurdek.html
Sample Reference for Works-Cited List
Book/Edited Book
Buss, A. H. (1980). Self-consciousness and social anxiety. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman.
Checkering, A. W., & Smith, L.E. (Eds.). (1981). The modern American college: Responding to the new
realities of diverse students and a changing society. San Francisco: Jossy-Bass.
Book, Third Edition, Jr. in Name
Mitchell, T. R., & Larson, J.R., Jr. (1987). People in organizations: An introduction to organizational
behavior (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Book, Two to Six Authors
Eggins, S., Smith, J. R., & Slade, D. J. (1997). Analyzing casual conversation London: Cassell.
Book More than Six Authors
Include the first six (6) authors then abbreviate the remaining authors as et al.
Quirk, R., Eggins, S., Smith, J. R., Slade, D. J., Buss, A. H., Jones, B. D., et al. (1985). A comprehensive
grammar of the English language. London: Longman.
Book by Corporate Author
Public Agenda Foundation (1992). The health care crisis: Containing cost, expanding coverage. New York:
McGraw.
Book with no Author or Editor
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (10th ed.). (1993). Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster.
Work in an Anthology or Edited Book
Allende, I. (1992). Toad’s mouth, (M.S. Peden, Trans.). In. T. Cochie (ed.), A hammock beneath the
mangoes: Stories from Latin America (pp. 83-88). New York: Plume.
Good, T. L., & Brophy, J.E. (1986). School effects. In M. C. Wittrock (Ed.), Handbook research on
teaching (3rd ed., pp. 557 -602). New York: Macmillan.
Work Reprinted in Multi-volume Collected Work
Washington, M. H. (1992). An essay on Alice Walker. In J. P. Draper (Ed.) Black literature criticism.
(Vol. 3, pp. 1810-12). Detroit: Gale. (Reprinted from Sturdy black bridges: Visions of black
women in literature, pp. 133-49, by R. P. Bell, B. J. Parker, & B. Guy-Sheftall, 1979, Garden City,
NY: Anchor Press/ Doubleday).
Encyclopaedia Articles
Bergman, P. G. (993). Relativity. In The new encyclopedia Britannica (Vol. 26. 501-508). Chicago:
Encyclopedia Britannica
If an entry has no author, begin the reference with the entry title and publication date:
Relativity: (1993). In The new encyclopedia Britannica (Vol. 26. pp. 501-508). Chicago: Encyclopedia
Britannica
Articles in Journal
Include issue number only if each issue is separately paged.
Layco, R. (1991, April 22). Global warming. A new warning. Time, 137(16),32.
Smith, M.L., & Finn, J. (1997, October). The use of the World Wide Web by undergraduate social work
education programs. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 3 (1),71-84.
Stacks, D. W., & Hickson, M. (1991). The communication investigator: Teaching research methods to
undergraduates. Communication Quarterly, 39,351-357.
Articles in the Published Proceedings of a Conference
Brock, D. (1981). New public broadcasting programs and services. In J. Brown (Ed.), Technology and
education: Policy, implementation, evaluation. Proceedings of the National Conference on
Technology and Education. January 26-28 (pp. 30-59). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
Unpublished Convention Paper
McCormack, S. A. (1988, May). When lovers become leery: The lie-bias of suspicion. Paper presented at
the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, New Orleans, L.A.
Article in a Weekly/ Biweekly Magazine or in a Newspaper
Do not include the volume and issue numbers.
Henry, W. A., III. (1990, April 9). Making the grade in today’s schools. Time, 135,28-31.
Schwartz, J. (1993), September 30). Obesity affects economic, social status. The Washington PosT. Pp. A1, A4.
If an article has no author, begin the reference with the article title and publication date.
Review
Include the name of work reviewed if not part of title.
Kauffman, S. (1993, December 13). A new Spielberg. [Review of the movie Schindler’s List]. New Republic,
30.
Updike, J. (2002, February 4). No brakes. [Review of the book Sinclair Lewis: Rebel from Main Street]. New
Yorker, 77-80.
Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation
Wilfley, D. E. (1989). Interpersonal analysis of bulimia: Normal-weight and obese. Unpublished doctoral
dissertation, University of Missouri, Colombia.
Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University Outside the United States.
Almeida, D.M. (1990). Fathers’ participation in family work: Consequences for fathers’ stress and
father-child relations. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Victoria, Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada.
Give the name of the city and the name of the state. (Do not give the name of the state if it is included
in the name of university. Give the city, state or province ( if applicable and country of a university outside
the United States.
Motion Pictures
Lehman, E. (Producer), & Nichols, M. (Director). (1966). Who’s Afraid of Viginia
Woolf? [Motion Picture]. Burkbank, CA: Warner Brothers.

Television Broadcast
Crystal, L. (Executive Producer). (1993, October 11). The MacNeil/ Lehrer news hour
[Television broadcast]. New York and Washington. DC: Public Broadcasting Service.
Legal Sources
Statutes – Name of Act, Volume, Source Section (Year)
Mental Health System Act, 42 U.S. Sec. 9401 (1988)
Case – Name v. Name, Volume, Source Page (Court Date).
Lessard v. Schmidt, 349 F. Supp. 1078 (E.D. Wis. 1972).
Regulations – Title/Number, Volume, Source Section (year)
FTC Credit Practice Rule, 16 C,F,R. Sec 444 (1999).
Patent
Smith, I.M. (1988). U.S. Patent No. 123,445. Wachington, DC: U.S
Patent and Trademark Office.
Artistic Works
Van Gogh, Vincent (Artist). (1888). Entrance to the public gardens in
Arles [Painting]. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The name(s) of the artists are listed at the head of the entry, last
name first. Each name is followed by a description in parentheses of
that individual’s function (in this example, Van Gogh is the only artist),
and a period should appear after the final parentheses. After listing the
date in parentheses followed by a period, italicize the title, and specify
in brackets the type of art (painting, pottery, statue, etc.) List the
location and the name of the institution displaying the work (in this
example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Electronic Resources
General reference to en entire website or personal communication (see in-
text citation)
Electronic Stand-Alone Document
Author/ Authoring Body. (Date). Title of the document. Retrieval Date from
URL
Bryant, P. (1999). Biodiversity and conservation. Retrieved October 4, 1999,
from http://Darwin.bio.uci.edu/-sustain/bio65/Titlepage.htm
If the documents does not have an author or date, begin the entry with
the title of the document. After the title, place “n.d.” (“no date”) in
parenthesis, the date that you accessed the document, and the web
address of the source.
GU’s 8th WWW user survey (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2000, from
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/user_surveys/survey-1997-10/
 Electronic Documents from a Multi-Page Site
Author/Authoring Body. (Date). Title of the document. Retrieval Date from URL [ of
the home ( or entry) page for the document]

Bell, S.H. & Gallaggher, L. J. (2001, February). Prime-age adults without children or
disabilities: The “least deserving of the poor”- or are they? Retrieved April 20, 2001,
from Assessing the New Federalism: an Urban Institute Project Web site:
http://newfederalism.urban.org/html/series_b/b26/b26.html

Articles from an Internet Journal or Periodical

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Overview of the Content of a Thesis
Title Page
Approval Sheet
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
The body of the paper opens with an introduction that presents the specific problem to be
studied and describes the research strategy. It discusses the literature, but does not include
an exhaustive historical review. After introducing the problem and developed the background
material, you are in position to explain your approach in solving the problem. Make this
statement in closing paragraph.
 Review of Literature
This contains the literature relevant to the study. All literatures
should be properly cited.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
The theoretical framework contains the theory/ies where the
study is being anchored while the conceptual framework contains the
proposed framework to be used in the study.
Statement of Problem (s)
The section contains the problem to be discussed in the study.
Hypothesis(es)(if applicable)
This contains the null and alternative hypothesis/es which be
discussed in chapter IV of the paper
 Significance of the Study ( for proposal, include in INTORDUCTION: for final paper,
integrate in DISCUSSION)
The significance of study tackles the importance of the research to the populace. The
benefits derived from this study will be discussed in this section.
CHAPTER II
METHOD
The method section describes how the study will be (proposal)/ was (final
manuscript) conducted. This also allows easy access for other researchers to replicate
the study conducted.
Design
This contains a brief description research design used in the study (e.g. Descriptive,
Experimental, etc.)
Setting (if applicable)
This contains the location where the study was conducted and a brief description of
the said area
 Participants
This refer to the research subjects. They should be described
appropriately in the paper. The procedure for selecting them should
also be reported. Demographic characteristics such as sex, age,
socioeconomic status, etc. should be discussed in this section. Should a
particular demographic characteristics happens to be an experimental
variable: it should be discussed in detail. When animals are the
subjects, the genus, species, and strain number, or other specific
identification should be reported. Other physiological condition might
be included and essential details of their treatment and handling
should be specified so that the investigation can be successfully
replicated
 Measures
The data gathering instruments used should be described in this area.
If the instrument used is a questionnaire, a scoring table should be
included and a description of each part of the questionnaire. The validity
and reliability of the instrument should also be mentioned in this section.
Procedure
This section contains as outline of each step in the implementation of
the study. It includes instructions to the participants and other
experimental manipulations.
Data Analysis (for proposal, include in METHOD: for final paper,
integrate in RESULTS).
This section includes the statistical method to be used in the study.
 Limitation of the Study (for proposal include in METHOD: for final paper, integrate in
DISCUSSION)
This part should contain restriction of the study such as the number of participants,
location, and other areas that might have an influence to the result of the study.
CHAPTER III
RESULTS
This section provides a summary of the data collected and the statistical or data analytic
treatments used. Relevant results, including those that run counter to the hypothesis
should be mentioned. The implications of the results should not be discussed in this part
and should be placed under chapter IV, the Discussion section.
CHAPTER IV
DISCUSSION (Note that the subsection in this chapter may be organized and adjusted to the
nature of the topic, study design, writing style. Etc.)
This contains the implications of the results, The theoretical consequences of the results
and the validity of the conclusions will be tackled in this section. A clear statement of the
support on non-support of the original hypothesis and the importance of the findings of
the study should be discussed.
CHAPTER V (OPTIONAL)
Summary, conclusions, and recommendations
This presents the results, interpretation and their implications, in
relation to the hypothesis.

REFERENCES
This citations mentioned in the manuscripts should appear in this
section and vice versa

APPENDICES
This contains certain materials which are distracting in or inappropriate
to, the body of the paper. This includes letters and other correspondence,
the sample questionnaire, validity and reliability scores, etc.