INTRODUCTION TO THE GUIDELINE
The cooperation between All Nations Bible Institution & Projects (ANBIP – SOUTH AFRICA) and 12 Alliance Partner Organizations offers several programs from Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate with a significant emphasis on research as one of the examinable areas. As part of the efforts of the university to facilitate research student’s timely completion of their required academic research, this guideline has been compiled in consultation with the requirements of both institutions to offer basic guidelines to undergraduate and graduate students on critical areas facilitating uniformity and standardization in academic research and thesis writing. Prepared for all faculties and departments
Research Proposal /Project/Thesis format
Students are expected to compile their proposals to follow the format shown below:
Minimum 50000 - 60000 words for Master’s and 80000 -100000 word for Doctorate/PhD.
Preliminary pages: Title page
• Declaration Dedication
• Acknowledgement
• Table of contents
• List of tables
• List of figures
• Operational Definition of terms
• Abbreviation and Acronyms
• Abstract
NOTE: All above pages should have roman numbers accept title page and separate pages
The Project:
1. Chapter One: Introduction
2. Chapter Two: Literature review
3. Chapter Three: Methodology
4. Chapter Four: Research findings
5. Chapter Five: Summary, conclusions and recommendations
v References
v Appendix
v Questionnaire
v Research permit
v Research budget
Cover Page
The cover page will be bear page number. All wording should be singled-spaced Items will be arranged on the following sequence:
• TITLE should be focused, informative and not more than 20 words
• Full names of student followed by highest qualification in standard abbreviation in brackets.
• Registration number of students below the name
• Name of Department Then follows the writing: - “A research proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of (specify, e.g.
Masters & PhD, in the School of Ministry/Theology/Religious studies of All Nations Bible Institution & Projects.”
Student Declaration Page to have the following writings: “This proposal is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University.” Then the student signs above his/her name ad registration number, followed by the date. e.g.
(Signature) Signature ………………………………………… Date …………………………
Name: …………………………….
Supervisors’ approval page: This proposal has been submitted for review with our approval as
University Supervisors.
The supervisors, each with starting with main, sign above at least two of their names written in full, together with their respective departments. For example,
1. Signature.………………………………………………… Date ……………………….
Prof. Jacob Prins
Ministry/Theology/Religious studies Department
2. Signature.………………………………………………… Date …………………….…
Prof Joseph Plaatjies
Curriculum Department
Ø Dedication Statement:
Not exceeding 100 words. This follows declaration, beginning on a separate page.
Ø Acknowledgement:
This, begins on a separate page, should follow dedication and not exceeding 200 words.
Ø Table of Contents:
This begins on a new page. It should assist the reader to know quickly and clearly, how the thesis is organized. There must be consistence in the use of headings and sub-headings.
Ø List of Tables:
• This follows the table of contents, beginning on a separate page. Numbering should be: Table 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 etc. for tables on Chapter 1. Similarly Table 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 ……
• Table 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 ….. Table 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 ….. Table 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 ….. For those in other respective chapters.
Ø List of figures:
This follows the list of tables and on a separate page. Numbering should be figure 1.1., 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 … etc., according to the chapters.
Ø Abbreviation and Acronyms
Ø Abstract
This is a brief statement of the problem, objectives of the study, target population, sampling technique and sample size, instruments, data collection, data processing and analysis, key findings and major recommendations. The abstract is required for all research projects. The purpose of the abstract is to provide a clear and concise summary of the:
• Purpose or problem
• Methodology used
• Major findings and conclusions
• Major recommendations or suggestions for policy and future research
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
The introduction section of the project should include: all sub sections of the chapter
1.1 Background of the problem
In this section, the researcher defines the context of the study by providing a brief discussion of key theoretical approaches and findings reported in earlier related studies. Trends related to the problem, unresolved issues and social concerns are discussed. Authoritative sources or citations should be provided in the section. It’s important to the following:
• Should show understanding and genesis of the problem.
• Start with the global perspective followed by the local scenario.
• Should be approximately 5 pages (4-6 pages)
1.2 Statement of the problem
The problem statement describes the need for the research project in terms of the knowledge gap to be filled. The researcher should present a clear and precise statement that indicates the gap that previous research studies have not addressed. Authoritative sources or citations should be used to support the problem statement. Note; Length – maximum 2 pages
1.3 Research objectives
This refers to the general aim to carry out the study. The purpose should not be a reproduction of the title, but should be a summary statement of the reason why the study is being proposed.
1.3.1 Specific objectives
These are finer statements of what is to be accomplished, which emanate from the purpose of the study. They specify more directly what the researcher is going to do. While the purpose is a general statement of the aim of the study, the objectives must be specific. Should state properly and clearly the general and specific objectives that should jive with the research questions. Ideally, the research objectives should be measurable, attainable and feasible.
1.4 Research Questions;
Should be in line with the specific objectives and equal in number. Should be stated in the form of questions and not statements. Most often research questions are preferred. The research questions need to be broad enough to allow further breakdown into questionnaire or interview guide items for the data collection. On the average 3-5 research questions are sufficient.
1.5 Scope of the study
This is the kind of a disclaimer. It should cite the focus of the study geographical area or target group/population/depth of focus in concepts or variables. In this section, the researcher describes the focus or scope of the study to enable an enthusiastic reader to make generalization of the findings.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This provides the justification of the study. It spells out who the probable beneficiaries of the study findings might be (country, government, local community, agency, curriculum developers, researchers etc.), and how they might benefit. It also shows how the research findings will contribute to general knowledge and what its impact on development towards better life is. It should reflect on knowledge creation, as well as on technological or socioeconomic value to the community.
1.7 Limitation of the study
This brings out the perceived factors which might affect the research in the course of the study. It should also show the suggested methods which are supposed to deal with the problem. The limitations should not be stated in terms of time or financial resources constraints. Researchers are expected to plan and implement research projects within the available time and financial resources
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
Literature review is a critical look at the existing research that is significant to your project. However, start this chapter with an overview of contents of the chapter. This should be very brief and precise.
2.1 Theoretical review
This section should discuss current/relevant theory that supports the research problem been studied. For example, in marketing problem particularly consumer related, the underlying marketing theory relevant to your project
2.2 Empirical Review
This literature review section of the proposal should present a review of the literature related to the problem and purpose. The literature review section should therefore be organized or categorized according to the research questions or specific objectives in order to ensure relevance to the research problem. It should be written using appropriate writing style as recommend by Global Theological Council. Cite 3-5 references per key section in the text. Review the empirical literature relevant to the problem being investigated showing clearly the linkage of literature review to the research questions.
2.3 Summary of literature and Research Gaps
This sub-section is supposed to summarize the literature reviewed and bring out clearly the research gaps identified, if possible in a table format
2.4 Conceptual framework
The Conceptual framework should demonstrate an understanding of what variable influences it is a graphical representation of relationships between variables
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introductions
3.1 Research Design
It is the strategy used in the study. A researcher should be able to identify and isolate the design most appropriate for a study. It could be experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive survey, historical, ex post facto, action research, evaluation research, etc. A researcher should make the form or design of investigation explicit and provide a justification for the choice. He can also indicate if the approach he is adopting is quantitative or qualitative or both.
3.2 Research Population
A population is the complete collection of all the elements that are of interest in a particular investigation. A target population is the population to which the researcher ultimately wants to generalize the results. This target population is the population from which the sample will be drawn. The result can best be generalized to the accessible population. They can, at times be generalized to the target population also, if the two populations are very similar.
The sample drawn from the target population become the research subjects (if they are inanimate or animals) or the research respondents of the study (if they are humans/individuals who answer the research instrument administered). Relevant characteristics of the subjects or respondents must be stated as well as the inclusion and exclusion criteria in selecting the subjects or respondents identified.
3.3 Sample Size
What size of sample can represent the accessible population? The ideal size varies with the population size. There are laid down rules and tables to assist in determining the size of a representative sample. Researchers are to indicate the population size and the corresponding sample size and quote an authority that supports the sufficiency of the sample size. There are various formula used for sample size calculation depending on the research design. How the sample size is arrived at should be clearly stated.
3.4 Sampling Procedure
The sample should be a representation of the population. In other words most characteristics of the population should be represented in the selected sample. This calls for the use of a suitable sampling strategy. The procedure adopted should ensure that the selected sample represents the population. This should be clearly explained.
3.5 Research Instrument
There are varieties of research instruments or tools that can be used to collect data. Examples include the Questionnaire, Interview Guide, and Observations Checklist. The researcher needs to indicate the research instrument(s) he intends to use. Whether researcher devised/structured by the researcher or standardized research instrument.
The basis for the options/content in a standardized or researcher devised instrument are the aspects discussed in the Review of Related Literature. The researcher should try not to develop his own questions or select a standardized instrument without any basis then. A researcher devised instrument can be pre- tested to 5-10 subjects or respondents not included in the actual study to test its reliability and should also be tested for its validity. If a standardized instrument is to be adopted, the name of the author of the instrument and permission to use must be mentioned in this section. This is to avoid plagiarism and legal suits from the author of the instrument.
Whether the instrument is researcher devised or standardized the response modes, scoring and interpretation of scores need to be discussed in this part of the study.
3.6 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument
Data quality control refers to validity and reliability of the instruments. Validity refers to the appropriateness of the instruments while reliability refers to its consistency in measuring whatever it is intended to measure. The researcher needs to describe how he intends to establish the validity and reliability of the research instrument before using them. For purposes of triangulation more than one instrument can be used.
3.7 Data Gathering Procedures
In this part of the study, the collection of data step by step, before, during and after the administration of the research instrument should be described.
3.8 Data Analysis
This section presents how the data generated in the study are to be organized and analyzed. The technique to be used to analyze each group of data should be specified. While thematic analysis can be employed for qualitative data, the use of such statistical techniques as chisquare, correlation, ANOVA etc. are appropriate for quantitative data. Spell out the particular statistical treatment/ technique and formula to use with reference to each research question or type of data set.
3.9 Ethical Considerations
This refers to the moral justification of the investigation. How do you ensure the safety, social and psychological wellbeing of the person and/or community involved in your study? This may involve getting clearance from the ethical body/ethics committee and consent of the respondent (Appendices II and III respectively).
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH FINDINGS
4.0 Introduction
This is generally the longest section of the research project. The objective is to present and explain the data rather than draw interpretations or conclusions. The findings should be presented and analyzed on the basis of the research questions, specific objectives or hypotheses. Tables and figures should be used to present quantitative data when appropriate. A brief description in words of what is shown in the table or figure should be provided. A general rule is to prepare the table or figure and the text, in such a way that they can stand alone in describing the outcomes of the study.
4.2 Analysis of Response rate and descriptive statistics.
This provides the response rate of all questionnaires issues and justification of why that response rate is adequate for data analysis. It is important to note that a response rate of at least 50% and above is recommended. Further this section provides the descriptive analysis of the background information using the descriptive statistics.
4.3 Inferential analysis
i) This should be guided by the methodology and the objectives/hypothesis.
ii) Table titles should be at the top of the tables and figure titles should be below the figure
iii) All tables and figures should have source written below them. The source should be Survey data and the year when the data was collected shown. The interpretation of results of data analysis should be below the table or figure followed by detailed discussion in light of the empirical literature reviewed. The discussion should focus on the major findings of the study and should be organized or structured according to the research questions, specific objectives or hypothesis. The discussion should provide interpretation of the results by comparing them to the findings of previous studies or theoretical background presented in the literature review.
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Introduction
The section should start with a brief summary of the structure or organization of the chapter.
5.1 Summary
The final chapter of the research project should provide a summary of important elements including the purpose of the study and research questions or specific objectives, methodology used and major findings or results.
5.2 Conclusion
In this section, major conclusions drawn from the research findings should be presented. Conclusions should be drawn on the basis of research questions or hypothesis.
5.4 Recommendations
Should be derived from the conclusions; Research projects/thesis should provide recommendations for practice or improvement and for further studies. In applied research recommendations are often provided for practice or improvement. In this case the researcher offers suggestions for improvement with justification.
5.4.1 Suggestion for Further Research
Research projects/thesis often pave way for further work; consequently, the researcher should provide suggestions for future research work based on the findings and conclusions generated from the study.
REFERENCES
A project/thesis should indicate the references of materials used in the development of the study. Reference List The reference list at the end of the project report provides the information necessary to identify and retrieve each source. Researchers should choose references judiciously and must include only the sources that were used in the preparation of the research project
i. Agreement of Text and Reference List Reference cited in the text must appear in the reference list; conversely, each entry in the reference list must be cited in the text. The author must make certain that each source referenced appears in both places and that the text citation and reference list entry are identical. Failure to do so can result in an expensive change after the research project report has been bound.
APPENDICES/ANNEXES
This should include:
i) Research Instruments.
ii) Letters of introduction
iii) Research Permits/authorization letter