Thesis
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING RESEARCH PROPOSALS AND REPORTS FOR POST GRADUATE PROGRAMMES (DIPLOMA, MA, PhD)
Explanatory briefs on the elements of the Research Proposal. Introduction: It should be initially clarified that according to the Kampala University Graduate School’s Regulations, Research Proposals for post-graduate Diplomas should not have more than 12 pages, those for Masters should not have more than 15 pages and those for PhDs should not have more than 25 pages. References are for Diplomas and Masters, whereas Bibliography is for PhDs. In all cases, the writing is one and half-spacing font 12 in Roman
1. Title of Topic of the Research proposal: this is the most essential representation of a research proposal as it describes accurately the content of research, and in away, it delimits the scope of the study. It is recommended that it should be clear and precise and not very long.
2. Introduction to the Study: This is a brief description of what the research proposal is about. It should not be confused with the background of the study.
3. Background to the Study: The choice of a specific subject for research begins in its wider context, comprising a variety of issues. This background (or context) helps to understand the specific problems addressed by the researcher. The various elements considered at this stage should be related among them to show how they lead to the problem that is going to be isolated and treated by the researcher.
4. Statement of the problem: Against the above background the research isolates the problem that he/she finds to be particularly crucial and needs to be looked into. Isolating the problem entails stating it in clear and specific terms, as much as
possible at this initial stage. This delimitation helps the researcher to manage and deal with it effectively. Stating the problem of study could be said to involve stating “how things are” and “how they should be”. Or simply, “the situation is this or that and yet it
Explanatory briefs on the elements of the Research Proposal. Introduction: It should be initially clarified that according to the Kampala University Graduate School’s Regulations, Research Proposals for post-graduate Diplomas should not have more than 12 pages, those for Masters should not have more than 15 pages and those for PhDs should not have more than 25 pages. References are for Diplomas and Masters, whereas Bibliography is for PhDs. In all cases, the writing is one and half-spacing font 12 in Roman
1. Title of Topic of the Research proposal: this is the most essential representation of a research proposal as it describes accurately the content of research, and in away, it delimits the scope of the study. It is recommended that it should be clear and precise and not very long.
2. Introduction to the Study: This is a brief description of what the research proposal is about. It should not be confused with the background of the study.
3. Background to the Study: The choice of a specific subject for research begins in its wider context, comprising a variety of issues. This background (or context) helps to understand the specific problems addressed by the researcher. The various elements considered at this stage should be related among them to show how they lead to the problem that is going to be isolated and treated by the researcher.
4. Statement of the problem: Against the above background the research isolates the problem that he/she finds to be particularly crucial and needs to be looked into. Isolating the problem entails stating it in clear and specific terms, as much as
possible at this initial stage. This delimitation helps the researcher to manage and deal with it effectively. Stating the problem of study could be said to involve stating “how things are” and “how they should be”. Or simply, “the situation is this or that and yet it
References: These follow secondary sources with book titles being italicized. They have to be separated i.e. books, journals, reports, websites or internet sources etc. Appendices: These follow as per proposal guidance No. 20. Masters/Doctorial Dissertation Formats: A. Preliminaries (pages Numbered in Roman numerals) i. ii. Title Page Declaration (Compulsory for certificate and degree Researchers) and copyright. iii. iv. v. Dedication (optional) Acknowledgement Table of content