The Proposal/Thesis Format Preliminary

The preliminary thesis format mast be as following:
a.			Title page	Compulsory
b.			Declaration	Compulsory
c.			Dedication	Compulsory
d.			Acknowledgement	Compulsory
e.			Table of Contents	Compulsory
f.			List of Tables	If applicable
g.			List of Figures	If applicable
h.			List of acronyms and abbreviations	If applicable
i.			Abstract	Compulsory
Main Text (in Chapters)
a.			Introduction	Compulsory
b.			Literature Review	Compulsory
c.			Methodology	Compulsory(Field Research)
d.			Data presentation, analysis and discussion of findings	Compulsory(Field Research)
e.			Conclusions and recommendations	Compulsory
Reference Section
	a.       References b.      APA Citation style			Compulsory (preferred)
Appendices
a.		Questionnaires and other relevant materials referred to in  main text		If applicable

 
 Description of General Framework of Proposal/Thesis
After  selecting research topics  the structure of proposal/thesis chapters mast be as follows:
 

• Chapter one: Introduction

Chapter one is referred to as the introduction. The purpose of the introduction is to provide a basis for the study. It provides the background and the setting required to put the research problem in proper context. The following sub-sections are usually included in the introduction (chapter 1) of a research proposal.
1.Background to The Study
Chapter 1, which introduces the study and states the focus of the study, begins with background information regarding the problem under investigation.
The Introduction should provide readers with a brief summary of literature and research related to the problem being investigated, and should lead up to the statement of the problem. In general, the introduction begins with a broader perspective of the problem and becomes narrower as the Introduction proceeds.
A research background has four main dimensions: the historical, the theoretical, the conceptual and the contextual dimensions. The first to be written is the historical dimension. In this section the researcher describes in short and precise paragraphs the relationships between the variables in a historical perspective. The second part is the theoretical basis of the background. In the theoretical background, the researcher describes the theory (or theories) on which the study will be based. It describes “any” discovered relationships between the variables in the study and the theory to be used.
The third dimension is the conceptual basis of the background. In the conceptual background, the researcher provides the definitions of terms in the topic. The variables should be defined literally as well as operationally.
The fourth dimension of a research background is the contextual basis of the background. In the contextual background, the researcher describes the problems in the context of the study. He/she describes the problem in each isolated variable, pointing out the gaps that need to be filled by the study.
 
2.Problem Statement
This is the heart of the proposal/thesis. Normally a sentence, or at most a paragraph, is all that is required to describe exactly what the problem is.
A statement of the problem may arise from issues, difficulties, current practices or problems that need to be solved or better understood, or it may arise from deductions from existing theories related to the current social and political issues, practical situations or personal experiences. It can be described as the ‘why’ of the study.
3.Significance of The Study
This refers to the relevance of the study in terms of academic contributions and practical use that might be made of the findings. The intended or expected benefits or usage should be targeted to: the immediate community, persons or society that have been studied
4.Objectives of the study
It can be categorized as General and specific objectives.

1. General Objectives

This can also be referred to as the research purpose or general objective. It refers to the general intention of the research. It identifies the goal of the study.

1. Specific Objectives

They are statements of intended specific outcomes of the study and specify more directly what the researcher is going to do.
5.Research Questions/Hypothesis
Research objectives and questions and hypothesis have the same characteristics but different wordings. Questions and hypotheses are usually used alternately. If questions are posed, hypothesis should not be stated at the same time.
To write research questions, a researcher restates each objective in question form. But the hypotheses suggest a relationship  between the variables in the study. They are declarative statements on the relationships between two or more variables on the nature of some phenomenon.
6.Scope of The Study
This is also referred to as the delimitations of the study. It is a description of the boundary of the research in terms of content, geographical and time coverage in a single line or paragraph.
 

1. Research Terms

The researcher describes here main terms in his topic especially those included in title
8.Theoretical/Conceptual Framework(in the case  of field study)
The conceptual framework is presented as a model where research variables and the relationship between them are translated into a visual picture to illustrate the interconnections between the independent, extraneous and dependent variables.

• Chapter Two: Literature Review

The purpose of Chapter 2 is to provide the reader with a comprehensive review of the literature related to the problem under investigation. The review of related literature should greatly expand upon the introduction and background information presented in Chapter 1.
Good review of literature should be done according to the topic of the study and should reflect the objectives/hypotheses and research questions The reviewed literature on the study variables should be done in accordance with the objectives of the study. For instance, if the researcher stated three specific objectives, then he/she is expected to have three sub-sections each focusing on a single objective.

• Chapter Three: Methodology(this chapter should be stated here in the case of field study but if not such library research , the research methodology should be stated in the chapter one- introduction)

This chapter explores the different methods utilized in gathering and interpreting data related to the study by discussing choices and reasons to support them. Such choices are related to: Research Design, study population and sample, sampling techniques, data collection method, data quality control, data processing and analysis.
Chapter Four: Data Presentation, Analysis and Discussion of Findings
This chapter contains a detailed description of the results obtained after data analysis. Tables and figures are useful in presenting the findings because they can summarize a lot of information in a small space. Tables and figures should (usually) be accompanied by an explanation to highlight the contents.
One commonly used method of presenting findings is to follow the research objectives, questions/hypotheses systematically. After a brief introduction, the researcher restates the objectives, (hypothesis or the questions) and then presents all the findings under each objective. They should appear in the order in which the objectives were stated, discuss possible reasons why the results occurred and fit the findings in the context of the previous researches. This should be done in the light of literature review. Discussion of results is about interpretation of the findings in the context of previous research and implications of the findings. The most important task of the researcher here is to identify and interpret major findings.

• Chapter Five: Conclusions and Recommendations

1.Conclusions
Conclusion is the result that is derived from a reasoned judgment of the issues raised by the study. Conclusions must be based on the hypotheses or the questions stated. A researcher then provides conclusions basing on the findings under each objective. The conclusions should not be numbered but presented in short and concise paragraphs each addressing each objective. .
2.Recommendations
Recommendations refer to the solutions produced by the research. A researcher presents the possible solutions to the research questions or hypotheses based on the findings of the research.
 
Guidelines for Presentation Thesis 

1. The size should normally be between 25,000 and 35,000 words 40-50 pages in length.

2. All theses must be typed on paper pf international size A4. The acceptable font size is 12 (Arial or Times New Roman).

3. 1½ spacing should be used for the main text, and single spacing for footnotes. The thesis must be prepared using a word processor using the times new roman or Areal 12 point. It should be 1.5 spaced and printed on one side of the paper.

4. A 35mm(3.5cm) margin should be left on the left side of the paper and 30mm on the right side of the paper, typing should begin 30mm(3cm) from the top of the paper and should not go beyond 30mm(3cm) from the bottom of the page. The next should be justified.

5. APA style should be written as a citation clearly for each paragraph and should be presented the author of the article no needed web page likewise Wikipedia to use as a reference.

6. All Theses must include a suitably bibliography.

7. Bold Uppercase should made the first and second title at font size 18 and 16 (Arial or Times New Roman) respectively by aligning the text to center. The next one is lowercase at 14 for font size

8. Abstract form in Arabic or English bound into each copy according language version.

9. For examination purposes three copies of the theses in a special form binding should be submitted to Mogadishu University, on or before the relevant date. One copy will be given to the supervisor. The other copies will be retained by the student prior to the discussion day. Two copies are presented to the examiners. Students are strongly advised to retain a copy for themselves.

10. After the oral exam, and for the purpose of final submission of a thesis, three copies in hard cover binding to be submitted.

11. On the spine of the hard cover must appear the degree for which the thesis is submitted, the name of the candidate, the name of the supervisor and the year of submission.

Note; the name of the candidate must appear on the spine in the same form as that in which the candidate is or was last registered at the University. (Check your student card)

12. The name of the candidate, year of submission the full title of the degree should appear on the title page. It is essential that the title of the thesis should appear exactly as approved by Graduate Committee (see the sample of attached Title page).

13. The thesis includes also an approved page that it is “this thesis in partially fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of BA in Accounting”. (Sample of the approved page is attached).c

14. Your attention is drawn to the importance of through checking of the thesis before submission to ensure that all typing or grammar errors have been corrected. Failure to do so may result in getting lower marks.
15. All references must be completed and consistently applied
16. Pagination: the preliminaries (title page, declaration and abbreviations) should be numbered in Roman numerals lower cases (e.g. I, ii, iii,). The text, chapter 1 to appendixes should be numbered using Arabic numerals. The number should appear in the centre of upper margin of the page.

17. Decoration or frame is not allowed. The cover must be yellow letter

 
 
REFERENCE FORMAT
Author(s). (Date of Publication). Title of book. Place: Publisher.
Author(s). (Date of Publication). Title of chapter or article. Title of book . Place: Publisher.

1. Entire book (one author)

Brown, J. D. (1998). Understanding research in second language learning.  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

2. Book, third edition. Jr. in name

Mitchelle, T. R., & Larson, J. R., Jr. (1987). People in organizations: An introduction to organizational behavior (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

3. Book, group author (government agency) as publisher

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (1991). Estimated resident population by age and sex, in statistical local areas, New South Wales, June 1990 (No. 3209.1). Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Author.

4. Book, no author or editor

Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (10th ed.). (1993). Springfield, MA:  Merriam-Webster.
Edited book
Gibbs, J. T., & Huang, L. N. (Eds.). (1991). Children of color: Psychological interventions with minority youth. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

5. Book, revised edition

Rosenthal, R. (1987). Meta-analytic procedures for social research (Rev. ed.).  Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
 

6. Article or chapter in an edited book, two editors

Bjork, R.A. (1989). Retrieval inhibition as an adaptive mechanism in human memory.  In H.L. Roediger III & F.I.M. Craik (Eds.), Varieties of memory &  consciousness (pp.309-330). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

7. Several volumes in a multivolume edited work, publication over a period of more than 1 year

Koch, S. (Ed.). (1959-1963). Psycholog y: A study of science (Vols. 1-6). New York: McGraw-Hill.

8. English translation of a book

Laplace, P. S. (1951). A philosophical essay on probabilities (F. W. Truscott & F. L.  Emory, Trans.). New York: Dover. (Original work published 1814)

9. Encyclopaedia or dictionary

Sadie, S. (Ed.). (1980). The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians (6th ed., Vols. 1-20). London: Macmillan.

10. Non-English book

Piaget, J., & Inhelder, B. (1951). La genèse de l’ idée de hasard chez l’enfant [The origin of the idea of chance in the child]. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.

11. Entry in an encyclopaedia

Bergmann, P. G. (1993). Relativity. In The new encyclopedia Britannica (Vol. 26, pp.  501-508). Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica.

12. Book, Brochure, corporate author

Research and Training Centre on Independent Living. (1993). Guidelines for reporting and writing about people with disabilities (4th ed.) [Brochure]. Lawrence, KS: Author.
 

13. Journal article, one author

Mellers, B. A. (2000). Choice and the relative pleasure of consequences. Psychological Bulletin, 126, 910-924.

14. Journal article, two authors, journal paginated by issue

Klimoski, R., & Palmer, S. (1993). The ADA and the hiring process in organizations.  Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 45 (2), 10-36.
Journal article, three to six authors
Saywitz, K. J., Mannarino, A. P., Berliner, L., & Cohen, J. A. (2000). Treatment for  sexually abused children and adolescents. American Psychologist, 55, 1040-1049.

15. Journal article, more than six authors

Wolchik, S. A., West, S. G., Sandler, I.N., Tein, J., Coatsworth, D., Lengua, L., et al.  (2000). An experimental evaluation of theory-based mother and mother-child  programs for children of divorce. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 843-856.

16. Entire issue or special section of a journal

Barlow, D. H. (Ed.). (1991). Diagnoses, dimensions, and DSM-IV: The science of classification [Special issue]. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100 (3).

17. Journal article in press

Zuckerman, M., & Kieffer, S. C. (in press). Race differences in face-ism: Does facial prominence imply dominance? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

18. Magazine article

Kandel, E.R., & Squire, L. R. (2000, November 10). Neuroscience: Breaking down scientific barriers to the study of brain and mind. Science, 290, 1113-1120.

19. Newsletter article

Brown, L. S. (1993, Spring). Antidomination training as a central component of  diversity in clinical psychology education. The Clinical Psychologist, 46, 83-87.

20. Daily newspaper article, no author

New drug appears to sharply cut risk of death from heart failure. (1993, July 15). The Washington Post, p. A12.

21. Daily newspaper article (discontinuous pages)

Schwartz, J. (1993, September 30). Obesity affects economic, social status. The Washington Post, pp. A1, A4.

22. Technical and Research Reports

Mazzeo, J., Druesne, B., Raffeld, P.C., Checkettes, K. T., & Muhlstein, A. (1991).
Comparability of computer and paper-and-pencil scores for two CLEP general  examinations (College Board Rep. No. 91-5). Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing  Service.

23. Report from a private organization

Employee Benefit Research Institute. (1992, February). Sources of health insurance
and characteristics of the uninsured (Issue Brief No. 123). Washington, DC: Author.

24. Report available from the Educational Resources Information Centre (ERIC)

Mead, J. V. (1992). Looking at old photographs: Investigating the teacher tales that  novice teachers bring with them (Report No. NCRTL- RR-92-4). East Lansing,  MI: National Center for Research on Teacher Learning. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED346082)

25. Unpublished doctoral dissertation

Wilfley, D.E. (1990). Interpersonal analyses of bulimia: Normal weight and obese.  Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Missouri, Columbia.

26. 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  ictoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

27. Unpublished paper presented at meeting

Lanktree, C., & Briere, J. (1991, January). Early data on the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSC-C). Paper presented at the meeting of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, San Diego, CA.

28. Unpublished manuscript not submitted for publication

Stinson, C., Milbrath, C., Reidbord, S., & Bucci, W. (1992). Thematic segmentation  of psychotherapy transcripts for convergent analyses. Unpublished manuscript.

29. Review of a book

Schatz, B. R. (2000). Learning by text or context? [Review of the book The social life of information ]. Science, 290, 1304.

30. Review of a motion picture

Kraus, S. J. (1992). Visions of psychology: A videotext of classic studies [Review of the motion picture Discovering Psychology]. Contemporary Psychology, 37, 1146-1147.

31. Television broadcast

Crystal, L. (Executive Producer). (1993, October 11). The MacNeil / Lehrer news  hour. [Television Broadcast]. New York and Washington, DC: Public  Broadcasting Service.

32. Online periodical

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (2000). Title of article. Title of
Periodical, xx, xxxxxx. Retrieved month day, year, from source.
VandenBos, G., Knapp, S., & Doe, J. (2001). Role of reference elements in the selection of resources by psychology undergraduates. Journal of Bibliographic Research, 5, 17-123. Retrieved October 13, 2001, from http:// journals.apa.org/prvention/volume3/pre0030001a.html

33. Online document

Author, A. A. (2000). Title of work. Retrieved month day, year, from source
Hermann, W.A. (1989). Teaching Writing with Peer Response Group: Encouraging Revision ERIC Digest. Retrieved February 10, 2001, from http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digest/ed307616.html
Online Periodicals

34. Article in an Internet-only journal

Fredrickson, B. L. (2000, March 7). Cultivating positive emotions to optimize health and well-being. Prevention & Treatment, 3, Article 0001a. Retrieved November 20, 2000, from http://journals.apa.o