Description
I need someone to write full research proposals using a attached template with a title “ Pediatric Nurses perception of caring self-efficacy and associated factors”
Unformatted Attachment Preview
A guideline on
Research Proposal and
Thesis Writing
For
Nursing Graduate Students
At
Addis Ababa University
Revised by:
post graduate Coordinator of Nursing programs
For Distribution to M.Sc. Students and their advisors
Oct, 2017
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
i
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………………………………….ii
Part 1 Style and Formatting ……………………………………………………….. 1
A.
Font …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1
B.
Margins ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 1
C.
Headings and Subheadings …………………………………………………………………. 1
D.
Line Spacing and Paragraph Format ……………………………………………………. 2
E.
Page Numbering and Set Up ………………………………………………………………. 2
F.
Tables and Figures…………………………………………………………………………….. 3
G.
Other Style and Formatting Issues ………………………………………………………. 3
Part 2 Research Proposal Writing ……………………………………………….. 5
A.
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………… 5
B.
Contents of the Research Proposal ………………………………………………………. 5
1.
Cover Page ………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
2.
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………………… 6
3.
Abbreviations and Acronyms ……………………………………………………………… 6
4.
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………………… 6
5.
List of Tables (if any) ………………………………………………………………………… 7
6.
List of Figures (if any)……………………………………………………………………….. 7
7.
Summary …………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
8.
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………… 7
9.
Literature Review ……………………………………………………………………………… 7
10.
Justification (half a page) …………………………………………………………………. 8
11.
Significance of the Study (not more than half page) …………………………….. 8
12. Objectives of the Study (General and Specific Objectives) not more than
half page ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
13.
Materials and Methods …………………………………………………………………….. 8
14.
Plan of Activities …………………………………………………………………………… 10
15.
Budget………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10
16.
References ……………………………………………………………………………………. 10
17.
Appendix (if any)…………………………………………………………………………… 11
18.
Approval Sheet ……………………………………………………………………………… 11
Part 3 Thesis Writing ……………………………………………………………… 12
A.
General Structure of the Thesis …………………………………………………………. 12
B.
Preliminary Sections………………………………………………………………………… 13
1.
The Cover Page ………………………………………………………………………………. 13
2.
Title Page ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
ii
3.
Approval Sheet ……………………………………………………………………………….. 13
4.
Dedication (if any)…………………………………………………………………………… 13
5.
Statement of the Author …………………………………………………………………… 13
6.
Biographical Sketch(optional) …………………………………………………………… 13
7.
Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………………………. 14
8.
Acronyms and Abbreviations ……………………………………………………………. 14
9.
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………………. 14
10.
List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………………… 14
11.
List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………….. 14
12.
List of Tables in the Appendix ………………………………………………………… 14
13.
List of Figures in the Appendix ……………………………………………………….. 14
14.
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
C.
Narrative of the Thesis …………………………………………………………………….. 15
1.
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………. 15
2.
Literature Review ……………………………………………………………………………. 15
3.
Justification of the study…………………………………………………………………… 16
4.
Significance of the study ………………………………………………………………….. 16
5.
Objectives of the study …………………………………………………………………….. 16
6.
Materials and Methods …………………………………………………………………….. 16
7.
Results …………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
8.
Discussion. …………………………………………………………………………………….. 17
9.
Conclusions and Recommendations …………………………………………………… 17
10.
References ……………………………………………………………………………………. 18
11.
Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………………… 18
Part 4 citation ……………………………………. Error! Bookmark not defined.
iii
Part 1
Style and Formatting
Scientific writing requires consistency in style and format throughout both the proposals and
in the theses. With consistency, certain rules are followed. These rules are presented below.
A. Font
Times New Roman font is required throughout the documents. There should be no variation
in the type of font used throughout the proposal, thesis. The cover page of the thesis will be
written in 16-point font size. The thesis will also have an additional title page where 14-point
font size shall be used. Text in cover pages and title pages of thesis and or thesis research
proposals will be in bold face font. The first level headings in the research proposal, thesis
will be in 14-point font size and all of the narrative should be in 12-point font size.
B. Margins
A margin of 3.0 cm on the left is for binding. A margin of 2.5 cm each on the right, top and
bottom of the page is required. The same margins should be applied to all pages including
those of the figures and tables.
C. Headings and Subheadings
Each of the titles of the preliminary sections and the chapters of the narrative should be
written in bold upper case letters and be centered.
The chapter headings of the narrative must be numbered with Arabic numerals starting from
1 for the Introduction and ending with 7 or 8 for the Appendix. The Arabic numerals shall
be followed by a period. However, none of the titles of the preliminary sections is numbered.
The second level headings, i.e. subheadings, are numbered consecutively with Arabic
numerals in an outline numbering system (e.g., 1.1., 1.2., etc. for subheadings of Chapter 1;
2.1., 2.2., etc. for Chapter 2; etc.). Likewise, the outline numbering system will be used for
lower level headings (e.g. 1.1.1., 1.1.2., etc. for subheadings under 1.1.; 2.1.1., 2.1.2., etc.
for those under 2.1.1.; 1.1.1.1., 1.1.1.2., etc. for subheadings under 1.1.1; and 2.1.1.1.,
2.1.1.2, etc. under 2.1.1.; etc.).
1
To have a numbered subheading, there ought to be at least two subheadings discussed under
the higher level heading. It is unacceptable to number headings as 1.1., 1.1.1., 1.1.1.1. etc.
unless there is at least one heading to be numbered as 1.2., 1.1.2., 1.1.1.2., etc., respectively.
Second level headings are written in bold title case letters, i.e. the first letter of each major
word of the headings is written in upper case letters. All remaining lower level headings are
written in sentence case, i.e. only the first letter of the heading will be in upper case unless
required by grammatical or nomenclature rules.
Second level headings and lower level headings should be flush left. An extra line should
separate the headings from the narrative. No headings, subheadings or captions of tables or
figures are underlined.
D. Line Spacing and Paragraph Format
The line spacing for the narrative is 1.5 although single line spacing is to be applied to
captions of tables and figures. An extra line (1.5 spacing) is kept between paragraphs above
and below all headings, sub-headings and captions. All paragraphs should be in block
paragraph format. Use add space after paragraph.
E. Page Numbering and Set Up
Each of the components of the preliminary section, each chapter of the narrative, References
and the Appendix of the thesis must start on a new page. As a rule, each component of the
preliminary section is expected to be short and not exceed one page. Exceptions to the latter
may be for the Table of Contents, Acronyms and Abbreviations and the List of Tables and
List of Figures.
Except for the cover page, every page of the thesis is assigned a page number. The use of
two different types of page numbering is recommended. Small Roman numerals such as i,
ii, iii, etc. are used for the preliminary section from the title page to the page preceding the
Introduction. However, a page number should not appear on the title page and the subsequent
page will be numbered with ii. Arabic numerals such as 1, 2, 3, etc. are used from the first
page of the Introduction to the last page of the Appendix. Page numbers are centered at the
bottom of the page. Page numbers will not include periods or dashes.
2
F. Tables and Figures
Students should decide the most appropriate way to present their data. They should not use
tables and figures for the same data discussed in the narrative. Tables and figures should be
single line spaced. Borders are required above and below the column headings and below
the last row of the table. Tables and figures should be logically placed in the narrative of the
thesis and should be as close as possible to the results narrative where those tables and figures
are first cited.
The headings within the Tables and Figures can be bolded. Tables and figures should be
consistent in format throughout the document. Long Tables and Figures which are more than
one page in length are discouraged. The author is responsible for checking computational
correctness in the tables and figures. In addition, the numerical values cited in the narrative
should match those in the tables. Significance levels should be indicated by the use of an
asterisk.
All tables and figures should have a clear and concise caption. Table notes may be used to
describe the contents of the caption or column headings cross-referenced using superscripted numbers. For ease in readability, landscaping of tables and figures is encouraged
as necessary. Empty space between the tables and figures and the narrative should not
exceed two double spaces as far as possible. The tables and figures should be clearly
presented and self-explanatory. The reader should be able to understand them without going
to the methodology or the result’s narrative.
G. Other Style and Formatting Issues
•
Where required, scientific names in any part of the proposal, thesis need be written in
italic font with the genus name starting with a capital letter. The species epithet will
appear in a small letter. Similarly, no English language terminologies such as words,
nouns, and pronouns shall be italicized.
•
All measurements should be given in metric units.
•
The Ethiopian Birr (ETB) shall only be used for all budget currency discussions.
•
Complicated, long and awkward sentences should be avoided.
•
Correct grammatical rules should be followed.
•
Contractions such as shouldn’t, &, can’t, and won’t should not be used.
•
Avoid the use of personal pronouns such as I, you, and we.
3
•
Avoid colloquial language (slang).
•
Minimize technical jargon.
4
Part 2 Research Proposal Writing
A. Introduction
The preparation and submission of a research proposal is requirement of all graduate
students of all disciplines at School of Nursing and Midwifery of AAU. The ultimate
success of a master’s thesis depends upon the preparation of a sound research proposal. The
following sections describe the format that graduate students at School of Nursing and
Midwifery of AAU should follow when writing their research proposals.
B. Contents of the Research Proposal
The research proposal submitted by a graduate student for a master’s degree is expected to
have the following basic sections. Each of these sections should start on a new page.
Research Proposal Structure:
1. Cover Page
2. Acknowledgements
3. Acronyms and Abbreviations
4. Table of Contents
5. List of Tables (if any)
6. List of Figures (if any)
7. Summary/Abstract
8. Introduction (background & statement of problem)
9. Literature Review
10. Justification of the study
11. Significance of the study
12. Objective of the study
13. Materials and Methods
14. Plan of Activities
15. Budget
16. References
17. Appendix
18. Approval and Declaration Sheets
A description of the sections of the research proposal follows:
5
1. Cover Page
The cover page should be informative and consist of the names of Addis Ababa University
and the College and Program of Graduate Studies, the title of the research proposal, the
name of the graduate student, the college or department, program of study and the major
and co-advisor(s). The month and year followed by the location are the last items on the
cover page. Title case letters are recommended in the style of writing although the names
of Addis Ababa University and College of health sciences, School of Allied and
Department of Nursing and Midwifery/ Graduate Studies should be in bold capital letters
of 14-point font size.
Title: The title of the thesis research proposal should be clear, specific and concise. Words
such as “The Study of” or “An Investigation on” are not essential. The title should
accurately capture and reflect the main theme of the proposed study. Scientific, botanical
and medical words and phrases can be included in the title.
2. Acknowledgements
The acknowledgements section recognizes the persons and/or institutions the student is
grateful to for the guidance or assistance received and those to whom the student extends
thanks for special aid or support.
3. Abbreviations and Acronyms
Acronyms and abbreviations are listed in alphabetical order of the items written in full
form. Standard International (S.I.) units of measurement should be used in the proposal.
Each abbreviation other than S.I. units and each acronym should be defined in full when it
is first used and followed by its abbreviation or acronym in parenthesis. Standard units and
internationally known abbreviations do not need to be listed. Abbreviations and symbols
such as i.e. and etc should not be italicized
4. Table of Contents
All the headings and entries in the Table of Contents should correspond exactly in wording,
fonts and case with the headings or entries as they appear in the text of the proposal. The
word “title” and “page” at the top of the page in the Table of Contents should be avoided.
Also, there should not be any dotted lines connecting headings and respective pages.
Subdivisions of headings should not exceed four levels. A Table of Content illustrates the
6
capitalization, indentation, line space between the headings, and numbering of sections. It
is advisable to use the built-in style of Microsoft Word or other word processing programs
to create the Table of Contents.
5. List of Tables (if any)
List of Tables of thesis illustrates how the list shall be prepared in the thesis research
proposal. It should be noted that research proposals should be brief and list of tables rarely
occurs in the proposal.
6. List of Figures (if any)
The list of figures also seldom appears in the thesis research proposal.
7. Summary/Abstract
The summary should include the background of the research proposal topic, objectives of
the study and the methods to be used in the research project. It should be concise and less
than one page in length without any subtitles or divisions.
8. Introduction
The introduction of the research proposal provides pertinent background information on
the research project and should be as brief as possible. It may not exceed four pages. The
introduction includes:
a) Clear statement of the problem, nature, symptoms, and extent of the problem and
variables influencing the problem, thus leading to a clear set of research objectives.
b) Objectives that specify the goals of the research, research information to be gathered,
research questions to be answered or research hypotheses developed and to be tested.
It is preferable to write the introduction with subheadings in the following sequence.
i) Background (maximum of two pages)
ii) Statement of the Problem (maximum of two pages)
9. Literature Review
The literature review should be a critical analysis of the existing knowledge on the proposed
research. It includes the strengths, the limitations and gaps of previous studies. The
literature review should be relevant with recent citations on the topic. Citations within the
past five years are ideal and generally considered current. Citations ten years and older
7
should be sparingly used and only when necessary. The Vancouver style is followed in
citations and references.
10. Justification (half a page)
This section must answer the following questions: Why are you intending to do this
research? What is the knowledge gap that you identified from your literature review? What
kind of gap are you planning to fill?
11. Significance of the Study (not more than half page)
This section should state about the usefulness of the end results of your study and must
answer the following questions: Where can one use the results of your study? What for
and how can one use the findings of your study? Who is going to use the results? What is
the importance of your research for the policy makers, practitioners and researchers?
12. Objectives of the Study (General and Specific Objectives) not more
than half page
There should be general and specific objectives. The specific objectives should be very
specific and clear, they should be a maximum of two unless you have relevant and very
critical reasons for more. Sometimes the student may state a hypothesis or a research
question they believe it applicable.
Hypothesis: requires sufficient knowledge of the problem to be able to predict
relationships among factors which then can be explicitly tested.
Research questions: formulated when insight into the problem being studied is not
sufficient.
13. Materials and Methods
This section describes precisely what will be done and how it will be done, what data will
be recorded, the proposed tools or instruments to be used in data collection and the methods
of analyzing the data.
In this section, the student should give clear, specific, appropriate and credible procedures
that will be followed to attain the proposed objectives of the study. The research
methodology should be appropriate to the problem area, i.e., the statement of the problem,
the objectives and the hypotheses. In selecting appropriate research methods and techniques
and the research design, the student should ask the key question: “How will it be carried
8
out?” The logistics of implementation should be viewed parallel to the choice of the
research design. The student should consider affordability, feasibility and availability of
equipment and supplies. The student should also address the methods of data collection and
methods of data analysis.
The Materials and Methods section should also include:
1. Description of the Study Area and the Study Period: when data will be collected
2. Study Design –which design will be used?
3. Description of Population. This includes inclusive and exclusive criteria, the source
population, the study population and sample population (optional)
4. Sampling
Methods:
includes
sample
size
calculation
and
sampling
methods/procedure
5. Definition of Terms (optional)/ operational definition
6. Definition of Variables (optional)
7. Data Collection. This includes questionnaires, use of observation, focus groups
discussions, interviews, laboratory analysis and similar methods. The description
should outline the data to be collected in the study, the methods of measurement and
the units of measurement. Data collection procedures (instrument, personnel, data
quality control)
1. Data Quality Control. Where required, discuss how to check the data collection
instruments and describe the reliability and validity of the instruments used
2. Data Analysis. The student should also decide how the data generated will be
analyzed. Descriptions of the data analytical methods, techniques, tools and statistical
tests that will be used in analyzing the data should be provided. Software planned for
statistical analysis may also be mentioned.
Ethics: Ethical considerations are critical to health and medical science disciplines. It is
required that ethics be discussed when researching people. Examples of ethical issues
include:
1. Known benefits and risks of involvement in the research
2. Exact description of the information to be delivered to the subjects of the study
3. When appropriate, indicate any special incentives for treatment that subjects will
receive through their participation in the study
4. Discuss procedures for the consent by the study participants where applicable.
9
5. Indicate how the data collected in the study will be kept confidential
6. Lists drugs, vaccines, diagnosis and procedures and instruments to be used and
whether they are registered, unregistered, new or currently in use in Ethiopia
When studying human subjects, ethical principles include respect for the subjects,
beneficence, and justice, whether the objectives of the study are ethically achievable, and
the ethical soundness of the methods. Approval of the study by a university or national
ethics committee should be stated in the document.
Where applicable, students are encouraged to refer to the National Health Research Ethics
Review Guidelines dated 2005, 4th edition (revised) prepared by the Ethiopian Science &
Technology Council. These guidelines could be available in university libraries.
14. Plan of Activities
This section focuses on the budgeting of time for the implementation of the research
project. The student assigns time frames for the completion of various activities of the
proposed research. The plan of activities can be presented in the form of a table. Only major
activities for accomplishing the research activities and corresponding time frames should
be included in the table.
15. Budget
The budget of a research proposal clearly describes the financial resources required to
conduct the project. This involves listing the necessary personnel, travel, per diem,
equipment, materials and associated services and expendable supplies required for the
project. Every budget item included must be justifiable and in accordance with Addis
Ababa University policy. The budget chapter may have a series of separate tables for items
such as personnel, stationery costs, equipment and supplies supervisor and transportation
costs. A budget summary table should also be included at the end of this chapter.
16. References
The references section must include all works cited in the research proposal. All citations
appearing in the narrative of the proposal must be included in the references section and
vice versa. In-text citations and references should follow the Vancouver style
10
17. Appendix (if any)
Supplemental information such as a draft of questionnaires in English and other languages,
study participant consent forms, mathematical formulae or derivations, a detailed
description of the sample selection procedures and dummy tables can be included in the
appendix.
18. Approval/Declaration Sheet
The approval/declaration sheet is the last item (page) of a master’s research proposal.
Students may obtain the format of the approval sheet from department or post graduate
coordinators.
ü
ü
ü
ü
Final submission must be approved by the advisor(s)
This from must be completed in two copies
Page limits must be strictly observed
Scanned copy of all signatures must be attach in the soft copy
11
Part 3
Thesis Writing
A. General Structure of the Thesis
The Preliminary Sections of the Thesis
1. Cover Page
2. Title Page
3. Approval Sheet
4. Dedication (optional)
5. Statement of the Author
6. Biographical Sketch (optional)
7. Acknowledgements
8. Acronyms and Abbreviations
9. Table of Contents
10. Lists of Tables
11. List of Figures (if any)
12. Abstract
The Narrative Chapters of the Thesis
1. Introduction (background & statement of problem)
2. Literature Review
3. Justification of the study
4. Significance of the study
5. Objectives of the study
6. Materials and Methods
7. Results and Discussion (Students should write their results and discussion in
separate chapters.)
8. Conclusions and Recommendations
9. References
10. Appendix
12
B. Preliminary Sections
1. The Cover Page
The cover page is the first page of a thesis. It is preferably printed on hard paper cover. It
includes the title of the thesis, the degree for which the work is conducted, the full name of
the student, and the month and year in which the thesis is submitted. This is the only page
of a thesis or which a page number is not assigned.
2. Title Page
The title page is the second page of a thesis and the first page for which a page number is
assigned although it does not have the number typed on it. It includes the title of the thesis,
the name of the college, school, department, Addis Ababa University, the degree for which
the thesis is presented, the name of the candidate, and the month, year and place of
submission.
3. Approval Sheet
The final approval page will be incorporated in the student’s thesis after getting signed by
the board of examiners/ supervisors, i.e. after the open defense examination.
4. Dedication (if any)
The dedication should be short and concise.
5. Statement of the Author
This is the page where the candidate declares that the thesis is his or her own work. The
student states that the various sources of information that he or she used to have been cited
in the thesis. The student also declares that the thesis is not submitted to any other institution
for the award of any degree, diploma or certificate.
6. Biographical Sketch(optional)
The biographical sketch should be brief. It is suggested that it include only the student’s
date and place of birth, schools attended and work experience.
13
7. Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements recognize the persons and/or institutions the student is indebted to for
guidance and assistance received, and those to whom he or she is thankful for a special aid
or support. Acknowledgments should be expressed simply and concisely.
8. Acronyms and Abbreviations
Acronyms and abbreviations are listed in alphabetical order of the terms when written in
full form. Abbreviations can be used in the thesis title. Well known abbreviations such as
FAO, WHO and HIV do not need to be listed. Standard International (S.I.) units of
measurement should be used in the thesis. Each abbreviation other than the S.I. units and
acronyms should be defined in full when it is first used and followed by its abbreviation or
acronym in parenthesis. Standard units such as g, kg, m, and km should not be listed.
Internationally known abbreviations such as i.e. and etc need not be italicized.
9. Table of Contents
All of the headings and entries in the Table of Contents should correspond exactly in
wording, fonts, and cases with the headings or entries as they appear in the narrative of the
thesis. Also, there should not be any dotted lines connecting headings and respective page
numbers. The headings and sub-headings in the Table of Contents should not exceed four
levels. A Table of Content illustrates the capitalization, indentation and line spacing. It is
advisable to use the built-in style of Microsoft Word or other word processing programs to
create the Table of Contents. If the Table of Contents is more than one page, the title
followed in parentheses with the word “Continued” must appear.
10. List of Tables
11. List of Figures
12. List of Tables in the Appendix
13. List of Figures in the Appendix
14
14. Abstract
It should not be more than 350 words. The word abstract is written in capital letters and
is centered. The name of the student is below the title and is also centered. The abstract
should summarize the background of the study, the methods used, results obtained,
conclusions drawn, and recommendations. The abstract should be one single paragraph.
Abstracts should not be divided into paragraphs or sections. Using the appropriate 1.5-line
spacing, it should be no more than one page in length.
C. Narrative of the Thesis
The thesis is divided into chapters. These chapters include the introduction, literature
review, materials and methods or methodology, results and discussion, conclusions and
recommendations, references and appendix. The results and discussion may be placed in
separate chapters.
1. Introduction
This chapter includes the background information on the subject, a statement of the problem
and significance of the study. The introduction should not be divided into subchapters or
divisions. Rather, all the contents of the chapter must be presented in a logical order and
well organized to maintain flow of ideas. The chapter should be brief. It is suggested that
the chapter be no more than four pages for a master’s thesis using 1.5-line spacing. The first
page of the introduction will begin with page 1.
2. Literature Review
The literature review should be a critical analysis of the existing knowledge on the proposed
research. It includes the strengths, the limitations and gaps of previous studies. The literature
review should be relevant with recent citations on the topic. Citations within the past five
years are ideal and generally considered current. Citations ten years and older should be
sparingly used and only when necessary.
The vancouver style is followed in the citations and reference list. There are a number of
helpful web sites on the internet that discuss and describe this style in detail and students
are encouraged to visit such web sites.
15
3. Justification of the study
4. Significance of the study
5. Objectives of the study
ü General objectives and
ü Specific objectives
6. Materials and Methods
This chapter presents the sources of data and the methods and procedures of data collection
and analysis. A concise description of the conditions under which the investigation was
carried out and the materials, procedures, techniques, treatments, design/techniques and the
treatments and inputs used should be provided in this chapter. It can be divided into subheadings depending on the nature of the study.
This chapter can also include the study area and time period, the populations (source and
study), sampling methods used, data collection methods, s
