Guidelines from university
Abstract (250 words)
The abstract should provide an overview of the study in all its aspects. It should be around 250-300 words long and should answer the following questions:
• What did this research set out to do and why?
• How did it seek to do it?
• What were the general findings?
• What do these suggest?
• What conclusions were reached?
• What are the implications of these?
The abstract is normally written towards the end of the research process.
Chapter 1: Introduction (750 words)
The introduction should introduce the reader to the background of the study and the nature of the issue being considered. It should therefore set the context of the study, explaining why it was important to carry out this study, highlighting significant issues, problems and ideas. The aims / objectives and hypotheses (or research questions) should be clearly stated in this chapter (Some researchers prefer to include these in the methodology chapter; this is also considered an acceptable practice). The introduction normally also includes a summary of the proceeding chapters.
Chapter 2: Literature Review (4000 words)
The student is expected to provide a critical review and analysis of the existing literature on the research topic being studied. The student is not expected to identify every book and article that has ever been written on the subject; however, the most influential articles of the chosen area should be highlighted. The majority of references should represent article that: are published in relevant peer-reviewed journals; are attributed to primary sources; are clearly relevant to the specific area of study; and with the exception of historical work, should be current (published within the last ten years). In order to build an argument, students are encouraged to also utilise theories or opinions which conflict with their own.
The APA system of referencing should be used throughout.
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions and Recommendations (3000 words)
1. This chapter should draw together all the findings of the research and link them to the aims / objectives, and hypotheses (or research question/s in qualitative), as well as the literature discussed within the literature review.
Have the aims/ objectives set at the beginning been met? If not, why not? Were the hypotheses confirmed or disconfirmed? Have the research question/s been answered?
2. What are the theoretical and practical implications arising from the findings? Students must be careful with their generalisations and interpretations (Tentative words are normally preferred). All recommendations should be based on evidence.
3. What were the limitations of the study?
4. Highlight suggestions for future research in this area.
