Author: Akau B.Z.
Introduction
Undergraduate research projects are independent efforts by students in tertiary institutions supervised by academic staff. The project involves a predetermined research topic, proposal, justification, aims, milestones, software, hardware, assumptions, methodologies, and references. Standards are set for research build-up, actual research, presentation, and print submissions, preparing students for after-school rules. The work is typically divided into five chapters, with an external supervisor providing independent assessment. Hence, a typical project follows this format:
- Preliminary pages
- Introduction (chapter 1)
- Literature review (chapter 2)
- Methodology (chapter 3)
- Results (chapter 4)
- Discussion, conclusion, and recommendations (chapter 5)
- References
- Appendices
Preliminary Pages
·
Title
·
Declaration
·
Certification
·
Dedication
·
Acknowledgements
·
Table of Contents
·
List of Tables
·
List of Figures
(If any)
Title: This section contains the title of the report, the name of the institution, the authors' names, the report's purpose, and the date (all in bold, capital letters). The phrase "in partial fulfillment of the course requirement for the award of the B.Sc. degree" must appear on the student's submission.
Declaration: The student or candidate certifies on this page that they are the sole owners of the work and that no plagiarism occurred. There is a space reserved for the candidate's signature and the date.
Dedication: Here, the researcher devotes their work to a deity, a living or deceased person.
Acknowledgment: The researcher writes to express their gratitude to everyone who, in one way or another, contributed significantly to the success of the research.
Table of Contents: This consists of all the main headings, sub-headings, and page numbers of the research report.
List of tables and figures: Both the page numbers and the tag numbers, which reflect the content, should be included. It should be well-numbered and unambiguous. The figure or table should have clear labels in the main content.
Abstract: The researcher drafts a concise summary of a research report
using the headings background, purpose, methods, findings, analysis, and
recommendations.
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
The background of the study sets the general tone for the research by introducing the topic, providing background information, and narrowing it down to a specific research context. It outlines and explores the subject's history, emergence, and public interest. The researcher uses literature evidence to support their contentions and establish the study's desirability and feasibility. A well-focused and lengthy background helps establish a strong foundation for the research.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The
Problem Statement is a crucial part of the research process, guiding the
researcher through the investigation. It is the logical conclusion of the
issues raised in the background of the study, providing a broader perspective
on the subject matter. The statement should be concise and clear, focusing on
the specifics of the investigation. Experienced supervisors recommend one to
three paragraphs, as it helps clarify the research process. A well-defined and
quantifiable statement of the research problem is essential, as it helps
identify missing links, imbalances, needs, unsatisfactory states, and
unanswered questions. It highlights the key variables of interest and their
specific relationships, giving the project direction.
1.3 Justification of the Study
Project
justification aims to explain the necessity of implementing a specific solution
to a problem, presenting it as the best option. It also validates the project
title's suitability and feasibility, highlighting its advantages over other
alternatives and drawbacks.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The phrase "aim of research" refers to the purpose of the study. It is a modification of a research's title and typically starts with "the
purpose of this study is to." For example, "Prevalence of abortion
and knowledge of its complications among young girls in Government Girls
Secondary School Zonkwa, Kaduna State." The aim of the research can be
"to determine the prevalence of abortion and knowledge of its complications
among young girls in Government Girls Secondary Schools in Zonkwa, Kaduna
State." The objectives of a research project refer to the goals and are
determined based on the variables you selected for your study. From our example
above, the specific objectives are as follows:
·
To assess the extent of abortion among
young girls in Zonkwa, Kaduna State.
·
To assess the level of knowledge of the
complications of abortion among young girls in Zonkwa, Kaduna State.
·
To assess the factors that predispose
young girls to abortion.
1.5 Research Questions and /or Hypotheses
Research
hypotheses are testable statements stated in null form and can be accepted or
rejected at the point of testing. Hypotheses are not the same as research
questions. They are formulated based on areas that describe a phenomenon,
compare concepts, show relationships between variables, or illustrate the
causes and effects of situations. Alternative and null hypotheses are two types
of hypotheses. Research hypotheses serve as a theoretical conceptualization of
the researcher's anticipated outcomes and help them test and verify their
ideas. Good hypotheses should be reasonable, consistent with known facts or
theories, testable, simple, unambiguous, directly related to the problem, involve
a few variables at a time, and be quantifiable. They must also be operationally
formulated and only consider a small number of variables at a time. From our
example, a hypothesis can be "there is no significant relationship between
knowledge of the complications and prevalence of abortion among young girls in
Government Girls Secondary School Zonkwa, Kaduna State."
1.6 Significance of the Study
The
study's significance is crucial, as it must contribute something new to
knowledge in the subject area. It should explain the likely benefits and their
intended recipients. The project can be serialized, itemized, or paraphrased
according to the writer's preferences. There is no minimum or maximum number of
advantages.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The
scope of a research project refers to the depth of the subject matter it
addresses. The title of the study has some bearing on it. The study's scope is
crucial for maintaining focus and producing the desired results because it
prevents interference from outside factors and helps the study retain its
identity. The limitation of the study represents the other side of the coin,
ensuring that the research is well-defined and does not include any unintended
elements.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
The
operational definition of terms is a section of the Introduction that provides
a working definition of terms used in a study. These terms are adapted for the
research project, meaning they may have slightly different meanings depending
on the situation. These definitions are typically unique to the study and are
last in the opening chapter.
Chapter Two: Literature Review
This
chapter reviews the essential literature for this study. It summarizes past
work, highlights pros and cons, and requires credit for authors. Paraphrasing
and comments are encouraged, with fewer quotations and words based on context.
The following sub-headings serve as discussion points for the literature
review:
2.1 Introduction
A
brief introduction is required in this section, highlighting what the chapter
will be discussing. It should be short and precise.
2.2 Theoretical Framework
An overview of current theories that serve as a theoretical framework provides a direction for arguments in research papers and dissertations. It justifies and contextualizes subsequent research and shows how the subject is relevant to more general areas of study. A well-rounded theoretical framework should include concepts, definitions, and existing theories for the research problem. It is essential to review course readings and relevant research literature for relevant theories and models based on their appropriateness, ease of application, and explanatory power.
2.3 Empirical Studies Using Relevant
Sub-Headings
Here,
the researcher reviews what other related studies have done. Empirical reviews,
also known as systematic literature reviews, are similar to abstract summaries
that examine earlier research to address your specific objectives or research
questions. They seek to find gaps in the body of knowledge and lay the
theoretical groundwork for the investigation. These reviews are crucial for
dissertation or thesis work, as they are often the second chapter of the
proposal and final paper.
2.4 Conceptual Framework
A
conceptual framework is a methodological approach that defines research
questions and provides meaningful answers. It connects theories, assumptions, beliefs,
and concepts and presents them in a visual, graphical, or narrative format. It also highlights the relationship between researchers and their research, influencing
decision-making, variable selection, data collection, and theory formulation.
The focus should be on the quality of the questions raised and addressed,
enabling meaningful conclusions. A practical approach involves selecting
unconventional models and analyzing literature, creating a multidisciplinary
framework that covers diverse phenomena and supports exploratory research.
2.5 Appraisal of Reviewed Literature
Here,
the literature review is summarized. In your summary, you should also discuss
how your research fills a knowledge gap.
Chapter Three: Methodology
In
chapter three of a research project, a thorough master plan outlining the steps
to carry out the study is typically presented. It is arranged in this order:
3.1 Background of the Study Area
The study area's historical background is briefly summarized
or described. The researcher discusses the pertinent information currently
available in the research area.
3.2 Research Design
Briefly describe the design you intend to use and explain
your thinking.
3.3 Population of the Study
The researcher identifies the population that will serve as the foundation for her research in this instance. The population of the study is the collection of people, animals, or other objects from which the sample will be drawn. To accurately state the population, factual figures on the number of people in the study are necessary, as this directly impacts the sample and sampling process.
3.4 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Inclusion and exclusion criteria are essential to identifying a consistent, reliable, uniform, and objective study population in clinical research. The exclusion criteria include factors that make the recruited population ineligible, such as age, gender, region, religion, marital status, occupation, etc.
3.5 Sample and Sampling Techniques
The term sample refers to a specific
section of the population used in a study, while the sampling technique
outlines the methods used to select the sample. Along with the sample size and
sampling strategy, there should be a justification for the technique type. The
outcomes from the sample can be generalized to the population, as well-executed
samples are considered more accurate.
3.6 Instrument for Data Collection
The document outlines the various
instruments used for data collection in research projects, including
questionnaires, interview schedules, socio-metric instruments, rating scales,
tests, and government documents. The type of instrument depends on the research
nature and data type. Some examples of tools used for data collection include
tests, questionnaires, interviews, observations, rating scales, and documentary
sources.
3.7 Validity of the Instrument
The validity of instruments involves face and content validity, construct validity, and concurrent validity, depending on the study's nature. Surveys' research validity must measure the right things; just being reliable is not enough; measurements must also be accurate.
3.8 Reliability of the Instrument
The number of trials in which a piece
of equipment can reliably produce the same results is a measure of its
reliability.
3.9 Procedure for Data Collection
This section details the procedure
for data collection, focusing on the administration of research
instruments. The length of the exercise,
the requirement for research assistants or interpreters, and the length of time
spent in contact with respondents are all covered in the discussion of the
researcher's intentions for data collection.
3.10 Method of Data Analysis
This section discusses the use of statistical tools in data analysis, such as percentages, frequency counts, and graphs, depending on the study's nature. The researcher must clearly and succinctly present, analyze, and interpret the data they have gathered. Every research situation is different, so no one analysis technique is best. The method selected depends on the research type and data collection instrument. Data analysis typically involves statistical methods, with the descriptive approach being a non-statistical option.
3.11 Ethical
consideration
Ethical considerations in research guide practices like voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, potential harm, and results communication, protecting participant rights, enhancing validity, and maintaining scientific integrity.
N/B: This arrangement may vary
depending on the format of the tertiary institution in consideration.
Chapter Four: Results
An
empirical research paper's Results section systematically summarizes the
study's results using tables, graphs, charts, and figures when appropriate. The
presentation of the findings of your research should be in line with the
research questions and hypotheses. There should be a list of conclusions with a
summary of the results explained in detail. The primary purpose is to use the
data collected to answer the research question, even if the findings challenge
the hypothesis.
Chapter Five: Discussion, Conclusion, and Recommendations
Here, the researcher discusses the implications of their findings and analyses in the previous chapter. This section provides an overview of the study's key conclusions. It includes discussion, conclusions, the study's implications, recommendations, and suggested areas for further research. The summary provides a clear outline of the study's main findings.
4.1 Discussion
The discussion section of a research paper involves elaborating on the findings, discussing their similarities and differences with previous research, and justifying their results. It also states the findings, discusses how each finding aligns with previous studies and puts the paper into perspective.
4.2 Conclusion
The conclusion should summarize the entire work and be a direct result of the summary of the findings. Some believe conclusions are extensions of the discussion, while others present them as items or paragraphs.
4.3 Recommendations
The study's findings should guide the development of recommendations to improve the current situation. These recommendations should address salient issues raised during the investigation and target relevant segments of society. The segment should include the study group, family members, organization, professionals, future researchers, and concerned leaders. The recommendations should clearly state the factors responsible for the situation, how to achieve desired states, avoid, rectify, and who should play a role.
4.4 Suggestions for Further Study
The text proposes future research projects to address the potential dimensions of the current study, aiming to fill gaps left unattended due to its limitations.
References
A reference is a detailed description of an information source, often listed at the end of a research paper. It provides detailed information about the source, including relevant journals, books, and other sources consulted for your research. Popular referencing formats include MLA, APA, and Chicago. The choice of referencing style depends on your institution's preferred format.
Appendices
An appendix is a supplementary document that adds background information to a research paper, dissertation, or thesis without overwhelming the reader. Appendices are typically included at the end of a report, research project, or dissertation and involve relevant information such as raw data or interview transcripts. The order of the appendices is as follows:
NB:
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