Graduate and Undergraduate Student Research Manual

SECTION 4
MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES

Thesis Format
General Reminders
This thesis writing format has updated to reflect the new APA Publication Manual (7 th
ed.). Before you start, make sure that you know how to format the different sections of your
thesis or research report using a word-processing software such as Microsoft Word.
Take the following important reminders to help you in formatting your work.
i. The format and style of your thesis should also meet the requirements of your
field and the needs of your committee members.
ii. Do not create the TABLE OF CONTENTS, LIST OF FIGURES and LIST OF
TABLES until you finish the last page of your thesis and pagination.
iii. The chapters must be typed in bold and sentence case and the chapter number
should be in roman numeral (e.g., Chapter I)
iv. All MAJOR headings must be typed in all caps, bolded and centered on the page
(e.g., APPROVAL SHEET, INTRODUCTION). Secondary headings (e.g.,
Background of the Study) should be in bold and left aligned on the page.
v. Maintain correct document margins throughout your thesis; 1” for top, bottom and
right, 1.5” for the left margin. Page numbers: bottom center, on the footer. Paper
Size: A4
vi. Oversized tables must be split into two or more parts. Write the Table Title on the
first page, below the Table number, and in the succeeding page/s, copy the first-
row headings. Write (continued) on the succeeding pages.
vii. For a figure that goes on for 2 more pages: Write the Figure number and
(continued) above the figure on the next page/s. A description or commentary
should be written above the figure or table. Additional descriptions or
commentaries can be written below the table or figure. The description or
commentary should be written as close as possible to the figure or table being
described.
viii. Chapter I is composed of the following secondary headings: Background of the
Study, Statement of the Problem, Hypothesis of the Study (if applicable),
Significance of the Study, Scope of the Study, and Definition of Terms.
ix. Definition of terms: Use appropriate words and phrases that acceptable to writers,
editors and scholars in your field. All terms shall be defined operationally on how
they were used in the study.
x. In Chapter II, ideas from various sources must be discussed or explained in a
paragraph form. Minimize the use of tables when presenting ideas of various
authors in Chapter II. All paragraphs must have a topic sentence, main supporting
sentences and details, and must consists of at least four (4) sentences. Long
paragraphs that have 7 or more sentences must be split into two paragraphs---
include the main features of a paragraph.
xi. Chapter II also includes Theoretical or Conceptual Framework and Theoretical or
Conceptual Paradigm and Theoretical Lens for qualitative research.
xii. All chapters, except chapter I, must include an introductory paragraph/s.
xiii. Chapter III, Methodology: The research methods section can go any number of
different directions, depending on the type of research you conducted. Regardless
of what you did for your research you conducted. Regardless of what you did for
your research, though, this section needs to be very clear, very specific, very
detailed, and only focused on research. Avoid explaining what the research
means-this is for the next sections, Analysis and Discussion. While the
methodology section is often considered the most boring section for someone to
read, it is also considered the most important section to build your credibility.
 Graduate and Undergraduate Student Research Manual

xiv. The methodology for technical research has different secondary sections. It
includes entry protocol, selection of study sites, and it must include other
protocols or processes conducted in the study.
xv. Chapter IV, Results and Discussion: The results section is critical for your
audience to understand what the research showed. Use this section to show tables,
charts, graphs, quotes, etc. from your research. At this point, you are building
your reader towards drawn conclusions, but you are not yet providing a full
analysis. You’re simply showing what the data says. Follow the same order as the
Methods section-if you put interviews first, then focus group second, do the same
in this section. Be sure, when you include graphics and images, that you label and
title every table or graphic.
The Discussion section details what you and others may learn from the
data. While some researchers like to combine this section with the
Discussion section, many writers and researchers find it useful to analyze
the data separately. In the analysis section, spend time connecting the dots
for the reader. What do the interviews say about their employees? What do
the observations say about how employees respond to workplace
criticism? Can any connections be made between the two research types?
It’s important in the Analysis section that you don’t draw conclusions that
the research findings don’t suggest. Always stick to what the research
says.
xvi. Chapter V of qualitative research has major heading of Summary, Conclusion,
and Recommendation.
xvii. Secondary section of the Chapter V of quantitative research is composed of the
following: Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation.
xviii. Summary. The summary of your study is based on the major findings. There
should be no new discussion on this portion.
xix. Conclusion: Finally, you conclude this paper by suggesting what new knowledge
this provides to the field. You’ll often want to note the limitations of your study
and what further research still needs to be done. If something alarming or
important was discovered, this is where you highlight that information.
xx. Recommendations. List practical suggestions based on the findings of the study.
The recommendations should be based on the gaps, limitations, and unanswered
questions identified during the conduct of the study.
xxi. The major heading for qualitative research is implications for Practice.
xxii. Implications for Practice. This portion is for qualitative research only. It
includes writing of generalizations. Since qualitative research findings are not
conclusive, generalizations are important to show its implications in the field of
knowledge. Presentation of framework based on the findings is included in this
section.
xxiii. Generalizations. Generalizations serves as the statement or claim about the
individual, group, object, or situation being studied.
Copyright
Students often have questions about copyright-how to protect their own paper and how to
avoid misuse of other author’s material. Students are advised to consider a copyright of their
thesis, as their papers are now accessible through the e-journal portal; however, please note that
copyright privileges now vest immediately upon creating the work of the student, without the
requirement of notice or registration. A form shall be signed by the student to indicate
access/publication restrictions.