Project Synopsis and Project Report

Guidelines

Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Project 3
2.1 Components of Project Report 4
2.1.1 Title of the Project 4
2.1.2 Introduction 4
2.1.3 Objectives of the Study 5
2.1.4 Literature Review 6
2.1.5 Research Methodology 7
2.1.6 Data Analysis & Interpretation 9
2.1.7 Results & Discussion 9
2.1.8 Suggestions/Recommendations 9
2.1.9 Limitations and Scope of Future Research 9
2.1.10 Conclusion 10
2.1.11 Bibliography 10
2.2 Executive Summary 10
2.3 Project Guide 19
2.4 Do’s & Don’ts for Preparing Project 11
2.5 Project Evaluation 11
2.6 Project Viva Voce / Presentation 12
2.7 Title Pages of the Project Report 12
Annexures  

1
1. Introduction

The purpose of including project in MBA Programme is to provide students

an opportunity to investigate a management problem in a scientific manner. It
enables students to apply the conceptual knowledge in a practical situation
and to learn the art and science of conducting a study in a systematic way and
presenting its findings in the form of report. The students are encouraged to
involve themselves completely in the project work starting from project
synopsis in the 3rd semester and the project report in the 4th (Final) semester.
The topic selected for the project should be appropriate to justify MBA
project. The project should be genuine and original work of the student and
should not be copied from anywhere else.

2. Project Work

As project work is an important part of MBA course curriculum, it has

been marked 50 marks. The following guidelines need to be followed for
MBA projects.

 The project must be related to the specialization pursued.

 The title selected should be coherent with the stream of study or

specialization.

 The title is provided by allotted guide. However, the student and the
guide have the freedom to identify an appropriate topic.

 The project title should be specific and focused towards the objectives of
the project.

 Project work should be undertaken on the same topic that has been
approved by Guide.

2.1 Components of Project Report

2
These guidelines willprovidethe information for developing a project report.
The components of Project Report are:

 Title of the Project

 Introduction of the Study
 Objective(s) of the Study
 Literature Review
 Research Methodology
 Research Hypotheses
 Research Model
 Research Plan
 Sampling Plan
 Research Procedure
 Data analysis & Interpretation
 Results & Discussions
 Suggestions/Recommendations
 Limitations and Scope of Future Research
 Conclusion
 Bibliography

2.1.1 Title of the Project

The primary function of a title is to provide a clear heading for the project.
Title of synopsis should focus on the research area and the place or the
company name.

2.1.2 Introduction

Introduction in the synopsis can include the following:

A. A brief overview of the topic, mentioning, why you wish to undertake

this project. You may also include a brief literature review. You can
explain the current situation in which the
issues/gaps/practices/alternatives exist i.e. the problem statement.

3
B. Problem in one or two sentences by stating the main focus area of your
study.

C. Need/purpose of the study i.e. why are you conducting this study?

D. Importance/perceived benefits of researching the problem and the scope

of your study.

2.1.3 Objectives of the Study

The next step is to list down the objectives of your study, which you wish
to fulfil. Second semester paper Research Methodology, Code-203
mentions that, the problem statement has to be broken down into tasks or
objectives that need to be met in order to answer the research question. It
also mentions, “This section makes active use of verbs such as ‘to find
out’, ‘to determine’, ‘to establish’, and ‘to measure’ so as to spell out the
objectives of the study. In certain cases, the main objectives of the study
might need to be broken down into sub-objectives which clearly state the
tasks to be accomplished.”

Tips to write good project objectives

Tip 1: Project objectives should be SMART -Specific, Measurable,

Achievable, Realistic and Timely. It should focus on what you intend to
do in the project. Objectives are usually headed by infinitive verbs such
as:

 To identify
 To establish
 To describe
 To determine
 To estimate
 To develop
 To compare
 To analyse
 To collect

4
Let’s say the project title is, “A study on the influence of social media
marketing on perception of consumers”.

Example of incorrect objectives:

 Management - It enables the enterprise to provide correct strategy on

social marketing

 Is more interested in total turnover because of social marketing

 Consumers are willing to incorporate more of social marketing

Example of correct objectives:

 To analyse the influence of social media on buying behaviour of

consumers

 To identify brands that have effectively used social media to attract

consumer perceptions

 To study the social media usage pattern among various age groups

 To measure the effect of social media on the consumer perceptions

and attitudes towards brand.

Tip 2: It is ideal to list between 3-5 objectives.

2.1.4 Literature Review

A literature review is an account of what has been published on a topic

by accredited scholars and researchers. a literature review surveys
scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference
proceedings) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory,
providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work.
The purpose is to offer an overview of significant literature published on
a topic. Literature reviews should comprise the following elements:

5
  An overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration, along
with the objectives of the literature review

 Division of works under review into categories (e.g. those in support

of a particular position, those against, and those offering alternative
theses entirely)

 Explanation of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the
others

 Conclusions as to which pieces are best considered in their argument,

are most convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest
contribution to the understanding and development of their area of
research

2.1.5 Research Methodology

It refers to the procedures used in making systematic observations or

otherwise obtaining data, evidence, or information as part of a research
project or study. In the research methodology section of project, you need
to describe how you will proceed to research the problem stated and
achieve the objectives formulated. It includes research hypothesis,
research model, research design, sampling design and research procedure.

1. Research Hypothesis: It is the assumption for your project work. A

research hypothesis is the statement created by researchers when they
speculate upon the outcome of a research or experiment.

2. Research Model: When selecting the research method it is usually

advisable to consider whether you can base your work on an earlier
theoretical model. Sometimes a model, even a preliminary one, can help
your work decisively, and in such a case it will also affect the logical
process of analysis. It is a diagrammatic representation of the variables
selected in the research to study.

3. Research Plan: It includes research design and data collection methods.

Consider the objectives of the study and decide which type of research

6
 design you will use i.e. Exploratory, Descriptive or Causal. Next, decide
what type of data you will need to realise every objective of your study.
Mention if you will collect primary and/or secondary data, and if it is
qualitative or quantitative in nature. Mention how you will collect the
data (the sources of data). For example, primary data for a study may be
collected through observations and questionnaire. If you are using
secondary data, mention if the sources are external or internal and their
type. Ex: Industry reports or annual report of the company.

4. Sample Plan: It includes sampling design, sample location, sampling

frame, sampling unit and sample size. When you collect any sort of
data, especially quantitative data, whether observational, through
surveys or from secondary data, you need to decide which data to
collect and from whom. This is called the sample. A sample is a
subset of the population being studied. It represents the larger
population and is used to draw inferences about that population.

A. Population: Population is a complete set of elements

(persons or objects) that possess some common
characteristics defined by the sampling criteria established by
the researcher. For example, if a study is about “Quality of
education among professionals in XYZ Company”, the
population of this study will be those employees of XYZ
Company having professional qualification.

B. Sampling Frame: “Sampling frame comprises all the elements

of a population with proper identification that is available to us
for selection at any stage of sampling”. For example, in the
above case, sampling frame will be all the employees having
professional qualification in XYZ Company.

C. Sampling Unit: Every single unit or object inside the sampling

frame is regarded as sampling unit. For example, each
employee of sampling frame will be a sampling unit.

D. Sample Size: A sample size is a component of population

which is cautiously selected to signify the population. The

7
 most commonly used approach for determining the size of
sample is the confidence interval approach covered under
inferential statistics.

E. Sampling Design: It is a method of selecting a suitable sample

for the purpose of determining the characteristics of the whole
population. There are two types of sampling design Non-
probability Sampling Techniques and Probability Sampling
Techniques. There are various sub techniques under each. You
may choose the method that best suits your project. For
example, in the above case, convenience sampling can be used
to select the sample.

5) Research Procedure: It includes the detailed procedure of your

research work conducted along with the time frame of research. It
also includes the statistical techniques which are expected to be
used for the purpose of data analysis. For example, chi-square test,
t-test, z-test, Factor Analysis, Multiple Regression Analysis etc.

2.1.6 Data Analysis & Interpretation: Use various charts

/diagrams /Statistical tools for analysis of data collected
through Primary/Secondary sources of Information.

2.1.7 Results & Discussion: Student should discuss the results

obtained after interpreting the data analysis, comparing with
the existing literature.

2.1.8 Suggestions/Recommendations: On the basis of findings and

results of the research work, suggestions/recommendations
can be drawn.

2.1.9 Limitations and Scope of Future Research: Student must

mention the problems faced by them during conducting the
research work. There is always a room for improvement,
hence, student must also mention the scope of research,
which can be conducted in future with respect to the current
research.
8
 2.1.10 Conclusion: This is the overall summary of the report.

2.1.11 Bibliography: You may follow APA style to cite references.

It includes the list of all those sources you looked at i.e. all
those books, articles, website, and so on, you cited in your
text and also those ones you consulted but didn't actually
cite in your text.

2.2 Executive Summary

The executive summary should be of 500 words and besides being a part of
the project report, a copy of the executive summary should a l s o be
submitted separately. It should be typed in 1.5 line spacing, font style-
Times New Roman and font size-12. The following are the components of
the summary.

 Title
 Objectives of the Study
 Research Methodology
 Major findings / outcome of the study
 Suggestions

2.3 Project Guide

The role of a project guide is highly significant in undertaking project work and
producing a quality project report by the students. Project Guide’s expertise
must lie in the subject domain, counselling, guiding, monitoring and
evaluating the work of the student.

Role of a Guide

 Guide is expected to offer suggestions to fine tune the problem

identified for the project and in synopsis preparation. The problem
identified should be sufficient enough for a study at MBA level.

9
  Guide has to monitor and review the project work periodically with a
minimum of two reviews during the course of the project.

 Guide has to go through the draft project report and offer suggestions
wherever necessary and confirm that the project report is submitted as
per the prescribed format.

2.4 Do’s & Don’ts for preparing project synopsis

I) Do’s

 Use SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely)

project objectives.

 Select an appropriate topic and title related to your specialization.

II) Don’ts

 Don’t use past tense except under literature review.

 Do not formulate more than 5 objectives.

2.5 Project Evaluation

Evaluation Pattern for the project is based on Synopsis, Project report,

presentation and viva voce.

2.6 Project Viva Voce / Presentation

The power point presentation, Hard copy of the final project report and the
executive summary should be brought to the venue at the time of Viva.

10
Viva will be conducted as per the schedule given by the Office of
Additional Registrar – Student Evaluation. The student should
demonstrate or make a power point presentation of the project to the
University - approved examiners . The project work terminates with the
viva voce / presentation.

2.7 Title Pages of the Project Report

1. Cover page and Title page (Refer Annexure I)

2. Acknowledgement
3. Bonafide certificate (Refer Annexure II)
4. Declaration by the student (Refer Annexure III)
5. Executive Summary
6. List of Tables
7. List of Figures
8. List of Symbols and Abbreviations
9. Table of Contents (Refer to section 2.1)
Annexure, if any

 Acknowledgement

Acknowledgment is the regards given to the people and organisation who

have helped the student completing the project undertaken.

 List of Tables

 By the word ‘Table’, mean tabulated numerical data in the body of

the project report as well as in the appendices ( if any). All other
non-verbal materials used in the body of the project work and
appendices such as charts, graphs, maps, photographs and diagrams
may be designated as figures.

 The same name should be given for the tables as they exactly appear in
the text.
List of Tables

Table No. Title Page

1 Frequency table exhibiting the investors degree of risk aversion

11
  List of Figures

The same name should be given for the figures as they exactly appear in the
text.
List of Figures

Figure No. Title Page

1 Pie chart exhibiting mode of trading of investors

 List of Symbols and Abbreviations

1.5 line spacing should be adopted for typing the matter under this head.
Standard symbols, abbreviations etc. should be used.

List of Symbols

Table No. Symbol Nomenclature and Meaning

1 ∑
2

List of Abbreviations

Abbreviated
Sl. No. Name Full Page No.
Customer Relationship
1 CRM Management
2

 Table of contents:

It is the list of all the contents of the report. A specimen is shown below.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter No. Title Page No.

12
 1 Introduction

1.1 Detail 1

1.2 Detail 5

1.3 Detail 10

2 Literature review

2.1 Detail 14

2.2 Detail 21

 Chapters

The main text will be divided into several chapters and each chapter
can be further divided into several divisions and sub-divisions.

 Each chapter should be given a relevant title.

 Tables and figures in a chapter should be placed in the position with
respect to the reference where they are cited.
 The same name should be given for the table as they exactly appear in
the text above the table. The caption of the table must be present above
the table. 1.5 line spacing should be adopted for typing the matter
under this head.

Table 1 <Caption of the table>

Field 1 Field 2 Field 3 Field 4 Field 5 Field 6

13
 The same name should be given for the figure as they exactly appear
in the text below the figure. The caption of the figure must be present
below the figure. 1.5 line spacing should be adopted for typing the
matter under this head.

Figure 1: < Caption of the Figure>

 Headers and Footers should be used sparingly. The title of the project
must be on the left side of the header and chapter name must be on the
right side of the headers. Page numbers are to be placed on the right
side of the footer. They should be typed single space and placed
directly underneath in the very same page, which refers to the material
they annotate.
 Questionnaire/Balance sheets/Reports used in the study may be included
as Annexure.

 Instructions

 The text in the printed copies must be in black colour.

 1.5 line spacing should be used for typing the general text. The
general text shall be typed in the font style - Times New Roman and
font size - 12. Font 14 may be used for titles.

14
 ANNEXURE- I

<TITLE OF PROJECT REPORT>

Project Report Submitted in Partial

fulfilment of the requirement for the

award of Degree of

MASTER OF BUSINESS

15
 ADMINISTRATION (MBA)

<YEAR>

Submitted by

<Student’s Name>

Reg No:

Under the guidance of

<Guide’s Name>

Institute of Management Studies

MAHATMA GANDHI KASHI VIDYAPITH

VARANASI
ANNEXURE – II

Institute of Management Studies

MAHATMA GANDHI KASHI VIDYAPITH
VARANASI

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

16
Certified that this project report titled “
…………………………………………..” is the bonafide work of “………..
……..<NAME OF THE CANDIDATE(S)> .…………” who carried out the
project work under my supervision in the partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the award of the MBA degree.

SIGNATURE

Name of the Guide

ANNEXURE – III

DECLARATION BY THE STUDENT

I ……………………………………….bearing Reg. No………………

hereby declare that this project report entitled………………Title)……..has
been prepared by me towards the partial fulfilment of the requirement for the
award of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree under the
guidance of…………………………………

17
 I also declare that this project report is my original work and has not been
previously submitted for the award of any Degree, Diploma, Fellowship, or
other similar titles.

Place: (Name (in capitals) & signature of candidate)

Date: Reg. No._______________.

18