UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

DISTANCE LEARNING INSTITUTE

RESEARCH PROJECT FORMAT

PRELIMINARY PAGES
• Cover / Title Page
This page consists of the title of the study which is stated at the upper half of the
page. This is to be followed by the author’s full names with the surname first and
other.Note that when the surname comes first,it is separated from the other names
with a comma.
Inside Cover page - This page contains the title of the study which is stated at the
upper half of the page. This is to be followed by the author’s full names with the
surname first and other names. The lower part of the page is to have the statement
that reads: ‘A project presented to the Distance Learning Institutes, University of
Lagos,Akoka in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree
of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), Business Administration, Accounting etc of
University of Lagos. The student shall indicate at the bottom of the page the month
and year the project was completed (e.g. February, 2012).

• Certification Page
In this page shall be the certification of the project supervisor of the originality of
the study as a true work carried out by the student. The statements here shall read:
This is to certify that this research project titled: “ …………………..’’, written
by (Student surname and other names) with the matriculation number (e.g.
100200670) under my supervision”. Followed by the supervisor’s name, signature
and date.
• Dedication Page
This page provides the author the opportunity to express some words of gratitude
to those dear to him/her one way or the other.
• Acknowledgement Page
This page provides the author the opportunity to acknowledge the help and
contribution of different people who directly or otherwise had contributed to the
success of the work.
• Abstract Page
This page consists of a synopsis of the entire work. It states briefly the problems of
investigation, purpose of the study, how it was carried out; major findings and
recommendation. This is to be done in about 360 words (this could be done with
the aid of computer word count).

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 • Table of Content
This page consist the list of chapters and sub-units with their respective page
numbers as contained in the main body of the work. The pages before the main
body of the work are numbered in roman numerals, while other pages are
numbered in Arabic numerals. Other parts of the table of contents are:
• List of Tables to be numbered 1,2,3, 4…………N
• List of Figures to be numbered I,II,III …………N

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study
Students are expected to describe in general terms the larger area of the problem
being investigated. This will serve as the basis of introducing the problem. It will
also be a way to establish relationship that exists between the problem being
investigated and the larger area of concern to people and organizations.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Research study is to provide answers /solutions to identified problems. Students
should be able to state the problem clearly and convincingly, justify/show the
necessity to find solution to it, as well as the implication of such problem. If possible,
such problem could be linked to given theory or fact.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The author is expected to narrow the problem or state the problem in specific
terms. The purpose of the study is to be given as finding a solution to the problem or
finding relationships that exist between the problem and other problems by breaking
the problem into its component parts through exploration or analysis. Four (4) to five
(5) specific statements (objectives) of what the research intends to do to achieve the
main aim could be stated.
1.4 Relevant Research Questions
These are guide to the research in his quest to provide answers to the problem
being investigated. Such research questions should be in line with the aim and
objective of the study. When the research questions are answered, the objectives of
the study are achieved. From the general research questions, minor research questions
can be formulated and these are specific questions which, may be used eventually as
questions for the construction of the questionnaire or study instrument. The major
research questions should be raised using active verbs such as are, is, does etc… This
will subsequently reinforce both the validity and the reliability of the instrument.
1.5 Relevant Research Hypotheses
Hypotheses are basic assumptions regarding the variables i.e. the statements of
relationship between variables. They are conjectural or tentative statement about the
relationship between the variables to be proved right or wrong. It also serves as guide
to the investigator in his/her quest for data or information for the investigation.
Hypotheses could be derived from the literature reviewed and should be in line or
complement the research questions to achieve the study objectives.
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 1.6 Significance of the Study
This section provides justification for the study and what will be contributed to
knowledge by the study if successfully carried out. It provides the author the
opportunity to justify his/her attempt to solve the problem.

1.7 Scope of the Study

Delimitation or scope of the study enables the research to circumscribe his
research within a manageable limit. It provides the researcher the opportunity to
explain the boundaries of the study and describe the aspect of a general /wide problem
area covered as well as what aspects will not be covered.

1.8 Definition of Terms

The definition of unfamiliar terms will be necessary when technical terms are used
or when concepts are used in a specific way in the study. This serves as the dictionary
of the report; hence, the terms are arranged alphabetically.

End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Preamble
This requires a brief outline of the works in this chapter
2.2 Theoretical framework of the study
Relevant theories to the problem being investigated in the study should be briefly
discussed and linked to the study to provide the right framework for the study i.e. theories
on which the study is anchored. It also, provides an avenue to review relevant and known
literature to the problem being investigated.
2.3 Empirical Review of Previous work in the area of studies
This provides the researcher the opportunity to review some of the previous works
by other authors in this area of concern. A brief historical background will enable the
researcher to follow the trend of thought in this area. This will enable or help the
researcher situate or relate his/her study to previous works done in the area of concern.

End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)

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CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Preamble
This requires a brief outline of the works in this chapter
3.2 Research Design
This has to do with the blueprint of the study that point the way to what should be
expected. It shows the particular research design being adopted for the study and why.

3.3 Population of the study

This has to do with the characteristics of the population of the study i.e the total
elements of the universe covered by the study. The population of the study is a consensus
of all items or subjects that possess the characteristics, or have knowledge of the
phenomenon, being investigated or studied. This should be indicated with verifiable
references. The nature of the study population must be known because it helps in the
choice of sampling technique

3.4 Sampling, Procedure and Sample size

The sample is part of the population or representative part of the population.
Before drawing the sample, the researcher must define what is the unit of analysis or unit
of study, that is, what or who is being studied and what constitute the population from
which the sample will be drawn. The manner of selecting the sample is as important as
the size of the sample. The size of the sample is the number of the population elements
that are selected for study..It must be adequate for generalization, hence, a sample less
than 30% is considered worthless for purpose of statistical analysis. This should be
indicated with verifiable references.

3.5 Data Collection Instrument and Validation

Validity is concerned with the instrument measuring what it is suppose to measure while
reliability is concerned with the constituency obtained from results of the application of
the instrument. An instrument may be reliable without being valid. It is important that the
researcher should subject the instrument to the test of validity and reliability. Only data
which have relevance to the theory in respect of the current study should be collected.

3.6 Method of Data Analysis

The method of data analysis should consist the basic elements of data preparation,
tabulation and analyses. It should contain the breakdown and ordering of the quantitative
information gathered through the research. A brief strategy and procedure for
summarizing and exploring relationships among the variables on which data have been
collected is required here. For example single variable analysis or one variable at a time
(univariate analysis) which is often done for descriptive purpose – frequency
distribution; frequency distribution by grouping the data; useful summary through some
measure of dispersion such as rang, variance and standard deviation. Relationships
involving more than one variable (multivariate analysis) such as regression models,
correlational analysis, analysis of variance, t-test, factor analysis, and discriminant
analysis. Furthermore the student may embrace the use of computer programmes such as
Statistical Packages for Social Sciences. Students will have to choose the methods that
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best suites the data collected as well as justify the choice of the methods. This gives the
possible relationship that might exist among the key variables of the study; and thus
makes easier the actual analysis.
3.7 Limitation of the methodology
Relevant observed extraneous circumstances or imperfections encountered in sampling
from population, design etc should be stated as limitation to the methodology
End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Preamble (a brief outline of the Chapter to provide insight in to the content of
the chapter).
4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data According to Research Questions
Data collected are to be presented and analysed.Students will have to choose the methods
that best suites the data collected. Data could be presented using tables, pie charts, bar
charts, histogram etc. Data presented should be accompanied with the interpretation of
the associations and relationships among the data groups with the appropriate implication
to the study or the unit of study. The summary of interpretation should provide answers to
the research questions.

4.3 Test of Hypotheses

Relevant data collected and tables where necessary could be used to test the stated
hypotheses showing how it tests the hypothesis one after the other at relevant level of
significance as well as the relevant interpretation and avoiding types of errors i.e. type I
or Type II errors.

4.4 Discussion of Finding

Discuss your findings and identify implications of the study

End of Chapter References (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary
A brief summary or highlight of each chapter should be stated in a concise manner that
captures the importance of the study.
5.2 Conclusions
Conclusions should be drawn from the findings
5.3 Recommendations
Recommendations should also be based on the conclusions
Bibliography (American Psychological Association (APA) Style)
Appendix

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 RESEARCH PROPOSAL

1. Background to the Study

2. Statement of the Problem

3. Aim and Objectives of the Study

4. Relevant Research Questions

5. Relevant Research Hypotheses

6. Scope of the Study

7. Significance of the Study

8. Brief Outline of Literature to be reviewed (Journals, Chapters in textbooks etc).

Plus the relevant theories.

9. Research Methodology
 Research Design
 Characteristics of Study Population
 Sampling Techniques
 Data Collection Instrument
 Data Presentation
 Data Analysis