UNDERGRADUATE

THESIS FORMAT
Preparing your Undergraduate Thesis

Thesis Timeline
• Document Layout
• Document Content and
Organization
• Citation of References
• Preparation of Oral Presentation
 Pagination

The entire thesis (every single page) must

be paginated in one consecutive
numbering sequence, with the number
printed on each page.
The title page is always considered to be
page 1, and is the only page that does not
require that the page number be included.
Every page must be included in the count
Page number should be placed at the
upper right hand corner.
 Pagination
Use roman numeral in the
preliminary portion of the paper
Start using consecutive Arabic
numerals on the first page of the
Introduction
Page layout (margin, header, footer,
line spacing)
Top, bottom, and both side margins
must be at least one inch to allow for
binding and trimming.
All information (text headings, notes,
and illustrations), excluding page
numbers, must be within the text area.
The thesis text should be double-
spaced, although peripheral parts like
the abstract, title page,
acknowledgments, table of contents,
bibliography and appendices should be
single-spaced.
Indent the first line of each paragraph.
 Typeface and Size

The main body of the text, including

appendices, title page and table of
contents,
Typeface and Size
Arial , Font size 12
 Page Length
For undergraduate thesis – minimum
of 45 pages excluding preliminaries
 Language & Writing Style

The third-person point of view is

generally used.
 Document Formatting
All Undergraduate theses must be
formatted in a consistent manner so
that evaluations are based on content,
not presentation. The following section
defines this format.
1. Title page
a. The title page should contain the
title, the name of the author/s,
maximum of three
The degree to be awarded ,
The date submitted
 THE
PRELIMINARIES
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Title Page APPROVAL SHEET

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ABOUT THE

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES OF DE LA
SALLE DASMARIÑAS AND DE LA SALLE

(in a statement form) MANILA

Subject A Research Proposal Presented to Faculty of the

College of Business Administration De La Salle
Local University - Dasmarinas

Population
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree Bachelor of Science in Business
Period Administration

Erex de Ocampo John Reynald Rayco

Ramon Soriao

October, 2010
 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY – DASMARINAS

CERTFICATION

This research proposal entitled “Relationship…”, prepared and

submitted by Erex de Ocampo, John Reynald Rayco and Ramon
Sorias n partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
Bachelor…, has been examined and recommended for oral
presentation

Approval Sheet DR. CRISPINA R. CORPUZ

Adviser

______________________________________________

APPROVAL

Approved by the PANEL OF EXAMINERS on oral

presentation on (date) with the grade of (__)

_______________________
Chair
_________________ _________________
Member Member

Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree

Bachelor of Science in Business administration.

DR. CRISPINA R. CORPUZ DR. OSCAR P. LACAP JR.

Thesis Coordinator Chair. Business Management Department

Mary Felidora Angelica Amparo

Dean, CBAA
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, the researchers give

thanks God Almighty for the wisdom and the
strength to finish this study:

Acknowledgement To the following, grateful acknowledgement

is also expressed:

Dr. CRISPINA R. CORPUZ., their mentor

and adviser for her critical comments and
suggestions to improve their paper.

Their friends at DLSU – Dasmarinas who

continuously inspire them to grow professionally.

Never to forget their families for their love

and understanding.

JR / RS/ED
.
 Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

PRELIMINARIES Research Design

Page 27
Title Page i Population Frame and Description of
Acknowledgment ii Respondents
Table of Contents 28
iv Research Instruments
List of Tables v 29
List of Figures Data Gathering Procedure
vi 29
Statistical Treatment of Data
Chapter 30

1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Introduction 1
Background of the Study 3 APPENDICES
Theoretical Framework 4 Letter to Respondents
Conceptual Framework 5 Questionnaire
Statement of the Problem Curriculum Vitae
7
Hypotheses of the Study 7
Significance of the Study 8
Scope and Delimitation 8
Definition of Terms 9

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND

STUDIES

Foreign Literature
11
Local Literature
13
Foreign Studies
15
Local Studies
20
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Title Page

1 Response Code 20

2 Perception of the Firm-Respondents

on the Extent of Implementation of

List of Tables 3
Green Management Practice

Summary of Assessment of the

26

Extent/Frequency of Implementation

(captions) of Green Management Practices 26

 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Title Page

1 Approaches to Being Green 4

List of Figures 2

3
Research Paradigm of the Study

Demographic Profile Distribution

5

of the Firm-Respondent According to

(graphs, charts 4
Nature of Business

Demographic Profile Distribution

23

and other of the Firm-Respondent According

to Years of Operation 24

5 Demographic Profile Distribution

illustrations) of the Firm-Respondent According
to Number of Employees 25
TEXT OF THE THESIS

(composed of the five chapters of the

manuscript using the past tense of the
verb)
 Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND
ITS BACKGROUND
Document Content and layout
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS
BACKGROUND
All caps, center
Introduction. Introduce your
proposed topic briefly in an opening
paragraph.
Indicate your objective (What?) and
motivation (Why?).
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

The “Greening” of Management is a new system of management practices that

provide firms with information about environment. It is the recognition of the close link
between an organization’s decisions and activities and its impact on the natural
environment. Green stands for growth, profit and long-term competitive advantage.

Green Management is a management philosophy which encourages respect for

nature and contributes to the prosperity of human life and conservation of the
environment. It is basically an extension of the total quality approach to the area of
environmental management.
 Introduction

A statement of the goal of the paper: why

the study was undertaken, or why the
paper was written.
Sufficient background information to allow
the reader to understand the context and
significance of the question you are trying
to address.
In the introduction to your paper, clearly
state
a. the problem you wish to explain and
b. your basic argument about it.
 Statement of the Problem
• 1. What is the profile of the cooperative
union in terms of regional location, date
of registration and number of members
upon registration at CDA?
• 2. What is the profile of the primary
cooperative members in terms of
cooperative union location, cooperative
affiliation, cooperative classification,
years of operation, asset size, and
volume of transaction or profitability?
Introduction
background of the study which will
introduce the statement of the problem.
Statement of the Problem
a. Major Problem (an expanded reiteration
of the title but expressed as problem)
b. Sub-problem (to support the
development of the major problem)
 Statement of the Research
Objectives
1. Determine the difference between
cooperative federations and cooperative
unions in terms of programs and
services offered to members.
2. Recommend
solutions/activities/programs to
cooperative unions that will serve as
encouragement to member
cooperatives to continue patronizing
the cooperative unions where they are
currently affiliated.
 Conceptual Framework

Input – Process – Output

Cause and Effect Relationship
Variable: a concept that can take on
different values or that has two or
more categories
from case to case
 Independent Variable: the
cause
The independent variable influences
or causes the dependent variable
The independent variable causes the
dependent variable to change
Sometimes called the predictor
variable.
Dependent Variable: the effect
This is the variable that should be
the effect in the cause-effect
relationship.
Its value depends on the value of the
independent variable.
 4

Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Green Management
Green Management Assessment of the Improved Competitive
Practice of selected Green Management Advantage
manufacturing firms in Application
FCIE Sustainable growth
Legal Approach
Market Approach
Stakeholder Approach
Activist Approach

Figure 2

Research Paradigm of the Study

Figure 2 illustrates the Input-Process-Output (IPO) Model employed by the researcher. The systems view was
adapted because decisions and actions taken in by organization will affect others and vice versa. The different green management
practices namely: legal, market, stakeholder and activist approach were treated as the input variables. This practices defined the
different environmental approaches this firms are using with respect to environmental issues. The application of green
management practices were the subject of assessment by the firm-respondents. This application will determine the degree of their
environmental sensitivity and how they respond to the environmental preferences of their customers and the demands of their
stakeholders. The processes yielded findings on the current green management practices reflective of improved competitive
advantage and sustainable growth. Since any recommendations to be made will reflect a future scenario, management should
consider the present events hence, feedback is necessary.
Hypothesis – tentative conclusions
drawn from the sub-problems; not necessarily
hypothesizing all sub-problems but only those intended
to tested or proven
Significance of the Study- value of the results of
the study to a specific groups of person
a. Establishing a logical need for it due to inadequacies
of selected past studies.
b. Giving the significance to persons or entities
concerned in the study.
 Reminders
As the paper unfolds, you should
introduce each new section briefly,
saying why it is important to your
overall argument.
Most sections should conclude with a
few summary remarks and a transition
to the next section.
Occasionally, it makes more sense to
put the transition at the beginning of
the new section.
Wherever you put the transitional
sentences, they should take the reader
smoothly to the next topic.
 Reminders
Establish a schedule with your
advisor and do it early.
Since your thesis project has a
definite due date, you should
establish a schedule for research and
writing, and agree on it with your
advisor.
Review this schedule with your
advisor as the due date approaches.
 Reminders
Leave plenty of time for faculty to
read your drafts and then for you to
revise them.
After spending months on research
and writing, you will need time to
polish the results.
Nothing will improve your work more
than successive drafts
 Scope and Limitation of the
Study
definition of where and when the study
will be conducted, who the
subjects/respondents will be

Timeline/Period Covered
Location/Area
Other problems encountered while
conducting the study
 to include limitations, if any, on coverage, area
of study, stratification and representatives of
sampling. The limitation frank submission of
weaknesses and or shortcomings of the study
which are not within the control of the
researches.
Definition of Terms – terms and concepts
to be used in the study
a. Standard Definition
b. Operational Definition
c. Explanation
d. “Spelling out” abbreviation and acronyms
 Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE AND
STUDIES
(compilation of ideas about the
variables to be investigated)
Literature – gathered from books,
magazines, journals, and publications
Foreign
Local

Studies – list of findings of previous

studies
Foreign
Local
(Justification of the present study and its bearing
on and relatedness to the reviewed literature
and studies)
 Writing your Review . .
• First give the summary, don’t copy and
paste if you don’t want to be charge with
plagiarism
• When you summarize make use of terms
like according to, based on, as pointed out,
as presented in and then indicate the
surname of the author and the year.
• After giving the summary be sure to explain
how this article, write-up or study is
relevant, related to your study.
• You need to indicate the reason why it is
part of your review. . .
 Chapter 3
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
 Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Short introduction to • Data Gathering
inform your readers Procedure
about the different • Research
topics included in Instruments
this chapter • Statistical Treatment
• Sub-titles: of Data
• Research Design
• Description of
Respondents
• Sampling Technique
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Research is either:

Basic – seeks to contribute knowledge through the

development of a theory or concept
Ex. Effects of smoke belching on pedestrians

Applied – seeks to provide solutions to problems through

the development and evaluation of process and policies
that requires specific courses of action
Ex. Factors that would enhance participation of students
in extra curricular activities

By purpose or function (descriptive, exploratory,

explanatory, correlational, causal, evaluative)

By methods (historical, descriptive, experimental)

 Examples
Descriptive: The Economic Conditions of the Filipinos under
the Leadership of Gloria Arroyo.
Exploratory: Application of Green Marketing
Explanatory: Advantages & Disadvantages of Online
Enrollment
Correlational: Relationship between Educational Attainment
of Professors and their Teaching Performance
Causal: Impact of Celebrity Endorsement to Sales of
Products
Evaluative: Assessment of NSTP Classes to Students; their
Impact & Contributions
Analysis of Corporate Governance in Selective Cooperative
Banks in the Philippines
 Correlational Research Design
• A correlation is a relationship between two
variables (or “factors that change”).
• These factors can be characteristics, attitudes,
behaviors, or events.
• Correlational research attempts to determine if a
relationship exists between the two variables, and the
degree of that relationship.
• Correlations are either positive (to +1.0), negative
(to −1.0), or nonexistent (0.0). In a positive
correlation, the values of the variables increase or
decrease (“co-vary”) together. In a negative
correlation, one variable increases as the other
decreases. In a nonexistent correlation, no
relationship exists between the variables.
 Determinants of Correlation
+ correlation: both variables
change in the same direction
- correlation: variables change in
opposite directions
 Example
• Trying to find out if there is a positive
correlation between educational
attainment and teaching performance
of professors.
• Trying to find out if there is a positive
correlation between performance
evaluation and salary of employees.
• Higher education is correlated w/
higher income.
• Lack of social integration & suicide
• Stress, Patriarchy, Isolation & Abuse
Population Frame &Description of the
Respondents
a. Setting
b. Respondents
c. Sampling Procedure

Description of the Instruments Used

Their relation to the sub-problem or hypothesis
 24

Population Frame and Description of Respondents

The data and information in this study were obtained from the key
informants of the selected manufacturing firms in FCIE in Langkaan,
Dasmarinas, Cavite. From the total population of fifty four (54) major
locators, the researcher drew a total of twenty one (21) respondents as a
sample.

Out of the twenty one (21) firm-respondents, fifteen (15) responded

positively by returning the questionnaires duly accomplished. Initially,
the plan was to cover thetwenty one (21) firm-respondent, unfortunately
only fifteen (15) are willing to answer thequestionnaire. This response
level meant a turnout of seventy one percent (71%) whichwas eighty six
percent (86%) accurate, the margin of error at fourteen percent (14%)
which was good enough. The error was calculated based on the actual (N)
and the returned questionnaire (n).
 Sampling Technique
Probability Sampling
– Random, Multi-Stage, Area Sampling,
Cluster Sampling
Non-Probability Sampling
– Convenience
– Purposive
– Quota
– - Judgment
 25

Sampling Technique

Since the topic was very specialized, the researcher opted to use the judgment
sampling.

Judgment sampling was implemented to select the companies to study, and to

select therespondents from each company. The managers was selected since
they have experience and extensive knowledge regarding the matter.

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study were taken from selected manufacturing firms in
FCIE. The total number of sample respondents, were computed using the
Sloven formula:

N
n = -----------
1 + Ne
where:
n = sample size
N = population size
e = desired margin of error (0.05)
 Data Gathering Procedure
Indicate Sources of Data
Primary - gathered through
interviews, surveys, experiment etc.
Secondary sources of data – data
from books, journals, magazines,
company reports, newsletter etc.
Procedures followed to gather all the
data including places visited.
 Research Instrument
• Preparation of Survey Questionnaires
• Indicate the different parts of the survey i.e. first part
about the demographic profile of the respondents;
second part – questions to measure the problems
encountered by the company; and third part -
questions to find out if there is a positive or negative
correlation between two or more variables identified
in the study
• Inform the reader about the validation of the survey.
• Copy of the survey should be included in the
appendices
• While the actual survey should be submitted to the
thesis professor
 Statistical Treatment of Data
Indicate the formula of the
chosen/appropriate statistical tool in
this study.

a. Percentage. The percentage was used to

determine the demographic profile of the firm
respondent in terms of natureof business, years
of operation and number of employees
 Percentage
This is a descriptive statistical term which shows
the relationship between two sizes, or the
relationship of a part of its whole. The
formula is:
f *
% = --------------- 100
n

Where: % = percentage distribution

f = frequency distribution
n = number of respondents
 37

b. Mean. This tool was used to determine if there is

significant difference in the assessment of green management
practices when they are grouped according to demographic
profile. A mean is a measure of central tendency used to
describe the average value of the response to each question
and was adopted using this formula:

(Responses per item) * (Scale Value)

‘x = --------------------------------------------------
Number of respondents (n)

Where: ‘x = mean
n = number of responses per question
 38

c. Weighted Mean. The weighted mean was interpreted

using a 5-point Likert Scale. The concept of the numerical
boundary were as follows:
Table 1
Response Code
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Unit Weight Numerical Scores Verbal Interpretation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1 0.00 - 1.50 Never

2 1.51 - 2.50 Seldom

3 2.51 - 3.50 Sometimes
4 3.51 – 4.50 Often
5 4.51 – 5.00 Always
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Chapter 4
PRESENTATION,
ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF
DATA
Reiteration of the Objectives/Problems
Presentation of Data
Analysis (of the data)
Interpretation (of the data) / Implications
of the Data
Short intro to inform the reader
about the different topics included in
this chapter
Indicate the first problem before the
presentation of data gathered
Use either the table or figure format
to present the data
After each table or figure is your
interpretation of the data
 Table Format
• If possible, print the table on one page.
• If the table is too large and must be
broken up to fit onto two or more
pages, write “(table continues)” in the
bottom right corner of each page, and
“(continued)” in the upper left corner of
the next page.
• Print the entire table heading again on
each page, numbering individual
columns if necessary.
 Example of Table Format
• Table 1
• Gender Profile of the Respondents
• __________________________________
• Gender Frequency %
• __________________________________

• ___________________________________
• Interpretations follow
Example of Figure Format
Figure 1 Sales for the Four
Quarters
 Chapter 5
SUMMARY OF
FINDINGS,
CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Chapter 5
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Short introduction to inform your reader
about the different topics included in this
chapter
• Indicate your sub-problem before the
presentation of summary of findings and
conclusions.
• Your findings, conclusions and
recommendations should be synchronize,
meaning, if you have 5 findings, you also
need 5 conclusions and recommendations.
• Use number format for this chapter.
Summary (brief “abstract” of the entire
study, from Chapter II to III, optional)
Summary of Findings (to dovetail with the
sub-problems)
Conclusions (on the basis of the summary
of findings)
Recommendations (if possible, on the
basis of the conclusion, and some
additional and significant
recommendations which have also
bearing on the study)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
and
APPENDICES
Bibliography
a comprehensive list, not forgetting to include
documentation used in the text of the study-all
others, listed are expected to have been read by
the researcher.
Appendices
to be included in full test clarify points brought
out in the test for more details
a. Cover Letter
b. Questionnaire
c. Curriculum Vitae (would, among other things,
reveal the capacity of the researcher to conduct
the study)
 Citations for Print Sources
• Book • Article in Book
• Author(s)/Editor(s) • Author(s)
• Year, in parentheses • Year, in parentheses
• Book Title • Article Title
• Series Title and • Book Title
volume • Edition
• Total pages • Editor(s)
• Publisher • Page(s) of article in
• Location (city and book
state/country) • Publisher
• Location (city and
state/country)
 Example
Kotler, P. (1994). Marketing
management (8th ed.). Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

McDougall, I., and T. M. Harrison

(Eds.) (1999), Geochronology and
Thermochronology by the 40Ar/39Ar
Method, 2nd ed., 269 pp., Oxford
University Press, New York.
 Citation for journals
• Article in Journal • Article in Journal with
• Author(s) digital
• Year, in parentheses • citation references
• Article Title • Author(s)
• Journal Title • Year, in parentheses
• Volume Number in • Article Title
italics • Journal Title
• Page(s) • Volume Number in
italics
• Issue Number in
parentheses
• Page(s) or Citation
Number
 Example
• Prašnikar, J., Cirman, A., & Domadenik,
P. (2001). Investment activities of
Slovenian companies in the countries of
former Yugoslavia. Economic and
Business Review, 3(2), 137–154.

• Budetta, G., and D. Carbone (1998),

Temporal variations in gravity at Mt.
Etna (Italy) associated with the 1989
and 1991 eruptions, Bulletin of
Volcanology, 59, 311-326.
 Formatting and Citation of Internet
Sources
<http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_docelectric.html>.

After citing internet address, include

information about the author of the
article, and date of retrieval.
M Kariera – Zaposlitveni portal [M
career – Employment portal].
Retrieved May 15, 2009, from
http://www.mercator.si/kariera
 Appendices
Consist of the following:
• − Questionnaires used
• − Computer data-processing printouts
• - letter to respondent/s
• −Adviser’s acceptance form
• -Title approval sheet
• -certification from English
Editor/statistician
• Other materials
 Adviser’s Acceptance Form
•
• (Name of Professor)
•
• Hereby accepts the proponents:
• _________________________________
• _________________________________
• _________________________________
•
• as thesis advisees for their study;
•
•
• ____________________________
• (Title of Study)
•
•
•
•
• for the school year 2011-2012
•
• Conforme: ___________________________

• Date: _____________________
•
Note: this form should be part of appendices
 TITLE APPROVAL SHEET
• This thesis hereto entitled
• “The title of the
research project”
•
Prepared and submitted by <Put names of proponents> in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in
Business Operations and Management is recommended for
acceptance and approval..
•
• <Name of Adviser>
• ADVISER
•
• Name of Professor
• Thesis Professor
•
• Note: this form should be part of your appendices
•
•
 Certification from the Editor
•
• Dear Dr. _________:
•
• This is to certify that the research paper entitled,
• Title of Research
• ____________________________________________________
_____________ of
• ______________________________________________
• Name of Researcher/s
•
• has been edited by the undersigned.
•
• Respectfully yours,
_____________________________________
Printed Name & Signature of English Editor
Thank You