- The Structure of the Graduation Project
The structure of the Graduation Project is based on 3 basic components which are preface, text and supplement.
1.1 Preface
This section is consists of the following:-
Title Page
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Abbreviations
1.2 Text
A typical text format for the research report is presented below. However, the arrangement of this section is subject to the discussion of the candidates and their respective supervisor(s).
CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Problem Statement
Objectives of the Study, Research Questions and/or Hypothesis
Scope of the Study
Significance of the Study
Limitations of the Study
Organization of the Senior Project
CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW
<Prepare an organized review of related and relevant literature. Your review must include recent findings in the area.>
CHAPTER 3 : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
<Describe the exact steps that will be undertaken to address the hypotheses and/or research questions. The usual sub-sections may vary depending on whether the research is quantitative based or qualitative based.>
<The following sub-sections may be relevant in a quantitative study:>
Development of Hypotheses
Selections of Measures
Sampling Design
Data Collection Procedure
Data Analysis Technique
<The sub-sections for a qualitative study might vary, depending on the actual research method used.>
CHAPTER 4 : DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS OR RESULTS
<The following sub-sections may be relevant in a quantitative study:>
Summary Statistics
Analyses of Measures
Testing of Hypothesis
Summary of Research Result
<The subsections for a qualitative study will be slightly different; depending on the actual research method used. Nevertheless, clearly written and documented analysis, the use of tables and graphs, and a careful consideration of the order and logic of the presentation serve as the foundation of quality research, regardless of the type of research>.
CHAPTER 5 : CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary and Conclusion
Suggestions for Future Research
Implications (indicate what group, theory, organization, discipline might be able to benefit from your research).
1.3 Supplement
Specific items which were not included in the main body of the text should be put in this Supplementary section. Typically, this section includes:-
Bibliography
- Studies referred to in the text in the form of quotations and citations.
- Appendices (divided into Appendix 1, 2, 3, etc.)
- Research instruments (eg: questionnaires or computer programmes)
- Additional illustration of data sources and raw data which are too long to be placed into the text.
- General Format for Writing the Graduation Project
2.1 Language
The language for the dissertation is English.
2.2 Printing and Duplicating
The dissertation should be printed on high quality A4 paper (21.0cm x 29.7cm: 80 gm/m2). The final report must be typed and duplicated by offset printing or good quality photocopying. A quality laser jet or ink-jet printer should be used for the printing. All copies must be clean and neat to ensure high readability.
2.3 Binding
The first submission of the three (3) copies of the manuscript for evaluation purposes (upon approval from supervisor(s) should be in temporary comb binding.
Final submission of the three (3) copies of the manuscripts (upon approval from supervisor(s) must be in permanent hardcover binding. The colour of the cover must be black. Please refer to Appendix 1, Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 for examples of the cover page, title page and spine, respectively.
2.4 Formatting
- a) Font type and size
Candidates must use Times New Roman font. No other font types are acceptable.
Font Size:
- For text use 12-point font.
- For tables and figures, use 10-point font.
- For footnotes, use 10-point font.
Please type in bold for headings and subheadings. Headings should be typed in all upper case letters while sub-headings are to be typed in upper and lower case letters.
- b) Line spacing
The dissertation should be typed on one side of the page. The text should be double-spaced throughout, with single-spacing for exceptional circumstances only:
- Abstract
- Explanatory footnotes
iii. Appendices
- Long headings or subheadings
- Long captions to tables, figures, or plates
- Bibliography
vii. Tables
viii. Quotations
- c) Margins and justification
Set the justification to “full” and the margins to the following measurements:
Top : 1” Left : 1.5”
Bottom : 1.5” Right : 1”
- d) Pagination
The following plan of page numbering has been standardized and must be observed. All page numbers should be centred at the bottom of the page.
- Title page: This page should not be numbered though it is counted as page number (i).
- Preliminary pages: Preliminary pages include all the sections that precede the text. They are arranged and numbered using small Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv and so on.).
iii. Text pages: Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3 and so on). Page one should be the first page of Chapter One.
- Supplementary pages: No pagination.
No hyphens, periods, underlining or other marks should appear before, after or under the page number.
- e) Use of Footnotes
Footnotes must NOT be used for citing references. They should be used only for useful extensions and excursions of information in the body of the text. Footnotes should be numbered consecutively with superscript numerals. Footnotes should be in single spacing, using font size 10-point.
- f) Bibliography
The bibliography must be presented according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association i.e. the APA Style Manual format. The bibliography should be single-spaced, with a font size of 12-points. All the references cited are listed in alphabetical order. Do not number the references.
- Journal article
Murzynski, J., & Degelman, D. (1996). Body language of women and judgments of vulnerability to sexual assault. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 26, 1617-1626.
- Book
Paloutzian, R. F. (1996). Invitation to the psychology of religion (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
- Web document on university program or department Web site
Degelman, D., & Harris, M. L. (2000). APA style essentials. Retrieved May 18, 2000, from Vanguard University, Department of Psychology. Website: http://www.vanguard.edu/psychology/index.cfm?doc_id=796
- Stand-alone Web document (no date)
Nielsen, M. E. (n.d.). Notable people in psychology of religion. Retrieved August 3, 2001, from http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/psyrelpr.htm
- Stand-alone Web document (no author, no date)
Gender and society. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2001, from http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/gender.html
- Journal article from database
Hien, D., & Honeyman, T. (2000). A closer look at the drug abuse-maternal aggression link. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 15, 503-522. Retrieved May 20, 2000, from ProQuest database.
- Abstract from secondary database
Garrity, K., & Degelman, D. (1990). Effect of server introduction on restaurant tipping. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 20, 168-172. Abstract retrieved July 23, 2001, from PsycINFO database.
- Article or chapter in an edited book
Shea, J. D. (1992). Religion and sexual adjustment. In J. F. Schumaker (Ed.), Religion and Mental Health (pp. 70-84). New York: Oxford University Press.
