RESEARCH PROJECT

GUIDELINES

Student Reference

UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
 Guide to the Preparation 2

PREFACE

The preparation of a research project is a complex and tedious process. It involves

numerous steps beginning with the submission of a research proposal and ending with the

binding of the paper. With proper planning and the aid of modern typing and printing

technologies, the preparation of the research project can be a very satisfying and rewarding

exercise.

This guide is meant to help students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in

the preparation of their research paper. The guide includes the technical specifications,

format, and method of bibliographic citation.

As indicated by the title, this document is meant to be a guide and it is up to the

students to adapt it to the demands of their respective disciplines. It is hoped that with this

guide, a certain measure of uniformity can be achieved in the preparation of the project.

Students are encouraged to consult regularly with their project supervisors on all matters.

Thus, although this guide is prepared by referring to the format of APA (American

Psychological Association), other formats appropriate to the respective disciplines are

allowed. For the APA, more information can be found at the Publication Manual of the

American Psychological Association, fifth edition while for the other formats, the respective

manuals should be referred to. Similarly, this guide uses the English Language to exemplify

the principles given; however, other languages appropriate to the students discipline of study

should be used.
 Guide to the Preparation 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
PREFACE 2

CHAPTER

I GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF RESEARCH 5

PROJECT
Introduction 5
Submission of Research Project 5
Technical Specifications 5
Typeface and Font Size 5
Page header 5
Margins 5
Spacing 5
Pagination 5
Paper 6
Binding 6
II FORMAT OF RESEARCH PROJECT 7
Title Page 8
Preface I Acknowledgements 8
Approval Sheet 8
Abstract 9
Tables of Contents 9
List of Tables 9
List of Figures 9
List of Plates 9
List of Abbreviations 9
Text of Research Project
Body of Research Project 10
Note on Last Paragraphs 11
Tables 11
Illustrations 11
Footnotes 12
Quotation in the text 12
References 12
Appendices 12
Ill WRITING CONVENTIONS 13
Units of Measure 13
Numbers 13
Elliptical Mark 13
Use of Symbol for Percentage 14
Policy on Direct Quotation 14
IV EVALUATION 15
Supervisor 15
Assessment 15
Academic Dishonesty! Plagiarism 16
V CONCLUSION 17
 Guide to the Preparation 4

APPENDIX
A1 Cover of the Project 18
A2 Title Page 19
B Acknowledgements 20
C Declaration 21

D Approval form 22
E Table of Contents 23
F List of Tables 24
G List of Graphs 25
H Example of Table 26
I Example of Figure 27
J Examples of Reference 28
K Research Project Evaluation Form 29 -31
L Research Project Evaluation Form(Literature- 32 -33
based Projects)
M Checklist 34-36
 Guide to the Preparation 5

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF RESEARCH PROJECT
Introduction
This guide is to help undergraduate students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman in
the preparation of their research paper. It deals only with the format of research paper and
some writing conventions.
Submission of Research Project
As prescribed by the University, students should submit two bound copies of their
research project to the Faculty Office on or before the given deadline. A soft-copy in the form
of a compact disc should also be submitted. Marks will be deducted for late submission.
Typeface and Font Size
The entire text of the project, including headings and page numbers, must be
produced with the same font or typeface. The font size should be 12 points, Times New
Roman. Use italics for letters used as statistical symbols or algebraic variables and some test
scores and scales (see APA manual for more information, pp. 100-103).
Page Headers
Use the first two or three words from the title in the upper right-hand corner above or
five spaces to the left of the page numbers. Page headers should be included in the text body
(introduction, method, results, discussion, references and appendices). Font size should be 12
points and in sentence case (e.g. Individual Differences).
Margins
The left, top and bottom margins should be 1 inch.
Spacing
The research paper should be typed double-spaced.

Pagination
Pages should be numbered consecutively throughout the paper, including pages for
tables, figures and appendices. Each appendix should be identified separately using a big
letter (A, B, C). The pages of the appendices should also be numbered accordingly. Page
numbers should appear by themselves and should not be bracketed, hyphenated or
accompanied by other decorative devices.

Preliminary pages preceding Chapter I must carry page numbers in small Roman
numerals (i, ii).
 Guide to the Preparation 6

Page 1 begins with the first page of the Introduction (or Chapter I). The numbering of
this page is made at the top right corner (about 25 mm from the top) preceded by page header
(12pts,New Times Roman).

Paper
White simili paper (80 g.s.m.) or paper of equivalent quality should be used. Paper
should be of A4 size (210 mm x 297m).

Binding

When the research project has been completed and all necessary signatures obtained,
the candidate should seek the service of a reliable binder. All copies should be checked
carefully to ensure that all pages are in correct order.

The research project should be bound with hard covers. The binding should be of a
fixed kind in which pages are permanently secured. The covers should have sufficient rigidity
to support the weight of the work when standing on a shelf. All research projects are to be
fully bound in UTAR BLUE.

The following should be lettered in gold from the head to the foot of the research
spine, using a 12-point font:

Project/Research title (abridged version);

Faculty and

Year of submission

The following particulars should be provided on the thesis cover, using 12- point gold
block font:

(i) Full title of research project;

(ii) Full name of author;

(iii) Degree for which the research project is submitted;

(iv) Faculty / centre in which the project was conducted;

(v) Name of the institution to which research project is submitted; and

(vi) Month and year of submission.

(Refer to Appendix A1, p. 18)

 Guide to the Preparation 7

CHAPTER II
FORMAT OF RESEARCH PROJECT
Research projects are generally composed of three main divisions: the preliminary
pages or front matter; the text or main body, usually divided into parts, chapters and sections;
and the ending pages or back matter.

The preliminary pages or front matter includes the title page, preface,
acknowledgements, abstract, declaration, table of contents, list of tables, figures, graphs,
maps, diagrams, plates and abbreviations.

The ending pages include references and appendices.

The following is an example of how various pages in a research project, from

preliminary of front matter to ending pages or back matter, are arranged. We recommended
that this sequencing be used as guide, although not every research project includes all the
items listed below:

Item Remarks
preliminary 1. Blank leaf -
pages
2. Title page Not to be paginated
3. Acknowledgement Not to be paginated and not
listed in Table of Contents
4. Approval sheet
5. Abstract To be paginated as i, ii,
iii and listed in Table of
6. Declaration
Contents
7. Table of Contents
8. List of Tables
9. List of Graphs
10. List of Plates
11. List of Abbreviations
Main body 12. Introduction To be paginated as 1, 2, 3
(sections)
13. Literature Review
14. Methodology
15. Findings & Analysis
16. Discussion & Conclusion
Ending 17 Reference
18. Appendices
 Guide to the Preparation 8

Title Page
This page (refer to Appendix A2, p. 19), includes the following information:

(i) Full title of research paper;

(ii) Full name of author;

(iii) Degree for which the research paper is submitted;

(iv) Faculty / centre in which research was conducted;

(v) Name of the institution to which research paper is submitted; and

(vi) Month and year of submission.

The title should describe the content of the research papered accurately and concisely.

Acknowledgements
Preface or Acknowledgements (refer to Appendix B, p. 20) may contain all or some
of the following information:

(i) Explanatory notes or reasons for doing the study (usually in Preface);

(ii) Acknowledgement of guidance and assistance from individuals and institutions

(usually in Acknowledgements).

For research paper, PREFACE is optional while ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS is

generally preferred. The acknowledgements can be written in the first person (e.g. I should
like to thank...), or the third person (e.g. The author wishes to acknowledge...).

Declaration

This sheet contains declaration made by the author on the authenticity of the work.
The paper work must have a minimum word-count of 6,500 and a maximum of 10,000
words. Reference and appendices are not included in the word-count. This sheet must be
signed by the student (refer to appendix C, p. 21).

Approval Sheet

This sheet bears the signature of the Supervisor and Examiner certifying approval of
the research paper (refer to Appendix D, p. 22).
 Guide to the Preparation 9

Abstract
The abstract is a digest of the entire research project and should be given the same
careful attention as the main text. Reference to literature is not normally made in the abstract.
Abbreviations or acronyms must be preceded by the full term at the first use.

An abstract should not normally exceed 200 words. It includes a brief statement of the
problem, a concise description of the research method and design, summary of major findings
including the significance or the lack of it, and conclusions. The abstract must be written in
one paragraph.

Table of Contents

The Table of Contents immediately follows and it lists in sequence, with

corresponding page numbers, all relevant subdivisions of the research paper, including the
titles of chapters, sections and subsections; the bibliography or reference list; the list of
abbreviations and other functional parts of the whole paper; the appendices (if any); and the
index (if provided). A Table of Contents should not be listed in the Table of Contents itself
(refer to Appendix E, p. 23).

List of Tables

This list shows the exact titles or captions of all tables in the text and appendices,
together with the beginning page number for table (refer to Appendix F, p. 24).

List of Figures

This includes graphs, maps, or illustrations of other kinds. The exact title or caption
and its corresponding page number is listed. Figures should be numbered consecutively
throughout the paper, including those in the appendices (refer to Appendix G, p. 25).

List of Plates
Full-page illustrations, especially photographs, are usually called plates. The list, if
any, follows the List of Figures, and is numbered consecutively throughout the research
paper.

List of Abbreviations

If an assortment of abbreviations and acronyms (e.g. FAO, DOA, MARDI, PORIM)

is used in the research paper, it is best to list them in a List of Abbreviations with their
meanings, even though the full names are given at the first mention in the text. This list
 Guide to the Preparation 10

serves as ready reference to readers not familiar with the abbreviations. Universally
recognized symbols (C, cm, mm, kg) need not be listed.

Body of Research Project

The body of a research projectr normally consists of the following headings or
chapters:

Introduction. The introductory chapter opens with an introduction that presents the
specific problem under study and describes the research strategy. You need to develop the
background through literature review, which is a critical review of literature related to the
topic. It is meant to act as a base for the experimental or analytical section of the research
project.

Literature selected must be up to date, analyzed and synthesized logically. It is not a

mere summary of works of different authors.

After you have introduced the problem and developed the background material, you
are in a position to explain your approach to solving the problem. At this point, a definition of
the variables and a formal statement of your hypotheses give clarity to the paper. Clearly
develop the rationale for each hypothesis (see APA manual p. 15).

If you want to organize your paper with different levels of headings, you need to
follow the format of APAs heading style. Major headings within chapters (primary
headings) are CENTERED in uppercase (level 1). Level 2: flush left, italicized, Upper &
Lowercase. Level 3: indented, italicized, lowercase, ending with a period.

Method. It describes the methods and techniques used. It may also contain
validation of methods used. In social science, a theoretical framework is generally included.
You have to divide the method section into labeled subsections. These usually include
descriptions of the participants or subjects, the apparatus (or materials), and the procedure
(see APA manual p. 17).

Results. It presents a complete account of results and analyses of the study in

the form of figures, tables or text so that the key information is highlighted (see APA manual
p. 20)

Discussion. The Discussion section discusses the results of the study in relation to
the hypotheses. It highlights the main findings, their significance and implications To
distinguish from the abstract, this section generally sums up the findings, discussion,
 Guide to the Preparation 11

conclusions and recommendations of the study. A separate chapter for this is common in
technological (see APA manual p. 26).

Note on Last Paragraphs

The last paragraph of any page should comprise at least two lines of text. In other
words, any heading appearing near the bottom of a page should be followed by at least two
lines of text. It this cannot be done, push the heading and the line to the next page.

If the last paragraph of a page has to be continued on the next page, make sure that at
least two line of the text appear on the next page.

Tables

Tables are numbered consecutively (with Arabic numerals) throughout the research
paper (including text and appendices). There are two possible numbering schemes: either (a)
number them consecutively throughout the thesis, or (b) number them by chapter, e.g. Table
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 and so on. No research paper may have two different tables called
Table 1. All tables are to be listed under LIST OF TABLES in the preliminary pages
(including tables appearing in the appendices). Tables should be placed after their mention in
the text. Short tables should not stand alone on a page.

Type the word Table and its Arabic numeral flush left at the top of the table. Double-
space and begin the table title flush left, capitalizing the initial letter of the principal words
and italicizing the title. If the title is longer than one line, double-space between lines, and
begin subsequent lines flush left under the first line.

Double-space all notes at the end of the table flush left. Table sources and notes
should be placed directly below the table (not at the bottom of the page). Use superscript
symbols (e.g. ***) or lowercase letters, (e.g. a, b, c) but never numerals for table footnotes
(see Appendix H, p. 26).

Illustrations

Illustrations include maps, charts, graphs, diagrams and photographs. Photographs are
normally called PLATES, while the rest are called FIGURES. Each of these categories is
numbered consecutively throughout the thesis, including those in the appendices. Illustrations
should be of good quality. The trend now is to use computers.

The figure or plate number and caption should be typed below the illustration using
Arabic numerals and lowercase, except for proper nouns and first letters of principal words. If
 Guide to the Preparation 12

preferred, down-style can also be used in which all letters are of lowercase except proper
nouns and first letter in caption. Illustrations should be inserted near their mention in the text.

If an illustration occupies an entire page, the caption may be typed on the left- hand
facing page (reverse side blank), which is counted but not paginated. The right-hand page in
landscape format should have the top of the illustration at the binding edge. The illustration
number should be typed in standard text position. Illustrations should conform to standard
margin requirements (see Appendix I p. 27).

Footnotes

Try not to use footnotes as explanatory device. In most case, it is better to integrate an
article by presenting important information in the text rather than in a footnote (see APA
manual p. 202).

Quotation in the Text

Material directly quoted from another authors works should be reproduced word for
word. Examples of quotation can be found at APA manual, p. 117.

References

The reference list provides the information necessary to identify and retrieve each
source. Only list the references that were used in the project.

Different reference style can be found at the Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association, 5th edition (chap 4, pp. 215-281) (see Appendix J, p. 28) .

Appendices

An appendix or appendices, if any, are placed after the reference list or bibliography.
Details of the appendices are listed by type in the Table of Contents. Appendices include
original data, summary, side-line or preliminary tests, tabulations, tables that contain data of
lesser importance, very lengthy quotations, supporting decisions, forms and documents,
computer printouts and other pertinent documents. Appendix materials should be grouped by
type, e.g. Appendix A: Questionnaire, Appendix B: Original Data, Appendix C: Result.
 Guide to the Preparation 13

CHAPTER III
WRITING CONVENTIONS
Units of Measure
Use internationally recognized abbreviations for units of measure, such as:
20 milliliters (20m1)
5 kilogram (5 kg)
20 kilometer (20 km)
2.5 hectare (2.5 ha)
3.7 metric toned (3.7 mt)
45 parts per million (45ppm)
12 gram (12g)
500 U.S. Dollars (USD500)
3.4 metric tone/ hectare (3.4 mt/ha)

The numbers before the measurement units should not be spelled out, e.g. 5 kg, not
five kg even if they are below 100 (see below), unless they are the first words of sentences.

Numbers

Write out all numbers less than ten unless they are attached to units of measure (e.g. 5
kg, 10 ml). Use figures for 10 or more than 10. If a sentence with a number, write the number
in words, e.g. Three hundred and eighty-five farmers were sampled from the study area.

If you are using a series of figures, use numerals:

(a) In the room there were 4 chairs, 12 boxes, 13 books, 10 files, 9 umbrella and 8 pair
of shoes.

(b) The number of taxi permits issued during the past five years was 8, 53, 27, 38, 52
and 90.

Elliptical Mark

Writers use ellipsis to show an omission from quoted material. The ellipsis consists of
three-spaced full stops (...). When an ellipsis follows a sentence, it appears as four full stops
(...) one full stop marks the end of the sentence and the other three signals the omission.
For example:

Coombs (1985) wrote about the conference:

 Guide to the Preparation 14

The conference at Williamsburg .. .agreed that the world educational crisis

sketched in the document was real....

Use of Symbol for Percentage

The symbol % may be used in place of percent, e.g. 27.3% and typed without a space.
If the candidate prefers to write 27.3 percent in full, then consistency should be maintained
throughout. In tables, the abbreviation pct may be used at the head of a table column to mean
percent.

Policy on Direct Quotations

Direct quotations must be reduced at all costs, except in some fields such as literature
(e.g. quotations from Shakespeare). Extensive use of direct quotations can be quite irritating,
especially is the quotations appear in a language other that that used in the paper. For
example, a research paper written in English should not quote materials directly in another
language (e.g. Bahasa Melayu, Tagalog). The candidate must learn to synthesize materials in
other languages and paraphrase them in his own words and style, an ability which is required
in graduate education.
 Guide to the Preparation 15

CHAPTER IV
EVALUATION
Supervisor

The supervisor may wish to see samples of the research project in draft form before
submission and may express view on these. Such comments are intended to help candidates
to see their work as another reader sees it but it is entirely up to the candidates to decide upon
the form and content of the research paper. All supervisees are expected to consult with their
supervisors based on the arranged schedule. Each Supervisee, as a guide, has been allocated a
30 minutes consultation every fortnightly.

It is NOT the job of the supervisor to proof read candidates work before or after
typing or to ensure the correctness of English grammar and spelling. Candidates should not
expect their supervisors to read every word in draft form and provide detailed comments
since he or she must be careful to ensure that the final result is students own work and not
that of the supervisor.

The end product should be the candidates ability to complete a major piece of
research work, with some guidance, but largely self-motivated and with a minimum of
supervision and able to carry out research almost independently.

Assessment

The final paper shall be marked by the supervisor based on the following marking
scheme:

Component Percentage
Abstract 5
Introduction 10
Literature Review 20
Methodology 10
Findings & Analysis 20
Discussion & Conclusion 20
Language & Organisation 15
TOTAL 100
 Guide to the Preparation 16

Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the submission or presentation of work, in any form, which is

not ones own, without acknowledgement of the sources. If a candidate obtains information
or ideas from an outside source, that source must be acknowledged. Another rule to follow is
that any direct quotation must be placed in quotation marks, and the source immediately
cited.

Plagiarism is also defined as copying all or part of the work of another student(s) of
current or previous batch of this University or another Higher Learning Institution.

The Universitys Degree and other Academic Awards are given in recognition of the
candidates personal achievement. Plagiarism is therefore considered as an act of academic
fraudulence and an offence against the Universitys discipline. Cheating, plagiarism, illicit
collaboration and misrepresentation of ones own work will not be tolerated. The penalties
for such offences are failure in the exam, paper, assignment, etc., or failure of the
Unit/Course.
 Guide to the Preparation 17

CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
The University does not insist that all research projects be sent to professional editors.
However, candidates are reminded that the University accepts only research projects that are
reasonably free of errors. Supervisors cannot be held responsible for errors in the research
project.

The general format, abstract, bibliographic citations, etc. of the research paper are
required to follow a standard style acceptable to scholars in the candidates chosen discipline.
The University stresses on consistency and accuracy. A candidate who follows this guide is
not likely to face many problems in having his / her research project accepted.

The University wishes all candidates the very best in their research and their endeavor
in completing the research project.
 Guide to the Preparation 18

Appendix A 1 (Paper Cover)

(UTAR LOGO) gold outline

A STUDY OF STUDENTS EVALUATION ON THEIR PARENTS

WITH OR WITHOUT SON-PREFERENCE ATTITUDE

All letterings in gold

WONG DA WAI

Hard cover: UTAR blue

A RESEARCH PROJECT
SUBMITTED IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE BACHELOR OF ______________________________
FACULTY OF CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

JAN. 2009
 Guide to the Preparation - 19 -

Appendix A2
(Paper Title Page)

A STUDY OF STUDENTS EVALUATION ON THEIR PARENTS

WITH OR WITHOUT SON-PREFERENCE ATTITUDE

WONG DA WAI

A RESEARCH PROJECT
SUBMITTED IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE BACHELOR OF ______________________________
FACULTY OF CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

JAN. 2009
 Guide to the Preparation - 20 -

Appendix B

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It would be impossible to complete this thesis without the assistance and cooperation

of a host of individuals and organization. I am therefore deeply thankful to Ahmad Ridzuan

Samsudin (Help Counseling Center), Wilson Wong (Malaysia Counseling Center), Syed

Anuar Bin Syed Ali (Positive Counseling Center) and Yeoh Guan Jin (Psychological Health

Concern).

I am deeply grateful to my parents for their warm and sweet encouragement as well as

their understanding. Besides, I must give special thanks to several friends whose continuous

support and wise counsel I value and appreciate immeasurably: Chin Nyiuk Syarm, Lee Seh

Lee, Liew Chew Yeen, Tee Chin Boon, Yong Suik Ping, Law Hui Sin and Quak Yi Fang;

and Chin Kiang Lin, who gave me strong moral support.

To every one of you, I thank you. This thesis has been completed by having all of

your efforts and contributions.

WONG DA WAI
 Guide to the Preparation - 21 -

Appendix C

DECLARATION

I declare that the material contained in this paper is the end result of my own work and that

due acknowledgement has been given in the bibliography and references to ALL sources be

they printed, electronic or personal.

Name : WONG DA WAI

Student ID: 02UAB00107

Signed : ____________________

Date : 15th May 2009

 Guide to the Preparation - 22 -

Appendix D

Approval Form
This research paper attached hereto, entitled Title of Research Paper prepared and

submitted by Candidates Name in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) Psychology is hereby accepted.

_____________________ Date:_____________
Supervisor
Supervisors name
 Guide to the Preparation - 23 -

Appendix E

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
ABSTRACT i
DECLARATION ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iii
LIST OF TABLES iv
LIST OF GRAPHS v
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS vi
CHAPTERS
I INTRODUCTION 1
Subheading 7
Subheading 8
Subheading 10
II LITERATURE REVIEW 20
Subhead 20
Subhead 21
Subhead 22
II METHODOLOGY 23
Subhead 23
Subhead 24
Subhead 25
III FINDINGS & ANALYSIS 26
Subhead 27
Subhead 28
IV DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION 30
Subheading 35
Subheading 39
REFERENCES 40
Appendix A Title 43
Appendix B Title 44
 Guide to the Preparation - 24 -

Appendix F

LIST OF TABLES

Tables Page

1 Title 11

2 Title 13

3 Title 15

4 Title 17
 Guide to the Preparation - 25 -

Appendix G

LIST OF GRAPHS

Graphs Page

1 Caption 12

2 Caption 14

3 Caption 16

4 Caption 18
 Guide to the Preparation - 26 -

Appendix H
Example of Table
 Guide to the Preparation - 27 -

Appendix I
Example of Figure
 Guide to the Preparation - 28 -

Appendix J
Examples of reference

1. Journal article

Jackson, S., Bijstra, J. & Oostra, L. (1998). Adolescents perceptions of communication

with parents relative to specific aspects of relationships with parents and personal

development. Journal of adolescent, 21(3), 305-322.

2. Book

Paloutzian, R. F. (1996). Invitation to the psychology of religion (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn

and Bacon.

3. Web document on university program or department Web site

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. (1999). Revised HIV/AIDS estimate for the West

Pacific Region. Retrieved July 2, 1999, from http:// www.who.org.ph

/technical/unit/STD/surveillancereport/sr-13/Article1.htm.

4. 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.

5. Article or chapter in an edited book

Shea, J. D. (1992). Chaos and attitudes. In J. F. Eiser (Ed.), Religion and mental

health (pp. 70-84). New York: Oxford University Press.