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THESIS WRITING GUIDE

1) Overall structure
Essentially, the thesis should be structured in such a way that it consists of the preliminary
pages, a five chapter body, list of references and annex as described below.

1.1 Preliminary pages

Arrange the preliminary pages in the following order:

• Cover page
• Title page
• Declaration page
• Certification page
• Approval page
• Acknowledgment page
• Table of contents page
• List of tables page
• List of figures page
• Acronyms page
• Abstract and key words page

1.2 Body pages

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1. Background of the Study

1.2. Statement of the Problem
1.3. Objective of the Study
[Link] Questions and/or Hypothesis
1.5. Significance of the Study
1.6. Scope/Delimitation of the Study
1.7. Limitation of the Study
1.8. Definition of Key Terms
1.9. Organization of the Paper
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Chapter Two: Literature Review

2.1. Introduction
2.2. Review of Theoretical Literature
2.3. Review of Empirical Literature
2.4. Research Gap
2.5. Conceptual Framework
2.6. Hypothesis (for theory testing research type)
Chapter Three: Research Methodology
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Study Setting Area
3.3. Research Approach and Method
3.4. Research Design
3.5. Research Strategy
3.6. Sampling Design
3.6.1 Population, Sampling Frame and Sampling Unit
3.6.2 Sampling Technique
3.6.3 Sampling Procedure
3.6.4 Sample Size Determination
3.7. Data Type and Sources
3.8. Research Instrument and Measurements
3.9. Data Collection Procedure
3.10. Method of Data analysis
3.11. Validity and Reliability
3.12. Ethical Considerations
Chapter Four: Result and Discussion
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Characteristics of Respondents/Demographic Analysis/
4.3. Descriptive Analysis
4.4. Inferential Analysis
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Summary
5.3. Conclusion
5.4. Recommendation for Action (for policy maker, for practitioner/implementation)
5.5. Implications for theory and/or further research
1.3 List of references
1.4 Annex
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2) Formats and Content of the Thesis

The preliminary pages
The preliminary pages except for the cover page should be page numbered in roman number.

Cover page:

This page should clearly show the name of the University with College and school &
department, title, name of the candidate, etc. The following template contains all the information
that should be included in the cover page.

Template 1: Cover page

UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT

<< Title of the thesis >>----capital letter & bold

By: << Name of the Candidate >>

A Thesis Submitted to Department of Management in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Award of a Master’s Degree in Master of Business Administration
(MBA)

Month, Year
Gondar
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Title page:

This page provides information that is similar to that of the cover page except that in this page
the name of the advisor will be included above the month and the year.

Template 2: Title page

UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT

<< Title of the thesis >>-bold & capital letter

By: << Name of the Candidate >>

A Thesis Submitted to Department of Management in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Award of a Master’s Degree in Master of Business Administration
(MBA)

Advisor: << Name of the Advisor >>

Month, Year
Gondar
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The declaration page:

This page provides a confirmation of the student regarding the originality of the work. Furthermore,
the advisor confirms that the thesis can be presented to the examiners for final examination.

Template 3: The declaration page

DECLARATION
This thesis is my original work and has not been presented in any other university, and this thesis has been
submitted for final examination.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––

Name of candidate Signature Date

–––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––

Name of advisor Signature Date

The Certificate page:

This page provides a confirmation of the advisor regarding the worthiness of the thesis for the award of the master’s
degree.

Template 4: The certification page

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this thesis entitled “title name” Embodied the work carries out by (candidate’s name)
himself/herself under my supervision and that is worthy of consideration for the award of MBA degree.

{Name of the advisor) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Signature –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Date –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
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The approval page:

On this page, the advisor, the internal examiner, the external examiners provide their
approval of the thesis when the thesis gets at least the passing grade.

Template 5: The approval page

APPROVAL
We, the undersigned certify that we have and here by recommendation to the University of
Gondar to accept the thesis submitted by
entitled
for the fulfillment of the requirement for the award of a Master’s
degree in Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Advisor: Name Signature Date

External examiner: Name Signature Date

Internal examiner: Name Signature Date

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The acknowledgement page:

On this page, the candidate acknowledges individuals, institutions, and others that provided

support during the research process.

The table of contents page(s):

Depending on availability, including table of content and list of tables, figures, boxes and annexes,
all with page numbering in lowercase ‘Roman numerals’.
All pages from the first chapter to appendix are numbered consecutively in ‘Arabic numerals’.

The acronyms page:

Include the acronyms in a separate page, arranged in alphabetical order.

Abstract and key words page:

Provide an abstract in one paragraph in a separate page in italic but not exceeding one page. Also
include (main objectives, main methodology, main findings and main recommendation and
implication) and some (3-6) key words or phrases in this same page below the abstract. Overall, the
abstract and key words must not exceed 250 words.

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Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Introduction
In this sub-section, specific components of the first chapter need to be mentioned as per their natural order of
appearance.

1.2 Background of the Study

In this sub-section, the candidate should:
 Provide general information in the discipline, with the special focus of imperativeness of it for
this continuously changing world.
 Provide conceptual understanding of the research variables (better to start from the dependent
variable, and then come to independent variables/factors) with explaining theories.
 Provide scientific information about the interconnectedness of research variables with guiding
theory (for cause-effect type of research).
 Provide facts about the exposure/practice of the case related to the research variables, aims at
knowing whether the selected case is feasible enough to conduct the present study.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

The problem statement should clearly articulate the research problem, the research questions and
working hypothesis. This sub-section should consider the below issues:

 Not be a redundant presentation of background information that is already stated in

the general background and background to the study area.

 The dependent variable need to be your focus area in stating the problem of the study
(if you do have a practical problem).

 Present a clear articulation of the research problem– stating what is happening/known

& what is not known (research gap).

 Provide a further justification for the research- indicating if similar studies have been
conducted and their limitations. For example, their gaps/weaknesses/limitations in
conceptual scope, methodology, time span, data quality/adequacy, bias, etc.);

 It may also stress the significance of the context in your study area as a justification.
 This sub-section must present three to four (these numbers are not magic) clearly

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articulated research questions to specify the research problem (gap) more clearly. It doesn’t mean
that 3-4 specific research questions should be placed in a separate sub-topic right after the statement
of the problem, but providing scientific evidences which prove the need of such kind of study so as to
have answers for stated research questions.

 Follow ‘rule of showing’- providing scientific evidences, not ‘rule of force’- try to state the problem
based on researcher’s personal views.

1.4 Research objectives

These include both the General Objective and the Specific Objectives.

 In this section, the major research objective is addressed. The purpose statement should
emphasize practical outcomes or products of the study. For example, “The purpose of this
study is/was to determine (measure, examine, or evaluate- depending on the nature of the
study) factors that influence entrepreneurial behavior in family businesses”. Note that study
should have one general objective which should be in line with the title.

 The Specific objectives – have to be in line with the variables that the candidate hypothesizes
to influence the phenomenon being investigated.

1.5 Research questions/ Hypotheses

Basic research questions should be mentioned here. If your study demands to have hypotheses,
better to put under the last part of chapter two.

1.6 Significance of the study

This sub-section should indicate significance of the study in terms of:

 Policy significance (e.g., in filling policy gaps)

 Practical significance (e.g., in improving the implementation of policies/strategies/programs

by indicating ways of overcoming implementation challenges)

 Theoretical or empirical significance - How it contributes to the existing body of knowledge.

For example, testing the conformance/relevance of an existing theory to a particular context
will be, providing new empirical evidence or proposing new research methodology to test a
theory.

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N.B: your base should be your unique findings.

1.7 Scope of the study

This sub-section must clearly show:

 The thematic scope – the scope content/variable-wise.

 The geographic scope – specifying the geographical or spatial coverage of the study.

 Methodological scope- be specific here.

 Temporal scope – specifying the time period the study covers.

1.8 Limitation of the study

The possible sources of the limitations of the study include:
 Practical weaknesses in the methodologies the researcher adapted.
 Lack of access to the right data.
 Poor choice/development/ delivery of instruments.
 Sampling issues.
 Lack of up-to-date literature in the area of the study.
 Etc.
NB: For each limitation, the present study should indicate one/more practical strategy/ies which might be
taken.

1.9 Definition of key terms

In order to help the reader gain clarity of what the researcher means by a certain term right from the
beginning, this sub section must provide a definition of key terms in the way they will be used
throughout the paper. However, detailed conceptualization of concepts, factors/variables shall be
conducted in chapter two.

1.10 Organization of the paper

State that the thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter one involves introduction, chapter two
involves review of related literature, chapter three addresses methodology, chapter four presents data
analysis and findings, and chapter five contains summary, conclusions and recommendations.

NB: As the number of chapters may differ among advisors, candidates shall to take their

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supervisor’s recommendation.

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Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature

2.1 Introduction
In this sub-section, specific components of the second chapter need to be introduced as per their natural order
of appearance.

2.2 Related Theoretical Literature

This sub-section should provide a summary of relevant theories. In deductive approaches, it consists
of:

(a) Definitions of key concept(s) - this should be reviewed ‘chronologically’.

(b) Theories of the latent variable (concept) - review some relevant theories which can able to
explain the concept, and indicate your theory with justification.
(c) The factors that cause and the effects of a phenomenon (if the nature of the study is-
examining determinant factors of DV) through the use of theories/models;
(d) The possible measures/indicators of a variable with the help of guiding theories.
(e) The degree and direction of conceptual relationship among variables (this sub-topic needs to
be reviewed once all the above four specific theoretical reviews (a-d) of both IVs and DV
are done);
(f) Assessment of themes/issues of variables in line with the case.

2.3 Review of Empirical Studies

This sub-section should consider the bellow issues:
 Author name with year of publication, min objective, variables (for determinant factors),
methods, and major findings should be indicated in each empirical study review.
 Provide a summary of the related empirical studies reviewed.
 The empirical studies must be related to the topic/research objectives.
 The relevance of the context in which the empirical study has been conducted should be also
taken into account. It does mean that candidates need to review empirical studies in the
context of foreign/local, private/public, manufacturing/service, etc.).
 Include recent and enough studies- ‘follow rule of 8’ (review empirical studies conducted
within 8 years ago & minimum of 8 related previous works for each hypothesis).

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2.4 Research Gap

This sub-section should provide a summary of:

(g) Theoretical gap, and/or

(h) Empirical gap, and/or

(i) Methodological gap, and/or

(j) Contextual gap.

2.5 Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework can better be illustrated using a diagram, accompanied by a textual
description of its elements (i.e., the concepts, factors, variables, indicators, assessment themes,
etc.). Both explaining (for each concept/latent variable) and linking/guiding (for the overall
model-conceptual framework) theories should also be mentioned here.

2.6 Hypotheses Development

Hypothesis needs to be developed based on the conceptual relationships of variables and empirical
literature reviewed.
NB: The hypotheses should reflect the research framework. Besides, it should be more specific than
specific objectives of the study. Nothing is specific than hypothesis.

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Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction
In this sub-section, specific components of the third chapter need to be introduced as per their natural order of
appearance.

3.2 Study Area Description

Here, you should state short and basic information about the area /institution you are going to study/you have
used as a case.

3.3 Research Approach and Method

In this sub-section, the candidate needs to mention the research approach and method of the
current study.

 Research approach- is your study ‘theory testing’ (deductive approach), or ‘theory

development’ (inductive approach)?

 Research method- which data type (quantitative or qualitative or mixed)?

3.4 Research Design

In this sub-section, the candidate needs to mention the study’s research design with the logic
behind of using it. One or any combination of the below lists shall be the design of your study:

 Descriptive, or
 Explanatory/analytic, or
 A mix of descriptive and explanatory, or
 Exploratory, or
 Correlational, or
 Etc.

3.5 Research Strategy

In this sub-section, the candidate needs to disclose the study’s research strategy with the logic
behind of using it. One or any combination of the below lists shall be the strategy of your study:

 Ground theory, or
 Case, or

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 Survey, or
 Experiment.

3.6 Sampling Design

3.6.1 Population, sampling frame and sampling unit
In this sub-section, candidates are expected to clearly indicate:
 The target population (survey population) and the number of its elements- aggregation of
elements from which the survey sample is actually selected.
 A sampling frame (the working population of source list) - list of elements (which meet
the criteria of target population) from which the sample may be drawn.
 Sampling unit: the elements of the sample (e.g., individual person, households,
schools, etc.).

3.6.2 Sampling technique

One sampling technique or the combination of techniques of sampling to be used in the research
(i.e., probability/random, or non-probability/non-random, or both) should be clearly indicated along
with the specific methods or techniques selected.

For example, random sampling, the candidate should clearly specify if the sampling technique will
be simple random sampling, or systematic random sampling, or stratified sampling or cluster
sampling or a combination of such techniques). For non-random sampling, the candidate should
specify whether he/she will use convenience or judgmental or ad- hoc quota or snow-ball
sampling, etc. or a combination of these or other methods/techniques).

N.B: specifying the specific sampling technique is not enough, but also the logic behind of
employing it.

3.6.3 Sample size determination

Specify the size of the population in the sampling frame and the size of the sample. You may use
sample size determination formula (or any scientific method with justification) to determine the
sample, the sample to come up with result a representative sample and lead to minimum sampling
bias and sampling error.

3.6.4 Sampling procedure

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Candidates should mention the steps/procedures followed in drawing the sample undoubtedly.

3.7 Data type and sources

 Data type: specify if primary, secondary or both types of data will be used.
Candidates should mention the data types in line with specific
objectives/research questions of the study.
 Data sources: specify from where these data will be obtained.

3.8 Methods of data collection

The candidate should clearly indicate the proposed method or a combination of methods of
collecting primary data (e.g., Questionnaire, Interview-personal or telephone or mail, etc., Focus
Group Discussion, Observation, etc.).

If it is secondary data, the candidate should clearly indicate the proposed method or a combination
of methods of collecting secondary data (e.g., Reports; databases; review ofdocuments – government
policy documents, regulations, etc.).

Candidates should indicate data (primary/secondary) collection procedures of the current study.

N.B: candidates should clearly mention the details of ‘research instrument and measurement’
under this sub-section, besides to the issues already raised.

3.9 Method of data analysis

Candidates should mention the below issues in this sub-section:

 Validation, editing, coding and tabulation process are necessary to be done prior to analysis.
Here, you need to specify the way you are going to prepare your data to be ready enough for
analysis.
 Clearly specify the data analysis technique/s with a well thought out reason for making
decision on the analytic tools’ choice.
 Indicate briefly any analytic software’s (such as SPSS, STATA, R, E-view, AMOS, Smart
PLS, etc.) that will be employed. Do the same if your data are qualitative.
 For quantitative type (with cause-and-effect relationship nature), model specification should
be included.

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3.10 Validity and Reliability

Pretest/ Pilot Test/: is a form of limited inquiry study (about 10% of the sample size) that can be
undertaken applying techniques used in the larger study. For instance, a test of the new questionnaire
to see if the respondents understand the question. If they are unable to understand, necessary
changes have to be made, to make the question easily understandable. At times a question may be
dropped or a lengthy question split into two, etc. Cronbach’s apla may be used for this purpose.

If the candidate develops the data collection instrument (and/or borrows through major
modification), the validity (content, criteria, face, etc.) issue becomes critical.

3.11 Ethical Considerations

The candidate is expected to indicate how the current research takes care of the ethical
principles. Unethical conduct includes, but not limited to, the following.

 Plagiarism

 Deceiving the research participant (e.g. lying)

 Leading participants to commit acts that lessen their self-esteem

 Invasion of privacy

 Lack of anonymity and/or confidentiality of personal identity

 Etc.

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Chapter Four: Finding and Discussion

4.1 Introduction
In this sub-section, the candidate could, for example, briefly restate the aim of the research, the
research questions and the methodology adopted and the procedures followed. The response rate
could also be mentioned here.

4.2 Description of characteristics of respondents

In this sub-section, the candidate is expected to describe the characteristics of the respondents. This
depends on the variables included in the study for describing their characteristics. For example,
respondents could be described in terms of their age distribution, education level, gender, marital
status, religious background, etc.

4.3 Presentation of results with respect to the research objectives/

question/
In this sub section, the results with respect to each of the research questions/objectives must be
summarized and presented clearly using appropriate methods of data presentation. The methods to
be used for presenting the results will depend on the design /type of the study (e.g., descriptive,
explanatory, mixed).

Descriptive Analysis
In dealing with research objectives /questions/ that require the descriptive design, tables,
simple bar charts, multiple bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, boxes, figures, etc. can be used. Results
could be reported in terms of frequencies, percentages, measures of central tendency (mean, median
and mode), and measures of dispersion (variance, standard deviation, range, etc.).
Inferential Analysis
Analysis of the correlation between the dependent variable and the independent variables can be
analyzed here.
In dealing with research questions/objectives that require the explanatory/analytic design, the
candidate must make sure that the cause and effect relationship between the dependent variable and
the independent variables has been done appropriately using appropriate econometrics model that
can be used with cross-sectional, time series or panel data.
For inferential analysis part, candidates should present the following:

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 Test the assumptions of the econometrics model,

 Checking model validation- to know the data is feasible enough to run the model,
 Presenting the results of the study ( example, regression coefficients in case of MLR model),
 State positive/negative result or surprising/interesting results based on the coefficient table,
 Provide results of qualitative data, if your method is mixed, and
 Conduct tests of hypothesis.

4.4 Discussion of results

In this sub-section, the candidate should teach the below issues:

 1st, provide a summary of the results of the current study.

 2nd, do cross-reference to previous research (already reviewed in chapter two) and
indicate if the findings are in conformity (support) or in contrast with findings of
previous research.
 3rd, provide explanations for the results. For example, providing reasons why certain
variables are insignificant (i.e., addressing the why part) and how that could happen.
 Lastly, Suggesting general hypotheses or drawing implications – indicating what can be
suggested /hypothesized based on the findings, the issues that emerge or what the
findings imply.

N.B: each specific objective/research question should be discussed separately through considering the
above four issues.

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Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Introduction
In this sub-section, the candidate should:
 Remind the reader about the aim of the research or what the first/second/third
research questions/objectives sought to determine.

5.2 Summary
In this sub-section, the candidate should:
 Provide a summary of the significant/important element of the whole paper, but much focus
needs to be given for the major results of the study.

5.3 Conclusion
In this sub-section, the candidate is expected to draw conclusions with respect to the research
questions/objectives based on the findings and the interpretation/discussion of the results. For its
detail, consider the following tips:

 Based on your findings, not your personal interest.

 Address all issues/objectives; don’t focus on one topic and ignore others.
 Don't copy paste merely-discuss the meaning of your results and indicate what can be
concluded.
 Indicate whether the results confirm, totally or in part, with your original expectations or
predictions/hypotheses.
 Indicate the long-term and short-term implications of your findings.

5.4 Recommendations
In this sub-section, the candidate shall:
 Suggests way of forwards, or
 Suggest policy directions, or
 Suggests corrective actions.
 Always give possible/practical recommendations.

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5.5 Future Research Directions

This sub-section shall be organized by considering the below issues, and others.
 It is useful in both academic reports and work-related reports to include a section which shows
how the research can be continued. Perhaps some results are inconclusive, or perhaps the
research hasn’t thrown up many more research questions which need to be addressed.
 It is useful to include this section because it shows that you are aware of the wider picture and
that you are not trying to cover up something which you feel may be lacking from your own
work.
 Etc.

List of references
 This refers to the complete list of all the references that are cited in the body of the thesis.
 Follow the APA/Harvard referencing style in producing the list of references.
 Don’t use both types of referencing style interchangeably, but select one and employ it
consistently throughout the paper. This should be established for both text and list of
referencing part.

Annex
Things that need to be annexed should include:

i) Research Instruments (survey questionnaire).

ii) Letters (like, Research Permits/authorization letter, letters of consent for data collection, letter of
ethical clearance, etc.).
iii) Tables/graphs/charts of results that are not presented in the body.
iv) Parts of secondary data, and tabular summary of quantitative primary data.
v) Etc.

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Caution and reminder!

Plagiarism detection and measures
Forms of plagiarism
Plagiarism includes the following acts:
• Copying others’ work full paper or a significant portion of it.
• Blending arguments of another author with the candidate’s argument without
acknowledging him/her - sentences/paragraphs directly taken.
• Paraphrasing others’ work but not indicating the source.
Detecting plagiarism
The candidate can self-check the presence and degree of plagiarism using online plagiarism
detecting software. The advisor must also check this before approving the proposal and
before signing on the draft thesis for examination by examiners.

NB: The result of the plagiarisms test shall not exceed 15% when carried out by excluding
the list of references, direct quotations and phrases with five words or less.

Subsequent measures
When the advisor finds out that a significant or all portion of the thesis proposal or the thesis
itself has been copied from other papers, then the proposal or the thesis must be rejected
automatically. Then, the advisor shall provide a written report to the department/School for
final decision. The DGC then makes a final decision as to the consequences of the act in line
with the legislation of the University. Furthermore, candidates should be aware that detection
of plagiarism any time after graduation leads to the nullification of the master’s degree.

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