GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION IN ALL MASTERS PROGRAMMES 1.

Applicability:

The following guidelines shall be applicable to all master degree dissertations for Batch 2011 (M.A, M.Sc. M.Tech, M. Arch, M. Pharmacy, M.P.T, M.Ed, M.PEd etc.) except M. Phil, M.B.A Hons. and Ph.D. 2. Purpose of Dissertation:

The research work in dissertation provides the graduate students an opportunity to integrate and implement the knowledge and skills gained during their graduation to generate new knowledge. The aim is to carry out an independent work of practical importance. While working under the supervision of his/her research supervisor, the student uses rigorous methods to solve research problems related to a substantive area of the study and therefore, attains a comprehensive knowledge about that area being studied. Important Notes: i) The student must meet his/her research supervisor on a weekly basis to formulate the goals and objectives of the study and to seek clarifications on problems faced during his/her research work. ii) The student must work closely under the supervision of the research supervisor throughout the dissertation. It is the responsibility of the student to provide regular progress reports to the supervisor. iii) The research work in dissertation purports to be the original work of the student. In case a student presents the work of someone else as his/her own or copy large portion from academic or other sources without properly referencing them, even if unintentionally, it will be considered as violation to the University policy on academic misconduct. There will be zero tolerance for academic misconduct or plagiarism. All the matters related to plagiarism will be dealt as per the University policy on academic misconduct. iv) All publications and Intellectual Property Rights arising out of research work shall be made as per the University policy guidelines issued by Division of Research and Development.

3. Dissertation-I: Page 1 of 18

Dissertation-I will be carried out in 3rd Semester. It is expected that the preliminary research work of dissertation must begin in this semester. 3.1 i) Allocation of research supervisors to students: DAA will seek information from all discipline heads regarding details of faculty

available for guiding students in dissertation along with their specialization area and number of seats fixed with each faculty. ii) This information will be notified by DAA on UMS for the purpose of allocation of

research supervisors to students. iii) iv) The students shall meet the prospective research supervisors. The faculty shall accept the students for guiding dissertation as per the seats fixed

with them. v) The students who do not consult any faculty for supervision will be allocated an

appropriate supervisor by the DOD (Chairperson of PAC). vi) HODs must ensure that all the students in their sections have been allotted a Research

Supervisor and the information is duly communicated to the office of the DOD. vii) The Academic Operation Co-ordinator (AOC) must maintain the record of allocation of supervisor to each student in a discipline and this information must be sent to DAA through the office of DOD in the format attached as Annexure II (Database of students registered in dissertation). 3.2 Re-allocation of Research Supervisor: i) In case a research supervisor goes on long leave or resigns from the University, the

AOC shall liaison between the student and PAC for re-allocation of research supervisor with the same approved topic. Reallocation of research supervisor must be done within 10 days, after the old supervisor has put his resignation. Details of new supervisor shall be communicated to the student through student announcement within this 10 day period. ii) In case of immediate resignation, student must be allotted to a new research supervisor

with same specialization field within 10 days of putting of resignation by the old supervisor. 3.3 Appointment of Project Appraisal Committee (PAC): i) A PAC will be appointed in every discipline. Its membership will be as follows: a) DOD/ CD Chairperson b) HOS/COS c) HOD / COD of different domains Page 2 of 18

d) Any other member deemed fit by the DOD. ii) This committee will be proposed by DOD/CD to DAA. DAA will get the approval of PAC from competent authority, i.e Office of Pro-Chancellor. iii) Approved PAC will be a standing committee and changes if any, will be approved from the Office of Pro-Chancellor. 3.4 Submission of research topic to PAC: i) The student, in consultation with the research supervisor must propose three topics for

dissertation along with scope of research in the format attached as Annexure I (format attached for reference) as per the timelines prescribed by DAA. ii) One copy of the format will be retained by the student; original copy must be handed over to HOD/COD for approval by Project Approval Committee (PAC). iii) The student will be allowed to work only on that topic which is approved by the PAC. iv) In case a student does not meet his/her research supervisor and does not submit any research topic to PAC, the research supervisor will allot a research topic to the student by his own after approval from PAC. 3.5 Approval of topic by PAC: i) The PAC shall analyze the topics with respect to: scope appropriateness originality feasibility innovation potential for intellectual property, patent, new software, model, or a refereed publication in a journal. ii) On the basis of above criteria, the PAC will accept or suggest modification in the

topic proposed. iii) PAC must ensure that each topic must be unique and it should not overlap with any

other topic. iv) PAC shall handover all the forms to HOD/COD after approval and HOD/COD shall

handover the topics approved in the format to the concerned research supervisor. This will enable the research supervisors to enter the approved topic in the interface. v) A copy of approved topic in the given format shall be retained by the AOC in a file Page 3 of 18

properly maintained in the office of DOD/CD.

vi)

Approval of topic by PAC and information must be sent to DAA as per the timelines

prescribed by DAA, in the format attached as Annexure II (Database of students registered in dissertation). vii) A copy of format of approved topic must be included in the final report of

Dissertation-I while the original format must be included in the final report of dissertation-II. 3.6 Submission of requisitions for research: i) Once the topic has been approved by the PAC, the supervisor shall work in cowith the student to prepare all requirements related to

ordination

softwares/instruments/chemicals/animals, etc (whether available/ to be purchased), as per the approved budget of concerned discipline. ii) The research supervisor shall finalize the requirements in terms of necessity, cost,

quantity and availability of suppliers and submit electronically to the Academic Operation Co-ordinator (AOC) as per the timelines prescribed by DAA. iii) The AOC must compile and submit all the requirements to be purchased to Central

Purchase Cell (CPC) as per the timelines prescribed by DAA. iv) The AOC shall ensure that all the requirements are received as per the prescribed

timelines so that the students are able to start the preliminary research work. Here, the AOC will be required to take follow ups from CPC regarding timely availability of requirements and shall report to DOD if exceptional delay is happening. DOD shall take necessary action for the receipt of mentioned requirements and inform to DAA about the delay in receipt of mentioned requirements. v) AOC must ensure that the requirements are issued to the supervisor immediately after

receipt of requirements from CPC. vi) The research supervisor must authenticate to the concerned AOC that all the

requirements have been received by him. The confirmation shall be done through interface.

4. Dissertation-II: In Dissertation-II, the student is expected to complete the experimental/research work and write the dissertation as per the prescribed timelines. Research work must be completed and compiled one month before the last day of final submission so that dissertation is written and submitted by the last teaching day of 4th Semester. 5. Guidelines for Report Submission Page 4 of 18

5.1

Electronic submission of monthly progress report to research supervisor: i) The student must submit his/her monthly progress report (as per Annexure III) electronically to his/her research supervisor for evaluation in the last week of every month. ii) The supervisor will assess the monthly progress based on the criteria for continuous assessment given in this policy. iii) The supervisor shall evaluate and electronically return the report to the student with recommendations within one week of receipt of report.

5.2 Time lines for Final Report Submission : The report submission dates shall vary for courses falling in Autumn and Spring terms in the following manner: 5.2.1 Courses Falling in Autumn Term (e.g. Dissertation I)

Report Submission Upto the Last teaching day of the term

Fine No fine

One week after the last teaching day of Rs 1000/the term Any Later Instance Student shall be awarded R Grade

Note: No extension beyond the timeline for submission with late fee shall be given to the students in Dissertation-I.

5.2.2 Courses Falling in Spring Term (e.g. Dissertation II)

Report Submission Upto the last teaching day Two weeks after the last teaching day Any Later Instance

Fine No fine Rs 1000/Student shall be awarded R Grade

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5.3

Final report submission: In last month of session, if the research supervisor is satisfied with the quality of research, the student will be asked to submit printed copy as well as e-copy of report on or before the last teaching day.

5.3.1 Printed report: i) Final report of Dissertation-I should be submitted to the research supervisor for approval atleast one week before the last teaching day of the term. However, in case of Dissertation-II, it should be submitted to the research supervisor for approval atleast two weeks before the last teaching day of the term. ii) Final report in Dissertation-I shall be in spiral bound shape while it should be hard bound in Dissertation-II (An outline for the report is given in Annexure IV). iii) Wherever a report is to be evaluated by one or more external evaluators, 3 hard bound copies of the reports shall be submitted by the student in the administration office of the concerned school as per prescribed timelines. iv) Wherever a report is to be evaluated by internal evaluators, 2 hard bound copies of the reports shall be submitted by the student in the administration office of the concerned school as per prescribed timelines. v) All the reports duly approved (signed) by the Research Supervisor shall assigned a unique number which will be auto-generated through an electronic interface. The numbers shall be assigned to reports submitted by the due date (without fine) and by the last day for submission with fine. One copy of the numbered report will be returned to the student to bring along at the time of viva. vi) The Administration office of the concerned school will provide two numbered copies of the report to the panel members for review before the viva. Finally, after the viva one copy of the report will be retained by the Research Supervisor & the other copy (available in case of external evaluation only) will be deposited in the library. Hence, the library will NOT retain any copy of reports which are evaluated internally. vii) The AOC must forward the final reports to the respective panel members atleast one week before the evaluation is scheduled.

5.3.2 Electronic report: An e-copy of the report shall be submitted by the student on the UMS interface in a secured pdf format as per prescribed timelines. Submission of electronic copy is required in addition to the printed copy.

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Note: If a student submits e-copy on time but fails to submit the printed copy, one is liable to pay the fine and face any other consequence of non-submission of report. 5.4 Report submission with late fee:

i) In case of late submission, the students will deposit late fees in the Accounts Department and obtain a receipt of the same. ii) The receipt will be generated through the electronic interface which will be date and time sensitive. Hence the last report will be accepted by 5: 00 p.m on the last day of report submission with fine. Thereafter the interface will STOP assigning report numbers and generating late fee receipts. All the remaining students who are registered in courses to which this policy applies will automatically awarded R grade. iii) The student who submits the report with late fees must submit the receipt of deposition of late fee along with the printed report duly signed by the research supervisor on or before the last date of submission with fine.

5.5 Extension in Dissertation-II: i) In extreme circumstances, if the research supervisor declares that the thesis is not fit for final submission even with late fee, the student will be required to seek approval for extension atleast one week before the last teaching day of the term. No extension request shall be entertained after this timeline. ii) All requests for extension to deadline of submission of final report of Dissertation-II shall be made in a prescribed form attached as Annexure V Request for extension to deadline of submission. iii) All requests for extension shall be put up to the office of DAA through DOD for approval of competent authorities. iv) An extension period of maximum 2 months will be permitted to the student. v) The student who is permitted an extension must submit his/her final dissertation report with a fine of Rs 5000. vi) The office of DOD will ensure that all the students who were given special extension are evaluated (viva) within one week of the culmination of the extended date of submission. 6. Guidelines for Evaluation of Dissertation-I and Dissertation-II 6.1 Evaluation Criteria and Weightage for all programmes except M.PEd: Marks 40

Criteria Continuous Assessment by the Research Supervisor

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End Term Evaluation

60

Note: MTE evaluation will not be held for all the programmes to which this policy is applicable except M.PEd (Refer Point No. 6.4.1). 6.2 For Dissertation-I:

6.2.1 Parameters of continuous assessment (CA) by research supervisor in Dissertation-I:

Parameters Regularity (Weekly attendance) Progress of Work plan Progress in review of literature Progress in Research Methodology Progress in Report Writing Total

Marks 10 05 10 10 05 40

6.2.2 Parameters of ETE Evaluation in Dissertation-I: Parameters Innovativeness of the problem Review of Literature Research Methodology Preliminary research work Written Report Presentation Response to questions Total 5 20 20 5 20 10 20 100 Marks

Note: A minimum of 5 questions per student must be asked in the viva of 15 to 20 mins duration per student. 6.3 For Dissertation-II: 6.3.1 Parameters of continuous assessment (CA) by research supervisor in DissertationII:

Parameters

Marks Page 8 of 18

Regularity (Weekly attendance) Progress of Work Progress in Research Methodology Progress in Report Writing Total

10 10 10 10 40

6.3.2 Parameters of ETE Evaluation in Dissertation-II: Parameters Originality of work Contribution to the field Execution of proposed plan of work (research experiments/methods) Adequacy of data and information (research data) Adequacy of references/bibliography Dissertation/ Report Writing Presentation Response to questions Total Marks 10 05 20 10 5 20 10 20 100

Note:- 1. A minimum of 5 questions per student must be asked in the viva of 40 to 45 mins duration per student. 2. The marks of ETE in Dissertation-I and Dissertation-II shall be calculated as per the actual weightage, i.e. out of 60 marks. 6.4 Evaluation Criteria and Weightage for Dissertation-II in M.PEd: Criteria Continuous Assessment by the Research Supervisor Mid Term Evaluation End Term Evaluation Marks 20 30 50

Note:-1. The parameters of CA and ETE of Dissertation-II in M.PEd will be similar to that of all other programmes (Refer Point No. 6.3.1 and 6.3.2, respectively). 2. The marks of CA, MTE and ETE of Dissertation-II in M.PEd shall be calculated as per the actual weightage, i.e. out of 20, 30 and 50 marks, respectively. 6.4.1 Parameters of MTE Evaluation of Dissertation-II in M.PEd:

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Parameters Progress of Work Written Report Presentation Viva Total

Marks 10 10 10 20 50

6.5 Appointment of evaluation panel: i) Each panel shall consist of two neutral evaluators belonging to the domain in which students are pursing the project work. ii) The Research Supervisors are required to be present during the evaluation of their students but the Research Supervisor shall not evaluate the students. In a rare instance if the Research Supervisor is unable to be present, the evaluation will not be rescheduled. iii) The evaluation panel will consist of internal experts. iv) In case one or more external expert is to be invited (applicable for ETE only) it shall be approved by the appropriate authority through Division of Academic Affairs. DOD will provide the information in the prescribed format after consulting with the AOC and research supervisors. v) The proposed evaluation panels by HOD/COD will be approved by the office of DOD / CD in the format titled Database of Research Supervisors and Panels for MTE/ETE (Annexure VI). This information will be communicated to Division of Academic Affairs (DAA) by the office of DOD/ CD at least 15 days before MTE/ETE so that this data can be provided to Examination Division after audit. 6.6 Award of R Grade: i) R grade: R stands for resubmission. In case a student is awarded this grade then one is required to re-submit the report and reappear for viva. ii) The resubmission of the report is to be made within two weeks of the declaration of result as per process applicable for normal submission of printed as well as electronic report. In case a student fails to make the resubmission by the due date R grade will be converted to F grade. iii) A student will obtain R grade in the following cases: a) In case the student fails to submit the report in all the permissible time limits. Page 10 of 18

b) c)

In case a student is unable to secure enough marks to meet the passing condition. In case a student is absent in ETE.

Note 1 : In case R grade is awarded due to non-submission of report in all the permissible time limits, the student will get one chance to clear the R grade and it will be when the next Reappear exam is scheduled (e.g Non submission in Autumn 2012, will get a chance to reappear in Spring 2013). If the student does not submit the report as per prescribed timelines or does not appear in the exam or fails it, F grade will be awarded. Note 2: The reappear exam for Dissertation shall be scheduled only once. It shall not be scheduled in batches for different candidates. iv) In case of being awarded R grade student will be required to pay a resubmission exam fee of One Thousand Rupees. v) The reappear viva shall be taken as per schedule prescribed by Examination Division. In case external examiners are to be invited Exam Division will provide the proposed dates to the concerned discipline so that they can invite the examiners accordingly. vi) If a student is not able to pass the R grade viva at the first instance, then F grade shall be awarded. No additional chance to reappear shall be available and the student will be required to re-register for the course as a backlog student. vii) Students who require hostel facilities to pursue research work during the summer vacation or due to pendency of their ETE (reappear) or due to any reason will be required to pay the prescribed hostel charges. viii) In case a student obtains R Grade in Dissertation I then one can provisionally register in Dissertation II. In case one is not able to pass the R grade exam, F grade will be awarded and student will be deregistered from Dissertation II. 6.7 Award of F grade: i) F stands for fail grade. In case of F Grade the student is required to re-register for

the course in the next term. The student is required to repeat the research project and rewrite the report / thesis. One can select a fresh topic in case of backlog in Dissertation-I. However, in case of Dissertation-II, the student has to work on the same topic as in Dissertation-I. ii) F grade shall be awarded to the student in the following cases: a) The student could not pass the reappear exam. b) In case of plagiarism. In this case a UMC case is to made and referred to Page 11 of 18

Examination Division. If the plagiarism is finally proved then UMC Board may order the

award of F grade in the course and any other suitable punishment as may be deemed fit. Reasons for the decisions so taken shall be recorded in writing. iii) In case a student obtains F Grade in Dissertation I then one cannot register in Dissertation II unless one has passed Dissertation I. iv) If a student is awarded F grade, one will re-register for the course as per backlog registration guidelines. 6.8 Record Keeping i) The marks of Continuous Assessment shall be uploaded on UMS by the students

Research Supervisor every month. The marks uploaded each month will be auto calculated at the end of term as per the actual weightage of CA. ii) The award lists of MTE and ETE evaluations for all course codes to which this policy applies shall be sent to Examination Division by the office of Dean of Discipline within one day of the conduct of evaluation. iii) The award list must specify the R grade for the students who did not submit the reports in all permissible time limits. iv) The marks of MTE and ETE evaluations shall be uploaded on UMS by the Division of Examination. 7. Role of the Teaching Disciplines: i) To provide information to DAA regarding the availability of faculty for guiding students in dissertation. ii) Allocation of students to Research Supervisors based on their area of specialization and number of seats fixed. iii) Finalization of project topics by PAC. iv) Issuing of research requisitions to research supervisor as per prescribed timelines. v) Constitution of MTE/ETE panels. vi) Receiving the project reports from the students as per prescribed timelines. vii) Marking R Grades in case report submission is delayed beyond the prescribed timelines. viii) The AOC must forward the final reports to the respective panel members as per prescribed timelines. ix) Coordination with Division of Examination for preparation of MTE/ETE schedule.

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x)

Coordination with Division of Academic Affairs for providing the necessary information

regarding Approved Topics, Research Supervisors, status of research requisitions, evaluation panels and guidelines for conducting research. xi) Impartial conduct of evaluation. xii) Submission of MTE/ETE marks in Exam. Division. xiii) Information to Examination Division for constitution of UMC Board in case plagiarism is suspected. 8. i) Role of Research Supervisor: The supervisors role is to guide and encourage the student throughout the dissertation.

ii) The research supervisor shall help the student to formulate an appropriate, feasible, and innovative research work and to prepare the student with ideas, analysis, logics as well as communication skills. iii) The supervisor shall provide timely feedbacks to the student. iv) The research supervisor must reserve at least 1 hour per week per student and mark attendance of student through interface. Failure to do so will reflect negatively on the performance of the supervisor. v) The supervisor shall monitor the progress of student towards completion of dissertation

work as per prescribed timelines. vi) The supervisor shall also provide constructive feedbacks/recommendations while evaluating monthy reports to move the student forward in preparing final dissertation. 9. Role of Division of Examination: i) The MTE and ETE evaluation shall be conducted by Division of Examination in a

centralized manner during MTE and ETEs. ii) Division of examination shall release the date sheet for MTE and ETE of such courses in coordination with the concerned teaching discipline. A copy of the final date sheet shall be sent to DQA (Academics) so that practical flying squad duties can be allocated. iii) To convert R grade to F grade in case a student is not able to pass the R grade exam. iv) In case a student is not able to pass the reappear exam of Dissertation I and R grade is hence converted to F grade then this information is to be given to the Division of Academic Affairs for de-registration of such students from Dissertation II. v) Constitution of UMC Board wherever information about suspected plagiarism is received from any teaching discipline. Page 13 of 18

vi) Conducting reappear Exams: The Examination Division will be responsible for taking application for R grade exams on payment of prescribed fee & completion of all necessary documentation by the student. 10. Role of Division of Infotech: i) Assigning a unique report number to reports submitted on the due date and upto the last day with fine. ii) A date and time sensitive system for auto-generation of late fee receipts and non acceptance after the expiry of last date with late fee. iii) Automatic award of R grade to students registered for courses to which this policy applies, but did not submit after the expiry of last date (with fine/ late fee). iv) Mechanism for marking weekly attendance of student on UMS by the respective Research Supervisors. v) Mechanism for entry of monthly Continuous Assessment marks on UMS by the respective Research Supervisors. vi)Any other requirement to be communicated by DAA. 11. i) Role of Division of Academic Affairs: To seek information from all disciplines regarding the details of faculty available for

supervision. ii) To notify the data on UMS for allocation of research supervisors to students. iii) To seek approval of PAC received from all disciplines from the Office of ProChancellor. iv) To coordinate with Division of Infotech for communicating the requirements for software development. v) In case a student is not able to pass the R grade exam of Dissertation I and R grade is hence converted to F grade then de-registration of such students from Part II of the Dissertation shall be done by Division of academic Affairs. vi) Division of Academic Affairs shall verify the MTE and ETE panel composition received from the disciplines. This information will be sent to examination department for scheduling the evaluation. vii) Division of Academic Affairs shall send its representatives for monitoring MTE and ETE evaluations as per the date sheet approved by Division of Examination. viii) DAA shall provide necessary clarification on the policy and update the same as per requirement. Page 14 of 18

12. Role of Division of Quality Assurance (Academics): Division of Quality Assurance (Academics) shall send its representatives for inspections for ETE evaluations as per the date sheet approved by Division of Examination.

13. Role of Accounts Department: The Accounts department shall receive the late fee from the students in case of late submission and generate the receipt of the same.

Discipline: ________________

PROJECT/DISSERTATION TOPIC APPROVAL PERFORMA Name of student : .. Batch: .. Session : . Details of Guide: Name.... U.ID.. PROPOSED TOPICS 1. Signature of Guide *Guide should finally encircle one topic out of three proposed topics and put up for approval before Project Approval Committee (PAC) *Original copy of this format after PAC approval will be retained by the student and must be attached in the Project/Dissertation synopsis and final report. *One copy to be submitted to guide. APPROVAL PAC CHAIRPERSON Signature: Registration No:. Roll No. .. Parent section :.. Designation: Qualification: .. Research Experience: .

2.

3.

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Format for Monthly Progress Report A. Report Content (as per the progress of work): 1. Title page (with month of submission) 2. Table of contents 3. List of tables and figures 4. Abbreviations 5. Introduction (1-2 pages) 6. Review of literature 7. Rationale of study 8. Aim and objectives 9. Research Methodology 10. Expected outcome of the study 11. Research/Experimental work done 12. Results and discussion 13. Conclusion 14. Bibliography B. Text Format 1) Font Times New Roman of 12 2) Spacing 1.5 line spacing

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Outline of Final Report in Dissertation-I and Dissertation-II

I)

Dissertation-I: The final project report of Dissertation-I shall contain: Approved research topic in the prescribed format. Introduction Review of Literature Rationale/Scope of the study Objectives of the study Research Methodology Work Plan with timelines (wherever applicable) Expected outcome of the study Preliminary research/experimental work done

II)

Dissertation-II:

The dissertation/thesis must contain: Introduction Review of Literature Rationale/Scope of the study Hypothesis of the study Methodology Results & discussion Conclusion References/Bibliography.

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Request for extension to deadline of submission Section-I: To be completed by student Student Name Registration No. Programme Code Programme Name Batch Year Session & Term Course Code Course Title Name of Supervisor UID of Research Supervisor Research Topic Original Submission Date Requested Extension Till Date of request Reason for Extension Request:

Signature of Student: Remarks of Research Supervisor along with signature:

Remarks of Academic Operation Co-ordinator:

Remarks of Chairperson of PAC (DOD):

Remarks of Division of Academic Affairs:

Section-II: Decision of Higher Authority Decision Extended Submission Date Signature of Higher Authority Date: Note: The student must be informed about the decision within 3 days of outcome. Granted/Rejected

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