BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

BAHIR DAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

Thesis Proposal Writing Guide

Table of Content
1 Style and Formatting ................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Fonts................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Margins and Line Spacing ................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Pagination ........................................................................................................................ 1
2 Order and Components ........................................................................................................... 3
3 Descriptions ............................................................................................................................. 4
3.1 Cover Page ....................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Approval Page .................................................................................................................. 4
3.3 Acknowledgements (optional) ......................................................................................... 4
3.4 Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... 4
3.5 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. 5
3.6 Summary .......................................................................................................................... 5
3.7 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 5
3.8 Literature Review ............................................................................................................. 5
3.9 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................... 6
3.10 Objective of the study ...................................................................................................... 6
3.11 Methodology.................................................................................................................... 7
3.12 Scope of the study ........................................................................................................... 7
3.13 Significance of the study .................................................................................................. 7
3.14 Work plan ......................................................................................................................... 8
3.15 Budget Plan ...................................................................................................................... 8
References ................................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix .................................................................................................................................... 14
4 Thesis Proposal Presentation Examination............................................................................ 15

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1 Style and Formatting

Scientific writing requires consistency in style and format in research proposals. Certain
rules are presented below.

1.1 Fonts

All of the narrative in the research proposal should be written in 12 point Times New
Roman font size. The cover page of the thesis proposal is presented in 14-point font
size.The text in the cover page will be in bold face font. The first level headings in the
research proposal will be in 14-point font size. The first and second level headings are
written in bold title case letters, i.e. the first letter of each major word of the headings is
written in upper case letters. All remaining lower level headings are written in sentence
case.

1.2 Margins and Line Spacing

A margin of 1.5″ (3.81cm) on the left is for binding. A margin of 1” (2.54 cm) each on the
right, top and bottom of the page is required. The same margins should be applied to all
pages including those of the figures and tables. The line spacing for all of the narrative is
1.5 although single line spacing is to be applied to captions of tables and figures. An extra
line (1.5 spacing) is kept between paragraphs above and below all headings, subheadings
and captions. All paragraphs should be in block paragraph format.

1.3 Pagination

Each component of the preliminary section, each chapter of the narrative, the References
and the Appendix must start on a new page. Except for the cover page, every page of the
proposal is assigned a page number. Small Roman numerals such as i, ii, iii, etc. are used
for the preliminary section from the title page to the page preceding the Introduction.
Arabic numerals such as 1, 2, 3, etc. are used from the first page of the Introduction to the
last page of the Appendix. Center all page numbers at the bottom of the page.

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2 Order and Components

The research proposal submitted by a graduate student for a master’s is expected to have
the following sections although there can be some limited variation based on the academic
discipline.

1. Cover Page
2. Approval Page
3. Acknowledgements (optional)
4. Abbreviations
5. Table of Contents
6. Summary
7. Introduction
8. Literature Review
9. Problem Statement
10. Objective of the study
11. Methodology
12. Scope of the study
13. Significant of the study
14. Work plan
15. Budget plan
References
Appendix

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3 Descriptions

3.1 Cover Page

The cover page should be informative and consist of the names of the university (Bahir
Dar University), the institute (Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, the title of the research
proposal, the academic degree sought, the name of the graduate student, the faculty,
program of study and the advisorsname(co-advisor is optional). The month and year
followed by the location are the last items on the cover page. Title case letters are
recommended in the style of writing although the names of theUniversity, Institute and
Facultyshould be in bold capital. Sample cover page is shown in Appendix A.
Title: The title of the thesis proposal should be clear, specificand concise. The title should
accurately capture and reflect the main theme (objective) of the proposed study.

3.2 Approval Page

The approval page is presented next to the cover pageof a master’s thesis research proposal.
The approval page will be used to get formal approval of the proposal. Before submission
the proposal should be approved by an advisor, chair holder and also by the faculty dean.

3.3 Acknowledgements (optional)

The acknowledgements section recognizes the persons and/or institutions the student is
grateful for guidance or assistance received and those to whom the student extends thanks
for special aid or support in the preparation of the proposal.

3.4 Abbreviations

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In this section students list in alphabetical order the abbreviations or acronyms followed
by their descriptions in full. In the narrative, each abbreviation/acronym/ other than S.I.
units should be defined in full when they are first used and then followed by their
abbreviation /acronym/ in parentheses. Standard units do not need to be listed.

3.5 Table of Contents

All of the headings and entries in the table of contents should correspond exactly in
wording, font and case with the headings or entries as they appear in the text of the
proposal. Subdivisions of headings should not exceed three levels (e.g.1.4.2).

3.6 Summary

Abstract should include the background of the research proposal topic, objectives of the
study and the methods to be used in the research project. It should be concise and less than
one page in length. This summary should be presented in one single block paragraph
without subtitles or any divisions and without Citation (reference).

3.7 Introduction

The introduction is the first chapter that is numbered. It provides pertinent background
information and should be as brief as possible. Ideally, it should not exceed three pages in
length.

The introduction includes brief background and clear statement of the problem, nature,
symptoms, and extent of the problem and variables influencing the problem, thus leading
to a clear set of research objectives.

3.8 Literature Review

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The literature review is chapter two. It should be a critical analysis of relevant existing
knowledge on the proposed research topic. It includes the strengths, the limitations and
gaps of previous studies. The literature review should be relevant with recent citations on
the topic. Citations within the past five years are ideal and generally considered current.
Citations ten years and older should be used sparingly and only when necessary.
Unpublished documents and lay sources like encyclopedias are strictly discouraged. This
is done by the student carefully tracking and referencing each and every document used.

3.9 Problem Statement

The problem statement is one of the most important components of your study. In 180-250
words you need to convince the reader that this study MUST be done(or HAD to be done).
Society or one of its institutions has some pressing problem that needs(needed) closer
examination. The study will answer(answered) some part of this serious problem in a
unique and clever way.

The problem statement describes the context for the study and it also identifies the general
analysis approach. A problem might be defined as the issue that exists in the literature,
theory, or practice that leads to a need for the study.

It is important in a proposal that the problem stand out that the reader can easily recognize
it. Effective problem statements answer the question “why does this research need to be
conducted”.

3.10 Objective of the study

To get right solution of right problem, clearly defined objectives are very important. The
objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study. Objective
should be closely related to the statement of the problem. Objective is a purpose that can
be reasonably achieved within the expected timeframe and with the available resources.

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General objective: are broad goals to be achieved. The general objectives of the study
state what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in general terms. General
objectives can be broken down into small logically connected parts to form specific
objectives. General objective is met through accomplishing the entire specific objective.

Specific objectives:are short terms and narrow in focus. The specific objectives are more
in number and they systematically address various aspects of problem as defined under the
statement of the problem.

3.11 Methodology

It describes precisely what will be done and how it will be done, what data will be recorded,
the proposed tools or instruments to be used in data collection and the methods of analyzing
the data.
In this chapter, the student should give clear, specific, appropriate and credible procedures
that will be followed to attain the proposed objectives of the study. The research design
planned for use should be clearly stated. The research methods should be appropriate to
the problem area, i.e., the statement of the problem, the objectives and the hypotheses. The
student should also address the methods of data collection, data quality control and
methods of data analysis.

3.12 Scope of the study

One of the first tasks of a researcher is defining the scope of a study, i.e., its area (theme,
field) and the amount of information to be included. Narrowing the scope of your thesis
can be time-consuming. Paradoxically, the more you limit the scope, the more interesting
it becomes. This is because a narrower scope lets you clarify the problem and study it at
greater depth.

3.13 Significance of the study

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The Significance of the Study describes what contribution your study will make to the
broad literature or set of broad educational problems upon completion. In this activity, you
will draft your Significance of the Study by determining what you hope will benefit others
and/or how readers will benefit or learn from your study.This part is tell how the study
would be beneficial to society and specific person.

3.14 Work plan

The student assigns time frames for the completion of various activities of the proposed
research. The work plan can be presented in the form of a Gant chart or a table. Only major
activities for accomplishing the specific research and corresponding time frames should be
included in the Gant chart or table.This time table predicts the duration of each step and
the overall thesis. The purpose of the work plan is to show that you have thought carefully
through what needs to be done, and how and when it will be done. In practice, you will
almost certainly need to modify the plan as the work proceeds, but establishing a plan from
the outset can help you foresee and avoid potential difficulties.

3.15 Budget Plan

This involves first discussing and then listing, in a series of separate tables, the necessary
and required personnel, per diem, days required to conduct research, transportation costs,
supervision, equipment, stationery, expendable research supplies and materials, laboratory
analysis and any associated services for the project. Item costs should be reasonable and
reflect a fair and current market price. The budget should be prepared in accordance with
the policies of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology.

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References

The references chapter must include all works cited in the research proposal. All citations
appearing in the narrative of the proposal must be included in the references chapter and
vice versa. Do not add references list which is not cited in the narrative. In-text citations
and references should carefully follow the APA style with hanging indent by 0.4’’. The
tables (Table 1,Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, Table 5, Table 6, Table 7, and Table 8) show
examples for citation and referencing of different sources, but for detail information check
http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/index.aspx.

Table 1Citation and Referencing APA Format (Book and eBook)

Material Type
Book and eBook In-Text Citation
Book: Single (Pegrum, 2009)
author
Book: Two (Page & Stritzke, 2015)
authors But when outside
parenthesis:
Page and Stritzke (2015)
suggested that ...
Book: 3-5 authors First citation: (Ranzijn,
McConnochie, & Nolan,
2009)
Subsequent citations:
(Ranzijn et al., 2009)
Reference List
Pegrum, M. (2009). From blogs to
bombs: The future of electronic
technologies in education.
Crawley, W.A: UWA Publishing.
Page, A. C., & Stritzke, W. G. K.
(2015). Clinical psychology for
trainees: Foundations of science-
informed practice (2nd ed.).
Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Ranzijn, R., McConnochie, K., &
Nolan, W. (2009). Psychology and
indigenous Australians:
Foundations of cultural
competence. South Yarra, Vic:
Palgrave Macmillan.

Table 2Citation and Referencing APA Format (Journal Articles)

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 Material Type In Text-Citation References
Journal Articles
Journal article in Sohrabi, H. R., Weinborn, M., Badcock,
print: 8 or more (Sohrabi et al., 2011) J., Bates, K. A., Clarnette, R.,
authors Trivedi, D., … Martins, R. N. (2011).
New lexicon and criteria for the
diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Lancet Neurology, 10(4), 299-300.

Journal article (Gagné et al., 2015, p.
online: With 185)
direct quotation or Or
paraphrase Gagné et al. (2015)
reported that “Results
showed that the MWMS
had an invariant
configuration in the
three languages” (p.
185), ...
Gagné, M., Forest, J., Vansteenkiste, M.,
Crevier-Braud, L., van den Broeck, A.,
Aspeli, A. K., . . . Westbye, C. (2015).
The Multidimensional Work
Motivation Scale: Validation evidence
in seven languages and nine countries.
European Journal of Work and
Organizational Psychology, 24(2),
178-196.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.20
13.877892

Table 3Citation and Referencing APA Format (Conference Proceeding)

Material Type (Game, 2001) Game, A. (2001). Creative ways of

being. In J. R. Morss, N.
Conference Stephenson & J. F. H. V. Rappard
Proceedings (Eds.), Theoretical issues in
Paper in psychology: Proceedings of the
conference International Society for
proceedings in Theoretical Psychology 1999
print Conference (pp. 3-12). Sydney:
Springer.
Paper in (Balakrishnan, 2006) Balakrishnan, R. (2006, March). Why
conference aren't we using 3D user interfaces,
proceedings and will we ever? Paper presented
online: Electronic at the IEEE Symposium on 3D User
database Interfaces.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/vr.2006.1
48

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Table 4Citation and Referencing APA Format (Report)

Material Type In-Text Citation Reference List

Reports
Government (Western Australia. Western Australia. Department of
reports Department of Health Health Nursing and Midwifery
Nursing and Midwifery Office. (2013). Aboriginal Nursing
Office, 2013). and Midwifery Strategic Plan 2011-
2015. Retrieved from
http://www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au/
projects/
Non-government (Kendall, 2011) Kendall, C. (2011). Report on
reports psychological distress and depression
in the legal profession: Prepared for
the Council of the Law Society of
Western Australia. Retrieved from
http://www.mhlcwa.org.au/wp-
content/uploads

Table 5Citation and Referencing APA Format (Standards and Patents)

Material Type In-Text Citation Reference List

Standards and Standards Australia. (1994). Information
Patents (Standards Processing - Text and office systems -
Standard: Print Australia/New Zealand Office Document Architecture (ODA)
Standard, 1994) and Interchange format: Part 10:
Formal Specifications (AS/NZS
3951.10:1994). Homebush, NSW:
Standards Australia.
Standard online: (Standards Australia, Standards Australia. (2008). Personal
Electronic 2008) flotation devices – General
database requirements (AS 4758.1-2008).
Retrieved from Standards Online.
Patent (U.S. Patent No. Hornak, P. (1996). Resonator for
5,641,424.7, 1996) magnetic resonance imaging of the
ankle. U.S. Patent No. 5,641,424.7

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Table 6Citation and Referencing APA Format (Theses)

Material Type In-Text Citation Reference List

Theses Lockhart, E. (2009). The physical education
Thesis in print: (Lockhart, 2009) curriculum choices of Western Australian
Unpublished primary school teachers (Unpublished
master’s thesis). University of Western
Australia.
Thesis in print: (May, 2007) May, B. (2007). A survey of radial velocities in
Published the zodiacal dust cloud. Bristol, UK: Canopus
Publishing.
Thesis online: (Rich, 1989) Rich, P. D. (1989). The rule of ritual in the
Electronic Arabian Gulf, 1858-1947: The influence of
database English public schools (Doctoral dissertation).
Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and
Theses - UK & Ireland. (AAT 8918197)
Thesis online: (Brydges, 2014) Brydges, C. (2014). The development of
Institutional executive functions: Evidence from
repository behavioral and electrophysiological
perspectives. (Doctoral dissertation,
University of Western Australia, Crawley,
WA). Retrieved from http://research-
repository.uwa.edu.au/en/publications/the-
development-of-executive-functions-
evidence-from-behavioural-and-
electrophysiological-persepctives(6dce2f55-
4ab2-4bfe-85c7-5fba8545f186).html

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Table 7Citation and Referencing APA Format (Web Pages)

Material Type In-Text Citation Reference List

Web Pages
Web page (Australian Psychological Australian Psychological Society.
Society, 2008) (2008). Substance abuse: Position
statement. Retrieved from
http://www.psychology.org.au/pub
lications/statements/substance/

Table 8Citation and Referencing APA Format (Tables and Figures)

Material Type In-Text Citation Reference List

Tables & Figure 6. Adapted from Marsh, A., & Viglione, D. J. (1992). A
Figures “A Conceptual Conceptual validation study of the texture
Validation Study of the response on the Rorschach. Journal of
Texture Response on Personality Assessment, 58(3), 571-579.
the Rorschach, " by A.
Marsh and D. J. Republished or adapted tables, figures or data
Viglione, 1992, Journal must be clearly marked and the original source
of Personality provided in text and appended to the caption of
Assessment, 58(3), p. the table or figure.
576. Copyright 1992 by
Society for Personality
Assessments. Adapted
with permission.

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Appendix

If there is any supplement materials app (addendum), it will appear as the last chapter of
the proposal as Appendix. It includes, for example, information such as drafts of
questionnaires in English and other languages, participants informed consent forms,
observation check lists, pictures and specifications of the equipment to be used in the
research, mathematical formulae or derivations, a detailed description of the sample
selection procedures ,long and dummy tables.

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4 Thesis Proposal Presentation Examination

A Thesis proposal presentation shall be conducted as a preliminary report. The evaluation

is done by the Thesis proposal presentation evaluation form prepared for this purpose. The
faculty postgraduate coordinators will arrange and announce the date Thesis proposal
presentation. The graduate student should present his/her thesis proposal in the presence of
advisor, internal examiner and chair assigned by the respective faculty. The evaluation
grade of the progress is pass/fail.

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 BAHIRDAR UNIVERSITY
BAHIRDAR INSITITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF RESEARCH AND GRADUATE PROGRAM
THESIS PROPOSAL EVALUATION FORM
Name of the Candidate’s:______________________________________ ID No._____
Thesis/MEngTopic :____________________________________________________

Evaluation Parameters/Criteria of the Thesis:

No Focus Areas
Marking Score
1 Clearly stated statement of the problems 15%
2 Clearly defined general objectives and specific objectives 15%
3 Clearly stated methodology 15%
4 Related and recent literature review 15%
5 How important is the thesis topic 15%
6 Feasibility of the work plan and budget plan 15%
8 Overall judgment of the examiner 10%
total 100%

Is there any plagiarism? ____________________________________________________

General Comments(use extra sheet if required):_________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Name ofInternal Examiner/ Advisor: _______________________________________.
Signature of Internal Examiner/ Advisor:_____________________________________.

Grading ≥ 50% < 50%

Scale pass Fail

Decision by the Examining Board:

__________________________________________________.

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