GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF

PROJECT REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT OSMANIA UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD - 500007

PROJECT WORK
1. INTRODUCTION As a student of Master of Business Administration (MBA) you are required to undertake a major individual piece of research work - the Project or Dissertation !n contrast to the other elements of your pro"ramme# where you are "uided fairly closely# the aim of the Project is to "ive you the opportunity to learn independently and show that you can identify# define and analyse pro$lems and issues and inte"rate knowled"e in a $usiness conte%t !t is an important part of the pro"ramme that tests your a$ility to understand and apply the theory# the concepts and the tools of analysis to a specific pro$lem situation &his project hand$ook has $een compiled to clarify the framework of the project and su""est some ways of assurin" success &he only precise rule on what constitutes an accepta$le project is that it should $e an ordered critical e%position# which affords evidence of reasonin" power and knowled"e of the relevant literature in an approved field fallin" within the subject matter o the !ro"ramme # $ana"ement &he emphasis should $e on applied research and the investi"ation of some practical pro$lem or issue related to the situation in which an or"anisation or system operates Please note that the project must not $e treated as just another assi"nment &he Project

provides the opportunity to jud"e the student's time and self-mana"ement skills and his(her a$ility to successfully undertake a lon" and in-depth study )ence it is not only the product that is important# $ut also the process itself *tudents must therefore ensure that they maintain re"u%ar contact with their su!er&isor and also that they provide the supervisor with drafts of their work at re"ular intervals +inally# to keep yourself up-to-date and under control as re"ards your project# it is imperative that you meet 'our su!er&isor re"u%ar%'.

(. DE)INITION* +ND O,ERIEW O) PROJECT &he project is a practical# in-depth study of a pro$lem# issue# opportunity# technique or procedure - or some com$ination of these aspects of $usiness &ypically# you will $e required to define an area of investi"ation# carve out research desi"n# assem$le relevant data# analyse the data# draw conclusions and make recommendations .our project should demonstrate or"anisational# analytical and evaluative skills# and# where appropriate# an a$ility to desi"n a suita$le implementation and review procedure &he project is the lon"est -(./000 wor1s2 and most ori"inal piece of work you will undertake in your post-"raduate study !t will occupy# with varyin" de"rees of commitment# a period of two semesters

3. 4UIDE5INE* +ND RE6UIRE$ENT* )OR T7E PROJECT &he purpose of the project is to "ive students the opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of an applied nature# synthesi/in" various elements# yet pursin" one area of interest in depth .our project report should make clear what you have attempted and why you have attempted it0 the methods that you have used to collect# collate and analy/e the information o$tained0 and how you have evaluated it Any recommendations made should $e supported $y the evidence presented and $y lo"ical ar"ument usin" deductive and inductive reasonin" +or a Project to $e of a hi"h quality it is imperative to avoid detailed description devoid of analytical content &he assessment criteria or the Project are shown in the Project 1radin" *heet attached as +!!en1i8 9 to this )and$ook .ou should ensure throu"h the entire period that you work on your project that it meets these requirements

.. C7OO*IN4 + TOPIC 2hoosin" your topic is pro$a$ly the hardest thin" you will do The choice o to!ic is u! to 'ou/ with "ui1ance rom 'our su!er&isor/ but/ he: she is not there to ma;e the 1ecision or 'ou. &o a lar"e e%tent# your ideas will $e influenced $y your situation !f you are in employment you may $e a$le to research into a real life pro$lem or# if you are not employed# you may choose a more "eneral $usiness issue !n either case# initial ideas are likely to ori"inate in a va"ue form and may lack a clear focus &hese then need to $e developed into somethin" mana"ea$le and practical $y consideration of availa$le literature( te%ts and discussion with your project supervisors once allocated 3

..1. $ost Project i1eas come rom< Persona% e8!erience o em!%o'ment4 this is an o$vious startin" point for the project $ecause in every or"anisation there would $e some issue that can $e researched into An e%ample of a project ori"inatin" from this way could $e an evaluation of the &rainin" Department of your or"anisation or an evaluation of the performance appraisal systems used for salesmen in your or"anisation Obser&ation o e&ents4 Personal o$servation of events in the or"anisation(

environment can serve as a startin" point for a project idea An e%ample of this could $e that as an employee you o$serve that the employee turnover in your or"anisation is very hi"h and as your project you could research into the reasons for this and make suita$le recommendations Issues o current interest4 5eviewin" key issues of $roader relevance may $e another useful indicator for a project idea *pecific consideration of the aspects of the effect of a "overnment policy or a phenomenon on the performance of an or"anisation(se"ment(system may provide suita$le ideas for a Project .ou need to take care when dealin" with issues such as these !t may $e necessary to confine yourself to an aspect of the issue or you could find yourself tacklin" somethin" that is too $i" to handle effectively and "ives you a very wide project area# which inevita$ly lacks depth of analysis Whate&er the source o 'our !roject i1ea/ ami%iarit' with the area is im!erati&e or the success u% com!%etion o the !roject. =. *COPE O) T7E PROJECT An accepta$le project will normally fall into one of the followin" cate"ories4 E8!%orator'- a study that involves carryin" out ori"inal research in order to meet the or"ani/ation's continual need for new information for forward decision-makin" &he main issues may $e human# economical# functional etc# $ut the construction and(or application of some kind of research instrument are the focus of the study &he analysis of the research findin"s (e.g. client's responses to questionnaire a$out chan"in" product specifications) should take place# resultin" in proposals a$out how to mana"e relevant aspects of the or"anisation's future E8!%anator'- a study# which would involve studyin" relationships $etween different varia$les like a cause 6 effect relationship study 7

Descri!ti&e- a study that would need an in-depth portrayal of an accurate profile of events or situations from the $usiness environment

>. OR4+NI*+TION O) PROJECT REPORT &his section presents some of the norms associated with a project !t is stron"ly recommended that you o%%ow these "ui1e%ines &he final report should $e presented in the followin" sequence4 &itle pa"e *tudent's Declaration (Anne%ure-!) *upervisor's 2ertificate (Anne%ure-!!) A$stract Acknowled"ements &a$le of 2ontents4 8ist of &a$les 8ist of fi"ures 8ist of Appendices

Chapter 1 Intro1uction4 &his chapter includes the research pro$lem# need for study(si"nificance of the project# o$jectives# hypotheses# methodolo"y - scope# sample desi"n# sources of information# tools and techniques of analysis# structure of the study with sound justifications(e%planations Chapter 2 5iterature Re&iew4 &his chapter should reflect the student's understandin" of the relevant theoretical and empirical $ack"round of the pro$lem +ocus should $e more on the lo"ical presentation of the empirical evolution of conceptual and methodolo"ical issues pertainin" to research pro$lem Also hi"hli"ht the methodolo"ical clues drawn throu"h this review for your project Chapter 3 The com!an':Or"anisation:*'stem< &his chapter should contain a $rief historical retrospect a$out the entity of your study Chapter 4 & 5: Present your data analysis and inferences Chapter 6 *ummar' an1 Conc%usions4 1ives an overview of the project# conclusions# implications and recommendations Also specify the limitations of your study .ou may indicate the scope for further research

 9ib%io"ra!h'4 8ist the $ooks# articles# we$sites that are referred and useful for research on the topic of your specific project +ollow )arvard style of referencin" +!!en1ices .our documents should $e appropriately num$ered !t is usual for Pa"e : to start with the !ntroduction &he sections prior to the !ntroduction are usually num$ered with small 5omans# i e i# ii# iii !t is easier if appendices are num$ered in a separate sequence (su""est A# B# 2) rather than as a continuation of the main report ;hile presentation follows this sequence# it may $e actually written in a very different order +or e%ample# the introduction is often the last major section to $e completed >.1. Tit%e Pa"e -e8am!%e2 <eep it very simple Do not descri$e the contents )ave a workin" title and then decide a final title when you have finished the Project &his is the standard format of the &itle Pa"e that every student is e%pected to use

Effectiveness of Liquidity Risk Management Policies, Procedures and Strategies of ICICI Bank (Name of Student) (Student hall ticket number)

Project su mitted in !artial fulfilment for t"e a#ard of t"e $egree of MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION by Osmania Univ !si"#$ H#% !a&a% -500007

>.(. +bstract &his is a summary of a$out 300 wor1s (not more than one si1e o 1oub%e#s!ace1 +.) that descri$es the topic0 e%plains the aims and methods of the study and "ives a $rief resume of the main conclusions and recommendations =

>.3. +c;now%e1"ements )ere you have the opportunity to thank the various people who have helped in the development of the project !t mi"ht include specific individuals who have "iven information# offered insi"hts# or "enerally $een supportive 1ratitude may $e e%pressed to "roups of people# like those who were studied# or fellow students &ry not to $e too flippant or too >soppy?@

>... Tab%e o Contents &he contents pa"e "ives the reader the first view of how the project is structured and how the author attempted to develop the topic !t lists sequentially the sections and major su$divisions of the sections0 each identified $y a headin" and located $y a pa"e num$er &he followin" $o% "ives an e%ample

CONTENT* 8ist of &a$les 8ist of +i"ures 1 !B&5CDD2&!CB (. 5EF!E; C+ 8!&E5A&D5E 3. &)E 2CMPAB.

Tab%e o Contents P+4E NU$9ER* i ii : := ,9 7G 7G 79 9G =G

.. DA&A ABA8.*!* 6 P5E*EB&A&!CB 7 : Presentation and Analysis 7 , !nterpretations = *DMMA5. 6 2CB28D*!CB* >. B!B8!C15AP).

? APPEBD!2E* =9 Appendi% A - Cr"anisational structure of Blo""s 8td == Appendi% B=A

@our !recise structure wi%% ha&e to be tai%ore1 to the nee1s o 'our own !rojects. I in 1oubt/ 1iscuss with 'our !roject su!er&isor at an ear%' sta"e.

>.=. 5ist o Tab%es an1 )i"ures &hrou"hout the project# it is likely that you will want to present material in ta$ulated or dia"rammatic form *ome such presentations will $ear only indirectly or partially on your ar"uments# and in such cases you will need to decide a$out their proper location Additional or less relevant information may $e $etter placed in an appendi% ;hether you decide to locate your ta$les(fi"ures in the main $ody of the report or the appendices# it is conventional to provide special >contents pa"es? so that readers can easily find the information &a$les and fi"ures should $e listed on a separate pa"e as shown $elow E8am!%es o 5ist o Tab%es

LIS% &' %(BLES %(BLE I II III Redundancies in the Food Industry, by age, 1980-1987 Employee s !ttitudes to "oti#ational Factors, by occupation Employee s !ttitudes to "oti#ational Factors, by gender P()E *+MBERS 3 $

E8am!%es o 5ist o )i"ures LIS% &' 'I)+RES 'I)+RES I II "aslo% s &ierarchy o' (eeds *room s E+pectancy ,heory P()E *+MBER ) 10

>.>. Intro1uction &he introduction is crucial# since it sets the tone and conte%t for the rest of the project !n the introduction# it is important to outline the reasons $ehind the study - your motives or rationale for conductin" the study .ou must "ive a $road introduction to the topic under review and types of issues it raises 2entral to this part of the project is the settin" of clear o$jectives# which you intend to achieve $y the end of the study .our statement of o$jectives should $e concise and precise# and should $e carefully considered in the li"ht of your ori"inal aims and what you have $een a$le to achieve in your study +inally# you should include a summary of how you are "oin" to treat the chosen topic# runnin" $riefly throu"h the sections to show how the structure of the project allows you to e%plore the topic in your selected way >.?. The $ain 9o1' o the Project &he structurin" of the project will reflect your preferences# so there is no one $est way to do it )owever# there are predicta$le issues that need coverin" and your structure should permit you to deal with them in an orderly fashion +or e%ample# a project will include a literature review0 most will involve the reportin" of primary research0 all will need to draw conclusions and consider recommendations Additionally# all projects will include a section outlinin"# and justifyin"# the methodolo"y you have adopted and should link research methods to the o$jectives and literature review &he main $ody of the project must take the reader lo"ically throu"h a variety of linked ar"uments# relatin" theory and practice# concepts and concrete o$servations# so that the reader can understand and identify with the conclusions and recommendations of the author .our ar"uments need to $e drawn demonstra$ly from your own o$servations and "rounded in an authoritative set of ideas &hey should not $e anecdotal Althou"h the ar"uments should $e presented in a ti"ht structured form - usin" headin"s at re"ular intervals to achieve this they should also have an essential discursive character# i.e. you should fully e%plore the implications and ramifications of the topic $y developin" the ar"uments in a relevant way I

.ou should ensure that you have covered all the major issues pertinent to the topic $y the end of the main $ody of the project Dependin" on the nature of your project# it mi"ht $e appropriate to include a summary of your findin"s $efore em$arkin" on your conclusions >.A *ummar' an1 Conc%usion .our 2onclusion should include a summary of your main ar"uments# drawin" to"ether the various themes and issues so that they can $e $rou"ht to $ear on the defined o$jectives of the study As with all reports# there should $e no new information introduced in this section .our 5ecommendations should $e feasi$le# practical and must place your conclusions within a concrete and practical framework .ou need to consider your recommendations in the conte%t of their possi$le human# financial# political# mana"erial# etc# implications .our recommendations should $e justified >.B +!!en1ices .ou should locate in the appendices all that information which "ives an additional# quasirelevant support to the ar"uments you are constructin" !t is important that you put all the information you require the reader to attend to# in the main $ody of the te%t Appendices should $e consistently si"nified $y letter (APPEBD!J A# APPEBD!J B) or $y num$er (5oman) and "ive titles that indicate their contents Do remem$er to source information in appendices appropriately >.10 9ib%io"ra!h' an1 Re erencin" 5eferencin" is necessary to avoid pla"iarism# to verify quotations and to ena$le readers to follow-up and read more fully the cited author's ar"uments 5eference is "iven within the te%t of the project as well as at the end of the project &he $asic difference $etween citation and a reference list ($i$lio"raphy) is that the latter contains full details of all the in-te%t citations Citation provides $rief details of the author and date of pu$lication for referencin" the work in the $ody of the te%t Re erence 5ist is "iven at the end of the te%t and is a list of all references used with additional details provided to help identify each source 5eferences should $e made to sources of material throu"hout the report Farious conventions are used for referencin" $ut you must use 7ar&ar1 Re erencin"# as shown in +!!en1i8 +# :G

throu"hout your report

Proper referencin" is a crucial aspect of your project .ou are therefore stron"ly advised to talk to your supervisor a$out this# in order to make sure that your project report follows the appropriate referencin" system ?. TEC7NIC+5 *PECI)IC+TION* O) T7E PROJECT &he project should $e typed on +. white !a!er# and $e 1oub%e#%ine s!ace1. &he left mar"in should not $e less than .0 mm and the ri"ht mar"in not less than (0 mm All pa"es should $e numbere1# and num$ers should $e placed at the centre of the $ottom of the pa"e# not less than :G mm a$ove the ed"e +%% tab%es/ i"ures an1 a!!en1ices should $e consecutively num$ered or lettered# and suita$ly la$elled 3 boun1 co!ies 6 a so t#co!' should $e handed in to the Princi!a%:Director o 'our Co%%e"e:Institute at the time of su$mission NOTE< 2olle"e in turn would su$mit Two $ound copies of all the projects to the 2ontroller of E%aminations alon" with a consolidated 2D containin" the soft copy of the projects and the list of project titles sorted on the )& Bum$ers with linka"es to the respective project file &he columns in the list should include )&BC # Bame of the *tudent# Major Elective and the Project &itle 2olle"e name and the year should $e mentioned on the 2D

A. P5+4I+RI*$ Any attempt to copy from another (present or previous) student or to copy lar"e chunks from academic or other sources without appropriately referencin" those sources will tri""er the full wei"ht of pla"iarism procedures I there is an' 1oubt concernin" the authenticit' o 'our wor;/ the uni&ersit' reser&es the ri"ht to 1eman1 an in1i&i1ua% !resentation be ore a !ane% at which 'ou wi%% be reCuire1 to re!%' to s!ontaneous Cuestions. +%% the materia% that re%ates to 'our !roject/ inc%u1in" com!%ete1 Cuestionnaires or ta!es rom inter&iews/ shou%1 be shown to 'our su!er&isor an1 be ;e!t unti% the e8amination boar1 has con irme1 'our resu%ts. Do not throw this materia% awa' once 'our !roject is submitte1/ as 'ou mi"ht be as;e1 to !resent it as !art o the &i&a &oce/ ::

be ore 'our !roject resu%ts are con irme1.

B. @OU +ND @OUR *UPER,I*OR &he supervisorKs role is one of "uidance - providin" advice and pointin" out possi$le pro$lems that may arise The su!er&isorDs ro%e is to a!!raise 'our i1eas an1 wor;. .ou must take overall responsi$ility for $oth the content of your project and its mana"ement &his includes se%ection o an a!!ro!riate subject area -with the a!!ro&a% o the su!er&isor2 # settin" up meetin"s with the supervisor# devisin" and keepin" to a work schedule (to include contin"ency plannin")# and providin" the supervisor with samples of your work !t is 'our res!onsibi%it' to ma;e contact with 'our su!er&isor and arran"e meetin"s at appropriate times .ou should use the time with the supervisors wisely &he students must meet their supervisors for a minimum o our meetin"s !er semester/ o&er the s!an o the entire !roject. .ou should spread your workload over the entire time availa$le for carryin" out your project Draw up a realistic work schedule with in-$uilt slack to allow for pro$lems Be sure you are aware of your specific hand-in dates .ou must e%chan"e contact details with your supervisor# and make sure that he or she has your relevant contact information .our supervisor will keep a lo" of meetin"s with you After each meetin" with your supervisor# you will $oth si"n a student contact and pro"ression form Note that i the recor1s show that 'our contact with 'our su!er&isor is not "oo1E 'our !roject ma' not be mar;e1. Be sure you are clear a$out the assessment criteria for the project Bote that a si"nificant proportion of the "rade is allocated to presentation and style A hi"h level of communication skills is e%pected )owever# it is not within the ro%e or the 1uties o 'our su!er&isor to correct 'our "rammar an1 s'nta8. .our supervisor will comment upon samples of your work $ut wi%% not !re#mar; the whole document# or su$stantial portions of it !f asked# you must present a sample of your written work prior to a meetin" with your supervisor# at an a"reed time Un1er no circumstances wi%% 'our su!er&isor "i&e 'ou an in1ication o 'our e8!ecte1 ina% "ra1e. @ou must ;ee! har1 co!ies o each &ersion o 'our wor;/ an1 sa&e co!ies o the current &ersion on a main an1 a bac;u! 1is; -!re erab%' ;e!t a!art rom each other2. Dis;s :,

shou%1 re"u%ar%' be &irus#chec;e1. +%so/ ma;e sure to ;ee! !rinte1 co!ies o wor;in" 1ocuments/ an1 the raw 1ata rom an' Cuestionnaires or other 1ata co%%ection. 10. + )EW TIP*.... 2hoose a topic# or an issue# in which you are interested 1et or"anised# "ive yourself time to think a$out your project 8ook at the information availa$le - is there enou"h information availa$le for you to $e a$le to produce a "ood projectL Be wary if you are relyin" upon or"anisations to provide you with information &hey will not "ive you confidential or sensitive information and you must not e%pect them to respond as promptly as you would like ,isit the 5ibrar' an1 s!en1 some time %oo;in" at !re&ious !rojects. ;ith the help of your project supervisor a"ree on the aims and o$jectives and the structure of the project as soon as possi$le !t is worthwhile investin" in some relia$le stora"e devices for storin" your project - related documents <eep at least two copies (updated) 5emem$er to virus check your stora"e devices &he final printin" and $indin" of your project can $e the most frustratin" time Allow five workin" days Bum$erin" pa"es# re-arran"in" pa"ination and puttin" to"ether the 2ontents pa"e takes a deal of time - do not underestimate this part of your task By this time you will have $een workin" on your project for some months - you will $e $ored with it0 you just want to hand it in and move on to the ne%t assi"nment *o# to save your time and frustration# allow yourself five workin" days for this part of the task Do not underestimate the enormity of the task ahead of you &he key points are to or"anise your time0 make and maintain contact with your supervisor# decide upon your topic and when you have formulated your aims# o$jectives and structure - "et on with it@ )ina%%'/ remember to !rint an1 ;ee! a co!' o the !roject re!ort or 'our own use/ as no co!' o the re!ort submitte1 wi%% be returne1 to 'ou.

:3

+PPENDIF +< 7ar&ar1 *t'%e Re erencin" 5eferencin" is a standardised method of acknowled"in" sources of information and ideas that you have used in your report in a way that uniquely identifies their source Direct quotations and fi"ures# as well as ideas and theories# $oth from pu$lished and unpu$lished works must $e referenced &his appendi% provides a $rief "uide to the )arvard 5eferencin" style )or Te8tboo;s< !n the references and $i$lio"raphy sections of the Project report# the referencin" to material used from te%t should appear as follows4 &he author# year of pu$lication followed $y the title of the te%t$ook (in italics)# pu$lisher# location of the pu$lisher e" *aunders# M et al (,GG3)# Research Methods for Business Students (3rd edition)# Pearson Education# )arlow !n the te%t of the Project report the reference would appear as follows4

MMMMMM$ein" identified $y *aunders (,GG3) MMMMMMMM e" >;hen draftin" your literature review you therefore need to focus on your research question(s) and o$jectives ? (*aunders ,GG3# p7A) )or journa% artic%es< !n the references and $i$lio"raphy sections of the Project report# the referencin" to material used from journals should appear as follows4 &he author's name# followed $y the title article# journal name in italics# volume num$er e" *torey# N# 2ressy# P# Morris# & and ;ilkinson# A (:IIA) O 2han"in" employment practices in D< $ankin"0 case studies'# Personnel 5eview# ,=4:# pp,7-7, :7 !f a direct quote is included in the te%t the pa"e num$er where it can $e found should also $e included while referencin"

!n the te%t of the project report the same reference would appear as follows4

MMMMMM$ein" identified $y *torey et al (:IIA) and MMMM )or websites< !n the references and $i$lio"raphy sections of the Project report# the referencin" to material used from we$sites should appear as follows4 !f you are referrin" to a specific article# it should $e detailed as for journal articles as mentioned a$ove# $ut with the additional information as to where it is availa$le on the !nternet e" Nones A and *mith A (eds) ,GG: O;hat e%actly is the 8a$our +orce *urveyL' (online) (cited ,G Decem$er ,GG:) Availa$le from D584 http((www statistics "ov uk(n$ase(downloads themePla$our(whatPe%actlyPis8+*: pdf A typical B!B8!C15AP). is "iven hereunder for a $etter understandin"4

P%ease note that a%% sources re erence1 in the main te8t shou%1 a%so be u%%' 1etai%e1 in the re erence an1 bib%io"ra!h' section.

GGGGGG
:9

+NNEFURE H I

DEC5+R+TION

here$y

declare

that

this

Project

5eport

titled

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP su$mitted $y me to the Department of Business Mana"ement# C D # )ydera$ad# is a $onafide work undertaken $y me and it is not su$mitted to any other Dniversity or !nstitution for the award of any de"ree diploma ( certificate or pu$lished any time $efore

Bame and Address of the *tudent

*i"nature of the *tudent

:=

+NNEFURE H II CERTI)IC+TION &his is to certify that the Project 5eport title PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP su$mitted in partial fulfilment for the award of MBA Pro"ramme of Department of Business Mana"ement# CD )ydera$ad# was carried out under $y my

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP "uidance

&his has not $een su$mitted to any other

Dniversity or !nstitution for the award of any de"ree(diploma(certificate

Bame and address of the 1uide

*i"nature of the 1uide

:A