BBDT3164 PROJECT PAPER

GUIDE TO THE PREPARATION OF PROJECT PAPER

BBDT3164 Project Paper

Guide to the Preparation of Project Paper

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Suggested Format for the Research Proposal
The format for the research proposal should consist of the following:
1. Proposed Title of the Research Proposal/Project
The title of the Research Proposal must reflect clearly and succinctly the area of the
research that is to be embarked on. In other words a title should describe the content
of the thesis accurately and concisely.
2. The Introduction to the Research Proposal/Project
The Introduction must consist of a general description of the background of the
research, associated questions and the problems involved in it.
3. Objectives of the Research Proposal/Project
The necessary context should be set for the research objectives to ensure that its
importance, significance and essential nature is clearly demonstrated in the proposal.
4. The Problem Statement
The problems involved in the research must be clearly defined as it will help to
present the rationale of the entire study.
5. Literature Review
This part of the proposal will contain an analysis of other associated research works or
studies pertinent to the proposed research area and it will help toward the formation of
the research methodology.
6. Research Methodology
This will require an understanding of alternative research methods known and the
approach to be adopted in this particular study.
7. The expected Research/Project Outcome or Contribution of the same
This would involve a discussion on the expected research findings based on existing
literature and information in the area.
8. References
Any referencing system used must be consistent and contain names of authors, books
and journals. The volume, issue and page numbers with the publication year must also
be listed.

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BBDT3164 Project Paper

Guide to the Preparation of Project Paper

PROJECT PAPER FORMAT

1. Cover Page (Appendix 1)
2. Declaration Form (Appendix 2)
3. Abstract
The abstract should not normally exceed 350 words. It includes a brief statement of
the problem; a concise description of the research method and design; summary of
major findings, including significance or lack of it; and conclusions. Abbreviations or
acronyms must be preceded by the full terms when first used.
4. Acknowledgements
The acknowledgements or preface may contain all or some of the following
information:
i. Reasons for doing the study;
ii. Acknowledgement of guidance and assistance from individuals and
institutions.
5. Table of Contents (Appendix 3)
The Table of Contents immediately follows the Acknowledgements. It lists in
sequence, with corresponding page numbers, all relevant subdivisions of the project
paper, including the titles of chapters, sections, and subsections, as appropriate. A
Table of Contents should not be listed in the Table of Contents itself!
6. List of Tables
This list consists of the exact titles or captions of all tables in the text in the appendix,
with the beginning page for each.
7. List of Figures
Figures include graphs, maps or illustrations or other kinds. List the exact title or
caption and its corresponding page. Figures should be numbered consecutively
throughout the project paper, including in the appendix.
8. Body of Project Paper
The body of a project paper normally consists of the headings or chapters described
below. Each heading and sub-heading must be numbered.
Chapter 1: Introduction
This is an introductory chapter that introduces the problem and indicates its
importance and validity. It sets forth the context, hypotheses to be tested, and the
research questions and objectives.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
This contains the critical review of the literature related to the topic. Literature
selected must be up-to-date and be analysed and synthesised logically. It must not be
a mere summary of works of different authors.

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Chapter 3: Methodology
This chapter contains a description of research methods and techniques used as well
as the theoretical framework used for the research.
Chapter 4: Empirical Result and Discussion
This chapter presents a complete account of the data analysis and results of the study
in the form of texts, figures, and tables so that the key information is highlighted. In it
the results of the study are discussed in relation to the hypotheses. It highlights the
main findings, their significance and implications, and recommendations.
Chapter 5: Conclusion
This sums up the entire study and should contain a brief description of the problem,
research methodology, findings, and recommendations. It includes the findings, which
normally tally with the objectives set
9. References
The reference list contains a list of the works you have cited. Every piece of work
cited in the text must be properly referenced in the reference list. Students are
required to apply Harvard Referencing System.
10. Appendices
Appendices include original data, summaries, side-line or preliminary tests,
tabulations, tables that contain data of lesser importance, very lengthy quotations,
supporting decisions, forms and documents, computer printouts and other pertinent
documents. Appendix materials should be grouped by type, e.g. Appendix A:
Questionnaire, Appendix B: Original Data, Appendix C: Result Tables, etc.
11. Tables
Tables are numbered consecutively (with Arabic numerals) throughout the project
paper (including text and appendices). There are two possible numbering schemes:
either (a) number the tables consecutively throughout the text, or (b) number them by
chapter, e.g. Table 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2 and so on. No project paper may have two
different tables called Table 1. Tables should be placed after their mention in the
text.
Tables are captioned single-spaced above the tables and all letters are of lowercase
except the first letter in the caption and proper nouns. Table sources and notes should
be placed directly below the table (not at the bottom of the page) and should follow
Source () at the foot of table.
12. Figures
Figures include maps, charts, graphs, diagrams, photographs, etc. Each of these is
numbered consecutively or according to chapter in which it is included throughout the
project paper, including those in the appendices. Figures should be professionally
done and of high quality. The figure number and caption should be typed above or
below the figure using Arabic numerals and lowercase, except for proper nouns and
first letters of principal words. Figures, like tables, should be inserted soon after their
first mention in the text.

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Guide to the Preparation of Project Paper

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1 is the introductory chapter which provides an overview of the study context and
explains the research problem. It sets forth the research objectives to be achieved, the
research questions to be answered, and the hypotheses to be tested.
1.0
Research Background
This section outlines the broad field of the research and aims to guide the readers and grasp
their attention by providing the context of the research.
For example, Section 1.1 of a research project about antecedents of customer loyalty in the
retail industries would commence with comments about developments and trends of
Malaysias retail industry, retail competitive landscape and challenges, changes of customer
demographic, lifestyle, needs and preferences, and then provide an explanation of the
significance of customer loyalty towards the long term growth of the retailers leading into a
sentence about how little research has been done into it.
1.1
Problem Statement
This section describes the core or one big idea of the study prompting and placing a boundary
around the research without specifying what kind of research to be conducted. The problem
statement does not consist of one or two sentence(s) that can be answered yes, or no; it is
the broad problem or issue that should warrant more in-depth investigation later in the
research questions and hypotheses. Sometimes there may be sub-problems to the major
research problem.
A short paragraph stating how the research problem will be solved in the research project
should be added after the research problem is addressed.
1.2
Research Objectives
This section addresses the purpose of the investigation. The research objectives should flow
naturally from the problem statement, providing the researcher with specific, concrete, and
achievable goals.
1.3
Research Questions
Research question guides your arguments and inquiries, and it provokes the interests of the
reviewer. A strong research question should be evocative, relevant, clear, and researchable.
1.4
Hypotheses of the Study (for quantitative study)
The relevant hypotheses should be developed after reviewing all the relevant literature. Thus,
the hypotheses should originate from the proposed theoretical/conceptual framework and the
literature review.
1.5
Significance of the Study
This section should briefly explain the importance and contribution of the study.
1.6
Chapter Layout
This section briefly outlines each chapter of the research report.

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CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The purpose of this chapter is to indicate that that writer has studied existing work in the
field with insight. You have to study the work of others with insight to review critically.
Besides that, this section aims to build a theoretical foundation for the research by reviewing
relevant journals and articles to identify research issues which are worth researching.
Steps in conducting the literature review
Step 1: Identifying the Relevant Data Sources
In general, three types of databases are relevant in reviewing the literature, as stated below:

Bibliographic databases
Provide bibliographic index information such as the name of author, the title of
journal/article/book, source of publication, year, volume, and page numbers.

Abstract databases
Provide a summary of the journal/article.

Full-text databases
Provide the full text of the journal/article.
Eg: Proquest, Emerald, EbscoHost, Science Direct, Harvard Business Review, etc.

Step 2: Extracting the Relevant Information

By reading the abstract of the article first, the researcher will be able to grasp the overview of
the article. By reading the article, detailed information about the research problem, the
research design, and the research findings could be systematically noted. This facilities the
writing up of the literature review with minimum distraction and maximum efficiency and
effectiveness.
Step 3: Writing the Literature Review
One good strategy in writing of the literature review is to write it in sections due to the broad
scope of a literature review. Strong literature reviews move in logical, sensible patterns.
Besides that, this section should be written in the most formal approach using academic
language and avoid strong emotive language or personalized tone. Conclude the literature
review section by summarising the important aspects of the literature.
In the nutshell, in the chapter 2, the researcher should be able to fully explain the theory
being applied in the research and to show how each of the independent variable affect the
dependent variable. Researcher should identify the independent variables and dependent
variable(s). If possible, the researcher could also provide a review of the relevant Theoretical
Framework and to propose the Conceptual Framework. Further, the researcher should try to
link to the Hypotheses development.

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Guide to the Preparation of Project Paper

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
An introductory overview of the research methodology. This chapter describes how the
research is carried out in terms of research design, data collection methods, sampling design,
operational definitions of constructs, measurement scales, and methods of data analysis..
3.2 Research Design
Specify whether it is a qualitative or quantitative research and justify the chosen research
design (exploratory, descriptive or causal research) based upon the purpose of the research.
3.3 Data Collection Methods
The methods used to collect the primary and secondary data which will be used to answer the
hypotheses and research questions are described.

Primary Data: i.e. survey, observation, experimentation, etc.

Secondary Data: i.e. journals, directories, articles, periodic, etc.

3.4 Sampling Design

Target Population
Sampling design begins with defining the target population precisely.

Sampling Frame and Sampling Location

Sampling frame is the list of all the people in the appropriate population.
Details on sampling frame should be included, for instance list of students from
Faculty of Business. Sampling frame may not be relevant to the non-probability
techniques. Sampling location is where the study being conducted.

Sampling Elements
Who will take part in your study? The element, usually the respondent (i.e. student,
manager, firm) is identified and justified.

Sampling Technique
What kind of sampling procedure do you use? Justify the sampling design used,
specifically how the respondents were chosen.

Sampling Size
Within the time and other resource constraints, for the undergraduate degree
programme, a 100 to 150 sampling size is recommended in a survey for quantitative
research, around 5 to 10 interviews or in 5 to 10 case studies for qualitative research.

3.5 Research Instrument

What kind of measuring instruments or questionnaires do you use? Why do you choose
them? Instruments and procedures used to collect data are discussed? Details of pilot studies
should be included as well. How do you plan to carry out your study? What activities are
involved? How long does it take?

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3.6 Constructs Measurement (Scale and Operational Definitions)

The original sources and operational definitions of constructs used in questionnaire or
interviews to measure the hypothesized relationships are acknowledged and described. The
primary scale measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio) used in designing the
questionnaire is described in addition to the scaling techniques employed (Likert scale,
Semantic differential scale, etc.).
3.7 Data Processing
A description of data preparation process like checking, editing, coding, transcribing, as well
as specifying any special or unusual treatments of data before it was analyzed.
3.8 Data Analysis
State the computer programs used to analyze the data. Describe the major statistical
techniques applied and summarize the findings of the data analysis.

Descriptive Analysis

Scale Measurement --- (cover reliability test and validity test).

Inferential Analysis --- (students must provide rationale for the chosen statistical
tests)

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CHAPTER 4 - EMPIRICAL RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents a complete account of the data analysis and results of the study in the
form of texts, figures, and tables so that the key information is highlighted. In it the results of
the study are discussed in relation to the hypotheses. It highlights the main findings, their
significance and implications, and recommendations.
4.1 Summary of Statistical Analyses
Provide discussion and a summary of the entire descriptive and inferential analyses.
4.2 Discussions of Major Findings
Provide discussions on major findings to validate the research objectives and hypotheses. It
should include a summary of the results of hypotheses testing.
4.3 Implications of the Study
Provide discussions on major findings to validate the research objectives and hypotheses. It
should include a summary of the results of hypotheses testing.

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary of Findings
This sums up the entire study and should contain a brief description of the problem, research
methodology, findings, and recommendations. It includes the findings, which normally tally
with the objectives set.
Candidates must be able to tie very closely with their introduction chapter. Candidates must
be able to comments on their own objective and state whether your investigation proved or
disproved your research hypothesis.
5.2 Limitations of the Study
This section discussed the limitations that became apparent during the progress of the
research. This section should end with a sentence stating that the limitations are
acknowledged but they do not detract from the significance of findings but merely provide
platforms for future research.
5.3 Recommendations for Further Research
This section provides recommendations for further studies as to what should and should not
be done. Perhaps a development of a conceptual model of a framework can be inserted in this
part of the conclusion chapter.

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APPENDIX 1 COVER PAGE

FACULTY OF ACCOUNTANCY, FINANCE & BUSINESS

ACADEMIC YEAR 2015/2016
BACHELOR OF RETAIL MANAGEMENT (HONOURS)
BBDT3154 PROJECT PAPER

PROJECT TITLE:
TUTOR:
SUBMISSION DATE:
GROUP MEMBER:
NO.

NAME

STUDENT ID NO.

1
2
3
4
5

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APPENDIX 2 DECLARATION FORM

Semester:
Course Code & Title:

Declaration
I/We confirm that I/we have read and shall comply with all the terms and condition of
Tunku Abdul Rahman University Colleges plagiarism policy.
I/We declare that this assignment is free from all forms of plagiarism and for all intents
and purposes is my/our own properly derived work.
I/We further confirm that the same work, where appropriate, has been verified by antiplagiarism software SafeAssign.

No.

Name

Registration No.

Signature

Date

1
2
3
4
5

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APPENDIX 3 SAMPLE OF TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES

Page
ii
iii
v
vi
vii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research Background
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Research Objectives
1.4 Research Questions

1
2
3
4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Data Collection Methods
3.3 Sampling Design
3.4 Research Instrument
3.5 Data Processing
3.6 Data Analysis

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13
15
17
20
21

CHAPTER 4: EMPIRICAL RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Profile of Companies
4.2 Profile of Respondents
4.3 Profile of Corporate Culture and Organisational Commitment
4.4 Relationship between Corporate Culture and
Organisational Commitment
4.5 Relationship between Company Type, Age and Size with
Corporate Culture and Organisational Commitment

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23
25
28
30

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Contribution of the Research
5.3 Limitations
5.4 Recommendations/Suggestions for Further Research

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34
35
36

REFERENCES

38

APPENDIX
Survey Questionnaires
Interview Questions
Data Output

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45
50

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