Cover Page: The title of your degree, title of your project, your name and student ID
Executive Summary/Abstract – 2nd page: (approx. 250 words)
Contents Page – 3rd page (to include Table of Contents, List of Figures)
Introduction
Background, aim(s) & objectives of the project, and a clear statement of your research question (around 1500 words)
Literature Review:
A summary of the most important pieces of previous research: at least 25 references (around 3000 words)
Methodology
Description of methods you intend to use and a justification for your choice of methods (around 2000 words)
Main Chapters with numbered Chapter Headings and Subheadings
2 or 3 chapters forming the main part of your report, containing:
– Analysis of results (around 1500 words)
– Interpretation (around 1000 words)
Conclusions (around 1000 words)
– List of References Using Harvard convention and alphabetically ordered
Appendices
The Executive Summary/Abstract
This should briefly describe the scope of your project, the research question being asked, the methods used and conclusions gained. It should give someone enough information to be able to decide whether they wish to read the entire document.
Main Chapters
These should
– Start on a new page, and should contain a title (not just “Chapter 1, Chapter 2” etc).
– Have a brief introduction (putting the chapter into context of the work as a whole), and a summary of your findings at the end of the chapter.
They may
– Include analysis of data collected
– Include further literature reviewed as the work progresses.
– Include analysis of case studies
– Include International comparisons
– Focus on particular objectives of your research.
Conclusions Chapter should
Refer to your original aims and objectives
Summarise your overall findings
Make connections between findings in different chapters
Make connections between your findings and those in your literature review
Identify shortfalls/weaknesses in your work
NOT introduce new material that hasn’t been discussed within your report
Make recommendations for future work
Appendices should
• Only include items which will be discussed fairly extensively in the body of your report.
• Include ‘evidence’ of the work you did eg completed questionnaires, transcripts of interviews etc
Preferred style of the project report
We are not overly prescriptive about what your final report should look like – however there are certain style conventions that we advise you consider. By following these, you will ensure that your report looks clean, professional and pleasing to the eye.
Your report should be:
• Single sided word processed
• Adequate left margin for binding
• Font should by Times New Roman or Arial (point 10 or 12)
• Line spacing should be 1.5 or double
• Written in the 3rd person (avoid “I”, “you” etc)
• Written in an academic style (avoid journalistic/sales type of speech/slogans/slang etc)
• Written with enough clarity that someone OTHER than your Project Supervisor will be able to follow the work you have done. (Note: the Dissertation will be 2nd marked by another lecturer in the subject area of your project, and reviewed by one or more external examiners)
• Spell checked & grammar checked
• Proof read (this is not the responsibility of your Project Supervisor)
• Pages should be numbered
Word Length of the Project Report
10,000 words.
The word count does not include cover page, table of contents, executive summary, references, appendices.
