PRIST UNIVERSITYThanjavur – 613 403

Guidelines for submission of M.Phil Dissertation

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How do you finalise your Dissertation

Dear Participant,

You must have Identified a research problem Evaluated its feasibility, suitability and significance of the problem Formulated questions pertaining to different aspects/ units /

components/ divisions of the research report/ proposal. Identified various components/units/ divisions of the research report /

proposal. Prepared a broad outline of the research report/proposal for getting it

(the Dissertation proposal) approved.

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Did you answer the following questions?

Before proceeding any further, answer the following questions.

1. What have you proposed to study? State the broad area of study/Identify the title.

2. Why do you want to undertake this study? - Identify / state the need for the study. - State the rationale of the study. - Justify the need to undertake the study - State the context / situation.

3. How do you define the problem? -Make a broad statement of the problem.

4. Is your research study new and unique? -Is it different from the earlier research studies undertaken? -Read a good deal of literature related to the topic of study under question. -Survey and review all literatures related to the present subject of study.

5. What is that you want to find out through this research study? -Ask a series of questions as to what you seek to find out through this research study.

6. What are the objectives of this research study? -State the objectives unambiguously making use of action – oriented verbs.

7. What according to you could be the possible solution to the -Problem / research questions you have raised? -State the possible solutions according to your hunch or the hypothesis clearly.

8. What is the scope of your research study? -Delimit the scope of the study

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9. What are the steps you have proposed to undertake during the course of your research study? -Methodology of the research study -Method -Sample -Tools and Techniques for data collection -Methods of data analysis.

10. What is the population? -State the population -Justify the choice of population.

11. How do you seek to restrict the choice of population? -State the sample population -Argue how it should be enough to make this sample provide you ample evidence for your research inquiry and seek justification to your claim.

12. How do you propose to collect evidences (to support your hypothesis?) to make your research study reliable and credible?

Tools and Techniques of Data Collection:

How did you decide on a specific tool? Justify

13. How do you propose to use the tool for collecting the data? (Evidences) -State the procedure of data collection.

14. How do you propose to collect, organize and analyse the obtained evidences? -Means/ Methods of data analysis

15. What are the implications of the research study? Collect results Analyse findings Synthesis details, evaluate the entire feedback/ results. Make a list of suggestions, recommendations. Arrive at a conclusion.

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The Structure of the Dissertation

The Title of the problem.

The Title should have a definite orientation towards the area- specific of the study

Chapter – I 1. Introduction

The researcher should seek to justify the choice of the problem briefly. He will also state how the problem was raised and how it emerged as the ultimate choice, Researchers normally state this as the “Background of the study” or the “Preamble” or the “Rationale”

Statement of the problem : (Define the problem explicitly)

When we seek to expand the title we try to define the problem. It explains the theme or the scope and area of the study more explicitly.

2. Review of related work (state very briefly as a detailed review of literature will form part of chapter - II)

A brief theoretical back ground of the problem and the research work already carried out in the area should be stated briefly.

The researcher should establish clearly that the problem chosen is very relevant and appropriate and it definitely is going to contribute to the fund of knowledge.

Though the available literature may throw some light, the researcher will try to explore greater details and demonstrate that it will contribute to the fund of knowledge already available.

3. Research Questions

The researcher seeks to answer the following questions:

a. Why this research study?b. Why are these problems taken up for discussion?

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c. Why is this sample taken?d. What variables are being considered? The researcher should try to answer the questions raised after a thorough introspection. Then, the researcher must be able to formulate the objectives. After formulation of objectives, the researcher hypothesizes the issues which are to be tested on the basis of strong evidences/ evaluation of the data available.

4. Objectives: As earlier stated, the objectives form the strong foundation of the research just as we construct a strong building on a strong foundation, we should frame strong objectives. The objectives should be explicit and not ambiguous. The objectives, at any point of time should indicate what the researcher is trying to find/investigate.

5.Hypothesis: The Hypothesis is formulated based on the research objectives. Once we identify the problem, we may seek a logical conclusion/ solution to the problem.

The hypothesis is formulated out of a variety of theoretical constructs and the researches that have already taken place. The hypothesis has two functions:

a) It is an indicator to the researcher’s depth of knowledge and familiarity of the subject.

b) It directs the researcher as to what data he has to collect, analyse, and interpret to seek a definite conclusion.

A well-formulated hypothesis is testable. The details are explicitly stated and hence, it is self-explanatory. It seeks to provide relationship amongst the variables.

It should not seek to contradict the already proven knowledge founded on sound scholarship and judgment. For instance, Newton’s Laws of Motion and Albert Einstein’s “Theory of Relativity’. All these researchers have gone beyond the available knowledge. And hence, now when you research find newer knowledge you should make use of the already available knowledge and can seek to go beyond the available knowledge at that point of time. The hypothesis must be simple, precise, accurate and clear.

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6. Operational definition of the terms

7. Methodology

8. Method

9. Sample

10. Tools and techniques for data collection

11. Method of data analysis

12. Delimiting the topic of the study

13. Scope of the study

14. Limitations of the study

15. Chapter wise profile

Chapter – II

Theoretical frame work (or) Review of related literature

Chapter – III

The proposed model / Experimental model

Chapter – IV

The Experiment / Implementation of the research model

Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation

Chapter- VFindings/ conclusions/Recommendations/ ResultsBibliographyAppendices

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Checklist for Submission of Dissertation

The dissertation should be typed or word processed in double space on one side, in 12 pt and in A-4 size (29 X 20 cms) paper.

The research scholar should attach a copy of the approved project proposal (while getting the copies of Dissertation bound)

The cover and the first page of dissertation should have the title name of the research with registration number and name of the supervisor/guide.

Declaration by the scholar

Declaration by the guide

Three copies of Dissertation (hard copy and hard bound and not sprial) and 2CD copies should be submitted either in person or through registered post to ….. PRIST University….

The dissertation copies submitted will not be returned.

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PRIST UNIVERSITY

Proforma for Approval of M.Phil. Dissertation

Registration Number :

PRIST University………… Campus

Email :

Telephone :

Mobile :

1. Name and Address of the student :

2. Subject :

3. Title of the Dissertation :

4. Name and Address of the Guide :

Signature of the student Signature of the GuideDate: ____________ Date: ________

For office use: Signature of the Proposal Evaluator

Approved Not Approved Date: ____________

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Suggestions for Revision of the Dissertation:

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COVER PAGE AND FIRST PAGE

TITLE

byName of the Researcher

Registration No.

Under the Guidance ofName of the Supervisor

A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of

Master of Philosophy in _____________________________________

Department of …………………………………..

PRIST UniversityThanjavur

……………………………………….

August 2009

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DECLARATION

I,…………………………………………………………. hereby declare

that the dissertation entitled

………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………… is a

record of independent work carried out under the supervision of

……………. during the period from …………………………….

to……………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………

I also declare that it has not formed the basis for the award of any previous

Degree, Diploma, and Associateship, Fellowship or other similar titles.

Place : Signature of the Scholar

Date: ____________

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CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr/Miss/Mrs. …………………………………………

a research scholar of the M.Phil.Programme of PRIST University has been

working under my supervision and guidance for his/her Dissertation during

the period from …… to ………………... His/Her Dissertation entitled

……………………………………………………………..... is his/her

original and genuine work and does not form the basis for award to any

candidate for any previous Degree, Diploma, Associateship, Fellowship or

other similar titles.

Place : Signature, Name and Address of the SupervisorDate: ____________

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Acknowledgements

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An example of Table of Contents

Contents

-Acknowledgements……………………………………………………….i-List of Figures…………………………………………………………….ii-List of Tables/Charts/Graphs…………………………………………….iii-List of Abbreviations……………………………………………………..iv

Chapter IIntroduction………………………………………………………………… 1

Background and rationale of the studyStatement of the problemResearch questionsObjectives of the studyHypothesis of the study

MethodologyOperational definitions of the terms usedScope and delimitation of the studyLimitations of the study

Chapter wise profile

Chapter IIA theoretical framework

(Guiding principles which assist in the establishment of the credibility of the research design)

Review of related literature

Chapter IIIDetailed Methodology/ The proposed model/Experimental Model

Research Design/FormulationPopulation of the studySample of the StudyTools and techniques for data collectionProcedures followed for data collectionData Analysis

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Chapter IVImplementation of the research model/The Experiment Data Analysis and Interpretation

(Substantiating the truths and analyzing their impact synthesizing the details towards arriving at a logical conclusion)

Chapter VSummary of findings and drawing conclusions, making inferences

A very brief statement of the problem, objectives, hypotheses, delimitations, methodology of the study

Major findings of the studyDiscussion of resultsImplications and Conclusions of the studySuggestions for further research

BibliographyBooksJournalsDissertations/Thesis/ReportsWebsites

AppendicesApproval of Dissertation ProposalTools and Techniques employedCourses of Study, if any, undertakenRaw DataAny additional relevant information

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A Note on Footnotes/ Endnotes and Bibliography

Footnotes and Endnotes are used to give credit to sources of any material borrowed, summarized or paraphrased. They are intended to refer readers to the exact pages of the works listed in the Works Cited, References, or Bibliography section.

The main difference between Footnotes and Endnotes is that Footnotes are placed numerically at the foot of the very same page where direct references are made, while Endnotes are placed numerically at the end of the essay on a separate page entitled Endnotes or Notes.

When mentioning a work for the first time, a full and complete Footnote or Endnote entry must be made.

NOTE: Only one sentence is used in a Footnote or Endnote citation, i.e., only one period or full stop is used at the end of any Footnote or Endnote citation. In a Bibliography, each citation consists of a minimum of three statements or sentences, hence each entry requires a minimum of three periods, e.g., a period after the author statement, a period after the title statement, and a period after the publication statement (publication/publisher/publication date).

First Footnote or Endnote example:

2 G. Wayne Miller, King of Hearts: The True Story

of the Maverick Who Pioneered Open Heart Surgery

(New York: Times, 2000) 245.

Nowadays, while researchers quote from sources, they include the material to the main body of the thesis itself and do not indicate it as footnotes/endnotes.

For Example:

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If they quote a source from H G Widdowson’s Teaching Language as Communication, they quote and after the quotation mention within brackets thus (H.G.Widdowson 1979; 21) Anyway the quoted source will find its place in the bibliography. (Here, after the author’s name, the year of publication of the book and the page no are indicated)

Bibliography example:

Miller, G. Wayne. King of Hearts: The True Story of the

Maverick Who Pioneered Open Heart Surgery. New York:

Times, 2000.

Use of ibid. and op. cit. :

Gibaldi (313) does NOT recommend the use of these old-fashioned abbreviations: ibid. (from the Latin ibidem meaning "in the same place") and op. cit. (from the Latin opere citato meaning "in the work cited.")

For Footnote or Endnote citations, if you should see the term ibid. being used, it just means that the citation is for the second mention of the same work with no intervening entries:

3 Ibid. 12-15.

More commonly, author and page number or numbers are now used instead of ibid., e.g.:

4 Miller 12-15.

For second or later mention of the same work with intervening entries, where previously

1. Book with one author or editor:

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Bell, Stewart. The Martyr's Oath: The Apprenticeship of a Homegrown Terrorist. Mississauga, ON: Wiley, 2005.

Biale, David, ed. Cultures of the Jews: A New History. New York: Schocken, 2002.

Bowker, Michael. Fatal Deception: The Untold Story of Asbestos: Why It Is Still Legal and Still Killing Us. N.p.: Rodale, 2003.

2. Book with two authors or editors:

Bohlman, Herbert M., and Mary Jane Dundas. The Legal, Ethical and International Environment of Business. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH: West, 2002.

Bolman, Lee G., and Terrence E. Deal. Leading with Soul: An Uncommon Journey of Spirit. Rev. ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2001.

3. Book with three authors or editors:

Clancy, Tom, Carl Stiner, and Tony Koltz. Shadow Warriors: Inside the Special Forces. New York: Putnam, 2002.

Hewitt, Les, Andrew Hewitt, and Luc d'Abadie. The Power of Focus for College Students. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, 2005.

Larsson Mans O., Alexander Z. Speier, and Jennifer R. Weiss, eds. Let's Go:        Germany 1998. New York: St. Martin's, 1998.

Palmer, R.R., Joel Colton, and Lloyd Kramer. A History of the Modern World: To 1815. 9th ed. New York: Knopf, 2002.

Suzuki, David, Amanda McConnell, and Maria DeCambra. The Sacred Balance:   A Visual Celebration of Our Place in Nature . Vancouver: Greystone, 2002.

4. Book with more than three authors or editors:

You have a choice of listing all of the authors or editors in the order as they appear on the title page of the book, or use "et al." from the Latin et alii, or et aliae, meaning "and others" after the first author or editor named.  

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Nelson, Miriam E., Kristin R. Baker, Ronenn Roubenoff, and Lawrence Lindner.Strong Women and Men Beat Arthritis. New York: Perigee, 2003.

or,

Nelson, Miriam E., et al. Strong Women and Men Beat Arthritis. New York:        Perigee, 2003.

Hogan, David J., et al., eds. The Holocaust Chronicle: A History in Words and Pictures.Lincolnwood, IL: International, 2000.

5. Book with compilers, or compilers and editors:

McClay, John B., and Wendy L. Matthews, comps. and eds. Corpus Juris Humorous:        A Compilation of Outrageous, Unusual, Infamous and Witty Judicial Opinions from 1256 A.D. to the Present. New York: Barnes, 1994.

O'Reilly, James, Larry Habegger, and Sean O'Reilly, comps. and eds. Danger: True Stories of Trouble and Survival. San Francisco: Travellers' Tales, 1999.

6.Article in a magazine, journal, periodical, newsletter, or newspaper with no author stated:

"100 Years of Dust and Glory." Popular Mechanics Sept. 2001: 70-75.

"Celestica to Repair Palm Handhelds." Globe and Mail [Toronto] 29 Oct. 2002: B6.

"E-Money Slips Quietly into Oblivion." Nikkei Weekly [Tokyo] 22 Jan. 2001: 4.

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Enclose this form in a separate sheet along with the dissertationSUBMISSION FORM

Name of the Candidate :

Enrolment Number :

Course :

Period of Study :

Address of the CandidateWith Email – ID :

Name of the Guide :

1. Academic Qualification :

2. Designation :

3. Experience in Years :

4. Institution in which presently working :

5. Address, Email-ID & Contact Number :

Date of Submission :

Signature of the Guide :

Place :

Date :

Note: Guide is requested to send panel of examiners (Three Members) in a separate cover superscripted as “CONFIDENTAL” to the Controller of Examination by name.

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( ** To be submitted separately alongwith the copies of dissertation ** )

Scheme of Assessment for Dissertation

Sl.No Criteria for Assessment Weightage Grade Grade Point

Weighted Grade point

1 Identification of the problem and Formulation of Research Objectives

10%

2 Formulation of Research Questions

5%

3 Formulation and Justification of Hypothesis

15%

4 Appropriateness and Focus of Research Design

5%

5 Soundness of Theoretical Frame work

10%

6 Methodological procedures

5%

7 Mode, Method, Means of Data Collection

10%

8 Appropriateness in Analytical procedures

5%

9 Accuracy and Clarity of Interpretation of Data/Findings

15%

10 Accuracy ,Clarity and Precision in Reporting

10%

11 Intellectual Honesty, Tenacity& Curiosity

5%

12 Interest and Originality& and Eye for details

5%

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Numerical equivalents of Grades:A Excellent = 5B Very Good = 4C Good = 3D Very Fair = 2E Fair = 1

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