Basic Guidelines for Writing
Research Project
Professor Mustapha
Muktar
Department
of Economics
Bayero
University, Kano-Nigeria
muktaronline@gmail.com
http//:www.mustaphamuktar.blogspot.com
Introduction
The followings are some
basic guidelines that can be followed in writing an a research project, while they are not exhaustive
it is believed that they form the basic requirements and can guide students for
the smooth conduct of their researches. Basically
the research should contain either four or five chapters, the contents of each
chapter are presented below,
however at postgraduate level five chapters are recommended
Chapter One: General Introductiom
·
Introduction/Background to the Study
·
Statement of the Research Problem
·
Aim and Objectives of the Research
·
Justification/Significance of the Research(at proposal justification is included while
significance is included at the main work)
·
Hypotheses or
Research Questions(or both)
·
Scope and Limitations
·
Methodology
·
Outline of Chapters/Plan of the Study
Chapter Two: Literature review and Theoretical
Framework
·
Review of Conceptual Literature
·
Review of Empirical Literature
·
Theoretical Framework
Chapter Three: Methodology
·
Research Design
·
Sources and types of data used
·
Methods of data Collection
·
Sample and Sampling techniques (where applicable)
·
Model Specification(where applicable)
·
Techniques of data Analysis
Chapter Four: Data Presentation and Analysis
·
Background of the study area/case study (where
applicable)
·
Presentation of data
·
Data Analysis
·
Discussion and Policy Implications of the result
·
Test of Hypotheses and or answers to the earlier research questions formulated
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and
Recommendations
·
Summary of Findings
·
Conclusion
·
Policy Recommendations
·
References/Bibliography
·
Appendices
Where a researcher
intends to have four chapters, then methodology is fully presented in chapter
one and data analysis become chapter three while concluding remarks is
presented in chapter four.
Choice of a Topic
A topic is normally choosed by brainstorming and
reveiwing literatures, collecting information, taking a lot of notes,
and asking a lot of questions to identify a gap that should be filled. Once a topic is coined then every
aspect of the research has to be alligned to it for consistency. Literatures are reviewed in order to
get an insight on the topic, to ascertain the current trends and to justify the
choice of methodology and other important issues.
Depending on the nature of the topic and at the
same time the objectives of the researcher as well as the problem at hand,
usually quantitative based researches are associated with hypotheses, while
qualitative based researches in most cases seek to ask research questions
(however, this may not always be necessary). The important thing here is
to allign the hypotheses/ research questions with their respective objectives
on a one-to-one basis.
Conceptual
literatures are reviewed in order to have a good understanding of key concepts
and terms related to the research, empirical literature is based on empirical
studies done in the past that are related closely to the chosen topic either
internationally, regionally and locally such that a gap is identified and that
gives room for a value addition at the end of the research. The theoretical
review is based on review of theories related to the research topic which
should lead to a choice of theoretical framework that can be adopted to explain
the research or to give it a theoretical base.
Methodology
is aimed at presenting a method of gathering data for the purpose of achieving
the objective of a research; it consists of modeling in some cases and the
presentation of tools of analysis that will lead to solid findings at the end
of the research. Tools of data collection are also presented and discussed under
the methodology.
The Section on data presentation and analysis
should contain the findings of the research, as well as the test of hypotheses,
the findings are expected to provide answers to the research questions earlier
stated in chapter one. The last chapter should summarize major findings; conclusion should be based on the findings of the work so also recommendations.
Important Tips to Researchers
Organize your research - Develop an outline to help you stay on track as you write (it should contain time frame and activity for
each period and if possible the strategy intended to achieve it)
Become familiar with the vocabulary of your choosen area of research. For example, time series
econometrics use terms such as random walk, white noise, and cointegration.
Facts should be logically and inevitably presented so as to lead to a good conclusion and/or
the solution presented. Always Proof-read before presenting chapters to your supervisors (you can also correct and perfect your writing
through
checking grammar, correcting grammar, spelling, word choice and style mistakes
with unmatched accuracy). This can be done via the use of computer
softwares like Grammarly, White smoke,
ghotit and other grammer checking softwares that can be found free online. Aknowledge all sources consulted.
(For proposal, candidates are to
present chapters 1 to 3 as sections 1 to 3 only)
Candidates can mine literatures and data as well as
its management through the following useful sites:
a.
Search Robots such as; www.lycos.com, www.altavista.com, www.google.com, www.googlescholar.com, www.exite.com
c. Search Data Banks like; www.acu.ac.uk/cudos(Commonwealth Universities
Database Online Service), www.aau.org/datad/(Database of African Theses and Dissertations), www.theses.orgOR www.ndltd.org (networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations)
e.Specialized Search Robotssuch as;www.ojose.com (Online Journal Search Engine), www.scirus.com,
www.phibot.org and www.sciseek.com
f.Directories of
Online Journals and Bookssuch as:www.doaj.org(Directory of Open Access Journals) www.ingentaconnect.com, www.academicpress.com (electronic bookstore), www.amazon.com (electronic bookstore)
g.Electronic
Libraries (digital archives) such as:www.ibiblio.org (rich in
Humanities / Social Sciences)
h.Other Sources such as: www.sist-sciencesdev.net, www.soros.org/openaccess/software and www.eprints.org
Avoid using “A wiki” (quickweb, such as wikipedia) because it is a user
editable site. Content on a wiki can be
modified by a user who has little or no knowledge of
the subject matter)
