JAGRAN LAKECITY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Guidelines and Formats for Project Report
PREFATORY ITEMS
1. Title page
2. Acknowledgement
3. Declaration
4. Certificate from the company
5. Table of contents
6. List of tables
7. List of graphs
8. Executive Summary
BODY OF THE REPORT
1. Introduction
1.1 Background of the Problem and organizational Profile
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Project Objectives
1.4 Scope of the Study
1.5 Operational Definitions
1.6 Time Frame
1.7 Geographical Area
1.8 Limitations
1.9 Chapter Scheme
2. Review of Literature
3. Research Methodology
3.1 Hypothesis
3.2 Research Designs
3.3 Sampling Design
3.4 Data Collection
3.5 Frame work of Analysis
4. Analysis and Interpretation
4.1 Presentation of Tables
4.2 Format of Figures
4.3 Hypothesis substantiated /Unsubstantiated
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5. Findings and Conclusion
5.1 Findings
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Future Areas of Research
Appendix
Bibliography
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - GUIDELINES
This part is a challenge to write because technical procedure must be explained in an appropriate
way. It may be useful to supplement the material in this section with more detailed explanation in
the appendix or to include a glossary of technical terms.
This section should address five areas:
1. Hypothesis
2. Research Design
3. Sample Design
4. Data Collection Methods
5. Data Analysis
3.1 Hypothesis
Hypothesis is not a must for all the studies. When the study is co-relational or causal study, the
hypothesis statements are to be included. Hypothesis are declarative statements describing the
relationship between two or more variables. They state clearly the variable of concern, the
relationship among them and the target group being studied. An Example of a hypothesis is
Ho: No significant difference exists between the proportions of salaried investors and
professionals who sell their securities immediately.
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Ha: Significant difference exists between the proportions of salaried investors and
professionals who sell their securities immediately after allotment.
3.2 Research Design
The aspects covered may vary with the purpose of the study. It states whether the study was
Explanatory, Descriptive or causal. Why was this particular design suited for study? For instance
if it is a descriptive study, one has to cover the rationale for using one design instant of the
competing alternatives.
3.3 Sample Design
In this section, the researcher answers questions like:
A. What was the target population?
B. What is the sample size?
C. How was the sample size determined?
D. What was the sample method used? How were the elements selected?
E. How much confidence does the researcher has? How much error was allowed?
3.4 Data collection Method
This part contains details about sources and methods of collecting data. Does the data come from
primary or secondary sources? Were results collected by survey, observation or experiment?
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When was the data collected? How much time does it take? What are the conditions in the field?
How were irregularities handled? What is the relevance of secondary data?
3.5 Data Analysis
This section should outline the general statistical tools used in the study, description about
data handling, preliminary analysis, statistical tests, computer programs and other technical
information. The rationale for the choice of analysis approaches should be clear. A brief
commentary on the assumption and appropriateness of use should be presented. Care has to
be taken to see that statistical methods used in the study do not overlap with the findings.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Paper
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White, thick, un-ruled paper ,81/2 X 11 inches or 210x 297 mm (A4 Size), usually Executive
bond paper is used. Typing is done on only one side of paper, only laser printouts are acceptable.
2. Spacing
The body of text is normally double spaced, though longer reports sometimes use 1.5 spacing,
but spacing conventions differ for quotations, footnotes, tables, figures and appendices. Spacing
has some exceptions:
a. Footnotes single spacing
b. Long biographical quotes single spacing
c. Extensive quotation single spacing and indented 8 spaces relative to text material.
3. Font
As a character font Times New Roman available in most word processors must be used. The font
size must be 12 point in the text and at least 8 point in the figure; main headings should be in 14
point and bold face.
4. Margin
The margin of 1.5 inches at the left, top and bottom of page gives a balanced appearance to
whole project. The prescribed margin for the right hand side is 1 inch. Margins specified should
be observed on charts, graphs, tables and drawings. Folded papers will not be accepted unless
there is absolutely no other way for the material to be presented.
5. Numbers
Numbers from one to nine, inclusive, should be spelt out, for number 10 and above, use
numerals. Numbers should be spelt out when they begin a sentence.
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6. Paragraph Indentation
It is recommended that each paragraph be indented five spaces. Footnotes are indented 1.5 inches
from the left hand margin. Indent the quotation three spaces from the left margin.
7. Footnotes (referencing) - Harvard Business Style
A footnote indicates the sources of reference or provides an explanation, which is not important
enough to include in the text. They are included at the bottom of the page or at the end of the
chapter or book. (Footnotes should be used only if absolutely necessary)
Footnotes references shall be indicated in the text by a Arabic number places superior to the text
and immediately following the word phrase or sentence which the footnote concerns.
Footnote should be sequential for each page and for the entire report. For each new chapter it
begins with the number 1.
When footnotes are placed at the bottom of the page on which they are indicated. They shall be
indented from the margin line of the text by eight spaces and placed under a broken line made of
15 dashes.
Footnote shall be single spaced typing.
Some examples (Harvard Business Style of referencing) are given below:
1) Arrami, M. & Garner, H. (2016) A tale of two citations. Nature, 451 (7177), 397-399.
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2) Barros, B., Read, T. & Verdejo, M. F. (2016) Virtual collaborative experimentation: an
approach combining remote and local labs. IEEE Transactions on Education, [Online] 51
(2), 242-250 Available from: doi:10.1109/TE.2007.908071 [Accessed 29th June 2016].
3) Department of Health. (2016) More help for people with dementia. [Online] Available
from: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=371217
[Accessed 20th June 20016].
4) Goldacre, B. (2016) Dore - the medias miracle cure for dyslexia. Bad Science. Weblog.
[Online] Available from: http://www.badscience.net/2016/05/dore-the-medias-miracle-
cure-for-dyslexia/#more-705 [Accessed 19th June 2016].
OTHER POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. Periods and commas go inside quotation marks; semicolons and colons go outside.
2. The word data is plural and requires a plural verb.
3. Be sure tenses throughout are consistent, likewise that all verbs and subjects agree in
numbers; that the antecedent of each pronoun is clear.
4. It is compulsory to submit a soft copy of the report in the prescribed form to the
department along with 2 hard copies.
5. Strictly follow the instructions / guidelines suggested for writing report.
6. Check the report at least thrice for spelling , grammar, and punctuation mistakes.
7. Present the information in a logical manner, and ensure continuity between various
chapters.
8. Ensure uniformity in font type, font size, alignment, numbering etc. throughout the
report.
9. Take care to check that the contents put in preliminary pages, main text and end matter
follow the order in which they should be.
10. Be consistent in spelling the words either in American or British style.
