Project Guidelines 2020-2021-1

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Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
P. O. BOX 1, KYAMBOGO – P. O. BOX 7181 KAMPALA, UGANDA
Website: www.kyu.ac.ug, Email: [email protected]
TEL: +256-41-4287340, FAX: +256-41-4289056/4222643
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN CIVIL AND BUILDING ENGINEERING
INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT
GUIDELINES
TCBE 4201
FINAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT
PREPARED BY : LUWALAGA J. G. MUNZI

REVISED BY : ENG. OLENG MORRIS
CONTACT: +256 (0) 773 043 757, +256 (0) 703 688 747
([email protected] or [email protected])
JUNE 2021
Luwalaga J. G. Munzi 0753645601, [email protected]

Luwalaga J. G. Munzi 0753645601, [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1
1.1 General Overview ........................................................................................... 1
1.2 Course Outline................................................................................................. 1
1.2.1 Brief Description ...................................................................................... 1
1.2.2 Objectives ................................................................................................ 1
1.2.3 Detailed Course Description .................................................................... 2
1.2.4 Modes of Course Delivery ....................................................................... 2
1.2.5 Assessment ............................................................................................... 3
2.0 GENERAL GUIDELINES ................................................................................. 4
2.1 Final Year Individual Research Project .......................................................... 4
2.2 Length of proposal/ research project report and submission........................... 4
2.3 Pagination ........................................................................................................ 4
2.4 Language ......................................................................................................... 4
2.5 Paper size and Margins ................................................................................... 5
2.6 Font and spacing.............................................................................................. 5
2.7 Tables and Figures .......................................................................................... 5
2.8 Individual Research Project Supervision ........................................................ 5
2.9 Group and individual project proposal/report oral presentation ..................... 5
2.10 Plagiarism ........................................................................................................ 6
3.0 PROPOSAL AND FINAL REPORT FORMAT ................................................ 7
3.1 Title and Title Page ......................................................................................... 7
3.2 Project Proposal and Project Report................................................................ 8
3.3 Contents of Research Proposal ........................................................................ 9
3.4 Contents of Thesis/Dissertation .................................................................... 10
3.5 Preliminary Pages .......................................................................................... 11
3.5.1 Declaration ............................................................................................. 12
3.5.2 Certification (approval and endorsement) ............................................. 12
3.5.3 Acknowledgements ................................................................................ 13
3.5.4 Table of Contents ................................................................................... 13
3.5.6 List of Figures and Tables...................................................................... 13
3.5.7 List of Abbreviations/Acronyms............................................................ 14
3.5.8 Definition of Terms................................................................................ 14
Individual Research Project Guidelines i

Revised by Eng. Oleng Morris
3.6 Chapter One: Introduction ............................................................................. 14
3.6.1 Background to the study ........................................................................ 14
3.6.2 Problem Statement ................................................................................. 15
3.6.3 Research Objectives ............................................................................... 16
3.6.4 Research Questions ................................................................................ 16
3.6.5 Significance/Importance of the Study .................................................... 17
3.6.6 Project Scope ......................................................................................... 17
3.7 Chapter Two: Literature Review ................................................................... 18
3.7.1 Generic ................................................................................................... 18
3.7.2 Theoretical/ Conceptual Review ............................................................ 18
3.7.3 Empirical Review................................................................................... 18
3.7.3 Literature Review Summary and Research Gap .................................... 19
3.7.4 Conceptual Framework .......................................................................... 19
3.8 Chapter Three: Research Methodology......................................................... 19
3.8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 19
3.8.2 Research design ..................................................................................... 19
3.8.3 Research approach ................................................................................. 20
3.8.4 Data collection instruments.................................................................... 21
3.8.5 Sources of data ....................................................................................... 21
3.8.6 Overall heading flow of the methodology ............................................. 21
3.9 Chapter Four: Results and Discussion .......................................................... 21
3.10 Chapter Five: Conclusions and Recommendations ....................................... 23
3.11 Bibliography .................................................................................................. 23
3.12 Appendices .................................................................................................... 25
Individual Research Project Guidelines ii

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 General Overview
This guideline is intended for students undertaking research projects in their final year
of study together with their respective supervisors. The guideline is suited for students
pursing Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil and Building Engineering. The
supervisors are therefore required to guide the students in thorough execution of their
academic work in line with this guideline.
1.2 Course Outline

Course Code and Name : TCBE 4201: INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
Course Level : YEAR FOUR SEMESTER I & II
Course Credit : 4 CU
1.2.1 Brief Description

Each candidate performs a research project independently with the supervision
of a consultant (lecturer) and hands in a report consisting of drawings and a
write-up. The write-up is submitted in bound form. Candidates shall prepare
concept papers for discussion with their mentors after which a proposal is
prepared for defence. Upon successful proposal defence, candidates shall
execute their research projects and submit progress reports prior to the oral
defence before a panel of examiners, including the candidate’s consultant.
1.2.2 Objectives
By the end of the course the student should be able to
(1) Write a research proposal on any topic in relation to civil and
environmental engineering;
(2) Carry out independent research while observing ethical conduct;
(3) Prepare a dissertation containing;
o clearly defined aims and objectives, a literature review that critically
examines recent previous studies reported on the subject.
o details of methodology, which may take the form, of laboratory tests,
field investigations, mathematical analysis, design calculations and
explanations, an extended critical survey of source material or other
practical application of theory and knowledge.
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Individual Research Project Guidelines
o presentation and discussion of results with logical arguments and
interpretation leading to stated conclusions.
o conclusions and recommendations.
(4) Explain and present the results of his research project in power point or other
modern methods.
1.2.3 Detailed Course Description

A final year individual research project is an investigation that is not limited to
but should have at least one of the following components:
o Solving a problem
o Improving on an existing method of analysis, design, detailing, construction
and testing of a material
o Introducing a new method of design / analysis
o Exploring an area that has hitherto not been investigated
o Improving the health or welfare of the community
o Helping to eradicate poverty or disease
o Helping to preserve and conserve the environment
o Considering an uncommon method of design
o Design of a structure whose type does not exist in the country
o Investigating use / application of a local construction material
o Design of structure or any civil engineering system that demonstrates a
special understanding of the subject matter
o Study of a construction material that has not been adequately explored.
1.2.4 Modes of Course Delivery

Through weekly meetings between the student and a lecturer (Supervisor), the
individual student presents his/her work to the lecturer, who points out the gaps
missing and the work remaining. The solutions are explained by students the
following week; these are approved or corrected by lecturer and new questions
asked such that at the end of the semester the design or research project is
completed.
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1.2.5 Assessment
The assessments contribute to the final mark of 100% as shown below:
Requirements Contribution
Proposal report and oral defence 20
Progress report presentations 20
Final year oral defence 30
Dissertation Examination 30
Total 100%
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2.0 GENERAL GUIDELINES
2.1 Final Year Individual Research Project
Students undertaking TCBE 4201 should research in any of these: civil and
building engineering, urban planning, geotechnical engineering, water and
sanitation, highway engineering, railway engineering, airport engineering, port
and harbour engineering, construction materials, waste management, housing
and other related engineering subjects.
2.2 Length of proposal/ research project report and submission

A proposal for individual research projects should not exceed 15 pages
excluding preliminary pages, references and appendices (Chapter 1(4-5 pages),
Chapter 2 (5-6 pages) and Chapter 3 (3-4 pages)). It should be typed in 12 fonts,
Times New Roman and have 1.5 spaced lines while the final individual report
shall have a minimum of 60 pages in same typing format as proposal. Upon the
completion of the research project work, students must submit to the DCBE
Secretary three (3) hard copies (cover should be in maroon colour) of their
individual research project reports fully signed by their supervisor(s) and at least
two soft copies (one copy for DCBE library, one copy for external examiner,
one copy for internal examiner, and if a student wish may retain a copy).
2.3 Pagination
Each page must have a number designation, save for the title/ cover page. All
pages must be numbered consecutively as follows:
o Lower-case Roman numerals (i.e., i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, etc.) are used for
preliminary pages or prefaces. These numerals appear centred at the bottom
of the page.
o Arabic numerals (i.e., l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) are used for the body of the thesis
and begin with first page of Chapter One, at the bottom centre of the page.
2.4 Language
English (U.K.) is the only acceptable language for writing proposal/ research
project report.
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2.5 Paper size and Margins
On A4 size pages, left-hand margins should be 1.5 inch, to have enough space
for binding. All other margins should be well defined at approximately 1 inch.
All contents of the thesis should be justified. Left margin 1.5", right margin 1",
top and bottom margins 1".
2.6 Font and spacing

For the main body of the text, the font size should be 12-points of Times New
Roman type of font. Font type of the titles sub-titles and sections should be
consistent throughout the thesis. The line spacing should be 1.5 throughout the
report except for sections as, quotations, equations, footnotes etc. that may
demand more or less than this spacing.
2.7 Tables and Figures

All tables and figures used inside the project report should have numbers,
followed by titles. Numbering for tables should be on top of table while
numbering for figures should be at the bottom of the figure. Under each table or
figure, there must be proper citation, except for tables and figures present the
candidate’s findings.
2.8 Individual Research Project Supervision

Supervision will be done by appointed lecturers with at least a master’s degree.
Supervision agreement forms shall be signed by both the student and their
supervisor (s). These forms shall be submitted together with the draft proposals.
During Semester I, students will be guided to develop proposals and during
Semester II, students will be guided in the execution of their research projects.
Throughout the period of supervision students and their respective supervisors
will be required to fill progress report forms each time they meet. A minimum
of three reports will be required for submission of the proposal while a minimum
of five progress report forms shall be required for submission of the dissertation.
2.9 Individual project proposal/report oral presentation

Research projects will be submitted at least two weeks before the oral defence
which shall be orally presented immediately after Semester I written
examinations. The defence of the thesis shall be done orally immediately after
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Semester II written examinations. Before oral presentation, student(s) will
notify the University by filling respective form. Two (2) weeks prior to oral
presentation, student (s) will submit a form accompanied by a draft copy (soft
and hard) of their thesis report.
2.10 Plagiarism
To plagiarise means to steal or pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s
own without crediting the source i.e. to commit literary theft; present as new
and original or product derived from existing source. This is academic and
public dishonesty. Therefore, students are advised to take extreme care not to
commit plagiarism under any circumstances. Always acknowledge the work of
somebody else. Your report will be rejected if you commit plagiarism. It is
expected that the level of originality is at least 70%.
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3.0 PROPOSAL AND FINAL REPORT FORMAT
3.1 Title and Title Page
The title is the most essential representation of a project proposal/report as it
describes accurately the content of project and in any way it delimits the scope
of the study. It should be clear, brief and precise, preferably less than 15
words. The title should be informative/descriptive yet discrete and contain the
keywords of the proposal/report.
The title page should indicate: Name of University with logo, Topic name, name
of faculty, department, Author’s name with Reg. Number, and the reason for
which it is being presented, the month and year in which it is submitted. e.g
(Name of institution)
FACULTY………………………….
DEPARTMENT ………………………………
TOPIC TITLE: …………………………………………….
SUBMITTED BY
NAME OF STUDENT: ………………………………..
REG. NUMBER: ………………………….
FINAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL/REPORT (insert as

appropriate) SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING IN THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN
CIVIL AND BUILDING ENGINEERING DEGREE OF KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY
(Month, Year)
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3.2 Project Proposal and Project Report
Project proposal is a formal document indicating how a study would be executed. It is

a statement of intent written in future tense on how a project will be conducted for the
purpose of achieving a particular research objective (s). It demonstrates the student’s
capacity to undertake the study successfully and determines the feasibility of the study.
On the other hand, individual report is a complete research report containing extension
of the features of the research project proposal.
NB: Please note that the tense used in individual report writing must be different
from that one used in the proposal. In proposal writing, you are expected to use
FUTURE tense. But in individual report writing, you are expected to use PAST tense
since you will be reporting about the information you gathered in the field. The Table
below shows the difference between proposal and final report in terms of contents;
A. Project Proposal
Prefaces Body Appendix
o Cover Page o Chapter One: Introduction o Questionnaires
o Table of Contents o Chapter Two: Literature Review o Interview guides
o Chapter Three: Methodology o Observation guides
o Chapter Four: Expected Results and o Work Schedule/Time plan
Outcomes o Budget
o References o Other relevant appendices
B. Individual Report
Prefaces Body Appendix
o Cover Page o Chapter One: Introduction o Questionnaires
o Declaration o Chapter Two: Literature Review o Interview guides
o Certification/Approvals o Chapter Three: Research Methodology o Observation guides
o Abstract (Methods, materials, Research Design, o Survey timetable
o Acknowledgements instruments, etc.) o Other relevant appendices
o Table of Contents o Chapter Four: Analysis, Discussion
o List of Tables and Presentation of Results
o List of Figures o Chapter Five: Conclusions and
o List of Appendices Recommendations
o List of Abbreviations o References
o Definition of Terms
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3.3 Contents of Research Proposal
***Preliminary Pages
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 Main Objective/ Aim of the Study
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
1.4 Research Questions or Hypotheses
1.5 Research Rationale/Justification of the Study
1.6 Significance/Importance
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.7.1 Content Scope
1.7.2 Geographical Scope
1.7.3 Time Scope
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Theoretical Review
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Literature Review Summary and Research Gap
2.4.1 Literature Review Summary
2.4.2 Research Gap/Contribution to Knowledge
2.5 Conceptual Framework
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Material Acquisition and Preparation
3.2 For each specific objective
3.2.1 Research Design / Experimental Setup
3.2.2 Data Collection Procedure
3.2.3 Data Processing and Analysis Procedure
3.3 Data Collection Instruments
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CHAPTER FOUR: EXPECTED RESULTS AND OUTCOMES
4.1 Expected Results

4.2 Expected Outcomes
References
Appendices
Appendix 1: Work Schedule or Time Plan
Appendix 2: Proposed Budget Estimate
Appendix 3: Questionnaires (if applicable)
Appendix 4: Interview guides (if applicable)
Appendix 5: Observation guides (if applicable)
Appendix 6: Other relevant appendices
3.4 Contents of Thesis/Dissertation

***Preliminary Pages
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.8 Background to the Study

1.9 Statement of the Problem
1.10 Objectives of the Study
1.3.1 Main Objective/ Aim of the Study
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
1.11 Research Questions or Hypotheses
1.12 Research Rationale/Justification of the Study
1.13 Significance/Importance
1.14 Scope of the Study
1.14.1 Content Scope
1.14.2 Geographical Scope
1.14.3 Time Scope
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Theoretical Review
2.3 Empirical Review
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2.4 Literature Review Summary and Research Gap
2.4.1 Literature Review Summary
2.4.2 Research Gap/Contribution to Knowledge
2.5 Conceptual Framework
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Material Acquisition and Preparation
3.2 For each specific objective
3.2.1 Research Design / Experimental Setup
3.2.3 Data Processing and Analysis Procedure
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendations
5.2.1 For Possible Application
5.2.2 For Further Research
References
Appendices
Appendix 1: Work Schedule or Time Plan
Appendix 2: Proposed Budget Estimate
Appendix 3: Questionnaires (if applicable)
Appendix 4: Interview guides (if applicable)
Appendix 5: Observation guides (if applicable)
Appendix 6: Other relevant appendices
3.5 Preliminary Pages

(Pages numbered in Roman numerals)
Cover Page (not numbered)
i. Declaration
ii. Certification/Approval
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iii. Abstract/Summary
iv. Acknowledgement
v. Dedication
vi. Table of Contents
vii. List of Tables
viii. List of Figures
ix. List of Appendices
x. List of Abbreviations/Acronyms
xi. Definition of Terms
3.5.1 Declaration
This section confirms the authenticity and originality of the student’s work to
rule out plagiarism. It further declares that the work has not been submitted
elsewhere for similar purpose. This page bears the signature of the student.
I, name of the student, hereby declare that this submission is my own work
and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material
previously published or written by another person nor material which has
been accepted for the award of any other degree of the university or other
institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment has been
made in the text and reference list.
Signature:…………………………………. Date:………………………..
Name of student
Registration Number
3.5.2 Certification (approval and endorsement)
This page stands for announcing and affirming that the proposal/ thesis/
dissertation written is the genuine product of the student and that it represents
the work supervised by the advisor(s). This page bears the signature of the
supervisor(s)/ advisor(s) recommending the student’s work for submission.
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This proposal/thesis/dissertation is recommended for submission/ examination with
my/our approval as the University Supervisor(s)
Signature:…………………………………. Date:………………………..
Name of Supervisor 1
Department
Signature:…………………………………. Date:………………………..
Name of Supervisor 2
Department
3.5.3 Acknowledgements
The content of this page depends on the student. The student writing the report
can acknowledge individuals, groups and institutions that assisted in the course
of undertaking his/her research work or even during his/her study program.
3.5.4 Table of Contents
The proposal/thesis/dissertation must contain a complete table of contents. The table of

contents should be automatically generated with a line spacing of 1.5 throughout it. For
clarity, chapter titles should be upper cased and bolded whereas the rest of the titles
in the table of contents should be normal (i.e. no bold, no italicization).
3.5.6 List of Figures and Tables
Students must give the order number of the Tables/Figures used in the proposal/thesis
and indicate their page numbers. Numbering should be done in relation to Chapter
numbers e.g. numbering of Tables in Chapter One should begin as Table 1.1, 1.2 …; in
Chapter Two as Table 2.1, 2.2… and similarly with figures. Table names appear on
top of tables while figure names appear below figures. All Tables and Figures in the
Literature should be clearly stated. See examples below
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Table 2.1: Theories of Failure
S/No. Theory Description
…. ………… ………………………..
…. ………… ………………………..
…. ………… ………………………..
…. ………… ………………………..
…. ………… ………………………..
…. ………… ……………………….. Figure 2.3: Effect of right turn vehicles
Source: (Author, Year) Source: (Author et al., Year)
3.5.7 List of Abbreviations/Acronyms

List of abbreviations provide extensions of the acronyms used in the proposal/thesis
and should be arranged alphabetically.
3.5.8 Definition of Terms
This section should include a definition of some of the common/ relevant terms (key
words) in the study. A standard Scientific Civil Engineering Dictionary should be used
to define these terms.
3.6 Chapter One: Introduction

3.6.1 Background to the study
This section sets the context for your proposed project and must capture the reader’s
interest. You should explain the background of the study starting from a broad picture:
better to start prevalence of the problem in a global context, at regional level and later
emphasize on the local context-narrowing in on your research questions, citing the
relevant references, as appropriate. Students must state clearly and explicitly the reason
why the study is being undertaken. At proposal stage, students are required to provide
background of the study in a brief manner leaving the details for the project report.
However, the rationale of the study should provide the evidence concerning conditions
of existing situations about that project with the urgency of the research. It should,
therefore, bring out the need for the project to be carried out in order to solve the
problem or to provide part of the solutions to the problem. This section provides
evidence and conditions of the existing situations highlighting the gap(s) to make the
reader feel the urgency of the problem, the need to study it in order to solve the problem
or contribute to its solution. This task demands students to review related literature.
Literature review at this stage assists students conceptualise the problem and grasp its
evolution (600-800 words- less than two pages). It should provide an overview of the
sections that will appear in your proposal.
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3.6.2 Problem Statement
Against the said background in Section 1.1, the researcher isolates the problem that
he/she finds crucial and needs to be investigated. Problem statement is a clear, precise,
and succinct statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal
of finding an answer or solution. Thus, students must clearly explain what it is that they
want to investigate. How big is the problem? Stating the research problem could be said
to involve stating “how things are” (reality) and “how they should be” (ideal) OR
Simply, “the situation is like this or that and yet it ought to be like that”.
Ideally, problem should be stated in a general way with view of both global and local
contexts. After this, problem should be made very specific and contextualized to create
a room for your research. Students should keep in mind that problem statement is
required to present concrete evidence testifying prevalence of a given problem. Problem
statement remains unchanged at both proposal stage and report stage.
Statement of the Problem:
i. Presents the reason behind the proposal i.e. what will change when this project
is done or what would happen if the project is not done?
ii. Problem is an existing negative state not absence of a solution;
iii. Refers to what has been detected and needs a solution in the practical or
theoretical world;
iv. Should clearly state the nature of the problem and its known or estimated
magnitude / extent;
v. Link the problem to the National Development Priorities/framework (NDP),
Uganda’s vision 2040, the regional (e.g. AU) and the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs);
vi. Should be concise and brief (not more than 1 page).
This section therefore emphatically states and gives evidence of the difficulty that
needs to be resolved.
S/No. Issues of Concern Empirical Evidence Justification by the negative impact

1. …………………………. …………………………. ……………………………………………..
2. …………………………. …………………………. ……………………………………………..
. …………………………. …………………………. ……………………………………………..
. …………………………. …………………………. ……………………………………………..
. …………………………. …………………………. ……………………………………………..
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3.6.3 Research Objectives
3.6.3.1 Main Objective (Aim)
What is the main reason/aim for carrying out this project? It expounds the wider
intention of the researcher and what he/she anticipates to accomplish. It is written in
future tense at proposal stage, but at report stage the same objective is put in past tense.
3.6.3.2 Specific Objectives
These emanate from the general objective. Specific objectives must be SMART
(Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound). Specific objectives
should be written in future tense at proposal stage and past tense at project report stage.
Specific objectives should be at least three (3).
3.6.4 Research Questions

Research questions are crucial because they guide literature search, decisions about the
kind of research design to employ, decisions about what data to collect and from whom,
process and analysis of data, writing-up of report and making conclusions. The series
of stages is meant to suggest that, when developing research questions, the researcher
is involved in a process of progressive focusing down, so that one moves from a general
research area down to specific research questions. In making this movement, one has
to recognize the following restrictions:
(a) Remember that a research question should end with a question mark. If there is no
question mark, it is not a research question.
(b) Not all research questions that occur to us can be addressed. This is not just to do
with issues of time and the cost of doing research. It is very much to do with the
fact that one must keep a clear focus so that the research questions relate to each
other to form a coherent set of issues.
(c) Hence, one has to select from the possible research questions that are formulated.
(d) In making the selection, one should be guided by the principle that the research
questions one chooses should be related to one another. If they are not, the research
will probably lack focus and it may not be possible to make as clear a contribution
to understanding as would be the case if research questions were connected.
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Research questions for a thesis or project should meet the following criteria:
o Questions should be clear. They must be understandable to you and to others.
o Questions should be researchable. They should be capable of development into a
research design, so that data may be collected in relation to them. This means that
extremely abstract terms are unlikely to be suitable.
o Questions should connect with established theory/concepts and research. This
means that there should be a literature on which you can draw to help illuminate
how your research questions should be approached.
o Questions should be linked to one another other. Unrelated research questions are
unlikely to be acceptable, since you should be developing an argument in your
dissertation. You will not very readily be able to construct a single argument in
connection with unrelated research questions.
o Questions should have potential for making a contribution to knowledge and/or
society. They should at the very least hold out the prospect of being able to make
a contribution-however small-to the topic.
o Questions should be neither too broad nor too narrow. The research questions
should be neither too large (so that you would need a massive grant to study them)
nor too small (so that you cannot make a reasonably significant contribution to
your area of study).
3.6.5 Significance/Importance of the Study

In this section, students will state why they feel the study is important. This is usually
stated in terms of identifying people or institution that will benefit from it and how they
will benefit. Notice that it is here where students convince scholars that their project is
worth undertaking or studying. This section expresses the relevance of study in terms
of academic contributions and practical use that might be made of the findings. It
should reflect on knowledge creation, technological or socio-economic value to the
community. This section should entail the urgency of the study.
3.6.6 Project Scope

In this section, the writer indicates how far he/she intends to carry out the terms of
reference (specific objectives or context). The scope provides for the boundary or limits
of the research in terms of depth of investigation, content, sample size, geographical,
time frame and theoretical coverage as well as financial limits.
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3.7 Chapter Two: Literature Review
3.7.1 Generic
The review of literature is the gradual process that calls students to search, read, digest
and critically evaluate previous works of scholars that are related to their studies. In the
review of literature, students are to get a full knowledge of the area of their interest. It
requires students to familiarize with what other scholars had done in their proposed
topic or study. It is after studying other scholars’ work that students will know the gap
to be filled.
Review of literature helps students to find and use materials relevant to their studies.
These materials may be found in articles, journals, previous studies, dissertation works
of scholars, newspaper comments, letters written and kept in the archives and
magazines.
At proposal stage, students give a miniature literature pertinent to the research topic
and promise the details to be given in the thesis. Due to this effect, related literatures
are put under the general heading of literature at proposal stage. At project report stage,
students must elaborate this section and incorporate further information to demonstrate
sense of scholarship. Literature review contains two sorts of literature viz conceptual
literature and empirical literature.
3.7.2 Theoretical/ Conceptual Review

As far as conceptual literature is concerned, students provide definitions, concepts and
theories relevant to their research project topics. Depending solely on certain definition
is not enough instead students should compare and contrast this information. Not only
this, but also their voices need to be heard.
3.7.3 Empirical Review

On the other hand, empirical literature offers snapshots of the works of other people
that are related to the topics under study. The two sorts of literature are given different
headings, each with sub-headings under it. Apart from the above, presenting literature
review must follow some consistent pattern. This must be written according to the
specific objectives.
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3.7.3 Literature Review Summary and Research Gap
This section should provide a summary of the snapshots of the works of other people
that are related to the topics under study. As stated already, it should summarize the key
discoveries in literature related to each of the specific objectives. Consequently, a
research gap or contribution to the body of knowledge is identifies and can then be
addressed.
3.7.4 Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework illustrates what you expect to find through your research. It
defines the relevant variables for your study and maps out how they might relate to each
other. You should construct a conceptual framework before you begin collecting data.
It is often represented in a visual format hence; a conceptual framework is a written or
visual representation of an expected relationship between variables. Variables are
simply the characteristics or properties that you want to study. The conceptual
framework is generally developed based on a literature review of existing studies and
theories about the topic.
3.8 Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.8.1 Introduction
In this section, the researcher precisely explains the steps he/she intends to follow to
accomplish the project. The description of one’s methodology should not be so generic
as to apply to any project; it should be so fairly specific, showing particularly how a
project is going to handle each stage and area. Methodology comprises of the following
components:
3.8.2 Research design
Research design constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement, and analysis
of data in order to answer research questions within limited resources. As such the
design includes an outline of what the researcher will do from writing the hypothesis
and its operational implications to the final analysis of data. The design decisions have
to be in respect of: what the study is about; why the study is being made; where the
study will be carried out; what type of data is required; where the required data can be
found; what periods of time the study will include; what the sample design will be; what
techniques of data collection will be used; how the data will be analysed; the style in
which the report will be prepared.
19
The overall research design may be split into the following parts:
a) the sampling design which deals with the method of selecting items to be observed
for the given study;
b) the observational design which relates to the conditions under which the
observations are to be made;
c) the statistical design which concerns with the question of how many items are to
be observed and how the information and data gathered are to be analysed; and
d) the operational design which deals with the techniques by which the procedures
specified in the sampling, statistical and observational designs can be carried out.
Therefore, the important features of a research design are as follows:
(i) It is a plan that specifies the sources and types of information relevant to the
research problem.
(ii) It is a strategy specifying which approach will be used for gathering and
analysing the data.
(iii) It also includes the time and cost budgets since most studies are done under
these two constraints.
In brief, research design must, at least, contain: a clear statement of the research
problem; procedures and techniques to be used for gathering information; the
population to be studied; and methods to be used in processing and analysing data.
3.8.3 Research approach

Research approaches include qualitative and quantitative. As to the qualitative research
approach, students may focus solely on qualitative phenomenon as relating to quality
or kind. Qualitative research approaches often strive to expose motives or desired
related to issues under consideration. Contrary to this, research approach may be
quantitative, meaning focusing on numerical variables. It could be quantity or amount.
It is up to the students to decide which approach of research to select. Description of

the population from which samples will be collected and the sample size that is intended
to be used in the study. Sampling strategies by which the researcher will select
representative elements/subjects from the population; Description of study area
20
3.8.4 Data collection instruments
Under this section, students must identify and justify instruments to be used for
collecting primary data. Of course, there are numerous instruments to capture primary
data among other things include observations, interviews, questionnaires etc. Deserving
to note is that identifying which method to collect data is not enough, but their rationale
and relevance is also imperative.
3.8.5 Sources of data
i) Primary data sources: As far as primary data is concerned; students must

identify the sources from which they shall obtain their primary data. Mostly,
sampling unit is the source of primary data.
ii) Secondary data sources: Regarding secondary data, students identify possible
sources where they can get secondary data/already prepared data.
3.8.6 Overall heading flow of the methodology

Example:
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY/ MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Material Acquisition and Preparation (Sampling)
3.3 Objective 1
3.3.1 Research Design/ Experimental Setup
3.3.3 Data Processing and Analysis
3.4 Objective 2
3.5 Objective 3
E.T.C.
3.9 Chapter Four: Results and Discussion

In this section, students provide findings of their project. The findings are presented in
an orderly manner, mostly based on objectives and variables under each objective.
Where tables, figures or other data presentation tools are used, students must give brief
21
narrative description prior to the discussion. Afterwards, students must interpret and
discuss findings in detail. In other words, students must state what their findings reflect
with view of their objectives.
Example:
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Objective 1
4.2.1 Result 1.1
o Introduce the result
o Present the result (Tables, Graphs etc…)
o Discuss the result (Show trends, statistical descriptions, attribute findings to
scientific theories, cite similar findings from other authors, etc.)
4.2.2 Result 1.2

4.3 Objective 2
4.3.1 Result 2.1
4.3.2 Result 2.2

4.3.3 Result 2.3

4.4 Objective 3
4.4.1 Result 3.1
o Present the result
4.4.2 Result 3.2

E.T.C.
22
3.10 Chapter Five: Conclusions and Recommendations
This chapter contains two sections namely conclusion and recommendation.

Conclusion provides major findings of the project in a concise manner. While providing
conclusion, students must consider the pattern of the project objectives and give
succinct answer to each specific objective. Following conclusion, students must
propose logic, contextualised and workable suggestion for each specific objective. Ideal
way to give recommendation is to mention what is to be done, and how should it be
done.
Example:
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendations
5.2.1 For Possible Application
5.2.2 For Further Study
3.11 Bibliography
Harvard or APA referencing system should be used.
Characteristics of the APA method

The APA method was developed by the American Psychological Association and more
or less works according to the same principles as the Harvard method, in the sense that
the author and year of publication also form the core of the method, although the
information is presented in a different way in the text itself and in the reference list than
in the Harvard method. The Behavioural and Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology,
Social Work, etc.) mainly use this referencing method. The advantage of this method is
also that it does not influence the reference list when you make changes to your text, as
the reference list is sorted alphabetically according to the authors’ surnames or the titles
of the publications (in cases where no author is available).
An example of a typical in-text reference to a book is:
Refer to this site for examples/illustration.
(http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/authors/guides/write/harvard.htm?part= 2)
23
i) How to cite a thesis in Harvard style
 Luwalaga, J.G., 2016. Analysing the Behaviour of Soil Reinforced with
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Waste (Master). Stellenbosch
University, South Africa.
ii) How to cite a book in Harvard style
“Author(s); Year of publication; Title of publication; edition; Publisher; Place of

Publication”
Examples:
 Perry, P.J. (1968). Report writing: British association for Commercial and
Industrial Education (10th ed.). BACIE Publishers. London, Regent’s Park,
England
 Babbie, E. (1989), The Practice of Social Research, 8thed, Wadsworth
Publishing Company. Belmont, CA.
iii) How to cite a Journal

Author Surname, Author Initial. (Year Published). Title. Publication Title,Volume
number (Issue number), p.Pages Used. Available at: http://Website URL [Accessed
Date Accessed].
Examples:
 Al-Khalil, M. I. and Al-Ghafly, M. A. (1999), Important causes of delay in
public utility projects in Saudi Arabia, Journal of Construction Engineering and
Economics, Vol.17(3), pp. 647-655.
 Bossink, B. A. G. and Brouwers, H. J. H. (1996), “Construction Waste:
Quantification and Source Evaluation”, Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management, Vol. 122 (1), pp. 55-60.
24
3.12 Appendices
i) Budget
This is the financial plan for implementation of the research. It should be clear, realistic
and reasonable (affordable)
It should be itemised according to the following:
- Equipment
- Stationery
- Materials e.g. nails, wood, chemicals etc.
- Travel
- Subsistence
- Services (Secretarial, Photocopying, Printing, Binding)
- Others
ii) Time Framework/Work Plan

This is the schedule / time-table of activities covering the period over which the research
is to be implemented with due regard to budgetary consideration as well. It could be
presented in tabular form or in a Gantt chart. It is a valuable guide for evaluation of a
research progress.
25
Table 5.1: Proposed Research work plan
Period/months August September October November
Description of Works W4 W W W W W W W W W W W
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3
Review of literature
Research title submission
Proposal development
Experiment and observation
Proposal submission
Questionnaire development
Data collection
Analysing and Interpreting the output
Draft report writing
Final report submission
Presentation
26

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BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN CIVIL AND BUILDING ENGINEERING

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT

PREPARED BY : LUWALAGA J. G. MUNZI

Luwalaga J. G. Munzi 0753645601, [email protected]

Individual Research Project Guidelines i

Individual Research Project Guidelines ii

1.2 Course Outline

1.2.1 Brief Description

1.2.3 Detailed Course Description

1.2.4 Modes of Course Delivery

2.2 Length of proposal/ research project report and submission

2.6 Font and spacing

2.7 Tables and Figures

2.8 Individual Research Project Supervision

2.9 Individual project proposal/report oral presentation

TOPIC TITLE: …………………………………………….

NAME OF STUDENT: ………………………………..

REG. NUMBER: ………………………….

FINAL YEAR INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL/REPORT (insert as

Project proposal is a formal document indicating how a study would be executed. It is

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

4.1 Expected Results

3.4 Contents of Thesis/Dissertation

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.8 Background to the Study

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.5 Preliminary Pages

3.5.2 Certification (approval and endorsement)

3.5.4 Table of Contents

The proposal/thesis/dissertation must contain a complete table of contents. The table of

3.5.6 List of Figures and Tables

3.5.7 List of Abbreviations/Acronyms

3.6 Chapter One: Introduction

S/No. Issues of Concern Empirical Evidence Justification by the negative impact

3.6.3.2 Specific Objectives

3.6.4 Research Questions

3.6.5 Significance/Importance of the Study

3.6.6 Project Scope

3.7.2 Theoretical/ Conceptual Review

3.7.3 Empirical Review

3.7.4 Conceptual Framework

3.8 Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.8.2 Research design

Therefore, the important features of a research design are as follows:

3.8.3 Research approach

It is up to the students to decide which approach of research to select. Description of

3.8.5 Sources of data

i) Primary data sources: As far as primary data is concerned; students must

3.8.6 Overall heading flow of the methodology

3.2 Material Acquisition and Preparation (Sampling)

3.6 Data Collection Instruments

3.9 Chapter Four: Results and Discussion

4.2.2 Result 1.2