Red Book
Red Book
writing
Guidelines for proposals, thesis
structure, abstracts and articles
FOR STUDENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF QUANTITY
SURVEYING AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Compiled by
Alna Beukes
Compiled by
Alna Beukes
11th edition
© 2019
Department of Quantity Surveying and
Construction Management
University of the Free State
Bloemfontein
South Africa
INTRODUCTION 1
BIBLIOGRAPHY 52
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this manual is to offer a basic set of guidelines or a quick
reference for students to follow in their preparation of various types of
academic writing assignments.
First, it is to ensure that students are prepared to undertake the work that they
are proposing. Secondly the submission and review of thesis proposals is to
help guarantee the quality of the degree.
1.2 What is the role of the study leader and the student?
The role of the study leader is primarily to advice. A study leader should, guide
students to a specific, well-defined thesis topic and will also suggest some
background reading students should do. It is students responsibility to do the
necessary background reading. The proposal should be written by students
(with the study leader’s input if prefer).
1.3.1 A title page that includes the proposed thesis title, students name and
student number, the study leaders’ name, faculty, department and the date of
submission.
1.3.4 Introduction
In the introduction the student needs to say why he/she is doing the proposed
work and what its significance is. It is in the introduction that one will typically
also define/explain most of the necessary terms and acronyms. Students also
need to provide a quick sketch of their proposed solution and briefly explain
how it differs from other work.
1.3.8 Timetable
A timeline for the completion of your thesis providing realistic dates for
finishing "milestone" events. Department regulations state that students
thesis proposal must be approved by their study leader at least six
months prior to your thesis deadline.
1.3.10 Summary
A brief (one to two paragraphs) summary of the proposal that highlights the
key points in the proposal and provides a list of contributions to the field that
students expect their work to provide. Be very specific when listing your
contributions and explain why they are of interest to the industry.
1.4.8 Plagiarism
Plagiarism implies direct duplication of the formulation and insights of a source
text with the intention of presenting it as one’s own work. *The UFS Policy on
the Prevention of Plagiarism and Dealing with Academic Writing Misconduct
seen plagiarism and academic writing misconduct as serious
concerns and are subject to strict corrective actions.
the preliminaries,
the text, and
the references
by
Ryan Brown
A thesis submitted for partially fulfilling in Module XXX the requirements for the
_______________________________
Prof. K Kajimo-Shakantu (Head of department)
_______________________________
Mr Pierre Oosthuizen (Study leader)
2.1.3 References
Bibliography/References
Appendices (if applicable)
Unusual or supplementary materials, such as questionnaires or copies of
photographs, may be put into appendices. The appendices must be consecutively
paginated with the text. The paper quality and margins must conform to the
standards for the rest of the thesis.
2.2.6 Margins
The text begins 3cm from the top and left side of the paper. Bottom and right
side margins are 2,5 cm.
2.2.13 Graphics
Graphics (figures, photo’s, graphs etc.) must meet the same standards as the
rest of the thesis. Save photo’s or graphics as tif files with 300dpi. Do not use
pencil, ballpoint or felt tip in the final copy. Labels on photographs, charts, and
other figures must be permanent. Headings, keys, and all other identifying
information should be of the same quality of type as the text.
2.2.14 Footnotes
Footnotes may be single-spaced with an extra space between notes.
Footnotes for each chapter are usually numbered consecutively. Footnotes
must be at the bottom of the page.
2.2.18 Print
Print your thesis on a good quality printer. Common problems are
smudges, copy lines and specks, missing pages, margin shifts, slanting
of the printed image on the page, and poor paper quality.
Black print.
Colour maps, charts, etc. are acceptable.
2.2.19 Corrections
To ensure a clean final copy, correct and reprint pages. Do not make
handwritten corrections or use correction fluid in the final copy.
2.3.2 Colon
After a complete statement in order to introduce one or more directly related
ideas, such as a series of directions, a list, or a quotation or other comment
illustrating or explaining the statement.
e.g. The daily newspaper contains six sections: news, sports,
entertainment, business, youth and adverts.
Often, [sic] is used to indicate that a grammar error in the text was written by
the original author.
e.g. The manager believed that his statement was
“appropriate and did not undermine the moral [sic] of
the group.” (should be “morale” not “moral”)
2.3.4 Dash
Use a dash to emphasise a point or to set off an explanatory comment; but
don't overuse dashes, or they will lose their impact.
e.g. To some of you, my proposals may seem radical -
even revolutionary
Use quotation marks to enclose direct quotations. Use single quote marks
only for a quote that is within a quote run into the text. Do not use quote marks
in second and subsequent uses.
*Note that commas and periods go inside the closing quotation mark; colons
and semicolons go outside; and placement of question and exclamation marks
depends on the situation. The quote marks may be placed before or after
depending on the context of the sentence. Any grammar book or style manual
will have detailed explanations of this as well as examples.
Use single quotation marks for a quotation enclosed inside another quotation.
e.g. The agricultural reporter for the newspaper explained, “When
I talked to the Allens last week, they said, ‘We refuse to use
that architect.’ ”
*Note: space between ’ and ”
If you leave words out of a quotation, use an ellipsis mark to indicate the
omitted words. If you need to insert something within a quotation, use a pair of
brackets to enclose the addition.
e.g.
A quotation that extends more than four typed lines on a page should be
indented one inch from the left margin and in italics. Maintain line spacing as in
the main text, and do not use quotation marks for the block quotation.
e.g.
Furthermore, we are less and less clear about what it would mean to
preserve nature…In the best of circumstances, preservation is
applicable only to the limited portion of earth that has not already been
tampered with (Baldwin et al., 1994: 5).
2.4.2 Punctuation
Be consistent with comma usage.
Not typing hyphens and dashes correctly. Do not use a space before or
after a hyphen or a dash.
5 - 23 is a minus; 5-23 is a range although the word "to" is now
preferred in some disciplines.
2.4.7 Ellipses
Use ellipses to indicate omitted material from within a quote. Do not use
ellipses to denote omitted material at the beginning or end of a quote.
Type ellipses as three spaced periods: . . . not ... The fourth period in an
ellipsis represents the end of the sentence and indicates that the sentence
ended and then material was omitted . . . . or that part of the sentence was
omitted . . . . Note the spacing before the first period.
2.4.10 Italics
Use italics only for citing source names that was published.
This include book titles, journal titles, conference proceeding titles etc.
2.5.3 Do not put off writing the thesis until the end.
Another typical and costly mistake that thesis writers often make is trying to do
all the other (more familiar) tasks first (e.g., performing experiments,
conducting the literature search) before they write a word. This is not a
productive approach. Start writing now, even if it is only your random thoughts
Example:
Purpose – The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations (CVWR)
became law in 2005. They are of particular relevance to construction –
which by nature of its activities – presents abundant whole-body, and
hand-arm, vibration hazards. The principal aim of this research was to
assess perceptions among a sample of UK construction professionals;
regarding workplace vibration hazards generally and the CVWR
specifically.
Example:
Design/methodology/approach – A structured questionnaire survey
was carried out among a small but carefully targeted sample of
professionals drawn from construction. These included health and
safety managers, production managers and designers. A total of 88
useable responses were received. Data were analysed principally
using the mean index technique.
Example:
Value/Originality/Practical implications – Disparity was observed
between what respondents knew about the subject and the purported
(extensive) use of training as a risk control method. This indicates that
a degree of introspection may be beneficial on the part of employers,
regarding their training design and delivery mechanisms. Differences
in perceived degrees of vibration risk, exist between health and safety
professionals and construction managers; implying that there is a
need for improved communication between those responsible for
planning vibration management controls, and those charged with
implementing them at the workplace.
It's important to note that the weight accorded to the different components can
vary. For models/examples, try to find abstracts of research that is similar to
your research.
Some publications request "keywords". These have two purposes. They are
used to facilitate keyword index searches and they are also used to assign
papers to review committees or editors.
Because the article will be divided into sections, students need to know what
information will go into each.
4.1.3 Plagiarism*
Use of others words, ideas, images, etc. without citation is not to be tolerated
and can be easily avoided by adequately referencing any and all information
you use from other sources. In the strictest sense, plagiarism is representation
of the work of others as being your work. Paraphrasing other's words too
closely may be construed as plagiarism in some circumstances.
* See page 5 of this manual.
4.2.2 Abstract
See PART 3 of this manual.
Subheadings: When your article reports on more than one element, use
subheadings to help organise the presentation. Subheadings should be
capitalised (first letter), left justified, and bold.
Example of a subheading:
2.1 Framework for facilities management
In this section you explain clearly how you carried out your study in the
following general structure and organisation (details follow below):
the subjects used (i.e. steel, cement, building techniques etc.) and their
pre-experiment handling and care, and when and where the study was
carried out;
if a field study, a description of the study site, including the physical and
precise location;
the experimental OR sampling design (i.e., how the study was
structured. For example, controls, treatments, the variable's) measured,
etc.);
the protocol for collecting data, i.e., how the study procedures were
carried out, and
how the data were analysed (statistical procedures used).
Organise your presentation so your reader will understand the logical flow of
the study; subheadings work well for this purpose. Each study should be
presented as a unit, even if it was broken up over time. In general, provide
enough quantitative detail (how much, how long, when, etc.).
UFS Page 28 Department of Quantity Surveying and
Construction Management
4.2.4.iii Results
The function of the Results section is to objectively present your key results,
without interpretation. Summaries of the statistical analyses may appear either
in the text (usually parenthetically) or in the relevant Tables or Figures. The
Results section should be organised around a series of Tables and/or Figures
sequenced to present your key findings in a logical order. The text of the
Results section follows this sequence and highlights the answers to the
questions/hypotheses you investigated. Important negative results should be
reported, too.
4.2.4.iv Discussion
The Discussion section is to interpret your results in light of what was already
known about the subject of the investigation, and to explain our new
understanding of the problem after taking your results into consideration. The
Discussion will always connect to the Introduction by way of the question(s) or
hypotheses you posed and the literature you cited, but it does not simply
repeat or rearrange the Introduction. Instead, it tells how your study has
moved forward from the place you left at the end of the Introduction.
If, in your study, you received any significant help in thinking up, designing, or
carrying out the work, or received materials from someone who did you a favor
by supplying them, you must acknowledge their assistance and the service or
material provided. Place the Acknowledgments between the Discussion and
the Literature Cited. Do not number heading.
The Reference list section gives an alphabetical listing (by first author's last
name) of the references that you actually cited in the body of your paper. The
UFS department of Quantity Surveying use the Harvard method of referencing
(every student get download these guidelines from Blackboard). References to
the research findings of others are an integral component of any research
article. The usual practice is to summarise the finding or other information in
your own words and then cite the source. Any ideas or other information that
are not your own must be substantiated by a reference that is cited in the text.
4.2.4.vii Appendices
raw data
maps (foldout type especially)
extra photographs
explanation of formulas, either already known ones, or especially if you
have ‘invented’ some statistical or other mathematical procedures for data
analysis
UFS Page 30 Department of Quantity Surveying and
Construction Management
specialised computer programs for a particular procedure
full generic names of chemicals or compounds that you have referred to in
somewhat abbreviated fashion or by some common name in the text of
your article
diagrams of specialised apparatus used
WARNING
Consider the under mentioned reference
methods to be a guideline only.
According to this author - date method, references are made in the text and
the source is fully recorded in the bibliography/reference list. Only those
sources which are referred to in the text must be included in the bibliography
(source reference list).
author’s surname;
year of publication; and
page reference
1. The initials or first names of the authors are not used in the
text, except where there is more than one author with the same
surname.
e.g. can occur in various instances (Huskisson, 2010: 89).
Method 2: All the authors are mentioned in the first reference, and thereafter
only the first author, followed by et al., is mentioned.
8. In the case of sources with more than six authors, give the first six
authors and abbreviate the remaining authors to et al. in the first
reference, and thereafter only the first author, followed by et al. is
mentioned.
e.g. 1st reference: … projects may fail (Davis, Charles, Curry, Shanti,
Prasad, Hewings et al. 2003 : 46).
2nd reference: Project life cycles are effected (Davis et al., 2003: 35).
9. The works of authors who have written more than one book
in the same year are differentiated from each other by placing a
small letter in the text after the date. This letter is repeated in the date
in the source reference list.
e.g. … many builders and construction managers use slate and ceramic
tiles in combination in kitchens (Huskisson, 2018a: 45; Huskisson,
2018b: 30).
11. When you reference different material from the same author,
arrange them in chronological order.
12. When referring to more than one source to proof the same
fact, all the sources are mentioned in the same reference in
chronological order.
Acts
(Country. Act name Date: page/s)
Government Gazettes
(Country. Government Gazette, Date of publication: page/s)
White papers
(Country. White paper’s name, Date: page/s)
Bills
(Country. Bill name, Date: page/s)
BOOKS
Determining authorship
Entries in the bibliography / reference list are made as follows:
Edition or print
Print and first editions of sources are not mentioned, only 2nd, 3rd, etc. No
abbreviation is used, write out 2nd edition.
Place of publication
If there is more than one place of publication, only the first one is mentioned.
Publisher
The initials of the publisher are not included.
Series
If the source being used is one of a series of sources, the entry is written
between round brackets and is placed at the end of the description.
CONTRIBUTION IN A BOOK
Elements to cite:
The surname of the person who wrote the chapter in the book, INITIALS. Year
of publication. Title of the chapter in the book that was used. Followed by In:
surname, INITIALS. of author of editorial work. Title of the book that was used.
Place of publication: Publisher, Page number(s) of contribution.
e.g. Morton, J.A. 2002. The state of the art in linguistic research
and standardisation. In: Marais, J. (Ed.). Quebec’s aboriginal
languages: history, planning and development. England:
Clevedon, pp. 129-158.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Author’s surname, INITIALS. Year of publication. Title of article. Title of
journal, volume number and (part number), page numbers of contribution,
Month of publication, DOI number.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Elements to cite:
THESIS
Elements to cite:
*UNPUBLISHED WORK
Elements to cite:
DICTIONARY
Elements to cite:
ENCYCLOPAEDIA
Elements to cite:
PATENT
Elements to cite:
MAP
Elements to cite:
Map maker, Year of issue. Title of map. Map series, Sheet number, scale.
Place of publication: Publisher.
LAW REPORTS
Elements to cite:
Elements to cite:
Elements to cite:
Official name of country. Date of publication. Title of act, number and year of
act. Place of publication: Publisher.
Government Gazettes
Elements to cite:
Elements to cite:
White papers
a) Published separately b) In the Government Gazette
Elements to cite:
Personal communication
If there is a need to cite unpublished information gained from a private letter,
conversation or interview. Seek permission before using as a reference.
(Surname and Initials of person with whom the communication was, year:
personal communication)
Interview or Correspondence
Surname and Initials of person with whom the interview or correspondence
was, year: interview or correspondence)
INTERVIEW OR CORRESPONDENCE
Elements to cite:
PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Elements to cite:
Title, Year. (For films the preferred date is the year of release in the country of
production). Material designation. Subsidiary originator. (optional, but director is
preferred.) Surname. Production details - place: organisation.
e.g. Macbeth, 1948. Film. Directed by Orson Wellus. USA: Republic
Pictures.
Birds in the Garden, 1998. Video. London: X Videos.
Follow the “author - date” procedure as prescribed by the Harvard method for
use during normal citing of information sources.
*Note that the date in the reference is the date published rather than the date
retrieved and you only need to provide the year.
Elements to cite:
Author/Editor.
Year.
Title.
[online].
Edition.
Place of publication:
Publisher (if ascertainable).
Available at: <URL> [Accessed date].
Elements to cite:
Author. Year. Title. Journal Title [online], volume (issue), location within host.
Available from: <URL> [Accessed Date].
Elements to cite:
Elements to cite:
Author, Initials., Year, Title of book. [e-book type] Place of publication (if
known): Publisher. Followed by Available at: e-book source and web address
[Accessed date].
Elements to cite:
Notes on Blackboard
Elements to cite:
Author. Year. Lecture title from module code (capitalise) title of module.
Teaching organisation, location and date of presentation. Available from:
Blackboard [Accessed Date].
Pdf documents
Elements to cite:
Berry, R. 1994. The research project: How to write it. 3rd edition. London:
Routledge.
How to write an abstract: Links and tips. [online]. Available from: <http://
research.berkeley.edu/ucday/abstract.html> [Accessed: 10 August 2007].
Lategan, O.K. & Lues, L. (Eds). 2005. Doing research: A general overwiew of
the research process. Bloemfontein: Tekskor.
MIT Online Writing and Community Centre. 1999. Writing a thesis. [online].
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Available from: <http://web.mit.edu/
writing/Writing_Types/writingthesis.html> [Accessed 16 November 2005].
OWL Online Writing Lab. 2004. Quotation marks. [online]. West Lafayette
Indiana: Purdue University. Available from: <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
handouts/print/grammar/g_quote.html>[Accessed 10 May 2005].
University of the Free State (UFS). 2010. The Policy on the Prevention of
Plagiarism and Dealing with Academic Writing Misconduct. Bloemfontein:
UFS.
Washington State University. [n.d.]. Guidelines for writing the thesis. [online].
Honors College. Available from: <http://www.wsu.edu/~honors/thesis/
Writing_paper.html> [Accessed 16 November 2005].