Department of Commerce & Financial Management | UoK

Undergraduate Dissertation Format & Guidelines

Please follow the following guidelines thoroughly when you submit the final dissertation as a part
and partial completion your degree.

Dissertation Structure

Section Dissertation structure requirements

Title page Attached

Certification Attached

Declaration Attached

Acknowledgement Acknowledgement statement.

Abstract Presenting the purpose, design/methodology/approach, findings,

practical implications, originality/value (maximum one page)
Keywords: Five keywords for alphabetical order

Table of Content List of chapter titles and sections with relevant page numbers

List of Tables A list of tables should be provided with page numbers

List of Figures A list of figures should be provided with page numbers

Abbreviations Used abbreviations and their explanations should be provided

CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Introduction

INTRODUCTION 1.2 Background of the study

1.3 Research Problem
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Objectives
1.7 Significance of the study
1.8 Limitations of the study
1.9 Organization of chapters
1.10 Chapter summary
CHAPTER TWO 2.1 Introduction
LITERATURE 2.2 ………..
REVIEW 2.3 ………..

This section should have an explicit explanation for the key conceptual
terms used in the dissertation. It should cover accepted theories and
concepts used in the literature.
After presenting existing body of theory, the student has to prepare
his/her own conceptual framework or other way of conceptualization, if
any (not relevant to qualitative research), necessary explanations and
justification. Student should present hypotheses, if any, according to the
framework developed.
Finally, student should provide a chapter summary.
This part should demonstrate student’s expertise, intellectual capabilities,
and ability to carry out a survey of existing body of literature relating to
the research issue under investigation. This should be mainly based on
refereed Journal articles. Students are also encouraged to cite evidence
form discussion papers and monographs.

CHAPTER THREE Quantitative approach Qualitative approach

3.1 Introduction 3.1 Introduction
METHODOLOGY 3.2 Research design 3.2 Research design
3.3 Conceptualization & Hypotheses 3.3 Qualitative approach to
Development research
3.4 Operationalization 3.4 Sampling and Procedures
3.5 Measurement of Variables adopted in the study
3.6 Unit of Analysis 3.5 Data collection techniques
3.7 Sample & Sampling Design 3.6 Interview procedure
3.7.1 Sample and Sampling frame 3.7 Data analysis
3.7.2 Sampling Technique 3.8 Trustworthiness of data
3.7.3 Sampling Procedure 3.9 Ethical Consideration
3.8 Data collection techniques and 3.10 Chapter summary
Procedure
3.9 Questionnaire development
3.9 Validity and Reliability analysis
3.10 Data Analysis Technique
3.11 Chapter summary

This section should deal with methodological aspect of the study i.e.
available research methods, choice of the methods, rationale behind the
selected, selected methods, data sources, research design, data collection
instruments and measures to ensure validity and reliability of information
and analytical techniques.
 CHAPTER FOUR Quantitative approach Qualitative approach
4.1 Introduction 4.1 Introduction
DATA ANALYSIS & 4.2 Exploratory data analysis 4.2 Analysis of cases
FINDINGS (missing, outliers, assumptions) 4.3 Themes derived from the study
4.3 Demographic characteristics 4.4Proposed Theoretical framework
of the sample 4.6 Chapter summary
4.4 Descriptive data analysis
4.5 Inferential data analysis and
Hypothesis testing (if any)
4.6 Chapter Summary

This is the most important section of the thesis. The answers to the
formulated research problem should be examined in a logical manner
paying attention to theoretical foundations and empirical evidence in the
literature. In this section, the methodology of the research should be
described in detail including the sources of data.

CHAPTER FIVE 5.1 Introduction

CONCLUSION, 5.2 Summary of research study
DISCUSSION & 5.3 Key findings
5.4 Conclusions
RECOMMENDATION
5.5 Implications and Recommendations
5.7 Direction for future research (if any)
5.6 Chapter summary
This section summarizes main results of the study and has to be derived
from the material presented in the main body of the study. Conclusions
and suggestions should show if the goal of the study is met, and the raised
issues are resolved.

Footnotes/Endnotes Explanatory notes should be presented as footnotes/endnotes.

References This includes articles, monographs, dissertations, and other publications.

Recommended format is APA Style.

Appendixes At the end of the final thesis, attachments can be presented, if they
enhance the value of the work. (Questionnaire, analyzed data tables)

** Please refer the following attached sample dissertation

Formatting Guidelines

Language
The candidate should submit the dissertation in English language and in the format given.

Page size and margins

Page size should be A4 |
Margins should be 1” (inch) on top, right, down | 1.5 for left side for binding.

Font Style & Size

The text of the thesis must be in Times New Roman, and sizes are as follows;
Title Page
§ Research Title : Font size 18 | Center aligned | Bold
§ Name and index number : Font size 12 | Centre Aligned | Bold
§ This dissertation is… in title page : Font size 12 | Alignment justify
§ Department of….. on title page : Font size 12 | Centre Aligned | Bold
Other Content
§ All chapter headings : Font size 14 | Left Aligned | Bold
§ All subheadings : Font size 12 | Left aligned | Bold
§ General text : Font size 12 | Alignment justify

Spacing
The dissertation must be 1.5 lines spaced, except it is specifically mentioned otherwise.
Single spacing may be used in lengthy lists or tables, reference or bibliographic entries, the table of
contents, list of tables, and list of figures, appendixes.

Numbering of Pages
§ All preliminary pages must be numbered in lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii,) | bottom
centered.
§ All pages within the text must contain an Arabic page number | bottom-centered |12 font size
| Times New Roman.

Print Requirement
Single side black and white printed hard copies are accepted.

Tables
Table caption : Top of the table| 12 font-size | left-aligned
Source : Bottom of the table | 10 font-size | left-aligned
Source: Author’s work based on primary data analysis

Figures
Figure caption : Bottom of the table | 12 font-size | left-aligned
Source : Bottom of the table | 10 font-size | left-aligned | Italic

For more details about citation guidelines please refer APA (American Psychological
Association) or Harvard referencing online.
 <Thesis Title>

By

<Student Name with initials>

<Index No: ................ >

This dissertation is submitted to the Department of Commerce and Financial Management, Faculty
of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of <Bachelor of Commerce (Special) / in ...................... >

Department of Commerce and Financial

Management Faculty of Commerce and
Management Studies University of Kelaniya
Sri Lanka

2021
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the study titled “<Thesis Title>”, submitted by <Student’s Name>, for the
degree of <Bachelor of Commerce (Special) / in …..> , Department of Commerce and
Financial Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka, is a bona fide research work carried out by him under my supervision. I recommend
that this thesis is fit for evaluation for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (special) degree / in
…..> program.

.......................................

<Supervisor name>
<Grade>
Department of Commerce & Financial
Management,

Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies

University of Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka.
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis has been compiled by me and that it is a true record of my work. I
have read all the references cited here (unless otherwise stated). And also declare that this thesis
has not been previously submitted for any other diploma or degree of this university or any other
university or institution.

Signature: - …………………………….

<Student Name>
Department of Commerce and Financial Management,
Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies,
University of Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka.

……………………………………

Date
(Sample)

IMPACT OF CREATIVE TALENTS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

By
R. A. A. I. KUMARA
CM/2012/079

This dissertation is submitted to the Department of Commerce and Financial Management,

Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Special) in Business
Technology.

Department of Commerce and Financial Management

Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies
University of Kelaniya
Sri Lanka

July 2019
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the study titled 'Impact of Creative Talents on Academic Performance',
submitted by R. A. A. I. Kumara, for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Special) in Business
Technology, Department of Commerce and Financial Management, Faculty of Commerce and
Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, is a bona fide research work carried out
by him under my supervision. I recommend that this thesis is fit for evaluation for the degree of
Bachelor of Commerce (special) degree in Business Technology program.

..........................................
Dr. C.N. Wickramasinghe
Senior Lecturer
Department of Commerce & Financial Management,
University of Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka.
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis has been compiled by me and that it is a true record of my work. I
have read all the references cited here (unless otherwise stated). And also declare that this thesis
has not been previously submitted for a higher degree from this university or any other university
or institutions.

Signature: - …………………………….
R. A. A. I. Kumara,
Department of Commerce and Financial Management,
Faculty of Commerce and Management,
University of Kelaniya,
Sri Lanka.

……………………………………
Date
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 ABSTRACT
Academic performance of the undergraduate's measures by using the Grade Point average system
which is introduced by Griffith University, Australia. Academic performance will influence when
the undergraduates have graduated and are seeking for a job. There are eight creative talents which
are affecting the performance of each person in any field.
This dissertation aims to investigate the impact of the eight creative talents for the academic
performance of the undergraduates in University of Kelaniya. This study has been addressed the
survey type research method and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data and utilized
sample frame of undergraduates of University of Kelaniya. Researchers have used analysis
techniques of descriptive analysis, regression analysis, and frequency test where statistical package
for the social science (SPSS) was used as the main analytical software.
The results of the study discuss the main four creative talents affecting the academic performance
and the significant impact of those talent categories on the undergraduate performance.
Keywords: Academic performance, Creativity, Education, Grade Point Average (GPA), Talents
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Extract)

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 7
1.2 Research Problem …............................................................................................................................ 10
1.3 Research questions …........................................................................................................................... 11
1.4 Research objectives ….......................................................................................................................... 11
1.5 Research hypotheses 11
….........................................................................................................................
1.6 Research methodology ….................................................................................................................... 11
1.7 Contribution of the study…......................................................................................................... 12
1.8 Limitations of the study…............................................................................................................ 12
1.9 Chapter organizations …..................................................................................................................... 12
1.10 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 13
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2 Theory of planned behavior ......................................................................................................... 14
….. ……………………………….
References 95
Appendices 98
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Conceptual model of the study................................................................................................ 11

Figure 2 Model of theory of planned behavior..................................................................................... 15
Figure 3 Service provider switching model ........................................................................................... 16
Figure 4 Push and pull mooring migration model of service switching ........................................... 17
Figure 5 Histogram – Switching cost ..................................................................................................... 52
Figure 6 Normal Q-Q plot curve ............................................................................................................ 53
Figure 7 Detrended normal Q-Q plot of switching cost .................................................................... 53
Figure 8 Histogram of services................................................................................................................ 54
Figure 9 Normal Q-Q plot of service .................................................................................................... 55
Figure 10 Detrended normal Q-Q plot of service ............................................................................... 55
Figure 11 Histogram of promotion ........................................................................................................ 56
Figure 12 Normal Q-Q plot of promotion ........................................................................................... 57
Figure 13 Detrended normal Q-Q plot of promotion ........................................................................ 57
Figure 14 Histogram of brand switching ............................................................................................... 58
Figure 15 Normal Q-Q Plot of Brand switching ................................................................................. 59
Figure 16 Detrended Normal Q-Q Plot of Brand switching ............................................................. 59
Figure 17 Department .............................................................................................................................. 60
Figure 18 Gender....................................................................................................................................... 60
Figure 19 Academic year of studying ..................................................................................................... 61
Figure 20 Employability status ................................................................................................................ 61
Figure 21 Telecommunication brand. .................................................................................................... 62
Figure 22 Students who have changed sim cads .................................................................................. 62
Figure 23 Type of connection ................................................................................................................. 63
Figure 24 Students who incurred a cost................................................................................................. 63
Figure 25 Amount paid to sim cards ...................................................................................................... 64
Figure 26 Normal P-P plot of regression .............................................................................................. 72
Figure 27 Scatter plot- Dependent variable........................................................................................... 72
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Descriptive statistics of variables .............................................................................................. 51

Table 2 Test of normality -switching cost ............................................................................................. 52
Table 3 Test of normality -services ........................................................................................................ 54
Table 4 Test of normality - promotions ................................................................................................ 56
Table 5 Test of normality ......................................................................................................................... 58
Table 6 Variables entered and removed ................................................................................................ 65
Table 7 Model summary ........................................................................................................................... 65
Table 8 ANOVA Table ............................................................................................................................ 67
Table 9 Coefficient table .......................................................................................................................... 67
Table 10 Correlation table........................................................................................................................ 69
Table 11 Collinearity statistics ................................................................................................................. 71
 LIST OFABBREVIATIONS

IT - Information Technology
ICT - Information and communications technology

BMI - Business Monitor International

CAGR - Compound Annual Growth Rate
HR - Human resource
BPO - Business process outsourcing
PC - Personal computer

DISCLAIMER
This document has been set up to assist candidate in preparing the text for their research
proposal for Bachelor of Commerce degree students. It is NOT intended as a document
to guide you through your research writing, but to assist you in setting out the
dissertation, in terms of text layout, section headings and sub-sections.