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Thesis Format
Writing Style
(For M.Phil & PhD Scholars)

Department of Education
National University of Modern Languages,
Islamabad.
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THESIS WRITING

The Thesis is a research document which has a great importance during the whole professional
career of the scholar. It should be well prepared, properly documented and nicely presented.
Therefore, the scholars are advised to follow the instructions strictly, which have been developed
for their own convenience and benefit. Be sure that quality of research is an asset for the scholar
as well as for the Faculty/University. Thus, there is no compromise on quality in any case.
Keeping this in view the points of tremendous significance are described as below:
1. All Chapters of the Thesis should be closely linked up
2. Be brief, accurate and to the point.
3. Avoid repetition or duplication of ideas.
4. Spare and allow enough time for writing.
5. Organize the material in a logical sequence.
6. Revise the manuscript until it has unity, coherence, emphasis and accuracy, and so clear
that it cannot be misunderstood.
7. Avoid unnecessary details.
8. Design suitable headings, sub-headings and sub-sub-headings. The paragraphs and
sentences should be short, to enable the reader to "skim" the thesis for its general subject
matter.
9. Let tabular data and illustrations speak for themselves.
10. Avoid long and complex or undigested data or too many tables.
11. Arrange the tables to fit portrait or landscape on a page wherever possible and so
12. Provide a complete and suitable title for every table, figure and illustration which is self-
explanatory.
13. Provide clear and concise column headings and sub-headings.
14. Include letters, survey forms, raw data, statistical computations and other materials which
have been used or collected during the study in the appendices.
15. Explain every symbol used in a table.
16. The material which is taken from other’s work should be referred
17. All references should be cited at proper place, i.e. where the work is mentioned.
18. Each and every finding should be logically and scientifically justified.
19. The material given in Appendices should be mentioned in the Text where required
20. The original contribution should be presented forcefully and Significantly
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TEXT
The Text must be divided into Chapters, Sections and Subsections. For example Chapter
1, Section 1 and Sub-section 1.1 The Chapters of the Thesis should be 5 in total. There is
no restriction on Sections and Sub-sections.
The Section may have any number of Sub-sections and may have not a single one.
Actually it depends upon the number of ideas being discussed in a Section. It is
mandatory that for every new concept there should be a separate Sub-section. Similarly
the number of Sections in a Chapter is not fixed. It depends upon the major components
of the Chapter. The paragraph should not be too long or too short. In general a paragraph
comprises a single idea.
The thesis will be divided into five chapters

✓ 1st chapter will be the “Introduction”.

✓ 2nd chapter will be the “Review of Related Literature”.
✓ 3rd will be the “Research Methodology”
✓ 4th will be the “Data Analysis”.
✓ 5th will be the “Summary, Findings, Conclusion, Discussion and
Recommendations”.

CHAPTER 1
Introduction: This Chapter will comprise of relevant fundamental terminology, general
introduction of the problem, aims of the investigations, hypotheses to be tested, research
plan etc. The justification and importance of the present study should be given. It is very
important to anticipate the specific and general benefits likely to be achieved.
CHAPTER 2
Literature Review: In this chapter, a critical review of the relevant previous research
work done by the other researchers should be presented. At least 40 latest research papers
relevant to the present study should be discussed. The justification for the present work is
to be deduced. The information given in the review should be supported by references.
The similarities and dissimilarities among the papers reviewed, with respect to variables,
type of research, methodology adopted and important conclusions should be mentioned
and critically examined.
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CHAPTER 3
Research Methodology: A plan of work describing the various aspects of the study in a
logical sequence is the most important aspects of any research plan. Furthermore,
sufficient details to demonstrate that the researcher has a fairly good idea about the nature
of work, expected to be evolved, should be provided. The description of resource
materials and the required information to be obtained from primary or secondary sources
should be provided. The terminology and important concepts used should be described.
The important facilities used, e.g. internet, digital library, and relevant literature (books,
websites) should be mentioned. The statistical techniques being used for analyzing data
should be described properly to make these understandable for non-technical persons.
CHAPTER 4
Data Analysis: This is the most important part of the Thesis, where the data is analyzed
to find out the meanings from it. This chapter contains the tables, figures, graphs and
statistical operations to provide a logical footage to the findings of the study. As this
chapter deals with tables and figures majorly so the APA style is important to be
followed.
CHAPTER 5
Summary, Findings, Conclusion, Discussion and Recommendations: Summary of the
Thesis, major findings, conclusions, discussion, recommendations and limitations of
study should be given. The recommendations can be for the future researchers and for the
society at large as well.
APPENDICES
Appendices include material that are relevant to the Thesis but can be skipped from the
text, e.g. Questionnaire, Data, Computer results, Permission letters, translations, turnitin
report, topic approval letter etc. The appendices will be numbered in roman style.
Formatting
The general instructions for Thesis layout are as below:
I. SPACING: The line spacing for the text of the Thesis should be 02.
II. FONT: Use a font size of 12 for text. Use of italics is restricted to foreign words,
book or periodical titles, statistical or algebraic symbols.
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III. JUSTIFICATION: Justification is recommended for the body of the text.

Headings or sub-headings located at the bottom of a page that are not followed by
text should be avoided. The short lines ending a paragraph at the top of the page
must also be avoided.
IV. MARGINS: The margins are essential for coping and binding. Therefore, left
edge margin is suggested as 1.5 inches and other three edges 01 inch each.
V. PAGINATION: Every page should be assigned a number. The numbers at the
top right side of the page are recommended.
VI. TABLES AND FIGURES:
a. Tables must be in APA format. Irrelevant tables should be avoided.
b. The Table headings should be positioned above the table using font size
12 as of the text.
c. Use continuation notation if it exceeds a page in length.
d. Figure heading may be placed either above or below the figure.
VII. PAPER REQUIREMENT: The Thesis paper should be 80 gram weight, A4 size
and having white complexion.
VIII. APPEARANCE: The finally submitted Thesis must be neat and clean in all
respects. It should be free from errors, hand written corrections, dots or shading,
fluid impression etc.
IX. FINAL COPY: Thesis should be printed on one side of the page. The print must
be sharp. Check all the pages carefully before submission.
X. BINDING: Thesis should be submitted in the form of Tape Binding on initial
stages. After Viva Voce exam it should be submitted hard bound. The color
should be Black with Gold print.
XI. NO. OF COPIES: Four copies for M.Phil and Four copies for Ph.D
XII. PLAGIARISM: The report generated by software TURNITIN from the account
of supervisor is mandatory
APA style will be followed for text headings and references

✓ Major heading = 16, Bold & Caps

✓ Heading = 14, Bold & Caps
✓ Sub Heading = 12 & Bold
✓ Further consult APA manual for levels of headings
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1. The text will be in “New Times Roman” double spaced in 12 font, justified.
2. Page No’s will be in bottom center.
3. Page No’s for References and Appendix will be in roman counting.
4. References will be in Alphabetic order; the second line will be 0.5 hanging.
5. The tables must be in APA style given below

Job Exp N M SD F P

Democratic 0-1 year 4 28.75 3.304 .35 .83

1-3 year 14 30.43 5.945

3-5 year 19 30.74 2.825

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Document Layout

1 Page No’s
CHAPTER 1 to Appear

INTRODUCTION

To live with the people, enjoy the company of the This is where the headings will
fellows, sharing of ideas and solving daily routine life appear. The headings will follow the
problems are the basic human virtues. It is the basic social APA Levels of Headings.
necessity for survival. During this process man develops
some common values for living and practices emanating
from these values are known as social skills. “Social skills”
represent the shared values that are acceptable as norms to
live by in the society. SPACING: The line spacing for the
text of the Thesis should be 02.
Typology in vogue suggests “Social skills” as being
FONT: Use a font size of 12 for text.
interrelated with communication skills. Researchers have
Use of italics is restricted to foreign
posited that people with strong “communication skills”
possess good “social skills” and people with weak “social words, book or periodical titles,
skills” are normally not found to be very good statistical or algebraic symbols.
communicators. Thus “social skills” are reflected by the
JUSTIFICATION: Justification is
style of communication as well, and lead to the success of
recommended for the body of the text.
an individual.
Headings or sub-headings located at
the bottom of a page that are not
followed by text should be avoided.
The short lines ending a paragraph at
MARGINS: The margins are essential for the top of the page must also be
coping and binding. Therefore, left edge avoided.
margin is suggested as 1.5 inches and other Paragraphs: are indented 0.5” (or
three edges 01 inch each. five spaces).

PAPER REQUIREMENT: The paper

should be 80 gram weight, A4 size and
having white complexion.
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Document Layout

This is where the headings will

References appear. The headings will follow the
APA Levels of Headings.
Acton, T., & W. Golden. (2002). Training: The way to
retain valuable IT employees? informing science
and IT education conference. June 19-21, 2002.
Cork, Ireland. ISSN 1535-07-03. Retrieved from
http://tatiuc.edu.my/fahmy/publications/C-
13.pdf. Retrieved on 2nd Dec, 2012. References: will start on the new
Allen, N.J., and Meyer, J.P. (1990). “Organizational page.
socialization tactics: longitudinal analysis of
links to newcomers’ commitment and role SPACING: The line spacing for the
orientation”, Academy of Management Journal,
Vol. 33, pp. 847-58. text of the Thesis should be 1.5.
FONT: Use a font size of 12 for
Bauer, T. N., & Green, S. G. (1998). Testing the combined
effects of newcomer information seeking and text. APA style for Referencing will
manager behavior on socialization. Journal of
Applied Psychology, 83: 72-83. be used.

Cable, D. M., & Parsons, C. K. (2001). Socialization tactics JUSTIFICATION: Justification is

and person-organization fit. Personnel
Psychology, 54: 1- 23.
recommended for the body of the
text.
Caldarella, P., & Merrell, K. (1997). Common dimensions
of social skills of children and adolescents. A Indentation: the first lie of every
taxonomy of positive behaviors. School
Psychology View, 26, 264-278 entry is flushed left. Subsequent
lines are indented 0.5” (or five
Campbell, J.P., et al. (1970). Managerial Behavior,
Performance and Effectiveness. New York: spaces).
McGraw-Hill.

Page No’s
The references will appear alphabetically to Appear
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