How to write an effective

final year project

DR. M.G.R. EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE

UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Contents

 Choosing the title

 Executive Summary
 Introduction and Organization Profile
 Problem Statement
 Aim and objectives
 Research Methodology
 Data Analysis
 Relevant activity charts, tables, graphs, diagrams etc.
 Conclusion and Suggestions
 References
Choosing the title
 Projects allow students to apply classroom-taught knowledge and analytical research
to solve a strategically significant issue that is highly relevant for business.

 A project can also be defined as a set of inputs and outputs required to achieve a
particular goal. Projects can range from simple to complex and can be managed by
one person or a hundred.

 The topic should be clear, concise and be more specific

 The student should consider in researching previous studies and other projects which
has been performed earlier to get more insight in choosing the project
Executive Summary

 This summary should cover everything of the project, all points of the project
report shall be covered in this section, such as
 what is the problem,
 what is the research methodology we have undertaken,
 what relevant activities you have undertaken for it,
 In nut shell, executive summary should work as snap shot of the entire
project work.
 This summary should be of minimum 2 to 3 pages.
Introduction to the study
 An overview of the topic. Start with a general overview of your topic. Narrow the
overview until you address your paper’s specific subject. Then, mention questions or
concerns you had about the case. Note that you will address them in the publication.
 Prior research. Your introduction is the place to review other conclusions on your
topic. Include both older scholars and modern scholars. This background information
shows that you are aware of prior research. It also introduces past findings to those
who might not have that expertise.
 A rationale for your paper. Explain why your topic needs to be addressed right now.
If applicable, connect it to current issues. Additionally, you can show a problem with
former theories or reveal a gap in current research. No matter how you do it, a good
rationale will interest your readers and demonstrate why they must read the rest of
your paper.
 Describe the methodology you used. Recount your processes to make your paper
more credible. Lay out your goal and the questions you will address. Reveal how you
conducted research and describe how you measured results. Moreover, explain why
you made key choices.
Organisational profile

 An Organizational Profile is a framework for understanding the internal and

external factors that shape the operating environment of a business and affect the
business decisions made.

 Year of incorporation

 Products and services

 Provide the past three to five years of sales, profits of the company

 Number of employees etc

Problem statement

 This point should be clearly defined; you should put existing work processes of related
functions of the organization. Minimum 8 to 10 pages should spare for this point.
 One of the most important goals of any problem statement is to define the problem being
addressed in a way that's clear and precise. Its aim is focus the process improvement team’s
activities and steer the scope of the project.
 1. Get each person to write his or her own problem statement without conferring. Compare
each of the sentences/ looking for common themes and wording.
 2. Start to write an improved statement using the common themes.
 3. Ensure that the problems include the customer’s perspective
 4. Ensure that the statement focuses on existing problems.
 5. Try to include the time frame over which the problem has been occurring.
 6. Try to quantify the problem. If you do not have the data to hand, defer writing the final
problem statement until you have been able to quantify the problem
Aim and Objectives

 Objectives should also be S.M.A.R.T. - which means they should be:

 Specific – be precise about what you are going to do
 Measureable –you will know when you have reached your goal
 Achievable – Don’t attempt too much – a less ambitious but completed
objective is better than an over-ambitious one that you cannot possible
achieve.
 Realistic – do you have the necessary resources to achieve the objective –
time, money, skills, etc.
 Time constrained – determine when each stage needs to be completed. Is
there time in your schedule to allow for unexpected delays.
Research Methodology

 Research Methodology refers the discussion regarding the specific methods

chosen and used in a research paper. This discussion also encompasses the
theoretical concepts that further provide information about the methods
selection and application.
 The methodology or methods section explains what you did and how you did it,
allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of your research. It
should include: The type of research you did. How you collected and/or selected
your data
 Research design
 Quantitative and Qualitative research methods
 Questionnaire / Survey method
 Statistical tools
Data analysis

 According to LeCompte and Schensul, research data analysis is a process used

by researchers for reducing data to a story and interpreting it to derive
insights. The data analysis process helps in reducing a large chunk of data into
smaller fragments, which makes sense.

 Three essential things take place during the data analysis process — the first
data organization. Summarization and categorization together contribute to
becoming the second known method used for data reduction. It helps in
finding patterns and themes in the data for easy identification and linking.
Third and the last way is data analysis – researchers do it in both top-down or
bottom-up fashion.
Type of data in research

 Qualitative data: When the data presented has words and descriptions, then we call it qualitative
data. Although you can observe this data, it is subjective and harder to analyze data in research,
especially for comparison. Example: Quality data represents everything describing taste,
experience, texture, or an opinion that is considered quality data. This type of data is usually
collected through focus groups, personal interviews, or using open-ended questions in surveys.
 Quantitative data: Any data expressed in numbers of numerical figures are called quantitative
data. This type of data can be distinguished into categories, grouped, measured, calculated, or
ranked. Example: questions such as age, rank, cost, length, weight, scores, etc. everything
comes under this type of data. You can present such data in graphical format, charts, or apply
statistical analysis methods to this data. The (Outcomes Measurement Systems) OMS
questionnaires in surveys are a significant source of collecting numeric data.
 Categorical data: It is data presented in groups. However, an item included in the categorical
data cannot belong to more than one group. Example: A person responding to a survey by telling
his living style, marital status, smoking habit, or drinking habit comes under the categorical data.
A chi-square test is a standard method used to analyze this data
Type of data analysis

 Descriptive statistics
 This method is used to describe the basic features of versatile types of data in
research. It presents the data in such a meaningful way that pattern in the
data starts making sense.

 Nevertheless, the descriptive analysis does not go beyond making conclusions.

 The conclusions are again based on the hypothesis researchers have

formulated so far. Here are a few major types of descriptive analysis
methods.
 Measures of Central Tendency
 Mean, Median, Mode
 The method is widely used to demonstrate distribution by various points.
 Researchers use this method when they want to showcase the most commonly
or averagely indicated response.
 Measures of Dispersion or Variation
 Range, Variance, Standard deviation
 Here the field equals high/low points.
 Variance standard deviation = difference between the observed score and
mean
Commonly used analysis

 Here are some of the commonly used methods for data analysis in research.

 Correlation: When researchers are not conducting experimental research

wherein the researchers are interested to understand the relationship
between two or more variables, they opt for correlational research methods.
 Cross-tabulation: Also called contingency tables, cross-tabulation is used to
analyze the relationship between multiple variables. Suppose provided data
has age and gender categories presented in rows and columns. A two-
dimensional cross-tabulation helps for seamless data analysis and research by
showing the number of males and females in each age category.
 Regression analysis: For understanding the strong relationship between two variables,
researchers do not look beyond the primary and commonly used regression analysis
method, which is also a type of predictive analysis used. In this method, you have an
essential factor called the dependent variable. You also have multiple independent
variables in regression analysis. You undertake efforts to find out the impact of
independent variables on the dependent variable. The values of both independent and
dependent variables are assumed as being ascertained in an error-free random manner.
 Frequency tables: The statistical procedure is used for testing the degree to which two or
more vary or differ in an experiment. A considerable degree of variation means research
findings were significant. In many contexts, ANOVA testing and variance analysis are
similar.
 Analysis of variance: The statistical procedure is used for testing the degree to which two
or more vary or differ in an experiment. A considerable degree of variation means research
findings were significant. In many contexts, ANOVA testing and variance analysis are similar
Conclusion and Suggestions

 A conclusion is the final piece of writing in a research paper, essay, or article

that summarizes the entire work. The conclusion paragraph should restate
your thesis, summarize the key supporting ideas you discussed throughout the
work, and offer your final impression on the central idea.

 This final summation should also contain the moral of your story or a
revelation of a deeper truth. A good conclusion will wrap up your final
thoughts and main points, combining all pertinent information with an
emotional appeal for an ending statement that resonates with your readers.
 Here are four key tips for writing stronger conclusions that leave a lasting
impression:

 Include a topic sentence. Conclusions should always begin with a topic sentence.
Restating the thesis from your introductory paragraph in the first sentence of your
conclusion is an effective way to remind the reader of the main argument.
 Use your introductory paragraph as a guide. When writing your conclusion, keep a
copy of your introductory paragraph on hand as a reference. Your conclusion
should reinforce and address the points you made in your introduction. A
conclusion paragraph should feature the thesis statement from your intro and
supporting points, along with your emotional appeal and final impression. Use the
introduction as a reference when writing your conclusion, but avoid rewriting it
using different words.
 Summarize the main ideas. Effective conclusions will restate the most
relevant information to sum up the main point of the paper. Academic essays
and research papers can be lengthy, so it’s essential to include a brief
summary of all your supporting arguments within your concluding paragraph
to ensure the reader is up to speed. However, your conclusion should only
feature key evidence and research introduced within the body paragraphs of
your work. Avoid using your conclusion to introduce new information, future
research, or new ideas because it can confuse the reader.
 Appeal to the reader’s emotions. A good conclusion will use emotional or
sensory language to create a powerful, lasting image in the reader’s mind.
Using an emotional appeal is also a great way to reinforce your central points.
 Include a closing sentence. Your concluding sentence should wrap up your
entire work with a synthesis of key points. Write your final point clearly and
succinctly, providing closure to the reader, leaving them with a strong
impression of its significance within a broader context.
 Questions Plz????