GENERAL GUIDELINES ON THESIS FORMAT, APPEARANCE
AND ORGANIZATION
1. Format & Appearance
1.1 Paper size: Final copy of the Thesis must be printed on International
Standard A4 size paper (8.27” x 11.69”)
1.2 Paper type: Paper should be white, easy to read and reproduce (atleast 75
g).
1.3 Page spacing: Should be printed on one side of paper (not back to back)
1.4 Line Spacing: The text should be in one-and-a-half (1.5) or double line
spacing
1.5 Margins: At least 3.5cm on the binding edge, 1.5cm on the opposite edge
and 2cm at the top and bottom.
1.6 Font size for main text: 11 or 12
(The font size used for references, appendixes, charts, drawing, graphs,
captions, chapter title, Section headings, footnotes, examples and table may
differ ).
1.7 Font type: Any standard type(Times New Roman, Arial, Bookman, Palatino,
Tahoma and Verdana etc)
1.8 Page Numbering:
Page numbers not required on Title page, Copyright page, Approval
sheet, Declaration , Acknowledgment, Dedication and Preface Page.
Preliminary pages ( Table of Contents, List of Tables, List of Figures etc)
should be numbered in lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.). The
first numbered page (i) must be the Table of Contents.
Main body of the thesis must be numbered consecutively in the upper
right corner or the bottom center of the page, no less than 15 mm from
the edge of the page. This include pages containing illustrations, tables,
bibliography, and appendixes
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1.9 Submission of finally approved copies :
MS/MPhil Thesis: Three copies are required to be submitted
to COE. All the copies must have black hard binding with golden
lettering on the front and the spine.
PhD Thesis: Four copies are required to be submitted to COE.
All the copies must have maroon hard binding with golden
lettering on the front and the spine.
1.10 Length of Thesis:
For MS/MPhil 80 to 100 pages approximately)
For PhD 200 to 300 pages approximately)
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2. Organization of thesis
2.1 Preliminary Part
2.2 Main Text
2.3 End Matter
2.1 Preliminary Part pages
2.1.1 Title page
2.1.2 Copyright Page (if required)
2.1.3 Approval Sheet
2.1.4 Declaration Page
2.1.5 Acknowledgement Page
2.1.6 Dedication Page
2.1.7 Preface Page
2.1.8 Table of Contents Page
2.1.9 List of Tables Page
2.1.10 List of Figures/ Illustrations Page
2.1.11 List of Abbreviation page
2.1.12 Abstract Page
2.2 Main Text Chapters
2.2.1 Introductory Chapter
2.2.2 Review of the Literature
2.2.3 Methods /Research Methodology/ Design
2.2.4 Results/ Findings
2.2.5 Conclusions
2.3 End Matter
2.3.1 Bibliography/References
2.3.2 Glossary
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2.3.3 Appendixes
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SAMPLE OF THE TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT PROTECTION AND INTEGRITY PROOF OF NON ERROR
TOLERANT RELATIIONAL DATABASE USING WATERMARKING
TECHNIQUES
By
----------Student name-------
CMS No. ----
Supervised by
Prof. Dr. ------------
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
In
Computing
at
Riphah International University,
Islamabad , Pakistan
September 2015
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SAMPLE OF COPYRIGHT PAGE (if required)
Copyright © 2014 (insert appropriate year) by XYZ (student name)
All rights reserved.
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SAMPLE OF APPROVAL SHEET
RIPHAH INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
APPROVAL SHEET
SUBMISSION OF HIGHER RESEARCH DEGREE THESIS
The following statement is to be signed by the candidates ‘supervisor (s), Dean/ HOD and must be
received by the COE, prior to the dispatch of the thesis to the approved examiners.
Candidate’s Name & Reg#: _______________________________________________
Programme Title: _______________________________________________________
Faculty/Department: _____________________________________________________
Thesis Title:___________________________________________________________
I hereby certify that the above candidate’s work, including the thesis, has been completed to my
satisfaction and that the thesis is in a format and of an editorial standard recognized by the
faculty/department as appropriate for examination. The Thesis has been checked through Turnitin for
plagiarism.
Signature (s):
Principal Supervisor: __________
Date: _______________________
Co-Supervisor –I ______________
(if any) ______________________
Date: _______________________
The undersigned certify that:
1. The candidate presented at a pre-completion seminar, an overview and synthesis of major
findings of the thesis, and that the research is of a standard and extent appropriate for submission
as a thesis.
2. I have checked the candidate’s thesis and its scope, format, and editorial standards are
recognized by the faculty/department as appropriate.
3. The plagiarism check has been performed . Report is attached
Signature (s):
Dean/Head of Faculty/Department: _______________
Date: ________________
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SAMPLE OF DECLARATION SHEET
DECLARATION OF AUTHENTICATION
I certify that the research work presented in this thesis is to the best of my knowledge my
own. All sources used and any help received in the preparation of this dissertation have
been acknowledged. I hereby declare that I have not submitted this material, either in
whole or in part, for any other degree at this or any other institution.
Signature……………….
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SAMPLE OF DEDICATION PAGE
DEDICATION
This thesis is dedicated to my parents, ----- and ---,
great role models and friends, and my brothers, ----
and ---- and the rest of the family, for always
believing in me, inspiring me, and encouraging me to
reach higher in order to achieve my goals.
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Preface Page
The preface page includes personal statement about the purpose , scope of the thesis, experiences
during the writing of thesis, and acknowledgements. The author name, place , and date of writing is
written at the end.
Example of a Preface Page
This thesis is based on research in didactical physics for developing quantitative lecture demonstrations
and student’s laboratory exercises, and for improving teacher training. The research took place at the
Department of Physics, University of Helsinki. I am grateful for the Department of Physics, for allowing
me to work with this project besides my daily work, and for providing me with the working facilities and
the research implements. I also thank the Graduate School in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
Education for allowing me to work as a full-time graduate student during the most critical period of this
work.
I express my deep gratitude to my supervisor Prof. Kaarle Kurki-Suonio for guidance, support, inspiring
collaboration, and for providing the didactical background on which this work is based. I also thank my
second supervisor, Dr. Jari Lavonen, for his remarks and advice.
My special thanks must also go to Prof. Maija Ahtee, for introducing me to the field of computer-based
measurement in physics teaching in the first place.
I am grateful to Doc. Anthony Green for revising the language, and for his detailed remarks about the
terminology.
I also want to thank Doc. Mervi Hyvönen-Dabek, Dr. Aino Vahvaselkä and Tuulikki Pitkänen, Head
Secretary of the Department, for their expert assistance in the many practical concerns.
I wish to express my gratitude to my relatives and friends for their sincere interest in my work. Especially
my wife Anne. Without her support, this work would never have been completed.
Ari Hämäläinen
Helsinki, October 2014
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SAMPLE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTERS
1. INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………… 1
1.1 Purpose ………………………………………………………………….. 2
1.2 The Thesis ……………………………………..………………………… 3
1.3 Research Paradigm……………………………………………………….4
2. LITERATURE REVIEW …………………………………………………………5
2.1 Growing Interest in Economy………………………………………..……6
2.2 Stakeholders Interest………………………………………………………7
2.1 Stakeholders, and Shareholders……………………………………………8
3. METHODOLOGY AND BASIC ASSUMPTION ……………………………….9
3.1 Rationale of the Research Methods……………………………………....10
3.3 Analytical Techniques……………………………………………………12
4. RESULTS………………………………………………………………………..13
4.1 Description of Data……………..………………………………………..14
4.2 Analysis…….…………………………………………………………….15
4.2.1 Key Findings……………………………………………………………..16
5. CONCLUSIONS………………………………………………………………...18
REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………..19
BIBLIOGRAPHY (if necessary) ………………………………………………………..19
APPENDIXES
A. RESULTS OF SOFTWARE….…………………………………………20
B. QUESTIONNAIRE………………………………...……………………21
C. Archival Resources Utilized…………………………………….……….22
D. Official Documents Used………………………………...………………23
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SAMPLE LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF TABLES
TABLES
Table 1.1 Quality Concerns and Higher Education-----------------------10
Table 2.1 Technical Education and its Importance -----------------------12
Table 3.1 Basic Sciences and Social Sciences------------------------------28
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SAMPLE LIST OF FIGURES/ILLUSTRAT1ONS
LIST OF FIGURES/ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure/Illustration 1.1 Quality Concerns and Higher Education----------10
Figure/Illustration 2.1 Technical Education and its Importance----------12
Figure/Illustration 5.1 Basic Sciences and Social Sciences----------------28
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SAMPLE OF ABBREVIATION PAGE
AG alfalfa hay/grain diet
BH bromegrass hay diet
CAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CCK cholecystokinin else corrected short-circuit current
Cl- chloride
Co2 carbon dioxide
CoA coenzyme A
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
EGF epidermal growth factor
G conductance
GIT gastrointestinal tract
GUD gastric ulcer disease
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Abstract Page
The purpose of the Abstract page is to present the study results briefly (maximum one page) in a way that
allows the readers to get a clear idea of the contents and to decide whether to read the entire thesis.
Nothing else is written on the Abstract page. It should be written after completion of thesis
Example of an Abstract Page
This dissertation investigates and describes the concept of brand extension strategies within the luxury
fashion sector. The study examines the differences between approaches adopted by haute couture and
luxury brands, as currently there is little written on the subject. The topic was chosen as the relevance of
haute couture to today ‘s fashion industry is now being questioned. Couture run away shows incur huge
losses and due to the reduction in customers, the industry is shrinking . Consequently, it has become a
promotional tool for products brought about through brand extension strategies. The haute couture brands
are competing to retain market share against their global counterparts- who are expanding into further
unrelated areas. This dissertation examines how haute couture brands could compete successfully without
losing their exclusive status.
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Some useful books on Thesis write-up
• Barrass,R. (1991). Scientists Must Write: A guide to better writing for scientists,
engineers and students. London, UK: Chapman & Hall.
• Day,R.A.(1998).#owfo Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Phoenix, AZ, USA:
Oryx Press.
• Day, R. A. (1992). Scientific English: A Guide for Scientists and Other
Professionals. Phoenix, AZ, USA: Oryx Press.
• Holtom, D. & Fisher, E. (1999). Enjoy Writing Your Science Thesis or
Dissertation: A step by step guide to planning and writing dissertations and
theses for undergraduate and graduate science students. London, UK: Imperial
College Press.
• Howard K. & Sharp, J.A. (1983). The management of a student research project.
Aldershot: Cower.
• Lewis, F. (1989). Writing a thesis: A guide to its nature and organization (2nd
ed.). Canberra: Australian National University: Canberra.
• Michaelson, H. B. (1982). How to write and Publish Engineering Papers and
Reports. Philadelphia, PA, USA: ISI Press.
• Northey, M. (1987). Making sense: A student’s guide to writing and style (revised
ed.).Toronto: Oxford University Press.
• Nunan, D. (1992). Research methods in language learning. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
• Nunan, D. (1989). Understanding language classrooms. Hemel Hempstead:
Prentice-Hall.
• Powles, M. (1989). How’s the thesis going? Melbourne: University of Melbourne.
• Schiffrin, D. (1994). Approaches to discourse. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Seliger, H.W. & Shohamy, E. (1989). Second language research methods.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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