REPLACE WITH YOUR TOPIC

by

YOUR NAME

Project submitted for review for the

YOUR DEGREE PROGRAM

in the Faculty of Computer Engineering Informatics and

Communications

at the University of Zimbabwe

Supervisor: XX
Co-supervisor: XX

June 2024
Declaration:
The declaration is a statement written by the student who declares that he or she has sincerely
completed his or her project. The declaration statement concludes with the signature of the
student.

Approval
The Approval page is also a confirmation from the head of the department, guide, and
external examiner about their acceptance of the project. The approval page is endorsed with
the signatures of the heads confirming their approval of the project.
Acknowledgements
The acknowledgement page depicts the gratitude, respect and thankfulness of the student
towards the people who helped him in pursuing the project successfully and ensured
successful completion and implementation of the project. In this page, the author expresses
his gratitude and concern by using praising and thanksgiving words.
Abstract or Executive Summary
Abstract represents a summarized report of the complete project in a very concise and
informative format covering main objective and aim of the project, the background
information, processes and methods used, and methodologies implemented, followed with a
brief conclusion of two to three lines talking about the results and scope of the project.
The entire abstract of a project report should be written in about 250 to 350 words, and
therefore, should not exceed any further.
Table of Contents
Table of contents provides a complete sketch of the title, subtitles, headings, topics and the
project elements that are involved in those headings. In other words, different sections and
their titles are included here.
The whole project report in a nutshell is made known in the table of contents section, and
therefore, it should include the titles of the first, second and third level headers, and must give
a clear picture of the report to the reader.
NB: This should be Automatic Table of Contents

List of Figures
Similarly, a list of figures helps the reader to locate diagrams and charts in the document, and
therefore, it should be numbered accordingly by chapter and page number.
List of Tables
Similarly, a list of tables helps the reader to locate tables in the document, and therefore, it
should be numbered accordingly by chapter and page number.
List of Symbols and Abbreviations
It is not necessary to indicate page numbers for symbols and abbreviations used in the
document. Eg

UZ University of Zimbabwe
CUZ Catholic University of Zimbabwe
List of Appendices
List of all Appendices

Templates of data collection tools, a user manual of the working system, sample code
1 INTRODUCTION
The introduction chapter aims to engage the reader, provide a clear understanding of the project's
purpose, and establish the rationale for conducting the research or developing the software system. It
provides an overview of the problem domain and the broader context in which the project is situated.
It may discuss the relevant industry, field, or research area and highlight any existing challenges or
gaps that the project aims to address.

1.1 Introduction:
Give a brief introduction of what the chapter is all about and highlight what is to be covered
in the chapter.

1.2 Background and context of the project:

1.3 Problem statement:
Here, you articulate the specific problem or research question that your project seeks to solve
or investigate. Clearly define and explain the problem, its significance.

1.4 Aim
Overall goal of the research or project undertaking.

1.5 Research objectives

Write the specific objectives or hypotheses you aim to achieve or test through your project.
Note that objectives must be S.M.A.R.T and seek to address the problems identified.

1.6 Scope and limitations of the project:

Specify the scope of your project by defining its boundaries, including the specific features,
functionalities, or aspects you will focus on. Discuss any limitations or constraints that may
impact the project's scope, such as time, resources, or technical constraints.

1.7 Feasibility Study:

Clearly outline the Technical, Economic, Social, Operational feasibility factors that will affect
the project undertaking. (In brief focusing on the proposed financial budget and foreseen
financial benefit if any)
1.8 Significance and motivation for the project:
Explain why your project is relevant and important. Discuss the potential impact, benefits, or
contributions it can make to the field of software engineering/ computer engineering/
hardware engineering. Highlight any practical, theoretical, or societal implications of your
work.

1.9 Work plan:

Expected timeline and show the Gantt chart
1.10 Conclusion:
Give a summary or concluding statement/s of your chapter.
2 Literature Review
The literature review chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing research, theories, and
published works relevant to your project. It demonstrates your understanding of the existing body of
knowledge and research in the field. It also establishes the context for your project and justifies the
need for your research or software development efforts.

When writing the literature review chapter, it's important to critically analyse the literature and
present a balanced and well-structured discussion. Cite and reference the sources appropriately,
organize the literature based on themes or topics, and highlight the key findings or insights from
each source.

2.1 Introduction:
Introduce what the chapter is all about.

2.2 Review of relevant literature:

Identify and review key literature sources, such as academic papers, books, conference
proceedings, and industry reports, that are directly related to your project. These sources
should provide insights and background information on the problem domain, existing
solutions, approaches, or methodologies.

2.3 Discussion of similar projects or systems:

Examine and discuss similar projects or software systems that have addressed similar
problems or employed related methodologies. Compare and contrast these projects with your
own, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses.

2.4 Identification of gaps or areas for improvement:

Analyse the existing literature to identify any gaps, unanswered questions, or limitations in
current knowledge or solutions. This will help establish the need for your project and
highlight the unique contributions it can make.

2.5 Conclusion:
Concluding statement/s of your chapter
3 Methodology
The methodology chapter describes the approach, methods, and techniques used in your software
engineering project. It outlines the steps you followed to design, develop, and evaluate your software
system. It provides a clear understanding of the process and techniques used to carry out your
project. It demonstrates the rigor and validity of your research or the effectiveness of your software
development approach.
When writing the methodology chapter, provide sufficient detail and rationale for the chosen
methods and techniques. Explain any adaptations or modifications made to standard
methodologies to suit the specific requirements of your project.

3.1 Introduction:
Give an introduction of what your chapter is all about.

3.2 Research methodology or software development process:

Explain the overall approach and methodology you adopted for your project. If it's a research-
oriented project, describe the research methodology, such as experimental design, case study,
survey methods, quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods. If it's a software development
project, outline the software development life cycle or methodology used, such as Agile,
Waterfall, or Iterative approaches.

3.3 Methods and techniques:

Detail the specific methods and techniques employed throughout the project. This may
include data collection methods, software engineering practices, design methodologies,
algorithms, or tools utilized. Justify your choices and explain how these methods align with
the project's objectives.

3.3.1 Data Handling and Feature Engineering: (APPLICABLE TO MACHINE

LEARNING RESEARCH)
Effective handling of data, including cleaning and transformation.

Clear rationale for feature selection and engineering choices.

Demonstration of understanding the characteristics of the dataset.

3.3.2 Model development and training: (APPLICABLE TO MACHINE LEARNING

RESEARCH)
Clear explanation of model selection, architecture, and hyper parameter choices.

Rigorous training process with appropriate validation techniques.

Adequate consideration of potential biases and ethical implications.

3.4 Tools and technologies:
Discuss the software tools, programming languages, frameworks, libraries, or other
technologies used in your project. Explain why you selected these specific tools and how they
contributed to the project's success or outcomes.

3.5 Project requirements and design considerations:

Outline the requirements gathering process and describe the techniques used to elicit,
document, and prioritize system requirements. Discuss any design considerations, such as
usability, scalability, security, or performance, that influenced the system design decisions.

3.6 Conclusion:
Give a concluding statement/s of your chapter.

4 Analysis and Design

FOR MACHINE LEARNING RESEARCH THIS CHAPTER SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN
THE CONTEXT OF MODEL DEPLOYMENT.
Deploying the model into production operationalizing your algorithm. Integrating the existing
algorithms into your ML system/application for user access. Developing an application e.g. web
app, robot etc. so that users can interact with the model
NON- MACHINE LEARNING RESEARCH THE CONTEXT IS YOUR PROTOTYPE
The analysis and design chapter focuses on the process of analysing requirements and designing the
software system or solution. It demonstrates your ability to understand and translate user
requirements into a well-designed software solution. It provides a blueprint for the subsequent
implementation phase.
When writing the analysis and design chapter, provide clear and concise descriptions of the system
components and their functionalities. Use appropriate diagrams, such as UML diagrams,
flowcharts, or entity-relationship diagrams, to illustrate the system's structure and relationships.

4.1 Introduction:
Introduce your chapter.

4.2 Detailed analysis of the problem domain and user requirements:

Provide an in-depth analysis of the problem domain, including the specific challenges, needs,
and goals of the users or stakeholders. Describe the methods used to gather and analyse
requirements, such as interviews, surveys, or user observations. Present a clear and
comprehensive list of functional and non-functional requirements.
4.2.1 Functional Requirements:
4.2.2 Non-functional Requirements:
4.3 Identification of system components and functionalities:
Break down the system into its key components, modules, or subsystems. Define the
functionalities and features of each component and explain how they contribute to the overall
system.

4.3.1 Use-Case diagram/s:

4.3.2 Sequence diagram:
4.4 System architecture and design considerations:
Discuss the high-level system architecture, including the overall structure, interfaces, and
relationships between components. Explain the design decisions made, such as the choice of
architectural patterns, deployment models, or integration strategies. Consider design
principles such as modularity, reusability, scalability, and maintainability.

4.4.1 Context Diagram and DFD Diagram:

4.4.2 Architectural Design:
Shows how the software components interact
4.4.3 Physical Design:
Shows how hardware components interact
4.4.4 Database Design:
ER Diagrams and Logical design of tables
4.4.5 Interface design:
4.4.5.1 Menu Design
Main menu and sub menu designs

4.4.5.2 Input Design

Include all input forms in the system

4.4.5.3 Output Design

Include all output forms in the system

4.4.6 Security design (If applicable)

4.4.6.1 Physical Security
4.4.6.2 Network Security
4.4.6.3 Operational Security
4.5 Conclusion:
Give a concluding statement/s of your chapter
5 Results
The results chapter focuses on presenting the results of your. research. This chapter provides an
opportunity to showcase the findings you have obtained through your data collection, analysis
methods and development.

5.1 Introduction:
Give a brief introduction on what the chapter is all about. Briefly recap the research questions
and objectives. Provide an overview of the data collection methods and analysis techniques
used in your study.

5.2 Presentation of Findings:

Present the findings of your research in a clear and organized manner. Use tables, charts,
graphs, or other visual aids to enhance the presentation of the results. Ensure that the findings
directly address the research questions and objectives.

5.3 Conclusion:
Give a concluding statement/s of your chapter.

6 Discussion
This chapter typically focuses on discussing and interpreting the findings presented in Chapter 5. This
chapter provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the implications and significance of your
research results, as well as to compare and contrast them with existing literature and theories.
This chapter provides an opportunity to critically analyze and interpret your research findings,
considering their theoretical and practical implications. It allows you to situate your research
within the existing literature, highlight its contributions, and suggest avenues for future research.
Remember to provide a balanced discussion, acknowledging any limitations or challenges while
emphasizing the strengths and significance of your work.

6.1 Introduction:
Give a brief introduction of the chapter.

6.2 Summary of findings:

Recap the key findings from Chapter 4, highlighting the most important and relevant results.

Present a concise overview of the main outcomes of your research.

6.3 Model evaluation and analysis: (APPLICABLE TO MACHINE

LEARNING RESEARCH)
Thorough analysis of model performance using relevant metrics. Insightful interpretation of
results, including a discussion of false positives/negatives. Model testing.

6.4 Comparison with Existing Literature:

Discuss how your findings align with or diverge from previous studies and existing literature.
Identify similarities, differences, or contradictions and explain the possible reasons behind
them. Highlight any gaps in the literature that your research has addressed.

6.5 Theoretical Implications:

Discuss the theoretical implications of your findings in the context of your research area.
Consider how your research contributes to existing software engineering theories or
challenges current understandings. Identify any new concepts, models, or frameworks that
emerge from your research.

6.6 Practical Implications:

Explore the practical implications of your findings. Discuss how your research results can be
applied in real-world software development scenarios or inform decision-making. Consider
the potential benefits, limitations, and challenges associated with implementing your findings
in practice.

6.7 Validation and Reliability:

Reflect on the validity and reliability of your research. Discuss the steps taken to ensure the
rigor and trustworthiness of your findings including testing strategies employed. Address any
potential biases, limitations, or threats to the validity of the findings and explain the measures
taken to mitigate them.
6.8 Limitations and Methodological Reflections:
Reflect on the limitations of your study and acknowledge any potential weaknesses or
constraints. Discuss any limitations related to the research design, data collection methods, or
sample size. Reflect on the implications of these limitations for the generalizability and
applicability of your findings.

6.9 Conclusion:
Give a concluding statement/s of your chapter.

7 Conclusion and Future work

The conclusion and future work chapter serves as a wrap-up of your project and provides a summary
of the key findings, contributions, and implication. It provides closure to your project and offers a
perspective on its significance and potential for further development. It demonstrates your ability to
reflect on the project's outcomes and propose future directions for exploration.
When writing the conclusion and future work chapter, be concise and focus on summarizing the
main points. Avoid introducing new information or ideas not discussed previously. Provide clear
recommendations for future work and justify why these areas are worth pursuing.

7.1 Introduction
Introduce your chapter

7.2 Summary of the project:

Briefly summarize the main objectives, methodology, and outcomes of your project. Recap
the problem statement, the approach taken, and the major accomplishments achieved.

7.3 Key findings and contributions:

Highlight the key findings and contributions of your project. Discuss how your work
addresses the identified problem or research question and contributes to the existing body of
knowledge or practice in the field. Emphasize any novel or innovative aspects of your
project.
7.4 Evaluation of objectives:
Evaluate the extent to which the project objectives were achieved. Discuss any deviations,
challenges, or limitations encountered during the project and explain how they were
addressed or mitigated.

7.5 Reflection on the project process:

Reflect on the overall project process, including the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen
methodology, tools, or techniques. Discuss any lessons learned or insights gained during the
project and how they can inform future similar endeavours.

7.6 Future work and recommendations:

Identify potential areas for future work and improvements based on the limitations or gaps
identified during the project. Suggest possible extensions or enhancements to the software
system, research directions, or additional investigations that can build upon your project's
findings.

Referencing
All these activities require appropriate and authentic sources of information and that
particular information must be referenced or cited according to the copyrights and other
guidelines using the (Harvard Referencing Style and arrange in alphabetic order).
Therefore, to make the report original, it should be free from plagiarism (i.e. maximum
allowed similarity percentage is 10%???) and must follow standard citations and
guidelines of citations to represent the reference names.

E.g. Surname, Initial. (Year of publication), Title of Book or Journal, publishing hall, country
of publication.
E.g. http://www.tkn.tu-berlin/research/QoS.html Accessed 20/08/2015.

Note that if you are referencing a site you need to state exactly the document accessed
and the date you accessed the document

Wikipedia is not an academic website so don’t include information from that site,
educational sites have an extension .edu, ac , etc eg http://nile.wpi.edu
Appendices
Appendix A: Templates of data collection tools
Appendix B User manual of the working system (Should be detailed)
Evidence of research
Appendix C: Source Code
Appendix D: etc

Final Stage
 Documentation Binding
 Oral presentation (40%)
 Dissertation document (60%)