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Simple Guidelines for Chapter’s Arrangement
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
- This chapter is highlighting several issues as an introduction to the study (regardless
whether that be a proposal or final report)
- The researcher should be able to present the whole idea of the study by explaining the
main issues which later could be considered as the research variables and also to present
the idea why this study should be conducted (or worth conducted)
- The following subheadings are more to refining the issues identified
- This chapter is so critical as it reflects to the whole of the study – the direction, the
reasons, the ideas, expected findings, the implications and so on
The pages
are normally
around:
- 15 pages
(UG)
- 25 pages
(Masters)
- 35 pages
(PhD)
1.1 Introduction
- introduce the whole idea of the chapter in order to
refine the reason for this study to be conducted
- in many occasions it was found that the researcher will
utilise this section by presenting the main issue of the
study in general – to attract the attention of the
readers to research focus
- example – presenting general issues in student’s
learning before discussing what are the specific issue
that will be elaborated in great details later
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 pages
(UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
1.2 Problem Background
- this is the section where the main issue of the study is
presented
- the researcher must be able to explain the current
situation of the issues based on the specific previous
findings (research studies, articles, reports, artefacts,
and other related)
- at the end of the discussion the research must conclude
the main issue which and why it becomes the focus of
the study – which sometimes can be considered as a
‘license’ for the study to be conducted
The pages
are normally
around:
- 4 pages
(UG)
- 5 pages
(Masters)
- 6 pages
(PhD)
1.3 Problem Statement
- in this section the problem should be formulated
especially in defining the main focus of the study (i.e;
the variables) and the direction of the each of the
variables (to measure the levels, difference, association,
effects, and so on)
- a what so called ‘mini summary’ of the discussion
should be presented by highlighting specific issues at
the end – the gaps that existed in the literatures
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
1.4 Research Objectives
- list of the variables of the study which normally be
presented in a statement form (to measure the level, to
measure the difference, to identify the association, to
predict the effect and so on
- the researcher need to list down based on the issues
that he or she have identified and verified in the
problem background the main objectives of the study
one by one
- in certain situation the researcher may have what so
called primary and secondary research objectives –
remember that the list of the objectives of the study are
also a guide for the researcher how to work on the his
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 1 page
(Masters)
- 1 page
(PhD)
or her research
1.5 Research Questions
- list of the variables of the study which normally be
presented in a question form (to measure the level, to
measure the difference, to identify the association, to
predict the effect and so on
- usually the research questions should align with the
research objectives which most of the time are
considered as guidance to the studies’ direction
- specific words like ‘is there,’ ‘what’ and ‘how’ are
examples which are commonly be found in many
research reports
- in certain situation the researcher may have what so
called primary and secondary research questions to
guide the direction of the research in a more specific
and concise manner
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 1 page
(Masters)
- 1 page
(PhD)
1.6 Research Hypotheses
- hypotheses are normally be seen in quantitative studies
where testing out such situation like differences,
correlation, effects, prediction and so on are the main
purposes
- normally there are 2 types of hypotheses namely null
and alternative hypotheses are presented to test
whether the assumptions are exist or other wise
- another important point with hypothesis is that it can
provide guidelines in constructing model or alike
- some examples which normally be seen like ‘there is no
significance different…’ and there is not significance
association…’ but again is up to the researcher to
determine what and how many as long it follows the
research hypotheses writing it will benefit to create the
path of the research direction
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
1.7 Theoretical Framework
- this section is very important especially for research-
based project (Masters and PhD) because it allows the
researcher to provide specific theories related to the
studies being conducted
- as one of the nature of the postgraduate researches to
challenge the existing theories it is imperative for the
researcher to propose specific theories that underlying
specific processes like behaviours, attitudes and alike
- as such a comprehensive explanation of the theories is
required - providing specific diagram is very much
useful in understanding how the theories work in the
study
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
- 4 pages
(PhD)
1.8 Conceptual Framework
- the researcher are required to explain all studied
variables and how it relates one to another – providing
specific diagram is very much useful in understanding
how the variables connected to one another
- usually a very informative framework will explain how
the connection between variables exist by drawing
arrows in the diagram
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
- 4 pages
(PhD)
-
1.9 Terms and Definitions
- there are 2 important explanation for this section –
conceptual definition and operational definition
- usually the researcher will provide the terms and
definitions by using previous studies and of course from
dictionaries
- but later the researcher must offer specific explanation
regarding all terms and concepts being used by stating
how the terms applies in the study operationally – this
is crucial in understanding specific concepts or terms
pertaining to the studies (this is so because specific
terms and definitions may differ from one context of
study to the other)
The pages
are normally
around:
- 3 pages
(UG)
- 5 pages
(Masters)
- 6 pages
(PhD)
1.10 Conclusion
- precise and concise conclusion of the discussion is the
key elements for this section
- the researcher must conclude the chapters’ discussion
by compressing the whole idea in a brief but
comprehensive explanation
- one of the tricks for this section is that the researcher
must be able to attract the attention of the reader to
the following chapter
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 1 page
(Masters)
- 1 page
(PhD)
CHAPTER II LITERATURE SURVEY
- This chapter will discussed all related literatures including studies which regard to the
theoretical framework that will be used in the study
- Subheadings should be divided based on the variables of the study – by having headings
based on the variables the researcher will have some space for presenting the idea of
conducting the study by providing all related literatures (mostly past studies)
- The discussions will bring the reader to the context of the study – what being said by
current situation
The pages
are normally
around:
- 20 pages
(UG)
- 35 pages
(Masters)
- 45 pages
(PhD)
2.1 Introduction
- to start the chapter the researcher should introduce the
direction of the discussion by highlighting specific issues
that have been identified in chapter I
- it is common to see the discussion underline the
structure of the chapter which consist of the theoretical
perspectives, the research variables, and how the
context of the study is derived
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 3 pages
(PhD)
2.2 Related Theories
2.3 Variable 1
2.4 Variable 2
2.5 Variable 3
2.6 Variable 4
- these sections will explore issues and variables that
have been identified based on previous studies and
other related literatures
- it is subjective to have how many headings but mostly
will depends on the variables that the researcher have
identified
- instead of describing ‘what’ and ‘how’ the researcher
should be able to explore and discuss (comparing and
analysing are 2 common activities) every single related
studies so that the ‘gap’ of the findings can be identified
(this can answer the ‘what haven’t been done’ and
‘why’)
- a common example of the subheadings – findings that
discusses the theories, factors, effects, and so on
- - in the final parts again the researcher should highlight
how the gap of findings still exist the body of
knowledge
The pages
are normally
around:
- 20 pages
(UG)
- 30 pages
(Masters)
- 40 pages
(PhD)
2.8 Conclusion
- in this section it is the researcher’s job to highlight the
issues identified based on the past findings which can
be said as a ‘license’ why the study conducted is
important (interesting and convincing enough to be
conducted)
- it also explains the bits and pieces of information
available in the literatures that needs to be filled – of
course by conducting this study
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
- This chapter will explain how the study will be conducted especially on the data collection
part
- Begins by introducing the reader to the design that the study is using it will tells the
whole process of data collection activities
- The detailing parts of the design will be defined and elaborated in great details in the
following section such as the population, the instruments, data analysis, and the
instrument validation processes
- This is important not just for the reader but more to the researcher as these explanation
will ensure the study will conducted rigorously and systematically
The pages
are normally
around:
- 20 pages
(UG)
- 35 pages
(Masters)
- 45 pages
(PhD)
3.1 Introduction
- usually what need to be explained here is that the
researcher needs to explain the structure of the
chapter, the reason why of those subsections to the
whole chapter
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
3.2 Research Design
- this section is the most critical part as this will explain
the whole process of data collection activities such as
how the data is collected (the instruments used), the
data will be analysed (data analysis) and how the data
will be presented and discussed in accordance to the
research objectives (data presentation and discussion)
- it happens many times the researcher explain the
instrument in great detail, specific procedures like
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
- 4 pages
experiment, and alike but in fact they only need to
explain those activities in a brief manner since the
following section will allows the researcher to elaborate
the activities in great detail
(PhD)
3.3 Population and Sample
- this is the beginning of the data collection activities
- the researcher has to decide who will be the
respondents of the study – students, teachers, parents,
peers and alike
- the researcher need to be clear the sampling method
that he or she will be using – depending on the type of
the study whether that be a quantitative or qualitative
it will influence the sampling method to be used
- random sampling or non-random sampling are two
most common methods that can be found among
researchers – usually when the researchers were
looking for generalisation the random sampling will be
utilised and vice versa for the qualitative
- what need to be explained here is the actual processes
of identifying and selecting the respondents – from
determining the group of people to be studied and
finally deciding who and how many to be selected to be
involved in the study
- there also issues of ethical decision and
representativeness – how far the respondents that the
researcher have selected were really representing the
whole population of the study
- providing a table or diagram would be very useful and
more informative
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 4 pages
(Masters)
- 6 pages
(PhD)
3.4 Research Instrument
- this section requires the researchers to explain the
instrument(s) that he or she were using in the study
- the researcher have to explain the whole process of
developing the instruments in great detail – using as it
is or adapting from other previous instruments,
modifying, translating (back translation procedures?) or
developing self-developed instruments
- if the instrument is a self-developed by using specific
theoretical underpinnings it has to be explained clearly
- several issues like validity and reliability for quantitative
instruments and trustworthiness might be of important
activities in developing the instruments
- the issues of justification is also have to be determined
and elaborated
- the structure and the sample of the instruments should
be provided – in the text or as an appendix
The pages
are normally
around:
- 5 pages
(UG)
- 6 pages
(Masters)
- 8 pages
(PhD)
3.5 Data Analysis
- the researchers have to have a clear idea what types of
data analysis they were using
- again it depends on the type of data analysis that the
researchers have collected – different types of data will
determine the type of analysis that he or she can
execute such as parametric or non-parametric test
- common analysis found such as means, frequencies and
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
percentages, t test, correlation, regression for
quantitative data analysis and thematic analysis to
name one as for qualitative analysis
- the researchers will also need to explain and justify if
they were about to use specific software to assist them
in analysing the data – SPSS, Excell, NVivo and alike
- it is normal for researcher to provide table or diagram
which tells how the research questions and hypotheses
were addressed – in the table the researcher normally
will align their research questions with type of analyses
to be used
- 4 pages
(PhD)
3.6 Pilot Study
- this section will tells the reader how the process of
validating the research instrument(s) were conducted
- several software such as AMOS, Rasch Model for
quantitative instruments have been found in many
studies conducted
- in qualitative however, since the nature of the study is
developing from one situation to another throughout
the study the procedure of trustworthiness is very
critical in validating the instruments – in many
occasions the researcher prefer to construct what so
called ‘protocol interview’ in guiding their data
collection processes
- the results of the pilot test has to be explained and
presented as a prove of validation – this is also
important to prove that the instrument(s) are ready for
the data collection
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
- 4 pages
(PhD)
3.7 Ethical Decision
- one of the most important issue in conducting a study is
the ethical consideration
- the researcher must provide what are the specific
consideration has been done in ensuring all related
issues like citation, plagiarism, respect of the
respondents’ right, anonymity, and alike
- it is equally important for the researcher to explain why
and how the ethical issues have been taken care of in
the study
- if there is a specific issue like sensitivity it is imperative
for the researchers to show how this has been dealt
with without affecting the research processes and also
the respondent’s right
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
- 4 pages
(PhD)
3.8 Conclusion
- the researcher have to make conclusion about the
whole processes of conducting the data collection and
data analyses to justify why it is important to the study
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
CHAPTER IV RESULTS AND DATA ANALYSIS
- This chapter discusses the data analysis of the study
- Usually the researchers will elaborate the analysis based on the research questions and
research hypotheses
- The types of analyses used will aligned with the analysis that have been presented in
Chapter III – there are 2 types of statistical analysis that the researcher can consider
namely as parametric and non-parametric analysis
- All necessary information about the analysis must be presented precisely and clearly
- To be more informative in every research questions addressed the researcher should
provide brief summary of the analysis
- The analysis must be concluded by providing the whole summary of the analysis again
based on the research questions
The pages
are normally
around:
- 20 pages
(UG)
- 30 pages
(Masters)
- 40 pages
(PhD)
4.1 Introduction
- In this section the researcher should introduce the
chapter by explaining the idea and the justification to
have such structure in order to address the research
questions and hypotheses
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
4.2 Research Question 1
4.3 Research Question 2
4.4 Research Question 3
4.5 Research Question 4
- depends on the research questions that the researcher
have the discussion should be started by discussing the
demographic data – this is important especially if the
research is about to use some of the variables for the
differences or correlational analysis
- the most common analysis for demographic analyses
were frequencies and percentages
- whereas for the analysis of difference several types of
analysis can be executed such ‘t’ test and Anova
- the other analyses that are commonly found used by
the previous researchers were to test the correlation
and regression
- regardless of types of analysis that the researcher will
be using the arrangement of the data analysis
presentation should orderly follow the list of research
questions – all the analyses conducted is purposely
done to answer the research questions!!
- It is wise to have brief summary of the analysis for every
single research questions addressed – at the end of the
analysis of every research questions the researcher
should provide brief summary what the analysis have
found
The pages
are normally
around:
- 15 pages
(UG)
- 25 pages
(Masters)
- 35 pages
(PhD)
4.6 Results Summary
- This section will summarised all findings based on the
research questions addressed
- It is common to see that the researcher provides the
summary of the analyses in tables format
- But it is important for the researcher if to produce
tables for the summary of the analyses to provide brief
explanation of the table to highlight the major findings
from the analyses
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
- 4 pages
(PhD)
4.7 Conclusion
- The discussion must be end by providing the conclusion
which is based on the major findings that the study
have generated
- This can become a ‘pre-introduction’ to the next
chapter which is more comprehensive and conclusive
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 1 page
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
CHAPTER V DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION
- This is the most critical parts where the researcher must acknowledge previous studies by
placing his or her findings into context – please bear in mind that ONLY past studies that
have been cited and discussed in Chapter I, Chapter II and Chapter III to be compared
with his or her findings
- It is common to see that the researcher begins the discussion by presenting the summary
of the findings – this is optional if the summary has been presented at the end of the
Chapter IV for data analysis so the summary is not necessary in Chapter V
- It is the researcher’s job to make comparison or to relate his or her findings with previous
studies – it is not simply a task to claim the findings as contradicted or aligned with
previous studies but to justify in what way the findings are align or contradict
- If the researcher is to offer some of the findings in the terms of module, method,
procedure, model or alike the discussion has to be comprehensive enough to justify the
product(s)/output in regards to the current practices which of course can be found in the
previous studies
- Based ONLY on the findings then the researcher should offer recommendations,
implications, and suggestions for the study before ending the discussion by research
concluding remark
The pages
are normally
around:
- 15 pages
(UG)
- 30 pages
(Masters)
- 40 pages
(PhD)
5.1 Introduction
- As usual the researcher must be able to introduce the
structure of the chapter in brief and concise
- Brief explanation for each of the headings are necessary
– this is to justify and to offer the purpose of each of the
headings to the research as a whole
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 2 pages
(Masters)
- 2 pages
(PhD)
5.2 Discussion 1
5.3 Discussion 2
5.4 Discussion 3
5.5 Discussion 4
- It is common to see researchers to divide the discussion
based on the research questions – but in this section the
idea is to explore and to present the findings in a
variable manner
- Each subheadings will normally follow the main
variables that being addressed in the study
- Mode of the discussion is more to compare and to
discuss whether the findings are aligned or contradicted
- Further the justification of why the findings are aligned
or contradicted should be discussed – in what way?
The pages
are normally
around:
- 10 pages
(UG)
- 25 pages
(Masters)
- 30 pages
(PhD)
5.6 Recommendations
- Based on the findings ONLY the researcher should offer
recommendations – for betterment, improvement,
modifications, future researchers and alike
- It happen in many occasions there researcher offer
recommendation which normally away from the
context of the study – this is too ‘ambitious’ to try to
offer something not being studied by the researcher
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 5 pages
(Masters)
- 5 pages
(PhD)
5.7 Implications
- Usually the researcher might want to offer his or her
findings to body of knowledge, current practices and
policies and alike, this is the section where the
suggestions become important and necessary
The pages
are normally
around:
- 2 pages
(UG)
- 5 pages
(Masters)
- 5 pages
(PhD)
5.8 Concluding Remark
- This section will allow the researcher to make
conclusion about his studies – but of course within his
or her research framework and capacities
- The researcher should be able to conclude his or her
study by offering overall conclusion of the study
especially in addressing the title of the study
The pages
are normally
around:
- 1 page (UG)
- 3 pages
(Masters)
- 3 pages
(PhD)
LIST OF REFERENCES
- The researcher must list down every single reference
being cited in the text
- There are so many common format of listing down the
references such APA (American Psychological
Association) and the UTM (Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia) Thesis Writing Format
- One of the most efficient and effective way of doing
literature citation is ENDNOTES – this software permit
the researcher to retrieve the list of references being
used in the text automatically and by providing simple
instruction the software will listing the references based
on specific needs of the researcher
The pages
depends on
the number
of references
cited in the
report
APPENDICES
- The list of documents (reports, data analysis, tables, or
other related artefacts) that have been referred or cited
in the discussion of the report
- Normally the non-referred materials in the discussion
will not be provided in the appendices
The pages
depends on
the number
of references
cited in the
report
* There are also situations where the researcher would like to have a standalone chapter for
explaining his or her module or experimental procedures which is very interesting to have and this
normally been done right after the Chapter III Methodology – if this is the case the chapter must
be presented in a comprehensive manner (Every single aspects and actions must be presented and
discussed clearly)
Prepared by:
DR ZAINUDIN ABU BAKAR
Faculty Of Education
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Johor, MALAYSIA
March, 2016