BBA 4201: Dissertation

Design Specifications

Faculty of Management and Finance

University of Ruhuna

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 Sample Chapter title

Chapter title:
CHAPTER 1
Capitalize all
letters, 14pt. (apply
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR UNDEGRADUATE DISSERTATIONS
MS Word Heading
1 style)

.1 General Guidelines
Length: 8000-12,000 words excluding references and appendices (10,000 words
recommended)

Font: Times New Roman, Black, 12pt (for all text except specified otherwise)

Line spacing: 1.5 lines (it is not necessary to space double)

Page Size: A4 (70-80gsm)

Page Margins: 1.0 inch from each side

Gutter: 0.5 inch from left (one side printing)

Paragraph indenting: Do not indent the first paragraph in each section. Indent subsequent
paragraphs by 0.5 inches.

Page numbering: Insert page numbers at the bottom-right corner.

Front Pages: Use the given templates

Sample level 1
(main) heading
.2 Headings
Main headings: Capitalise the first letter of each major word, 12pt, Bold, Number (e.g. 1.1, 1.2
etc.) (apply MS Word heading 2 style)
Sample
subheading
.2.1 Subheading Level 1
level 1
Subheading level 1: Capitalize only the first letter and other required letters only, 12pt, Bold,
italics, Number (e.g. 1.1.1, 1.1.2 etc), (apply MS Word heading 3 style)
Sample
.2.1.1 Subheading level 2 subheading
Subheading level 2: Capitalize only the first letter and other required letters only, 12pt, Italics, level 2
Number (e.g. 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.2 etc), (apply MS Word heading 4 style). It is advisable not to go
beyond subheading level 2. If possible, minimize the use of Subheading level 2 as well. This is
because; the length of an undergraduate dissertation does not deserve that much extensive
sectioning.
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.3 Tables and Figures

.3.1 Tables
Only horizontal lines allowed

Caption is above the table: 12pt, bold, left aligned

Number using Arabic numerals (e.g. Table 1.1, Table 2.1 etc.)

Always use table/figure number when it is referred in the discussion. Do not use “above table”,
“below figure” etc. (e.g. “as illustrated in Figure 1.1” is a correct usage whereas “as illustrated in
above figure” is a wrong usage)

Keep one blank line above and below each table/figure to separate them from text

See sample below

Table 1.1: A Sample Table

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3

Sub A Sub B
Sample data txt 100 10,100.55
Sample data txt 100 10,100.55
Sample data txt 100 10,100.55
Sample data txt 100 10,100.55
Sample data txt 100 10,100.55
Sample data txt 100 10,100.55
Sample data txt 100 10,100.55
Avarage 100 10,100.55
Source : Sample source
Notes: Sample note

.3.2 Figures, artwork, photographs etc.

Do not add borders for figures unless it is required. All figures must be printable in Black &
White (Therefore pattern/texture fills must be used instead of different colors). Figures should be
sharp enough for quality printing.

Caption is below the figure, 12pt, bold, centered

Number using Arabic numerals (e.g. Figure 1.1, Figure 2.1 etc.)

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Always use table/figure number when it is referred in the discussion. Do not use “above table”,
“below figure” etc (e.g. “as illustrated in Figure 1.1” is a correct usage whereas “as illustrated in
above figure” is a wrong usage)

Keep one blank line above and below each table/figure to separate them from text

Figure 1.1: A Sample Figure

.4 References

 Use APA style for citations and bibliography. It is advisable to use a reference
management software like EndNote.

 Do not number the list, instead use hanging indent (0.5”)

 Do not (format) justify the reference list

 Sort the list based on the alphabetical order

E.g.:

Berger, A. N., Demirguc-Kunt, A., Levine, R., & Haubrich, J. G. (2004). Bank Concentration
and Competition: An Evolution in the Making. Journal of Money, Credit & Banking,
36(3), 433–451.
Botric, V., & Slijepcevic, S. (2008). Economic Growth in South-Eastern Europe: The Role of the
Banking Sector. Post-Communist Economies, 20(2), 253–262.
Greenwood, J., & Jovanovic, B. (1990). Financial Development, Growth, and the Distribution of
Income. Journal of Political Economy, 98(1), 1076–1107.