CHINHOYI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BUSINESS SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING

MINI RESEARCH PROJECT Size/Length

The mini research report should have a minimum number of 6000 words. This number range
excludes all the ancillary material, i.e. tables, figures, graphs appendices and any type of
attachments.

Mini Research Report structure

The following is the order of the pages/sections of the mini research report:
1. Cover page
2. Declaration
3. Dedication
4. Acknowledgements
5. Abstract
6. Table of contents
7. List of Tables
8. List of Figures
9. List of appendices

10. List of acronyms

The Cover Page
This is the top page of the report and should include the University name, Name of School,
Name of Department, University logo, candidate name and registration number in brackets,
Purpose and submission date of the Report.

The Declaration page

This is a statement whose format is indicated below
I, xxxxxxxxxxx, do hereby declare that this mini research report is the result of my own work,
except to the extent indicated in the acknowledgements, references and by comments included in
the body of the report, and that it has not been submitted in part or in full for any other degree to
any other university.

………………………………………
Name of student

………………………………………
Date

The Dedication page

This is a statement where students may dedicate their work to whoeverthey may wish to like
family members, loved ones, friends, etc.

The Acknowledgements page

This a statement to acknowledge any assistance received during thecourse of the mini research
study.

The Table of Contents

This is a quick reference guide to the mini report

List of Tables
This is a list of all tables in the mini report and should be on its own page.

List of Figures
This is a list of all figures, chants and drawings in the mini report and shouldbe on its own page.
List of Acronyms
This is a list of all terms/abbreviations used in the report and their longforms.

The Abstract
This is a summary of the mini report as such should cover all the chapters ofthe mini research
report.

The Main Mini Report Body

The main body of the mini report itself will comprise severalchapters of theory, analysis and
discussion which should culminate into the formulation of the study’s research questions,
hypotheses and logical conclusions and recommendations.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION (5 pages)

This is the first chapter of the report which introduces and lays thebackground to the research
study. It should include the following parts.
1.1 Introduction (to overall project& Chapter 1)
1.2 Background of the study/problem
1.3 Statement of the problem
1.4 Objectives (SMART)
1.5 Research Questions
1.6 Hypothesis/statement of proposition
1.7 Significance of the study/Justification
1.8 Delimitations/Scope of the study
1.9 Limitations/constraints
1.10 Definition of Key terms
1.11 Chapter summary
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW (7 pages)
This is the second chapter of the report which provides the theoretical basis of the study by
comprehensively evaluating what other scholars had already done on the topic or topic area of
study. It also provides the interrelationships or linkages between theConcepts/constructs of the
study. This should result into the developmentof a conceptual model that tries to address the
research problem and research questions and provide the requisite answers.
2.1 Introduction

2.2 Relevant Literature

2.3 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

2.3 Criticisms/Gap identification

2.4 Chapter summary

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY (3 pages)

This third chapter explains what the researcher (student) actually did to provide answers to the
research questions. It gives details of how the study was actually carried out .It should include
the following:
3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Methodology

3.4 Research Design

3.4 Population/Target population

3.5 Sample size

3.5 Sampling Method and techniques

3.6 Research Instruments

3.7 Data Collection Procedure

3.8 Data Sources

3.9 Data analysis and Presentation

3.10Reliability and Validity

3.11Research Ethics

3.12 Summary

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS& INTERPRETATION (7 pages)

This fourth chapter describes how the collected data was prepared, analyzed or manipulated and
then used to test the research hypothesis.
Graphical tools like tables, graphs, charts, computer printouts, etc. are used to present the results
of the data analysis..It should include the following:
4.1 Introduction

4.2 Demographics

4.3 Summary.

CHATER FIVE: FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (3 pages)

This fifth chapter describes the outcome of the data analysis . All the research findings are
presented here. This chapter interprets the research findings and discusses them in light of the
research problem and research questions. It provides a connection between the findings of the
study and the problem in terms of providing a solution or some answers..It should include the
following:
5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary of findings

5.3 Conclusions
5.4 Recommendations

(These must follow research objectives)

References
This is a list of references of all works cited in your mini research report. The Harvard system of
referencing should be used. At this level, 15-25 references should suffice. Do not list references
that were not cited in the text. Make sure that you have listed all references cited in the text.

Appendices
Attach such documents as copies of the research instrument(s), letter of introduction from the
department, authorisation letter by a particular institution giving you permission to do research
and any other information that may add more meaning to your study. All appendices should be
referred to in the text. Appendices should be numbered in Roman numerals e.g. Appendix I, II,
III, IV. Do not assign page numbers to this section of the mini report.

GENERAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

 Use Times New Roman, Font size 12. For chapter headings use Font 14.
 Use 1.5 line spacing
 Margins should be justified
 Margins should be 3.5 cm left, 2.5 cm right, top and bottom.
 Use space after paragraph. Do not indent.
 Page numbers should be centred at the bottom of the page. Do not number appendices.
 All headings should be bold and different levels
 Chapters should be numbered in Arabic numerals e.g. CHAPTER ONE, CHAPTER
TWO…and centred.
 Leave a single spacing between chapter number and title
 Leave double spacing between the chapter title and the first subheading (introduction)