Dr. Mordecai C.

Matto, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

MODULE: RESEARCH METHODS

TOPIC 6: WRITING RESEARCH REPORT (DISSERTATION WRITING)

Dissertation = research proposal + chapter 4 and 5

Writing tips
There are a few questions a research report should answer:
 What are you researching?
 What is the goal of your research?
 What are your methods for researching?
 What did you find in your research?
 How does this compare to other findings?
 And what is the impact of this finding on the world?

Checklist
 I have followed all instructions in the research guideline.
 My introduction presents my topic in an engaging way and provides necessary
background information.
 My introduction presents a clear, focused research problem.
 My dissertation is logically organized using paragraphs and (if relevant) section headings.
 Each paragraph is clearly focused on one central idea, expressed in a clear topic sentence.
 Each paragraph is relevant to my research problem or thesis statement.
 I have used appropriate transitions to clarify the connections between sections,
paragraphs, and sentences.
 My conclusion provides a concise answer to the research question or emphasizes how the
dissertation has been supported.
 My conclusion shows how my research has contributed to knowledge or understanding of
my topic.
 My conclusion does not present any new points or information essential to my argument.

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Dr. Mordecai C. Matto, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

 I have provided an in-text citation every time I refer to ideas or information from a
source.
 I have included a reference list at the end of my paper, consistently formatted according
to a specific citation style.
 I have thoroughly revised my dissertation and addressed any feedback from my
supervisor.
 I have followed all formatting guidelines (page numbers, headers, spacing, etc.).

I. PRELIMINARY PART

 Cover page
 Title page
 Declaration and Copyright
 Certification
 Dedication
 Acknowledgements
 Abstract
 Table of Contents
 List of Tables
 List of Figures
 List of Appendices
 List of Abbreviations
 List of Publications

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Dr. Mordecai C. Matto, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

II. MAIN BODY

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Chapter Overview

1.2 Background to the Problem
1.3 Statement of the Problem
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.4.1 General Objective
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
1.5 Research Hypotheses /Research Question (or both)
1.5.1 General Research Question
1.5.2 Specific Research Question
1.5.3 Research Hypotheses
1.6 Scope of the study
1.7 Significance of the Research
1.8 Layout of the dissertation

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Chapter overview
2.2 Key concepts
2.3 Theoretical literature review
2.4 Empirical literature review
2.5 Summary of knowledge gap
2.6 Conceptual framework

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Dr. Mordecai C. Matto, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Chapter overview

3.2 Research approach
3.3 Research philosophy
3.4 Research design
3.5 Study area
3.6 Population and sample size
3.7 Sampling strategies
3.8 Data collection methods
3.9 Operationalization of variables
3.10 Data analysis
3.11 Validity and reliability
3.12 Research ethics

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1 Chapter overview

4.2 Demographics of the Respondents
4.3 Descriptive statistics
 Frequency distribution
 Mean
 Standard deviation
 Variance
 Skewness and kurtosis
4.4 Test and assumptions
 Reliability test
 Assumptions of regression analysis (Normality, Linearity, Multiple measurements,
multicollinearity, sample size, etc.)

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Dr. Mordecai C. Matto, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

4.5 Presentation of findings in relation to specific objectives

4.5.1 Specific objective 1

4.5.2 Specific objective 2
4.5.3 Specific objective 3

4.6 Discussion of findings

4.6.1 Specific objective 1
4.6.2 Specific objective 2
4.6.3 Specific objective 3

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Chapter overview

5.2 Conclusion
5.2.1 Specific objective 1
5.2.2 Specific objective 2
5.2.3 Specific objective 3

5.3 Recommendations

5.3.1 Recommendation for addressing challenges

5.3.2 Policy recommendation

5.3.3 Suggestions for Further studies

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Dr. Mordecai C. Matto, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

III. SUBSIDIARY PART

References

Appendices

Appendix 1: Research Tools

Appendix 2

Appendix 3 etc.