CUEA – PROJECT/THESIS/DISSERTATION FORMAT: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

If you’re pursuing a graduate degree at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), you’re likely preparing to write a project, thesis, or dissertation. This formal document is not just a requirement; it’s a culmination of your academic journey—representing your research, insights, and scholarly growth. Below is a breakdown of the required format, best practices, and tips to ensure a smooth writing and submission process. Let’s dive in!

1.0 General Guidelines

A. Paper and Orientation

Use standard A4-size paper (8.27″ x 11.69″) in portrait (vertical) orientation.
Print on one side of the page only with high-quality white paper (20–40 lb. bond).
Any special figures or photographs may be printed on photographic quality paper.

B. Margins

Keep the left margin at 1.5″ to accommodate binding.
Set the right margin at 1″.
Right justification is optional, so don’t worry if your text isn’t perfectly aligned on the right.

C. Font and Print

A 12-point Times New Roman font is standard throughout the main body.
Chapter titles and section headings can be in a different style, but maintain consistency.
Use Microsoft Word’s built-in tools to generate the table of contents for consistency and accuracy.
Print your document in black ink using a laser printer.

D. Page Numbers

Number all pages sequentially.

E. Line Spacing

Use double spacing (2) for the main text.

F. Order of Items
Your document should be structured in the following order:

Preliminary Pages
- Cover Page (required)
- Title Page (required)
- Declaration Page (required)
- Abstract (required)
- Acknowledgements
- Table of Contents (required)
- List of Tables (if applicable)
- List of Figures (if applicable)
- Acronyms
- Operational Definitions of Terms
Body of Text (Chapters)
- Chapter One: Introduction, Background, Statement of the Problem, Objectives, etc.
- Chapter Two: Literature Review and Knowledge Gap
- Chapter Three: Research Design and Methodology
- Chapter Four: Presentation, Discussion, and Interpretation of Findings
- Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Endnotes (if applicable)
References (required, APA 6th Edition)
Appendices (if applicable)

2.0 Preliminary Pages

The preliminary section sets the stage for your document. It’s crucial to present these pages in the correct order and format.

A. Page Numbers

Use lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii…) centered at the bottom of each page.
The title page should not be numbered, but is considered page one (i) for counting purposes.

B. Cover Page

Include your title, name, registration number, and the submission month and year.

C. Title Page

Repeat your thesis title, name, registration number, and the statement that this thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.
Clearly mention your specialization, department, and school within CUEA.
Note that titles should not exceed 12 words.

D. Declaration Page

Include a brief statement confirming the thesis is your original work and has not been submitted elsewhere.
Provide space for your signature, date, and supervisor approvals.

E. Abstract

Offer a concise (max 200 words) overview of the study, including your main objectives, methods, and findings.
Keep it clear, direct, and avoid footnotes or figures.

F. Acknowledgements

This is an optional section to thank individuals who supported your research.

G. Table of Contents

List all sections, chapters, and subheadings with correct page references aligned to the right.

H. List of Figures/Tables (If Applicable)

Follow a similar format to the table of contents for listing figures and tables.

I. Acronyms

Define abbreviations or acronyms used in your document.

J. Operational Definition of Terms

Clearly define key terms in your research to avoid ambiguity.

3.0 Body of Text

This is where you present the main content of your research.

A. General Organization

Organize your text by chapters. Each chapter starts on a new page.
Follow the sequence provided in the guidelines: from the introduction (Chapter One) to your findings and recommendations (Chapter Five).

B. Page Numbers

Maintain consistent numbering, typically bottom-center.

C. Line Spacing

Double-spaced text (2).
Short sections like footnotes or direct quotations may have single spacing if needed.

D. Chapter Titles, Headings, and Sub-Headings

Ensure each level (Chapter, Section, Sub-section) has a consistent style and is reflected in the table of contents.

E. Reference Citations

Use APA 6th Edition style for in-text citations (e.g., author, year).
Include all cited sources in the References section at the end of the thesis.

F. Footnotes and Endnotes

Place footnotes at the bottom of the relevant page or collect them as endnotes at the end of each chapter/thesis.
Use at least 10-point font for readability.

4.0 Endnotes and References

A. General

All works you have cited—books, journals, websites—should appear here.

B. Placement

Endnotes, if you use them, come first.
References may appear before or after appendices, as long as their placement is consistent.

C. Pagination

Continue the page numbering sequence.

D. Line Spacing

You may single-space individual reference entries, but maintain double spacing between each entry.

E. Font Size

Keep the same 12-point Times New Roman font for references, in line with the rest of the thesis.

5.0 Figures and Tables

A. Placement and Orientation

Figures and tables can be embedded in the text or on separate pages.
If you use landscape orientation for a figure or table, ensure the page number and margins stay consistent in portrait orientation.

B. Numbering

Assign each figure or table a unique number and descriptive caption.
List them at the beginning (in the preliminary pages) if they appear in the main body.

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6.0 Appendices and Other Supplementary Materials

Appendices are optional sections where you can place:

Extra data tables or raw data
Analytical procedures or survey forms
Copyright permissions, if required

Always consult with your supervisor to determine which materials are best included as appendices.

Final Thoughts

Formatting a project, thesis, or dissertation at CUEA might seem challenging at first, but it’s a straightforward process once you know the guidelines. Proper formatting not only reflects academic professionalism but also ensures your hard work is showcased clearly and cohesively.

By following these steps—organizing your pages, numbering consistently, employing the correct margins and font, citing properly, and structuring each chapter—you’ll be well on your way to producing a polished final document that meets CUEA’s requirements. Good luck with your writing, and remember that consistent attention to detail sets excellent research apart!

CUEA – PROJECT/THESIS/DISSERTATION FORMAT

1.0 General Guidelines

2.0 Preliminary Pages

3.0 Body of Text

4.0 Endnotes and References

5.0 Figures and Tables

Need help with your Research Proposal?

6.0 Appendices and Other Supplementary Materials

Final Thoughts

Kenyatta University research Proposal Format

Uon research proposal format

info@tobitresearchconsulting.com

+254728430728

Copyright ©

1.0 General Guidelines

2.0 Preliminary Pages

3.0 Body of Text

4.0 Endnotes and References

5.0 Figures and Tables

Need help with your Research Proposal?

6.0 Appendices and Other Supplementary Materials

Final Thoughts

Kenyatta University research Proposal Format

Uon research proposal format

info@tobitresearchconsulting.com

+254728430728

Copyright ©

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