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Research/Thesis Writing
Guidelines
College of Business &
Accountancy




Research/Thesis Writing Guidelines
Research or thesis writing is a requirement in all
programs under the College of Business and Accountancy. A
student joins a small group in conducting and writing a
research/thesis on a problem of their interest. This is done
under the supervision and guidance of an adviser who at the
same time is the subject teacher. A panel of experts will join
the teacher in reviewing the study.
A. Pre-requisites in Research/Thesis Writing
Accountancy - Completion of at least 80% of
courses in the entire curriculum.

Hospitality Management - HM101L, Tour 301, Acctg 1,
Math2, Mktg1

Management Accounting - BMth2, Acc 103, Mk 1, MA101,
MA106

Business Economics - Econ 101

Marketing Management - Mk1, BMth 2

Operations Management - BMth 2


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B. General Guidelines


1. Each group consists of not more than 5 members.

2. All students are expected to attend the regular class and
consultation sessions, take and pass the scheduled
written and oral examinations and comply with
deadlines for submission of progress reports, journals,
and other requirements.

3. In addition to the subject-teacher, the group may opt to
request for the advise and suggestions of a consultant,
who may be a teacher in the university or outside, an
active researcher, or an authority in the field.

4. Academic honesty is required from each student. This
includes the avoidance of plagiarism, defined as the use
of written and oral words of another person without
the expressed acknowledgement of the speaker/s and/or
the writer/s indebtedness to the person/s. This also
includes no falsification of data, not hiring another
party to do the research paper or thesis in whole or in
part, as well as not using papers and other materials
previously submitted to instructors of other classes,
either at the University of St. La Salle or other
institutions of higher learning.

II. Procedures and Requirements
Problems for study are presented to the teacher and the
Department Chairperson who determine whether these
meet the criteria of relevance and see to it that there is no

































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duplication of problems. When given the necessary approval,
the concept is worked on by the students, with the supervision
and guidance of the teacher.

The APA format is adopted for all researches. The
paper will have five (5) major sections/parts:

Introduction problem
review of related literature,
methodology
Data Presentation
Results,Discussion
Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Preliminary Presentation

The title, rationale, problem statement, objectives,
scope and limitations of the study are covered in this
defense

The teacher and the Department Chairperson deliberate
on what is presented. If worthy, an approval is granted.

2. Proposal Defense

A proposal defense is no longer required for
Operations Management, Marketing, Management
Accounting, Hospitality Management and Accountancy.
Research requirements under these departments are
accomplished in only one semester.

For Business Economics, the researchers write and


































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draft the Research Proposal. On a regular basis, the teacher
evaluates the progress of the research proposal and requires the
students to submit progress reports and individual journals,
both of which document the activities and accomplishments of
the researchers.

The research proposal is presented and defended to a
panel of reviewers. Included are the research problem, the
objectives of the study, scope and limitations, significance of
the study, and others.

To come after the Title Page is the Table of Contents.
An annotated bibliography or list of references is also a part of
the proposal.

A copy of the research proposal should be given to each
member of the panel of reviewers at least 3 days before the
scheduled defense.

Groups that fail to submit the midterm requirements
will no longer be allowed to continue writing the other parts
of the thesis/research.

During the proposal defense the following allotment is
followed by each group of researchers:

Presentation 20 minutes
Interrogation by Panel 30 minutes
Panel Deliberation 10 minutes

One member of the group should document the
proceedings. The final research proposal, with all the
recommendations and suggestions of the panel included and

































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incorporated, should be prepared and submitted a week after
the proposal defense. This should include an approval sheet,
to be signed by the panel of reviewers, the teacher or adviser
and the Department Chairperson.

3. Final Defense

In addition to Part I, the completed thesis includes the
following:

Results
Discussions
Conclusions and Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendices

Copies of the completed thesis are presented to the
teacher for final approval. Each member of the panel of
reviewers are provided with a copy, at least three days prior
to the scheduled oral presentation and defense. The
schedule of defense is set and agreed upon by the
researchers and the teacher, with the consideration of the
availability of the panel of reviewers.

During the defense, the researchers are advised to
observe the following time allotment:

Preliminaries 10 minutes
(Summary of what were presented
during the proposal defense)

Results, Findings, Conclusions &

































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Recommendations 15 minutes

Interrogation 30 minutes

Panel Deliberation 5 minutes

A member of the group should be tasked to document
the proceedings especially the suggestions and
recommendation of the panel. The researchers should be in
their corporate attire during this event.

4. Submission of Revised Thesis

One week is given for the writer/s to revise their work
based on the recommendations of the panel.

When approved by the teacher, the research goes back
to the panelists for final approval.

Endorsement letter and approval sheets are presented for
signature upon completion of the revised thesis.

Deadline for and submission of bound thesis is set by
the subject teacher taking into consideration the schedule
of submission of final grades as determined by the Office of
the Registrar. The approval sheet must be signed by the
Department Chairperson before it is included as part of
the hardbound thesis.








































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III. REQUIREMENTS & GRADING SYSTEM

A. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT, MARKETING,
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

Prelim - (20% of Final Grade)
Quizzes - 30%
Assignments - 20%
Class Participation - 15%
Exam - 35%
100%

Midterm - (20% of Final Grade)
Part 1

Endterm - (60% of Final Grade)
Oral Defense - 40%
Final Revised Paper - 60%
100%

B. BSBA MAJOR IN ECONOMICS

Proposal Writing

Prelim
Quizzes - 40%
Class Participation - 10%
Exam - 50%
100%
Midterm
Quizzes - 30%
Class Participation - 10%
Exam - 30%
Research proposal - 30%
100%




































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Endterm
Quizzes - 30%
Class Participation - 10%
Revised Proposal - 60%
100%
Thesis Writing Stage

Prelim (20% of final grade)
Quizzes, S.W. - 20%
Assignments, Progress report - 70%
Class participation - 10%
100%
Midterm (20% of final grade)
Quizzes, S.W. - 20%
Assignments, Progress report - 70%
Class participation - 10%
100%
Endterm (60% of final grade)
Oral Defense - 40%
Final Revised Paper - 60%
100%

Non-submission of the final revised paper is tantamount to
failure.

C. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY

Prelim
Quizzes - 25%
Class Participation - 10%
Assignments - 10%
Exam - 35%
Hands on training - 10%
Proposal - 10%
100%





































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The proposal should contain:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: System Overview
Chapter 3: The Business Organization

Midterm
Quizzes - 15%
Assignments - 5%
Class Participation - 5%
Case Studies - 15%
Synthesis - 60%
100%
Endterm
Oral Defense - 40%
Final Revised Paper - 60%
100%

The final paper should contain:
Chapters 1, 2 & 3
Chapter 4: Books of Accounts
Chapter 5: Specific System
Revenue Receipt
Expenditure
Operations Systems
Financing System
Investment
Chapter 6: Chart of Accounts
Chapter 7: Financial System Reporting

D. HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Prelim (20% of Final Grade)
Class Participation - 20%
Test /Quiz/Seatwork - 20%
Research Paper - 60%
TOTAL 100%

































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Midterm (20% of Final Grade)
Class Participation - 20%
Test /Quiz/Seatwork - 20%
Research Paper - 60%
TOTAL 100%

End-term (60% of Final Grade)
Peer Evaluation - 10%
Oral Defense - 40%
Complete Research
Paper - 50%
TOTAL 100%

Panel Defense

o 3 Panelist must be present in order for defense
to proceed; Composition: 2 CBA professors and
1 external expert.
o Send out 4-5 RSVP invitations to prospective
panelists during Midterms and confirm at least 2
weeks prior to defense. Invitations should be noted
by the Thesis Adviser.
o Panelist should be given a copy of the Research
Paper upon confirmation.
o Absolutely no last minute change of panelist unless
approved by the Thesis Adviser but only for valid
reasons such as serious injury or death in the family.
o Conduct: 2 out of the 3 panelist must give passing
marks (rating of pass or conditional pass).

Expenses
o Php 500.00 per panelist
o Adviser 2,000
o Php 50.00/head for snacks


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o Certificate of Attendance
o Tokens are optional
o 1 hardcopy book bound
o 3 softcopies
o Others: English Editor (see bulletin board for rates)

Peer Evaluation

o Not more than 5 members in a group
o Peer Evaluation: Each member will make a
confidential rating of their fellow members (see peer
evaluation form)
o For HM, peer evaluation will constitute a percentage
(10%) of final term grades

Note: Failure to submit the hard bound research paper and the
three (3) soft copies of the research will result to a failure in the
subject.
IV. CONDUCT OF DEFENSE

Defense will be conducted for the final paper which shall
include:

Abstract/Executive Summary (limited to 120 words only)
Title Page
Table of Contents
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Results
Part 3: Discussion
Part 4: Conclusions & Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendices







































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Copies of the completed thesis are presented to the teacher for final
approval. Each member of the panel of reviewers are provided
with a copy, at least 3 days prior to the scheduled oral
































presentation and defense. The schedule of defense is set and agreed
upon by the researchers and the teacher. The panel of reviewers
should be approved by the teacher.

During the defense the following time allotment should be
observed:

Presentation of the abstract - 10 minutes
Interrogation - 30 minutes
Panel deliberation - 20 minutes

A member of the group should be tasked to document the
proceedings especially the suggestions and recommendations of the
panel.




The criteria for the final defense should be as follows:

1. Compliance with deadline for submission - 5 pts.
2. Oral Presentation -40 pts.
a. Clarity of presentation - 10 pts.
b. Master of topic - 10 pts.
c. Ability to answer questions - 20 pts.

3. Research Paper - 55 pts.

a. Conformity with the APA format - 10 pts.
b. Adequacy of data - 10 pts.
c. Coherence of concepts - 10 pts.
d. Depth of analysis & interpretation- 15 pts.
d. Substantial basis for conclusions
& generalizations - 10 pts.
100 pts.

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Additional



































Criteria for Economics: representativeness of the sample size and the
statistical tool used.

V. Definition of Roles:

Roles of Advisee

1. Students are expected to observe schedule for
consultation.

2. Students must sustain their own research interest by
sourcing as much literature and readings on their
chosen problem.

3. Students must keep and update a record book of all
the suggestions and corrections given by the
teacher, the consultant (if applicable) and the
panelists.

4. Students must submit the peer evaluation form
together with the hardbound and three soft copies of
the research.

5. Courtesy and proper decorum are expected at all
times.

6. Students must furnish the panelist a copy of the
thesis at least three (3) days before the date of
defense. Punctuality during consultation, in the
submission of assignments, revision and submission
of bound copies and in accomplishing the forms
should be observed.


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Roles of Teacher/ Adviser:

Teacher/ Adviser is expected to:

1. Assist students in all the stages of the research process;

2. Motivates students to observe schedule;

3. Provide written technical advise and content direction in
the following research areas during regular class
sessions:

Rationale of the study
Theoretical and pragmatic considerations of the
study
Review of related literature and studies
Selection of the appropriate theoretical
framework
Preparation of conceptual framework
Definition of conceptual and operational terms
Statement of the problem and hypothesis
Scope and delimitation of the study
Selection of data-gathering instruments
Data-gathering procedures inclusive of data-
gathering protocol
Data analysis procedures and tools
(qualitative/quantitative techniques, where
appropriate)
Conclusions and Recommendations
Preparation of write-up in accordance with the
latest APA Publication Manual


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4. Inform students of their term grades two weeks after
scheduled term exam;

5. Give positive/affirming psychological support to advisees
throughout the research process
and during their proposal and final defense;

6. Give a written approval of proposal/ final thesis paper as
ready for defense;

7. Maintain an open mind in receiving comments and
suggestions by panel members;

8. Assist students on working on the suggestions/ comments
of the proposal/ final thesis defense;

9. Ensure that all panel members have given their ratings
after proposal/ final thesis defense;

10. Submit said ratings to the department chairperson; and

11. Perform other related tasks as deemed appropriate.

Roles of Panelists
The panelist is tasked to be in the deliberating panel to
judge on the acceptability of the work based on the given
criteria. As such, he/she:

1. Reads thoroughly the studies and proposal/ final thesis
before sitting in the defense panel;

2. Sits throughout the proposal/ final thesis defense;

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3. Assess the accuracy, appropriateness and quality of
proposal/ final thesis against standards set by the
department, and the university;

4. Provide constructive written comments/ suggestions
after the proposal/ final defense to enrich the study;

5. Submits to thesis adviser the proposal/ final thesis
ratings immediately after the defense as agreed upon;

6. Reads/ gives written approval of corrections he/she has
suggested during the defense; and

7. Performs other related tasks as necessary.

VI. Forms

Attached are the important forms top be used in this
course:

1. Invitation to Panelists
2. Proposal Defense Score Sheet
3. Final Defense Score Sheet
4. Approval Sheet
5. Group Evaluation Form
6. Waiver






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VII. Guidelines and Criteria for Thesis Evaluation

After the Evaluation, the Research paper that will receive the highest score will be
declared the Best Thesis.

PROPOSAL DEFENSE EVALUATION FORM

Title of the Study:
Proponents:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Criteria Score
A. Compliance with Deadline of
Submission ( 5 pts)

B. Presentation (15 pts)
i. Organization
ii. Clarity
iii. Effective use of AV Materials
C. Analysis of the Title of the Study ( 5 pts)
i. Appropriateness
ii. Brevity & Conciseness
D. AnalysisofChapter1 (10 pts)
i. Alignment with Mission Vision of USLS
ii. Relevance to Society
iii. Proper Organization
E. Analysis of Chapter 2 (10 pts)
i. Adequacy of Surveyed Literature & Studies
ii. Synthesis & Interralatedness of Surveyed
Literature & Studies

iii. Appropriateness & functionality of Conceptual
Theoretical Framework

F. Analysis of Chapter 3 (50 pts)
i. Logic & Feasibility
ii. Appropriateness
iii. Adequacy
iv. Clarity
v. Repeatability

SCORE


_____________________________
Panelists Name & Signature
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FINAL DEFENSE EVALUATION FORM

Title of the Study:


Proponents:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Criteria Score
A. Compliance with Deadline for Submission
(5 pts)

B. Oral Presentation (40 pts)
i. Clarity of Presentation
ii. Mastery of Presentation
iii. Ability to Answer Questions
C. Research Paper (55 pts)
i. Conformity with the APA Format
ii. Adequacy
iii. Depth of Analysis & Interpretation
iv. Coherence of Concepts
v. Substantial Basis for Conclusions &
Generalizations

SCORE



__________________________
Panelists Name & Signature
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University of St. La Salle
College of Business and Accountancy
Date: _________________
_____________________
_____________________

Dear ___________________________,

Greetings.

May I invite you to be a member of the panel of reviewers
for the Proposal/ Final Defense of the Research students.

Date: ____________Time ____________Venue___________

The students will furnish you with a copy of their research
work three days before the scheduled defense. Attached, please see
find the evaluation form.

Thank you.

Very sincerely,


Research Teacher
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confirmation:
_______ I can make it
_______ Sorry, I cannot make it



________________________
Name & Signature
University of St. La Salle
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College of Business and Accountancy

PEER EVALUATION FOR
GROUP WORK PARTICIPATION

Instructions: 1. Write down the names of your group members in
alphabetical order on the numbered columns. Do not include yourself.
2. Then rate each member on every item or criterion listed on
the column using the following grading scale.
5- Very poor, very unsatisfactory
4- Fair, passable, minimum, below average
3- Good, satisfactory, average
2-Very Good, very satisfactory, above average
1- Excellent, outstanding

3. Complete for the record the weighted average for each
member by obtaining the sum of all grades and dividing this sum by 10.

Criterion 1 2 3 4 5
1. Guides group to relevant directions
2. Asks questions to help clarify issues
3. Gives useful suggestions or relevant data
4. Assists in recording group achievement
5. Accepts and performs assigned tasks
cheerfully and promptly

6. Offers help freely
7. Attends all group meetings
8. Attentive during discussions and
Meetings

9. Demonstrates genuine interest in
Making group work succeed.

SUM
WEIGHTED AVERAGE







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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


I, _______________________________, a student in
___________________, having read the above-mentioned course
requirements and having understood the requirements when they were
clearly explained to me by the instructor, do hereby affix my signature
below to signify that I have will abide by the course requirements
stipulated. I agree to pass an approved written paper in order to pass the
course.



With My Conformity:




__________________________

(Signature Above Printed Name)



Cc: Dean, CBA
Dept. Chair