Title
The title is less than 15 words long
The title depicts the
topic/variables/design/statistical tools of
the study
The title is formal
The title is written in an inverted
pyramid style
Rationale
The rationale presents the problematic
situation/opportunity for
exploration/research gap of the topic
The rationale mentions the research
agenda from which the topic is
linked/aligned to
Objective
The research presents its general
objective
The research investigates at least 2
variables
The research presents its specific
objectives (at least 3for quantitative)
The research has a clear statistical
question (for quantitative studies).
It could be a question on
Difference
impact/affect
relationship/association
influence
Each variable is measured in/assigned to
each of the specific questions
1st specific question = 1st variable
2nd specific question = 2nd
variable
3rd specific question = connects
1st and 2nd variable statistical
question
Hypothesis
The statement of hypothesis is in null
(negative) form
Significance
The paper lists all relevant, interested
individuals, parties and institutions that
will directly benefit from the study (at
least 3)
The paper clearly mentions how the
relevant, interested parties can benefit
from the paper
The paper includes UM or CAE in the
significance of the study
Definition of terms
The terms are defined operationally and
not conceptually
The terms are lifted from the titles,
variables and indicators/parameters of
the study
Related literature
An introductory paragraph outlining the
contents of the chapter is present
The first few paragraphs (at least 3 par)
discuss the first variable (independent,
variable x)
The indicators of the first variable are
thoroughly reviewed and linked to the
first variable
Succeeding paragraphs (at least 3 par)
discuss the second variable (dependent,
variable y)
The indicators of the second variable are
thoroughly reviewed and linked to the
second variable
The last paragraphs (at least 2
paragraphs) discuss the
assumed/perceived
connection/association/relations between
the first and second variable
The sources used/citations made are
adequate and recent (at least 2 citations
in every paragraph and within the last 5
years)
Theoretical framework
The paper presents a relevant theory or
proposition from a reliable literature or
study
The theory or proposition discusses the
connection/association/relation between
and among variables under investigation
Conceptual framework
The paper presents a
figure/diagram/illustration showing the
assumed/perceived
connection/association/relation between
and among variables
The framework displays boxes and
arrows (one-sided or double-edged) -
alignment of framework from objective
is evident
The paper presents a paragraph that
explains or describes the conceptual
framework, the relations of the variables,
the indicators and arrows
Research design
The paper mentions the specific research
design used in the study
The research design used matches or is
appropriate to the research objective or
statistical question - alignment of design
from objective is evident
The research design is properly
described/defined with literature support
or citation
The paper justifies the use of the
research design in relation to its
objective
Research
respondents/participants/subjects
The paper identifies the specific
respondents/subjects of the study
The research paper determines the
number (how many/ sample size) of
intended respondents/subjects
The research paper justifies the sample
size through literature review or citation
The research paper mentions where the
respondents/subjects (context or research
locale) will come from
The research paper cites the sampling
technique to be used
The sampling technique is defined or
described using literature or citation
The researchers justify/explain the
appropriateness of the sampling
technique to the study
The paper mentions the kind of
instrument the study will use
Survey questionnaire
Test questionnaire
Interview guide
Observation schedule
Checklist (secondary data)
The paper explicitly and categorically
mentions if the instrument is researcher-
made, adopted or modified from a
specific study
The paper cites the source of the
instrument (adopted or modified)
The paper describes its research
instrument, its parts/sections, its contents
and the variable that it will measure
The paper indicates the kind of scaling it
will use
The paper mentions that the instrument
was validated by panel of experts to
ensure reliability and appropriateness of
the instrument
Research data interpretation
The paper includes data interpretation
scheme
Formula
Range of means
Range of scores/indices
The paper shows the formula (for
researchers that require computation)
The paper shows the range of means (for
researchers that use interval and ratio
scales)
Research data gathering method
The research paper outlines the key steps
that the researchers will take in gathering
relevant data
The paper describes and explains each of
the key steps
Statistical tool
The paper lists all the statistical tools to
be used to measure each of the specific
objectives
The paper describes and explains how
each tool is to be used
Results and discussion
An introductory paragraph outlining the
contents of the chapter is present
The paper presents the results and
findings for each of the specific question
using an APA table format (one specific
objective = one table)
The paper describes the contents of the
table by highlighting the highest and
lowest value in the table of the patterns
in the data collected data
The paper discusses the results
thoroughly (at least 2 paragraphs),
provides literature citations / references
(Confirmation or negation) and
acknowledges any anomalous data or
deviations from what is expected
The paper presents in the last paragraph
the exploration of theoretical and/or
practical implications of the results and
findings of the study
Summary of Findings
An introductory paragraph outlining the
contents of the chapter is present
The paper presents the direct answer to
each of the specific question posted in
the statement of the problem/objectives
of the study (no more
justification/explanation of the results)
The paper cites whether the null
hypothesis is rejected or not rejected as
part of the answer for statistical
question/s
Conclusion
The paper presents a one paragraph (10-
15 sentences) conclusion
The conclusion focuses on the new
knowledge generated or drawn from the
results/findings of the study
The conclusion mentions whether the
theoretical framework supports or
debunks the results of the research
The conclusion presents the delimitations
or biases of the research
Recommendation
The paper presents specific, direct,
result-based, concrete and actionable
recommendations
The paper ensures all those mentioned in
the significance of the study (in chapter
1) receive at least one recommendation
(one-on-one post)
The recommendations made have
connection or are related to how
relevant, interested parties will benefit
from the research as mentioned in the
significance of the study
References
The reference section follows the APA
(Sample:
Aber, J. & Quertey, A. (2010). Issues in
SME development in Ghana and South
Africa International Research Journal of
Finance and Economics. 39(6), 215-218
Retrieved January 16, 2014 from hItp-
Jiugspact.ug.edu )
The reference section lists all the in-text
citations found in the paper
The spacing of references (one reference
to another) is double space. No spacing
is required on related texts or
information of a source
Abstract
The abstract is 150 to 200 words only
The abstract is in block format
The abstract contains/mentions the
following information:
general objective
research design
research respondents/participants
research instrument
statistical tools
 summary of findings
conclusion
recommendation (optional)
The abstract has keywords of not more
than 7 words which reflect the following:
field/discipline of study (e.g.
accounting, business, finance,
management)
variables
research design
research respondents
statistical tool
context/research locale

Format
The paper margin measures:
Top = 1 inch Bottom = 1 inch Left = 1.5
Inches Right = 1 inch
The font style is Arial
The font size is 12
The paragraph alignment is justify
The line spacing is 2
The texts are in sentence case form (only
the first letter of the word is capitalized
except proper nouns)
The text headings and sub-headings are
in bold style
The page number is written at the top,
right-most side of the paper (except the
chapter page)
The in-text citation follows the format:
Author's Surname or Publisher's Name,
Year of Publication