CMMC Capstone Manual
International Relations
Contents
1. The Capstone Thesis.3
2. Identification of Research Area
(Topic).3
3. Appointment of Capstone Supervisor.3
4. Formation of Thesis Advisory
Committee.4
5. Research Design Proposal4
6. Parts of the Capstone thesis.5
7. Thesis Structure.5
8. Formatting.8
9. Submission and Review Process.9
10. Final presentation.9
11. University Guidelines.9
12. Schedule.10
13. Evaluation.11
Additional Tips for Thesis and Dissertation
Writers.12
AUE Capstone Manual
1.
The Capstone Thesis
The main intent of this document
is to ensure that CMMC Capstone projects are presented in a conventional form,
following universally accepted standards for academic papers. This guide does
not reflect detailed information on how to research or write a thesis.
Students are
expected to submit an original work between 8000 and 10000 words that would contribute towards the advancement
of knowledge in their areas of study.
The thesis should stem from an original research that involves field
study or library and is to be conducted under the supervision of Capstone
Supervisor and the guidance of the Faculty Advisory Committee. In addition, the
submitted thesis should be both content and expression acceptable and presented
in a format which is consistent with the area of study and the Capstone
Formatting Guidelines.
2.
Identification of Research Area (Topic)
Students should
select an area of research that is both new and innovative. To achieve this,
students should consult references and/or previous work that has been done
related to the specific research area. They should also seek help from
enterprise in industry, government, manufacturing, private and public organizations
or specialists who might want to help or to provide information or data. The
topic area should be of great interest to the student, with a passion for
inquiry and knowledge acquisition through learning.
3.
Appointment of Capstone Supervisor
The Capstone
supervisor (Seppe Verheyen) ensures that the student executes and reports on a
thesis research project that is relevant to his/her academic field, that the
student demonstrates sufficient understanding of the relevant research theories
and methods.
The role of capstone
supervisor entails different tasks that help students accomplish their Capstone
project successfully. These include assisting students in: choosing an
appropriate research topic, identifying research objectives and selecting a
suitable research design and analysis approach.
4.
Formation of Thesis Advisory Committee
Subsequent the
assignment of the Capstone Supervisor and the selection of a research topic, a Capstone
Advisory Committee will be established. The committee is to be composed of a
chair (Capstone supervisor) and at two other members of the AUE graduate
faculty.
5.
Research Design Proposal
Under the
supervision of the Capstone Supervisor, the student prepares a Capstone project
proposal that should be submitted to the Faculty Advisory Committee. The Proposal should address the following
topics, in the exact order shown below.
a)
Title:
The
statement of title at this stage of thesis writing may be tentative. However,
it should reflect the central purpose of the study in a brief but accurate and
comprehensive manner.
b)
Introduction:
One
or more paragraphs should introduce the reader to the subject of study. The
introduction may indicate several of the important sources for the proposed
study.
c)
Objectives:
The student should state clearly the
central purpose of the proposed study and the specific objectives to be
addressed.
d)
Literature Review:
This section should indicate the extent
to which the student has become acquainted with the relevant literature and
other resources available on the subject. It may also be used to lead into the
following section.
e)
Significance:
The student should justify the proposed
research. It should be explained how the study will add to present knowledge
and/or modify existing theory or practice in the discipline.
f)
Methodology:
This statement should explain how the
student will undertake the study. Normally, a step-by-step procedure will be
necessary. This section of the proposal should address such issues as
procedures for the establishment of the study, method adopted, data collection,
sampling, and how the data will be manipulated, including statistical
treatments where appropriate. Limitations as to size, time, and other factors
should also be presented. Plans for presentation and publication of the results
of the study might also be included here.
g)
References /
Bibliography:
The sources that the student used should
be in appropriate form in this section and cited appropriately in the text of
the proposal. The approved style of the CMMC is The American Political Science Association
format (http://proxyau.wrlc.org/login?url=http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/).
6.
Parts of the Capstone thesis
The
thesis should be arranged as follows:
a)
Title Page – conventional page showing
essential bibliographical information
b)
Preface (Optional)
c)
Acknowledgements (Optional)
d)
Table of Contents – a paginated guide or
outline listing primary, secondary, and tertiary headings
e)
List of Figures – a paginated listing of
all figure captions as they appear with the figures they accompany. Used only
when thesis contains figures.
f)
List of Tables – format same as item 8.
Used only when thesis contains tables
g)
Text – the main body of the thesis
h)
Bibliography – depending on the style
used, also may be labeled References,
i)
Appendix (Optional)
7. Thesis Structure
The thesis will comprise
the following chapters:
1.
Introduction to the Study: Chapter 1
The Introduction begins the text section
of the thesis. The primary function of the Introduction is to give an overview
of the study, whether it is a chapter by itself or combined with the literature
review. It normally contains one or more hypotheses that establish the
purpose(s) of the study and upon which theoretical and organizational plans for
the study are based. The components usually include the following:
1.1 Background
The beginning of this section should
serve as an organized lead-in to the problem under investigation. This section
should include an overview of the historical evolution of the problem and its
current status. It may also include projected future considerations.
1.2 Statement of the problem
In this section, present the focal
point(s) of your research. Introduce the “what” of the present investigation by
clearly stating what the study will examine or investigate. State the specific
major questions(s) or hypothesis (es) to be studied or tested. Make a precise
statement of all the minor questions to be explored.
1.3 Purpose of the
study
Justify
the study. Why is the present investigation significant? Explain how it
supports other studies, differs from previous studies, extends present
knowledge or examines new issues.
1.4
Theoretical bases and Organization
How does the present research correspond
with other studies? What are the underlying theoretical bases upon which the
study is constructed? One or more hypotheses should create the solid foundation
upon which the conceptual framework is built.
1.5 Limitations of the
study
Discuss
both content and methodological limitations of the investigation. How will the
research work within or around these limitations?
1.6
Definition of terms
As
appropriate, define any special terms used in the study and establish
abbreviations that will be used consistently throughout the text. If you will
be using a large number of abbreviations or acronyms, you might consider
including a list of abbreviations/acronyms in the preliminary pages.
2.
Review of the Literature: Chapter 2
The literature review should provide
empirical evidence supporting the study and put the study in context with other
research in the field. There are several ways in which this chapter may be
structured: chronologically, categorically, through related theoretical viewpoints,
or by a combination of the above. Emphasis should be placed on the reasons
underlying the particular areas, topics, and periods of time selected for
review. The literature review should:
•
Provide evidence supporting the historical, theoretical, and research
background for the study.
•
Define how the investigation differs from other studies in the field.
•
Show how the study relates to other research studies in similar areas.
Theoretical foundations, expert opinion, and actual research findings should be
included. Primary sources should be used whenever possible.
3.
Methodology: Chapter 3
This section explicitly describes how
the research was conducted, including any statistical analysis. It includes a
detailed discussion of the research design or approach. This should be a clearly
written description that permits a precise replication of the study. Several
parts of this chapter (as listed below) apply mainly to a quantitative thesis,
but may be appropriate to a qualitative thesis as well.
3.1 Design of the Research
Explain
how the study is designed to investigate each question or hypothesis. If
appropriate, identify all variables and how they are manipulated.
3.2 Population
or Sample
In this demographics section, describe
the principal characteristics of the population selected. If a random sample is
used, describe the general population from which the sample was selected and
the sampling procedure used.
3.3 Treatment
Describe
the exact sequence you followed to collect and tabulate the data. Describe the
instrument(s) used to collect the data and establish the validity of the
instrument(s) via studies by other researchers.
3.4 Data and Analysis
Procedures
Describe
and explain data analysis procedures or statistical treatments used. Include
descriptions of tests, formulae, computer programs, and procedures.
4.
Results and Discussion: Chapter 4
This section reports on and discusses
the findings of the study. The results and subsequent discussion can be
presented individually in separate sections.
4.1 Presentation of
findings
The
results of the investigation are presented in narrative form and may be
supplemented with graphics. Whenever appropriate, use tables and figures to
present the data.
4.2 Discussion of the
findings
In this section, the results you have
just presented should be discussed in relation to each
question or hypothesis. Inferences,
projections, and probable explanations of the results may also be included.
Discuss the implications of patterns and trends, and include any secondary
findings.
5.
Summary, Conclusions, and
Recommendations: Chapter 5
6.
End Matter
This post-text segment, discussed below,
contains the appendices (if any).
7.
References (APSA Style)
The reference list, called References,
Work Cited, Literature Cited, or Bibliography depending on which departmental
style guide is used, directly follows the last text chapter. An exception is
made for biology theses, where it follows the Acknowledgments section in the
end matter. This section lists all references cited in the text either directly
or indirectly and must include sources from which material has been adapted for
use in tables and figures.
8.
Formatting
Type
–
Fonts of 12 characters per inch are acceptable for text and for figure/table
captions. The preferred font is Arial 12-point.. Where necessary, smaller type
may be used in figures and tables but never less than a font of 8.
Pagination – Place all
page numbers in the center, one inch from the bottom edge of the page.
Spacing – Text must be 1.5
spaced.
Margins – All pages of
the thesis must have the following margins: 1 inch on the right and bottom, 1½
inches on the left and top. For pages bearing a primary heading, the top margin
is 2 inches. The first line of each paragraph should be indented one tab from
the left margin.
Figures and
Tables
– Line drawings and diagrams, maps, charts, halftones, photographs, etc. are
considered as figures and should be of professional quality. Photographs and
figures may be either color or black and white. Original photographs or
high-resolution reproductions are acceptable; photocopies are not. If
photographs are pasted to the page, a high quality, long-lasting cement must be
used. Figures and tables require captions, which should be single-spaced. If
there is insufficient space within the required margins for both the
figure/table and caption, the caption may be placed on the facing page, the
back of which is blank except for the page number properly located in the upper
right hand corner or bottom center. Captions must be in the same type as the
text and listed as written in the List of Figures and List of Tables sections
of thesis. No text or number on a table or figure should be (after reduction)
smaller than the equivalent character in a character set whose shortest letters
are 2 millimeters high (see Figure 1). An illustration that is wide must be
placed broadside on the page, with the top at the binding (left) side.
Reference
Citation
– The style and manner of reference
citation and bibliographic is the American Political Science Association format.
(http://proxyau.wrlc.org/login?url=http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/).
9.
Submission and Review Process
Submission
should be done electronically on the portal as well a hard-copy should be
submitted.
Note that it is your responsibility
for meeting the deadlines. Review the Submission Checklist to make sure you
meet the requirements and have all the necessary materials when you arrive on
campus to submit your capstone project.
10. Final
presentation
The thesis must
be presented to Capstone Advisory Committee. The presentation presents evidence
for the project. What kind of evidence is appropriate depends on what kind of
thesis is being defended. A good presentation means more than one example, and
answers to questions such as the following. What was your research question and
what are the main results of your study? Did you were the complications and
challenges for your capstone project? What are the further implications of your
capstone project and what is added value to field of International Relations?
11. University
Guidelines
Gross deficiencies of format occur when a majority
of the categories listed below do not comply with the requirements stated in
this manual. Numbers following the entries refer to relevant sections in this
manual.
•
Preliminary Pages: Correct
format for Title, Table of Contents, List of Tables, List
of
Figures, etc…
•
Page Layout: Pagination,
margins, placement and format of titles on starting pages for each part of the
thesis (e.g., Table of Contents, Chapter title pages, References), inclusion of
and format for any applicable cover pages.
•
Text Formatting: Fonts,
line spacing, paragraph indentation, block quotations, enumeration, line and
page breaks, etc.
• Headings: Proper
application and formatting of headings and subheadings
•
Illustrative Materials: format
for table titles and figure captions, their identification and placement in
text, and spacing requirements when integrated with text.
•
Appendices: Formatting
of oversized materials, pagination, neat and clean copy.
• Overall Appearance: Accuracy, consistency, and neatness
throughout the manuscript.
12. Schedule
|
Date |
Topic |
|
22/09 |
Orientation.Introduction |
|
28/09 |
Project Selection: Each student is expected to To that effect students collect |
|
07/10 |
Project presentation: 3-min |
|
14/10 |
Research Design:After |
|
7/11 |
Progress Report Evaluation: At this stage, the progress of |
|
14/12 |
Submission of final project: (between |
|
15/12 and 16/12 |
Final Jury Presentation: After the project has been |
13. Evaluation
|
3-min oral |
20% |
|
Research |
10% |
|
Progress |
20% |
|
Final |
10% |
|
Final |
40% |
|
Total |
100% |
Additional Tips for
Thesis and Dissertation Writers
1. It is not advisable
to use software specifically designed for industrial or technical purposes to
prepare the thesis or dissertation.
2. Begin the Table of
Contents with “List of Tables…………v” and “List of Figures………….vi” (or
appropriate page number) if these tables/figures are included in your
thesis/dissertation. Otherwise, begin the Table of Contents with
“Introduction…………..1.”
3. If you use colors in
graphs and tables, choose colors, line styles, line widths and symbols that are
discernible after black and white copying. Lines on graphs should be identified
by labels or symbols rather than by colors.
4. Make sure that the
text does not run into the page numbers on any pages of the thesis or
dissertation.
5. Use inclusive page
numbers in LITERATURE CITEDfor both books and journal articles.
6. Proofread your final
manuscript carefully before submission. Plan enough time to read it through
several times and not necessarily in one sitting. Make sure there are no
missing pages and that all pages are numbered consecutively.
