TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MOMBASA

INSTITUTE OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

PROJECT GUIDELINES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

1.1 Introduction
All Students must carry out an independent research project in an area of their interest.

A proposal should be submitted immediately after the completion of the research methods unit in
year three semester two

The Technical university Project demonstrates the student’s readiness to join scholars and
practitioners in advancing knowledge and practice in the real world of computing and informatics.
Consequently, students are expected to produce quality research project that:
 Addresses current problems of interests in the real world
 Demonstrate a mastery of skills learnt during their course of study in the Institute of
Computing and Informatics.
 Demonstrates writing skills

1.2 General Regulations

 The Project report should be submitted before the student sits for the final university
examinations
 The student shall work under the guidance of a project supervisor (s) appointed by the
Director of the Institute.
 Once the students have completed the proposal and the same is approved by the supervisor,
the proposal shall be defended in panels formed by the project coordinator on a day set aside
by the Institute.
 The students should submit at least 2 copies of the proposal to the Project Coordinator at
least 5 days before the date of the defense.
 The students shall present a proposal at the panels and will be awarded marks. They will also
be given corrections which they will work on and present to their supervisors for a go ahead
to continue with the project work.
 The student will then proceed to complete chapter 4 and 5 of the project.
 Once the student has completed the project and the same is approved by the supervisor, the
project shall be submitted to the ICI project coordinator who will fix a day for a final
defense. The marks obtained will be added to the proposal defense marks and compiled.
 The students should then submit 2 copies of the project report to the Secretary of ICI who
will carefully record the student details and the supervisor. The Secretary shall then give the
respective supervisor one copy for award of the final marks of the documentation.
  If the student is not successful, the regulations on resubmission will apply as stipulated in the
in the academic policy

1.3 Choosing a Project Title

 The title of the project should be clear, and specific to a real problem.
 Similar topics between students should be avoided.
 The project should be new, original and not a replica of another person’s work.
 At the proposal level, the appointed supervisor MUST approve the title of the project.
 All the topics must be ratified by the research committee in ICI.
1.4 Formatting Guidelines
 Font Size-12 in the body text, except the topics and titles, which should be font size 14
 Font Type- Times New Roman
 Spacing- The project should be 1.5 lines spacing
 Highlighting- Topics and subtopics should be bolded and NOT be underlined
 Print Quality- Final document should be of laser print quality
 Margins- Margins of the report should be 1 inches on the top, bottom and right hand side.
The left hand-side margin should be 1.25 inches to allow for binding.
 Tables- Larger tables may be typed in smaller font size (10-11) in order to maintain standard
margins
 Numbers and Percentages-must not begin a sentence.
 Tables and Figures - When presenting the table or figure there must be a finding section and
an analysis section. Avoid using ‘table above, or table below.’ Instead indicate as ‘Table 4.1
shows that ….’
 Final Binding - Presented as Hard Copy (Blue Color), preferably Xerox hard cover book
binding. The binding should be ascertained by the Librarian.

 Pagination: Bottom of page and centered.

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 1.5 Content Guidelines
1. PRELIMINARY PAGES

TITLE PAGE OUTLINE (not paginated)

The title should be in upper case and Centered and 14 font size
For Example

A UNIVERSITY STUDENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM

A CASE STUDY OF TUM

CATHERINE OPIYO
BTIT/025/2014
(Students full names and Reg. No. in upper case)

Supervisor (s)
(Title and Name of Supervisor)

Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree in Bachelor of

Technology in Information Communication Technology of Technical University
of Mombasa

July 2018

DECLARATION - (Roman number- ii) (center 14 font size)

a) A signed declaration by the candidate with the following statement
This project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other
University or for any other award

Students Name:

Sign Date

b) A signed declaration by the University Supervisor with the following statement.

c) I confirm that the work reported in this project was carried out by the candidate under my
supervision.

Name:
Sign Date
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DEDICATION - (Roman number- iii) (center 14 font size)

A dedication statement not exceeding 25 words may follow the declaration, beginning on a separate
page.

Dedication may be to a person or persons whom they have special attachments. A simple statement
such as “to my father……. and my mother ……” and a reason for the dedication may be given.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT - (Roman number- iv) (center 14 font size)

Acknowledgment not exceeding 150 words should follow dedication beginning on a separate page.

An acknowledgement is an extension of appreciation for the contribution of others and assistance

given during the entire research process. It recognizes the person to whom the writer is indebted for
guidance and assistance during the study.

ABSTRACT-(Roman v) (centre 14 font size)

An abstract of the research project not exceeding three hundred (300) words and beginning on a
new page. It should be a one paragraph continuous prose, single spaced and on one page only.

The abstract should be one page single paragraphed and should contain
 The purpose and objectives of the study
 Significance of the study
 Methodology used
 Findings
 Recommendations

TABLE OF CONTENTS - (Roman vi) – (centre 14 font size)

LIST OF TABLES - (Roman vii) (centre 14 font size)

LIST OF FIGURES- (Roman viii) (centre 14 font size)

(All tables and figures must have a number and heading and follow APA style)

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS (Roman ix) (centre 14 font size)

DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS - (Roman x) (centre 14 font size)

Definition of terms must not be the dictionary meanings of the terms. Give the meaning as
used in that study

Presentation
Term (Bolded) Meaning

2. MAIN DOCUMENT (Pagination of 1, 2, 3, 4, etc should begin in Chapter One)

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
(Chapter Title - center 14 font size)

1.1 Introduction – Overview of chapter contents

1.2 Background of the Study
Give specifics of the problem and not the history of the case. Give citations. Build a case for
the study. Let there be authoritative sources/citations.

1.3 Problem Statement

Should be a paragraph and should clearly show what the problem is? What the research
seeks to solve. Give authoritative sources/citation what has been done and what is missing.

1.4 Objectives of Study

1.4.1 General Objective
A statement giving the main purpose/goal of the study. It should clearly outline the variables
and the relationship should be clear
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
 The specific objectives are given in Roman numbers (i) (ii) (iii) or (a) (b) (c)
 They should be SMART.
 They should be within the scope
 There should be no objective as to make recommendations – it’s assumed to exist.

1.5 Research Questions

The research questions are based on the specific objectives.
 An introductory statement should be there.
 The number of research questions has to be same number as the objectives.
 The framing of questions should not attract a yes/No answers.

1.6 Significance of the Study

Should explain who benefits from the study and how. This section must be in future tense

1.7 Limitations of the Study

Should show the extent to which the results of the study can be generalized. The
reasons given must be beyond the researcher’s control. The stereotype limitations are
not acceptable and should not be anticipated e.g. time and money are not limitations

1.8 Scope of the Study

Should include the concept, content scope, the geographical scope and the time scope.

1.9 Organization of the Study

Should include structure of the study chapter by chapter

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CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
(Chapter Title - centre 14 font size)

2.1 Introduction – Overview of chapter contents

2.2 Theoretical Literature of the problem your system or artefact is solving
A theoretical framework consists of concepts, together with their definitions, and existing
theory/theories that are used for your particular study. The theoretical framework must
demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant to the problem the
project is solving.

2.3 Similar Systems

Your project or artefact is not unique, discuss at least FIVE similar artefacts and show the
difference between these systems and your proposed system. Use snapshot of the existing
systems as prove that you did some investigation of similar systems.

Review of similar systems should be done from global systems down to local systems.
` NB: Acknowledge the sources using APA

2.4 Critical Review and Research Gap identification

Should identify the innovation of your system that is unique. This should come out clearly as
the gap you are filling in the project, otherwise your system will be seen as plagiarized.

2.5 Chapter Summary

Highlight of the key issues raised, facts- Reviewed issues that have been raised

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

(Chapter Title - centre 14 font size)

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Design; Give a description of the type of research designed to be used i.e. descriptive
research design, Experimental, Exploratory Design etc.
3.2.1 Target population
3.2.2 Sample size
3.2.3 Data collection procedure & instruments
3.3 System Development methodology
3.3.1 Methodology Justification

3.4 System Requirement Analysis

3.4.1 Functional requirements
3.4.2 functional requirements
3.4.3 ed Modeling Language
3.4.2.1 Use case Modeling
3.4.2.2 Activity Diagram
3.4.2.3 Sequence diagram
3.4.2.4 Class Diagram
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 3.4.2.5 Deployment diagram etc.

3.5 Database Design

3.5.1 Table Design
3.5.2 3NF Normalized form

3.6 Testing Design (how you will test your system or artifact with the users to justify the usability?)
3.6.1 Test cases

3.7 Chapter Summary

END OF PROPOSAL
Should Include:
REFERENCES
APPENDICES:
A. Questionnaire
B. Budget
C. Timeframe

CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

(Chapter Title - center 14 font size)

4.1 Introduction – overview of chapter contents

4.3 Presentation of Findings. Each objective should be addressed by the
4.3.1 Objective 1
4.3.2 Objective 2 etc.
Check to ensure all the objectives are addressed, e.g. the objective of system development
should have the following output:
 Logging in screenshot
 Data entry forms screenshot
 Query output screenshot
 Reports screenshot
 Validation screenshot
4.4 Chapter Summary

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS
(Chapter Title - center 14 font size)

5.1 Introduction - overview of chapter contents

5.2 Summary of Findings
Begin with general information
5.2.1 Objective one.
5.2.2 Objective two, etc.
5.3 Conclusions
Answer to research questions in paragraphs and should be specifics
5.4 Recommendations; should be in line with the study area and the conclusions.
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 5.5 5 Suggestions for further study- should be in line or advised by the study processes.

5.6 Chapter Summary

REFERENCES
Use Reference – acknowledgement of works referred to or citations.
American Psychological Association (APA) reference style should be used.

APPENDICES
A. Questionnaire
B. Budget
C. work plan
D. Program code
C. Any other evidence, such as pictures.

Acknowledgement:
The following people contributed to the development of this guideline:
Dr. Mvurya Mgala, Mr. Mutuku Ngao, Mr. David Kariuki, Mr. Kennedy Hadullo and Mr. Fulgence Mwakondo