Format for Preparing the Thesis

Format for Preparing the Thesis for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Management Studies NOORUL ISLAM CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION (Declared as Deemed-to-be-University under section 3 of U.G.C Act 1956) NOORUL ISLAM UNIVERSITY (Accredited by NAAC with A Grade) KUMARACOIL - 629180 KANYAKUMARI DIST. TAMILNADU INDIA 1

GUIDELINES FOR DOCTORAL PROGRAM THESIS 1. GENERAL This manual explains the format and arrangement requirements for the thesis or dissertation as established by the BRDC. The Doctoral Thesis, or Dissertation, is an extended written treatise that represents original results and interpretations of a unique investigation by the research scholar. 2. THESIS ARRANGEMENT The sequence in which the Thesis material should be arranged and bound as follows: 1. Cover Page and Title page (as shown in Annexure I) 2. Inner First Page 3. Declaration Certificate (as shown in Annexure II) 4. Bonafide Certificate (as shown in Annexure III) 5. Abstract 6. Acknowledgement 7. Table of Contents (as shown in Annexure IV) 8. List of Tables 9. List of Figures 10. List of Symbols and Abbreviations 11. Chapters 12. Appendices (if any) 13. References 14. List of Publications 3. LAYOUT The following presents a framework for a thesis. The information is offered as a general guideline. Students should always consult their advisor for additional guidelines. In particular, the layout of project reports can be different depending on the type and scope of the project. Each chapter should start on a new page. 2

1. Introduction: background; statement of the problem; definition of terms; purpose of the study; theoretical basis; contributions of the study; organization of the remainder of the study. 2. Literature Review: chronological, categorical or related theoretical view points related to topic. 3. Proposed Solution/Methodology: research design or approach (quantitative, qualitative or algorithmic); population and / or sample; collection and tabulation of data; and data analysis procedures. 4. Solution Validation, Analysis of the Data, Results, and Discussion: presentation and discussion of the findings, including limitations. 5. Conclusions, Recommendations: This section summarizes the entire research effort; addresses the initial purpose of the study (stated in the introduction); stresses the importance of the work accomplished; leaves a final impression on the reader. It can also include suggestions for further work. 6. Bibliography/References: The references should acknowledge any work done by someone other than the author. The reference should also include work performed by the author if presented or published at an earlier date. References should adopt one of the standard international styles; the American Psychological Association style for references and citation is recommended. For more information, contact the library. 7. Appendices: It includes the material too detailed or lengthy for inclusion in the body of the study (e.g. questionnaires, maps). Appendices may also contain information that might clarify the thesis but is routine in nature or indirectly related to the thesis. Raw data and examples of calculation could be incorporated. 4. STYLE AND FORM 4.1 Paper Specification: High-quality acid-free A4-size (297 mm x 210 mm) executive bond paper must be used. 4.2 Size of Thesis: The size of the thesis should not below 120 and not exceed 250 pages of typed matter on single side in single columns. 3

4.3 Headings: The chapter headings and main section headings should be typed in capital letters without punctuation. In disciplines where section numbering is normally used, the following guidelines apply: Font : Times New Roman. Chapter title: 14 pt size, bold. Main Section Headings: can be numbered as chapter-number.section-number (e.g., 3.2 for chapter 3, section 2) in 12 pt size, bold. Second Headings: can be numbered as x.y.z (e.g., 3.2.4 for chapter 3, section 2, subsection 4) in 12 pt size, bold. First Subheadings: can be numbered as w.x.y.z (e.g., 3.2.4.1 for chapter 3, section 2, subsection 4, sub-subsection 1) in 12 pt size, regular. Second Subheadings: preferably unnumbered, 12 pt, italics. 4.4 Text Font & Spacing: Acceptable fonts generated by word processing programs include Times New Roman, 12 pt size, and regular. The thesis or report must be 1.5- spaced. Single spacing may be used only in the Table of Contents, footnotes and endnotes, charts, graphs, tables, quotations, captions, glossary, appendices, and bibliography. 4.5 Margins: Left, 4 cm; top, bottom, and right, 2.5 cm. These are necessary to allow for binding and trimming. 4.6 Page Numbering: Preliminary pages of the thesis, those preceding the text are to be numbered in Roman numerals e.g., iii, iv, v, etc. Pages of the text itself and of all items following the text should be numbered consecutively throughout in Arabic numbers e.g., 1,2,3, etc. Page numbers should be placed in the lower right corner or center of the page. 5. MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION 5.1 Cover Page & Title Page: A specimen copy of the Cover page and Title page for the Thesis is given in Annexure I. 5.2 Declaration Certificate : The Declaration Certificate should be typed in 1.5 spacing using Times New Roman and 12 pt size as shown in Annexure II. 4

5.3 Bonafide Certificate: The Bonafide Certificate should be typed in 1.5 spacing using Times New Roman and 12 pt size as shown in Annexure III. 5.4 Abstract: The Abstract should not exceed three pages. It should outline the research problem, methodology and summary of the findings. 5.5 Acknowledgement: All contributors who do not meet the criteria for authorship should be listed in an `Acknowledgements section. It could also include persons who provided purely technical help, writing assistance, or a department chair who provided only general support. It should not exceed one page. 5.6 Table of Contents: The Table of contents should not contain the Title page, Bonafide Certificate and Acknowledgment as shown in Annexure IV.. 5. 7 Formatting of Chapters: The typed/ Xeroxed/ printed copies should be black in colour. The general text shall be typed in Font style Times New Roman and in 12 pt size. The text should commence 4 spaces below this heading. The first letter in the paragraph being offset from the left hand margin by 20 mm. 5.8 Tables and Figures: Figures and tables should be inserted at the appropriate place in the text. Figures must have numbers and captions under the figures. When referring to a figure in the body of the text, the abbreviation "Fig." must be used with the chapter number for example Fig.2.3. The titles and numbers are mentioned above Tables. The abbreviation Title is to be indicated with the proper chapter number, for example Table 4.2. The photograph(s) shall be reproduced on a full sheet of photographic paper or colour xerox. 5.9 Equations: The presentation of mathematics, formulae and equations is provided by Word equation editor. Equations should be referred to the text and numbered in sequence started with the chapter number as Equation (3.2). 5.10 Reference: The Reference should be given as mentioned in (Adam and Eve, 1946). Examples of citation: 5

Aramyan, L. H., Lansink, A. G. O., Van Der Vorst, J. G., & Van Kooten, O. (2007). Performance measurement in agri-food supply chains: a case study. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 12(4), 304-315. Mitchell, T. R., Holtom, B. C., & Lee, T. W. (2001). How to keep your best employees: Developing an effective retention policy. The Academy of Management Executive, 15(4), 96-108. Van der Vorst, J. G., Beulens, A. J., & van Beek, P. (2000). Modelling and simulating multiechelon food systems. European Journal of Operational Research, 122(2), 354-366. 5.11. List of Publications based on the research work The publications arising out of the research work including published or accepted papers must be listed. Papers under review must be included. International Journal publications first, followed by National Journal articles, International Conference articles and lastly articles presented in National Conferences must be listed. Patents arising out of the work should be included here. 6. BINDING SPECIFICATIONS Four copies of the thesis should be bound with black calico cloth, using flexible cover of thick white art paper. The cover should be printed in black letters and the text for printing should be identical to what has been prescribed for the title page. Soft copy of the Thesis in CD form (one No) should be submitted for University archives. 6

ANNEXURE I Title of the Thesis <1.5 line spacing> A THESIS Submitted by <Italic> Name of the Research Scholar in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree of <Italic> <1.5 line spacing> DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Under the guidance of Name of the Supervisor Name of the Department <1.5 line spacing> NOORUL ISLAM CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION <1.5 line spacing> (Declared as Deemed-to-be-University under section 3 of U.G.C Act 1956) NOORUL ISLAM UNIVERSITY <1.5 line spacing> (Accredited by NAAC with A Grade) KUMARACOIL,TAMILNADU-INDIA 629 180 <1.5 line spacing> JANUARY 2012 7

ANNEXURE II NOORUL ISLAM UNIVERSITY (Accredited by NAAC with A Grade) KUMARACOIL,TAMILNADU-INDIA 629 180 DECLARATION I hereby declare that the work reported in the Ph.D. thesis entitled...... submitted by me to Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education, kumaracoil is a bonafide record of original research work carried out by me under the guidance of. I, further, declare that the work reported in this thesis has not been submitted, and will not be submitted, either in part or in full, for the award of any other degree or diploma of this University or of any other institute or University. Signature of the Research Scholar 8

ANNEXURE III NOORUL ISLAM UNIVERSITY (Accredited by NAAC with A Grade) KUMARACOIL,TAMILNADU-INDIA 629 180 BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE Certified that this thesis entitled, ---------------------------------------------------------------, submitted for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in --------------------------------------- ------ of the Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education is a bonafide Research work done by Mr/ Mrs/Miss -----------------. under my supervision. Further certified that to the best of my knowledge, this work has not been part of any other thesis or dissertation for which any degree or diploma has been conferred by any University or Institution. <<Signature of the Supervisor>> SIGNATURE <<Name>> SUPERVISOR <<Academic Designation >> <<Department>> <<Full address>> 9

ANNEXURE IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ( 14 Bold Centre ) INNER FIRST PAGE DECLARATION CERTIFICATE BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE ABSTRACT ( 12 bold ) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ( 12 bold ) TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS Page Number ( 12 bold ) i ii 1. CHAPTER-1 ( 12 BOLD ALL CAP ) 1 1. 1 SECTION TITLES ( 12 REGULAR ALL CAP ) 3 1.1.1 Sub-Section Title ( 12 regular ) 5 1.1.2 Sub-Section Title ( 12 regular ) 5 10