Research and Thesis Guide-2024

Section One

Introduction:
The experts who are directly and indirectly associated with Nepal Open University (NOU) will guide learners for research and thesis work. NOU is a premier Open University in Nepal with equal legal status to other universities in the country established by an act of parliament in 2016 by the Government of Nepal with Act No 3. NOU provides access to higher education to mass people through open and distance learning who are unreached to conventional higher/tertiary education through inclusive relevant to the national needs of creating a knowledge society and preparing youth for the world of work in Nepal and equally competent for the global market. The details of NOU are available on its official website: Nepal Open University

The purpose of the guide is to support/assist the students/researchers who are interested in research and thesis work in a spirit of mutual coordination and collaboration among experts in the areas of mutual interests.

The group members will conduct webinars, online classes, tutoring for data analysis, organize workshops for research/thesis writing, support in student colloquium, and supervision/mentorship.

Research Work:
Learners of MPhil and Master’s Degree Programs are required to conduct research work, particularly dissertation, research project, case study, project work, and manuscript writing as a part of the requirements of the partial fulfillment of a degree in the University.

  1. Case Study
    The case study is designed to enhance the analytical skills of the learner. Each learner should conduct case studies based on primary and secondary data as prescribed by the respective course. The subject expert/faculty will guide you to identify the topic of a case study. The case study should contain a cover page, abstract, table of contents, list of tables, figures, abbreviation, introduction (background, problem statement, objectives), methodology, results and discussion, conclusion, reference, and appendices. The size of the case study report should be around 1500 words.
  2. Project Work
    The research is designed to expose the learners to their real ground. This work also enhances their interactive skills and practices their theoretical knowledge in the field. Learners should conduct project work in their respective fields as per the requirement of the curriculum. The learner should prepare a report based on project activity. The report should contain a cover page, abstract, table of contents, list of tables, figures, introduction (background, problem statement, objective), methodology, results and discussion, conclusion, reference, and appendices. The size of the project work report should be around 1000-1500 words.
  3. Research Project
    This work is about conducting a systematic review of past literature and identifying research gap followed by an independent and a single-handed project broadly in information, communication, and technology, and about developing students’ academic interests, which can lead to the Dissertation/Thesis that is pursued in the third (end) semester. This course aims to prepare students to identify the problem, perform an ample literature review, identify the gap, define objectives, methodology, data, and expected output, and finally implement the project if it is possible. A working guideline for the research project will be prepared separately.
  4. Manuscript of Research Work
    The manuscript writing strengthens the academic writing skills of learners. The learners should prepare a manuscript based on their research work, or review of scientific papers. The learners can present their findings in seminars or conferences. The manuscript of the paper should contain the main page (title, affiliation, abstract), introduction (background, problem statement, objective), methodology, results and discussion, conclusion, authors' contribution, ethical clearance, references, appendices, table of contents, list of tables, figures. The size of a manuscript should be around 4000 to 5000 words.
  5. Dissertation /Thesis
    Dissertation/Thesis writing is the main research work for MPhil and Master's degrees. The learners demonstrate their ability to carry out scientific research. This work is about pursuing independent and single-handed research broadly in the respective programs, and about developing learners’ academic interests. The dissertation is one of the main courses in all programs where Master’s degree learners should pass at least three credits whereas at least six credits for MPhil. Learners have to prepare the dissertation/Thesis report in the prescribed format. The work also accomplishes and follows the step-by-step process of fulfilling the criteria, guidelines of the University. Some of the minimum requirements and criteria are:

Section Two

Research Proposal Format:
This guideline helps learners to prepare their research proposal and dissertation/Thesis proposal. Every learner in the University is required to complete and submit a dissertation/Thesis to qualify for a degree assignment. This document provides information on how to submit a proposal and final dissertation/thesis, requirements for dissertation formatting, and publishing options. We will organize proposal writing workshops and webinars. The main objective of a research proposal is to present and justify the need to study a research problem and to present the practical ways within which the proposed study should be conducted. The proposal for the research project work should include the following contents. For more detail, pls email to [email protected] email

Title Page

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Review of Literature

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

Chapter 3: Expected Results
Organizational Structure of the Dissertation/Thesis
References

Section Three

We will guide learners on how to write a thesis. We will conduct student colloquiums and seminars, data analysis classes, and mentorship. Here is the format of the thesis and for more detail please email to [email protected] email

Thesis Format

TABLE OF CONTENTS
[3 spaces]
CERTIFICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABSTRACT
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
[LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS]
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1:     INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2:     LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPTER 3:     METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER 4:     RESULTS

CHAPTER 5:     MORE CHAPTERS IF NECESSARY

CHAPTER 6:     DISCUSSION

CHAPTER 7:     CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

REFERENCES
APPENDICES
            APPENDIX A: Similarity Test Report
            APPENDIX B: Response to the examiners
            APPENDIX C: First Page of the journal paper.
            APPENDIX …: As per Required