This document outlines the structure and contents for a research thesis or dissertation. It includes standard sections such as an introduction, literature review, methodology, data analysis, and conclusion. For each section, it provides brief descriptions of typical sub-sections and the types of content and information that should be included. The overall structure and guidance provided are intended to help a student or researcher properly organize and present the various components of a research thesis or dissertation.

1. Professor Muhammad Azmat Awan (azmat.awan@gmail.com) MA Eco, MBA, MS Banking & Finance, Ph.D. Finance (Student)
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"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful."
"If one's today is not better than his yesterday and his tomorrow is not better than his
today, he is a loser."(Prophet Muhammad ‫)ﷺ‬

 RESEARCH THESIS (DISSERTATION)
‫تحقیقی‬‫مقالہ‬

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FOR:
COMMONWEALTH OF LEARNING (COL. ) EXECUTIVE MBA/MPA
ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY (AIOU), ISLAMABAD
BBA (Hons.), BS (Hons.), M.Com, MBA, MS/M.Phil, and Ph.D
UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB, UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA, UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT,
BAHAUDDIN ZAKARIYA UNIVERSITY MULTAN AND ISLAMIA UNIVERSITY OF BAHAWALPUR
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By: Professor Muhammad Azmat Awan (azmat.awan@gmail.com )
MA Eco, MBA, MS Banking & Finance, Ph.D. Finance (Student)
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GVDAY ®
PUBLICATIONS (GVDAY ®
GROUP OF INDUSTRIES KHARANAY KINGRA ROAD SIALKOT)
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2. Professor Muhammad Azmat Awan (azmat.awan@gmail.com) MA Eco, MBA, MS Banking & Finance, Ph.D. Finance (Student)
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Title Page
Declaration
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Dedication
Table of Contents (Automated)
List of Tables (Automated)
List of Graphs (Automated)
Appendices (Automated)
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Chapter # 01
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction (Thesis/Study and chapter coverage of headings and sub headings)
1.2 Background (The perspective in which the writer justifies the need of the study)
1.3 Statement of the Research Problem (Gap in Theory and practice/Content and
context)
1.4 Purpose of the study (Why and how do you want to measure the gap mentioned
in Problem Statement)
1.5 Research Objectives (Write short, concise and few in bullet points)
1.6 Research Questions (Interrogative tense of objectives)
1.7 Significance of the study (For Researchers, Policy Makers, Managers and target
reader)
1.8 Scope of the study (Discriminating concisely the boundaries of your study in
the concerned body of knowledge)
1.9 Limitations (Theoretical shortfalls that you recognize and acknowledge
yourself. Time and resource constraints)

3. Professor Muhammad Azmat Awan (azmat.awan@gmail.com) MA Eco, MBA, MS Banking & Finance, Ph.D. Finance (Student)
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1.10 Thesis Outline (1 para description about the content of each chapter)
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Chapter# 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction (chapter coverage)
2.2 discussion on the important terms (Discuss all the construct/variables)
2.3 Approaches (school of thoughts, Juristic approaches)
2.4 Previous Studies (that have tested empirically the frameworks under discussion)
2.5 Theoretical Background of the Research Frame Work (Review of all the
concerned research frameworks that have discussed 1 2 or all the constructs/variables
of this studies)
2.6 Research Framework of the Study
2.6.1 Discussion on the antecedents of the Research Framework (Explanation
of the conceptions regarding Variables, sub variables and the respective scales)
2.7 Chapter Summary
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Chapter# 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Nature (Type) of the Study (Exploratory or Causal or Explanatory)
3.3 Research Design (Cross Sectional or Longitudinal)
3.4 Research Procedure (The mental and physical processes that the researcher has
undergone throughout this Research Study)
3.5 Models, Sub Models and Hypotheses (The exact operational measures to be
used in analysis)
3.6 Instruments and scales
3.7 Pilot study (for validity and reliability)
3.8 Population and Sampling

4. Professor Muhammad Azmat Awan (azmat.awan@gmail.com) MA Eco, MBA, MS Banking & Finance, Ph.D. Finance (Student)
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3.8.1 Populations’ parameters
3.8.2 Target Population
3.8.3 Sampling Technique
3.8.4 Sample Size
3.8.5 Sampling Framework
3.9 Data collection tools (questionnaire, interviews, expert opinion, document
review, focus groups discussions and observation)
3.10 Data Analysis Technique/s (Correlation, Regression, Structural Equations
Modeling, content analysis, critical incidents technique)
3.11 Limitations of the Methodology
3.12 Chapter Summary
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Chapter 4
DATA ANALYSIS (ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION)
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Scheme of Analysis (the sequence of reporting in a table as well as explanation
form)
4.3 Respondent Profile
4.4 Descriptive (Frequency, Mean, Mode, Variance and Standard Deviation)
4.5 Factor Analysis
4.6 Correlation analysis
4.7 Regression analysis
4.8 Findings
4.8.1 Discuss how the objectives are achieved or met, how the questions are
answered and what the results of hypotheses testing are:
4.8.2 How your Finding complies or differs with the findings of the previous
studies

5. Professor Muhammad Azmat Awan (azmat.awan@gmail.com) MA Eco, MBA, MS Banking & Finance, Ph.D. Finance (Student)
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4.8.3 Summary of Findings (table and briefing)
4.9 Chapter Summary
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Chapter # 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Overview of the Study
5.3 Important Findings
5.4 Contribution to the body of knowledge
5.5 Conclusions
5.6 Recommendations and Suggestions
5.6.1 Researchers (future research calls)
5.6.2 Policy Makers (Recommend the steps to be taken at Macro Levels)
5.6.3 Managers (Recommend the steps to be taken at organizational Levels)
5.6.4 Target Readers (if any)
References (Endnote or Mandalay Software)
Appendices
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