Course Instructor: Rana Rashid Rehman

Page 1 of 2

Guidelines for Preparing the Manuscript (Final Assignment)

1. Abstract (200 250 words) including a. Purpose b. Method/Design/Approach c. Findings d. Practical Implications e. Originality/Value f. Keywords (3 6) 2. Introduction (700 1000 words) a. Overall write-up should be of 700 1000 words (caution: every word and sentence should be meaningful). This section should start with the real issue, its significance for academia as well as for profession (caution: citing previous studies is good but bulk of citations is not appreciated). Then write little about previous research on the issue (only to the extent, you could identify and communicate the gap and further justify need of researching the issue). This will further lead you to write on why this study is proposed to be carried out (means here you will describe objectives of the study and pose research questions). Do not forget to highlight certain relationships, which will reveal uniqueness of the study or something new. Next, you will convince the readers that answering these research questions and achieving research objectives will make a significant contribution to the relevant body of knowledge, understanding, and practice (these three words should carry fair explanations with regard to your study). Do not finish this section unless the topic/theme of the study is completely explained and/or justified (e.g. if topic reveals particular environment in which study will be carried out then explain why in that particular sector, set of organizations, or setting/environment). 3. Literature Review (1500 - 2500 words) a. Ideally, overall write-up should be of 1500 2500 words but length can be adjusted as per need). The literature should start with discussion on variables one by one and dimensions of the each variable in the same fashion including the relationships between/among variables. Question arises how much on each variable? Stop writing on a variable when you feel its construct is completely explained and when it seems fairly consistent with what you are going to measure. However, certain relationships should be highlighted, which are likely to reveal uniqueness or value of the study. As far as style is concerned, either develop and narrate hypotheses in the literature or you can set another section i.e. The research model and Hypotheses.

Course Instructor: Rana Rashid Rehman

Page 2 of 2

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

b. Since, figures provide the information, on the whole research scheme in a single glance, to the readers. Therefore, draw a schematic diagram revealing relationships between/among variables. Method (600 800 words). Include, but not limited to, the following (sequence can be changed as per need of the study or your write-up): a. Participants: This section should provide information on size as well design of the sample revealing complete profile of the participants (Caution: No doubt size of the sample is important but design is even more than that). Thus, size and design of the sample both should be justifiable. b. Procedures: This section should unveil that how you administered the study from selection of participants through analysis of their responses. c. Measures: This section should narrate and justify the suitability (for the current study), source, adaptation, reliability (in current and previous studies), validity (in previous studies), and scaling related aspects of every measure. Results (600 800 words) a. Presenting all positives/favorable to your study is just a novices approach. Therefore, attempt to answer your research questions and hypotheses. Tables and figures give clear picture of findings. However, authors description guides readers to see the findings from a desired angle. Discussion (800 1200 words) a. This section should reveal discussion on the study. Before moving ahead, read the previous sentence again and think, what do we really mean. Usually we discuss the results or start discussing the results only whereas here you are suggested to hold discussion on the study. It means this section should cover all important aspect concerning all previous sections and end up with findings of the current study. Then it should describe the following as sub-section(s): b. Practical implications of the study c. Limitations and future research Conclusion (100 250 words) a. Think, with respect to the topic under study, where the body of knowledge was before this study and now where it is. Your conclusion should generate from this now phenomenon. Reference a. Consistency and correctness of the citation style according to APA are of great importance. Be careful, there should be no in-text that is not appearing in the reference list. Likewise, every reference should be cited in the text, at least once.