KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

LPL 401
PROPOSAL WRITING

RECOMMENDED FORMAT AND STYLE OF FINAL RESEARCH

PROPOSAL
Page i
It should appear like this:
COVER PAGE

Kenyatta University Logo

Kenyatta University Logo

TOPIC
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(Word count)
NAME OF STUDENT
STUDENT REGISTRATION NUMBER
A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF LAWS [BACCALAREUS LEGUME (LLB)] OF
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
MONTH AND YEAR OF SUBMISSION
(in bold)
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Page 1

Page ii
It should appear like this:

DECLARATION
Students declaration:
This research proposal is my original work and has not been presented for examination or
for any other purpose to any other institution other than Kenyatta University for academic
credit.
_________________________
______________________________
Name of student & Reg. No.
Date

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Page 2

Page iii

[TITLE OF PROPOSAL]
ABSTRACT
Should not exceed 500 word.

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Page 3

[TITLE OF PROPOSAL]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Declaration. ii
Abstract...... iii
Acronyms....iv
Abbreviations..v
List of casesvi
List of statutesvii
Appendices...viii
Chapter One.....1
Introduction..1
1.1 Introduction1
1.2
(Continue as appropriate)
Bibliography

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Page iv
ACRONYMS
Include this page only if you have acronyms

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Page 5

Page v
ABBREVIATIONS
Include this page only if you have abbreviations.

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Page 6

Page vi
LIST OF CASES
List all the cases cited in the research proposal noting to give their proper citation as per
the KUSOL referencing style.

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Page 7

Page vii
LIST OF STATUTES
List all the statutes used in the research proposal noting to give their proper description as
per the KUSOL referencing style.

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Page 8

Page vi
APPENDICES
Include this page only if you have appendices.
Label and describe each appendix as follows:
1. Appendix A (Describe as appropriate)
2. Appendix B (Describe as appropriate)
3. Appendix C etc

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Page 9

BODY OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The body of the research proposal then follows the sequencing of chapters as illustrated
in the table of contents. A student must number their sub headings as illustrated in the
table of contents above throughout the research proposal.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
(Refer to all the research proposal lectures for this semester on the sub headings this
section should contain).
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
(Refer to all the research proposal lectures for this semester on how to write this section).
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
(Refer to all the research proposal lectures for this semester on what is usually included
in this section).
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER OUTLINE AND WORKPLAN
(Refer to all the research proposal lectures for this semester on how to write this section).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The bibliography goes beyond referenced and cited works and includes literature that was
used generally in the research proposal.
The bibliography should be as per the KUSOL referencing style.

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Page 10

SYTLE ISSUES
PROPOSAL

WHILE

FORMATING

THE

RESEARCH

Word Count
The research proposal will have a maximum word count of not more than 3,500 words,
with an allowance of not more than 1000 words difference. (i.e. 2,500 words on the
lower side or 4,500 words on the upper side).
The foot notes, references and lists of contents pages should be excluded from the word
limit, as are appendices (although these should be reasonable in length). The word count
must be shown on the Title Page.
Paper
The research proposal must be printed on A4 (210mm x 297mm) white paper, single side.
A3 paper may be used for maps, plans, diagrams and illustrative material.
Page numbering
Pages should be numbered consecutively at the bottom right hand side of the page. The
first eight pages are paginated using roman numbers (i.e. the title page is page i,
Declaration is page ii etc ). The rest of the pages should be paginated from 1.
Text
The font should be Times New Roman.
The font size should be 12pt to ensure clarity and legibility for the main text.
Any quotations in-text should be 11pt.
Spacing should be 1.5 line spacing.
The font size for footnotes should be 10pt with 1.0 spacing.
Margins should not be less than 40mm at the left hand (binding side) and not less than 15
mm at the top, bottom and right side.

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SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Submission requirements: One SPIRAL BOUND copy of your final version of
research proposal and SOFT COPY on CD should be submitted to the Dissertation
Coordinator for marking on the SUBMISSION DATE.
Plagiarism check: A research proposal will not be marked without a soft copy which
will be subjected to a plagiarism check before the actual marking. A student shall be
responsible for ensuring that the CD is accessible, as this element may affect grading.
The submission of a soft copy of the research proposal enables the examiner to check
submitted research proposals for plagiarism using plagiarism detection software and to
confirm the word count.
Copy for dissertation supervisor: Students should retain an additional hard and soft
copy of their submitted research proposal and submit the same to their dissertation
supervisor when requested to.
Deadline for submission: The final research proposal, in line with the recommended
guidelines and format (see above) , must be submitted to the Dissertation Coordinator
stationed at the department of private law on 30TH NOVEMBER 2015 BEFORE 16.00
HOURS. This is a strict deadline with no room for extension whatsoever.
Early submission: Students who wish to submit their research proposal before the above
submission deadline may submit their work to the Dissertation Coordinator stationed at
the department of private law on 27th November 2015 before 16.00 Hours.
Submission list: When submitting your work, ensure that you sign the submission list.

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KUSOL PLAGIARISM POLICY

Students must ensure that they identify any material which is not their own work by
referencing using the KUSOL referencing style.

GRAMMAR
A student should exhibit a good command of the English language. The command of the
English language is examined, with students incurring penalties for poor use of the
language.

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