PROJECT

HANDBOOK
(EBTP 4106)

Faculty of Science and Technology

(Bachelor of Technology Management with Honours)
( Bachelor of Manufacturing Management with Honours)
GUIDELINE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST DEGREE
PROJECT (EBTP4106)

Introduction

It is well recognised that project paper is an important component of the first-degree

curriculum. Students are required to take the project paper towards or at the end of their
studies. Basically, a project paper aims to train students to carry out small-scale research
activities, namely to train them to carry out literature survey for the problem definition
and also solutions to the problem. The project also provides an avenue for students to
gain experiences in presenting their research in written reports. Thus, a project paper
should be part of the OUM first-degree curriculum.

The course consists of 6 credit hours and it is a compulsory course for the Bachelor of
Technology Management with Honours students.

Requirements of Project EBTP4106

Students must obtain a CGPA of 2.00 and above before registering for this course.
Only students in their 3rd Year of study and above can register for the Project.
Students must complete the project within TWO consecutive semesters. If they fail
to submit the Proposal in the first semester and final project report in the second
semester, they will be given grade F. To repeat, a student needs to register for the
project in the following semester. Student submitting their progress and final project
report must adhere to the deadline proposed by the faculty (faculty announcement in
MyVLE).

This paper attempts to provide some guidelines to assist toward effective management of
the students projects at OUM.

Objectives and outcomes

Students should be able to:

1. Apply a range of techniques for generating, evaluating and selecting design
concepts to meet specified requirements.
2. Acquire a range of interpersonal skills.
3. Understand the practical considerations from the theories they have learned.

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Project Topics

The scope of the first-degree project is program dependent. The project titles
cover a wide range of topics to meet the course objectives. Project topics can be
proposed by the students or the supervisors concerned. But the faculty needs to
evaluate the topics on their suitability.

Students can select any field for the project based on Table 1.

Table 1
Field
1) Project Management
2) Quality Management
3) Safety, Health and Environment
4) Production and Operation management
5) Maintenance Management

Note: Refer to Appendix 1 for the registration form of Project.

Project Evaluation for Proposal and Final Report (Project EBTP4106) &
Monitoring

In order to facilitate the monitoring of the project by the supervisor, a student will need to
communicate with his/her supervisor. This can be done through a face to face meeting or
email. Table 2 shows the mark distribution for Proposal and Final Report.

Table 2
Item %
Proposal
1. Project Introduction, Background
and Problem Statement 5
2. Research Objectives and
Questions/Hypothesis 5
3. Literature Review 15
4. Methodology 15

Total Progress report 40%

Final Report
5. Data Analysis and Results 25
6. Findings and Discussion 25
7. Writing style, language use and 5
grammatical accuracy
8. Overall Presentation 5

Total Final Report 60%

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Implementation of Project EBTP4106

1. Faculty will appoint supervisor for each student based on the selected field.

2. Student will be informed of their supervisor through FST announcement.

3. The attendance of the student in the first face to face meeting with the supervisor
is COMPULSORY.

4. Students must meet to discuss their projects with their supervisors at least TWO
(2) times per semester. During any discussion, the student needs to bring along
the Students Log Book. The supervisors comments are to be recorded in the Log
Book. At the end of the meeting, the student must also get his supervisors
signature as evidence that the meeting was conducted.

5. The time, date and venue of the meeting is to be selected on the basis of a mutual
agreement between the supervisor and the student. All meetings should be
conducted at the nearest Learning Centre.

6. Project title must be discussed and agreed upon by the supervisor. If the students
are unclear about the requirements of the project, they must consult the supervisor
again or the respective programme coordinator.

7. Changing the project field must be within ONE month of the first semester and it
must be discussed and agreed upon by your supervisor. Students will be required
to fill in a form (in Appendix 7) and to submit to the faculty.

8. Supervisor will assist and guide the student to prepare the Project Proposal and
Project Final Report according to the format given by the faculty.

9. Submission within TWO semester

For students who are able to complete within TWO semester by following the
deadline of submission for that particular semester, the grade will be announced
in the same semester. If students fail to complete within the stipulated time a
grade F will be given and students need to re-register the overall course/project.

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HOW TO START YOUR PROJECT

STEP 1: Choose Project Title and Problem Identification

Your choice of topic should be governed by: a) your interest b) adequate resources/data
of the project c) time frame of project implementation (2 semesters) d) area/topic chosen
has previously been well researched by others (can check or refer to the recent related
online journals).

Research/project starts with a case or problem that requires a solution. This part is the
most crucial element. As a start of your project, you need to write your problem
statement. Problems of a research/project can be identified by: a) reading newspaper,
from tv, radio on the current issues related to your chosen field b) browsing through
recent journals through OUM digital library, magazines or books c) having a discussion
or communication with your employer, colleagues on issues related to your work d) field
observation.

Introduction gives a brief overview of the topics or subject area research that you have
chosen. It can include the problems with past research/project and the current research
aims to identify or solve the problems. You need to justify the importance of your
project/research in this part. In short, your introduction should have the following item
(Ahmad, 2001):
Historical development and current importance
Main purpose of the research

STEP 2: Writing your Abstract

An abstract is a self-contained, short summary describing the contents of the paper which
enables a reader to understand the result and the application of the study. Components
vary according to discipline, it should contain the scope, purpose, methodology and
results of the work.

STEP 3: Conduct Literature Review

You can start your literature survey by browsing the online journal on your chosen topic.
This is the first chapter which you can start writing while doing your data collection or
data analysis. Literature review contains cited articles or books related to your topic. The
articles should be arranged in such a way that you can build up your cases in a smooth
manner and connecting from one article to another. A literature review should
demonstrate the background theories of your topic, should identify the strengths and
weaknesses of previous research. You should be writing a critical evaluation of what
other people have done on the same area/topic that you have chosen.

For more information on writing a literature review, you can browse the url below:
http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills/writing/literature

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STEP 4: Choose Appropriate Methodology

Research/project methodology focuses on the details of the instruments that is suitable to

be used in your actual project. For example, you may want to use questionnaires,
observation or whatever method depending on your topic. The population, sampling
method and the sampel itself usually can be described in the methodology part. Articles
cited relating to the methodology can also be described here. Finally, your methodology
should contain your research/project design.

STEP 5: Analysis of data, results and data interpretation

As you reach to this point of your project, usually you can start off by checking your
data, briefly describe the analyses used. For example, using statistical method such as
descriptive statistics, i.e. frequencies, means, standard deviation etc. Data presentation
can be in the form of graphs or tables and should be numbered accordingly. Your raw
data or any software output can be inserted in the appendices.

STEP 6: Writing your Conclusion

It is an important section and should contain comments, recommendations that will give
the reader a concise summary of the project outcomes. The conclusions should also
include implication of the results and recommendations for further work to be carried out
where appropriate. Limitations of your study (small sample size, limited number of
companies or occupations etc.) can also be mentioned here.

Format of the Report

The report must be prepared to a professional standard. Below is the brief description of
the items:

Title Page

Table of Content
Listing all the chapters, sub-topics and page number

List of illustrations

List of photographic plates, if any

Acknowledgement
Refer to sample in Appendix 6

Declaration
Refer to sample in Appendix 5

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 Abstract

Chapter 1: Introduction and Problem Statement

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Chapter 3: Research/Project Methodology

** Proposal Submission
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 4: Results
This chapter can be broken down into more than a chapter depending on your
length of results and discussion.

Chapter 5: Discussion

Chapter 6: Conclusion

Bibliography
Information obtained from books or journals must be referred to in the text by a
reference number.
It is recommended to use APA (American Psychological Association) citation
style. Please refer to the url below:
http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citapa.htm

Appendices
Data, charts, diagrams or illustrations that is relevant to the report that were not
inserted into the body of the report.

** Final Report Submission (Chapter 1 to 6)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guidelines for preparing Project Report

It is very important for students to follow carefully the guidelines for preparing the
report.

The following items are to be observed in preparing the project report:

a. Number of pages:
Content of approximately 40 pages (about 20 30 pages for Proposal and
10 pages for Final Report).
b. Page set up:
Set the page margins with an offset of 1 inch (or 2.5 cm) from the top,
bottom, left and right. All text, figures and tables must be within this area.
c. Paper size:
Use only A4 size white paper. The report should be printed on one side of
the paper.

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 d. Font type:
Times New Roman, size 12
Line spacing:
1.5 spacing between lines and triple spacing between paragraphs
e. Front cover:
Hard cover, colour: blue (OUM corporate colour)
f. Numbering format for headings:
The sections and sub-section in the report must follow the numbering
format below:
1.0 Main heading
1.1 Secondary heading
1.1.1 Third grade heading..and etc
g. Illustrations:
All the charts and diagrams may be hand or computer drawn and must be
properly inserted at the relevant sections of the report.
h. References:
The source of information or references should be placed at the end of the
report in numbered order.

Submission of Final Report

Student must submit their final report to the supervisor according to the schedule
date given by the faculty. Please check the dates under the faculty announcement
in MyVLE.

Failing to submit the final report on time (as per the schedule), zero marks will be
awarded for the whole course.

Guideline for submission of Final Report

a) ONE copy of printed report with Soft cover binding to the supervisor.
Forms to be submitted:
Project Proposal Evaluation form (Appendix 2)
Project Final Report Evaluation form (Appendix 3)
Confirmation Form of receiving Project Proposal (Appendix 4) and
Project final report (Appendix 5).

b) ONE copy of printed final report with Soft cover binding (COLOUR:
BLUE, OUM CORPORATE COLOUR) to the Faculty.

Format for the cover page and side page samples, please refer Appendix 6

Sample of Declaration Page in Appendix 7

Sample of Acknowledgement in Appendix 8

Sample of Change of Project Field in Appendix 9

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 Appendix 1

REGISTRATION FORM: PROJECT (EBTP4106)

Bachelor of Technology Management with Honours

Date

Student Name

Matric No

Learning Center

Postal Address

(House):
(Office):
Contact Number
(Handphone):
[Email]:
Please tick (
) for the selection of the project field
below:
1. Project Management

Proposed Project 2. Quality Management

Field 3. Safety, Health and Environment
4. Production and Operation
Management
5. Maintenance Management
* to be completed by the faculty

Supervisors
Name

Note: Please fill in the form and fax to 03-5510 3977. For any inquiries, please
email at amalia_fadhlina@oum.edu.my.

9
 Appendix 2

Evaluation Form (Proposal)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (FST)

Student
Name:

Matric No:

Project Title:

Learning
Center:

Supervisors
Name:
Contact No:
Email:

Code Mark

_______
Project Introduction, Background and Problem Statement (5%)
A _/5

Supervisors Comments

10
 _______
Research Objectives, Questions/hypothesis (5%)
B _/5

Supervisors Comments

_______
Literature Review (15%)
C _ / 15

Supervisors Comments

_______
Methodology (15%)
D _ / 15

Supervisors comments

_______
TOTAL MARK _ / 40

Student Signature:

Supervisor Signature:

Date:

11
 Appendix 3

Evaluation Form (Final Report)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (FST)

Student
Name:

Matric No:

Project
Title:

Learning
Center:

Supervisors
Name:
Contact No:
Email:

E _______
Data Analysis and Results (25%)
_ / 25
Supervisors Comments

F _______
Findings and Discussion (25%)
_ / 25
Supervisors Comments

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 G _______
Writing style, Language use and grammatical accuracy (5%)
_/5
Supervisors Comments

H _______
Overall Presentation(5%)
_/5
Supervisors Comments

_______
TOTAL MARK
_ / 60

Student Signature:

Supervisor Signature:

Date:

13
 Assessment Rubric for Project
Dimension
(A) 1 24
Project
Introduction, Very brief project introduction.
Background & Background information
Problem Statement somewhat relevant but does not
provide a clear lead-in to the
research problem.
Problem statement not
articulated clearly and hardly
supported/justified by theory
and/or past research.
(B) 1 2-4
 Research Objectives &
Questions/hypotheses are not
Research
focused.
Objectives &
Questions/
 Hardly provide any direction for
measuring relationship between
hypotheses
variables.
 Hardly any alignment between
research objectives, questions
and/or hypotheses.
Allocation of Marks
Good project introduction.
Background information is
relevant and provide a clear
lead-in to research problem.
Problem statement articulated
clearly but only fairly.
supported/justified by theory
and/or past research.
Research Objectives &
Questions/hypotheses are
focused.
Provide some direction for
measuring relationship between
variables.
Some degree of alignment
between research objectives,
questions and/or research
hypotheses.
14
5
Good project introduction with
supportive evidence and
substance.
Background information is very
relevant and provides a very
clear lead-in to the research
problem.
Problem statement articulated
very clearly & well.
supported/justified by theory
and/or past research.
5
Research Objectives &
Questions/hypotheses are highly
focused.
Provide very clear direction for
measuring relationship between
variables.
Total alignment between
research objectives, questions
and/or hypotheses.
 1- 5
(C) The number of empirical studies
Literature Review being reviewed is inadequate.
Articles reviewed are out dated
and hardly relevant to the focus
of the study.
Hardly any critical analyses of
theory and/or past research
The review indicates little
understanding of the research
topic.
(D) 1 2-4
Methodology Somewhat appropriate research
design that is capable of
addressing only some of the
research questions.
Rather vague description of the
research sample, sampling
techniques and data collection
procedures.
Justifications for the use of the
methodology are not presented
and discussed.
6 10
The number of empirical studies
being reviewed is adequate.
Articles reviewed are relevant to
the focus of the study but
somewhat out dated.
Some critical analyses of theory
and/or past research.
The review indicates fairly good
understanding of the research
topic.
Appropriate research design that Very appropriate research
is capable of addressing most of
the research questions.
Clear description of the research
sample, sampling techniques,
data collection procedures and
methods of data analysis.
Justifications for the use of the
methodology are presented but
not adequately discussed.
15
11 15
The number of empirical studies
being reviewed is more than
adequate.
Articles reviewed are current
and very relevant to the focus of
the study.
Ample evidence of critical
analyses of theory & past
research.
The review indicates very good
understanding of the research
topic.
5
design that is capable of
addressing all the research
questions.
Very clear description of the
research sample, sampling
techniques, data collection
procedures and methods of data
analysis.
Justifications for the use of the
methodology are presented and
adequately discussed.
 (E) 18
Data Analysis & Results are somewhat
Results inaccurate or incompletely
presented.
Data analyses are appropriate
but inadequate to address all
the research questions.
(F) 18
Findings & The discussion may be
Discussion incomplete or partially/not
clearly connected to the results.
The connection with other
sections is vague.
The findings presented are
mere repetitions of the results
without appropriate
interpretation.
Implications, recommendations
and directions for future
research are not drawn from the
research findings.
Limitations of the study are
irrelevant.
9 17
Results are presented correctly
but the interpretation, though
accurate, is brief.
Data analyses are appropriate
but only adequate to some of
the research questions.
9 - 17
The discussion interprets the
findings and is connected with
other sections of the report such
as the background, problem
statement, research questions,
instruments and results.
The findings are either
superficially discussed or not
discussed in relation to theory
and findings of past studies
cited in literature review.
Implications, recommendations
and directions for future
research are drawn from the
research findings.
Limitations of the study are
relevant and adequately
described.
16
18 25
Results are presented correctly
with accurate and detailed
interpretation.
Data analyses are appropriate,
extensive and sophisticated,
and are adequate to address all
the research questions.
18 - 25
The discussion soundly
interprets the findings and is
carefully connected with other
sections of the report such as
the background, problem
statement, research questions,
instruments and results.
The findings are judiciously
discussed in relation to theory
and findings of past studies
cited in literature review.
Implications, recommendations
and directions for future
research are carefully drawn
from the research findings.
Limitations of the study are
relevant and extensively
described.
 (G) 1 24 5
Writing Style, Writing style and language use are Writing style and language use Writing style the standard
Language Use not apt for academic writing. are apt for academic writing. language use are very apt for
& grammatical Many grammatical errors that impede Some grammatical errors that academic writing.
accuracy communication. impede communication. Hardly any grammatical errors
that impede communication.

(H) 1 2-4 5
Overall
Presentation The abstract is missing, incomplete or The abstract summarizes the The abstract concisely
inaccurate. study by mere lifting key summarizes the study.
sentences from the final project
The presentation format including the report. The presentation format
graphics is at a minimum level of including the graphics
acceptability, though at times messy The presentation format demonstrates authors
and confusing. including the graphics is attention to detail, neatness
acceptable. and care.
Citations are rather incomplete or
inaccurate and provide little avenue to Most sources are cited in a All sources are cited accurately
check the validity of the information proper format to enable to demonstrate the credibility of
gathered. accuracy checking. the information presented.
Organisation of chapters lacks logical Chapters are somewhat loosely Chapters are well organised
sequencing and ideas are not clearly organised but the main sections with logical sequencing. Ideas
developed. still stand out. Ideas are clearly are clearly developed with
stated but at times not clearly adequate support.
developed.

17
 Appendix 4
CONFIRMATION FORM OF RECEIVING PROJECT PROPOSAL

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This form must be filled by student when submitting the Proposal to respective
supervisor/administrator.
2. All the information given must be true and correct.

STUDENT NAME : _________________________________________________________

MATRIC NO. : _________________________________________________________

PROGRAMME : _________________________________________________________

NO. TEL : ______________________ E-MAIL : _____________________

SUPERVISOR NAME : _________________________________________________________

PROJECT TITLE

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

I declare that I have received the students Project Proposal :

1 copy Proposal report (soft cover binding).

________________________ __________________________________
Students Signature Supervisors/Administrators Signature

Date : _________________ Name : _____________________

Date : _____________________

-----Students copy --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------

CONFIRMATION OF RECEIVING PROJECT PROPOSAL

Student Name : ____________________________________________

Matric No : ____________________________________________

I declare that I have received the students Project Proposal :

1 copy Proposal report (soft cover binding).

Supervisors / Administrators Signature

Name : _________________________

Date : _________________________

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 Appendix 5
CONFIRMATION FORM OF RECEIVING PROJECT FINAL REPORT

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This form must be filled by student when submitting the Project final report to respective
supervisor/administrator.

2. All the information given must be true and correct.

STUDENT NAME : _________________________________________________________

MATRIC NO. : _________________________________________________________

PROGRAMME : _________________________________________________________

NO. TEL : ______________________ E-MAIL : _____________________

SUPERVISOR NAME : _________________________________________________________

PROJECT TITLE

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

I declare that I have received the students Project final report:

*Please tick ( ) to select one of the following:

1 copy Project final report (soft cover binding)
1 softcopy (CD)
Student Log Book

________________________ __________________________________
Students Signature Supervisors/Administrators Signature

Date : _________________ Name : _____________________

Date : _____________________
----Students copy --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

CONFIRMATION OF RECEIVING PROJECT FINAL REPORT

Student Name : ____________________________________________

Matric No : ____________________________________________

I declare that I have received the students Project final report:

1 copy Project final report (soft cover binding)

1 softcopy (CD)
Student Log Book

Supervisors / Administrators Signature

Name : _________________________

Date : _________________________

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 Appendix 6
COVER PAGE ( SOFT COVER)

EFFECTIVENESS IN TEACHING MATHEMATICS

USING COMPUTER AMONG FORM 1 STUDENTS
(NOTE: PROJECT FULL TITTLE)

SITI KHADIJAH BINTI ABDULLAH

(NOTE: NAME AS STATED IN IC)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

OPEN UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA
2016
(NOTE: THESIS SUBMISSION DATE (YEAR ONLY))

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 Appendix 7
Declaration

I declare that this project report entitled XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX is the result of my

own work except as cited in the references. The project report has not been accepted for
any degree and is not concurrently submitted in candidature of any other degree.

Signature:
Name: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Matric Number: XXXXXXXXXXXX001
Date: XXXXXXXXXX (Date of Submission to Supervisor)

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 Appendix 8

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and

appreciation to my supervisor, XXXXXXXXXXXXX guidance, patience and
invaluable advice throughout this project.

I also would like to express my appreciation to my family and friends

for their endless support whenever I face problems. Without the mentioned parties,
it is impossible for me to complete this project report successfully.

THANK YOU.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX (STUDENT NAME)

Feb, 2016 (MONTH, DATE OF COMPLETION)

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 Appendix 9

CHANGE OF PROJECT FIELD: PROJECT (EBTP4106)

Bachelor of Manufacturing Management with Honours
Date

Student Name

Programme

Matric No

Learning Center

Postal Address

(House):
(Office):
Contact Number
(Handphone):
[email]:

Old Project Field &

Title

New Project Field

Reason

Students Signature: ______________________ Date: _____________________________

Supervisors Approval Facultys Approval

--------------------------- ------------------------------------
Name: Dean/Programme Coordinator
Date: Date:

Note: Please fill in the form and fax to 03-5510 3977. For any inquiries, please
email at amalia_fadhlina@oum.edu.my.
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