Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Thesis Proposal Format

A CUEA thesis proposal follows a structured format that typically includes the following sections:

A. Preliminary Pages

1. Title Page

• Full title of the proposal/thesis (as brief as possible but containing sufficient information)

• Student’s full name and registration number

• Department and school name

• Name of the university: Catholic University of Eastern Africa

• Supervisor’s name and title

• Year of submission

2. Student’s Declaration

• Statement confirming the work is the student’s own

• Declaration of originality and academic integrity

3. Supervisors’ Certification

• Signature and date by supervisor(s)

• Confirmation that the proposal has been reviewed and approved

4. Dedication (Optional)

• Personal dedication to family, mentors, or others who supported your journey

5. Acknowledgement

• Recognition of individuals who provided academic and personal support

6. Abstract

• Brief summary of the proposed research

• Should include: research problem, main study objective, methodology (data nature and sources, collection methods, sampling considerations), and significance of the study 

• Approximately 200-250 words

7. Table of Contents

• Complete list of chapters and sections with page numbers

• Use Word’s automatic Table of Contents feature for easy updates

8. List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

• Alphabetical list of all abbreviations used with their full meanings

9. Operational Definition of Terms

• Key terms defined as they are used in the study 

• Important for clarity and consistency throughout the proposal

10. List of Figures and Tables

• Separate lists with titles and page numbers

B. Chapter One: Introduction to the Study

The introduction chapter establishes the foundation for your research and typically includes the following sections :

1. Background of the Study

• Provides historical and contextual background of the research topic

• Demonstrates mastery of the subject through current citations (avoid older sources unless historically significant) 

• Follows a logical progression from global → regional → national → local contexts 

• Typically spans 2-3 pages

2. Statement of the Problem

• Clearly identifies the research problem or gap

• Addresses key questions: What is the problem? Where does it exist? Who is affected? Why must it be addressed? 

• Supported by factual information, statistical data, and citations from prominent authors 

• Should be 2-3 pages in length

3. Purpose of the Study

• Overall aim and direction of the research

4. Research Objectives

• General and specific objectives of the study 

• Clear, precise, and relevant to the problem statement

• Typically 3-5 specific objectives

• Align directly with the research questions or hypotheses 

5. Research Questions and/or Hypotheses

• Research Questions: Inquiries the study seeks to answer 

• Hypotheses: Tentative assumptions formulated to test logical or empirical consequences 

• Qualitative studies: Typically require research questions, not hypotheses 

• Quantitative studies: Usually require testable hypotheses 

• Do not use both questions and hypotheses for the same objective 

6. Significance of the Study

• Academic contributions to knowledge

• Practical applications and policy implications

• Contributions to filling gaps in existing literature 

• Authenticity and originality in establishing genuine impact 

7. Scope of the Study

• Content Scope: Variables under investigation 

• Geographical Scope: Spatial limits of the research 

• Time Span: Temporal boundaries of the study 

• Methodological Scope: Research methods and approaches 

8. Limitations of the Study

• Acknowledgment of potential weaknesses or constraints

• Strategies to mitigate identified limitations

9. Assumptions of the Study

• Underlying assumptions the researcher makes

10. Operational Definition of Terms

• Definitions of key terms as used in the study context 

11. Organization of the Document

• Brief overview of the structure of subsequent chapters 

• Excludes Chapter One as it’s addressed in the introduction 

C. Chapter Two: Literature Review

1. Introduction

• Brief overview of the chapter’s content

• Should be concise, without numerical designation 

2. Definitions and Concepts

• Clarifies the conceptual framework underpinning the research 

• Presents various definitions from different authors 

• Adopts, amalgamates, or synthesizes definitions as appropriate 

3. Review of Theories (Theoretical Framework)

• Critical discussion of theories pertinent to the researched problem 

• Identifies well-established theories that explain the variables under investigation 

• Requires critical engagement beyond mere description 

• Organizes by topic/construct, using chronological or general-to-specific structure 

4. Review of Related Literature

• Thematic organization of existing research 

• Critical analysis and synthesis of relevant studies

• Addresses studies globally, regionally, and nationally

• Avoids plagiarism by proper acknowledgment of others’ research 

5. Empirical Review

• Summary of previous empirical studies

• Identification of research gaps 

6. Conceptual Framework

• Diagrammatic representation of relationships between variables

• Shows how the study builds on existing knowledge

D. Chapter Three: Research Design and Methodology

1. Introduction

• Brief overview of the chapter content

2. Research Paradigm and Philosophy

• Underlying philosophical assumptions (positivism, interpretivism, etc.)

3. Research Design

• Specific design methodology (descriptive, experimental, correlational, case study, etc.)

• Justification for the chosen design

4. Target Population

• Description of the population of interest

5. Sample Size and Sampling Techniques

• Calculation of sample size

• Explanation of sampling method (probability or non-probability)

6. Research Instruments

• Description of data collection tools (questionnaires, interview guides, observation schedules)

• Process of instrument development

7. Pilot Testing and Instrument Validity

• Procedure for testing instruments

• Validity and reliability measures

8. Data Collection Procedures

• Step-by-step description of data collection process

• Timeline for fieldwork

9. Data Analysis Methods

• Qualitative or quantitative analysis techniques

• Specific statistical tests or thematic analysis procedures

10. Ethical Considerations

• Informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity

• Respect for participants’ rights

• Consideration of vulnerable populations

11. Work Plan and Timeline

• Gantt chart or table showing research stages

• Estimated completion dates

12. Budget

• Detailed breakdown of research costs

• Justification for expenses

E. References

• List of all sources cited in the proposal

• Referencing Style at CUEA:

  • CUEA Journal of Business and Economics uses the style: (Author Last name Year: Page) 

  • Example: HEUMAN Gad J., 1998. “Freed Persons”, in Seymour Drescher & Stanley J. Engerman, A Historical Guide to World Slavery, pp. 212–221 

  • Maximum of 35 references for journal articles 

  • The CUEA Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences follows the 6th edition of APA Manual 

  • Important: Confirm with your department which referencing style is required for your specific program

Reference Format Examples (CUEA Journal of Business and Economics style):

Journal Articles:
SURNAME First name, Year. “Article title”, Journal Title, Volume/Issue, Page range. Online edition: URL [Last accessed: Date] 

Book Chapters (Multi-Author Work):
SURNAME First name, Year. “Chapter title”, in Editor Name (ed.), Book Title, Place of Publication, Publisher, Page range 

Books (Single-Author Work):
SURNAME First name, Year. Book Title, Place of Publication, Publisher 

Theses or Dissertations:
SURNAME First name, Year. Title of Dissertation or Thesis, PhD Thesis (or Master’s Dissertation), University, City 

F. Appendices

1. Research Instruments

   • Full questionnaires or interview guides

2. Informed Consent Form

   • Standard consent documentation for participants

3. Plagiarism Clearance Certificate

   • Turnitin report (similarity index typically below 24%) 

   • Declaration of originality form 

4. Work Plan and Budget

   • Detailed schedule and financial plan

5. Any Other Relevant Documents

   • Ethical clearance letters

   • Authorization from relevant institutions