Daystar University Thesis Format: A Complete Guide
If you are a postgraduate student at Daystar University, understanding the correct thesis format is essential for a smooth academic journey. Whether you are pursuing a Master’s or a PhD, following the university’s established guidelines ensures that your work meets the standards required for approval and graduation. If you find the formatting requirements overwhelming, our team at proposalwriterskenya.co.ke is here to provide professional thesis writing and formatting assistance tailored to Daystar University specifications. Proper formatting can be complex, but getting it right is crucial—your proposal or thesis must adhere to the university’s structured format to avoid delays in approval .
The most important resource for every Daystar postgraduate student is the Graduate Students Handbook, which was launched on March 29, 2022, by Vice-chancellor Prof. Laban P. Ayiro . The handbook is available in hard copy at the Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies on the Nairobi Campus and serves as the definitive guide for all thesis and dissertation requirements . Additionally, the university uses a Thesis Management System (TMS) to track the entire thesis process, including supervisor allocation and proposal defense applications
Preliminary Pages
The preliminary pages set the formal tone of your thesis and must appear in a specific order. Each element serves a distinct purpose:
| Page Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Title Page | Thesis title in upper case (not more than 12 words), positioned 2½ inches from the top; full name of student (no registration number); statement: “A thesis proposal/thesis/dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of [Program Name] of Daystar University”; month and year of submission |
| Declaration Page | Statement that the work is original and has not been presented for a degree in any other university; student’s signature, date, name, and registration number |
| Copyright Page | Copyright © [Year] [Student Name & Registration Number] |
| Dedication | Optional—a brief personal message |
| Acknowledgement | Recognition of those who supported your research journey |
| List of Abbreviations | Use a borderless table with abbreviations on the left and full forms on the right; arrange in descending alphabetical order |
| Abstract | Written in continuous prose (one block paragraph) with no indentation; double-spaced; proposal abstract: 150-250 words; thesis abstract: 150-300 words; includes introduction/background, problem, purpose, objectives, research method, research design, population, sample size, sampling technique, data collection instruments, pretesting (validity and reliability), data analysis plans, and significance of the study |
| Table of Contents | Lists all sections, chapters, and sub-headings with corresponding page numbers; chapter titles should use the same words as those in the text |
| List of Tables | Lists all tables found in the thesis with page numbers; table numbers arranged according to chapters |
| List of Figures | Lists all figures (diagrams, photographs, drawings, graphs, charts, maps) with page numbers |
Chapter One: Introduction and Background to the Research Problem
This chapter sets the foundation for your entire research. It must clearly define the research problem and justify why the study is necessary.
a. Introduction
This section defines the main problem or research question and includes a brief introduction to the research topic .
b. Background to the Research Problem
Present the need for the research, including the historical background of the subject under study .
c. Statement of the Problem
This is the focal point of your research proposal, answering the question, “Why does this research need to be conducted?” . A good statement of problem is just one or two sentences, with the rest as elaboration . It should answer:
WHAT is the problem? (Use relevant statistics)
WHERE is the problem? (Industry/firm/scope)
WHY is it a problem? (Why do you want to solve it?)
HOW to solve the problem?
WHEN did it start being a problem? (Provide relevant dates)
WHO said it is a problem? (Cite authors, annual reports, news outlets)
WILL the problem continue if not solved?
You MUST bring out the various research gaps: literature, empirical, conceptual, contextual, theoretical, time, and geographical gaps .
d. Purpose of the Study (General Objective)
A precise statement limited to no more than two sentences .
e. Objectives of the Study
Breakdown of the study’s purpose into specific, measurable tasks, typically three to four objectives .
f. Research Questions
Directly derived from objectives using words such as How, What, Does, etc. .
g. Hypotheses
Formulated based on study objectives (if applicable) .
h. Rationale/Justification of the Study
Justifies the need for the study and how scholarship will benefit. Include at least five of the following: significance, theoretical contribution, methodological advancement, literature support, external factors, or resource limitations .
i. Significance of the Study
Identifies beneficiaries and how the study contributes to scholarship .
j. Assumptions
Facts expected to remain true during the study (e.g., respondents will provide honest answers) .
k. Scope of the Study
Defines the boundaries of the research with proper justification—academic, geographical, or sectoral limitations .
l. Limitations and Delimitations
Limitations: Potential drawbacks or challenges beyond the researcher’s control
Delimitations: Measures implemented to overcome limitations
m. Operational Definition of Terms
Key terms specific to the research should be defined based on the literature, cited, and arranged in a borderless table in ascending alphabetical order .
n. Chapter Summary
Provides a summary of the chapter and a brief overview of the remaining chapters .
Chapter Two: Literature Review
Introduction
State the components or sections of Chapter 2 .
Theoretical Framework
Anchor theory: Discuss at most 1.5 pages. State the proponent and year, explain key concepts, describe how it relates to research questions, discuss what other authors say, and critique the theory .
Supporting theories: Discuss at most 1 page each .
Theoretical gap: Tell what the proponent did not do that you are doing in the current study .
Theoretical Framework Figure: Use a pictorial presentation with arrows showing how theories underpin the variables .
Conceptual Framework
A pictorial presentation (with arrows) showing how variables are connected, with a caption such as “Figure 1: Conceptual Framework” .
Review of Related Literature
Regional perspective: Africa (outside Kenya)
Local perspective: Within Kenya
Industry/organization context: The industry or organization under study
Research Gaps
Identify gaps in existing knowledge .
Chapter Summary
Summarize the content of the theoretical, general, and empirical literature including several citations
Chapter Three: Research Design and Methodology
Introduction
State the components or sections of Chapter 3 .
Research Philosophy
Discuss the various research philosophies that exist and outline the one adopted. Justify why this philosophy was chosen .
Research Method
Discuss various research methods and outline the one adopted. Justify the choice .
Research Design
Discuss various research designs and outline the one adopted. Justify the choice .
Population
Introduce total population, accessible population, and target population. Use a table to present target population with formula .
Sample Size and Sampling Methods
Show the formula used (e.g., Yamane formula) and justify using other studies .
Research Instruments
Questionnaires, interview guides, etc. .
Data Collection Procedures
Step-by-step process .
Data Analysis Methods
Explain how statistical methods will be applied to achieve study objectives .
Ethical Considerations
Research ethics—a key topic covered in Daystar Graduate School meetings .
Chapter Summary
References and Appendices
References
All sources cited in the thesis must be included in the reference list. Daystar University requires students to use proper citation and referencing, a topic covered during Graduate School meetings . The university uses various styles depending on specialization, so students should confirm with their supervisors .
Appendices
Includes research instruments (questionnaires, interview guides), informed consent forms, work plan/timeline, and budget
Formatting Guidelines
| Element | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Font | 12-point Times New Roman consistently throughout the document |
| Line spacing | Double-spaced for body text; footnotes may be single-spaced |
| Margins | Left: 32mm–39mm (1.25–1.5 inches); Top, Bottom, Right: 25mm (1 inch) |
| Justification | Text should be left-aligned |
| Page numbers | Centered at bottom of page; title page counted but not numbered; preliminary pages use lower-case Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv, etc.); main body uses Arabic numerals |
| Tense | Future tense for proposal; past tense for thesis |
| Chapters | Each chapter must begin on a new page |
Submission and Defense Process
Before Submission:
Proposal must be approved by supervisor and department
For research involving human subjects, obtain ethics approval
Clearance process on TMS (Thesis Management System)
After Defense Submission :
Make necessary revisions as advised by supervisors
Fill the certificate of correction, duly signed
Edit and format your thesis/dissertation
Prepare a spiral-bound copy signed by supervisors and school
Obtain final thesis/dissertation clearance form
Submit signed spiral-bound copy, certificate of correction, and completed clearance form
Email softcopy of corrected thesis to: thesisfinal@daystar.ac.ke
Email soft copy to: plagiarism@daystar.ac.ke for Turnitin similarity check (18% and below)
DPGS confirms final thesis meets all requirements and approves printing of hard-bound copies
Submit 6 hard-bound copies (black cloth or buckram binding with gold lettering)
PhD candidates: Submit 2 hard copies of publications
DPGS clears candidate for graduation
Conclusion
Writing a thesis or dissertation at Daystar University requires careful attention to structure, formatting, and submission guidelines. The Graduate Students Handbook remains your essential reference throughout the process . For clarification, contact the Directorate of Post-graduate Studies (DPGS) at postgraduatestudies@daystar.ac.ke or visit the Nairobi Campus .
If navigating these formatting requirements feels overwhelming, let us help. At proposalwriterskenya.co.ke, we specialize in thesis proposal writing and formatting assistance for Daystar University and other Kenyan institutions. Our expert team ensures your work meets all university requirements, saving you time and stress while improving your chances of approval. From Chapter One to the final reference list, we are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today for professional guidance on your thesis proposal or dissertation.