1 Republic of the Philippines EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY Tacloban City College of Engineering INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES

ON THESIS WRITING School Year 2006-2007 (Note: The IT Department advisers and the Languages and Literature Department Consultant Faculty Members Collaborated in the preparation of this condensed instruction manual for the exclusive use of the EVSU IT students only) I. Documentation Guidelines A. Format and Style 1. Paper Size 8.5 x 11 standard short white bond paper 2. Hardbound Book Cover 3. Cover color motif and letter print (font size, 12) 4. Margins Left: 1.5 Right, Top and Bottom: 1.0 5. Font Style, Body Text and Headings Chapter Headings: Font style-Arial, Font size-14 All Caps and Highlighted or Bold Sub-Headings: Font style-Arial, Font size-14 Not All Caps and Highlighted or Bold 6. Body Text: Font Style-Times New Roman, Font size-12 7. Pagination Pagination should be chronological and at the top right of the page. First page of each chapter should have no page number. 8. Text (sentence) spaces Double space 9. Maximum number of sentences per paragraph At least 4 but not more than 5 sentences

2 10. Indentations Single tab only 11. Main Title Headings Uppercase and bold print (e.g. METHODOLOGY) 12. Chapter Headings Capital letter first and in bold print (e.g. Chapter 1) 13. Subtitle or Subheadings Typed in Italic and bold print (e.g. Objectives of the Study) 14. Reference Pages Includes the following; appendices, exhibits, annexes for the tables, data flow diagram, system flowchart, HIPO, graph, figures, illustrations, cost estimates, etc. These shall not be included in the main body of the manuscript but labeled arranged and paged as separate reference pages. 15. Footnote Style Journalistic or Running Footnote 16. Bibliographic entries At least 10 (from hard copies or e-books (web source), published or unpublished manuscripts, magazines and journals II Manuscript Proper (Main Body) The main body of the manuscript must consist of planned dissections of the research paper. It should discuss only the pertinent segments of the conduct of the research study in chronology. The following items consist the outline of the contents of the respective chapters (at least 8-10 pages only): 1. Chapter I The INTRODUCTION, (1 or 2 pages only). The first page must contain the general view of the ICT as an applied science focusing specifically on the system under study vis--vis the technology being proposed. Likewise, this chapter includes the following; a. Background of the Study Maximum of two pages only. The second page must include the brief history/origin and the locale of the study. Included also a brief on the nature and type of business (e.g. partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship) and a brief

3 description of the current system the agency under study is using. b. Statement of the Problem One or half a page. States in a single statement the general problem of the study and presents the specific challenges stated in detailed sub problems. c. Objective of the Study One or half a page. States in a single statement the general and specific objectives of the research proposal. It should specifically assert the advantages of the proposed system in quantifiable terms and present other important features of the proposed system as an expected outcome. d. Significance of the Study Two or three pages only. Should identify at least 5 sectors/persons/organizations/institutions that would benefit from the proposed system. This section should also explain briefly why and how the mentioned organizations would be benefited. e. Scope and Limitations of the Study Two or three pages only. This section should discuss detailed specific coverage of the proposed system. It should also identify and explain the limitations of the study. f. Definition of Terms One or two pages. Must only include technical terms used in the study. This should cover the conceptual and operational definitions. 2. Chapter II The METHODOLOGY (one page only). This section present briefly the research techniques and procedures used in the conduct of the study. The following items form a part of this chapter (12-14 pages). a. Review of Related Literature and Studies Minimum of four pages. This section present discussions on related studies ad literature conducted. The combined related studies and literary citations must not be less than 8 pages.

4 b. Theoretical Framework Two to three pages only. This section cites the detailed input-process-output research model. It specifically explains how the software/system would complement the other processes involved in the development of the proposed program. c. Documentation of Current System One page only. This section briefly states the general operation of the current system. This should further explain the current systems flowchart. c. 1 Description of the Current System (2 pages) This section must discuss in detail the mechanics of the current practice. This should explain how the current system works and operates. c. 2 Personnel/Equipment Used by the Current System (1 to 2 pages) This portion discusses the manpower involved, together with their job description relative to the current system under study. d. Data Gathering Procedures One or two pages. This portion discusses the data gathering technique, explains the method used and the reason for the use of such method of data gathering. This should father discuss the particulars on how the process was administered, including the Statistical instrument used (if any). 3. Chapter III REQUIREMENT ANALYSIS SPECIFICATION (One or half a page). An introductory paragraph that explains the contents of this chapter must precede before the general analysis of the research proposal. This should explain the result of the activities found in other chapters (especially Chapter 2, Methodology) of the research proposal. This chapter provides the detailed explanation of the following; a. Answers and gives explanation to the problem presented in the Statement of the Problem (1-2 pages). It should answer the questions: What were the findings of the study? How was the problem solved? What was done to solve the problem? b. Answers the Explanation to the Objectives of the Study (1-2 pages). Answers the questions, How was the objectives accomplished?

5 c. Presents the results and explains how the data was gathered and analyzed (1-2 pages). d. Over all analysis of the proposed system (two pages). This section explains the data flow diagram and the flowchart of the proposed system. e. System Design Specification (1-2 pages, or this may depend on the HIPO (Hierarchical Input Process Output) of the proposed system. f. Hardware Requirement (1 page). Discusses the specific hardware needed on its propose, including the specific functions and quantity of items/units needed. g. Software Requirement (1 page). This specifies the technical requirement of the specific software needed, including the special tasks and quantity of items/ units needed. h. Human Resource Complement (1 or half a page). This section mentions the man power requirement of the system. This further discusses the job description and the number of personnel required. This should preset the necessary training or needed skills vital to the proper execution of the designated tasks. 4. Chapter 4 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND JUSTIFICATION An introductory paragraph introducing the general contents of this chapter is needed. a. Summary (1 page) This portion should present the statement problem, objectives of the proposed system/ program b. Conclusion and Justification (1 page) This portion discusses the concluding results and shall include the effectiveness, efficiency ad economic advantages of proposed system/ program. c. Recommendation (1 page) This portion cites the compelling reasons for the deployment of the system based from the findings of the study. This portion discusses the necessary measures or steps to be undertaken to make the system fully operational. This segment also discusses the capability of the system upgrade. I. Order of Pages

6 a. b. c. d. e. f. Cover Page/ Title Page (Inside Cover) Endorsement with Approval Acknowledgement Table of Contents Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Objectives of the Study Significance of the Study Scope and Limitations Definition of Terms Chapter 2 METHODOLOGY a. Review of Related Literature and Studies b. Theoretical Framework c. Document of the Current System c.1 Description of the Current System c.2 Personnel/Equipment used by the Current System d. Data Gathering Procedures Chapter 3 REQUIREMENT ANALYSIS SPECIFICATIONS a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. Answers and Explanation of the Statement of the Problem Answers and Explanation to the Objectives of the Study Results, Explanations and Analysis of the Data Gathered Over-All Analysis of the Proposed System System Design Specification Hardware Requirements Software Requirements Human Resource Complement

Chapter 4 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND JUSTIFICATION a. Summary b. Conclusion and Justification c. Recommendation

7 III. Software Development Guidelines A. Front-End Any software/language can be used to develop the font-end of the proposed system. B. Back-End The back-end/database should be MySQL (Open Source). C. Compilation The developed system should be placed in a CD with the following: 1. Executable File/Installer of the developed system 2. Source Code 3. Documentation