Departments of Real Estate
National University of Singapore
GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF UNDERGRADUATE DISSERTATIONS
OVERVIEW
The dissertation is intended to evaluate the student's ability to carry out independent research
and to demonstrate his/her analytical and communication skills by investigating in depth, a topic
of interest and of relevance to the course.
Although it is not intended to be an original contribution to knowledge in the strictest sense, the
end product is expected to extend beyond a mere literature review. Students are therefore
expected to pursue investigations relevant to the chosen topic and to communicate the findings
clearly, concisely and with detachment. Reproduction of material from other sources,
particularly unacknowledged, will not be accepted.
In the above context "independent" is taken to mean that the supervisor should act only as a
mentor (advisor) to the student in relation to all aspects of the project. Students are expected to
choose their own topics to study, formulate a hypothesis and present the results.
At undergraduate level much of the material in the dissertation is likely to be readily available in
other sources, both published and unpublished. There must be a comprehensive literature
review of relevant authoritative texts and international and local works.
The exercise is essentially one of defining the problem to be resolved, proposing a hypothesis
relative to the problem and collating relevant data in an attempt to extend knowledge of the
subject.
2.
RESEARCH
It is suggested that researchers should consider the requirements stated below in
making their submission.
2.1
Introduction and Definition of Research Problem
The initial parts of the dissertation should include:
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2.2
a statement of the problem and objectives of the dissertation;
review of literature and previous work; and
definition of research hypothesis where appropriate.
Methodology
The methodology adopted in the research should be appropriate to the subject
of the research. It should be clearly stated. This should include:
(a)
research design - that is the overall logic, general strategy and basic
plan of approach; and
(b)
research methods - that is the process of obtaining information.
An empirical study is required to verify a hypothesis(es). It should not be
merely descriptive. It should include
(i)
A critical analysis of the data
(ii)
A scholarly interpretation and discussion of the results of the data
analysis to show their theoretical and practical implications.
(iii)
A clear statement of how the findings fit into, or departs from, the extant
literature.
Unproductive attempts, which the student might have made to collect data,
should be indicated to make it clear that efforts have been made to collect
data of that nature from particular sources.
2.3
Processing and Presentation of Material
The research problem should be discussed and elaborated upon. The data
gathered should be analyzed, processed, and interpreted to underpin the
discussion. There should be clear evidence of original research, and of
reference to relevant published works. Appropriate inferences should also be
made. The researcher should show that the topic has been exhaustively
covered and that some contribution to the knowledge of the subject has been
made.
2.4
Discussion of Results and Conclusions
The discussion and analysis of the material should ideally involve testing of a
hypothesis that might have been formulated at the outset. The researcher
should demonstrate analytical skills, making relevant quantitative or qualitative
assessments, and developing and presenting the results and findings.
Conclusions and recommendations arising from the work form an important
part of the research. Recommendations for further study or investigations
should be made. These should be discussions of areas not covered or not
adequately covered in the research.
2.5
Physical Presentation
The researcher should pay particular attention to the presentation of the whole
dissertation (including abstract, bibliography, and appendices).
The importance of a clear and lucid writing style, good grammar, neatness
and completeness of presentation cannot be over-emphasized. Tables,
diagrams and illustrations should be used to good effect to present or clarify
ideas.
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3.
PRESENTATION
The required format for the presentation of the dissertation is outlined below.
3.1
Language
The dissertation should be written in clear and precise English in a formal style
(avoiding the use of slang) and free of grammatical, syntactical and spelling
errors. The dissertation should be written in the third person throughout.
3.2
Words, Phrases and Statistics
All words used in the dissertation are to be in ARIAL font size 11.
Repetitive use of words and phrases should, as far as possible, be avoided.
Such repetition tends to debase the quality of the dissertation and indicates a
weakness in the student's vocabulary and writing style. Also, the use of
"mundane" statistics, which serve no useful purpose, should be avoided.
3.2.1
Abbreviations
Commonly accepted abbreviations can be used where necessary
but only after they have been properly introduced e.g. Housing and
Development Board (HDB). If a number of these are used in the
dissertation, a list of Abbreviations should be included in the pages
preliminary to the introductory chapter.
3.3
Grammar
Examiners in the past have been severely critical of the standard of
presentation, especially the grammar. Student-researchers are advised to
note that severe penalties will be imposed if the presentation is not of a high
standard.
3.4
Metric Units
All measurements are to be in a metric format.
3.5
Typing
All typing must be double spacing between lines, unless otherwise stated (e.g.
in quotations). The left-hand (binding) margin should be 40 mm and the righthand margin 20 mm.
3.6
Length
The maximum length of the dissertation is 10,000 words. This does not
include Tables, Charts, Graphs, Diagrams, Figures, Maps, Schedules,
Illustrations, Cases, Appendices, Bibliography and Acknowledgements. The
actual number of words must be clearly stated on the 'contents' page.
Students are advised to ensure that their dissertations do not exceed the
10,000-word limit, as there will be severe penalties against works infringing
this rule.
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3.7
Structure of the Dissertation
3.7.1
Overview
The chapters should follow a logical development process starting
from the problem defined and ending with a concluding chapter
which summarizes the findings of the work and its significance in
the broader context, and makes recommendations for adoption of
these findings and for further work. The whole dissertation should
be fully integrated.
3.7.2
Preliminaries
The Title Page
Vide specimen layout (Attachment A)
Abstract
This should be limited to 250 words typed
on one page (see 3.7.5)
Acknowledgement
3.7.3
Table of Contents
Vide specimen (Attachment B)
List of Tables
List of Charts
List of Graphs
List of Diagrams
List of Figures
List of Maps
List of Schedules
List of Illustrations
List of Court Cases
List of Appendices
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To be included
only where applicable
Title
Titles should be kept brief whilst still preserving their meaning and
ensuring that they adequately describe the work. The title of a
research project does not need such expressions as "A Study of",
"A Comparative Study of", "An Analysis of" etc as these are
already implied.
3.7.4
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements of a religious or personal nature, and words of
gratitude to, or appreciation of the assistance of, the supervisor
and other staff members should not be included in the initial
version of the dissertation submitted for marking. They may be
included, if the student so wishes, in the final version (prior to
binding).
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3.7.5
Abstract
An abstract should be included at the beginning of the dissertation.
The abstract should outline the nature and objective of the
dissertation and summarize the main findings and conclusions. It
should generally epitomize the dissertation.
3.7.6
Structure of Chapters and Appendices
3.7.6.1
Chapter and Appendix Headings
Each chapter and appendix should be given a number
(e.g. Chapter One, Chapter Two; Appendix One,
Appendix Two) and a short title.
Chapter and Appendix headings are to be typed in
capitals. Sub-headings should not be capitalized.
3.7.6.2
Dewey System of Classification
Within each chapter there may be a number of distinct
elements. These should be numbered (say, for Chapter
Four: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 etc.). Should further sub-numbering
be required then decimal sub notation should be used
(e.g. 4.2.1, 4.2.2. etc.). By way of illustration, these notes
are set out using the Dewey System.
3.7.6.3
Titles in Text
The following should be enclosed in single quotation
marks (not underlined): titles of articles and essays, of
chapters and sections of books, and of unpublished
works such as theses. The following should be
underlined (or typed in italics): titles of published books,
plays, pamphlets, periodicals, classical works (except
books of the Bible), if separately published.
3.7.6.4
Court Cases
The parties to a decision are underlined but the
connecting v. (and) between the parties are not
underlined.
The year of the court case is next entered after the
parties concerned. Particular emphasis must be given to
the brackets that enclose the date. Square brackets [ ]
and round brackets ( ) used according to the status of the
law report or journal. The approach adopted by the law
report or journal must be followed.
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The source document is then referred to in the reference.
Usually the volume precedes the report reference and
finally the commencement page of the report. Finally, if a
portion of the decision is quoted the page reference is
shown in the footnote as shown in the last example
below.
A reference could appear as:
Port of Spain Corporation v. Gordon Grant & Co Ltd.
[1955] A.C. 389.
In Re an Arbitration Auckland Farmers Freezing
Co-operative Ltd. (A.F.F.C.O.) and The Dilworth Trust
Board (1977) 23 The N.Z. Valuer 480 at 481.
The Law Reports or Journals may be abbreviated as in
the first instance above, but a comprehensive list of
abbreviations must appear with the table of contents.
3.7.6.5
Quotations
Quotations should be separated from the body of the
text, and should be indented by five spaces from the left
margin and typed single-spaced. Quotes of only a few
words can be included within the text with the appropriate
quotation marks. If materials are omitted within a
quotation three spaced periods should be inserted
between words. To show an omission at the conclusion
of a sentence three spaced periods should be used in
addition to a sentence period (i.e. a total of four periods).
All quotations should correspond exactly to the originals
including errors in the spelling, punctuation etc. These
errors should be indicated by the notation (sic) or other
explanations within square brackets.
Where not indented, all quoted material should be
indicated by a single quotation mark except for
quotations within quotations where double quotation
marks are needed.
3.7.6.6
Footnotes
Footnotes and endnotes are NOT recommended.
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3.7.6.7
Pagination
The preliminary pages should be numbered in lower
case. Roman numerals centred at the bottom of the
page, the first page counted being the title page,
although this should be left unnumbered.
The body of the dissertation, starting from the first page
of the first chapter should be numbered consecutively in
Arabic numerals, centred at the top of the page
throughout the whole dissertation.
3.7.6.8
Tables, Charts, Diagrams (etc)
Tables, charts and diagrams should be numbered in
each chapter (Arabic numerals in serial order e.g. 4.1,
4.2, etc) with a heading at the top. Only the first letter of
the first word and of all significant words is to be
capitalized.
Tables, charts and diagrams should be placed where
pertinent to the discussion involved, i.e. as immediately
as possible after they are introduced or referred to in the
text.
They should not only help to improve the
presentation but more importantly, they should be
relevant and assist in illustrating issues raised in the
narrative.
3.7.6.9
Bibliography
The bibliography should consist of a list of principal
reference and source books consulted in the course of
writing the dissertation. It should not be limited to works
actually quoted in the text but may include general
background reading for the purposes of the dissertation.
Works cited in the bibliography must be arranged in
alphabetical order by the first author’s surname (See
Attachment C).
3.7.6.10 Appendices
An appendix may be considered an extended footnote
i.e. a section which expounds on an area of the text, but
cannot be conveniently included in it without burdening
the reader and distracting him/her from the main
sequence. Appendices should NOT contain information
other than short explanatory notes and essential graphs,
tables and computer printouts, the latter being particularly
restricted to information in summary form. Appendices, if
included, should not include Acts of Parliament and other
published materials. Nor should they include a copious
amount of information such as newspaper and magazine
cuttings; suitable references to these should be sufficient.
No more than 20 per cent of the number of words in the
main text should appear in appendices (if any).
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The use of coloured paper in appendices is not
permitted.
The letters of introduction given to the student or one
written by the student to request data should not be
included in the appendices.
3.7.6.11 References
References in the text should be quoted in the following
manner:
Hague (1969) – single author
Strunk and White (1979) – two authors
Jones et al. (1999) – more than 2 authors
All references should be collected in the Bibliography
(see section 3.7.6.9). If references to the same author
have the same year, they should be differentiated by
using 1969a and 1969b etc.
4.
SUBMISSION
Each student should submit one unbound copy of his/her dissertation (less
Acknowledgement page) by the date given in the attached time-table in a suitable
brown envelope. As this will be the version of the dissertation which will be assessed
for the purpose of the final examination, students should pay particular attention to the
standard of presentation. Your supervisor's approval must be sought before making
your submission to the Department’s General Office.
4.1
Schedule
The key dates relating to the preparation and submission of the dissertation
are indicated on the attached time-table.
4.2
Corrections
After the dissertation has been marked internally, students may be required to
make necessary corrections and other changes recommended by the
Examiners. Please collect your dissertation from your supervisor.
The procedure for dealing with such corrections subsequent to the final
submission should be followed.
The corrected version should have the
approval of the supervisor, who is responsible for confirming that all
corrections required by all examiners have been carried out.
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4.3
Final Submission
After corrections, students are to submit to the general office by the stipulated
date the Supervisor Certification Form (SCF) duly endorsed by their
supervisor. Your supervisor’s final approval for submission must be obtained.
You should then proceed to upload your dissertation to the SDE
Dissertation Space (Dspace) at the link mentioned below:
https://lib.sde.nus.edu.sg/dspace/index.jsp.
5.
NOTE
These instructions are not altogether comprehensive or exhaustive. Students are
advised to refer to works on dissertation writing (not merely to previous dissertations in
the School) in order to supplement the above or to clarify points of detail.
Supervisors are also available to assist in cases of doubt or difficulty. However, in
cases of conflict or contradiction, the formats set out in sections 1 to 4 above will take
precedence and should be followed.
Finally, keep this document handy as it will prove useful throughout the preparation of
the dissertation.
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Attachment A
(TITLE OF PROJECT)
(N A M E)
(Matric No.)
Project dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the Degree of
B.Sc. (Real Estate)
DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
B.Sc. (Real Estate)
2014/2015
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Attachment B
CONTENTS
Page
Abstract
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents
List of Tables/Charts/etc
Chapter
......
Introduction
.......
Review of Previous Work
.......
Research Design
.......
Methods of data collection
.......
Results and discussion
.......
Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendices
(No of Words to the nearest 100)
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Attachment C
Examples of Bibliography
1.
A book by a single author:
Hague, D.(1969). Managerial economics. London: Longman.
Note: Title may be underlined or in italics.
2.
A book or technical report by more than one author:
Strunk, W., and White, E. (1979). The elements of style (3rd ed.,).
New York: Macmillan.
Note: For handbooks, (Vols. 1-2) replaced (3rd ed.); for translated book,
(D. Smith, Trans.) replaces (3rd ed.); for technical report,
(Report No. 12-1234) replaces (3rd ed.).
3.
Edited book:
Hall, P.(Ed.). (1966). Von Thunen’s Isolated State. Oxford: Pergamon.
4.
Article or chapter in an edited book:
Stone, P.(1965). The prices of building sites in Britain.
In P. Hall (Ed.), Land values (pp. 12-27). London: Heineman.
5.
Journal article:
Pite, D., and Tesa, C.(1981). The crisis of our time.
Journal of Environmental Housing, 23(3), 123-141.
Note: Replace (1981) with (in press) for article in press.
6.
Newspaper article, no author:
CIDB perceives strong growth for construction sector.
(1993, December 17). The Straits Times, p.47.
Note: Use pp.1, 25. for discontinuous article.
7.
Newspaper article, with author:
Tan, T.S. (1993, December 12). URA to auction 12 sites
in Jurong. The Straits Times, p.36.
8.
Conference paper:
Unpublished:
Brent, B. (1983, May). Valuation of hotels. Paper presented
at the meeting of the Society of Valuers, Melbourne, Victoria.
Published:
Brent, B. (1988). Valuation of hotels. In E. Dave (Ed.),
Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Valuation
(pp.3-9). Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Zeti Press.
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9.
Unpublished manuscript
Jameson, K. (1993). Testing concrete strength. Unpublished manuscript.
10.
Dissertation or thesis
Lim, K.(1978). The valuation of hotels. Unpublished undergraduate dissertation,
School of Building and Estate Management, National University of Singapore.
Note: Replace ‘undergraduate’ with ‘master’s” or ‘doctoral’ and ‘dissertation’
with ‘thesis’ where appropriate. Give the name of the country if it is not reflected
in the name of the institution.
11.
Websites
Org name. (Date). Title in italics . City: Publisher. Retrieved date, from
www://etc.
Example:
ABC Construction. (2000). Building for tomorrow. S'pore: Redas. Retrieved 20
Nov 2000 from www://http://ABC.org.com/building/DEF.html.
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