Amended on 19.04.2016
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF LAWS
RESEARCH PROJECT GUIDELINES
2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A.
FUNCTIONS OF FACULTY BOARD
4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
4
5
6
6
6
7
8.
9.
10.
11.
Approval of Titles and Research Project
Appointment of Supervisors/Co-supervisor
Declaration of Authenticity
Copyright Release
Library Guide for Digitized Dissertations
Submission of Research Project
Uploading of Research Project on the Virtual Environment Learning –
VLE (Moodle)
Board of Examiners
The Examination Process
Approval of Title and Supervisors
Students on Exchange Programmes
B.
FUNCTIONS OF SUPERVISORS
10
C.
REGULATIONS FOR THE PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH
PROJECTS
10
Paper Quality and Typographical Detail
1.1
Methods of Production
1.2
Layout
Pagination
2.1
Page numbering
2.2
Position of Page Numbers
Word Limit
Time Extensions
Preliminaries
5.1
Title page
5.2
Abstract
5.3
Dedication
5.4
Table of Contents
5.5
Tables of Statutes, Cases and International Instruments
5.6
Acknowledgements
5.7
Abbreviations
Text
6.1
Introduction
6.2
Sections
6.3
Conclusion
6.4
Headings
6.5
Note Numbering
End Matter
7.1
Appendices
10
10
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
15
15
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8
8
9
9
9
2
D.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS TO STUDENTS FOR
THE RESEARCH PROJECT
15
Oscola Referencing System
Maltese Legislation
Maltese Judgments
Hints to Writing Good Research Projects
Translation of Quotations
Inter-disciplinary Content
Methodology
Ethical Implications
15
15
16
17
17
17
18
18
APPENDIX A – FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PROJECT
TITLE AND PROPOSAL
19
APPENDIX B – DECLARATION BY ACADEMIC MEMBER OF STAFF
ON THE PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE AND
PROPOSAL
20
3
A.
FUNCTIONS OF FACULTY BOARD
1. Approval of Titles and Research Project
When considering a title and Research Project proposal for approval, the Faculty
Board determines whether that particular area to be researched has already been
allocated to the subject of a thesis, dissertation or research project. This function is
delegated to the Head of Department within whose area the research falls. For this
purpose, the Faculty Office circulates to Heads of Department a full list of all the
proposed titles together with relevant proposals. Proposals are to be original and are
to be submitted on a standard form, a copy of which is attached to these guidelines as
APPENDIX A.
Where the area to be researched substantially overlaps with the subject of a written
work which has been already been approved or which is to be submitted by some
other student, this should normally hinder the approval of the title – unless the student
makes a case and satisfies the Faculty Board that the approach to be adopted varies
significantly from that adopted in the previously approved title.
No Research Project title is accepted which is identical in substance to a written work
already submitted for a degree in this or any other University or to any other
published material. Students are not, however, precluded from incorporating such
previous work as may be necessary to the presentation and further understanding of
their exposition, provided that the nature and extent of such incorporation are clearly
indicated in the Research Project itself.
4
The Title and Proposal form (APPENDIX A) should be accompanied by a
Declaration of a member of the Academic Staff (APPENDIX B) that s/he has been
consulted by the candidate and that s/he sees room for the writing of such a Research
Project.
In formulating a Research Project title students should try to have the title as short as
possible and the proposal should be very focused and narrowed down to a specific
subject.
The proposal form and title are to be submitted by the students in the LL.B. Honours
3rd Year as instructed by the Faculty office.
After receiving notice of the acceptance of the title, the student is to meet with his/her
supervisor. It is recommended that the student meets his/her supervisor at least two
times before submitting the Research Project for marking.
Every effort should be made by the student to be well prepared for each meeting.
2. Appointment of Supervisors/Co-supervisor
No title is approved unless the Faculty Board is satisfied that a properly qualified
member of the University academic staff is available to supervise the Research
Project (and when necessary, a co-supervisor). Normally one Supervisor should be
sufficient unless the Faculty Dissertation Committee determines that the research
project spreads over two departments, in which case a lead department shall be
5
identified which shall propose the principal supervisor whilst the other department
shall propose the co-supervisor.
The Head of Department under whose Department the research proposal falls is
required to recommend to the Faculty Board the name of a supervisor and, where
appropriate, that of a co-supervisor.
3. Declaration of Authenticity and Copyright Release
Each student must fill in and sign a Declaration of Authenticity and Copyright
Release whereby s/he declares that s/he has read the University of Malta’s Guidelines
on Plagiarism and that the Research Project is his/her original work. The form of the
Declaration
of
Authenticity
and
Copyright
Release
is
found
on
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/254319/authenticityformug.pdf and the
Guidelines
on
Plagiarism
and
Collusion
are
available
at
www.um.edu.mt/registrar/regulations/general .The declaration must be submitted both
with the proposal and with the research project itself.
The University of Malta has its own intellectual policy on this matter and reference is
being
made
to
this
policy
which
is
available
at
http://www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/quicklinks/ippolicy.
4. Library Guide for Digitized Dissertations
All Research Projects should be in the format set out in the Library Guide for
Digitized
Dissertations.
The
text
of
this
guide
is
available
at
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/138299/edissertations_guidelines_2011.
pdf
6
5. Submission of Research Project
Students submitting a Research Project for examination are to ensure that their work:
a) is of an advanced or original nature in the area of study;
b) satisfies the requirements of presentation;
c) fulfills the requirements of relevant regulations as regards format and length;
d) complies with these Guidelines; and
e) is of a publishable nature in peer reviewed law journals.
When presenting the Research Project for examination, students must also hand in the
submission
note
as
detailed
on
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/121105/submissiondissertationorthesis.p
df to be signed by the supervisor. Student may opt to submit his/her Research Project
notwithstanding any negative advice from the Supervisor. Should the student submit
without the supervisor’s consent, s/he will do so at his/her own risk and peril.
By end of April students are to submit the following:
•
1 softcopy on a labeled CD (PDF format which should not be password
protected). The CD itself should be marked with the name and surname, code,
course and year. CDs will not be accepted unless saved and marked as
indicated;
•
A copy of the Research Project should be uploaded on VLE. Students should
include
Annex
D
the
declaration
of
Authenticity;
available
on
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/254319/authenticityformug.pdf
with their research project on VLE and on the CD (this is to be included after
the title page)
7
•
1 original copy of Annex C, the submission note; available on
http://www.um.edu.mt/laws/downloads to be signed by supervisor. These will
be retained by the Faculty for record purposes.
6. Uploading of Research Project on the Virtual Environment Learning – VLE
(Moodle)
Plagiarism, at any stage of the preparation and finalisation of a Research Project is
prohibited. For this purpose, the Research Project is passed through plagiarism
software.
After a Research Project is submitted for examination, the student must upload his/her
Research Project on the Virtual Environment Learning – VLE (Moodle). The purpose
of this procedure is to generate a report by the plagiarism software. Please follow the
link
hereunder
for information
regarding
Turnitin:
http://www.um.edu.mt/vle/pds/students.
There is also a quick guide specifically on uploading a Research Project on the same
lines
of
and
assignment
/
on
Turnitin
available
here:
http://www.um.edu.mt/vle/pds/students/pdstraining.
7. Board of Examiners
(a) The Faculty Board shall appoint a Board of Examiners for each Research
Project submitted.
(b)
The Board of Examiners shall be composed as detailed on the
Assessment
Regulations,
2009
available
at
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/24868/Assessment_Regu
lations.pdf
8
8. The Examination Process
When a student fails in the Research Project, s/he shall resubmit his/her Research
Project by the end of August/beginning of September, or as detailed by the Faculty
Office.
9. Approval of Title and Supervisors
The Faculty Board is the governing body that approves titles and appoints supervisors
and co-supervisors.
Notification of the approval of the title, supervisors and co-supervisors (if applicable)
is communicated forthwith to students, supervisors and co-supervisors in writing.
10. Students on Exchange Programmes
Students who intend to participate in an exchange programme overseas during the
fourth year of the LL.B. Honours course are to inform their respective supervisor and
co-supervisor, if any, before they go abroad. They should still keep in contact when
abroad and submit their written work by email for correction.
B.
FUNCTIONS OF SUPERVISORS
Information on the role of the supervisors may be obtained from the following link:
http://www.um.edu.mt/registrar/students
9
C.
REGULATIONS
PROJECTS
FOR
THE
PRESENTATION
OF
RESEARCH
1. Paper Quality and Typographical Detail
1.1
Methods of Production
Research Projects shall be presented in a typewritten form. Characters shall be not
less than 12pt. Typing should be of even quality, with clear black characters.
1.2
Layout
Margins on the right and left hand side shall be 3cm and the top and bottom margins
shall be 2.5cm. Double or one-and-a-half spacing shall be used in typescript.
2. Pagination
2.1 Page Numbering
All pages must be numbered in one continuous sequence, from the title page to the
last page of the type, in Arabic numerals from 1 onwards. This sequence must
include appendices and bibliography.
2.2 Position of Page Numbers
Page numbers shall be located centrally at the bottom of the page.
3. Word Limit
The Research Project shall not be less than 10,000 words and not more than 12,000
words. No extension on the word limit may be granted.
10
The prescribed length refers to the whole Research Project including the main text,
quotations, footnotes, but excluding preliminaries and other functional parts, such as
bibliography, tables, abstract and index. Annexes and appendices do not form part of
the word limit.
4. Time Extensions
No time extensions will be allowed. Where a Research Project is submitted after the
due date, a mark 0 (Grade F) will be awarded. A student shall however be entitled to
re-sit the Research Project under re-sit conditions.
5. Preliminaries
5.1 Title page
The title page shall give the following information in the order listed:
i. The full title of the Research Project and the sub-title if any;
ii. The full name of the author, followed, if desired, by any qualifications and
distinctions;
iii. An indication that the Research Project is submitted in partial fulfillment of
the degree of LL.B. Honours;
iv. The designation “Faculty of Laws, University of Malta”;
v. The month and year of submission.
5.2 Abstract
The title page should be followed by an abstract consisting of no more than 300
words.
The abstract should be a concise summary of the work, containing the
11
fundamental concepts and conclusions. Students must also include five keywords
together with their abstract. Students are to note that the abstract should not be written
in the first person.
5.3 Dedication
Some candidates like to dedicate their work. To do so is entirely optional. Where a
dedication is made, the dedication pages should follow the abstract.
5.4 Table of Contents
The table of contents shall immediately follow the Abstract or the dedication if one is
used.
It shall list in sequence, with page numbers, all relevant sections of the
Research Project, including the titles of sections and subsections, as appropriate; the
table of cases: the table of statutes; the table of international instruments; the list of
abbreviations, the bibliography and other functional parts of the whole Research
Project; and any appendices.
5.5 Tables of Statutes, Cases and International Instruments
The tables of statutes, cases, and international instruments shall follow the table of
contents.
5.6 Acknowledgements
Any acknowledgements shall be on the page following the tables of statutes cases and
international instruments.
12
5.7 Abbreviations
Abbreviations are to be, as far as possible, avoided and used only exceptionally as
they do not contribute to the free flow of the writing and detract the reader from
following better your work. Where however abbreviations are used a table shall be
provided. For an abbreviation not in common use, the term shall be given in full at the
first instance followed by the abbreviation in brackets.
6. Text
6.1 Introduction
The introduction shall be followed by the first section of the Research Project. The
Introduction should be used to set out the Research Project question and Research
Project sub-questions as discussed in subsequent sections.
6.2 Sections
Research Projects shall be divided into an Introduction, a number of sections and a
Conclusion. The system of headings shall be consistent and should provide a clear
indication of changes in content, emphasis and other features which occur at each
stage of the work. One of the sections shall deal with literature reviews whilst another
on methodology.
6.3 Conclusion
This should bring together all the issues of the research and link back to the aim and
objectives which were outlined in the Introduction. Any recommendations should
always be based on evidence.
13
The Conclusion should be totally original. It should identify areas for future research
related to the topic of the Research Project, propose changes to the law, contain a list
of the main conclusions of the research project and answer the Research Project
question and sub-questions. The Conclusion is the most important part of the
Research Project and should be a substantial piece of work as possible.
6.4 Headings
The headings recommended are:
(1)
Main headings, which should be used for
sections and should be in full
capitals;
(2)
Subsections consisting of associated paragraphs should be above the line of the
text and should use initial capitals.
6.5 Note Numbering
Footnotes should be used and should be restricted to serving the following functions:
(a)
to state a source
(b)
to acknowledge a borrowing
(c)
to refer the reader to another part of the Research Project
(d)
To develop an idea or expand a quotation where to do so in the text would
disturb the flow or the balance of the writing.
Footnotes should always be used with restraint. If none of the above criteria are met,
then an appendix is probably more suitable.
14
7. End Matter
7.1 Appendices
Appendices shall follow the main text.
Appendices may consist of supporting
material of considerable length or of lists, documents, commentaries, or other
evidence, which, if included in the main text, would interrupt its flow. The style of
appendices shall be consistent with the style of the main text. (Appendices require
Supervisor’s approval).
D.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS TO STUDENTS FOR THE
RESEARCH PROJECT
1. Oscola Referencing System
The latest version of the Oscola Referencing system should be used where applicable.
The text of Oscola is available at: http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/publications/oscola.php.
2. Maltese Legislation
Maltese Legislation should be cited by reference to the Laws of Malta. Primary Laws
are arranged by chapter numbers. These should be cited as follows: “Criminal Code,
Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta”. Subsidiary Legislation should be cited as follows:
“Pornography and Obscenity Regulations, S.L. 9.04”.
3. Maltese Judgments
Where available, reference should be made to the “Kollezzjoni ta’ Decizjonijiet talQrati Superjuri ta’ Malta”. The citation should be as follows: Generoso sive Jimmy
Sammut vs. Onor. Prim Ministru et, Kollezzjoni ta’ Decizjonijiet tal-Qrati Superjuri
15
ta’ Malta, Volum LXXX (1996) Pt.I, p.1. Where the judgement is not available in the
Kollezzjoni, nor in any published source, or in the internet, it should be cited as
follows:
•
Joseph Borg vs. Josephine Borg, Court of Appeal, 24 June 1995, p. 6.
•
Joseph Borg vs. Josephine Borg, Civil Court, First Hall, per Mr. Justice V.
Borg Costanzi, 24 June 1990, p. 10.
When the judgment is available on www.justiceservices.gov.mt, you should add the
link as well. You may also state that it is available on this (or other) website if it is not
possible to add the link. This is done by right hand click and send to yourself.
When compiling the Table of Cases, case law should be sub-divided as follows:
-
Cases in the Kollezzjoni ta’ Decizjonijiet tal-Qrati Superjuri ta’ Malta
-
Cases available on the Ministry of Justice website
-
Cases available at the Archives of the Courts of Justice
-
Other Sources for Case Law (e.g. Judge William Harding’s book; Judge
Joseph Filletti’s book; Judge Oliver Gulia’s book; Ghaqda Studenti talLigi two volume book on Constitutional Law, Prof. Kevin Aquilina’s book
on Development Planning Legislation, etc.).
4. Hints to Writing Good Research Projects
•
Avoid quoting one and the same source repeatedly throughout the Research
Project.
•
Avoid paragraphs made up of one sentence or a few sentences.
16
•
Source the information you provide through a footnote especially where you
are referring to factual data such as statistics and figures
•
Ensure that adequate and proper use of footnotes is made throughout the
whole Research Project
5. Translation of Quotations
All quotations which are not in English should be translated in a footnote in the
English language. The quote in the original language should go in the text whist the
English translation in a footnote.
6. Inter-disciplinary Content
In so far as content of a Research Project is concerned, it might benefit the study to
refer to non-legal materials and to write a Research Project from an inter-disciplinary
perspective. When a student intends to study a particular subject from both a legal and
non-legal perspective, the following considerations have to be taken on board:
(a) the student must declare in his or her Research Project proposal that s/he will
be studying a particular subject from an interdisciplinary point of view
identifying clearly the non-legal discipline; and
(b) although a Research Project might be written from an interdisciplinary point
of view, the predominant focus of the Research Project should be legal with
the non-legal discipline assisting in understanding better the legal implications
17
of the subject under consideration. At no point should the non-legal discipline
predominate over the legal subject of the Research Project.
7. Methodology
It is recommended to students writing a Research Project to write a section on
literature review and use various qualitative and quantitative skills used in the social
sciences such as questionnaires, focus groups, statistics, face-to-face interviews, etc.
8. Ethical Implications
Where it is appropriate, students should consult with the Faculty Ethics Committee in
so far as their research might raise certain ethical issues. Students should also consult
the University of Malta webpage of the University Ethics Committee from where they
may download further information. For further guidance see:
http://www.um.edu.mt/urec/gpropform
18
APPENDIX A – FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE AND PROPOSAL
(TO BE FILLED IN BY STUDENTS)
SURNAME AND NAME: ________________________________________________________
COURSE: ____________________________________________________________________
I.
PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
II.
TENTATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT OUTLINE (Not to exceed 500 words)
(STUDENT SHOULD INCLUDE THE RESEARCH QUESTION IN THEIR PROPOSAL)
III.
MATERIAL CONSULTED IN PREPARATION OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL INCLUDING
BIBLIOGRPAHY (To be given on a separate sheet)
IV.
LIST OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH PROJECTS ON THE SAME OR SIMILAR
SUBJECT MATTER OF YOUR PROPOSAL, IF ANY:
(To be given on a separate sheet – Student must indicate Name and Surname of
Author, Title, Year of Award and Title of Degree Awarded)
V.
LIST NAME AND SURNAME OF MEMBER/S OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF OF THE
FACULTY WITH WHOM YOU HAVE CONSULTED:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
VI.
LIST ANY RELEVANT STUDY-UNIT/S WHICH YOU HAVE FOLLOWED RELATED TO
YOUR PROPOSED AREA OF RESEARCH:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
______________
SIGNATURE
________________
DATE
NOTES:
• Please note that Faculty Board appoints supervisors and where appropriate co-supervisors and hence
students should not expect that the academic member consulted will necessarily be their supervisor.
• Students are reminded that when dealing with human subjects they are to refer to the UREC guidelines
available on http://www.um.edu.mt/urec/gpropform
19
APPENDIX B – DECLARATION BY ACADEMIC MEMBER OF STAFF ON THE PROPOSED
RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE AND PROPOSAL
NAME OF STUDENT: __________________________________________________________
COURSE: ___________________________________________________________________
PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
NAME OF ACADEMIC MEMBER: _________________________________________________
COMMENTS FROM ACADEMIC MEMBER OF STAFF REGARDING PROPOSED TITLE,
PROPOSAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHY AS TO WHETHER THERE IS SCOPE FOR THE WRITING OF A
RESEARCH PROJECT ON THE ABOVE PROPOSED TITLE:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT OR AREA UNDER WHICH TITLE FALLS:
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________
SIGNATURE OF ACADEMIC MEMBER
______________________
DATE
20