This document serves as a basic template for research reports in the Department of Town
and Regional Planning, University of Pretoria.
GENERAL FORMATTING NOTES
Preferred fonts are Arial (11pt) or Times New Roman (12pt).
Other fonts that are acceptable are, for example:
Tahoma
Verdana
Use the default ‘normal’ margin setting in Word or 1 inch on all sides throughout.
Use 1.5 line spacing throughout, but single line spacing for quotes and tables.
Text can be aligned left or justify.
The spelling and grammar check should be set on UK or SA and not US English.
Use “Control + Enter” to break pages where necessary and do not press “Enter” multiple
times. Also note the ‘section breaks’ in MS Word to effect alterations in page numbering,
page orientations, etc. (e.g., see this page below.)
Additional formatting notes are provided in the body of the template below.
TITLE OF RESEARCH REPORT IN CAPS
by
FIRST NAME, MIDDLE NAME, AND SURNAME OF STUDENT IN CAPS
Research report submitted in partial fulfilments of the requirements for the
degree Bachelor of Town and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Engineering,
Built environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria
Supervisor: Title, initials, and surname of supervisor
Month and year of submission
DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY
Full names of student:
Student number:
Declaration
1. I understand what plagiarism is and am aware of the University’s policy in this regard.
2. I declare that this research report is my own original work. Where other people’s work
has been used (either from a printed source, Internet, or any other source), this has been
properly acknowledged and referenced in accordance with departmental requirements.
3. I have not used work previously produced by another student or any other person to
hand in as my own.
4. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of
passing it off as their own work.
Signature of student:
Date:
i
ABSTRACT
[Note: Provide an abstract of about 250 words in a single paragraph covering each of the
five main sections of the report. Do not use any abbreviations, acronyms, tables, figures, or
references in the abstract.]
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
[Note: Use this page to acknowledge any research assistance or funding received from any
person or organisation. Check if the funder has any requirements in terms of
acknowledgements.]
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Declaration of originality
i
Abstract
ii
Acknowledgements [if applicable]
iii
List of tables [if applicable]
List of figures [if applicable]
List of abbreviations [if applicable]
1
Introduction
1.1
Sub-heading level 2
1.1.1
Sub-heading level 3
2
Literature review
3
Methodology
4
Findings
5
Conclusion
1
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1:
APPENDIX 2:
APPENDIX 3:
[Note: Use outlined numbering to number all headings. A sub-heading (e.g., “1.1”) cannot
stand by itself; it has to be accompanied by at least one other heading on the same level
(e.g., “1.2”).]
iv
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1:
Table 2:
Table 3:
v
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1:
Figure 2:
Figure 3:
vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
IDP
Integrated Development Plan
LED
Local Economic Development
SDF
Spatial Development Framework
[Note: List abbreviations for known acronyms consisting of three or more words and
provided these are used two or more times in the body of the report.
[Note: Up to this page the preliminary pages are numbered with Roman numerals.]
vii
1
INTRODUCTION
[Note: From this page onwards, pages are numbered with Arabic numerals.]
1
2
LITERATURE REVIEW
[Note: Start each main section (heading level one) on a new page using the Page Break
function.
2
REFERENCES
[Note: Use the Harvard method of referencing.]
3
APPENDIX 1: …
4