ANNA UNIVERSITY COIMBATORE

FORMAT FOR PREPARATION OF PROJECT REPORT

FOR MBA

CONTENTS

1. GENERAL
2. NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED
3. SIZE OF PROJECT REPORT
4. ARRANGEMENT OF CONTENTS OF PROJECT REPORT
5. PAGE DIMENSIONS AND MARGIN
6. MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION
7. TYPING INSTRUCTIONS
8. NUMBERING INSTRUCTIONS
9. BINDING SPECIFICATIONS

Appendix 1 : MBA Cover Page & Title Page

Appendix 2 : MBA Bonafide Certificate
Appendix 3 : Declaration
Appendix 4 : Table of Contents

1. GENERAL :

The manual is intended to provide broad guidelines to the MBAcandidates in the preparation of
he project report. In general, the project report shall report,in an organised and scholarly fashion
an account of original research work of the candidateleading to the discovery of new facts or
techniques or correlation of facts already known(analytical, experiments, hardware oriented etc.)

2. NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED :

M.B.A.: Students should submit Three copies to the Head of the Department concerned on or
before the specified date. The Head of the Department should send (i) One copy to the Zonal
Coordinator for onward transmission to the University. (ii) One copy to the Department library
(iii) One copy to the student concerned.

3. SIZE OF PROJECT REPORT :

The size of project report should not exceed 120 pages of typed matter reckoned from the first
page of Chapter 1 to the last page.
 4. ARRANGEMENT OF CONTENTS:

The sequence in which the project report material should be arranged and bound should be as
follows:
1. Cover Page & Title Page
2. Bonafide Certificate
3. Declaration
4. Acknowledgement
5. Table of Contents
6. Abstract
7. List of Table
8. List of Figures
9. List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Nomenclature
10. Chapters
11. Appendices
12. References

The table and figures shall be introduced in the appropriate places.

5. PAGE DIMENSION AND BINDING SPECIFICATIONS:

The project report should be of A4 size. The project report should be bound using flexible cover
of thick white art paper. The cover should be printed in black letters and the text for printing
should be identical.

6. PREPARATION FORMAT:

6.1 Cover Page & Title Page – A specimen copy of the Cover page & Title page of the project
report are given in Appendix 1.

6.2 Bonafide Certificate – The Bonafide Certificate shall be in One and a half line spacing
using Font Style ‘Times New Roman’ and Font Size 13, as per the format in Appendix 2.

6.3 Declaration - Declaration to be given for the work done by the student as per the format in
Appendix 3.

6.4 Acknowledgement – It should be brief and should not exceed one page when typed one and
a half spacing.

6.5 Table of Contents – The table of contents should list all material following it as well as any
material which precedes it. The title page, Bonafide Certificate and Declaration will not find a
place among the items listed in the Table of Contents: The page numbers for the abstract, list of
tables, list of figures and list of symbols should be in lower case Roman letters. One and a half
spacing should be adopted for typing the matter under this head. A specimen copy of the Table
of Contents of the project report is given in Appendix 4.
6.6 Abstract – Abstract should be one page synopsis of the project report typed One and a half
line spacing, Font Style Times New Roman and Font Size 13.

6.7 List of Tables – The list should use exactly the same captions as they appear above the
tables in the text. One and a half spacing should be adopted for typing the matter under this head.

6.8 List of Figures – The list should use exactly the same captions as they appear below the
figures in the text. One and a half spacing should be adopted for typing the matter under this
head.

6.9 List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Nomenclature – One and a half spacing should be
adopted for typing the matter under this head. Standard symbols, abbreviations etc. should be
used.

6.10 Chapters – The chapters may be broadly divided into 4 parts (i) Introductory chapter, (ii)
Chapters developing the main theme of the project work (iii) Conclusion and (iv) Scope for the
future work.
The main text will be divided into several chapters and each chapter may be further divided
into several divisions and sub-divisions.
 Each chapter should be given an appropriate title.
 Tables and figures in a chapter should be placed in the immediate vicinity of the reference
where they are cited.
 Footnotes should be used sparingly. They should be typed single space and placed directly
underneath in the very same page, which refers to the material they annotate.

6.11 Appendices – Appendices are provided to give supplementary information, which is

included in the main text may serve as a distraction and cloud the central theme.
 Appendices should be numbered using Arabic numerals,e.g. Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc.
 Appendices, Tables and References appearing in appendices should be numbered and referred
to at appropriate places just as in the case of chapters.
 Appendices shall carry the title of the work reported and the same title shall be made in the
contents page also.

6.12 List of References –The listing of references should be typed 4 spaces below the heading
“REFERENCES” in alphabetical order in single spacing left – justified. The reference material
should be listed in the alphabetical order of the first author. The name of the author/authors
should be immediately followed by the year and other details. The page Nos. for the abstract, list
of table, list of figures and list of symbols should be in lower case roman letters.
A typical illustrative list given below relates to the citation example quoted above.

REFERENCES
1. Venkatraj, S. and rajan, S. (1994) ‘Transport Properties of Sm Sel – X Asx’, Pramana –
Journal of Physics Vol.42, No.1, pp.421-425.
2. Barnard, R.W. and Klogg, C. (1980) ‘Applications of Convolution Operators to Problems in
Univalent Function Theory’, Michigan Mach, J., Vol.27, pp.81–94.
3. Leo, G.K. and Mike, N.D. (1984) ‘Closed Loop Minimum Time Control of Mechanical
Manipulations and its Applications’, Proc.Amer.Contr.Conf., San Diego, CA, pp. 1231-1236.

6.12.1 Table and figures - By the word Table, is meant tabulated numerical data in the body of
the project report as well as in the appendices. All other non-verbal materials used in the body of
the project work and appendices such as charts, graphs, maps, photographs and diagrams may be
designated as figures.

7 TYPING INSTRUCTIONS:
7.1 General
This section includes additional information for final typing of the project report. Some
information given earlier under ‘Manuscript preparation’ shall also be referred. The impressions
on the typed copies should be black in colour. “The font and size : ‘12 point TimesNewRoman’
with bold letters wherever necessary shall be used to have uniformity of the project report”. A
sub-heading at the bottom of a page must have atleast two full lines below it or else it should be
carried over to the next page. The last word of any page should not be split using a hyphen. One
and a half spacing should be used for typing the general text.

Single spacing should be used for typing:

(i) Long Tables

(ii) Long quotations
(iii) Foot notes
(iv) Multiline captions
(v) References
All quotations exceeding one line should be typed in an indented space – the
indentation being 15mm from either margins.

One and a half spacing should be used for typing the Bonafide Certificate and
Acknowledgement.

7.2. Chapters
The format for typing chapter headings, divisions headings and sub division headings
are explained through the following illustrative examples.
Chapter heading : CHAPTER 1

Division heading INTRODUCTION

Division heading : 1.1 OUTLINE OF PROJECT REPORT

Sub-division heading : 1.1.2. Literature review.

The word CHAPTER without punctuation should be centered 50mm down from the top of the
page. Two spaces below, the title of the chapter should be typed centrally in capital letters. The
text should commence 4 spaces below this title, the first letter of the text starting 20mm, inside
from the left hand margin.

The division and sub-division captions along with their numberings should be left justified.
The typed material directly below division or sub-division heading should commence 2 spaces
below it and should be offset 20mm from the left hand margin. Within a division or sub-division,
paragraphs are permitted. Even paragraph should commence 3 spaces below the last line of the
preceding paragraph, the first letter in the paragraph being offset from the left hand margin by
20mm.

8. NUMBERING INSTRUCTIONS

8.1. Page Numbering

All pages numbers (whether it is in Roman or Arabic numbers) should be typed without
punctuation on the upper right hand corner 20mm from top with the last digit in line with the
right hand margin. The preliminary pages of the project report (such as Title page,
Acknowledgement, Table of Contents etc.) should be numbered in lower case Roman numerals.
The title page will be numbered as (i) but this should not be typed. The page immediately
following the title page shall be numbered (ii) and it should appear at the top right hand corner as
already specified. Pages of main text, starting with Chapter 1 should be consecutively numbered
using Arabic numerals.

8.2 Numbering of Chapters, Divisions and Sub-Divisions

The numbering of chapters, divisions and sub-divisions should be done, using Arabic numerals
only and further decimal notation should be used for numbering the divisions and sub-divisions
within a chapter. For example, sub-division 4 under division 3 belonging to chapter 2 should be
numbered as 2.3.4. The caption for the sub-division should immediately follow the number
assigned to it.
Every chapter beginning with the first chapter should be serially numbered using Arabic
numerals. Appendices included should also be numbered in an identical manner starting with
Appendix 1.

8.3 Numbering of Tables and Figures

Tables and Figures appearing anywhere in the project report should bear appropriate numbers.
The rule for assigning such numbers is illustrated through an example. Thus if as figure in
Chapter 3, happens to be the fourth then assign 3.4 to that figure. Identical rules apply for tables
except that the word Figures is replaced by the word Table. If figures (or tables) appear in
appendices then figure 3 in Appendix 2 will be designated as Figure A 2.3. If a table to be
continued into the next page this may be done, but no line should be drawn underneath an
unfinished table. The top line of the table continued into the next page should, for example read
Table 2.1 (continued) placed centrally and underlined.
8.4 Numbering of Equations
Equations appearing in each Chapter or Appendix should be numbered serially, the numbering
commencing a fresh for each Chapter or Appendix. Thus for example, an equation appearing in
Chapter 2, if it happens to be the eighth equation in that Chapter should be numbered (2.8) thus:
C(s) G1 G2
----- = ----------------- (2.8)
R(s) 1 + G1 G2 H
While referring to this equation in the body of the project report it should be referred
to as Equation (2.8)

.
9. BINDING SPECIFICATIONS

Project report submitted for M.E./M.Tech./MCA/ M.Sc./MBA should be bound using flexible
cover of thick white art paper. The spine for the bound volume should be of black Calico of
20mm width. The cover should be printed in black letters and the text for printing should be
identical to what has been prescribed for the title page.

*****

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

About the industry:

Any project has to start with a good introduction to the industry, which the organization
your have been permitted to do your project.
The industry Background must cover the following.
• History of the industry
• Its progress significance
• Its present status
• Common problems facing the industry etc.
Such information can be obtained from various Business Magazines, Foreign journals,
Library resources, Reports of the Organization, Internet etc.

About the company:

The entire company – profiles should be given under this heading. The profile should
cover the following.
• The history of the organization • About product/services
• Relationship between organization • Market share
and the industry.
• Type of organization • Current share price value
• Nature of business • Major competitors, buyers, suppliers
• Mission & Vision of the organization • About Imports/Exports

• Board of Directors • Awards and Achievements

 • Promoters • Man power
• Address of Regd. Office and details • Future prospectus.
about branches.
• Organizational chart • Specific details relating to their study/
specialization.

THORETICAL BACKGROUND

The study undertaken by the researcher has to be supported by strong theoretical base
(i.e.). Researcher should have made sufficient literature review on the topic under study.
For example:
A researcher is undertaking “A study on Working Capital Management”, and then it is
necessary for him/ her to have thorough knowledge a Working Capital – its meaning
Components, Importance, Calculation etc. this will strengthen the study and will help
him/her to focus their study and data collection.

INTRODUCATION TO THE STUDY

The problem under considerations for study should be brief specific and without any
ambiguity. The introduction should develop interest to the readers regarding the subject
matter of research. Hence the problem should be well defined along with its significance. It
should cover the following
• Title of the project
• Statement of the problem/need for the study
• Objective/purpose of the study
• Scope of the study
• Limitations of the study.

TITLE OF THE PROJECT

It should be carefully and consciously coined for the entire study should be focused o this
title. The organization where the researcher is carrying out the study can be put along with
the title.
For example:
A Study on Absenteeism and its impact of productivity at M/s. R & Co., Coimbatore (Or)
A Study on Absenteeism and its impact of productivity (With special reference to M/s R &
Co., Coimbatore.) – In small letters
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM – IF APPLICABLE
The problem selected for the study should be well formulated and precisely stated. The
statement for problem will cater the following:
• Provides direction to the research • Establishes major assumption
• Provides clarity to the problems • Expresses the context of the problem
• Specify scope, limitations of the provides economy in research
research
 Hence the statement should be more specific and not general. The statement should be
justified by specifying the reasons in selecting the particular problem. The justification will
help the readers to understand the significance for the investigation.
OBJECTIVES
The researcher has to specify the purpose of undertaking the study, which we call as
objectives. In general there might be one primary objective and several secondary objectives
and several secondary objectives for the study.
In some cases, the researcher starts with tentative solution for the problem, which is
under study. These proposed solutions are known as hypothesis. The research in such cases
proceeds with the study I order to test if the hypothesis is true of false.
But not all studies proceed with setting up of hypothesis. While most of the studies
physical/life science include a hypothesis, it is not so in social sciences. In such
circumstances the study proceeds with setting up objectives and directing the study to meet
the pre – determined objectives.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study should highlight the significance/importance of the study to
various parties (organizations, respondent, society future researchers, etc.). It should also
specify the utility of the study at present to the organization.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Each and every project work has its own limitations. Hence they have to be put in
genuinely. These limitations may be due to
• Geographical limitations
• Insufficient time period for study
• Degree of accuracy of finding of the study
• Weakness in the statistical tools and research methods used.
• Researchers and respondents bias
The researcher can also specify the extent (in percentage of accuracy or in percentage
of errors) up to which the results can be relied upon.
METHODOLOGY
This chapter consists of the following sub-titles.
Geographical Area
• Period of Study
• Research Design
• Sampling Design
a) Population
b) Sample Unit
c) Sample Size
d) Sampling procedure/method
• Method of data collection
• Research Instrument

Geographical area
Example – The study covers the area included in the city of Coimbatore and taluks of
Coimbatore such as Pollachi, Udumalpet, and Mettupalayam etc.
Period of study
 Here the time frame of the study has to be mentioned.
Example- The duration of the project is three months (from MARCH 2011 to JUNE 2011)

Research design

The research design is a structured plan prepared before undertaking the experiment. The
design will explain the manner in which research is done. The research design can be any of
the following depending on the nature of the study.

1. Exploratory 11. Operation

2. Descriptive 12. Library
3. Experimental 13. Individual and group research
4. Action 14. Case study
5. Historical 15. Survey
6. Comparative 16. Assessment
7. Theory construction 17. Inter – Disciplinary Research
8. Model building
9. Pure research
10. Applied

In general, the first three designs are commonly used.

Exploratory research

Exploratory research is used when the researcher does not have familiarity with
the problem environment. It is undertaken in order to acquire new insight in to the
problem and to determine the variables related to it.
The following are the three approaches to exploratory study
• The survey of literature (secondary sources)
• The experience survey (Discussions with Individuals expertise)
• Case study
Descriptive
In a descriptive study an accurate description of a situation or an association between
variables will be emphasized. It determines who, what, when, where and how of a topic.
Descriptive study may employ any of all the methods of data collection such as interview,
questionnaire, observation etc.
Experimental Casual Research
This design attempts to specify the nature of functional relationship between two or more
(complex) variables present the problem environment. Ex: Effectiveness of Advertising can
be judged from the extent to which it affects sales or attitude of the customer.
SAMPLING DESIGN
Sampling is an essential part of all scientific procedures. Before deciding the method of
collection of data, the researcher has to decide whether he wants to collect data from every
hit of the universe or whether he will use only a portion of the universe
Population
 Define the universe first. It is the entire group of items, which the researcher wishes to
study, and about which he plans to generate the findings.
Sample unit
The sampling unit is the basic unit is the basic unit containing the element of the
population to the samples of city blocks, households, and business organizations, working
executives etc.
Sample size
Specify the number of respondents to be surveyed.
Sampling: Procedure /Method
There are two basic Methods of sampling namely:
• Probability sampling
• Non – probability sampling
In probability sampling, each unit of the population has a definite chance of being
included in the sample.
In no-probability sampling methods there is no particular method for the basis of
selection can be simply opportunity convenience and purpose.

DATA COLLECTION METHOD

The data available in marketing Research are either primary or secondary. Sources of
Primary Data collection are Case study methods, Projective techniques, Observational
methods, Experimental Survey (Personal, Telephone, Mail)
Research Instrument
The most popular research instrument for collecting data is questionnaire and interview
schedule. Other forms are schedule tests, cumulative records cards, pilot study etc.
Tools for Analysis
If some statistical/mathematical techniques are used, then the same should be mentioned
here. Average, Percentage, Regression, Correlation, F Test, T Test, Z Test, Chi Square Test
ANOVA etc.
DATA ANALYSIS AND NTERPRETATION
Data collected requires the following:
• Editing
• Coding
• Classification
• Tabulation and finally
• Interpretation
FINDINGS
The findings should be made precisely helping the objectives of the study

CONCLUSION AND RECONMMENDATIONS

Conclusions for research should be drawn with reference to the objectives of the study.
Also it is necessary to make recommendations about the various alternative actions possible
for the problem situation.

APPENDICES/ANNEXURE
 Appendices contain the tables and data collected for the study. These are not included in
the main chapter, but referred to in the discussions and interpretations. Appendices are
placed after the last chapter of summary and conclusions.
Example: Company Job cards Forms/Questionnaire.

BIBILIOGRAPHY

A bibliography is a list of published sources referred during the course of project work
and, normally includes all work listed in the text and text notes. The bibliography can be
listed the alphabetical order or split into two separate lists each covering books and articles.

Format:
Title of the Book, Author’s Name, Publication, Editions
Web Address,
Journal/Magazines name, Date of Publication, Page Number.

Attachments
Any Advertisements/Descriptive Pamphlets about the company can be placed here.
ANNA UNIV COLLEGE
EMBLEM APPENDIX 1 EMBLEM

(A typical Specimen of Cover Page & Title Page)

<Font Style Times New Roman – Bold>

TITLE OF PROJECT REPORT

<Font Size 18 Bold><1.5 line spacing>

PROJECT REPORT
<Font Size 14 bold>

Submitted by
<Font Size 14 bold><Italic>

NAME OF THE CANDIDATE(S)

Register No:
<Font Size 16 bold>

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree

of

<Font Size 14 ><1.5 line spacing><Italic>

MBA

<Font Size 16 bold>

IN
NAME OF THE DAPARTMENT

<Font Size 14>

NAME OF THE INSTITUTION

<Font Size 16><1.5 line spacing>

MONTH & YEAR
<Font Size 14>
 SPECIMEN
PERFORMANCE ASPETS CONSIDERATIONS OF A
CLASS OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
PROJECT REPORT

Submitted by

T.S.DEEPA

Register No: 071011100014

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree

of

MASTER OFBUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

In

HINDUSTHAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

COIMBATORE - 641 032.

JUNE-2011
 APPENDIX 2
(A typical specimen of Bonafide Certificate)
<Font Style Times New Roman>

NAME OF THE INSTITUTION

<Font Size -18>

NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT

Font style Times New Roman –size -14>

PROJECT WORK

PHASE II

JUNE-2011
<Font Style Times New Roman – size -12>

This is to certify that the project entitled

TITLE OF PROJECT REPORT

<Font Style Times New Roman – size -16 1.5 LINE SPACING>

is the bonafide record of project work done by

NAME OF THE CANDIDATE

Register No :
<Font Size 14 bold>

of _________MBA during the year 2010-2011.

------------------------ ---------------------------
Project Guide Head of the Department

<Font Times new roman –size14 bold> <Font Times new roman –size14 bold>

Submitted for the Project Viva-Voce examination held on-----------------------------

--------------- -------------
Internal Examiner External Examiner
 COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
COIMBATORE -641 001
Department of MANAGEMENT
PROJECT WORK
PHASE II
JUNE 2011
This is to certify that the project entitled
A STUDY ON SERVICE QUALITY RENDERED BY PRIVATE BANKS
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COIMBATORE REGION

is the bonafide record of project work done by

T.S.DEEPA

Register No: 071011100014

of Master of Business Administration during the year 2010-2011.

--------------------- ----------------------------------
Project Guide Head of the Department

Submitted for the Project Viva-Voce examination held on _______________

----------------------------- ----------------------------
Internal Examiner External Examiner
 APPENDIX 3

DECLARATION

I affirm that the project work titled……………………. being submitted in partial

fulfillment or the award of ……………………………. (M.E/M.Tech/MCA/MBA/M.Sc.) is the
original work carried out by me. It has not formed the part of any other project work submitted
for award of any degree or diploma, either in this or any other University.

(Signature of the Candidate)

Name of the Candidate

Register Number

I certify that the declaration made above by the candidate is true

Signature of the Guide,

With Name & Designation

PROJECT REPORT FORMAT
1. Title page
2. Certificate from College
3. Certificate from Organization
4. Declaration
5. Acknowledgement
6. Contents
7. List of Tables
8. List of charts
TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTE
R DESCRIPTION PAGE NO
I 1.1 Industry Introduction
1.1.1 About the Industry
1.1.2 Theoretical back ground (
core area of study)
1.2 Introduction to the Study
1.2.1 Introduction
Statement of the
problem/need for the study
1.2.2 Objectives of the study
1.2.3 Scope of the study
Limitations of the study
1.3 Research Methodology
1.3.1 Geographical area covered
1.3.2 Period of study
1.3.3 Research design
1.3.4 Sampling design
1.3.4.1 Population
1.3.4.2 Sampling unit
1.3.4.3 Sample size
1.3.4.4 Sampling procedure
1.3.5 Methods of data collection
1.3.5.1 Research instrument
1.3.5.2 Tools for
analysis
Review of literature (Finding of similar
II studies in the past)
III Company Profile
IV Data analysis & interpretation.
Findings, Recommendations,
V Conclusion
Appendix/annexure
Bibliography(list of books on a subject)
Glossary(dictionary of special words)
Attachments