CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL

UNIVERSITY

GUIDELINE FOR PROJECT / MASTER

THESIS REPORT

Institute of Graduate Studies and Research

Cyprus International University
Nicosia
November 2012

1.Formatting and Style Guide

1.1 General Document Guidelines
- Type your Project/Master Thesis and print it out on A4 format paper.

- Set the margins of your document to 4 cm at the top, 3.5 cm at the left, 3 cm at the right, and
2.5 cm at the bottom.
- Use font Times New Roman (size 12 point).
- Alignment: create an even right margin by using justification (except in headings).
- Line spacing: use 1,5 space throughout the Thesis.
- Headings: number main sections and subsections with Arabian numerals according to the
decimal classification system (1 - 2 - 2.1 - 2.2 - 2.3 - 2.3.1).
Highlight headings in bold. Except for main sections (1 - 2 - 3), headings have the same style
and size as the text. The headings of main sections should be formatted two points
larger than the rest of the text.
- Tables: Number tables consecutively with Arabic numerals. Table headings should be as
concise as possible. Provide the source under the table. For the content of a table, use doubleline spacing. Tables which do not fit to one page have to be moved to an appendix.
- Figures: Number figures consecutively. The figure caption (below the figure) should be
short.
1.2 Structure
Parts of a Master Thesis are:
Without pagination
Outside Cover
Inside Cover
Thesis Approval Certificate
With roman pagination(I,II,III,IV)
- Acknowledgement
- Abstract
- The contents page
- Abbreviations
- If applicable, the lists of tables and figures
With normal pagination (1, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.3.1)
- The text body
- Conclusion
- The reference list
- If applicable, an appendix
- Curriculum Vitae
Project reports do not include a Thesis Approval Certificate Page and do not need to be
submitted as hard copies to the Institute. Soft copies in word or pdf format are acceptable.
1.2.1

The Cover Pages

There are two cover pages: inside and outside.

The outside cover page is dark blue for English thesis, light blue for Turkish thesis, and
burgundy for PhD Thesis, or Projects.
The outside cover page has to include the following information:

- The name of your university and the name of the unit of the university where you submit the
Project/Thesis (Cyprus International University, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research),
your Department.
- The title/theme of your paper, and the type of the paper (Master Thesis or Project). Please
use one (1) space if the title is too long.
- Your name.
- The city and year of submission
The inside (Appendix 2 ) cover page has to include all information contained in the outside
cover page (Appendix 1), plus the name of the supervisor.
1.2.2

Thesis Approval Certificate page

The according Thesis Approval Certificate (see Appendix 3) has to be filled in, signed and
submitted to the supervisor and the jury together with the Master Thesis.
1.2.3

Acknowledgement

On this page (see Appendix 4) you express gratitude to the people, institutions and advisors
that helped you throughout your work.
1.2.4

Abstract

The Abstract (see Appendix 5) is a brief explanation on the purpose of the following work,
indicating the main steps that will lead the author to demonstrate his/her point. In order to do
so, you must begin by explaining the context in which your work will take place. Then, you
will be able to detail the necessity and purpose of your research. Then you briefly analyze
your research model. You conclude your abstract with your findings. Abstract should not be
longer than 300 - 400 words. You must put keywords relating to your thesis.
1.2.5 The Contents Page
- The table of contents (see Appendix 6) should include the headings of all main sections and
subsections with their numbers and the respective page numbers.
- Formulate the headings of the sections in relation to the section content and not in relation to
the formal structure of the Project/Thesis (introduction, body, end).
- Place lists of figures and tables on a separate page.
1.2.5

Abbreviations

In most thesis works, you will use abbreviations (see Appendix 7) to avoid losing space with
frequently used words, or names [e.g. European Union (EU)].
1.2.6

Tables and lists

If you use tables and/or lists, you need to list them (Appendix 8).
1.2.7

Figure List

If you use tables and/or lists, you need to list them (Appendix 9).

1.3 How to Cite Sources

Citing is the process of giving credit to the sources you used to write your papers. It is
essential to give proper credit to another authors work which you use for your own paper. If
you do not, this is considered as plagiarism (and the Project/Master Thesis will be graded as
failed).
1.3.1

In-text Citations

Formats for citing are consistent so that other researchers may quickly identify the sources
you used and easily locate them. Especially in the US several styles manual are in use such as
APA, MLA, or Chicago Manual of Style. Each style manual format includes the same basic
parts of that citation but may organize them slightly differently. The APA style (American
Psychological Association) for instance is very common in psychology, education, and other
social sciences.
Nevertheless, we present here a slightly varied style, which we suppose to be easy to follow:
You may refer to someone else's ideas either by repeating the exact words that another author
has written (quoting) or by expressing what somebody has written by using different words
(paraphrasing).
Quoting:
Place quotation marks () around the words you are taking from another author.
Give publication dates (the name of the author, the year of publication of the text you are
quoting and the number of the page where you quote from) in parentheses after the second
quotation mark.
Example: (Neave, 1996, p. 27)
Paraphrasing:
Provide publication dates (the name of the author, the year of publication of the text you are
quoting and the number of the page where you quote from) in parentheses after the sentence
in which you have expressed the ideas written down by somebody else.
Example: (Rees, 1998 : 25)
If you mention the name of the author you are referring to in the text, the year of the authors
publication has to be given immediately after the authors name.
Example: Rees (1998 : 36) explains
When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author
name.
1.3.2

List of References (at the end of your Project/Thesis)

References should be alphabetically ordered. If a publication has more than three authors,
name only the first author and add et al. (Teichler, U. et al. (2005)).
a) Journal or Magazine Article (used for journals that start each issue with page one)
Authors (Date). Title of Article. Title of Periodical, Volume, Pages.
Example: Wilcox, R. V. (1991). Shifting roles and synthetic women in Star trek: The next
generation. Studies in Popular Culture, 13(2), 53-65.

b) Journal or Magazine Article

(use for journals where the page numbering continues from issue to issue)
Authors (Date). Title of Article. Title of Periodical, Volume, Pages.
Example: Dubeck, L. (1990). Science fiction aids science teaching. Physics Teacher, 28, 316318.
c) Newspaper Article
Authors (Date). Title of Article. Title of Periodical, Pages.
Example:
Di Rado, A. and Robertin, C. (1995, March 15). Trekking through college: Classes explore
modern society using the world of Star trek. Los Angeles Times, p. A3.

d) Book
Authors (Date). Title. Place of Publication: Publisher
Example: Okuda, M. and Okuda, D. (1993). Star trek chronology: The history of the future.
New York: Pocket Books.
e) Book Article or Chapter
Authors (Date). Title of Article. In Editor(s) Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Pages
Example: James, N. E. (1988). Two sides of paradise: The Eden myth according to Kirk and
Spock. In Palumbo, D. (Ed.), Spectrum of the fantastic. Westport, CT: Greenwood, pp. 219223.
f) Encyclopedia Article
Authors (Date). Title of Article. In Encyclopedia (Volume). Place of Publication: Publisher,
Pages
Example:
Sturgeon, T. (1995). Science fiction. In The encyclopedia Americana (Vol. 24). Danbury, CT:
Grolier, pp. 390-392
g) Electronic Sources (aggregated databases, online journals, Web sites or Web pages,
newsgroups, Web- or e-mail-based discussion groups, and Web- or e-mail-based newsletters.)
Authors (Date). Title. Retrieved date, year from source.
note: if the date the page was created is not given, use (n.d.).
Example: Lynch, T. (1996). DS9 trials and tribble-ations review. Psi Phi: Bradley's Science
Fiction Club Web site. URL: http://www.bradley.edu/campusorg/psiphi/DS9/ep/ 503r.html
(Retrieved October 8, 1997)
Further information:
American Psychology Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychology
Association. Washington, DC
1.3.3

Footnotes

When referencing by using footnotes, please do not forget to specify the page of source your
are using.

2. Grades and Feedback

The grades are either success or failure.
The Project/Master Thesis will be graded by the supervisor as well as by the jury.

3. Appendixes
3.1 Example of Outside Cover Page

CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH
Business Administration Department (14 font)

RESEARCH METHODS USING HEURISTICS IN THE

DIGITAL ERA
(16 font)
(MBA Thesis)
(14 font)

Johnny JAMESON
(14 font)

NICOSIA - 2013
(14 font)

3.2 Example of Inside Cover Page

CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH
Business Administration Department
(14 font)

RESEARCH METHODS USING HEURISTICS IN THE

DIGITAL ERA
(16 font)
(MBA Thesis)
(14 font)

Johnny JAMESON
(14 font)

Supervisor

Prof. Dr. Yu Ken DOOIT

(14 font)

Nicosia - 2013
(14 font)
3.3 Example of Thesis Approval Certificate

CYPRUS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH
(14 font)

Thesis Approval Certificate

(14 font)
The thesis study of Business Administration Department graduate student Johnny Jameson
with student number 20123456 titled Research Methods Using Heuristics in the Digital
Era has been approved with unanimity / majority of votes by the jury established by the
decision of the Institutes Board of Directors dated 11.07.2013 and numbered 2013/14/20
and has been accepted as a Master of Business Administration Thesis.
Thesis Defense Date :
Jury Members

Signature

1) Thesis Supervisor

....

2) Member

.......................

3) Member

.......................

Director of the Institute

(12 font)

3.4 Example of Acknowledgement

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(14 font)
I would like to express my gratitude to all those who gave me the possibility to complete this
thesis. I want to thank the International Congregation of Researchers, the Former Board
Member of TBTAK Mr. zel zellik. I have furthermore to thank the Library of
Wintershed and the Bibliotheque Franois Mitterand staff for their kind understanding. I am
bound to Mr. Dooyorri Serch for his stimulating and constant support.
I am deeply indebted to my supervisor Prof. Dr. Knowit Oll from the Cyprus International
University whose help, stimulating suggestions and encouragement helped me in all the time
of research for and writing of this thesis.

My colleagues from the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research supported me during my
research work. I want to thank them all for their help, support, interest and valuable hints.
Especially, I would like to give my special thanks to my wife Mitsunori Lemare whose patient
love enabled me to complete this work.

3.5 Example of Abstract

ABSTRACT
(14 font)

The research methodology is, it would seem, at the core of the development of knowledge
as it is understood in scientific terms. The existence of models by which we can experiment
the questions arising from problems we witness in life itself enables us to pursue paths that
are, as objectively as possible, understood as reality. Therefore, the existence of various
research methods is but the reflection of the variety that presents itself in our everyday
exposure to the multiplicity of possibilities.
We can distinguish mainly two approaches: one in which theory precedes the
experimentation, and one in which experimentation is source of theoretical reflection. In the
age overflowing information, surrounding data and reification of the virtual existence into
statistics, one can wonder if this excess data might lead to question the validity of theories as
an end: wouldnt it be more accurate to pursue scientific knowledge with what we know, now

more than ever, formulate limited frameworks, rather than what we suppose and try and
describe what we wish to find, with the flawed experimentation/theory overlaps.
Heuristics refers to experience-based techniques for problem solving, learning, and
discovery. Where an exhaustive search is impractical, heuristics methods are used to speed up
the process of finding a satisfactory solution. Examples of this method include using a rule of
thumb, an educated guess, an intuitive judgment, or common sense. We will describe the
effects of Heuristics in Research Methods of various fields, such as Psychology, Law,
Philosophy, and Human-Computer interaction, all while considering the influence of modern
research tools. Afterwards, we will be able to determine the main aspects of heuristics. We
will then compare these main characteristics with those generally considered when promoting
the theoretical approach. It is finally determined that while both research methods have their
positive aspects, heuristics seems to benefit from the digitalization of knowledge.

Key words: Research, methodology, heuristics, digital, data

3.6 Example of Contents Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT....................................................................................................I
ABSTRACTII
TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................................III
ABBREVIATIONS...........................................................................................................IV
LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................V
LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................VI
CHAPTER 1........................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...1
1.1....................................................................................................................................1
1.2....................................................................................................................................1
1.2.1.............................................................................................................................1
1.2.2.............................................................................................................................1
1.3....................................................................................................................................1
1.4....................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 2........................................................................................................................2
2.1....................................................................................................................................2
2.2....................................................................................................................................2
2.3....................................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 3........................................................................................................................3
3.1....................................................................................................................................3
3.2....................................................................................................................................3
DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS, CONCLUSION................................................4
REFERENCES5

CURRICULUM VITAE..6

3.7 Example of Abbreviations

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
BOT
EAP
GDP
IADB
IBRD
IFC
IFIs
LAC
MICs
OECD
OPIC
PAHO
PPI
PPP
PCG
PRG
UNICEF
USO
WHO
WSS

Build-operate-transfer
East Asia and the Pacific
Gross domestic product
Inter-American Development Bank
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
International Finance Corporation
International financial institutions
Latin America and the Caribbean
Middle-income countries
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Pan-American Health Organization
Private participation in infrastructure
Public-private partnerships
Partial credit guarantees
Partial risk guarantee
United Nations Childrens Fund
Universal service obligation
World Health Organization
Water supply and sanitation

3.8 Table List

Tables

Page

TABLE 2.1CPRS Parameters..............................................................................................7

TABLE 2.2CPRS Operational Models................................................................................8

3.9 Figure List

Figures

Page

Figure 2.1 Passive remote sensing with upward-looking radiometer..................................9

Figure 2.2 Mean specific humidity profile........................................................................10