#1 Avoid mistakes in In-text Citation (APA)
The most dangerous mistake that student commits while writing summer project is ‘mistake in citation’. The citation is of two types: In-text citation and reference citation. Most of the students commit a mistake in in-text citation basically in the literature review. Another serious mistake is not to include the in-text citation in the reference citation.
For example:
Example 1
Incorrect
(Pant, 2010) states that research is the foundation for the exploration of new knowledge.
Correct
Pant (2010) states that research is the foundation for the exploration of new knowledge.
Correct
Research is the foundation for the exploration of new knowledge (Pant, 2010).
Corresponding Reference Citation
Pant, P.R. (2010). Social science research. Kathmandu: Buddha Publication.
Example 2
Incorrect
Pant & Rai (2011) state that research is the foundation for the exploration of new knowledge.
Correct
Pant and Rai (2011) state that research is the foundation for the exploration of new knowledge.
Incorrect
Research is the foundation for the exploration of new knowledge (Pant and Rai, 2011).
Correct
Research is the foundation for the exploration of new knowledge (Pant & Rai, 2011).
Corresponding Reference Citation
Pant, P.R. & Rai, Prakash. (2011). Social science research. Kathmandu: Buddha Publication.
For more: See APA 6th Edition
#2 Avoid mistakes in Page numbering
The next noticeable mistake that students encounter is a mistake on page numbering. We commit mistakes because we lack complete knowledge of how to manage page numbers.
Some page numbering rules but might be different depending upon university or program:
- No page number in Front Page
- Preliminary section shall have a page number in Roman form (i, ii, iii…)
- The body section shall have a page number in Hindu-Arabic form (1, 2, 3…)
- There shall be no page number at the beginning of each chapter.
- No page number in Reference and Annex.
#3 Avoid inappropriate font, margin, and headings
Students generally do overcome the mistake in fonts, but more often commit a mistake in maintaining correct font size, margins, and managing headings.
Rules regarding ‘Font’ and ‘Headings’
Rules regarding ‘Margin’
| Position | Margin |
| Left margin | 1.5 inch or 1 inch plus 0.5-inch gutter |
| Right margin | 1 |
| Top margin | 1 |
| Bottom margin | 1 |
#4 Avoid mistakes in table and figure numbers and titles
Most of the students struggle to maintain the exact format of table and figure numbers, and this is also the main reason why they end up securing lower Grade.
Rules for Table number and title
The table number and title should not be in the same line. The table number should be above the title.
Some specific rules but not universal are:
- The table number should be above the title.
- No bold, italic, and underline in table number
- Italicize the table title, but no bold and underline.
General Style but depends upon the requirement of University or P
Table #chapter_num.#num
Maximum tax rates of KMC and LMC
For example:
Table 2.1
Maximum tax rates in KMC and LMC
This shows that Table 2.1 is the first table of Chapter 2.
Rules for Figure number and title
The figure number and title should be in the same line.
Some specific rules are:
- Figure number should be in Italic, but no bold and underline.
- No bold, italic, and underline in the figure title
Correct Style
Figure #num. Maximum tax rates of KMC and LMC
#5 Avoid mistakes in the citation in Table and Figures
Students most often make mistakes in the citation of tables and figures, and most do not cite the source for tables and figures, which is really a big mistake.
Rules for citing a source for table
- Source citation is compulsory if the data is extracted from the secondary source.
- Italicize the source as shown below:
Source: Nepal Rastra Bank, 2018
- If it is your original data or calculation, then you shall write
Source: Author’s own data or calculation, 20XX
#6 Avoid inappropriate language
The use of inappropriate language is a common mistake that most of us do. There are rules of writing a research report, though it is not universal, but is widely used. The rules are rules for an executive summary, way of writing objectives, using passive or active verbs, using the first-person pronoun or not, and so on.
Rules for Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Starting with Objective (Using Present Tense)
- The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ... on...
- The goals of this study are to determine …
- The primary purpose of this study is to determine …
- This study is specifically concerned with the effect of … on …
Executive Summary: Methodology:
- This study was conducted in Nepal Bank Limited
- The empirical part of this study was conducted in May 2000.
- Data for this study/research were collected/gathered/obtained from/by/through/with the help of/among …
Executive Summary: Result or Findings:
- These results suggest that …
- The results show that/reveal …
- It was concluded that …
Rules for writing objectives or purpose
- The objectives of the study should be in point
- There should not be more than five points (3 objectives are sufficient)
- Use verbs such as Demonstrate, illustrate, examine, explore, consider, relate to, refer to, draw on, explain, investigate, determine
- Avoid words such as know, get information, look at, look into, analyze. These terms are vague and reduce the gravity of the research objective.
Rules of Grammar
- Use active voice as far as possible
- Avoid using first-person pronouns (such as I, we…) in the body section of the report
#7 Avoid using Numbered List
A numbered list is not preferred in the research report or any kind of report. Always use a bulleted list.
The above-discussed mistakes are the most common mistakes that students commit while preparing for the summer project. Avoid these mistakes as far as possible to get high grades.
#Bonus
Do you know the difference between Bibliography and References? If 'Yes', then it's superfine, if 'No', then we have brought it for you.
References only include the corresponding citation of in-text citations, but the bibliography includes all those citations that are cited in your research report and that are used as the reference but no in-text citation in your research report. So, the bibliography is wider than references.
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