How to Format Your Research Project: A Complete Formatting Guide

Why Formatting Matters

You have written excellent content, but your project looks messy. The fonts are inconsistent, the margins vary, the tables are poorly aligned, and the page numbers are missing. What impression does this create?

It suggests carelessness. If you cannot get the small things right, can you be trusted with the big things?

Formatting is not just about aesthetics. It is about professionalism, readability, and compliance with academic standards. A well-formatted project is easier to read, looks more credible, and shows attention to detail.

General Formatting Guidelines

While specific requirements vary by institution, these guidelines are commonly expected in Nigerian universities:

Font

Type: Times New Roman is standard in most institutions
Size: 12pt for body text
Headings: May be 14pt or 16pt bold for chapter titles, 12pt or 14pt bold for subheadings

Spacing

Line spacing: Usually 1.5 or double spacing for body text
Paragraph spacing: Add space after paragraphs (6-12pt) or use first-line indent
Between sections: Leave extra space between major sections

Margins

Left margin: 1.5 inches (for binding)
Right margin: 1 inch
Top margin: 1 inch
Bottom margin: 1 inch

Some institutions require uniform 1-inch margins all around. Check your department guidelines.

Page Numbering

Preliminary pages: Use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv) for pages before Chapter One
Main body: Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) starting from Chapter One
Position: Usually centered at bottom or top right of page

Formatting Preliminary Pages

Title Page

The title page should include:

Project title (centered, bold, usually all caps)
"BY" followed by your full name
Matriculation number
Phrase like "A Project Submitted to the Department of [Name], Faculty of [Name], University of [Name] in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of [Degree] in [Course]"
Month and Year

Everything is centered. No page number on title page.

Certification Page

Includes statements certifying that:

The work is original
It has been supervised and approved

Leave signature lines for:

Supervisor (with date)
Head of Department (with date)
External Examiner (if required)

Dedication

A brief dedication, usually one line or short paragraph. Centered on page.

Acknowledgment

Thank those who helped with your project. Usually one page.

Abstract

A summary of your entire project in 200-300 words. Includes:

Purpose of the study
Methodology briefly
Key findings
Conclusions

Usually includes keywords at the bottom.

Lists all chapters, sections, and subsections with page numbers. Use Word's automatic table of contents feature if possible.

List of Tables / List of Figures

If you have tables or figures, list them with their numbers, titles, and page numbers.

Formatting the Main Body

Chapter Headings

Start each chapter on a new page. Format the chapter title prominently:

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Centered, bold, often in all caps or larger font.

Section Headings

Use a consistent hierarchy:

Level 1 (1.1): Bold, left-aligned, maybe 14pt
Level 2 (1.1.1): Bold, left-aligned, 12pt
Level 3 (if needed): Bold italic or regular bold, 12pt

Maintain consistent formatting throughout.

Paragraphs

Justify text (aligned on both left and right)
Use either first-line indent OR space after paragraphs, not both
Do not leave orphan lines (single lines at top or bottom of page)

Formatting Tables

Tables should be:

Numbered consecutively (Table 4.1, Table 4.2, etc.)
Titled above the table
Self-explanatory (reader should understand without reading surrounding text)
Referenced in the text before they appear

Example:

Table 4.1: Gender Distribution of Respondents

| Gender | Frequency | Percentage |

|--------|-----------|------------|

| Male | 120 | 60.0 |

| Female | 80 | 40.0 |

| Total | 200 | 100.0 |

Source: Field Survey, 2024

Table Formatting Tips

Use borders sparingly (usually just horizontal lines)
Align numbers to the right or center
Align text to the left
Bold the header row
Include a total row where appropriate
Add source note below if needed

Formatting Figures

Figures (charts, graphs, diagrams) should be:

Numbered consecutively (Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2, etc.)
Titled below the figure (unlike tables)
High quality and readable when printed
Referenced in the text before they appear

Avoid 3D effects, flashy colors, or unnecessary decoration. Academic figures should be clean and informative.

Formatting References

Start on a new page
Title: REFERENCES (centered, bold)
Alphabetize by author's last name
Use hanging indent (first line flush left, subsequent lines indented)
Double-space between entries
Follow your required citation style (APA, Harvard, etc.) consistently

Common Formatting Mistakes

Inconsistent fonts: Mixing different fonts or sizes randomly
Inconsistent spacing: Different line spacing in different sections
Incorrect page numbers: Wrong numbering or missing numbers
Tables running off page: Tables that do not fit on one page without proper continuation
Missing table/figure numbers: Tables or figures without proper numbering
Orphan headings: Section headings at the bottom of a page with text on next page
Inconsistent heading styles: Different formatting for same-level headings

Using Microsoft Word Effectively

Styles: Use Word's built-in styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, Normal) for consistent formatting and automatic table of contents.

Page breaks: Use Insert > Page Break to start new pages, not multiple Enter keys.

Section breaks: Use section breaks to have different page number formats for preliminary pages and main body.

Table of Contents: Use References > Table of Contents for automatic generation.

Styles for Tables: Create a consistent table style and apply it to all tables.

Final Checklist

Before submission, verify:

All pages are numbered correctly
Table of contents matches actual page numbers
All tables and figures are numbered and titled
Fonts are consistent throughout
Margins are correct
Spacing is consistent
Headers and footers appear correctly
Document prints correctly (check especially tables and figures)

Need Help Formatting?

If formatting is overwhelming you, AlimsWrite offers project formatting services. We ensure your work meets your institution's requirements and looks professional.