Methodology for the preparation of thesis at the Pontifical University of Lima (PUCP)

The Pontifical University of Lima was founded on March 24, 1917. It is to date, the largest university in all of Peru. It is also known as the Catholic University of Peru and by its acronym PUCP. Also, It is the oldest and most important private higher education institution in the territory. Further Its motto is: And the light will shine in the darkness. The institution is managed by the teaching staff and students. It has a large number of study programs, among which are, undergraduate, master’s and, of course, doctorate.

Careers

It has more than 30 university degrees, which are distributed in its different faculties. Only in the postgraduate area it has 12 faculties. For its part, its has 10 in master’s degrees, and in doctorates, with 11. Also It has more than 10 academic departments and 4 campuses:

• Campus Pando

Located southwest of the capital. It has more than 4 auditoriums, more than 30 laboratories, 15 cafeterias, a little more than 15 research centers and, if that were not enough, 1 sports hall.

• Campus CENTRUM Católica

It is located east of Lima, has 6 amphitheaters, 1 auditorium, 10 classrooms, 1 information center and more.

• PUCP cultural center

Used to hold exhibitions, conferences, acting workshops, it has a bookstore, 1 cafe, and much more.

• Business centers

The Business Centers are divided into:

1. Integrated Consulting and Services Center (INNOVAPUCP)
2. Institute for Quality (IC-PUCP) and
3. Business Centers (CENTRUM), the latter is on the list of the 10 best business schools in all of Latin America

PUCP methodology

The methodology used to carry out the degree thesis at the Pontifical University of Lima (PUCP) is presented in 4 phases:

• Phase 1 (Problem Statement)

Chapter 1 or phase 1 in the PUCP, is divided into 4 sub-phases:

Description of the problematic situation: In this section, as its name indicates, the existing problem is made known, both at a cultural and social level.

Formulation of the problem: Used to detail the main problem (s), these are usually presented in the form of questions, of which an answer will be sought throughout the degree project.

Research objectives: Which allow knowing the general problem, and the possible solutions or “specific objectives”.

Justification of the research: Which in turn is divided into Feasibility of the research and Limitations of the study. In them, the benefits that the completion of the thesis will provide is disclosed.

• Phase 2 (Theoretical Framework)

In the Theoretical Framework at PUCP, we find the background of the research, which are projects used to give credibility to the thesis in progress. These are works designed by recognized researchers, all the information presented here must be directly related to the subject of the degree work.

It also has the Theoretical Bases. In them, all information regarding the thesis is detailed, includes formulas and others.

For its part, the Definition of Terms is a glossary where the definitions of the most relevant terms of all degree work are disclosed.

• Phase 3 (Hypothesis and Variables)

Only if it exists, the formulation of main and derived hypotheses are the possible solutions proposed, evaluated and expressed. These can either give positive or negative results.

On the other hand, in the Variables and operational definition in the PUCP, the techniques and instruments used to obtain information on each empirical variable are disclosed.

• Phase 4 (Methodology, Schedule and Sources of Information)

There is a section or chapter that has a methodological design, in which data such as the type of research used are detailed. Also, the sample design, used to reveal the amount of the population that was subjected to the study, must be specified.

The data collection techniques, as the name indicates, are the tools used to carry out the degree work and the statistical techniques for information processing are the graphics used to correctly process and handle the information presented in the thesis.

This section in the PUCP also has the Schedule, which is used to publicize the activities that will be carried out to solve the existing problem.

And finally, the sources of information or bibliography, used to detail the sources used to extract information regarding the subject in progress. This includes web portals, books, magazines, and more. It is worth mentioning that the author, the date of publication and the link must be made known in them in case of extracting any information from the internet.

Writing Format

The writing of the degree project at the PUCP must comply with the APA standards established by the institution. Once the thesis is reviewed, it must be printed on white A4 sheet, these must be clean and without any type of stain. The project must have a total of 32 pages, without taking into account the page related to the sources of information or bibliography.

This amount must be distributed in:

• The description of the problem situation should be only 3 pages long.
• The formulation of the problem should not exceed 1 page.
• Research objectives should only have one page.
• The justification of the research must be exposed on a sheet, as well as the Feasibility of the research and Limitations of the study.
• Also the background of the investigation must be 3 pages.
• Theoretical bases must have 10 pages.
• The definition of basic terms with only 2 pages.
• Also the hypotheses must be exposed in 1 page.
• The variables must be detailed in at least 2 pages.
• Further the methodological design must have only 1 page, as well as the sample design, data collection techniques and statistical techniques for information processing.

The language used by the student must be consistent with the level of study. It will be necessary to avoid words or metaphors that distract the attention of the readers and / or the jury. The use of obscene or hateful words is completely prohibited. Also, the work as a whole must be consistent.