Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Background

This chapter deals with the presentation of the problem. Specifically, this presents an
introduction, the background of the study, statement of the problem, theoretical framework,
conceptual framework, hypothesis of the study, scope and limitations of the study, significance of the
study, and definition of terms.

INTRODUCTION

This section presents a brief discussion of the rationale and background of the problem or
subject of inquiry. This includes:

a. The context of the problem and its historical background;

b. Authoritative viewpoints on the problem;

c. The researcher’s interest in working on the problem; and

d. The purpose of the study in relation to the problem.

Briefly introduce your research problem in not more than two pages. This usually starts with the
global or general perspectives down to local or more particular perspectives.

At the last paragraph, clearly state the rationale or main reason/s why there is a need for the
conduct of your study. This is different from your objectives of the study, but of course, related or
connected.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problem must be clearly stated. It must be expressed in precise terms as the subject inquiry.
It indicates the population and the major variables of the study which need to be subjected to empirical
testing.

This study aims to … Specifically, this seeks answers for the following: (this is just an example)

1. What is the profile … in terms of:

1. profile variable one;

2. profile variable two;

3. profile variable three; and

4. last profile variable?

2. How do … with regard to:

1. test variable one;

2. test variable two;

3. test variable three; and

4. last test variable?

3. Is there a significant difference on … ?

4. What strategies may be proposed to … ?

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

It explains the basis of the problem that allows the researcher to formulate the research design
and select tools for data collection and measurement. A theory integrates and summarizes facts
gathered from isolated investigations/inquiries.

Present here the theoretical basis/bases of your study; cite the reference/s using APA Style 6th
edition (Author-Year format). If the theoretical basis has a figure or diagram concerning the theory or
variables you adopted, present this without modifying or changing. Otherwise, do not present any figure
or do not make your own figure for this section.

This should also contain a brief discussion of each variable (test variable) you will be using base
only on the theory you adopted. (The detailed discussion of the said variables, including concepts from
other theories, should be in the Review of Literature.)

CONCEPTUAL PARADIGM

These are ideas formulated in the mind; the picture of something that actually exists which
consists of patterns, standards, or examples which are abstract and not generally observable in the
empirical world.

This section contains your own framework or design for your own study. You need to present
your conceptual paradigm and discuss the contents of such figure/model. The figure and discussion
should contain the variables (profile and test variables) you included in the statement of the problem
and your own assumptions regarding the relationships of such variables.
HYPOTHESES (if any)

They are statements that translate a problem into precise, unambiguous predictions of expected
outcomes. The hypotheses, not the stated problem, are subjected to empirical testing through data
collection and analysis.

The hypothesis given below will be tested in the study:

Ho: There is no significant difference on … when grouped according to … .

(or if there are two or more hypotheses)

The following hypotheses will be tested in the study:

Ho1: There is no significant difference on … when grouped according to … .

Ho2: There is no significant relationship between … .

Ho3: There is no significant … .

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

In pursuit of a study, the researcher cites the importance, responsiveness or relevance of

expected outcomes of the investigation and its probable effects.

Introductory statement (refer to previous theses for example).

To first beneficiary (state the first and foremost beneficiary, in bold letters), this study will … ;

To second beneficiary, this study will … ;

To third beneficiary, this study will … ;

… ; and

To future researchers, this study will … .

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS (OR DELIMITATIONS) OF THE STUDY

The researcher must be aware of and should state certain constraints in his study over which
he/she has no control.

In this section, you need to include the discussion on the following: what is the study all about,
what are the objectives of the study and what are the variables used; why is there a need to conduct the
study; who will be your respondents; when and where will the study be conducted; how will you conduct
your study; and what are the perceived limitations or weaknesses of the study (the unavoidable cases or
circumstances that will make the study or the results of the study “weaker”).

DEFINITION OF TERMS

This section facilitates understanding of the study by defining the terms or variables according
to their contextual context. It should be conceptually and operationally defined.

Introductory statement (refer to previous theses for example).

First Term. (bold letters, capitalize first letter of major words in the term, with period after the term)
State the conceptual definition, one sentence only, then at the end of sentence, before the period,
indicate the reference (book, journal article and other reliable source; do not use thesis, dictionary and
unreliable web article as reference), in author-year format (Author, year). State a one-sentence
operational definition, usually starting with “In this study,”.

Second Term. Conceptual definition (Author, year). In this study, … .

Third Term. Conceptual definition (Author, year). In this study, … .

Last Term. Conceptual definition (Author, year). In this study, … .

Note: The terms should be arranged alphabetically. Only important terms should be defined here,
usually, but not limited to, the terms included in the title and in the main research question or statement
of the problem.
CONCEPTUAL LITERATURE

These non-research reference materials written by authorities on the subject which embody
experiences, viewpoints and interpretations of the subject of the research study. (10 Local & 5 Foreign)

Provide an introductory statement for this section. Then present a review of conceptual
literature related to your present study in topical presentation and in an order starting with more
general topics then the specific topics, particularly the variables used (test variables) in the same order
as in the statement of the problem. Provide at least five literature reviews for each topic and use more
recent literature whenever available. Old literature or references (i.e., older than 10 years ago) are still
allowed for conceptual literature depending on the level of its importance or significance to the present
study. Conceptual literature includes books, other reliable general references, laws and issuances, and
articles published in research journals (provided that in case of articles only concepts and theories should
be included in the review of conceptual literature and the empirical findings or results of study are to
include in the review of research literature).

General Topic One

Present here the review of concepts and theories related to your first general topic. Do not just
copy the literature. You need to rephrase or paraphrase the literature you read but still properly cite the
reference using APA Style 6th edition (Author-Year format).

General Topic Two (if there is)

Present here the review of concepts and theories related to your second general topic.

Variable One (the order is according to Statement of the Problem)

Present here the review of concepts and theories related to your first variable.

Variable Two

Present here the review of concepts and theories related to your second variable.

Until the Last Variable

Present here the review of concepts and theories related to your last variable.

Topic about Respondent/Subject of the Study

Present here the review of concepts and theories related to your respondent or subject of the
study.
RESEARCH LITERATURE

These consist of studies and researches or theses and dissertations, published or unpublished,
which have a bearing on the current research. (10 Local & 5 Foreign)

Present here the review of related studies or researches at one-study-one-paragraph

presentation (except in few cases where more than one paragraph per study may be allowed, provided
that the citation is clear). The presentation should be from the most related study to the least related.
Research literature include theses, dissertations, case studies, feasibility studies, capstone projects and
the like from local and foreign higher education institutions and research articles published in journals,
whether print or online (provided that, in case of published articles, the empirical findings or results of
study, and not merely the concepts or theories, shall be presented here). At least 10 related researches
shall be reviewed and presented here. Do not include degree-requirement researches (theses,
dissertations and the like) than are older than 10 years ago. Published researches older than 10 years
ago are acceptable depending upon its importance or significance to the present study.

The written review of related researches shall include the following (whenever available in the
research reviewed and useful for the present study): main topic and objectives of the study with the
variables used, research design and data gathering instrument used, sampling design and respondents
of the study, and salient findings or results of the study.

SYNTHESIS OF REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Present a synthesis of reviewed researches, that is, combining two or more generally related
studies in one paragraph and discuss their similarities and differences to your present study. The
synthesis should include all the researches reviewed and usually presented in not more than two pages,
usually 2 - 4 paragraphs.
Chapter 2: Research Methodology and Design

This chapter deals with the research methods used in the study. It includes discussion on
research design, respondents of the study, sampling design, data gathering instrument, data gathering
procedure, and statistical treatment of data.

RESEARCH DESIGN

It contains a discussion of the over-all scheme to be followed in conducting research.

Specifically, a research design has the following characteristics:

a. A detailed explanation of techniques and procedures for data collection and analysis.

b. A description of the target population, the location or setting of the study, and the procedure for
choice of samples or respondents.

c. A clear description of tools and instruments to be used and the statistical treatment of data to be
applied.

State here the research design to be used and provide a brief discussion regarding such design.
You may include a definition or description of the research design from a reliable reference, usually a
book on research methods. Include also a justification on the use of such design or why the design is the
most appropriate design for your present study. This section usually consists of only two or three
paragraphs.

RESPONDENTS AND LOCALE OF THE STUDY

It describes the respondents as well as their in the public sector/society, likewise, the specific
area where the research will be conducted.

State and describe here your target respondents and why they should be the respondents. If
already available, include the number of respondents and explain how did you arrive at such number or
how have you determined your sample size. (If not yet available, just state that you will base the
computation of sample size on the population that will still be determined and that you will consult with
a statistician regarding such.) If your target respondents are all members of the population, clearly state
it here with explanations why you need to conduct a census on the whole population instead of sampling
(and in this case, there is no need for the next section – Sampling Design).
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

This entails selection of appropriate subjects or respondents of the study that will generate data
specific to the purpose or objective of the inquiry.

State the sampling design to be used and discuss how it will be actually used or conducted (there
is no need to define and explain the sampling design as found in books). As much as possible and
applicable, you should use random or probability sampling, in order to have valid inferences.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

It refers to the type of research instruments used to collect necessary data from the identified
respondents.

State the data gathering instrument to be used. If the data gathering instrument is a survey
questionnaire to be made or constructed by you as researchers, you need to present here the following:
how the questionnaire was constructed, who validated it and how it was validated, the conduct of dry
run – when, where and who are the respondents for the dry run, the reliability analysis and its result, the
content of the questionnaire, and the scoring used for the questionnaire. You should also briefly state
how you will administer the questionnaire but the detailed discussion on this should be in the next
section – Data Gathering Procedure. (Reminder: Do not use the term “self-constructed questionnaire”.
Take note that “the questionnaire cannot construct itself”! Instead, you may use “researcher-made
questionnaire” or simply, “survey questionnaire”.)

If you will be using a standardized questionnaire, make sure that the questionnaire is for public
use, or if not, you need to seek approval from the author or copyright owner of the questionnaire before
using it. In this case, you only need to discuss the content of the questionnaire, including its reliability,
scoring and interpretation used by the original author and how you will administer the questionnaire.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN RESEARCH

Qualitative research uses human beings as subjects; hence researcher must exercise caution to
protect the rights of subjects against undue impositions. The professional conduct and relations of the
researcher shall be based on respect for human rights and dignity, honor and justice, truthfulness,
freedom, solidarity and personal integrity.
DATA GATHERING PROCEDURES

It explains the technique in the administration of the preferred research instruments.

Discuss here the actual data gathering procedure, for example, how you will be distributing,
administering and retrieving your data gathering instrument (if using a survey questionnaire).

Do not include here how you will be doing your library works; this is not the data gathering that
is mentioned here. The data that need to be discussed here how it will be gathered are those data to be
subjected for statistical analysis.

STATISTICAL TREATMENT OF DATA

It interprets the data collected from the respondents using the appropriate statistical tests.

This section contains the statistical tools to be used corresponding to the research questions in
the statement of the problem. There is no need to define or explain the statistical tools. There is also no
need to state the formula if using statistical software. Just state the statistical tool and its particular use.

The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) will be used in the statistical analysis of data.
The following are the specific statistical tools that will be used: (Sample only: See if these are applicable
for your study.)

Frequency and Percentage. This will be used to determine the profile … in terms of … .

Mean. This will be use to assess the … with regard to … .

Independent Samples T-Test. This will be used to determine if there is significant difference on … when
grouped according to … .

Analysis of Variance. This will be used to determine if there is significant difference on … when grouped
according to … .

Pearson’s Correlation. This will be used to determine if there is significant relationship between … .