Thesis Syllabus AGRI 147

Thesis Proposal Format

o Double-spaced typed pages

o A4 bond paper
o Font size 11
o Font style Tahoma
o Margins (with 1.5-inch on the left, 1 inch on the right, top and bottom
o Citations (All proposals/thesis must use APA formatting)
o Reading material references should be dated 10 years back
o Header
 WVSU must be ALL CAPS (Tahoma 14)
 college must be in ALL CAPS and BOLD (Tahoma 14)
 Lambunao, Iloilo is not bold, and in upper and lower cases. (Tahoma 12)
o Cover Page
 There must be two (2) spaces after each period.
 The distance from header to the text should be 3 single spaces or 2 double
spaces
 The title must be in ALL CAPS and in inverted pyramid.
 Name of the college is written above of West Visayas State University
 The title page must have uniform spaces between groups of texts.
 Names of the researchers are upon their discretion or based on who has the
most contributed ideas or arranged alphabetically.
 The month and year of graduation must be indicated below the researchers’
names.

Meaning of Research

Research is defined as the scientific investigation of phenomena which includes

collection, presentation, analysis and interpretation of facts that links an individual’s speculation
with reality.

Research is a process of scientific thinking that leads to the discovery or establishment

of new knowledge or truth. It is not subjective expression of ideas or opinion. Scientific thinking
has these characteristics: (1) It is based on facts; (2) It starts from a complex of problems; (3)
It is free from bias or opinion; and (4) It uses objective measurements.

It is a systematic, controlled, empirical and critical investigation of hypothetical

propositions about the presumed relations among natural phenomenon.
 Research is systematic when it follows steps or stages that begin with the
identification of the problem, relating of the problem with existing theories, collection of data. It
follows an orderly and sequential procedure that leads to the discovery of truth, solution of a
problem, or whatever is aimed to be discovered.

 Research is controlled unlike ordinary problem solving which may be done

cursorily. Scientific research is so planned every step of the way that fancy and guess work do
not set in.
 As soon as the data have been collected, evidences are now on hand to confirm
or refute the hypothesis formulated at the start of the investigation. These empirical data will
form the bases for conclusions. All the procedures employed and the data gathered are
perceived in the same manner by all observers.

 After the researcher has completed the research, the whole work is ready for
critical analysis by a panel of judges that passes judgement on the entire research.

Research is simply a systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing specialized

tools, instruments, and procedures in order to obtain a more adequate solution of a problem
than would be possible under ordinary means. It starts with a problem, collects data or facts,
analyzes these critically, and reaches decisions based on actual evidence. It involves original
work instead of a mere exercise of personal opinion. It evolves from a genuine desire to know
rather than a desire to prove something. It is quantitative, seeking to know not only what but
how much, and measurement is therefore a central feature of it.
Purposes of Research (Aims, Objectives, Goals)

The definition of research says that research is purposive. The main or principal purpose
and goal of research is the preservation and improvement of the quality of the human life. All
kinds of research are directed toward this end. “The purpose of research is to serve man,” and
“The goal of research is the good of life.” Due to research, man has attained great accelerating
progress and is enjoying the products of research such as the fast and comfortable land, sea,
and air means of transportation, the wonders of electricity like the radio, telephone, air
conditioning, light in the homes, movies, running machinery for industry, the computer, the
potent drugs that promote health and prolong life, and many other countless things. “To satisfy
man’s craving for more understanding, to improve his judgment, to add to his power, to reduce
the burden of work, to relieve suffering, and to increase satisfactions in multitudinous ways –
these are the large and fundamental goals of research.

For more specific purposes and goals of research:

1.To discover new facts about known phenomena.

2. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and
information.

3. Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments or products.

4. To discover previously unrecognized substances or elements.

5. Discover pathways of action of known substances and elements.

6. To order related, valid generalizations into systematized science

7. To provide basis for decision-making in business, industry, education, government,

and in other undertakings.

8. To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity.

9. To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods. One important question

that may be asked which can be answered only by means of research is: In what setting is life
expectancy higher, in the city or in the barrio?

10. To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one phenomenon that can be
known and understood better by research is why women are generally smaller than men.

11. To expand or verify existing knowledge. This usually happens when researches are
replicated. Newly discovered facts may be found to expand knowledge gained from a previous
research or verified if the same facts are found.

12. To improve educational practices for raising the quality of school products. Research
surveys often result in the revision of curricula and instructional innovations to maximize the
effectiveness of the learning process.

13. To promote health and prolong life. This purpose is very obviously demonstrated in
pharmaceutical, nutritional, and medical research.

14. To provide man with more of his basic needs – more and better food, clothing,
shelter, etc.

15. To make work, travel, and communication faster, easier, and more comfortable.
Characteristics of Research

There are seven (7) characteristics of research.

1. Empirical. Research is based on direct experience or observation by the researcher. The

collection of data relies on practical experience without giving consideration to scientific
knowledge of theory.

2. Logical. Research is based on valid procedures and principles. Scientific study is done in an
orderly manner so that the investigator has confidence on the results. Systematic examination
of the procedures used in the research enables the investigator to draw valid conclusions.

3.Cyclical. Research is cyclical process because it starts with a problem and ends with a
problem. For instance, an investigator who completes his study states his findings and draws up
his conclusions and recommendations. In his recommendations, several studies may be
conducted, hence, research is cyclical.

4. Analytical. Research utilizes proven analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether
historical, descriptive, experimental, and case study. In historical research, the data gathered
focuses in the past; in descriptive research, the study focuses on the present situation;
experimental research focuses on the future; and case study focuses on the past, present, and
future.

5. Critical. Research exhibits careful and precise judgment. A higher level of confidence must be
established. For instance, 1.0 percent or 5.0 percent level of confidence may be scientifically
utilized to test the research hypothesis.

6. Methodical. Research is conducted in a methodical manner without bias using systematic

method and procedures. For instance, if the researcher’s study is experimental research with
two variables, control and experimental groups, hence, he uses two group design; if three or
more variables, parallel-group design.

7. Replicability. The research design and procedures are replicated or repeated to enable the
researcher to arrive at valid and conclusive results. Similarities and differences of replicated
researches can be compared. The more replications of researches the more valid and conclusive
results would be. Replicability of the study means using the same instrument, method, and
procedure but to different subjects and venue.

The Research Problem

There are five factors to consider to determine whether that a problem is researchable
or not. These factors are as follows: (1) the problem is existing in the locality or country but no
known solution to the problem; (2) the solution can be answered by using statistical methods
and techniques; (3) there are probable solutions but they are not yet tested; (4) the occurrence
of phenomena requires scientific investigation to arrive at precise solution; and (5) serious
needs/problems of the people where it demands research.

Sources of Research Problem

There are several sources of research problem that a researcher can investigate. These
are (1) specialization of the researcher, (2) current and past researches, (3) recommendations
from theses, and (4) original and creative ideas from the researcher based on the problems met
in the locality and country.

1. Specialization of the researcher. Specialization of the researcher is an impetus towards

research. If the researcher’s forte or field of specialization is agriculture, he may conduct
studies on crops and horticulture, farm financial statistics, farms and farm operators, food and
nutrition, swine production, demand and price analysis, etc.

2. Current and Past Researches. Current and past researches are rich sources of research
problems even for research replication by using the same instrument, apparatus or equipment.
 For experimental research replicability, though using the same method, species of test
plants or animals, apparatus and equipment, but the study is conducted to different location or
research stations to compare the similarities and differences of the results.

3. Recommnedations from theses and research journals. The researchers of the said theses and
research journals recommend for future researches to be conducted as sources also of research
problem.

4. Original and creative ideas of the researcher based on the problems met in the locality and
country. For instance, the problems met in the locality and country are fish wastes pollution,
food insecurity, and poverty. Fish bone meal as offal of fishery products for export such as
boneless milkfish and tilapia fillet are thrown here and there which pollute the environment.
Through original and creative ideas of the researcher of these problems, he conducts a study
on the utilization and commercialization of these fish waste into value added products like
burger, luncheon meat, embotido spread, meat loaf, sausage, quekiam, polvoron and many
others. Hence, these research products solve fish wastes pollution, wherein “trash turns to
cash,” attain food security, and alleviate poverty in the locality in particular and to the country
in general.

Guidelines in the Selection of a Research Problem or Topic

There are certain guidelines or criteria in the selection of a research problem to make it
more interesting and the research work more enjoyable to the researcher as well as to ensure
the completion of the study. Among the guidelines or criteria are the following which may also
be considered as characteristics of research problems:

1. The research problem or topic must be chosen by the researcher himself. This is to
avoid blaming others or offering excuses for any obstacle encountered.

2. It must be within the interest of the researcher. This is to make sure that the
researcher will focus his full attention on the research work.

3. It must be within the specialization of the researcher. This will in some way make the
work easier for him because he is working on familiar grounds. Besides, this may improve his
specialization, skill, and competence in his profession.

4. It must be within the competence of the researcher to tackle. The researcher must
know the method of research and other research procedures applicable to his problem and he
must know how to apply them. He must have a workable understanding of his study.

5. It must be within the ability of the research to finance, otherwise he must be able to
find funding for his research. Research involves not a small amount of expense and the
researcher must be able to foot the bills until his study is completed. There must be a budget
which he must be able to shoulder.

6. It is researchable and manageable, that is,

a. Data are available and accessible. The researcher must be sure that the participants
in his investigation possess the needed data and that they are within his reach. So, one must
not choose a problem in which the location of the data are too far away.

b. The data must meet the standards of accuracy, objectivity, and verifiability. This is
important. The data gathered must be accurate, objective and not biased, and can be verified if
there arises a need, otherwise, the results of the study will not be valid and the generalizations
formulated will be faulty.

c. Answers to the specific questions (subproblems) can be found. The data to be

collected must supply the necessary answers to the specific questions.

d. The hypotheses formulated are testable, that is, they can be accepted or rejected.
Hypotheses are not proved, they are only determined as true or not. If the findings from the
data do not conform to the hypotheses, the latter are rejected. If the findings conform to the
hypotheses, the latter are accepted as true or valid.

e. Equipment and instruments for research are available and can give valid and reliable
results. The construction and validation of research instruments are fully discussed in a later
chapter.

7. It can be completed within a reasonable period of time unless it is a longitudinal

research which takes a long time for its completion. Although research is unhurried, there must
be a timetable for its completion.

8. It is significant, important, and relevant to the present time and situation, timely, and
of current interest. This means that the research project must be able to make a substantial
impact upon situations and people it is intended for or addressed to. It must be able to arouse
the interest of the people concerned.

9. The results are practical and implementable.

10. It requires original, critical, and reflective thinking to solve it. To be able to apply
these, the research project must be novel, new or original. The study is considered novel and
new if it has not yet been studied before and the data are gathered from new and original
sources. However, the study may be a replication, that is, the study has already been
conducted but in another place, not in the place where it is intended to be studied again. The
purpose of the study replications is to determine if conditions in one place are also true in other
places so that generalizations of wider application can be formulated.

11. It can be delimited to suit the resources of the researcher but big or large enough to
be able to give significant, valid, and reliable results and generalizations. The area and
population may be reduced but only to such an extent that the generalizations can be
considered true and useful.

12. It must contribute to the national development goals for the improvement of the
quality of human life. This is the ultimate aim of research, to improve the quality of human life.
Research must improve or show how to improve unsatisfactory conditions.

13. It must contribute to the fund of human knowledge. All the facts and knowledge
that we have are mostly the products of research. Any study to be conducted must add a new
bit of knowledge to what we already have.

14. It must show or pave the way for the solution of the problem or problems intended
to be solved. Usually, after an inquiry has been conducted, recommendations are made for the
solution of problems discovered which, if implemented, can solve the problems.

15. It must not undermine the moral and spiritual values of the people. It must not
advocate the promotion of antisocial values such as drug addiction, cruelty, hatred,
divisiveness, multiple sex mating, etc. As much as possible, it must advocate the promotion of
divine values and those admirable human values such as love, peace, goodwill, etc.

16. It must not advocate any change in the present order of things by means of violence
but by peaceful means. It must not advocate subversion, revolution, or the like to wrest control
of the government or change the form of government. If there is a needed change, it must be
made by any means but the means must be peaceful and legitimate.

17. Satisfaction of intellectual curiosity and interest, and being able to discover truth. It
is always our experience that after being able to solve a difficult intellectual problem we are
engulfed with so much elation and satisfaction that we forget all the sacrifices and difficulties
that we have gone through. This is also the feeling of those who are able to finish their
research projects and reports like the theses, esp. after passing a very rigid oral defense.

18. There must be a consideration of the hazards involved, either physical, social, or
legal. An example is to study a tribe living on the mountains, ignoring physical dangers from
wild animals and from the tribesmen themselves. While this act is admirable, the researcher
must also consider his personal safety.

Another hazard is social. This occurs when an injury happens to encroach upon socially
approved and established social values, norms of conduct, or ethical standards. The inquiry may
draw the ire of the populace and the researcher may receive some kind of rebuke, censure,
criticism, or derision.

Still another hazard is legal. If an investigation may affect adversely the honor and
integrity of certain people, a libel suit may ensue. Of course, it does not matter much if the
researcher can prove his facts to be true and if he is a crusader. He will be admired for his
boldness to discover and tell the truth no matter who gets hurt.