The Fundamentals

of Research Writing
LAURO S. ASPIRAS, PhD
Associate Professor V
[email protected]
Topic Outline

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AN OVERVIEW:
QUALITATIVE AND
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH APPROACH
 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH: AN OVERVIEW
There are inherent differences between
qualitative and quantitative research
methods, although their objectives and
applications overlap in many ways.

QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE
In a nutshell, qualitative research Quantitative research, on the
generates “textual data” (non- contrary, produces “numerical
numerical). data” or information that can be
converted into numbers.
❑ A qualitative researcher immerses her/himself in
the field, in natural surroundings. The contexts of
inquiry are not contrived; they are natural.
Nothing is predefined or taken for granted.

❑ Qualitative research postulates

that every human experience is an
important text to be read.

❑ Hence, storytelling is the very

essence of qualitative research
❑ For the quantitative researcher reality is
objective and exist separately to the
researcher, and is capable of being seen
by anyone.

❑ Quantitative Research is used to test

a theory and ultimately support or
reject it.
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATVE RESEARCH
COMPLEMENTARY
 RESEARCH TITLE
CONCEPTUALIZATION

TOPIC TITLE
❑ Topic is the subject matter, ❑ Title is simply what the author
what "it" is about. calls his/her article or story.

❑ A Research TOPIC is the main ❑ It introduces the work to a

organizing principle guiding reader; first impression lasts
the analysis of your research (accurate description of the
paper. study)

❑ It is the gateway to the

❑ Topics represent the core
contents of a scientific
subject matter of scholarly
article.
communication.
❑ The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your study.
A good title contains the fewest possible words that
adequately describe the contents and/or purpose of your
research paper.

❑ The title is without doubt the part of a paper that is read

the most, and it is usually read first. If the title is too long it
usually contains too many unnecessary words, e.g., "A
Study to Investigate the...." On the other hand, a title that
is too short often uses words that are too general. For
example, "African Politics" could be the title of a book,
but it does not provide any information on the focus of a
research paper.
 HOW TO BIGEN CRAFTING THE TITLE
Review related literature to Craft your initial title
help refine and how you will based on the topics
approach the focus of the you have read from
topic and finding a way to different sources.
analyze it.
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Identify concepts and Since social science research papers

terms that make up are generally designed to get you to
the topic statement. develop your own ideas and
arguments, look for sources that can
help broaden, modify, or strengthen
your initial thoughts and arguments
 TIPS IN CRAFTING APPEALING TITLE
Getting the title right can be more difficult than it seems, and researchers refine
their writing skills throughout their career. Some journals even help editors to re-
write their titles during the publication process!

Keep it concise and 3

5
informative 4
2 Entice the reader Sophisticate your
Incorporate title
Write for your
important keywords.
audience
EXAMPLES OF CRAFTED TITLE
WRITING THE
STATEMENT OF
THE PROBLEM
 The ultimate goal of a statement of the problem is to

S O P
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transform a generalized problem (something that
bothers you; a perceived lack) into a targeted, well-
defined problem; one that can be resolved through
focused research and careful decision-making.

Writing a statement of the problem should help you

clearly identify the purpose of the research project

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you will propose. Often, the statement of the
problem will also serve as the basis for the
introductory section of your final proposal, directing
your reader’s attention quickly to the issues that
your proposed project will address and providing
the reader with a concise statement of the
proposed project itself.
 KEY POINTS IN WRITING THE
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
A good research problem should have the following characteristics:

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The specific questions

State the research 2
should be stated using the
problem in clear terms:
The general following guide questions
▪ What the research is
statement of the such as “How”, “What”,
all about? problem is usually 3 “Why”, “Is there”…etc.
▪ what your readers a reiteration of These problems should
expect to learn? the title of the The specific not be monotonously
▪ What you hoped to study. problems should be presented using a single
solve, prove, or verify? expressed in expression style of the
▪ What should have quantifiable and questions.
been solved at the measurable
end of the research?) statements.
WRITING THE
RATIONALE/
INTRODUCTION
WRITING THE
INTRODUCTION

The introduction is a general

prelude to what the thesis is all
about. The introduction is
important because it stimulates a
reader’s interest, introduces the
subject, and tackles the “So
What?” factor. In short, it is your
paper’s “first impression.”
Source: Lecture of Dr. Dante Aquino, NRCP RDLeader
during the “Training-workshop on Scientific Writing” at
QSU, Cabarroguis Campus held on October 12-14, 2022
Source: Lecture of Dr. Dante Aquino, NRCP RDLeader during the “Training-
workshop on Scientific Writing” at QSU, Cabarroguis Campus held on
October 12-14, 2022
Source: Lecture of Dr. Dante Aquino, NRCP RDLeader
during the “Training-workshop on Scientific Writing” at
QSU, Cabarroguis Campus held on October 12-14, 2022
WRITING THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE STUDY
The Significance of the Study
presents the importance of your
research. It gives you an opportunity to
prove the study’s impact on your field
of research, the new knowledge it
contributes, and the people who will
benefit from it.
How to Write Significance of
the Study
1. Use Your Research Problem as a Starting
Point
❑ Your problem statement itself can provide clues to what
outcome your research study will achieve and who will benefit
from it.

❑ Ask yourself “How will the answers to my research problem be

beneficial?”. In this manner, you will have an idea of how
valuable it is to conduct your study.
2.State How Your Research Will Contribute
to the Existing Literature in the Field

❑Think of the things that were not explored by

previous studies. Then, write how your research
tackles those unexplored areas. Through this, you can
convince your readers that you are studying
something new and adding value to the field.
3. Explain How Your Research Will Benefit
Society
❑ In this part, tell how your research will impact society. Think of
how the results of your research will change something in your
community.

❑ For example, in the study about the use of lemongrass tea in

lowering blood glucose levels, you may indicate that through
your research, the community will be able to realize the
significance of lemongrass and other herbal plants. As a result,
the community will be encouraged to promote the cultivation
and use of medicinal plants.
4. Mention the Specific Persons or
Institutions Who Will Benefit From Your
Study
❑ Using the same example above, you may indicate that the
results of this research will benefit those people who are
looking for an alternative supplement to prevent high blood
glucose levels.

❑ Usually the following are the departments or entities that are

mentioned in this section: The agency/Department, faculty,
administration, students, future researchers, etc.
5. Indicate How Your Study May Help
Future Studies in the Field
❑ You must also specifically indicate how your research will be
part of the literature of the field you are studying and how it
will benefit future researchers. In our example above, you may
indicate that through the data and analysis that your research
will provide, future researchers may explore other capabilities
of herbal plants in preventing different diseases.
THEORETICAL AND
CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
 1 1 A theory consists of sets of related concepts; the
theory makes clear how the concepts are related [.
In this sense aspects of a theory can be presented
in the form of models or networks that show
relationships among concepts.

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To frame a study or to build a theoretical
A theoretical framework is founded on the or conceptual framework for a study is a
theories already developed over an area matter of addressing the question during
data collection or analysis
over a long period of time having a robust
historical background.

The conceptual framework is used in a new

researchable area. In the conceptual framework,
the fundamental concepts that characterize and
delineate the study variables are presented to
establish an informed understanding of the study.
 PROBLEMS OF NOVICE RESEARCHERS ON
THEORETICAL-CONCEPTUAL FRAMING
The theoretical or conceptual framework is a required element in most research
works that is supposed to demonstrate the knowledge and authority of the
author, both of which are scarce assets in novice scholars.
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Inappropriate Methodology missing:
No framework. if there are framework (does not Attraction to theories Specification of
no foundational concepts or suit the data or the because they are methodology means to
frames, authors will have purpose of a study). currently popular:
Novice scholars are
go beyond describing
trouble connecting their The framework does
work to that of others in the not link up with data: particular susceptible what and how data were
field or in conveying their In other cases, the to name dropping or collected and analyzed,
interpretations of the findings, theory itself might be paying lip-service to a to specifying “why it was
beyond the concrete appropriate, but the theory or conceptual done that way” and to
particulars of a study. author does not use it frame, in which big define one’s
to help with names or big concepts “epistemological stance”
interpretation and are used with little
discussion of data. apparent
understanding
 HOW NOVICES CAN BEGIN TO ADDRESS THE
PROBLEMS
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1 The researcher may

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go back and forth
First, all scholars, novice between the 3 we can envision our
and seasoned alike, empirical and conceptual or
Look both inside
need to read. Novice conceptual thinking theoretical framing by
and outside our
scholars can build for the entire duration means of “concept
particular fields or
familiarity with concepts of a project rather maps” in which various
than feeling obligated disciplines for
and theories related to theoretical ideas and components
their interests by means to come up with a
framing theory at the perspectives. The of an evolving study are
of targeted reading of beginning of a project. framework of your shown visually, in relation
both Conceptual Data in a project study will draw upon to each other, to help us
theoretical works (idea- suggest concepts and the concepts, terms, understand “what [we]
think pieces) and of theories, just as definitions, models and
think is going on”
empirical (data-based) concepts and theories theories of a particular
hint at what data and literature base and
studies. disciplinary orientation”
interpretations will be
useful..
THANK YOU !