RESEARCH 1
Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Setting
CHAPTER I
The Problem and Its Setting
Parts:
Introduction
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Statement of the Problem
Statement of Hypothesis/es
Scope and Limitations
Significance of the Study
Definition of Terms
INTRODUCTION
• The first chapter of your thesis is your
introduction.
• This is where you provide an introduction to the
topic of your thesis: you give the context in terms
of content of the research project.
INTRODUCTION
Discusses four (4) relevant ideas:
TOPIC or subject matter: define and elaborate using
methods of paragraph development like classification
and giving examples
IMPORTANCE of the Topic: cite the role that the topic
plays in your life and the benefits you derive from it.
REASONS for Choosing the topic: emphasized
what motivated you to choose the topic.
PURPOSE of the Study: discusses the objective of the
study.
INTRODUCTION
As a rule of thumb, this section accounts for about
10% of the total word count of the body of a
typical research paper, or about 400 words
spread over three paragraphs in a 4000-word
paper. With that, let us now understand how to
write the Introduction section step-by-step:
INTRODUCTION
1. Provide background information
and set the context.
This initial part of the Introduction prepares the
readers for more detailed and specific information
that is given later. The first couple of sentences are
typically broad.
INTRODUCTION
Example:
A paper on lithium batteries can introduce the study with
the following sentence:
‘The rapid growth of lithium ion batteries and their new
uses, such as powering electric cars and storing electricity
for grid supply, demands more reliable methods to
understand and predict battery performance and life.’
INTRODUCTION
2. Introduce the specific topic of
your research and explain why it
is important.
So now in the following part, you can bring in some
statistics to show the importance of the topic or the
seriousness of the problem.
INTRODUCTION
Example:
A paper on controlling malaria by preventive measures,
can mention the number of people affected, the number of
person-hours lost, or the cost of treating the disease.
INTRODUCTION
3. Mention past attempts to solve
the research problem or to
answer the research question.
It is appropriate to indicate any earlier relevant research and clarify
how your research differs from those attempts. The differences can
be simple: you may have repeated the same set of experiments but
with a different organism, or elaborated (involving perhaps more
sophisticated or advanced analytical instruments) the study with a
much larger and diverse sample, or a widely different geographical
setting.
INTRODUCTION
Example:
Classroom management has been highlighted across
numerous research studies as a major variable that affects
students’ academic performance (Marzono, 2008). The
most obvious reason for this assertion is that, effective
classroom management sets the stage for teaching and
learning. It sets a tone in the classroom that captures
students’ attention – as a necessity for effective teaching
and learning (Marzono, 2008).
INTRODUCTION
4. Conclude the Introduction by
mentioning the specific
objectives of your research.
The earlier paragraphs should lead logically to specific objectives of
your study. Note that this part of the Introduction gives specific
details: for instance, the earlier part of the Introduction may mention
the importance of controlling malaria whereas the concluding part will
specify what methods of control were used and how they were
evaluated.
INTRODUCTION
Example:
‘We aimed (1) to assess the epidemiological changes
before and after the upsurge of scarlet fever in China in
2011; (2) to explore the reasons for the upsurge and the
epidemiological factors that contributed to it; and (3) to
assess how these factors could be managed to prevent
future epidemics.’
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
• This is the foundation of the research study.
These are highly related theories and principles
that were established and proven by authorities.
• Refers to the set of interrelated construct,
definitions, and prepositions that presents a
systematic view of phenomena
• An organized body that explains what has been
done and what has been said on the topic or
problem being investigated.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
What must be obtained from a theory?
The name/s of author/s of the theory must be
taken including the place and the time / year
when he or she postulated such a principle or
generalization.
the part or parts of the theory that are relevant
to your study
synthesis by relating to your findings
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
• a tentative explanation or theoretical explanation
of the phenomenon or problem and serves as
the basis for the formulation research
hypotheses.
• consists of the investigator’s own position on a
problem after his exposure to various theories
that have bearing on the problem
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual framework becomes the central
theme, the focus, the main thrust of the study. It
serves as a guide in conducting investigation.
Paradigm. A paradigm is a diagrammatic
representation of a conceptual framework. It
depicts in a more vivid way what the conceptual
framework wants to convey.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
• The problem must be reflected to your title or the
readers must know your problem by just simply
reading your topic.
• The problem must not be answerable by yes or no
and must be arranged in the flow of your
documentation or study.
Example:
The following research questions were raised:
1. How does verbal instruction affect students’ academic
performance?
2. How does corporal punishment affect students’ academic
performance?
3. In what ways does the use of instructional supervision
affect students’ academic performance?
4. How does delegation of authority to learners affect
students’ academic performance?
STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESES
Proposed solution
Tentative explanation
Educated Prediction
Meant to be tested
--should be clear & brief.
--should be based on past experiences or observations
or on information gathered from your research.
--must be testable.
Example:
The following null hypotheses were formulated:
1. Verbal instruction does not significantly influence students’
academic performance.
2. Corporal punishment does not significantly influence
students’ academic performance.
3. Instructional supervision does not significantly influence
students’ academic performance.
4. Delegation of authority to learners does not significantly
influence students’ academic performance.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
Coverage of the study:
Area
Subject/problem
Research methods and approach
Time frame
Any limitations in the reference population,
sample size
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
The population or universe from which the
respondents were selected. This must be large
enough to make generalizations significant.
The period of the study. This is the time, either
months or years, during which the data were
gathered.
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
include the weaknesses of the study beyond
the control of the researcher.
The weaknesses spring out of the
inaccuracies of the perceptions of the
respondents.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The rationale, timeliness and/or relevance of the
study. The rationale, timeliness and/or relevance of
the study to existing conditions must be explained or
discussed.
Possible solutions to existing problems or
improvement to unsatisfactory conditions.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Who are to be benefited and how they are going
to be benefited. It must be shown who are the
individuals, groups, or communities who may be
placed in a more advantageous position on
account of the study.
Possible contribution to the fund of
knowledge.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Possible implications. It should be discussed here
that the implications include the possible causes of
the problems discovered, the possible effects of the
problems, and the remedial measures to solve the
problems.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1st paragraph (Why is it important to conduct this study)
2nd paragraph – main beneficiary (organization)
3rd paragraph – secondary beneficiary
4th paragraph – importance to the
proponents/researchers
5th paragraph – importance to the future researchers
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Includes terms which should be interpreted in a
manner unique to your research.
Includes all the important variables in the study.
The definitions may be:
1. CONCEPTUAL – based on concepts or
hypothetic ones which are usually taken from
dictionary, encyclopedia & published journals.
2. OPERATIONAL – based on observable
characteristics & how it is used in the study.
REFERENCES:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thesis
http://www.jpsimbulan.net/thesis-writing-
guide/how-to-write-a-thesis/
