Sample Thesis Format and Outline

TITLE PAGE

This page is assigned a Roman numeral i although does not appear on the page

The date used is the month and year of commencement

The proponents (Researchers) name must appear as registered at the institution

APPROVAL PAGE

The names used on the approval sheet and title page must be that under which the
proponents are registered at the institution

Black ink is required for the signatures of approving signatories

The number of signature lines must equal to the number of panelists

The approval page required counted as page ii but not numbered

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Numbered with Roman numeral iii

ABSTRACT

Number page; Roman numeral and placed at center of heading

Should be a concise review of the work containing a brief summary of the problem and
results of the research.

A short statement concerning the area of research study

A brief discussion of methods and procedures used in gathering data

A condensed summary of the findings and conclusions reached in the study

CONTENT OF ABSTRACT

Proponents

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Title

Key concepts

Degree

Adviser/s

Statement of the Purpose or Problem

Methodology [ Research Design and Procedure]

Summary of Findings

Recommendations

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables, Charts, Figures, Plates
Chapters [with Chapter I starts as page 1
Bibliography
Appendices include Gantt Chart of Timetable
Curriculum Vitae
Group Documentation
TYPE FONTS and PRINT QUALITY
1.

Recommended font Times Roman, size 12

2.

Line Spacing standard double space

3. Margins the left hand margin must be 1 inches wide to allow for binding; all other
margins must be 1 inch wide. Adherence to this margin will leave a 69 inch area on each sheet
of the text or illustrative material including page numbers. The right margins should not be
justified. The only exceptions to the margin requirements are:
a) The first page of each chapter or major section of the manuscript, where typing begins 2
down from the top rather than 1 and tables and figures maybe smaller and centered but not
larger than the 69 area.
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b) Tables and figures must be reduced to meet margin requirements

c) It is not permissible to leave a single line of a paragraph or other subdivision at either the
bottom or top of a page.
d) The last word on a page cannot be hyphenated.
4.

Pagination

a) Every page of the thesis must have a page number except the title page, approval page,
abstract pages and CV.
b) Small roman numerals (ii, iii,etc) are used for the preliminary pages: acknowledgement,
table of contents and list of tables
c) Arabic numbers are used for the remainder of the document including the text and reference
material. No other numbering scheme is acceptable.
d) All page numbers must be placed 1 from the top, even with the right margin
e) On pages with a major heading such as APPENDIX or BIBLIOGRAPHY and those
beginning a CHAPTER, the page is placed in the center bottom position 1 up from bottom
f)

Numbers of preliminary pages are placed at the center bottom in small roman numerals.

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How to Write Chapter 1 of a Thesis: Basic Format

In thesis writing, the most difficult part to write is Chapter 1 (Introduction/The Problem).
As they say, the most difficult part of any endeavor is the starting point. This is because the first
chapter is where you conceptualize your entire research. The whole research/thesis can be
reflected in Chapter 1 including expected results or outcomes. For your guidelines, please read
the following sample format of Chapter 1. Remember, the format is not universal, meaning it
could vary from one school to another and/or from one course to another.
CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM
Chapter 1 includes the following subtopics, namely: 1) Rationale; 2) Theoretical Framework; 3)
Conceptual Framework/Paradigm; 4) Statement of the problem; 5) Hypothesis (Optional); 6)
Assumption (Optional); 7) Scope and Delimitation; Importance of the study; 9) Definition of
terms.
Rationale
1. Background of the study
2. Describe the problem situation considering global, national and local
forces.
3. Justify the existence of the problem situation by citing statistical data
and authoritative sources.
4. Make a clinching statement that will relate the background to the
proposed research problem.
Theoretical Framework
Discuss the theories and/or concepts, which are useful in conceptualizing the research.
Conceptual Framework/Paradigm
1. Identify and discuss the variables related to the problem.
2. Present a schematic diagram of the paradigm of the research and
discuss the relationship of the elements/variables therein.
Statement of the Problem
1. The general problem must be reflective of the title.

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2. It should be stated in such a way that it is not answerable by yes or no,

not indicative of when and where. Rather, it should reflect between and
among variables.
3. Each sub-problem should cover mutually exclusive dimensions (no
overlapping).
4. The sub-problem should be arranged in logical order from actual to
analytical following the flow in the research paradigm.
Hypothesis (Optional)
1. A hypothesis should be measurable/ desirable. It expresses expected
relationship between teo or more variables. It is based on the theory
and/or empirical evidence.
2. There are techniques available to measure or describe the variables. It
is on a one to one correspondence with the specific problems of the
study.
3. A hypothesis in statistical form has the following characteristics:
4. It is used when the test of significance of relationships and difference
of measures are involved.
5. The level of significance if stated.
Assumption
1. An assumption should be based on the general and specific problems.
2. It is stated in simple, brief, generally accepted statement.
Scope and Delimitation
Indicate the principal variables, locale, timeframe, and justification.
Importance of the Study
1. It describes the contributions of the study as new knowledge, make
findings more conclusive.
2. It cites the usefulness of the study to the specific groups.
Definition of Terms
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1. Only important terms taken from the title, statement of the problem,
assumptions, hypothesis, and the research paradigm are to be defined.
2. The terms should be arranged alphabetically and should be defined
lexically and/or operationally.
3. The operational definition may include measures or indices used in
measuring each concept.

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How to Write Chapter 2 of a Thesis: Basic Format

This is a sample format of a thesis. Just like in the previous article How to Write Chapter
1 of a Thesis: Basic Format, the format of Chapter 2 (Review of Related Literature) could vary
from one institution to another.
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter starts with a brief introductory paragraph concerning the researchers exploration of
related literature and studies on the research problem. It states the main coverage of said chapter,
to wit: 1) Related Literature and 2) Related Studies.
1. It should be organized thematically to confirm to the specific problems;
2. It should synthesize evidence from all studies reviewed to get an
overall understanding of the state of the knowledge in the problem
area;
3. As much as possible, the reviewed should be limited within the last ten
years.
4. A clinching statement showing how the related materials had assisted
the researchers in the present study should be the last part.
Parts of Chapter 2.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Local Lit.
Foreign Lit
Loc. Studies
Foreign Studies
Syntehesis of the Reviewed and Studies
Note: not morethan 5-yrs. Of the related Lit. and Studies

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Writing Chapter 3 of a thesis requires the assistance of a statistician (in most cases). This is
because it is in this chapter that the thesis writer is usually required to indicate what statistical
tools he intends to use in data analysis. Here is the basic format of Chapter 3.
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter of a thesis commences a brief statement and enumerating the main topics that are to
be covered in it; namely; 1) Research Design; 2) Sources of Data (Locale of the Study and
Population/Sampling); 3) Instrumentation and Data Collection; and 4) Tools for Data Analysis.
Research Design
The appropriate research design should be specified and described.
Sources of Data
Describe the locale of the study and the research population.
Locale of the Study
Describes the place where the study was conducted and the rationale behind its choice.
Population/Sampling Technique
Describe the population of interest and the sampling of subjects used in the study.
Instrumentation and Data Collection

Describe the instrument, what it will measure, how to interpret, to whom it will be
administered and if it is necessary, describe how it will be administered.

Discuss how the validity and the reliability will be established. Specify the level of
reliability (probability).

Give details of instruction given to assistants if persons other than the researcher gather
data.

State qualifications of informants if used in the study.

Tools for Data Analysis

Determine and justify the statistical treatment for each sub-problem

Determine and justify the scales of values used and the descriptive equivalent ratings, if
any.
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How to Write Chapter 4 of a Thesis: Basic Format

In thesis writing, the most difficult part to defend is Chater 4 because it is inthis section
where you will present the results of the whole study. Here is a sample thesis format.
CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Presentation of Data

Present the findings of the study in the order of the specific problem as
stated in the statement of the Problem.

Present the data in these forms:

Tabular

Textual

Graphical (optional)

The ZOOM LENS approach may be used for purposes of clarity in the presentation of data, i.e.
general to particular, macro to micro or vice versa.

Analysis of the Data

Data may be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively depending on the level of
measurement and the number of dimensions and variables of the study.
Analyze in depth to give meaning to the data presented in the data presented in the table.
Avoid table reading.
State statistical descriptions in declarative sentences, e.g. in the studies involving:
Correlation

State level of correlation

State whether positive or negative

Indicate the level of significance

Make a decision
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Differences of Measures

State the obtained statistical results

Indicate the level of significance of the difference

Make a decision

Interpretation of Data
1. Establish interconnection between and among data
2. Check for indicators whether hypothesis/es is/are supported or not by
findings.
3. Link the present findings with the previous literature.
4. Use parallel observations with contemporary events to give credence
presented in the introduction.
5. Draw out implications.

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How to Write Chapter 5 of a Thesis: Basic Format

In thesis writing, the Chapter is simply a summary of what the researcher had done all
throughout the whole research. The following format serves as a sample:
CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary of Findings
This describes the problem, research design, and the findings (answer to the questions
raised). The recommended format is the paragraph form instead of the enumeration form.

For each of the problems, present:

The salient findings,

The results of the hypothesis tested

Conclusions

These are brief, generalized statements in answer to the general and

each of the specific sub-problems.

These contain generalized in relation to the population. These are

general inferences applicable to a wider and similar population.

Flexibility is considered in making of conclusions. It is not a must to

state conclusions on a one-to-one correspondence with the problems
and the findings as all variables can be subsume in one paragraph.

Conclusions may be used as generalizations from a micro to a macrolevel or vice versa (ZOOM LENS approach).

Recommendations

They should be based on the findings and conclusion of the study.

Recommendations may be specific or general or both. They may

include suggestions for further studies.

They should be in non-technical language.

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They should be feasible, workable, flexible, doable, adaptable.

An action plan is optional.

How to Write the Bibliography, Appendix and Curriculum

Vitae of a Thesis
Other parts of a thesis usually include the bibliography, appendix or appendices, and
curriculum vitae. Writing them is much easier than Chapters 1-5 because these are simple
annotations and/or citations of references.
The following is a sample format of these parts and how to write them:
OTHER PARTS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
It should include all materials used and reviewed by the researcher arranged according to type,
e.g. books, periodicals, unpublished materials, etc.
APPENDIX
It may contain the following:
1. Letters and other forms of communication
2. Instruments used
3. Sample computations
4. Additional tables and figures
5. Group Documentation
CURRICULUM VITAE
Note: The thesis writer is advised to consult his/her graduate school dean for institutional
policies on the format of the thesis/dissertation and CHED Requirements.

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