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ROMBLON STATE UNIVERSITY

Odiongan, Romblon

RESEARCH, EXTENSION

U P D A T E S
AND PRODUCTION CENTER

WRITING A
THESIS PROPOSAL

Prof. Eddie G. Fetalvero

Published by the
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH, EXTENSION
AND PRODUCTION CENTER
ROMBLON STATE UNIVERSITY SPORADIC PAPER
Odiongan, Romblon Volume 5, No. 05 Series of 2010

For comments and suggestions, please call

(042) 567-5580 or 0920-2142864
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EDITORIAL STAFF

VISION
DR. MERIAN C. MANI
Editor Romblon State University as a premier institution
of higher education in the MIMAROPA Region for
a globally competitive province of Romblon
DR. BORROMEO B. MOTIN
Editorial Consultant

EDDIE G. FETALVERO
Word Processing and Desktop Publishing
MISSION
The University shall primarily provide advanced
education, higher technological, professional
instruction and training in agriculture and fishery,
forestry, science and technology, education, arts
and sciences and other relevant fields of study. It
shall also undertake research and extension
services, and provide progressive leadership in its
areas of specialization.
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REFERENCES
Consuelo G. Sevilla et.al. (1992). Research Methods. Quezon City: Rex
Printing Company.
David, F. P. (2002). Understanding and Doing Research: A Handbook for
Beginners. Iloilo City: Panorama Printing Inc.
Fetalvero, E. G. (2009). Antecedents of performance in rubrics assessment
among physical science students at the Institute of Business and
Accountancy. PROBE Research Journal , 19-32.
Formento, A. F. (2005). RSC Format and Style. Odiongan, Romblon: RSC
Research and Extension Office.
Calderon J.F. and Gonzales, E.C.. (1993). Methods of Research and Thesis
Writing. Manila: National Book Store Inc.
Estolas, V.J. et.al. (1989). Marketing Research for Filipinos. Manila:
National Book Store Inc.
Slavin, R. Research Methods in Education. New Jersey USA: Prentice Hall
Inc.
FOR SAMPLES OF THESIS PROPOSALS,
you may look for Fetalveros
Writing a Thesis Proposal: Guide for Beginners
available at the College of Education Library.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PROF. EDDIE G. FETALVERO is the
Research Coordinator of the College of
Education. He has a Masters Degree in
Science Education from the Philippine
Normal University and is deeply interested in
R&D, technology integration, performance
assessment and blogging in science education.
He has served as resource speakers in various
seminars in the province.
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INTRODUCTION
C.F. Kettering describes research as a high-hat word that scares a lot of
people. It needs not. It is rather simple. Essentially it is nothing but a
state of mind: a friendly welcoming attitude towards change.
Writing a thesis proposal has been one of the most challenging
academic experiences of a student enrolled in the graduate or
undergraduate program. Thesis proposal is the usual requirement asked
of a student enrolled in the Methods of Research class. While there are
books that explained in details the research process, the bottomline still
is how to organize the process into a full-blown thesis proposal. The
structure of the proposal speaks of the institution, because format and
styles vary from university to university.
This short but clear guide on how to prepare a thesis proposal is a
product of the authors seven years experience as a research instructor,
thesis adviser and thesis examiner. Hundreds of students have been
guided by this outline which made thesis proposal preparation an
enjoyable experience and thesis proposal outputs better than before. It
is hoped that as one uses this material as a guide, s/he must not limit on
the suggested contents of the section because these are just the basics,
s/he can even go beyond.
RESEARCH VERSUS THESIS
Research is a careful, systematic study in a field of knowledge that is
undertaken to discover or establish facts or principles (Webster, 1984)
while thesis is a lengthy academic paper based on original research,
especially as work toward an academic degree. For anyone doing
research for a degree, thesis is the correct term but for those who are
doing research leading to the purpose put forward by Webster, they are
doing a research.
WHAT IS A THESIS PROPOSAL?
A thesis proposal is a plan about a research that will be undertaken by a
graduate or undergraduate student, the completion of which entitled
him or her for an academic degree. Regardless of the university, course
or specialization, only the format and style vary, but the general
research process is almost the same.
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PARTS OF A THESIS PROPOSAL RUBRIC FOR THESIS PROPOSAL ORAL DEFENSE

CRITERIA INDICATORS OF QUALITY POINTS SCORE
Preliminary Parts Content In-depth and thorough discussion of 0-4
Title Page the study; demonstrates strong evi-
dence of research
Biographical Sketch
Organization Oral report is well-planned and logical- 0-4
Acknowledgment Page and Clarity ly presented; shows mastery; well-
Table of Contents understood by the listeners.
List of Tables Delivery Relaxed and confident; shows natural 0-3
List of Figures body movements that develop enthusi-
asm and affect the listeners positively;
Abstract voice fluctuates in volume and inflec-
tion and sustains interest.

Main Parts Presentation AV materials are well-done; used to 0-4

Chapter I: Introduction aids and Time make the presentation interesting and
Management meaningful; finished within the pre-
Chapter II: Review of Related Literature and Studies scribed time with appropriate pacing.
Chapter III: Research Methodology Reasoning Correctly answers questions thrown by 0-5
Ability and the panel; elaborates on areas that
Attitude need further clarification and explana-
References tion; quick witted; easily understands
the question of the panel; courteous;
optimistic and humble in accepting
Appendices suggestions
TOTAL 20

Oral Defense Grade: ________________

(Score x 2.5 + 50)

USING THE RUBRICS Unlike other rubrics where indicators of

The Continuum
Sample Scales: 0 3; 0-4, 0-5
student performance are fixed to beginner,
developing or expert, these suggested rubrics
provide a continuum scale. The midpoint of
the scale is the acceptable performance, while
towards the right of the scale is the best
performance and on the other side was poor
performance. A scorer, upon inspecting
students work will determine from the scale
the level of student performance for a
particular task and plot this against the point
scale allotted for a particular criterion where
half of the value means an acceptable
performance. As much as possible, raters
should refrain from giving decimal scores. The
use of whole numbers is recommended.
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RUBRIC IN GRADING A THESIS PROPOSAL THE PRELIMINARY PARTS

SECTION INDICATORS OF QUALITY POINTS SCORE

Title Page Complete [title, authors name, 0-1

submission line, course, date]
Abstract Identifies all the following: the topic,
scope, procedure.
Introduction Discusses all the following items:
background of the study, statement of
the problem, significance of the study
and scope and delimitation of the
study.
Specific problems are clear and
unambiguous; study is significant,
timely and of current issue; and is
clearly delimited but big enough for
making valid generalizations.
Review of Discusses all the following items:
Related related literature, related studies,
Literature and conceptual framework, assumptions/
Studies hypothesis and definition of terms;
sources of information are properly
cited; conceptual framework is
logical; terms are defined
operationally
Research Discusses the research design which
Methodology contains all the following items:
research method, locale and time of
study, population and samples,
sampling design, instrument, data
collection and data source, and
method of data analysis.
The research methodology is
appropriate; design is clear and in
accordance with the scientific method
of research.
Research The instrument is appropriate; it is
Instrument based on several sources; items
covered are needed and will answer
the problem.
Grammar and Correct grammar and spelling; paper
Spelling is properly edited.
Format and Style References use correct format; tables
and figures are numbered
appropriately; followed the
institutions prescribed style in thesis
writing.
TOTAL
Title Page
It contains the proposed title written in an inverted
0-2
pyramid form [2-3 lines]
0-4 Contains as many keywords as possible to describe the
focus and contents of the study
Summarizes the main idea of the proposed study in 10-12
words
Should not contain abbreviations, symbols or expressions
Avoid awkward syllabication of the word
0-4
Biographical Sketch
Written in essay form [third person]
Contains the following
Full name of the proponent
0-4
Date and place of other schools attended
Honors conferred
Signature of the proponent
Acknowledgment Page
Expresses appreciation to persons who have contributed
significantly to the preparation of the proposal
0-6
Must not exceed two pages
Table of Contents
0-5 Outline of the report indicating on what page each major
0-4 section or subsection begins
It enables the reader to find various chapters easily
List of Tables
30
Any data presented in the proposal in tabular form.

Written Report Grade: _________

(Score x 1.67 + 50)
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List of Figures 3. Inserting the added sources as bibliographic citation (reference.)

Figures include graphs and pictures. A. Place the cursor at the end of the document.
B. Ensure that APA (American Psychological Association)
Abstract style is chosen.
An abridged (shortened) version of the what the proposal is C. Click bibliography
all about D. Insert bibliography.
It should not exceed 200 words.
B
C

E. This must be the result of the above procedure.

4. Do the same procedures (1-3) for other cited information.

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USING THE REFERENCE MENU IN MS WORD 2007 THE MAIN PARTS

1. Click the reference menu. Choose APA as the default style. CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
This Part contains the following sections:
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
Limitations of the Study
2. A. Encode the cited/copied statement.
B. Click insert citation.
Background of the Study
C. Select add new source.
Composed of at least 3 paragraphs
D. Choose the type of source.
Contains the following:
E. Fill in the form.
Brief narrative exposition about the background of
F. Click OK.
the problem
Reason/rationale of the study
B Importance of the problem chosen for the study
Answers the following questions:
What is the identified research problem?
A Why is there a need to do the study about the said
problem?
D
Statement of the Problem
E Main problem
Declarative statement consistent with the title
Specific Objectives
F
Infinitives (to)

This is how the citation will look like (usually in Chapter II). Significance of the Study
Points out the possible contribution of the study to
theoretical expectations
Expounds on impact of the study on education, science and
technology, on-going researches etc.
Discusses the implications
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Discusses the importance of the study to society etc.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
Scope explains the nature, the boundaries or coverage of the
study in terms of subjects, objectives, facilities, areas, time
frame, and the issues to which the research is focused
Delimitation defines the constraints or weaknesses, which may
affect the result adversely but over which are within the control
of the researcher therefore, they are not expected to be covered
by the study. Delimitation in the following is stated
Scope and subject areas
Coverage and methodology
Number of respondents
The place
Period covered
Rationale behind limiting the scope of the study
Limitations of the Study
Limitation defines the the weaknesses of the study that are
beyond the control of the researcher.
REFERENCES
Contains all the sources arranged alphabetically by authors
last names that are directly used in writing the proposal
Every source cited in the paper must be included in the
bibliography and every entry listed in the references must
appear in the paper
Rules to be considered:
Provide enough information to permit the reader to
locate the source
Be consistent in the way sources are cited
Be accurate
APPENDICES
Appendices are data that are not important enough to be
included in the main body of the report
It contains the following:
Information and documents not readily available to
the reader: original data, summary tabulations,
tables containing data of lesser importance,
supporting documents, full description of quoted
methods, questionnaires, tests and cover letters
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Population and Samples of the Study CHAPTER II:

Describes the characteristics of the population of study. If REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
possible the exact number of elements consisting the
population must be presented. This part contains the following sections:
Due to some constraints mostly brought about by logistics Related Literature
and time, samples are drawn to represent the population.
Related Studies
The mechanism of determining the sample size must be
presented in this section. Conceptual Framework
Definition of Terms
Sampling Procedure Research Hypothesis
Describes the sampling procedure used in selecting samples Assumptions of the Study
of the study
Shows whether samples are representatives of the Related Literature
population
Answers what has been done relative to the problems at
Shows the formula used in sample selection hand
Embodies the cited theories, principles, concepts, facts,
Research Instruments ideas and views regarding the variables under study from
Describes the research instrument: nature, purpose, Books
construction, content-validation, pre-testing, and rationale Research Journals
for its use.
Monographs
Other Scholarly Publications
Data Collection and Source of Data
Embedded in this section is the theoretical framework. It is
Describes in detail the data collection procedures, time
based on theory which gives explicit definitions of the
frame for the collection of data, and who will do the data
theoretical relations among the variables studied and a set
collection
of abstract measures of each variable.
Presented in topical form
Method of Data Processing and Analysis
Discusses how the data will be categorized, coded and
Related Studies
tabulated
Contains the cited studies of thesis authors here and abroad
Data procesing is a means of converting information into
quantitative or qualitative form Only those researches related to the study must be cited
Identifies the procedure in presenting the results of the Contains an analysis and integration of the meaningful
investigation, the most effective method of presenting the relationships among the concepts and findings of other
data, statistics to be used, and the acceptable level of related studies with possible implications on the findings of
significance. the proposed study
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Conceptual Framework CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Is drawn from the review of related literature, theoretical
framework and related studies This part contains the following sections:
Presents the relationship of the variables as conceived by Research Design
the researcher
Research Method To Be Used
It acts as a representative image of the phenomenon of the
Research Locale and Time of Study
real world that the researcher wants to study
The Population and Samples of the Study
Not all studies need a theoretical and conceptual
frameworks, but relational and causal studies do. Studies Sampling Procedure
which do not intend to examine relationship between or Research Instrument
among variables or the effect of one variable on another do
Data Collection and Source of Data
not require a theoretical framework.
Method of Data Processing and Analysis
Definition of Terms
Operationalization of the variables under study Research Design
This part tells
Gives definition of terms as used in the study or authority
definitions of concepts within the theoretical framework What observations to make?
The purpose is to reach an agreement between the reader How to make them?
and the study proponent on the true meaning of concepts How to analyze the quantitative representation of the
as used in the study observations
Operational definitions are musts as these show how each
concept or aspect is to operate or be measured in the study Research Method to be Used
Terms and variables being defined are arranged in Describes the type of research used:
alphabetical order
Descriptive
Correlational
Research Hypothesis
Historical
Only used in experimental/inferential studies
Experimental
Null predicts the absence of any difference, relationship,
effect nor interaction between variables Combination of methods
Alternative is the opposite of the null hypothesis Others [case studies, action researches]

Assumptions of the Study Research Locale and Time of Study

Optional Gives the description of the place where the respondents
are to be obtained and the rationale behind its choice
To be included only if there is no hypothesis formulated
Shows the map and exact location of the place of study in
Assumptions are statements taken for granted, and relation to the community and its neighboring places
assumed to be true.
Gives the date of the study