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1.0 The Introduction

The Introduction serves as the rationale, the underlying principles or the background of the research.

Strategies in Writing the Introduction:

 Define the Context of your research problem in general terms.
 Describe the importance of the research, the reasons why there is a need to conduct the investigation
and the significance of the desired solutions
 Identify the beneficiaries and why the research solution is important them.

2.0 Background of the Study

The situation or environment where the problem is observed or where the problem evolved.

3.0 Theoretical Framework

The theoretical paradigm or framework presents the interrelationships of theories, principles and beliefs that
are essential to the investigation of the research problem. A theory is a set of interrelated concepts,
definitions, and propositions that presents a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among
variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena.

Guidelines in the formulation of the Theoretical Framework:

 Identify the relevant theories and principles from the existing literature or the theoretical
underpinnings of the study
 Present the theories and their relationships clearly and systematically

4.0 Conceptual Framework

The conceptual paradigm or framework offers a functional and workable model in undertaking the
investigation. It is the rationale and fundamental basis of the entire research. It consists of the researcher’s
own position on the problem after exposure to various theories that have bearing on the problem. The
conceptual framework thus, becomes the central theme, the focus, the main thrust of the study.

Guidelines in the formulation of the Conceptual Framework:

 Formulate a doable representation of the interrelationships of the variables in the context of the entire
research
 Present a schematic diagram to identify clearly the relationships between and among the variables

5.0 Statement of the Problem

Guidelines in Formulating the Research Problem

 the research problem is written in question form
 the research problem identifies a specific area
 the topic is phrased in workable and manageable terms
 the scope is limited to realistic parameters – not too narrow nor too broad
 the relationship between variables to be studied are clearly cited
 the phrases and wordings are measurable and can be empirically proven
 the research problem identifies the data and techniques needed to answer the questions
 the research problem is stated clearly in grammatical terms
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 clear and concise (i.e. not too long, complex, or hard to understand)
 the words used are unbiased, objective and not emotion-laden

6.0 Assumptions
Assumptions are the basic premises of the investigation. They are the statements that serve as foundations of
the study. Assumptions must possess the truth-function and relevance-grounding characteristics, meaning they
must be based on what is true and operational in the field of discipline under research and these must be
relevant to the problem, objectives, hypothesis and theories of the study.

Guidelines in the used of basic assumptions

 the value of the study cannot be assumed
 the reliability of the instruments proposed to be used in the research cannot be assumed
 the validity of basic data cannot be assumed; validity is established under “Methodology”
 that the population is typical cannot be assumed; this point is to be made under “Methodology”
 an assumption is not tested, neither is it defended or argued

7.0 Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a supposition of an occurrence of an event that can be tested. It is a statement about expected
relationships between two or more variables which permit empirical testing (Fisher and others, 1991; Bailey
1987). It refers to “a formal affirmative statement predicting a single research outcome, a tentative
explanation of the relationship between two or more variables” (Best and Kahn, 1989).

The hypothesis enables the researcher to formulate a provisional explanation of outcome that can serve as a
guide in the investigation. It is a prediction of a relationship between one or more factors and the problem
under study, an explanation for the problem which can then be tested, a tentative conclusion or answer to a
specific question raised at the beginning of the investigation/study or an educated guess about the answer to a
specific question.

A hypothesis may be classified in either of these two major categories:

1. Null Hypothesis
 It is a statement of denial of relationship, difference or an effect
 It is expressed in the negative form of a statement

2. Alternative Hypothesis
 It states the very opposite of what the null hypothesis predicts
 It is also called the research or scientific hypothesis
 It is a formal affirmative statement predicting a single research outcome, a tentative
explanation of the relationship between two or more variables

Characteristics of Good Hypotheses

1. It should be reasonable
2. It should be testable
3. It should conform with known facts or theories
4. It should be stated in the simplest possible terms

Guidelines in the formulation of explicit hypotheses:

 in experimental investigations, comparative and correlational studies, hypotheses have to be explicit in
descriptive and historical investigations, hypotheses are seldom expressed, if not entirely absent
 hypotheses are usually stated in the null form
 Be concrete and clear, making sure that each hypothesis is stated in terms of observable behavior which
will permit objective evaluation of the results
 The words used must be measurable, devoid of value judgments and unambiguous (i.e. explicit)
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8.0 Significance of the Study

It is in this section where the researcher discusses the value of the research study to targeted beneficiaries or
users of the results of the study. Target beneficiaries can be presented into various individuals, groups or
sectors. It indicates the need for the study and impact of the study in the future.

Guidance in explaining the significance/importance of the study:

 Explain/discuss the rationale, timeliness, and/or relevance of the study to existing conditions
 Must indicate who are to be benefited and how they are going to be benefited
 the possible solutions to existing problems or improvement to unsatisfactory conditions
 Possible implications (e.g. causes, effects and the remedial measures to solve the problems)

9.0 Scope and Limitations of the Study

This section explains in details the research parameters and limitations surrounding the study within which
conclusions must be confined.

Scope indicates the coverage or boundary of the study with concrete reference to the following:
 Variables (concepts for investigations)
 Area or locality
 Subjects or population
 Sources of data
 Methods to be used in data collection and analysis
 Timeframe

Limitations are statements which alert the reader of the research report to certain conditions which are
beyond the control of the researcher. This also refers to the constraints that might be encountered in the
conduct of the investigation such as non-availability of data, uncooperativeness of respondents, inability of
respondents to recall accurate responses and confidentiality of some relevant information.

Guidelines in writing the scope and limitations of the study (should include the following:
 A brief statement of the general purpose of the study
 subject matter and topics covered/discussed
 Sources of data and the methods to be employed in data collection and analysis
 population from which the respondents were selected
 Timeframe or period of the study during which the data where gathered
 Constraint that might be encountered in the conduct of the study
 may include the weaknesses of the study beyond the control of the researcher

10.0 Definition of Terms

This section defines important variables and technical terms. Defining the variables or concepts is simply
explaining abstract meaning based on available dictionaries, books, or manuals or the discipline. Defining the
important variables of the study involves the transformation of the abstract meaning into observable and
measurable data levels or components in the context of the present investigation.

This section also provides clarity of the research concepts. It helps the readers of a proposal or report in
understanding the research objectives, the method or methods used, and the findings of the study.
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There are two major types of definitions:

a. conceptual definition – is the universal meaning that is attributed to a word or group of
words and which is understood by many people
b. operational definition – is the meaning of the concept or term as used in a particular
study

Definition of Terms serves two essential functions:

a. First, it establishes the rules and procedures the investigators will use to measure variables.
b. Second, it provides unambiguous meaning to terms that otherwise can be interpreted in
different ways.

Guidelines in Defining Terms:

 Only terms, words or phases which have special or unique meanings in the study are defined
 Terms should be defined operationally (i.e. how they are used in the study)
 The researcher may develop his own definition from the characteristics of the term defined
 Definitions may be taken from encyclopedias, books, magazines and newspapers articles, dictionaries,
and other publications but the researcher must acknowledge his sources
 Definitions should be as brief, clear and unequivocal (i.e. only one meaning) as possible
 Acronyms should always be spelled out fully especially if it is not commonly known or if it used for the
first time in the report