Writing Research Paper:

A Step by Step Guide

Dr. RACIDON P. BERNARTE

Director
Research Management Department
Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Outline

Research in a Nutshell
Characteristics of Research
The Research Process
Guidelines for Selecting Research Topic
Sources of Research Topic
Literature Review
From Topic to Problem and Objectives
Determining Appropriate Methodology
Sampling
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Writing the Research Report
Disseminating Research Findings

Research in a Nutshell
Application of scientific method
to study a problem.
A way to acquire dependable
and useful information.
To discover answer to
meaningful questions through
the application of scientific
procedures.

Characteristics of Research
Controlled
Rigorous
Systematic
Empirical
Valid and Verifiable
Critical

Characteristics of Research
Scholarly research more systematic,
more careful and more concerned
about correctness and truthfulness
(Berger, 2000).

The Research Process

Characteristics of Research

Select a research topic

Review relevant literature
State the research problem and objectives
Formulate the study framework
Determine the appropriate methodology
Collect a relevant data
Analyze and interpret the result
Prepare the result report
Protect the research output
Present the result in an appropriate forum
Publish research findings
Commercialize (if it has potential)

Characteristics of Research

Select a research topic

Review relevant literature
State the research problem and objectives
Formulate the study framework
Determine the appropriate methodology
Collect a relevant data
Analyze and interpret the result
Prepare the result report
Protect the research output
Present the result in an appropriate forum
Publish research findings
Commercialize (if it has potential)

Guidelines in Selecting Research

Topic/Problem
The research problem must be chosen by the researcher
himself so that he will not make excuses for all the
obstacles he will encounter.
The problem must be within the interest of the
researcher so that he will give all the time and effort in
the research work.
The problem must be within the specialization of the
researcher. It will make the work easier for the
researcher because he is familiar in the area and it will
help him improve his specialization, skill and
competence in his own area.

Guidelines in Selecting Research

Topic/Problem
The research problem must be within the competence
of the researcher. The researcher must know the
procedures in making research and how to apply them.
He must have a workable understanding of his study.
The research problem must be manageable. The data
must be available or within the capacity of the
researcher to gather data. The data must be accurate,
objective and not biased. The data should help the
researcher answer the question being investigated.
The research problem must be completed within the
period set by the researcher.

Guidelines in Selecting Research

Topic/Problem
The research problem must be significant, important and
relevant to the present time as well as to the future. This
means that the research problem must have an impact
to the situation and people it is intended for.
The results of the study must be practical and
implementable.
The conduct of research must adhere to the principles of
research ethics
The study must contribute to the human knowledge. The
facts and knowledge must be a product of research.

Sources of Research Topics

Research Journals (Academic and
Professional)
Academic Experience
Daily Work Experience
Exposure to the Fields of Situations
Consultations
Brainstorming
Past Research
Intuition

Literature Review
Literature Review is an account of the
materials, published or unpublished, on
a specific topic by scholars and
researchers.
It is guided by the research problem
and objectives

Literature Review
A discussion of your knowledge about
the topic under study
A discussion of your knowledge that is
supported by the research literature
A foundation for the study

Literature Review
Literature Review is NOT:
A study-by-study, or article-by-article,
description of studies previously done
A re-statement of the studies
previously done
A brief overview of articles

Literature Review
Importance, Functions and Purpose
Helps or guide the researcher in searching for or
selecting a better research problem or topic.
Helps the investigator understand his topic for
research better.
Ensures that there will be no duplication of other
studies.
Helps and guide the researcher in locating more
sources of related information.

Literature Review
Importance, Functions and Purpose
Helps and guide researcher in making research
design especially in:
the formulation of specific questions to be
researched on
the formulation of assumptions and hypotheses if
there should be any
the formulation of conceptual framework
the selection and application of sampling techniques
the selection and application of research methods

Literature Review
Importance, Functions and Purpose
the selection and/or preparation and validation of
research instruments for gathering data
the selection and application of statistical
procedures
the analysis, organization, presentation, and
interpretation of data
the making of the summary of implications for
the whole study
the formulation of the summary of findings,
conclusions, and recommendations

Literature Review

Literature Review
Characteristics of RRL
The surveyed materials must be as recent as
possible.
Materials reviewed must be objective and unbiased.
Materials must be relevant to the study .
Surveyed materials must have been based upon
genuinely original and true facts or data to make
them valid and reliable.
Reviewed materials must not be too few nor too
many.

Literature Review
Organizing RRL
Chronological
By publication date
By trend
Thematic
A structure which considers different themes
Methodological
Focuses on the methods of the researcher, e.g., qualitative
versus quantitative approaches

Literature Review
Making Links Between Literature
Agreements
Similarly, author B points to
Likewise, author C makes the case that
Author D also makes this point
Again, it is possible to see how author E agrees with author D
Disagreements
However, author B points to
On the other hand, author C makes the case that
Conversely, Author D argues
Nevertheless, what author E suggests

Literature Review
Writing Process

Rough Draft
Final Draft
Edit
Edit Again

Literature Review
Have someone else look at your literature
review for
Clarity
Can they understand what youre trying say?

Flow
Does the organization make sense?

Completeness
Are there areas left out?
Questions left unanswered?
Statements without citations?

Literature Review
Use APA style & format
Have your work proofread before submitting
Follow all format guidelines
Must be a thorough review, reflected by the
depth of the discussion
Should begin prior to the implementation of
the study

Literature Review
Plagiarism includes (Galvan, pg. 89):
Using another writers words without proper citation
Using another writers ideas without proper citation
Citing a source but reproducing the exact word without
quotation marks
Borrowing the structure of another authors phrases/sentences
without giving the source
Borrowing all or part of another students paper
Using paper-writing service or having a friend write the paper

Literature Review
Plagiarism includes (Galvan, pg. 89):
To avoid plagiarism, do not try to rewrite an authors
sentences in your own words. You will almost always
use too many of that authors words.
Instead, read the authors words and interpret what
they mean. Then write down your interpretation.

Literature Review
A Good Literature Review Is:
Focused - The topic should be narrow. You should only present ideas
and only report on studies that are closely related to topic.
Concise - Ideas should be presented economically. Dont take any
more space than you need to present your ideas.
Logical - The flow within and among paragraphs should be a smooth,
logical progression from one idea to the next
Developed - Dont leave the story half told.
Integrative - Your paper should stress how the ideas in the studies are
related. Focus on the big picture. What commonality do all the studies
share? How are some studies different than others? Your paper should
stress how all the studies reviewed contribute to your topic.
Current - Your review should focus on work being done on the cutting
edge of your topic.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Problem Statement:
A "Problem Statement" is a description of a
difficulty or lack that needs to be solved or at
least researched to see whether a solution can
be found.It can also be described as eithera
gapbetween the real and the desired ora
contradictionbetween principle and
practice.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Problem Statement:
The ultimate goal of a problem statement is to
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.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Problem Statement:
Writing a Problem Statement should help you clearly
identify the purpose of the project you will propose.
Often, the Problem Statement will also serve as the
basis for the introductory section of your final
proposal, directing your readers attention quickly to
the issues that your proposed project will address and
providing the reader with a concise statement of the
proposed project itself.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Problem Statement:
Writing a Problem Statement should help you clearly
identify the purpose of the project you will propose. Often,
the Problem Statement will also serve as the basis for the
introductory section of your final proposal, directing your
readers attention quickly to the issues that your proposed
project will address and providing the reader with a concise
statement of the proposed project itself.
A statement problem need not be long and windy. One
page is more than enough for a good statement of problem.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Example of Problem Statement (1):
According to the XY university mission statement, the university seeks to
provide students with a safe, healthy learning environment. Dormitories
are one important aspect of that learning environment, since 55% of XY
students live in campus dorms and most of these students spend a
significant amount of time working in their dorm rooms.
However,
Students living in dorms A B C, and D currently do not have air conditioning
units, and during the hot seasons, it is common for room temperatures to
exceed 80 degrees F. Many students report that they are unable to do
homework in their dorm rooms. Others report problems sleeping because
of the humidity and temperature. The rooms are not only unhealthy, but
they inhibit student productivity and academic achievement.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Example of Problem Statement:
Cont..
In response to this problem, our study proposes to investigate several
options for making the dorms more hospitable. We plan to carry out an
all inclusive participatory investigation into options for purchasing air
conditioners (university-funded; student-subsidized) and different types
of air conditioning systems. We will also consider less expensive ways to
mitigate some or all of the problems noted above (such as creating
climate-controlled dorm lounges and equipping them with better study
areas and computing space).

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Example of Problem Statement (2):
In order to accomplish their missions public universities need motivated
workforces.
There are however frequent and severe disciplinary actions, absenteeism as
well as various forms of unrests in public universities which affect the
accomplishment of the set missions. Our preliminary investigation reveals
that both non-management and management staff are not adequately
motivated.
Without effective motivational packages and procedures the said vices are
likely to continue and retard the achievement of the universities' missions
Need arises to examine the public universities motivation systems and
procedures hence this proposed research

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Research Question
Are interrogative statements that focus on
what variables or concepts are to be described
and what relationships might exist among
them

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Examples of Research Questions
1.How educational environment influence the
social and intellectual outcomes of students?
2.What is the preferred learning styles of the
students and its relationship to their academic
performance?
3.How K-12 influence the career decision of
high school students?

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Research Objectives
Are definitions of various aspects or
dimensions of the problem. They guide the
researchers on what tasks or directions to
undertake to address the problem adequately.
They set the criteria and indicators with which
to measure the key concepts or variables in a
study.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Research Objectives
While the problem formulation serves to
describe the aim of your thesis, the objectives
provide an accurate description of the specific
actions you will take in order to reach this aim.

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Research Objectives
Is the level of knowledge on recommended
nutritional practices related to the nutritional
status of pregnant women attending antenatal
care in Quezon City?

From Topic to Problem/Objectives

Sample Research Question
1.To assess the knowledge level among ANC
attendees on the recommended nutritional practices
during pregnancy
2.To assess the nutritional status of pregnant women
attending ANC
3.To analyze the statistical association between
nutritional knowledge level and nutritional status in
pregnant women attending ANC

Determining Appropriate
Methodology
Major Types of Research Methods
The empirical-analytical group approaches
This type of research focuses on objective knowledge, research questions
that can be answered yes or no, and operational definitions of variables to
be measured. The empirical-analytical group employs deductive reasoning
that uses existing theory as a foundation for formulating hypotheses that
need to be tested. This approach is focused on explanation.
Theinterpretative group of methods
Focus on analytically disclosing the meaning-making practices of human
subjects [the why, how, or by what means people do what they do], while
showing how those practices arrange so that it can be used to generate
observable outcomes. Interpretive methods allow you to recognize your
connection to the phenomena under study but, because the interpretative
group focuses more on subjective knowledge, it requires careful
interpretation of variables.

Determining Appropriate
Methodology
Major Types of Research Methods
Experimental Research Methods
involve the standard practice of manipulating
quantitative,independent variables to generate statistically
analyzable data
Opinion Based Research Methods
where emotions or behaviors are measured
Observational Research Methods
observe a phenomenon without interfering too much.

Determining Appropriate
Methodology
Purpose

To generate theory

To test theory

To explore theory

Example

Method

What are Filipino

lecturers experiences
of using research to
shape teaching
practice?

Qualitative data
Qualitative analysis: e.g.

How effective are

research briefings at
influencing Filipino
policymakers
decisions?

Quantitative data
Quantitative analysis: e.g.

Ethnography
Content analysis
Grounded theory

Surveys
Statistical modelling
Factor analysis

What is known about

the factors which
promote or hinder the
Mixed data
uptake of research
Mixed methods
evidence by
policymakers in the
Philippines?

Sampling
Sample and Sampling
The process of selecting representative
portion of the population.

Sampling
Sample and Sampling

Sampling
Sampling Process
Define the target population
Determine the sampling frame
Select a sampling technique(s)
Determine the sample size
Execute the sampling process

Sampling
Sampling Techniques
Nonprobability
Sampling Techniques

Convenience Judgmental
Sampling
Sampling

Simple Random
Sampling

Systematic
Sampling

Probability
Sampling Techniques

Quota
Sampling

Stratified
Sampling

Snowball
Sampling

Cluster
Sampling

Other Sampling
Techniques

Sampling
n = N / (1 + Ne)
Where:
n = number of samples
N = total population
e = error margin (.05 or .01)
or level of confidence

Sampling
n = N / (1 + Ne)
Where:
n=?
N = 1000
e = .05 margin of error or
95% confidence level

Sampling

n = N / (1 + Ne)
Where:
n = 1000 / (1 + 1000 * 0.05)
n = 1000 / (1 + .0025)
n = 285.71 sample

Sampling

Sampling

Sampling

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Analysis
Is the process of organizing data into logical,
sequential and meaningful categories and
classifications to make them amenable to
study and interpretation

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Analysis
Describe and summarize the data
Identify relationships between variables
Compare variables
Identify the difference between variables
Forecast outcomes

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Presentation
Numerical
Tabular
Graphical
Narrative

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Interpretation
The process of attaching meaning to the data
Numbers do not speak for themselves:
55% of youth reported a change of behavior
25% of respondents rated the program a 5
and 75% rated 4

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Writing the Research Report

Research Report
Is a condensed form or a brief
description of a research work done by
the researcher. It involves several steps
present the report in the form of thesis
or dissertation.

Writing the Research Report

Research Report
Introduction (Background, Rationale, and Significance
of the Study)
Statement of the Problem and Objectives
Review of Related Literature
Study Framework
Methodology
Findings/Results and Discussion
Conclusions and Recommendations

Writing the Research Report

Guidelines for Writing Research Report
Use formal tone. In most cases, the report is written in the
third person point of view; for qualitative reports, the first
person point of view may be used.
Follow the APA format
Use the past tense in the discussion of methodology and
findings
Present write up/text before tables/graphs
Label figures properly
Always cite table/figure number in the text
Never start a sentence with a figure

Dissemination of Research
Findings
Print Publication
Public Presentation
Online Dissemination

Final Note:

Research is to see what

everybody else has seen, and
to think what nobody else has
thought
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Thank You!
Writing Research Paper:
A Step by Step Guide
Dr. RACIDON P. BERNARTE

Director
Research Management Department
Polytechnic University of the Philippines