Preparing the Research Paper

(Thesis and Dissertation)

Based on the meeting conducted
with the Graduate School Faculty
(2016)

Quantitative
Number of Variables: minimum of 2 (thesis)
minimum of 3 (dissertation)

Example:

The Influence of Study Habits and Teaching Strategy

on the
IV
IV
Comprehension Skills of Students
DV
Respondents

Quantitative Research Format and

Content
Practical Guide

Chapter 1
The Problem and Its Scope
Introduction
Rationale of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis
Review of Related Literature
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

Introduction
First Paragraph (Topic)

This section contains the concept of the research. No

citations here.
Second Paragraph (Research Problem)
This section must talk about your research problem.
Citations may be allowed but limited only to statistics,
reports, surveys, laws (interplay of your variables).
This must contain a
Third Paragraph (Global)
justification of the
Fourth Paragraph (National)
importance of the
Fifth Paragraph (Local)
problem as found in
the past research and
Sixth Paragraph
in practice.
This section must contain the deficiencies in our
existing knowledge about the problem.

Rationale of the Study

Why do you need to conduct the study (2-3

paragraphs)
Beneficiaries
This section must contain the audience that
will benefit from this study. (School
Administrators, Policy Makers, Teachers,
Studentsetc.)
One paragraph explanation for each
beneficiary. How will your identified
beneficiary benefit form your study.

Statement of the Problem

(Guide/Sample Only)
This study aims to determine the
influence of study habits and teaching
strategy on the comprehension skills
of students at Holy Cross of Davao
College. Specifically, this study aims to
answer the following questions:
1. On first IV
2. On second IV
3. On first DV
4. DV grouped according to
classification
5. First IV and DV relationship
6. Second IV and DV relationship
7. Influence of two IV on DV

General
Objective

Specific
Objectives

Hypothesis
State your Null Hypothesis

Review of Related Literature

This section discusses literature and studies in the area of
XXXXXXXXX. The information presented in this section provides
solid background for the conduct of this study.
First Variable

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx
First Indicator. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Second Variable

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Synthesis (Concluding Statement/ Summary of the Review)

Review of Related Literature

Do not separate review of related literature and studies.
Identify key terms to use in your search for literature.

(variables and indicators).

Variables and indicators should serve as your
guide/heading/subheading in the RRL.
Consult academic journals and scholarly books.
Critically select literature.
Always honor original authors through citation and
referencing.
Citations should be no more than 10 years older as
much as possible.
Avoid secondary citations.

Theoretical/Conceptual
Framework
You may use Google Scholar to search for theory.

Keywords: Theory on Study Habits and Comprehension Skills

:Theory on Teaching Strategies and Comprehension Skills
Example: This study is anchored on two theories
In case no theory, use refereed journal.

Example: This study is anchored on refereed journal article of

McGregor (2016) who stated that the CS of students are
dependent on their SH.
You can also use theses and dissertations.

Example: This study is anchored on the recommendation of

_________(_____) who stated that
This theory or article are supported by the following
authors.

Conceptual Framework
Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Study Habits
First Indicator
Second
Comprehension
Indicator
Skills
Third Indicator
First Indicator
Teaching
Second
Strategies
Indicator
First Indicator
Third Indicator
Second
Indicator
Third
Indicator
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

Conceptual Framework
Provide a one-paragraph explanation for

each variable. Explain each indicator of the

variables and indicate its source.
Questionnaires may be a source of
indicators.

Chapter 2
Methodology
Research Design
Research Locale
Research Respondents
Research Instrument
Data Gathering Procedure
Data Analysis

Research Design
(Sample Design Only)
Experimental Research

Explaining whether an intervention influences an

outcome for one group as opposed to another group
Correlational Research
Associating or relating variables in a predictable
pattern for one group of individuals
Survey Research
Describing trends for a population of people
Identify and explain your research design. Explain
why your chosen design is best for your study.

Research Locale
Describe the location of the study.
Provide a map and label it as Figure 2

(Figure 1 is the Conceptual Framework of

the Study). This will utilize 1 whole page.

Research Respondents
1. Identify your unit of analysis. (Who?)
2. Specify the population

2.1 Probability Sampling

2.1.1 simple random sampling assign a number
2.1.2 systematic sampling-every nth individual
2.1.3 stratified sampling- divide the population (i.e. gender) then random sampling
2.2 Nonprobability Sampling
2.2.1 convenience sampling- when researchers select participants because they are
willing and
available
2.2.2 snowball sampling when researchers ask participant to identify members of the
sample (recruitment)
3. Identify the sample size.
4. As a rough estimate, an educational research needs:
Approximately 15 participants in each group in an experiment
Approximately 30 participants for a correlational study that relates variables
Approximately 350 individuals for a survey study (but this size will vary depending on
several factors)
Sources: Creswell, J. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among
the five
approaches. SAGE:USA.

Research Instrument
Survey Questionnaire
Discuss/explain your questionnaire.
Do Pilot Testing
Repost Reliability Test Result
Discuss Validity/Subject Paper for Validation
If standardized

- Acknowledge Original
- Seek Permission

Data Gathering Procedure

Explain how your gathered data in

narrative. Narrate from step 1 to the last

step.
Discuss in detail.
Be specific and clear.
Mention letters submitted to gatekeepers.

Data Analysis
Present the statistical treatment used.
Identify what statistical tools to be used per

SOP.
Present the Likert Scale for analysis here.

Preparing the Final Chapters

Chapter 3
Results and Discussions
Provide introductory paragraph.
Subheadings should be based on the Statement of the Problems in noun phrase.
Subheadings here should also appear in the Table of Contents.
Results should be discussed with reference to related literature.
Chapter 4
Conclusions and Recommendations

Provide introductory paragraph.

Brief Summary (Objective, Method, Results No citations/numerics here)
Conclusions (1 SOP = 1 Conclusion)
Recommendations -Based on Beneficiaries mentioned in the Rationale of
the Study
- Macro to Micro
-Research, Policy, Practice
SEE SAMPLE

References
Use APA
All citations should be referenced.
Ninety percent of the citations should not

be 10 years older.

Appendices
Arrange the appendices as they occur.
A. Validation Sheet (external, panel

member, internal)
B. Research Instrument
C. Letters
D. Others(name them)

Research Flow
(for oral presentation/defense
purposes only)
Data to
be
gathered

Responde
nts

Tools to
gather
data

Technique Output of
s to
the Study
analyze
data

QUALITATIVE
Specific Phenomenon

Sample Title: Back to Work: Motivational

Characteristics
Phenomenon
of Retired Professionals
Participants

Qualitative Research
Format and Content
Chapter 1
Introduction
Introduction
Purpose of the Study
Research Objectives
Literature Review
Theoretical Lens

Introduction
First Paragraph (Topic)

This section contains the concept of the research. No

citations here.
Second Paragraph (Research Problem)
This section must talk about your research problem.
Citations may be allowed but limited only to statistics,
reports, surveys, laws (interplay of your variables).
This must contain a
Third Paragraph (Global)
justification of the
Fourth Paragraph (National)
importance of the
Fifth Paragraph (Local)
problem as found in
the past research and
Sixth Paragraph
in practice.
This section must contain the deficiencies in our
existing knowledge about the problem.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this _______________________ (narrative,
phenomenological, grounded theory, ethnographic, case)
study is (was, will be) to ___________________(develop,
understand, describe, discover) the _________________ (central
phenomenon of the study). At this stage in the research, the
_________________ (central phenomenon) will be generally
defined as (a general definition of the central concept).
Source:
Creswell, J. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and
research design: Choosing among the five approaches (3 rd
ed.). Singapore: SAGE.
p. 135

Research Objectives
General statement followed by specific

research objectives.
The objectives should be in objective form.
To describe.
To explore

Literature Review
Minimal (Proposal)
To be comprehensive after analysis have

been made (Final)

Must support themes generated after in
Results and Discussion

Theoretical Lens
Theory about your central phenomenon
Two to three theories

Qualitative Research
Chapter 2
Methodology
Philosophical Assumptions
Qualitative Assumptions (Interpretive Frameworks)
Research Design
Participants and Sampling
Ethical Consideration
Role of the Researcher
Data Collection (Instrument and Procedure)
Data Analysis
Rigour

Philosophical Assumptions
(Choose which of the four best describes your philosophical
assumption)
Ontological Assumptions (Phenomenology)
When the researcher believes in the idea of multiple realities
When the researcher conduct a study with the intent of

reporting these multiple realities

When evidence of multiple realities includes the use of multiple
forms of evidence in themes using the actual words of different
individuals presenting different perspective

Epistemological Assumptions (Ethnography)

When the researcher tries to get as close as possible to the

participants being studied.

When knowledge is known through the subjective experience of
people When study is made in the field where participants work
and live
When researcher know what they know through first hand
information

Philosophical Assumptions
Axiological Assumptions (Interpretive Biography)
When the researcher admits the value-laden nature of the study and

actively report their values and biases

When n the researcher position themselves in a study
Methodological Assumptions
When the researchers presence is apparent in ten text
Methodological Assumption
When the study is inductive, emerging, and shaped by the researchers'

experience in collecting and analyzing data.

When the research is from the ground up rather than handed down
entirely from a theory or from the perspective of the researcher
When at times the research questions change in the middle of the study
to reflect better the type of questions needed to understand the
research problem.
When at times data collection strategy needs to be modifies in order for
the researcher to develop increasing knowledge of the topic studied.

Interpretive Frameworks
(Instead of Qualitative Assumptions)
Philosophical assumptions are embedded

within interpretive frameworks that

qualitative researchers use when they
conduct a study.
Categories of Frameworks
Post positivism
Social Constructivism
Transformative/Postmodern
Pragmatism
Others

Research Design
Common Approaches to Qualitative Designs you
can choose from:
Narrative
Phenomenology
Grounded Theory
Case Study
Ethnography

Participants and Sampling

Purposeful Sampling
Researchers intentionally select individuals or sites to learn or
understand the central phenomenon. The standard used in choosing
participants and sites is whether they are information rich.
1. Maximal Variation Sampling
Sample cases or individuals that differ on some characteristics or
traits (ex. Three teachers with different ethnicity)
2. Extreme Case Sampling
Sample persons or organizations that have been cited for
achievement
3. Critical Sampling
Samples exceptional case because the researcher can learn
something about the phenomenon
4. Snowball Sampling
Researcher asks other participants to recommend other individuals
to be sampled.
5. Homogeneous Sampling
Researcher samples individuals or sites based on membership in a
subgroup

Purposeful Sampling
6. Criterion Sampling - all cases that meet
some criterion; useful for quality assurance
7. Convenience Sampling saves time,
money, and effort but at the expense of
information and credibility
More details on page 158 (Cresswell)

Participants and Sampling

Sample Size (p. 157)
One general guideline for sample size in qualitative
research is not only to study few sites or individuals
but also to collect extensive detail about each
site or individual studied. Some suggestions:
Narrative: 1 or 2 individuals
Phenomenology: 3 to 10 subjects
Grounded Theory: 10 to 30
Ethnography:
Case Study: not more than 4 to 5 themes
As suggested in:
Creswell, J. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry
and Research Design: Choosing among five
approaches (3rd Ed.). SAGE: London

Ethical Consideration
Confidentiality
Consent Form
Member Checking

Role of the Researcher

Researcher as the instrument.
Describe your role from the start of the study towards

the end. Highlight your role in data gathering.

Data Collection
Observation Field notes
Interviews and Questionnaires
Documents
Audio-visual Materials
Focus Group Discussion
Others

Data Analysis
Coding
Assigning Themes
Collaizi Method

Rigour/Trustworthiness of the Study

Credibility (consistency)
Dependability (auditability)
Transferability
Confirmability

Thesis B/Dissertation B Orientation

Chapter 3

Begin the Chapter with an introductory paragraph.

Headings should be based on the Research

Objectives in Noun

Phrase

Chapter 4
Begin the chapter with an introductory

statement.
Brief Summary
Implications
Future Directions

Others
Output for Dissertation (After Chapter 3)Quantitative

Research Only

References
APA format
Do not separate bibliography and webliography

Appendices

Validation
Interview Guide
Consent
Member Checking
Audit Trail
Validators

Summary of Data Collection Scheme

(For Oral Presentation/Defense Only)
Objectives

Data Set

Sources

Method