Research writing

Writing the Title of Research

1. Write clearly.

2. Include the main concepts.

3. Write the variables being investigated. In case many variables are being studied, choose terms that will summarize these variables instead of spelling them all out.

Writing the Title of Research

4. For specificity, a) Indicate relationships among variables:

difference, effect, association as the case may be;

b) Write the target population.

5. Use a maximum of 20 substantive words (function words not included in the count).

Writing the Title of Research

6. For brevity in the title, the following expressions should be dropped: “An investigation of”, “A study of”, “An inquiry into”, “A comparison of” , and the like. All theses and dissertations are investigations.

Writing the Title of Research

Writing the Outline

A. Functions of Outlines:

Outlines show points that still need research;

indicate items (topics) that have been over-researched;

improve the thinking process;

form basis of thesis or research report.

Writing the Outline

B. Kinds of Outline:

1. Topic outline

2. Sentence outline contains more formal and complete thought units than

the topic outline

Writing the Outline

Writing the Outline

1. Number – Letter SequenceExample:

I. __________A. __________

1. __________a. __________b. __________

2. __________a. __________b. __________c. __________

B. __________1. __________2. __________

II. __________

2. Decimal PatternExample:

1. __________1.1 __________1.2 __________ 1.21

__________ 1.22

__________2. ____________

2.1 __________2.2 __________

C. Methods of Outlining:

D. Important Note on the Method:Level I cannot exist without at least Level

II; Level A cannot exist without at least Level B, and so forth. There should be at least two similar levels in an outline.

E. Table of Contents is a less detailed outline but contains

highlights of the thesis.

Writing the Outline

Writing the Definition

To define a term, place it into the next larger class or category of similar objects.

Then, add the special characteristics which make this object different from the rest of the objects in that class. Example:

Term: A computer......Class: ..…is an electronic machine.....Characteristics: ..…which stores, retrieves and

manipulates information.

Writing the Definition

Note: Avoid the temptation of using the term or a variation of it in the definition.

Example:A computer is an electronic machine that

computes data.

Writing the Definition

Main Body or Text of the Report

Chapter I - The Introduction

1. The Background of the Study– what leads the researcher to undertake the

study.

2. The Research Problem and Sub-Problems

– anything in the universe that leads to a “better life” for man.

Chapter I – The Introduction

2. The Research Problem and Sub-Problems (cont’d.)

Energizers: Difficulty spurts a need to explore. Out of an old problem, a new problem may evolve. A thinker is stimulated by what he reads. An individual group has the urge to achieve and contribute

something to society. An individual likes to exercise resourcefulness, ingenuity

and creativeness.Note: Inventions are usually brought about because of the inventor’s resourcefulness.

Chapter I – The Introduction

3. The Importance or Significance of the Study

Who are the probable users of the research results?

In what specific manner could the findings be used?

Will it benefit society as a whole?

Why should the problem be explored?

Chapter I – The Introduction

4. The Objectives or HypothesesObjectives are set goals or those that are sought in the study; serve as pointers in the development of the tool

used in gathering data; guide the organization of situations – in analysis of

data or discussion of results.

Hypothesis is a “hunch” that is to be tested in order that it be

accepted or rejected,

Chapter I – The Introduction

4. The Objectives or Hypotheses (cont’d.)Objectives and Hypotheses should be specific clearly stated systematic in ordering situations short few highly relevant to the problem

Chapter I – The Introduction

5. The Limitations of the Study

State why other aspects relevant to the study are omitted.

Describe unusual occurrences in the process of data collection and others.

6. Definition of Terms

Chapter I – The Introduction

Chapter II – The Review of Related Literature

Part 1 – General concepts, principles and theories related to the study

Part 2 – Local studies done along the same line of research

Part 3 – Foreign Studies

Chapter II – The Review of Related Literature

Notes: The study is not a mere repetition of

a previous work or a replicate of a previous study.

The important past works of others are not overlooked.

The study could be a verification of findings of past researchers.

Chapter II – The Review of Related Literature

Chapter III – The Methodology or Procedure

Experimental research involves an attempt to control all essential factors save a single variable.

The variables are manipulated with a view to determine and measure their effects on specified experimental conditions.

Chapter III – The Methodology or Procedure

The stages in carrying out the experiments should be described in sufficient detail so that the entire procedure could be replicated by another researcher who would wish to repeat the experiment.

The better the quality of the equipment, the more accurate and reliable the results.

Chapter III – The Methodology or Procedure

Chapter IV – The Presentation and

Interpretation of Results

Experimental and control groups are usually presented side by side in tables or graphs to vividly present existing differences.

Findings are interpreted in the light of results found by other researchers.

Chapter IV – The Presentation and Interpretation of Results

Empirical observations may be used to explain occurrences.

Interpretations deduced from reviews of literature and other research studies should be properly documented.

Chapter IV – The Presentation and Interpretation of Results

Chapter V – Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

In the summary, no interpretation of results should be made; however, emphasis should be given to results that are “outstanding”.

The goal of a researcher is to make general statements that could be explained by the data gathered.

Chapter V – Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

Recommendations are meant to improve a particular field of study, a situation or life in general.

Devoid of implications, the research is meaningless.

Chapter V – Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations