Thesis Writing and Research

Thesis defined

a. The word “thesis” comes from the greek word “tithenai”, which means

“position”, and refers to an intellectual position.

b. It is a dissertation on a particular subject in which one has done original

research. It is a formal and lengthy research paper as one presented by a

candidate for a diploma or degree. It is a document submitted in support of

application for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the

author’s research and findings.

c. A typical thesis has a title page, an abstract, table of contents, a body,

comprising of various chapters, and a bibliography or a reference section. They

vary in their structure in line with the many different areas of study.

Research defined

a. The systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic or problem.

b. Careful, critical, disciplined inquiry, varying in technique and method according

to the nature and conditions of the problem identified, directed toward the

clarification or resolution of a problem

c. In its broadest sense, research is an attempt to gain solutions to problems.

More precisely, it is the collection of data in rigorously controlled situation for

the purpose of prediction or explanation.

Characteristics of Research

a. Research is systematic. It follows an orderly and sequential procedure that leads

to the discovery of truth , solution of a problem, or whatever is aimed to be

discovered

b. Research is controlled. All variables except those that tested or being

experimented upon are kept constant so that the changed made on the subjects

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 of the study can be attributed only to the experimental variable. This is especially

true in an experimental research.

c. Research is analytical. There is critical analysis of all the data used so that there

is no error in their interpretation.

d. Research is objective, unbiased and logical. All the findings and conclusions are

logically based on empirical data and no effort is made to alter the results of the

research.

e. Research is original work. Except in historical research, data are gathered from

primary sources or first-hand sources and not from secondary sources.

f. Research is accurate investigation, observation and description. In fact, every

research activity must be done accurately so that the findings will lead to the

formulation of scientific generalizations. All conclusions must be based on actual

evidence

Choosing a Research Topic

Choose a topic which interests and challenges you. Your attitude towards the topic may

well determine the amount of effort and enthusiasm you put into your research.

The process of developing a topic is ultimately one of establishing a gap in current

research that a thesis could aim to address. Your topic should allow you to provide some

creative and original legal research.

In searching for a thesis topic, it needs a great research skill, the ability to sift through

books and other materials to spot not only an interesting, but also a novel legal question.

Secondly, the topic must also address a legal issue. This will require analysis of pertinent

legal provisions and jurisprudence relevant in your chosen field of law.

Guidelines in the Selection of a Research Topic

a. The research problem must be chosen by the researcher himself

b. It must be within the interest of the researcher

c. It must be within the specialization of the researcher

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 d. It must be within the competence of the researcher to tackle.

e. It must be within the ability of researcher to finance, otherwise he must be able to

find funding for his research.

f. It is researchable and manageable

 Data are available and accessible

 Equipment and instruments for research are available and can give valid

and reliable results

g. It can be completed within a reasonable period of time unless it is a longitudinal

research which takes a long time for its completion

h. It is significant, important and relevant to the present time and situation, timely,

and of current interest

i. The results are practical and implementable.

j. It must contribute to the national development goals for the improvement of the

quality of human life.

k. There must be a consideration of the hazards involved, either physical, social or

legal.

Title

The title summarizes the main idea or ideas of your research. A good title contains the

fewest possible words needed to adequately describe the contents and/or purpose of

your research paper.

Guidelines in writing the title;

a. Generally, the title is formulated before the start of the research work. It may be

revised and refined later if there is a need

b. The title must contain the subject matter of the study, the locale of the study, the

population involved, and the period when the data were gathered or will be

gathered

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 c. It must be broad enough to include all aspects of the subject matter studied or to

be studied. Hence, the title indicates what is expected to be found inside the thesis

report

d. It must be brief and concise as possible

e. Avoid using the terms “An Analysis of “, “A Study of,” “ An Investigation of, “ and

the like. All these things are understood to have been done or to be done when

research is conducted.

f. If the title contains more than one line, it must be written like an inverted pyramid,

all words in capital letters

Examples of Juris Doctor Research Title:

Name Title AY Subject

ABAD, ANTHONY GATT DISPUTE RESOLUTION 1990- INTERNATIONAL LAW/GATT
ET. AL. FROM A DEVELOPING 1991
COUNTRY'S PERSPECTIVE

AGANON, CESAR, A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF 1990- SECURITIES

ET. AL INSIDER TRADING LAWS IN 1991
SELECTED MAJOR CAPITAL
MARKETS
AGOJO, MARIA AWARD OF 1990- LABOR LAW
PAZ, ET. AL. BACKWAGES:CONFLICTING 1991
LAW & JURISPRUDENCE

ALAJAR, WELGA NG BAYAN 1990- LABOR LAW

EDUARDO, ET. 1991
AL.

ALARCA, MARY THE RIGHTS, STATUS AND 1990- PERSONS AND FAMILY
ROSALIND, ET. OBLIGATIONS OF COMMON LAW 1991 RELATIONS
AL. SPOUSES UNDER PHILIPPINE
LAWS: IS THERE A NEED FOR A
CHANGE?
WONG, MACIEL STATE OF EMERGENCY: A 2006- EXECUTIVE/CONSTITUTIONAL
MISNOMER? AN EXAMINATION 2007 LAW/POLITICAL LAW
AND EVALUATION OF THE
EMERGENCY POWERS OF THE
PRESIDENT
YAP, RAFAEL BOUNCING DOCTRINES: RE- 2006- BP22/SPECIAL LAW/CRIMINAL
CHRISTOPHER EXAMINING THE SUPREME 2007 LAW/SUPREME
COURT'S PRONOUNCEMENTS COURT/JUDICIAL REVIEW
OF B.P. BLG. 22 AS A CRIME OF
MORAL TURPITUDE
YAP, RAYMOND HIV/AIDS AFFLICTED FILIPINO 2006- AIDS/SEAFARERS/OVERSEAS
SEAFARERS: THEIR 2007 FILIPINO WORKERS/LABOR
COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT LAW
CLAIMS OF HIV/AIDS UNDER
THE P.O.E.A. STANDARD
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

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 ZARAGOZA, HEALING THE TIES THAT BIND: 2006- WOMEN/CHILDREN/CRIMINAL
CHARMIAN A SECOND LOOK AT THE ANTI- 2007 LAW/SPECIAL LAW
WYANET VAWC ACT OF 2004 AND
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Additional tips to keep in mind while writing a title:

1. Keep it simple, brief and attractive – The primary function of a title is to provide a precise

summary of the paper’s content.

2. Use appropriate descriptive words – A good research paper title should contain key

words used in the manuscript and should define the nature of the study.

3. Avoid abbreviations and jargon – known abbreviations such as AIDS, NATO, and so

on can be used in the title. However, other lesser-known or specific abbreviations and

jargon that would not be immediately familiar to the readers should be left out.

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