RESEARCH 1 –TECHNICAL WRITING GUIDELINES
The Research Proposal
A plan on how the study will be undertaken
It describes the steps that will be followed in the conduct of the study from problem identification to
data analysis
Like a map, it serves as a guide fro the researcher in the implementation of the study
Includes the first three chapters (1,2,3) of a research paper
Written in the future tense
Printed and submitted before the oral presentation
Characteristics of a well-written proposal:
o Clear, Complete, Persuasive, Flexible
The Research Report
Written to present the results of the study
It includes the first three chapters and the last two chapters (1,2,3,4,5) of a research paper
Written in the past tense
Must be presented in a research colloquium
Printed and bounded at the University Book Center before submission
Submitted as a requirement for graduation
o Preliminary Section or Pages
Title Page
Approval Sheet (only with research report)
Acknowledgement (only with research report)
Abstract (only with research report)
Table of Contents – may also include: List of Appendixes, List of Figures, and
List of Tables
o Text or Body
Chapter 1 – The Problem
Introduction
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
Research Paradigm
Statement of the Problem
Hypotheses
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations
Definition of Terms
Chapter 2 – Review of Related Literature and Studies
Introduction
Body (by theme)
Summary
Chapter 3 – Research Methodology
Research Design
Research Environment
Respondents and Sampling Procedure
Data Gathering Instruments and Procedure
o Validity and Reliability
Scoring Procedures
Statistical Procedures
Chapter 4 – Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data
Descriptive Analysis
Inferential Analysis
Chapter 5 – Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
Summary of the Study and Findings
Conclusions and Implications
Recommendations
o End Section or Reference Materials
Bibliography
Appendixes
Technical Writing Aspect
o Style and format follows the American Psychological Association (APA) and the XU format
o Font Type Century Gothic, Size 12
o Double spacing
o Margins – (left, top, bottom) 1.5 inch, (right) 1.2 inch
o Justify the paragraphs, indention 1 tab or on the 4th line
o Capitalization of words only for: title of the study, preliminary section headings, chapter
headings, end section headings
o Do not “bold” the words in the text, except for the preliminary section headings, chapter
headings and paragraph titles, end section headings
o No underlining of words, except for terms to be defined in the Definiiton of Terms
o No italizing of words in the text, except for run-in quotations (which is written in single space)
o Preliminary Section Headings and Chapter Headings in the middle of the page
o Paragraph titles in the left part of the page
o Page numbers of Preliminary Section follow small roman numeral format and are written at the
top left corner of each page
o Page numbers of the Body and References Sections follow Arabic format and are written on
right top portion of each page
o No page numbers on the title page and the first page of each chapter
o Always use the 3rd person pronoun
Title Page/Cover Page
o Includes the title of study, the requirement headings, name of school, the subject on which the
paper is a requirement, the names of the researchers in alphabetical order, and month and year of
submission
o Title must be written as much as possible in one line; but when more than one line is needed, it
follows the inverted pyramid format
Approval Sheet
o Provides space for signatures of the research mentor or adviser, oral defense panelists, research
instructor, and college dean, indicating their acceptance of the final research report
o Also includes the title of the study and the date of final defense
o Written in one page only
Acknowledgement
o Researchers express appreciation and gratitude for the assistance and help they received in the
conduct of the study
o Must be expressed simply, sincerely, and tactfully
o Written in 1 ½ - 2 pages only
Abstract
o A brief descriptive summary of the research proposal or research report
o Must be written in 1 ½ - 2 pages only
Table of Contents
o Lists all parts of the report and their corresponding page numbers
o Only the beginning page number of each part or chapter is indicated
o The wording, capitalization, and punctuation of titles and headings must be consistent with what
is written exactly in the text
List of Figures/Tables/Appendixes
o Indicates the number and title of all figures, tables and appendixes used in the study and the page
numbers where they are found
o Figures, tables and appendixes should be numbered consecutively throughout the text
Bibligraphy
o List in alphabetical order all the bibliographical sources used in the study
o Authors are grouped according to books, periodicals and journals, internet sources, electronic
journals, unpublished materials (e.g. theses or dissertations), and other documents (e.g.
manuscripts, manuals, handbooks, government papers)
Appendixes
o Indicates all the other materials used in the study but are not found in the text (chapters)
o Arranged using letter of the alphabet (e.g. Appendix A)
o Each material serves as a support to the paper
Letters (e.g. asking permission to conduct the study)
Consent Form, Cover Letter
Questionnaire or Instruments
Statistical Formulas and Print out of the Statistical Computation
Personal Information about the Researchers
Prepared by: Arlita Amapola B. Minguez, RN, MAT
