NCM 111
Background of the Study
LECTURE
10.1.20
 Research Format
o Using the American Psychological Association
Format
 Capsule Proposal
 A three to five document that briefly
shows why and how the study will be
done.
 This contains the following parts:
1. Brief background to justify why a
study has to be done
2. General and specific objectives
3. Significance of the study
4. Brief description of the
methodology which contains:
a. Research design
b. Setting
c. Population
d. Sampling design
variables
e. Data collection methods
f. Plan of analysis
 Research Proposal (Full-Blown)
 A document that shows a
comprehensive justification for doing
the research study
 A detailed description of the whole
research process
 This is composed of only two chapters
(written in the future tense):
1. Chapter 1: Introduction
2. Chapter: Research Methodology
(Quantitative)/Procedures
(Qualitative)
 How To Write A Research Proposal
o Major Parts of a Quantitative Research
Proposal
o The APA Format: OVERVIEW OF THE
CONTENTS OF A THESIS
1. Title page
2. Approval Sheet
3. Acknowledgements
4. Abstract (Final Write-up)
5. Table of Contents (including List of
Tables and List of Figures)
o CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1.
2. The Grand Tour Questions and Sub-
questions
3. Review of Related Literature
4. Theoretical Lens
5. Definition of Terms
6. Delimitations of the Study
7. Significance of the Study
o CHAPTER II: PROCEDURE
1. Assumptions and Rationale for a
Qualitative Design
2. They Type of Design Use
3. Participants
4. The Role of the Researcher
5. Data Collection Procedure
6. Methods for Verification
(depending of the orientation of the
researcher)
7. Ethical Considerations
o FINAL WRITE-UP OUTLINE: QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH STUDY
1. Chapter III: Results
2. Chapter IV: Discussion and
Implications
3. Methodological Notes
4. References
5. Appendices
6. Curriculum Vitae
 PRIMILINARY
o TITLE PAGE
 It contains:
1. The kind of research work or paper
(whether research proposal, thesis,
dissertation)
2. The faculty/the person to whom it
will be presented
3. The school or agency
4. The degree granted
5. The full name of the research
6. The month and year the proposal
will submitted
 It is typed in capital letters in an inverted
pyramidal style.
 o A brief descriptive summary of the research
 CAPSULE PROPOSAL report
o It includes:
1. Statement of the research problem
2. Objectives of the study
3. A brief description of the research methods
used
4. A summary of the major findings
5. Statement of conclusions and
recommendations

 Maximum words: 350

 IMRAD Format:
o Introduction, Methodology, Result, and
Discussion

 Formulation of Research Title

o Speaks the nature of paper and the subject that
has been handled.  Approval Sheet
o Must be clearly state, concise, and should be o Provides space for the signature of the adviser,
limited to at most 15 words if possible readers or oral defense panelists, dean, and
(Nieswiadomy, 2008) others, indicating their acceptance of the
o The variables of the study are reflected in the research work
title, particularly the relationship among o Most institutions have a model form for this
variables and the proposed target population
o Research Title Example:
 EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
AND QUALITY TEACHING AMONG
NURSING INSTRUCTORS IN DAVAO
MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION:
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT PLAN
 Abstract
 Acknowledgement
o It is where the writer/writers expresses
appreciation and gratitude for assistance
received in the conduct of the study
o It must be expressed simply, sincerely, and
tactfully

 Paging should be lowercase numerals from

title page to acknowledgement

 Chapter 1: Introduction
o Introduction:
1. The problem proposed to be studied is
introduced in this section
2. It should help the reader to acquaint with
 Table of Contents the topic
o Lists all the parts of the report and the page 3. It should be short about one or two pages
numbers which are indicated along the right 4. The problem should be stated in such a way
margin that its importance and relevance is realized
o The wording, capitalization and punctuation of by anyone who reads it
titles and headings should be written exactly as 5. It serves as a springboard for the statement
they are in the text of the problem
 List of Tables and Figures 6. It should stimulate the interest of the
o Indicates the number and title of all the tables reader and set the stage for the
and figures in the text and their page number presentation of the study
o Tables and figures should be numbered
consecutively in Arabic numeral throughout the
text

 Background of the Study

o A brief discussion of the problem situation
(what is) with supporting facts and figures
o Statement of the desired conditions (what
should be) and the discrepancy between what is
and what should be
o What is already known about the problem
based on literature
 o A brief discussion of the rationale and
background of the problem or subject of inquiry
o It includes:
1. The context of the problem and its
historical background
2. Authoritative viewpoints on the problem
3. The researcher’s interest in working on the
problem
4. The purpose of the study in relation to the
problem
 Composed of 5 paragraphs
 Ideally, 1st paragraph: brief discussion and
provocative statement: hooking your
readers to manuscript
 2nd -5th paragraph: magnitude of the
problem
 3rd
 4th: is local
 5th: purpose of study; implication of study
to profession
 6th: qualification of researcher
 Review of Related Literature
o It provides information on the background of
the problem and theories
o It explains the existence of the problem and
determinants and previous studies done
o Use sub-headings and use past tense
o Establish the theoretical and conceptual
framework of the research
 Summarization of RRL
 Minimum of 15 pages: RRL (should cover 5
years) if unique study, 10 years is considered
 Theoretical Framework
o Make use of theory or theories to explain why
a phenomenon exists
o How the different factors which brought about
the phenomenon are interrelated
o Its purpose is to develop and present a unified
explanation of related ideas
o It provides the foundation on which the study
will build and develop
 Conceptual Framework
o A diagram to present how different variables in
the study are related to each other
o It uses constructs which are specific and well-
defined
o It explains how the different variables are
related to each other
 IDV>DV
 R: Recommendation/Action Plan

 Statement of the Problem
o Refers to the question that the researcher seeks
to answer
o It must be expressed in precise terms, identify
its key components, the population and the
major variables of the study which need to be
subjected to empirical testing
o The problem is typically broken down into the
main or major problem and the specific of sub-
problems which will be worked out in response
to the inquiry
 Purpose of the Study
o States the reason for undertaking the research
study
o Usually contains an active verb + preposition
“to”
o Expressed as a declarative form (“.”)
o E.g. “to assess” , “to determine” , “to provide” ,
“to gain insight”
o The main purpose states:
1. Variables
2. Locale
3. Proposed Output
o Sub-problems compose of the following:
1. Sub-problem 1: Independent Variable
2. Sub-problem 2: Dependent Variable
3. Sub-problem 3: Correlation of the
Variables
4. Sub-problem 4: Proposed output
 Usually stated in interrogative form
 In DMSF: Declarative form is used
 Example of the Research Main Purpose
o The purpose of this study is to determine the
Nursing Instructors’ perceptions of effective
classroom management and quality teaching in
Davao Medical School Foundation. Findings of
the study will be served as bases for a proposed
improvement plan.
 Example of the Research Sub-problems
o Sub-problem 1 (Independent Variable)
 Specifically, the study will attempt to
answer the following questions:
1. What is the Nursing Instructors’
perceptions of effective management
in terms of:
1.1. Views regarding concept of
classroom management;
1.2. Communication pattern;
1.3. Classroom discipline;
1.4. Classroom rules and procedures;
1.5. Lesson planning;
1.6. Materials and space;
1.7. Classroom environment; and
1.8. Nursing Instructors’ attitude?
o Sub-problem 2 (Dependent Variable)
2. What is the level of Nursing Instructors’
teaching quality?
o Sub-problem 3 (Correlation of the variables)
3. Is there a significant relationship between the
Nursing Instructors’ perceptions of effective
classroom management and their quality
teaching?
o Sub-problem 4 (Proposed Output)
4. Based on the findings, what improvement
plan can be proposed?
 Significance of the Study
o States the value of the study or justification for
making the study
o Who will get benefited to the research
findings?
1. Patients
2. Nurses
3. Hospital Management
4. Policy Makers
5. Researcher
6. Future Researchers
 Definition of Terms
o Facilitates better understanding of the study
explaining the meaning of terms or variables as
they are used in the study
o Reasons for defining the variables:
1. To guide and direct the researcher in
quantifying and qualifying the variables
2. To ensure clarify of the meaning of the
variables and minimize the readers’
misconceptions
 3. Direct the reader into meaning of the and failure to get a representative sampling
word according to the researchers on must be clearly stated
interpretation and analysis of variables
 Kinds of Definition of Terms
1. Conceptual or Theoretical
 Universally understood
 Defined by the dictionary
 E.G. 1, Anxiety is a feeling of worry,
nervousness, or unease about something
with an uncertain outcome.
 E.G. 2, Motivation is something that
causes a person to act
2. Operational or Functional
 Defined by the researcher
 E.G. 1, Anxiety can be observed as mild,
moderate, or severe level.
 E.G. 2, Motivation is the ability of the
nurse-on-duty to accomplish his tasks on
time.
 Scope and Delimitations
o The researcher must be aware of and should
categorically state certain constraints and
restrictions in the study
o Uncontrolled variables may affect study results
 Delimitations
o Sets the parameters of the study by accepting
what should be included, and rejecting what
should be excluded
o The researcher states specific constraints such
as:
1. Scope or coverage
2. Expected manageability of the problem
3. Limitations of the study
 Scope or Coverage
o This spells out the context of the study in
terms of subject, concept, and specific
characteristics of the phenomenon, treatment,
sampling, and time frame
 Expected Manageability of the Problem
o In experimental studies, internal and external
constraints may affect validity and reliability of
findings
 Limitations of the Study
o The study may be limited by anticipated
shortfalls and specific constraints
o Such as weaknesses in methodology and
design the exclusion of certain sectors of the
population, statistical treatment and analysis,