DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Introduction
⮚ Presentation of the problem/topic
⮚ The existence of an unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem that needs a
solution
⮚ Rationale of the study
⮚ Historical background or legal basis
⮚ A desire to have a clearer and deeper understanding of a situation,
circumstance or phenomenon
⮚ A desire to find a better way of doing something or improving something
⮚ A desire to discover something

Background of the Study

⮚ Related literature and studies both local and foreign
⮚ Relate them to your study

Theoretical Framework
⮚ Cite the theory/concept and the proponent
⮚ Discuss and explain the theory/concept
⮚ Relate the theory to the present study

Conceptual Framework
⮚ Present the paradigm (input, process, output or IV/DV)
⮚ Explain the paradigm

Scope and Limitations

⮚ A brief statement of the general purpose of the study
⮚ The subject matter and topics studied and discussed including the
variables
⮚ Locale of the study
⮚ Period of the study
⮚ Research method and instrument
⮚ The population from which the respondents are selected
⮚ Sampling design
⮚ Weakness/constraints of the study

Significance of the Study

⮚ The rationale, timeliness and relevance of the study
⮚ Possible solutions to existing problems or improvement of unsatisfactory
condition
⮚ The beneficiaries of the study and how they are going to be benefited
⮚ Possible contributions to the fund of knowledge
⮚ Possible implications/effects/remedial measures
Definition of Terms
⮚ The section should have an introductory statement.
⮚ Terms or variables are enlisted and arranged in alphabetical order and are
defined conceptually and/or operationally
⮚ Only important, technical and/or scientific terms are to be included
.
Research Method
⮚ Definition and explanation of the research method used
⮚ A discussion of how this method is used in the present study

Setting of the Study

⮚ This section provides the description of the venue or locale of the study in
paragraph discussion.
⮚ If it consists of towns/province/region or any community, it may include
geographical description, socio-economic descriptions or any specific
description in relation to what is studied.
⮚ If it is an agency/institution, the description may include history, vision and
mission, composition/structure, location, nature of the organization and
specific descriptions in relation to what is studied.
⮚ Programs being conducted in the setting/locale which have relation to the
research should also be mentioned.
⮚ A map or diagram may be provided as figure presented on separate page.

Sources of Data
⮚ It clearly indicates whether the data are primary or secondary.
⮚ This section deals with a detailed description of the research instrument/s
used in the research (questionnaire, test, structured interview,
observation, actual measurement using tools or equipment and others).
⮚ In case of researcher–made instruments, validation process should be
discussed and figures or results be presented when statistical measures
were used.
⮚ If the instrument was adopted, the author should be recognized and
source should be documented.

Research Procedure
⮚ This section discusses in paragraph the different activities undertaken to
complete the research which follows the general procedure of the study. A
Gantt Chart of activities may guide the discussion.

Statistical Treatment
⮚ Statistical tool to be used for each question in the statement of the
problem is discussed under this section in paragraph form.
⮚ Formulas need not to be written.
⮚ Ranges used for descriptive statistics should be presented
Analysis and Interpretation
⮚ The presentation of the data should be straightforward and unbiased way
⮚ Textual interpretation should supplement or expand the contents of the
tables and charts rather than duplicate them
⮚ The researcher must identify WHAT events affect the findings, WHY the
results failed to turn out as expected and WHAT circumstance or
limitations could possibly be the cause
⮚ Analysis and interpretations must be based on existing theories, past and
existing studies and generally accepted observations

Summary of Findings
⮚ Summary of the important data consisting of test and numbers
⮚ It contains the general findings of the study enumerated based on the
presentation of the statement of the problem
⮚ Only the important findings or highlights of the study should be included
⮚ Findings are not explained

Conclusions
⮚ These are inferences, deductions, abstractions, implications,
interpretation, general statements and/or generalizations based upon the
findings
⮚ Should not be repetitions of any statements anywhere in the thesis
⮚ Conclusions are enlisted based on the hypothesis.
⮚ Should be written in the past tense

Recommendations
⮚ Recommendations are enlisted based on the important results.
⮚ It is suggested that concrete programs be the recommendations other
than general ideas.
⮚ Should aim to solve or help solve problems discovered in the investigation
⮚ Must be feasible and attainable
⮚ Recommendations are in imperative form
 An Approach to Style: Data Interpretation

In Percentile In Fractions In Words In General Terms

Less than 10 1/10 one out of ten  
10 - 19      
20 1/4   Few
21 -24      
25 1/5 one out of five  
26      
30 1/3 one third some
31 - 32      
33      
34 - 39      
40 2/5 two out of five many
41 - 44      
45 - 49     less than half
50 1/2 half half
51 - 59     majority
60 3/5 three out of five  
61 - 65      
66 2/3 two out of three A great majority
67 - 69      
70 7/10 seven out of ten  
71 - 74      
75 3/4 three fourths  
76 - 79     most
80 - 89 4/5 four out of five  
90 9/10 nine out of ten  
91 - 99     almost all
100     all