Writing the First

Chapter:
The Organization of the
Research Proposal
Prepared by:

Dr. Seyed Ali Fallahchay

 The Introduction
The introduction formally brings in and establishes the
research study. It explicitly presets what the research
topic is all about and sets the tone of the research. It
gradually leads the reader to the research topic. This
can be achieved by doing any of the following:

1. State the existing conditions in the environment. This

will give a broader perspective of the research topic
under study.
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2. Enumerate the various variables, issues, or
considerations that lead to the research topic.

3. Explain the importance of the research study and the

research topic itself.

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 Tips to make impressive introduction
• Begin with a provocative quotation or statement.

• Cite outside references to reinforce your research topic.

• Emphasize a critical and urgent issue, concern or problem

related to the research topic.

• Enumerate a series of relevant and thought provoking

questions. Take note that the introduction is one of the most
important parts of a research paper. Its objective is to
succeed in catching the readers’ attention, raise their level of
curiosity about the research topic, and eventually lead them
to continue reading the entire research study.
 The Background of the Study
The background of the study may very well be a
presentation or an exposition of the history of the research
topic. It may show the evolution of the research topic.

for instance, you can write about the organization’s

profile relate the history of the product or service under
discussion, or discuss the fundamental elements or essential
attributes of a given concept. Each of these modes can
adequately present a comprehensive background of the study
is to familiarize the readers on what the research topic is all
about.
 Collected information for this part of the paper may be
primary data as in the initial incorporation of a company or the
development and growth of a product or service. Secondary
data may likewise be gathered from companies, agencies,
books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and other materials
available on the Internet. Individuals who are experts in their
respective fields are likewise rich sources of information. This
is true for companies, various trade associations, government
agencies and other institutions that have complete and
voluminous database facts and information.
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 In citing secondary facts, the sources of references
have to be accurately cited. Do not forget to include the
author, title, date and page number of your sources. These
sources of information are included in the bibliography or
references.

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 Evaluation Checklist
1. What did you present in your background of the study,
is it

____the history of the organization,

____the history of the product/service,

____the concepts and their attributes?

2. Where did you get your data and information:

____published printed materials,

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 3. Did you mention the source or sources of your
information? ___yes ____no

4. Did you include the complete details necessary in citing

your sources? ___yes ____no

5. Can you say that the background of your study is

• Adequate, ___yes ___no

• And complete? ___yes ___no

6. If your answer are all “yes”, then continue.

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 Theoretical/Conceptual
Framework

Is the skeletal model of the research. It is the basic structure

on which the research study built on. It is the basic structure
on which the reference, which provides the very foundation for
which the study is being conducted. The theoretical or
conceptual framework may either be based on theories or
concepts. If theories are directly referred to, then the research
study uses a theoretical framework. On the other hand, if the
research study is based on concepts, then the research uses a
conceptual framework.
• The theoretical Framework of the thesis or dissertation
presents the review of duly accepted principles or theory
within the research proponent’s academic discipline or
related area of the study. A theory refers to a rational set of
principles constructed by scientists to explain phenomena
(Murray and Lawrence, 2000:218). It is systematically
interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that are
advanced to explain and predict phenomena (facts). Leary
(2001:13) defined a theory as a set of propositions that
attempt to specify the interrelationships among a set of
concepts.
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• Conceptual Framework is simply a less developed form of
theory, consists of statements that link abstract concepts
(e.g., leadership, spirituality) to empirical data (Rudestam &
Newton, 2001:6).

• Concepts are the basic building blocks of scientific

investigation. The are creations of the human mind used in
the classification and communication of the essence of
some set of observations. Cooper and Schindler (2001:39)
defined concept as a generally accepted bundle of
meanings or characteristics associated with certain events,
objects, conditions, situations and behaviors.
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 The Research Paradigm

• Paradigm is a mindset, a unique way of thinking. In

research it is nothing else but the operational and
schematic framework of the research study. It shows
the interrelationships among the variables in the
research. Figures are usually used to show any form
of relationships.

• Paradigm is the research title in diagram or figure

form. They are causal or independent-dependent
model and the input-process-output model.

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• Variable may be any attribute, factor or condition. It can be classified
as either independent or dependent.

• The independent variables, or better known as the predictor

variables, determine the results of the dependent variables.

• The dependent variable are called criterion variables. These are

variable, which are largely affected by the independent variables.

Aside from these two categories of variables, there are other variables
that may be included in the paradigm, it is a so-called intervening
variables.

• Intervening variables are considered secondary independent

variable. They are variables that may or may not significantly affect the
direct relationships between the variables involved.

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 Evaluation Checklist
1. Is the paradigm consistent with your research title? __yes
__no. if not revise it.
2. Is the paradigm clearly illustrated, including all the
variables and their interrelationships? __yes __ no.
3. Are the variables in the paradigm clearly.
• Identified, ___yes ___no
• And labeled? ___yes ___no
4. Do you have intervening variables in the paradigm?
___yes __no
5. If yes, are these intervening variables clearly illustrated?
__yes __no
6. Is the paradigm adequately explained in the context of the
research study? ___yes ___no
7. If your are all “yes” (Question #4 may yield a “no” answer),
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then continue.
 Evaluation Checklist
1. What type of framework did you adopt? Was it based on theories,
concept or both?
2. Can these theories and concepts serve as the bases for the
framework of your research study?
3. Are there relationships evident in the theoretical/conceptual
framework?
__yes ___no
4. Can you draw a figure that will clearly illustrate the
theoretical/conceptual framework? ___yes ___no

5. Did you adequately explain the theoretical/conceptual framework?

___yes ___no
6. If your answers are all “yes” (Question #4 may yield a “no” answer),
then continue.
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 Statement of the Problem
• The statement of the problem is a clear definition of a
question raised for inquiry, consideration or solution. It is
the research title written in sentence form. Generally
expressed in a declarative statement, the statement of
the problem is commonly referred to as main problem. It
is also general objective of the research. Take note that
the statement of the problem of the research should be
consistent with the research title, in phrase form, and
the paradigm, which is in figure or diagram form.
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 Aside from the statement of the problem, a research
study answers sub-problems. Better known as minor-
problems, they are stated in the interrogative form.
These sub-problems may be any of the following:

1. They may include questions on what, how, and why

2. They may include questions that consider degree,

extent, or level of agreement, implementation,
readiness, efficiency, effectiveness, and other forms of
rating scale.

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4. They may include questions based on survey
questionnaires, interviews, observations, experimental and
registration results.

5. They may include questions derived from primary or

secondary data or both.

Take note that the minor problems are the specific objectives in
a research. Unlike the minor problems, specific objectives are
in phrase form and are generally stated in the “to” form. In
other words, all specific objectives begin with the word, “to”.
Furthermore, there are certain points to remember in stating
the research problem. Emphasis should be given on the
following:
1. The statement of the problem should be relevant,
meaningful, and valuable.

2. The statement of the problem should be specific, clear,

precise, limited, appropriate, complete and focused.

3. If the respondent’s profile is important in the research,

it can be included in the minor problems. If otherwise,
then it should not be part of the statement of the
problem.

4. The statement of the problem should be consistent

with the research title and the research paradigm.
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5. The statement of the problem should be answerable by
the collected primary and/ or secondary data.

6. If the research is quantitative, the statement of the

problem should “solvable” by statistical tools and
techniques

7. And lastly, the statement of the problem should put in a

nutshell the intended research study.

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 Evaluation Checklist

1. Is the statement of the problem consistent with

your research title?
Yes No If not, revise it.
2. Is the statement of the problem consistent with your
research paradigm? Yes No
3. Are your minor problems drawn from the statement of
the problem? Yes No
4. Are your minor problems specific? Yes No
5. Are your minor problems in question form?
Yes No
6. If your answer are all “yes”, then continue.
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 Hypothesis of the Study
• The hypothesis of the study is a statement of a
problem. However, it differs from the statement of the
problem in that it needs to be tested statistically. Thus,
the term significance is synonymous to hypothesis
testing.

• Hypothesis is an “educated guess” that need to be

tested.

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 H0 vs H1
• Null hypothesis (H0 ) is better known as the
hypothesis of the “status quo” or the “present
thinking”. It is actually that which is currently
existing.

• Alternative hypothesis (H1 ) is better known as

the “research hypothesis”, or the hypothesis to
be tested. It should be noted that researches
subjected to experimental testing generally use

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the null hypothesis format.
Three possible ways hypothesis can be written:

1. A hypothesis can be written using the hypothesis of

significant “difference””, “relationship”, “independence”,
“goodness of fit”, “randomness” or any other criterion stating
an equality/inequality relationship.

Example:

• H0 : there are no significant differences in the factors

affecting the job satisfaction of employees of Company
Mizrahi

• H1 : there are significant differences in the factors affecting

the job satisfaction level of employees of Company Mizrahi.
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2. A hypothesis can be written using the hypothesis
significantly “equal or less than/greater than”.
Example:
• H0 : the average life span of a Filipino today
significantly equal or less than 67 years old.
• H1 : the average life span of a Filipino today
significantly equal/greater than 67 years old.
3. A hypothesis can be written using the hypothesis
significantly “equal or greater than/less than”.
• H0 : the average life span of a Filipino today
significantly equal or greater than 67 years old.
• H1 : the average life span of a Filipino today
significantly less than 67 years old.
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- In hypothesis testing, appropriate statistical tests are used. Some require
univariate data analysis while others necessitate the use of multivariate
data analysis.

• Univariate data analysis are generally simpler than multivariate, they

can be computed manually. Involves complicated solutions and thus,
generally entail the use of more sophisticated statistical softwares like
Mathlab, SpSS and SAS.

• In univariate the conclusions generally involve either rejecting or not

rejecting the bull hypothesis, using any of the commonly accepted
significance levels; namely 1% and 5%. And lastly, ay conclusion,
generalization or inference arrived a in relation to the stated hypothesis
can be based either on the arrived probability or on the respective critical
values found in Statistical Tables.
 Evaluation Checklist
1. Is the hypothesis/hypotheses of your study based on your
statement of the problem? __yes __no
2. What are your null hypothesis/hypotheses?

3. What are your corresponding alternative

hypothesis/hypotheses?
4. Are the alternative hypotheses the negation of the null
hypothesis and vice versa? __yes __no

5. What hypothesis format did you used?

6. What significance level will you use? __1% ___5%

7. If all items have been carefully considered, then you can

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 Significance of the study
• The significance of the study delineates the importance
of research being undertaken to the researcher
(optional) and to specific individuals, entities,
instructions, organizations, and other segments society.

• In writing this section of the research paper, the

approach should preferably start from the macro
perspective to the micro point of view.

1. The Society and the Community

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 1. The Government

2. The Specific Industry

3. Organizations

4. Competitors

5. The Corporate Workplace

6. Management and Employees

7. The Academe, and

8. Other Researchers.

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 Evaluation Checklist
1. Have you identified which sectors will benefit from your
study? __yes __no

2. Have identified and analyzed in what ways will these

sectors benefit from your research? __yes __no

3. Have you fully explained how these sectors will benefit

from your research? __yes __no

4. Is your significance of the study in paragraph form?

__yes __no

5. If your answers are all “yes”, then continue.

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 Scope and Limitations of the
Study
• The scope and limitations (delimitations) of the
study aligns and focuses the research in the
desired and expected perspective. It specifies the
following considerations:
1. It clearly defines the limitations, boundaries or
constraints of the research to be undertaken.
2. It specifically states the level and depth of
analysis of the intended study.
3. It states the specific topic areas to be included in
the research, and those that will not be included
in the research and therefore, will not be
discussed by the researcher.
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In terms of content of the research, this section states the
following:

1. The population or the sample to be taken into

consideration,

2. The sample units or the respondents involved in the

research study,

3. The specified time frame, and

4. Other variables, aspects and considerations deemed

necessary in the research that is to be conducted.

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 Evaluation Checklist
1. Have you determined the topic areas to be included in your study?
__yes __no
2. Have you identified the topic areas not to be included in your study?
__yes __no

3. What are the constraints of your research?

4. Have you arbitrarily identified your

• Population or sample if needed __yes __no

• The sample units, __yes __no

• The time frame to complete your study? __yes __no

5. Is your scope of limitations in paragraph form? __yes __no

6. If your answer are all “yes”, then continue.

 Definition of Terms
• The definition of terms refers to the operational definition of terms;
that is it defines terms in the context of how they are being used in
the research study. In defining these terms, you can do any of the
following: identify, distinguish, compare, differentiate, interpret,
label, reword, or simply make clarifications.

1. The terms defined are to be alphabetically arranged.

2. The style in defining these terms is consistent and parallel.

Note: if the definition of terms have been copied from secondary

sources, then each of these sources should be accurately
acknowledged and stated.
 Evaluation Checklist
1. Have all the terms that need to be defined been
identified and enumerated?

2. Have all these terms been clearly defined?

3. Are the defined terms alphabetized correctly?

4. Is the style in defining the terms parallel and

consistent?

5. Did you cite your sources if the definitions of your terms

were lifted from secondary sources?

6. Is your definition of terms in enumeration form?

7. If your answer yes “yes”, then continue.

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