GUIDE IN WRITING CHAPTER 1 OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Chapter 1 – Introduction
• Rationale
• Statement of the Problem
• Hypothesis
• Framework
• Scope of works

RATIONALE
 Provides a background of the study
Includes:
a. Discuss the variables included in the research
b. A brief description of the problem situation (what is) with supporting fact and
figures
c. Statement of the desired condition (what should be) and the discrepancy
between what is and what should be
d. Previous studies relevant on the issue
e. Gives justification for conducting the study
f. Describe the specific area you will be researching
g. Describe how your research will add value to the scientific community

Note:
 2-3 pages only (1.5 spacing)
 It includes the related literature you have reviewed; (what is already known about
the problem based on literature)
 Should have at least 35 citations following correct in-text citation (the
more, the better)
 Your references should be published within the last 10 years!

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 Aligned with the title and/or main problem
 Written in quantifiable terms
 Specificity set ascertains questions needed to be answered
 Broad questions should be broken down into smaller ones.

Introductory statement/paragraph states the main problem (or objective)

Research Questions:
 Specific questions should be arranged as follows:
o Descriptive questions (covering independent and dependent variables)
o Inferential questions (either looking into significant differences or
significant relationships)

Reminders in formulating research questions:

1) Be sure that it is neither too vague nor too broad in scope.
 2) State the problem in question form.
3) Carefully state the limits of the problem, eliminating all aspects and factors which
will not be considered in the study.
4) Should pass the “so what” test!

EXAMPLE:
Research Title: EXTENT OF UTILIZATION OF USING ECO- BAGS
AS REPLACEMENT FOR PLASTIC BAGS

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to find out the extent of utilization in using eco-bags
rather than single-use plastic bags. This study also aims to increase the utilization of the
people near a certain market in Bacolod city to use eco-friendly bags and inform them of
the hazards that can be caused by using single-use plastics.
Specifically, this study seeks the answer of the following questions:

1. What is the extent of market goers’ utilization in using eco-bags as a replacement

for plastic bags when they are taken as a whole and grouped according to sex and
student or non-student? – DESCRIPTIVE QUESTION
2. Is there a significant difference in the extent of market goers’ utilization in using
eco-bags as a replacement for plastic bags when they are grouped according to sex
and student or non-student? – INFERENTIAL QUESTION

HYPOTHESIS(ES)
“An educated prediction that provides an explanation for an observed event.”

An observed event is a measurable result or condition. If you can’t measure it,

then you can’t form a hypothesis about it because you can’t confirm or reject it.

Research Hypothesis
Statement of tentative answers to the research problem/question; must be
coherent with the research main objective.
Statistical Hypothesis
Is formulated as tentative answer to inferential problems/questions (either
significant differences or significant relationships)

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HYPOTHESIS

• Reasonable
• State in definite terms the relationship between variables (cause, effect,
correlation, differences)
• Carry clear implications for testing the stated relationships (testable)
• Follow findings of previous studies (RRL)

FUNCTIONS OF HYPOTHESIS
• Introduces the researcher’s thinking at the start of the study
 • Structures the next stages or procedures of the study
• Helps provide the format for the presentation, analysis and interpretation of data

EXAMPLE:

There is no significant difference in the extent of market-goers’ utilization in using

eco-bags as a replacement for plastic bags when they are grouped according to sex
and student or non-student categories.

Types of Hypothesis
a) Null Hypothesis – a prediction that there will be no effect observed during the
study.

“There is no significant difference between scores obtained by respondents who viewed

soundslide set and the scores of the respondents who did not view the soundslide set.”

b) Alternative Hypothesis – directional statement of a relationship between

variables.

“Respondents who view the soundslide set will tend to obtain higher scores than
respondents who will not view the soundslide set.”

FRAMEWORK
(at least 15 citations – the more the better)

• In explaining the existence of a problem, the researcher may base the

explanation on a THEORY.
• The connection between a theory and the problem is explained in the theoretical
framework.
• The theoretical framework in further explained and illustrated in concrete terms
using a framework.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
• Presents a THEORY that explains why a problem under study exists (Mercado
1994)
• A set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that
present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying the relations among
variables (Kerlinger 1973)
• Explains the connection between certain factors and the problem.
• An organized body that explains what has been done and what has been said on
the topic or problem being investigated
• The choice of a theory depends on the number and nature of variables and the
relationships being examined.
• A background in theories on behavior, education, communication, sociology,
economics and anthropology can be very useful in formulating a theoretical
 framework.
• A starting point in developing a theory is to review related literature.

FUNCTIONS OF A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

• Provides the general framework which can guide data analysis
• Identifies the variables to be measured
• Explains why one variable can possibly affect another or why the independent
variable can possibly influence the dependent variable
• Limits the scope of data relevant to the framework by focusing on specific
variables
• Stipulates the specific frame of mind or viewpoint that the researcher will take in
analyzing and interpreting the data

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
• An elaboration of the theoretical framework in concrete terms
• Anchored on the theoretical framework
• Needs to be consistent with and related to the theoretical framework
• Specifies the variables of the study and the expected flow of relationship among
them
• Explain in more detail the:
• Variables to be observed in the study
• Assumed connection between the independent and the dependent
variables
• Summarized in a paradigm or schematic diagram identifying the
hypothesized link:

… hypothesized link between:

• ⎫ The independent and dependent variables
• ⎫ Independent and intervening variables (if any)
• ⎫ Intervening variables and dependent variables
• ⎫ An independent variable and a dependent variable, controlling for the
effect of another variable
Sample Framework

Example of Marketing Research Conceptual Framework

Example of Classroom Management Theoretical Framework

 SCOPE
SCOPE of the study includes the following:
 Subject matter
 Respondents/Subjects
 Variables to be considered
 Study design

Explains the implications of the limitations to the results, conclusions & use of the
findings.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE:

o SHORT SIZE BOND PAPER
o FONT STYLE: ARIAL
o FONT SIZE: 12
o SPACING: 1.5 SPACE
o MARGINS: LEFT=1.5” RIGHT, TOP & BOTTOM = 1”