DISSERTATION STRUCTURE

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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 THE PROBLEM
1.1 Background of the study
 The background of the study introduces the study and states the focus
of the study.
 Begins with the background information regarding the problem
 States quite clearly the motivation for the study. For example a research
might arise from personal observation, experience or from reading of
literature.
 The aim of the researcher at this point is to point out the gap the study
intends to fill by stating what other have examined, what they have or
have not found and why further investigation is necessary.
1.2 Statement of the problem
 The problem statement naturally emerges from the background.
 It stresses the central concern of the study or the purpose of the study.
 It briefly addresses the question : what is the problem that the research
will address?
 It is among the most critical parts of the dissertation.
 It sets direction for the remainder of the study.
 It defines the problem.
 It identifies variables that will be investigated in the study.
 It can be said to be the AIM of the study ( what you wish to achieve) or
the main research question.
 The ultimate goal of the a statement of the problem is to transform a
generalised problem (your topic) into a targeted, well defined problem.
 The following examples illustrate commonly used formats to write the
problem statement but these are not exhaustive:
(i) The study3 will……( find an appropriate verb that captures what
you intend to do in your research e.g compare, describe,
determine, examine, develop, clarify, evaluate etc ).
(ii) The purpose of the study will be to…… (verb).
1.3 Research Questions/ Research Objectives
NB use either research questions/ research objectives not both.
 From the AIM (the statement of the problem) construct objectives that
are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound).
 Objectives indicate how you will achieve your aim by identifying specific
steps or milestones.
 Research questions operationalise the statement of the problem in
terms of specific variables/ aspects and relationships to be examined. I t
is a specific concern that you will answer through your research.
 Research questions should be open-ended questions about the topic e.g
use how, why etc. The question should not be too broad neither should
it be too narrow.
 A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 research questions will suffice
(manageable) for undergraduate dissertations.
1.4 Significance of the study
 In this section you address the “so what” of the study.
 Articulate in this section if your study is adding to existing knowledge
and/or solving an existing problem.
 You describe the potential value of the study and findings to the music
industry.
 This section should therefore identify the target audience for the study
and how the results will benefit them.
1.5 Definition of terms
 In this section you provide definition of terms used in the study that are
unusual or not widely understood.
 Also define common terms that have special meaning in the study.
 Acronyms that are not in common use should also be defined.
NB If there are no terms that need defining, skip this section.
1.6 Limitations
 These are factors, usually beyond the researcher’s control, that may
affect the results of the study or how results are interpreted.
 Limitations that are not readily apparent at the start of the research may
develop and become apparent as the study progresses. Therefore this
 section, though located in chapter one, should be written at the end of
the study.
 Examples of limitations, natural disasters like floods, disease outbreaks
etc; political instability; economic inflation; death of research
participants etc.
1.7 Delimitations
 Delimitations are factors that affect the study over which the researcher
generally does have some degree of control.
 For example, the scope of the study; the sample size; the extent of the
geographic region from which data is collected; the time frame for the
study; the response format of the data collection instruments etc.
1.8 Conclusion

REFERENCES
https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803.choosing a topic

https://ggu.libguides.com/c.php?g=106905&p=693949

https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/background

ohiostate.pressbooks.pub>eslchoosing sources>chapter developing your

research question

Bwisa, H (2018) “The basics of writing a statement of the problem for your
research proposal” in Statement of the Problem
www.editage.com>insights>the basics-of-writing-a-stat….