Notes on Thesis Writing

Chapter 1
How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Introduction
The introduction is the first section of your thesis or dissertation, appearing right after the table
of contents. Your introduction draws your reader in, setting the stage for your research with a
clear focus, purpose, and direction.
Your introduction should include:

 Your topic, in context: what does your reader need to know to understand your thesis
dissertation?
 Your focus and scope: what specific aspect of the topic will you address?
 The relevance of your research: how does your work fit into existing studies on your
topic?
 Your questions and objectives: what does your research aim to find out, and how?
 An overview of your structure: what does each section contribute to the overall aim?

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2LAEFbmWWg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=The7kyw5Zbo

Sample:
Statement of the Problem
The study aimed to determine informal communication and positive work
behavior of employees in the Local Government of Municipality of Mendez.
Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of the
following:
1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Government Item
1.4 Length of Service
2. What informal communication is commonly used in the workplace?
 2.1 Single Strand
2.2 Gossip
2.3 Probability
2.4 Cluster
3. What level of positive work behavior manifest among employees?
4. Is there a significant relationship between informal communication and
positive work behavior?
5. Based on the findings of the study, what communication training
program can be suggested?

Introduction (Sample)
Informal communication around the world today is one that can be said to have given
hope to humanity to overcome the problems they are experiencing caused by the pandemic.
One of the big problems caused by this pandemic is the stopping of various companies from
their employees to work which has led the whole world to have fears of possible loss of food
supply, loss of their livelihood and their absence of appropriate information on how to fight and
what protection needs to be used against Covid-19. The whole world has also implemented a
lockdown that has made it even more difficult not only for the employees but also for a simple
person who sells in front of crowded establishments like municipalities, malls, sights and so on.
Informal communication by definition is the exchanges of communication within a
company that are not visible in a standard format. Think of these exchanges as a quick
conversation at the coffee machine, a passing word or two with another employee, or a not-so-
quick thought session between teams. Briefly, one can think of informal work communication
as the casual exchange of ideas or opinions that help coordinate relationships between
employees. This is true regardless of their position, department, or role in the company.
Ultimately, while informal communication can occur within a formal process, it is not bound to
it.
Hawthorne (2021), stated that a great deal of what happens within an organization is a
result of informal communication networks. Often informal communication networks have
been referred to as “grapevine communication” or “water cooler communication.” The term
“grapevine” was originally coined during the Civil War because the telegraph lines used by
Army intelligence were strung through trees and the wires often resembled grapevines. The
messages that came over these lines were often so confusing or inaccurate that soon any rumor
was said to come from the grapevine.
 In the Philippines, one of the traditional customs of Filipinos is to gossip while they lie
down and rest, while eating, during work hours and meetings and others while in class. There
are many Filipinos who say that gossip does nothing good but it only brings disaster and chaos
especially to the people who are employees of big companies. Some Filipinos also say that
gossiping also gives companies good contributions and results and some also say that gossiping
is normal for friends. In today's time of pandemic, it can be said that gossip is more used here in
the Philippines where every Filipino receives the important information they need and above all
it is easier to get to their family, relatives, and friends the important government
announcement regarding pandemic.
According to Alshehre, R. (2017) gossiping plays an important role in forming friendly
atmosphere at work. It helps people to keep abreast of the important news, keep up with
politics and fashion, and be aware of some personal characteristics of their co-workers.
Moreover, it is an essential part of culture since it makes human society “as we know it
possible”. Due to the pandemic, Tagaytay City is one that has experienced set back on tourism
businesses which has caused various establishments to lay off employees. Considering these
situations, the business owners did not lose hope but showed positive behavior and help the
laid off employees find available jobs through chats or talking with their friends looking for
available employment.
According to Bamboo (2021), informal communication is a business advantage because
if employees have friends to talk to, they will enjoy their work more, which can increase
productivity. In addition, informal communication has great benefit to the employees have
someone to reach when they don’t understand an aspect of the business. This is a great way for
employees to feel connected and keep following how the business works. But we have to
consider informal communication as an essential element of relationship building at work. No
matter who it is between, it helps to establish and strengthen social connections between
employees of all kinds. That is why it can be so powerful because it unites people.
The researchers conducted this study because it they want to find out the contribution
of informal communication to organizational operation as opposed to what is commonly
thought off more of its negative aspect. Furthermore, they will verify whether informal
communication really contributes to the productivity of employees Mendez Municipal Hall
which consists the subject of the study. As a student of Human Resource Management,
communication is an important tool for effective management. Our findings will bring insights
on whether informal communication contributes to employee productivity and will bring ideas
to utilize the same for the benefit of the organization.
Statement of the Problem
The study aimed to determine informal communication and positive work behavior of
employees in the Local Government of Municipality of Mendez.
Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions:
 1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of the following:
1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Government Item
1.4 Length of Service
2. What informal communication is commonly used in the workplace?
2.1 Single Strand
2.2 Gossip
2.3 Probability
2.4 Cluster
3. What level of positive work behavior manifest among employees?
4. Is there a significant relationship between informal communication and positive work
behavior?
5. Based on the findings of the study, what communication training program can be
suggested?
Hypothesis
H01: There is no significant relationship between informal communication and positive
work behavior of employees in the Local Government of Municipality of Mendez.

Theoretical Framework
A theoretical framework is a foundational review of existing theories that serves as a
roadmap for developing the arguments you will use in your own work.
Theories are developed by researchers to explain phenomena, draw connections, and
make predictions. In a theoretical framework, you explain the existing theories that support
your research, showing that your work is grounded in established ideas.
In other words, your theoretical framework justifies and contextualizes your later
research, and it’s a crucial first step for your research paper, thesis, or dissertation. A well-
rounded theoretical framework sets you up for success later on in your research and writing
process.
Why do you need a theoretical framework?
 Before you start your own research, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the theories
and models that other researchers have already developed. Your theoretical framework is your
opportunity to present and explain what you’ve learned, situated within your future research
topic.

How to write a theoretical framework

To create your own theoretical framework, you can follow these three steps:
1. Identifying your key concepts
2. Evaluating and explaining relevant theories
3. Showing how your research fits into existing research

Theoretical Framework (Sample)

The study used theories that will help explain the contribution of informal
communication to positive work behavior of employees in the Local Government of
Municipality of Mendez. The theories in the study involves Hawthorne studies and Big Five
Theory.
The study is anchored in the Hawthorne Studies, which suggested that a great deal of
what happens within an organization is a result of informal communication networks. Often
informal communication networks have been referred to as “grapevine communication” or
“water cooler communication.” The term “grapevine” was originally coined during the Civil War
because the telegraph lines used by Army intelligence were strung through trees and the wires
often resembled grapevines. While formal communication networks are very important for the
day-to-day functioning of any organization, there exists another set of communication network
that also dramatically impacts the day-to-day functioning of any organization. This second set of
communication networks are called informal communication networks, or communication
networks that do not exist within the structure of the organizational hierarchy. The studies also
showed that the relations that supervisors develop with workers tend to influence in the
manner in which the workers carry out directives. Since people are personally connected with
each other in informal structures, it leads to better bonding, collaboration and teamwork
among the individuals. As managers start learning about their sub-ordinates and employees’
personalities, motives and personal needs, they can make better use of their services. The flow
of informal information in grapevine communication can be complex. Some organizational
members who participate in the grapevine act only as receivers of the message. These
participants do not rely information to other organizational members. However, there are
certain organizational members who serve as both senders and receivers of a message to other
organizational members.
This study is supported by Bamboo (2021), informal communication is casual
communication between coworkers in the workplace. It is unofficial in nature and is based in
the informal, social relationships that are formed in a workplace outside of the normal
hierarchy of business structure. That is why informal business communication can take place
between the CEO and an hourly worker. This type of communication is important in the
workplace as it can help with employee morale and can encourage the feeling of belonging for
the employees as well as a client or customer. Informal communication is an advantage to
business because if employees have friends to communicate with, they will enjoy their job
more, which can increase productivity. A great benefit to informal communication is that
employees have someone to go to when they don’t understand an aspect of the business. It is a
great way for employees to feel connected and to keep abreast with how the business works.
According to the theory, informal communications is very important not only in
workplace but also in life. It plays a huge role in this study because of the great impact it will
bring to the study in terms of the communication network. Informal communication is
important because it contributes a lot specially in day-to-day functioning of workers in any
organization. As it is being supported by the big five factor theory which are openness,
conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. According to this theory, these
five factors contribute a lot in positive work behavior and it is the factors an employee must
have. It will definitely improve the workplace. Each factor will have a positive effect that can be
very important and helpful to the workers to create a more balanced and healthier workplace.
These factors will help gain or developed other positive work behaviors.

Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework illustrates the expected relationship between your variables. It
defines the relevant objectives for your research process and maps out how they come
together to draw coherent conclusions.
Tip
You should construct your conceptual framework before you begin collecting your data.
Conceptual frameworks are often represented in a visual format and illustrate cause-and-effect
relationships.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y1BAqOnhMM

Conceptual Framework
Developing a conceptual framework in research
A conceptual framework is a representation of the relationship you expect to see
between your variables, or the characteristics or properties that you want to study.
Conceptual frameworks can be written or visual and are generally developed based on a
literature review of existing studies about your topic.
Step 1: Choose your research question
Your research question guides your work by determining exactly what you want to find
out, giving your research process a clear focus.
Step 2: Select your independent and dependent variables
In order to move forward with your research question and test a cause-and-effect
relationship, you must first identify at least two key variables: your independent and dependent
variables.
Step 3: Visualize your cause-and-effect relationship
Now that you’ve figured out your research question and variables, the first step in
designing your conceptual framework is visualizing your expected cause-and-effect relationship.
Step 4: Identify other influencing variables
It’s crucial to identify other variables that can influence the relationship between your
independent and dependent variables early in your research process.
Some common variables to include are moderating, mediating, and control variables.
Moderating variables
Moderating variable (or moderators) alter the effect that an independent variable has
on a dependent variable. In other words, moderators change the “effect” component of the
cause-and-effect relationship.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnfRdTCUIsc

Types of Conceptual Framework

1. IPO Method
2. Concept Map
3. Independent-Dependent Method