GUIDELINES FOR RESEARCH PAPER

Here are some guidelines to be followed for your research paper. Your research paper should have the
following:

a. Title Page - since we are going to use APA Style for our research paper, please follow the guidelines
for the title page.
Paper Formatting
● All text should be double-spaced
● Use one-inch margins on all sides except for the the left side (1.5 inches)
● The school logo should be in the center
● Make sure that the title is centered on the page with your name and school/institution underneath
● Use 12-point font throughout using Times New Roman font text

b. Abstract - On this part, you only need to write 250 words as an overview of the study. As researchers
of qualitative abstracts, you should briefly state the nature and significance of the problem, followed by
the aim of the study. If you’re having hard time in doing the overview, you can use the following as
guide:
● The type of qualitative method should be described under ‘design’.
● You may address the following questions:
1) What was the sample? What were the sample’s basic characteristics (number, age, gender
etc)?
2) How was the sample selected and why?
3) What were the inclusion/exclusion criteria?
4) What were the data collection procedures?
5) What data were sought and how?
6) How were the data analysed?
● Results - In qualitative research, the results are usually termed ‘Findings’. They are often
presented as themes, or as narrative description. Findings can be presented as themes, or as
narrative description.
● Interpretation of results. You may use the guide questions below:
1) What is the meaning of the findings?
2) What new knowledge do the quotes/narratives/themes illustrate?
3) What can be learned from the findings?
 ● Concluding message. You may use the guide questions below:
1) What can be concluded from the study?
2) What is the significance/need for their study and findings? What gap (in science,
3) practice or knowledge) does the research and findings address?
4) What message do you want readers to take away from the research/findings?
5) What are the implications for practice or further research?
6) How do the findings relate to other research—what is novel/new? How do the findings
build on or add to what is known?

c. Chapter 1
● Introduction - This part will introduce the research paper. Your introduction can be a 1-2page content
as minimum. If your paper needs further introduction, you may exceed.
● Theoretical Framework or Conceptual Framework - You may choose between the two depending
on your study. This part of your research should contain diagram/s or model/s and explanations of the
research’s framework. To avoid further confusion, all research is based on an idea or assumption that
underlies the question being asked. So, there is a "theoretical" underpinning to all research whose
conceptual focus is the means by which the thesis is tested, argued, researched, presented, etc. The thing
is, if your study needs to use a theory to get the conclusion of your research, use a theoretical framework,
otherwise use a conceptual framework.
● Theoretical Framework is a review of theories relevant to a study that serves as the fundamental
basis for developing your research. On the other hand, conceptual framework shows the
construction under the study, sometimes including the indicators as well as the proposed
relationship between/among the constructs in the context of a study. It gives direction to a study
and it is usually developed taking attention to relevant theories (theoretical framework), existing
literature, etc. It shows a specific approach that provides specific variables and their relationships.
● Statement of the Problem - This part will be showing various problems you’ve listed regarding your
research.
● Hypothesis - Please refer to the link I gave (myperfectwords.com).
Here’s what being discussed in the link:
1. Null Hypothesis
● A null hypothesis is written when there is insufficient information to state the hypothesis or no
obvious relationship between the two variables. Refer to the following null hypothesis examples
and learn how to disapprove of something.
● There is no improvement in my health, no matter how healthy I eat or get plenty of sleep.
 ● There is no change in my work habits, whether I get 6 hours or 10 hours of sleep.
2. Alternative Hypothesis
● There is always an alternative hypothesis that disapproves of a null hypothesis. It is denoted by
H1. You can learn more about the alternative hypothesis with these examples.
● My health gets better when I drink green tea daily.
● My work habits get better when I sleep on time and wake up early in the morning.
● Significance of the Study - the significance of the study is basically the importance of your research.
The significance of a study must be stated in the Introduction section of your research paper. While
stating the significance, you must highlight how your research will be beneficial to the development of
science and the society in general. You should make an outline of those who will benefit from your
research.
● Definition of Terms - this part consists of terms you used in your research. You can arrange the words
according to where you used them first.
d. Chapter 2
● Review of Related Literature - on this part, please be reminded that you need to paraphrase your
reference. Here are some guidelines on paraphrasing in APA Format (libanswers.snhu.edu):

1. Examples of Citing Paraphrased Information at the Beginning of a Sentence

● A review (Selby et al., 2017) identified several laws pertaining to cancer research in the UK that
might be affected because of Brexit.
● Patafio et al. (2016) investigated the relationship between cancer research funding and cancer
research output and found that research output is not well correlated with the public health burden
of individual cancers that was measured by mortality rates.
● The authors (Lindqvist & Neumann) argue that security and privacy are crucial in the Internet of
Things (IoT) because if future attacks are successful they can cause widespread destruction and
even cost lives.
● Bernard (2011) argues that Henry VIII's Catholicism was more than just Catholicism without the
pope.
2. Examples of Citing Paraphrased Information in the Middle of a Sentence
● Surgery is considered a last resort in the treatment of plantar fasciitis Owens (2017) argues.
● Strength training as treatment for plantar fasciitis, according to (Huffer et al. 2017), does not
contribute to improved function and pain relief.
 ● Many physical therapists use ultrasound therapy as treatment; however, numerous studies
highlighted in the review published by Sanke and Radwan (2015) show that the therapy does not
have any effect on the condition.
3. Examples of Citing Paraphrased Information at the End of a Sentence
● There are multiple types of cyberbullying (El Asam & Samara, 2016).
● A significant amount of youths' social interaction takes place through technology and children as
young as 10 have access to mobile devices (Williford & DePaolis, 2016).
● The authors found that undergraduate students are afraid to report cyberbullying (Watts et al.,
2017, p. 273).
4. Example of how the original quotation might be paraphrased
● Original quotation:
American commitment to self-government rested on the early experience of colonization. English
common law was introduced with the first settlers, and each new colony soon had an elected
assembly designed to represent and protect the interests of the settler population, acting like a
local equivalent of the Westminster House of Commons. In theory, popular participation in
government was balanced by a strong executive, in the person of the governor, supported by an
advisory council. Bit in the first years of settlement, when colonies were sponsored by private
companies rather than the Crown, governors and councils were often themselves elected,
reinforcing the tendency towards local control (Conway, 2013, p. 33).
● The essay incorporating the paraphrasing:
The early settlers in Colonial America may have considered themselves English and loyal to the
Crown. However, the local government structure supported a system of relative self-governance
(Conway, 2013, p. 33).