ES8: METHODS OF RESEARCH

2nd semester, SY 2022-2023

Prepared by Arthur J. Lagbas, RCh MENRM

WRITING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

1. Research topic must be a worthwhile contribution to environmental science, natural resource

management and allied field.

2. The methods are on analytical type of research, whether quantitative or qualitative.

3. A research proposal in formal writing voice/format is a requirement for this course. See
http://facultyweb.ivcc.edu/rrambo/tip_formal_writing_voice.htm to learn about formal writing
voice in scientific paper.

4. Create a research proposal of your most desired research topic.

5. Submit the hardcopy/printed copy and upload the electronic copy (both MS word and pdf) in
our course site. Minimum and maximum page is 8 and 10, respectively, 1.5 spacing, justified,
margin: all 1’, short (letter) white paper.

6. The research proposal consists of the following: Title, Introduction, Objectives, Significance,
Materials and Methods, and References.

7. The first page is the TITLE.

• Title of research, authors, institutional affiliation and date should appear on this page
• Use center alignment
• Title should be all capital letters, bold text.
• Follow the recommended title format.
• Use full name of the author/s, all capital letters, not bold text.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL OF A MANGROVE REGENERATED FOREST

IN BILAR, BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

JUAN DELA CRUZ

JUANA DELA CRUZ

Chemistry Department
College of Science
Technological University of the Philippines Manila
Ermita, Manila

July 2023

8. The second page is the STATEMENT OF AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION.

ES8: METHODS OF RESEARCH
2nd semester, SY 2022-2023
Prepared by Arthur J. Lagbas, RCh MENRM

• State the significant contribution of the authors. Example. Arthur J. Lagbas conceptualized
the study and wrote the Introduction part. Art Lagbas created the maps of the study area
using QGIS.

9. The third and fourth page is the INTRODUCTION. This section should contain the following:
• Research problem from review of literature
• Background information from review of literature.
• Recent literature (not more than 10 years study)
• Research gap. This is a question or problem that has not been answered by any of the
existing studies or research. It is also a topic or area for which missing or insufficient
information limits the ability to reach a conclusion for a question.)
• Justification of the study. State the reason/s that motivated the research, why a researcher
chooses to focus on the topic, or an explanation that rationalizes the need for the study.

1. Carbon sequestration by large mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King.) plantation in mount

makiling forest reserve, Philippines: a decade after1
“Scientists and environmentalists warn that  Research problem
global climate and climate change threaten
world security today….”

“The study was initially conducted in 2000 to  Background information from previous
investigate the potential of a mahogany research.
(Swietenia macrophylla King.) plantation to
absorb carbon in its biomass (Racelis, 2000).
The research yielded excellent results, which
further proved that Mahogany forest plantation
has huge potential to store vast amounts of C
given good site condition, sustained
maintenance, and minimal disturbances or
destruction from anthropogenic factors.
However, the study did not consider the C  Research gap
sequestration rate of the stand due to lack of
baseline data. To this effect, it is necessary to
measure the assimilation rate of the plantation  Justification of the study
to determine the optimum level at which it
accumulates carbon through time.”
2. Title: GIS-assisted carbon stock assessment of Loboc-Bilar mahogany plantation, Bohol,
Philippines2
The recent weather abnormalities experienced  Problem
in the Philippines and around the world are
indications of a changing climate (IPCC 2001;
Lasco and Pulhin, 2003; Labata et al. 2012)…

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) is a  Background from literature

fast-growing tree and has been used to reforest
the majority of the marginal areas in the
ES8: METHODS OF RESEARCH
2nd semester, SY 2022-2023
Prepared by Arthur J. Lagbas, RCh MENRM

Philippines, including the Loboc-Bilar Mahogany

plantation in Bohol. Apart from its beauty and
recreational significance, the plantation is
known for having enormous amount of medium
and large-sized trees, typical of a forest
plantation. However, the carbon stock has not  Research gap
yet been quantified for this plantation, which is
a critical step in determining the ecological
value of plantation on climate change
mitigation.
1
Racelis, E. L., Racelis, D. A., and Luna, A. C. (2019. Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 22,
1, 67-76. https://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph/journals-uplb/index.php/JESAM/article/view/88/68
2
Reyes, T. D. Jr. (2019). Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 22, 1, 77-86.
https://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph/journals-uplb/index.php/JESAM/article/view/90/70

10. The fifth page is the OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY.

• This is an active statement about how the study is going to answer the specific research
question.
• Objectives can (and often do) state exactly which outcome measures are going to be used
within their statements (Farrugia et al. 2010).
• What do you want to do?
• What do you want to achieve?
• State the General Objectives, and the Specific Objectives.

Example 1.
This study will be conducted primarily to assess  General objectives
the current carbon budget of the Loboc-Bilar
Mahogany Plantation.

Specifically, the study aims to:  Specific objectives

1. Apply quantitative and systematic
methodology for biomass and carbon
estimation with the application of GIS;
2. Quantify the biomass and its stored carbon
in all carbon pools using allometric and
mathematical equations; and
3. Monetize the stored carbon in the whole
plantation.

11. The sixth page is the SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

• The contributions to and impact of the study on a research field.
• What is the importance of the study?
• Who will benefit the study?
• How the study will benefit the community of researchers, scientists, policy makers, decision
makers, local people?
ES8: METHODS OF RESEARCH
2nd semester, SY 2022-2023
Prepared by Arthur J. Lagbas, RCh MENRM

12. The seventh page is the CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK or THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK whichever
is applicable.
Conceptual Framework Theoretical Framework
• It more about the approach that a • It is developed from existing theory
researcher takes in answering a or theories.
research question. • It is derived from theory.
• It is derived from concepts; • One theory alone can serve as a
composed of several concepts. theoretical framework.
• May include a theoretical framework. • Arises from outcomes beyond a
• Identify factors influencing a single study, based on one or more
particular field. theories (e.g. Darwin’s theory of
evolution by natural selection)
Conceptual Framework of the Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) model for
drinking water sodium in the coastal areas of Bangladesh (Shammi et al. 2019).

Conceptual framework of deforestation (Fisher et al. 2021)

ES8: METHODS OF RESEARCH
2nd semester, SY 2022-2023
Prepared by Arthur J. Lagbas, RCh MENRM

13. The eight and additional page is the MATERIALS AND METHODS.
• Study site (barangay, municipality/city, province, GPS coordinates in decimal degrees)
• Biophysical characteristics of the site. (Climate, soil type, slope, vegetation cover)
• Explanation on why the study site was chosen.
• Experimental site and control site (polluted vs unpolluted, disturbed vs undisturbed)
• Sampling time (morning, afternoon, between 8AM to 10AM, low tide, high tide, dry
season, wet season)
• Sampling frequency (twice a week, once a month)
• Parameters to be measured or monitored such as pH, turbidity, diameter at breast
height, canopy area, tree height, fish weight, temperature, humidity, etc.
• Map of the study area and sampling site
• Method of analysis (field data collection, non-destructive sampling, organic matter
analysis, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis, etc.)
• Schematic diagram of the testing/analysis
• Statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, ANOVA, t-test, correlation, etc.)

14. The last page is the REFERENCES.

• Use this format: dela Cruz, A. J. (2023). Ecosystem services of urban trees in Rizal Park,
Manila, Philippines. Journal of Ecosystem Services. 14, 1, 1-14. Weblink
• Use refereed journal articles, reputable reports only (2010 above)