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University of Southeastern Philippines

COLLEGE OF GOVERNANCE, BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

THESIS and DISSERTATION FORMAT

Preliminaries

Title Cover Page

Declaration of Originality

Abstract

Summary of the problem statement, methodology, findings and

the conclusions. Maximum of 300 words or two pages. Introductory
paragraph and name of adviser not indented. Pagination not reflected.
Name of researcher and title of study – all caps and bold; adviser –
upper/lower case bold; all the rest – upper/lower case regular. Please
refer to annex 2.

Title Page

To be presented in inverted pyramid, double-spaced, centered.

Pagination not reflected. Title – all caps and bold; name – all caps and
regular; all the rest – upper/lower case and regular. Date of graduation
should be reflected. Please refer to annex 3.

Approval Sheet

Double space. Pagination not reflected. Title and name –

upper/lower case bold; Approved by Thesis Advisory Committee –
indented; signatories – names, no titles. Please refer to annex 4.

Acknowledgment

Use third person. Pagination is reflected at bottom center;

pagination is roman lower case, e.g. iv, v, vi. Page counting to start from
title page.

Table of Contents

Preliminaries – all caps and bold; indicate sub-headings of related

literature/studies; if sub-heading is more than 1 line – single spaced,
flash left. Please refer to annex 5

List of Tables
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If tabular title is more than 1 line – single spaced, flash left. Please refer
to annex 6.

List of Figures

If figure title is more than 1 line – single spaced, flash left. Please refer
to annex 7.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The introduction generally consists of the background of the study,

statement of the problem, objectives of the study, significance of the study,
and the scope and limitation of the study.

Background of the Study

This is a brief statement of the origin of the problem. It is an

account describing the circumstances, which suggested research. It
may include a justification of the selection or choice of the study.
Present global-national-local scenarios. (2-3 pages; do not start with a
quotation)

Statement of the Problem

The problem studied must be shown as one, which arose from a

situation of need or unresolved difficulties. The reader must be made
to recognize this need.

The problem should be stated precisely, accurately, and clearly.

The problem should be defined in terms of the data that can be
obtained. (Present general problem statement followed by the specific
problem statements. General problem statement – declarative form;
specific statements – question form)

Objectives of the Study

A brief statement of the purposes which the study/research

hopes to achieve. (general problem statement’s; in paragraph form)

Significance of the Study

This section should show why the problem investigated is

important and what significance the results have. It should include a
statement on relevance to felt needs, the potential contribution of the
research to new knowledge, and policy implications and other possible
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uses for its results. (identify who would benefit from the study and
what benefit they could get from it)

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The boundaries of the study should be properly defined. The

scope is expected to indicate a reasonable area of study, which is large
enough to be significant but narrow enough to permit careful
treatment.

The scope of the problem should be stated specifically. The

nature of the subjects treated, their number, the treatments they
received, and any limitations that exist in the reference population,
instruments or research design should be stated.

Definition of Terms

Many terms are subject to a variety of interpretations. Such

terms should be defined operationally according to the precise
meanings they are intended to convey. Clear definitions should be
stated for all important variables, especially if these are to be
measured by means of specific instruments or a combination of
devices.

For clearer presentation, include conceptual and operational or working

definitions. For example, middle class is conceptually defined as a category of
persons within a given society. Operationally, it is “group of persons whose average
annual income is P 10,000 – 24,000; minimum educational attainment is high school
graduate.” (Include the variables of the study as reflected in the conceptual
framework. Terms defined – upper/lower case, bold; paragraph form per term
defined). Please refer to annex 8

Chapter 2: Review of Literature and Theoretical Framework

This chapter consists of the review of related literature, the framework

itself including its presentation in the form of a paradigm, the hypotheses,
and the discussion on key variables.

Related Literature and Studies

The purposes of this section are: (a) to tell what research has or
has not been done on the problem; and (b) to explain or clarify the
theoretical rationale of the problem. This section provides a general
picture of the research topic.

Only studies which are related in purpose, method, or findings

to current study, should be included in the review. The discussion of
such studies should be in the form of a brief critical analysis of the
purposes, method of study, principal findings and conclusions.
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Clarify the interrelationships of the studies reviewed. Point out

the weaknesses and strengths of each study. Point out how each
study reviewed is related to the problem at hand. Summarize the
review and provide a transition from the past studies to the present
one. The present study should be shown to relate with or evolved from
earlier work.

In the text, only the last names of the authors are given. In the
case of citations of different works by persons with the same surname,
initials should be included in the last names for proper identifications.

Literature review should cover all variables in the conceptual

framework. Group same topics, both literature and studies. Minimize
figures/diagrams in the text. If many figures and diagrams are
necessary, place them in the appendix.

Subheading/subtitle should be upper/lower case bold followed

by a period. Discussions/enumeration should be in paragraph form.
Direct quotes should be indented both sides, italicized, single spaced.

Theory Base

Shapes the justification of the research problems in order to

provide the legal basis for defining its parameters. This includes
existing accepted concepts, principles, theories and frameworks.
(Include theories/frameworks where you anchor your study)

For figure presentation, please refer to annex 9

Conceptual Framework

From the review of the related literature and studies, the

researcher formulates a conceptual scheme for his research problem,
which is a tentative theoretical explanation of the phenomenon/
problem he is going to investigate. The conceptual framework should
be reduced into a paradigm/ schematic diagram showing the variables
of the framework and their interrelationships. The theoretical scheme
is the basis for formulating the research hypothesis/es.

Research Assumptions /Research Hypothesis (es)

Assumptions are presumed to be true statements of facts

related to the research problems.

Hypotheses are conjectural statements of relationships between

two or more variables. These statements are based on existing
information and are tested experimentally or empirically.
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Whether stated explicitly or not, hypotheses are a part of a

research study. They guide the investigation.

The hypothesis(es) should be: (1) rational, involving at least two

variables; (2) precise and clear; (3) non-judgment, i.e. moral/value
free; (4) not answerable by yes or no; and (5) measurable.

The hypotheses should originate from substantially the same

background as that which served to identify/ suggest the problem.

The research hypotheses are stated in the alternative form

however, these are changed to the null form when they are tested
statistically. Only null hypotheses can be subjected to statistical
testing.

Chapter 3: Methodology

This chapter includes descriptions of the method used, sources of

data, the data gathering instruments, sampling technique, procedure of the
study and statistical treatment.

Method Used

A brief description of the method of research used in doing the

study. (e.g. descriptive method, survey method, etc).

Sources of Data

This section describes the sources of data – whether primary or

secondary.

The report should include appropriate information on the total

population, the sample and the sources of evidences. How was the
problem of missing data handled?

To be valid, the investigation must make use of exact and

complete primary and/or secondary information.
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Data Gathering Instrument

A description of the adoption, construction, and administration

of instruments should be included. Instruments include tests,
questionnaires, interview guides or schedules, and the like.
Apparatus, devices, and laboratory equipment used should be
described. In the case of complex or custom-built equipment, the
inclusion of a drawing or photograph is recommended. (Likert scaling
to be used should also be presented).

Include discussion on validity and reliability of the instruments

(if survey instruments are self constructed).

Sampling Technique

A description of the sampling technique used in determining the

sample size of the subject and how were they selected.

Procedure of the Study

The procedures followed in conducting the study should be

explained in complete detail. Techniques, devices and procedures
followed should be described.

In the case of experiments, this section should include the

instructions given to participants, the formation of groups, the
experimental manipulations, and the control features of the design.

Remember that this section tells the reader what you did and
how you did it.

Any error or weakness in procedures that has been discovered

during the conduct of the research should be pointed out, and any
consequent limitations upon the research results should be fully
noted.

(Discussion should revolve around the problem statements;

presented in paragraph form.)

Statistical Treatment

Describe briefly how the data collected are to be processed. If

statistical techniques/tools are used, this fact should be mentioned. If
one has used a technique that is, strictly speaking, not appropriate to
the data, this fact should be noted and explanations should be made.
It is only when the statistical technique used is new or unfamiliar that
the formula is given. (Mention to which problem statement the
statistical tool is used/applied).
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Chapter 4: Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

In this chapter, the researcher summarizes the collected data and the
statistical treatment applied to them. The results should be presented in a
straightforward and unbiased way. The presentation must be geared to the
research questions and the research hypotheses. (Presentation of findings
must follow the sequence of the problem statements. Tables and figures
should be presented after being introduced in the text or after the discussions.
Present either a table or a figure and never both. Table and figure numbering
must be sequential.)

Present only relevant data. Individual scores or raw data should not
be reported in the text. If these need to be included at all, they should be
placed in the Appendix.

In reporting the data, choose the medium that will present them
effectively. It will be very helpful to summarize the results and analyses
through tables and/or figures/ graphs.

Do not repeat the same data in several places, and do not include
tables with the data that can be presented as well in the text.

The textual description, analysis and interpretation should focus on

the patterns and deviations in the contents of the tables and charts, rather
than restatement of their content all over again. Do not expect the tables
and figures to do the entire communication for you.

The analyses of data should be objective and logical. Make a careful

distinction between fact and opinion. Facts, not opinion, should prevail.

Present all relevant results, including those that run counter to the
hypotheses.

In reporting statistical tests of significance, include information

concerning the obtained magnitude or value of the test, the degrees of
freedom, the probability level and the direction of the effects.

The interpretation of the data should consist of the following:

1. The antecedents of what has been found;

2. The consequences or implications drawn from the findings;
3. The practical applications or uses of the findings;
4. The conditions that limit the generalization of the findings so that
the reader can judge the validity of the conclusions and inferences;
5. Suggestions for improvement of instruments and procedures; and
6. The differences/ similarities between the findings and conclusions
of the study and the findings and conclusions of other studies and
plausible reasons therefore.
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Format of Table, Chart and Figure Title: Tabular Title – upper

left portion of the table. Chart/Figure Title – bottom center of the
figure/chart. Titles presented in upper/lower case, regular.

Table 1. Enrolment Data

Figure(Chart) 1. Enrolment Data

(Don’t cut tables; instead present them in smaller fonts)

For table presentation, please refer to annex 10.

Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

Summary

The summary contains an overview of the research. It gives a

brief statement of the problem, the procedures and the findings.
(Should be in paragraph form. Present only the summary of findings. No
need to present numerical data.)

The summary should not contain any new information but

should briefly recapitulate the entire content of the paper. It is as if
the researcher was asked by a colleague what problem he has studied
and what results he has obtained. He should reply briefly and to the
point, sketching all the important aspects of his study, describing the
conclusions and how he arrived at them.

Conclusions

Broad generalizations not adequately supported by data should

be avoided. Conclusions should be drawn only for the population and
circumstances for which evidences have been collected. (Should be
based on the findings of the study. It should be presented in paragraph
form).
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Any weakness in the research design, techniques, or population

that has come to light and which can no longer be corrected should be
discussed frankly, with particular attention given to the manner in
which the weakness may have affected the outcomes of the research.

Recommendations

Presented in paragraph form.

References

References preferably not older than ten years.

Alphabetized, hanging, double spaced. (Use APA format). Include

only those cited in the text. Please refer to attached photocopy as guide.

Example of Citing Internet Sources:

Author, A.A. & Author, B.B. (Date of publication). Title of article.

Retrieved month day year. From http://web address.

Appendices

Should be sequential (as they appear / are being mentioned in the text).
Bookman Old Style; maybe presented in smaller fonts.

Curriculum Vitae

Follow standard format for research work.

Notes:
1. Font Style : Bookman Old style / Font Size : 12
2. Double space
3. Include introductory paragraphs in all chapters except chapter 1
4. The word Chapter must be in upper and lower case. Chapter number
is in arabic form BOLD; Chapter title must be ALL CAPS bold.
5. Between sub headings – two double spaces.
6. Pagination – top right
7. Margins: top – 1.2”, bottom – 1.2”, left – 1.5”, right – 1.2”
8. 22 – 24 lines per page