Writing

Chapter 1: The
introduction
Chapter

Monica Martin, RPm

Diana Mae Oberas, RPm
Rona Eroles, RPm
Patrizia Espinosa, RPm
How to write a
good thesis
Introduction

By: Monica Martin, RPm

 Introduction

- In the introduction, you are attempting to inform the reader about the rationale
behind the work, and to justify why your work is essential in the field.
- The introduction does not have a strict word limit, unlike the abstract, but it
should be as concise as possible. It can be a tricky part of the paper to write, so
many scientists and researchers prefer to write it last, to make sure they haven’t
missed anything important.
 A good introduction generally
consists of three distinct parts:

1. You should first give a general presentation of the research problem.

2. You should then lay out exactly what you are trying to achieve with this
particular research project.
3. You should then state your own position.

-Ideally, you should try to give each section its own paragraph, but this will vary
given the overall length of the paper.
 Points that can help you write a
good thesis introduction:
A good introduction draws readers in while providing the setup for the entire
paper. There is no single way to write an introduction that will always work for
every topic, but the points below can act as a guide.

1. Identify your readership

2. Hook the reader and grab their attention
3. Provide relevant background
4. Give the reader a general knowledge of what the paper is about
5. Preview key points and lead into thesis statement
THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

How to effectively write it.

By Patrizia Espinosa
What is a Theoretical
Framework?
– Collection of concepts and ideas used to guide
the research and build the frame around which a
study is built
Theories
– are formulated to explain, predict, and understand
phenomena, and to challenge and extend existing
knowledge, within the limits of the bounding
assumptions
What is the purpose of a
Theoretical Framework?

– A theoretical framework describes the past,

detailing the path taken to reach the current
study
– Defines key concepts

– Evaluates, selects, and/or combines relevant theories

– Explains assumptions and expectations

Importance of a Theoretical
Framework
– It provides rationale for conducting a research

– Talks about the background studies that led to

the current research

– It is a structure that guides the research

– Needed for studies that aim to test a theory

– Guides and directs explanatory studies aiming to

build a base of knowledge on a subject
Creating a Theoretical
Framework
1. Select Key Concepts

2. Define and evaluate relevant theories and models

3. Identify what your research will contribute

Factors to consider in choosing
your theories:

 Appropriateness

 Application

 Explanatory power
NOTE:
There are no fixed rules for structuring a
theoretical framework. The important thing is
to create a clear, logical structure.
How does a Theoretical
Framework strengthen
your study?
1. It gives explicit statement of theoretical
assumptions

2. It connects the researcher to current and

existing knowledge
3. Researcher is able to address questions of why and how

4. It helps the researcher limit the generalized concepts

Developing the
Framework
 Examine your thesis TITLE and RESEARCH PROBLEM

The research problem anchors your entire study and

forms the basis from which you construct your theoretical
framework.
 Consider the key VARIABLES in your research.
Answer this:
“What factors contribute to the expected effect?”

 Group these variables to Dependent and Independent

 You Review your Related Literatuuuuuuuuuuure!
Find possible answers to your research question

Choose the theory or theories that can best explain the

relationships between the key variables in your study
 Discuss the assumptions and propositions of the
theory and then point out the relevance to the
research
Writing Tip:

Don’t Undertheorize!

 Never leave the theory hanging out there in the

Introduction never to be mentioned again.
WHY??

BECAUSE IT WEAKENS YOUR

PAPER!!
Developing a
Conceptual
Framework

By: Rona B. Eroles, RPm

 What is a Conceptual Framework?

• It is diagram that visually represents and interprets the underlying

theory, principle and concepts of the research.
• It serves as the basis for understanding the causal patterns of
ideas or concept in a research.
 Guidelines in writing
Conceptual Framework
It must: Steps in Developing a
• Clarify concepts and provide Conceptual Framework:
context for interpreting the study. 1. Choose your topic
• Consist of concept that are placed 2. Do a Literature Review
in a logical and sequential design.
3. Isolate the important variable
• Use the System’s or Input-Process-
Output (IPO) 4. Generate the conceptual
framework
It can be represented:
• Schematically
• Mathematically
 Input-Output-Process (IPO)

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Demographic
Self – esteem: Parenting Styles:
Profile:
• Low • Authoritative
• Age
• Moderate • Democratic
• Civil Status
• High • Permissive
• Educational
• Attainment
• Order in the
• Family
• Economic
Status
Basics of
Writing
Statement of the
Problem and
Significance of
the Study.
By: Diana Mae Oberas, RPm
 Statement of the Problem

- An are of concern, a gap in the existing knowledge or a deviation in the norm or

standard that points to the need of further understanding and investigation.
- Used in research work as claim that outlines the problem addressed by the
study.
 Tips in Writing SOP
– Must be clear and specific – Must have
– Must be persuasive
• the ideal- describes ideal goal or situation
or how things should be.
• the reality- describes the condition that
prevents the goal or how current
situation falls short of the goal or idea.
• Vision- what does the world look like if
we solved the problem
• Issue Statement- describes problem
using specific issues
• Methods- process that will solved the
problem.

• the consequence- describes the way you

propose to improve the current situation
and move it closer to the idea or goal.
 Goal of the Statement of the
Problem
– To transfer generalized problem into targeted and well defined problem that
can be resolved through focused research and careful decision-making.
– To clearly identify the purpose of the research.
– To direct reader’s attention directly to the issue proposed and provide reader
concise statement.
 Significance of the Study
– Provides the reader on how study will contribute and who will benefit from it.
– Includes an explanation of he work’s significance as well as it’s potential benefit.
– Referred as the Rationale or Justification in which you try to convince the
audience that it is worth doing.
 Tips in Writing Significance of the
Study
– Refer from the Statement of the
Problem; what are the benefits
and advantages of the study based
on the SOP
– Write from General to Specific;
importance to the society as a
whole and towards its contribution
to individuals.
General Significance
• Consider the importance or contribution your study
will impact or benefit others in part or whole.
• Discuss what groups of people will benefit the study
• How study is significant to developing a body of
knowledge; how study will influence public policy
Specific Significance-
• can be achieved by observing a one-to-one
correspondence between the purpose of the problem
and the objectives of the problem.
Assumptions &
Hypotheses

By: Rona Eroles, RPm

 Assumptions vs. Hypotheses
ASSUMPTIONS
• Beliefs about the variable
• Often with little or no evidence
and are not statistically tested in
research
• Ideas that we hold to be true
HYPOTHESES
• Predictions about the relationship
of two or more variables
• Can be statistically tested and may
be accepted or rejected
• It is a proposition
Characteristics of Hypothesis
• It must be precise and clear.
• A hypothesis must be capable of being put to test.
• It must state the relationship between variables.
• It must be specific and limited in scope.
• A hypothesis should state the facts that give rise to the
necessity of looking for an explanation.
 Types of Hypothesis
• Null hypothesis.
• Alternative hypothesis.
• The null hypothesis is expressed as H0, while the alternative
hypothesis is expressed as H1.
• Examples:
1. H0 : There is no significant relationship between personality type and
success.
2. H1: There is a significant relationship between personality type and success.
Guidelines in
Defining Terms

By: Monica Martin, RPm

 Definition of Terms

- Definition of terms is usually an annex to a work (book, research paper etc.)

either at the beginning or more likely near the end with a list of acronyms,
jargon, credits, etc.
- This is an important part of Thesis, Research Paper or Report is that in which
the key or important terms in the study are clearly defined.
 Types and Functions
There are 2 types of definition of terms to use on your research/thesis:
1. Conceptual
2. Operational
-the usual practice when using both types of definition is to state first the
conceptual followed by the operational.

Functions
-establishes rules and procedures the investigators will use to measure variables
-provide unambiguous meaning to terms that otherwise can be interpreted in
different ways.
 Guidelines:

- The terms should be arranged alphabetically and should be defined lexically

and/or operationally.
- Only terms, words or phrases which have special or unique meanings in the
study are defined.
- When definitions are taken from encyclopedias, books, magazines and
newspaper articles, dictionaries and other publications, the researcher must
acknowledge his sources.
Scope and
Limitations

By Patrizia Espinosa
What is this?
Scope and Limitations
Defined
Refers to how far the research area will be
exploring and the parameters the study will be
operating in (generally..)

It states the coverage and extent of the study as

well as the weaknesses
SCOPE

The scope defines the problem or subject that a

researcher plans to study.
This Includes:

1. General purpose of the study

2. Population or Sample
3. Duration of study
4. Geographical location of the study
5. Topics and theories used and discussed
LIMITATIONS
UNCONTROLLABLE

These are factors that the researcher encounters that

inadvertently narrow the scope of the study

These are elements that will affect the ability for your
study to generalize results
Limitations
– Flaws and Shortcomings
Due to:
 Unavailability of resources
 Small sample size
 Flawed methodology
 DELIMITATIONS
CONTROLLABLE

Features that can be controlled so as to determine the parameters or scope of

the study

Boundaries set by the researcher in order to control the range of the study

It limits the scope and the defines the boundaries of your study
Examples:
 Specific participants
 Specific species of animals
 Specific nationalities
 Specific ethnicity
 Specific sites
Purpose and Importance
 Gives the readers a clear view on what the study will address
and not address
 Gives other researchers an overview of potential weaknesses
and/or problems that may occur
 Gives future researchers more room in improving the current
study
Quick Guideline:
Questions??
1. What will be the objective of my study? Or what is the main goal of my study?
2. What will be the subject matter, topics and issues I am going to have for your
study?
3. Where will I go to obtain necessary data for my study? And how am I going to
do it?
4. How many respondents am I having for my study? Where can I find these
people?
5. How long would it take me to finish the study? Would it be long-term or short-
term study?
Turn your weakness into
strength.
 Writing about them towards the end of the paper strengthens the
study by identifying the problems before other or future
researchers find them

 Shows that you considered the impact of the weaknesses

thoroughly

 Furthermore, this proves that you have an in-depth understanding

of the topic
OTHER TIPS:
 Give a brief statement of the general purpose of the study
 State the subject matter and topics studied and discussed
 Give the period of the study (no. of mos during which the data was
gathered)
 Identify where the data is gathered
 State the population or universe from which the respondents were selected
 NOTE that this must be large enough to make generalizations significant
REFERENCES
– https://www.scribd.com/presentation/349056812/RESEARCH-PAPER-SCOPE-LIMITATIONS-Reporting
– https://www.reference.com/education/scope-limitations-research-93aa9f6a2e9c469
– http://thesisadviser.blogspot.com/2013/02/thesis-writing-scope-and-limitation-of.html
– https://www.academia.edu/35332176/SCOPE_AND_LIMITATION_OF_THE_STUDY
– https://www.ukessays.com/essays/information-technology/the-scope-and-limitation-of-the-study-information-
technology-essay.php
– https://brainly.ph/question/93899
References:
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/for-students-and-parents/tips-on-writing-a-problem-statement.html
http://www.ceptara.com/blog/how-to-write-problem-statement
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/for-students-and-parents/tips-on-writing-a-problem-statement.html
http://www.ceptara.com/blog/how-to-write-problem-statement
https://www.slideshare.net/ludymae/chapter-6theoretical-conceptual-framework
https://www.slideshare.net/drjayeshpatidar/research-assumption
https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/hypotheses/
References:
https://www.editage.com/insights/11-commonly-confused-elements-of-a-research-paper
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/for-students-and-parents/tips-on-writing-a-problem-statement.html
http://www.ceptara.com/blog/how-to-write-problem-statement
https://simplyeducate.me/2015/02/09/two-tips-on-how-to-write-the-significance-of-the-study/
https://topnotcher.ph/writing-the-best-significance-of-the-study/
https://research.thecallinfo.com/significance-of-the-st

https://explorable.com/how-to-write-an-introduction
https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/introduction
https://paperpile.com/g/thesis-introduction/
https://explorable.com/parts-of-a-research-paper
https://www.scribd.com/document/271235112/Guidelines-in-defining-terms-docx
https://www.slideshare.net/myotakustyle/definition-of-terms-59798301
REFERENCES:
– https://www.theclassroom.com/write-theoretical-framework-study-
8669053.html
– https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/theoreticalframework
– https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185919