Purposive

Communication
 Writing a
Research Paper
 WHAT IS RESEARCH?
Research is NOT
• collecting existing information
• retrieving information
• transferring or transcribing facts
• rummaging available resources
• providing readily available
answers
• communicating existing
knowledge
• modifying existing knowledge
• reorganizing or restating,
reviewing
Research IS
• collecting systematically and
purposely new information
• analyzing and interpreting new
information
• gaining new knowledge
• developing scientific
knowledge
• synthesizing related
information, previous studies
 Basic Rules for Ethical Research
1. Integrity of the researcher
• act professionally in the pursuit of truth.
• avoid plagiarism
2. Acknowledge the sources of information /data
3. Deception or misinterpretation must be avoided
4. Informed consent –voluntary consent
5. Privacy, confidentiality and anonymity
• non disclosure of identities
Stages of the Research Process
1. Selecting a Topic
• assess interest
• sufficient knowledge to work
effectively on the topic
- read and survey related literature
and studies
- have a basis or a rationale
-get ideas about research methods
and how to interpret findings
What to survey for a Topic?
1. Journals particular to your discipline
2. Published/unpublished research
articles
3. Research abstracts
4. References cited in previous studies
5. On-line searches
6. Seminars, symposia, research
conferences
2. Narrowing the Topic
• determine specific topic which is researchable
and manageable
• concentrate on more important details
• set the limitations of the study

Example :Narrowing a Topic Using Chart

CHILD MALTREATMENT

INDICATORS OF CHILD MALTREATMENT

BEHAVIORAL PHYSICAL
 Concept Mapping : identify all related ideas and
categorize them to come up with a more specific area
of concern
Negligence
Violence in women
Verbal assault

Psychological effects
VIOLENCE
Child labor
Domestic violence

Physical abuse Wife battering Punishment

 CONCEPT CHART

Violence in Women Child Abuse

domestic violence physical abuse/punishment
wife battering child labor
verbal assault Negligence
psychological effects psychological effects
3. Formulating the Title
Basic questions to ask:
 Does the title describe what the
study is all about?
 Is the title academically phrased and
not verbose?
 Is the title within the twelve (12)
substantive word requirement of the
American Psychological Association
(APA)?
 4. Formulating the Major and
Sub-Problems
Statement of the Problem
- simple but clear
- direct and precise
- relates to the principal issue which
serves as the basis of inquiry
Sub-Problems
- minor or specific problem
- help answer the principal problem
- use as relevant information in
answering the statement of the problem.
Constructing a Research Outline
• set details into a framework or an outline
• outline is drawn from the topic, title and the
statement of the problem and sub-problems
• it is arranged chronologically and logically with
consideration on emphasis, importance, and
unity of major and subordinate details
• it is guided with a thesis statement
• it may be :
a. topic outline
b. sentence outline
c . paragraph outline
5. Surveying Related Literature and Studies

• how much materials or information

available related to the topic
• determine the extent of the study
• develop new insights provided by the
literature review
• reveals research strategy
Constructing a Research Outline
Topic: Psychological Stress
Title: Psychological Stress-Related
Health Problems of Elderly in the
Home for the Aged
Statement of the Problem:
This study intends to determine the
psychological stress experienced by the
elderly relates to some of their health
problems
Sub-Problems:
1. What is the program of the institution for
maintaining the emotional stability of the
elderly?
2. Which among the recreational activities greatly
helps the elderly stay in a happy disposition?
3. How do the elderly manifest their psychological
stress?
4. Why do they experience episodes of
psychological stress?
5. Which among the health problems relate to
psychological stress?
 Example :Research Outline
Title : Psychological Stress – Related Health
Problems of the Elderly in the Home for
the Aged relates to the Statement of the
Problem

Thesis Statement
Psychological stress experienced by the elderly
relates to some of their health problems.
relate to sub-problems 1 & 2
I. Background Information of the Home for the
Aged as an Institution
a. Beginning of the Institution
b. Functions of the Institution
c. Programs of the Institution
1. Physical relate to
2. Recreational sub-problems
3. Psychological/Counseling 3&4
4. Spiritual
II. Psychological Condition of the Elderly
a. Positive Attitude
b. Psychological Stress
1. Manifestations relate to
2. Causes sub-problem 5
3. Actual Experiences

III. Health Conditions of the Elderly

a. Symptoms
b. Common Health Problems Associated to
Psychological Stress
 Preparatory Writing Activities
Selecting and Narrowing A Topic
1.

A. Concept Map and Concept Chart

- Make a concept map for a
general topic that you want to
consider for a possible research
topic. The concept map will help
you choose a relevant topic for
your study.
2. Formulate Statement of the
Problem and Sub-Problems
A. Determine the following aspects of your
topic which you may consider in formulating
the research topic.
B. Formulate the statement of the Problem
and its sub-problems based on the aspects
you have previously identified
A. Research Topic :________________________

Research Title: ___________________________

Statement of the Problem: __________________

Sub-Problems: Specifically, this study seeks to

answer the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. Writing the Literature Review

“Review “means that the research goes

over the materials, books, journal articles,
theses, dissertations and internet
presentations.
The purpose is to determine what has
been written about the problem.
Steps:
•Organize the surveyed information in terms
of importance.
• Classify and identify appropriate categories,
local and international studies.
• Present according to chronological order,
from recent to earliest development.
• Analyze content, facts, findings, methods,
concepts and implications
• Summarize or paraphrase through
synthesizing information
•Avoid misinterpretation or distortion of the
writer’s original meaning by direct quotation

• Apply in text-citation for paraphrased or quoted

sources

In-Text Citation – a brief citation of the source

placed within the body of the paper.
Paraphrase –to restate or reword information
from a source.
Quote – to repeat a source word-for-word.
Summarize – to provide a shorter, more
condensed version of the original
MLA or Modern Language Association model
- it focuses on the author and his/her work,
including the page number from which the
paraphrased or quoted information is taken.
- This is known as author-page system.

Example:
Effective communication skills improve the
quality of care , however, effective communication
may harm patient care (Kurzen, p.71 ).
 APA or American Psychological Association
model focuses on the date because the rationale
is that, scientific data change yearly.
Examples:
Marshall, Burns & Briden (2007) reported the results
of the Roschester’s two-year ethnographic study.
Of information technology.

According to Russel and Alpay (2000)a substantial

number of nurses have not yet acquired adequate
knowledge

Emotional factors range from the woman’s hope that

the abusive partner will change (Heise et al., 1995 ).
 Writing
the
RESEARCH PAPER
Introduction
1. Background of the Study
• introduce the research by defining or describing
• Establish the problem and discuss its status
• Situate problem by citing specific examples

2. Statement of the Problem and Sub-Problems

3. Objectives of the Study

• enumerate the specific aims that must be met after the
completion of the research project.
4. Significance of the Study
• identifies the people or institution who
will benefit from the findings of the study

5. Scope and Delimitation

• discusses the focus or concern of the
study in terms of the specific areas to be
included.

Delimitation refers to areas which the

researcher does not intend to include in
the study.
6. Definition of Terms
• precise meaning of term used in the study
• operational definition ensures clarity of the
meaning in context.
 Review of Related Literature

1.Foreign Literature and Studies

2. Local Literature and Studies

• analyze sample literature review and

use it as a guide to develop a well
synthesized one
• apply appropriate in-text citation styles
Methodology
•provides detailed explanation and a clear
description of research design.

1. Participants
• describes the people who participated in
the study.
• any demographic profile would be
appropriate here.
2.Research Design
• indicate the detailed, chronological steps
the researcher will employ

• Typically the independent variables in the

study would be described.
3. Instruments

• describes the test or instruments used

to collect data. It would be appropriate to
describe any questionnaire that are used

• determines the validity and reliability of

the instruments
4. Data Gathering Procedure

• describes in detail the data-collection

procedures.

• describes how participants were

recruited, whether they participated alone
or in groups, how informed consent or
assent was obtained, what they are asked
to do, how they were compensated for
their participation, etc.
5. Data Analysis

• describes in detail how the data are

interpreted.

• For qualitative design, describe the method of

synthesizing the response of the respondents.

• For quantitative design, describe the statistical

tools used in accepting or rejecting hypothesis of
the study.
6. Ethical Consideration

•Describes the procedure on how did the

researcher protects the respondents of the study

• what measures were done to ensure the safety

and confidentiality of the information and
anonymity of the respondents.
Presentation and Interpretation of
Data

• explains the manner of presenting the

data through graphs or tables to present
the kind of data obtained.

• the analysis and interpretation of data

answers the research questions.
 Conclusion and Recommendation
• synthesizes all that are accomplished in each
stage of research.

The Conclusion

• drawn from the findings which answer the

statement of the problem and the sub-
problems;
• clarify concepts defined within the scope of
the study.
Recommendations

• are suggestions for solution, improvement,

revision, validation of existing practices

• identifies areas which need further

research, which can be replicated or which can
be validated.
Bibliography/ References
References – include a complete list of all
quoted and paraphrased works that the
researcher actually used in completing the
study.

Bibliography – includes a complete list of all

works related to the study but not directly
contained in the report.
Books
Bogdan, R. & Biklen, Sk. (2007). Qualitative
research for education: An introduction
to theories and methods. 5th edition.
Boston: Pearson.

Brinkmann, S. (2012). Qualitative inquiry in

everyday life. London: SAGE Publication
Ltd.
WEBSITES

Hansen, K. (n.d.). Identifying and evaluating research

sources. Retrieved from http://www.mycollege.
successtory. com

What is Research. (November/December, 2005).

University of Melbourne, EDUCAUSE, 66-74