THESIS AND DISSERTATION WRITING GUIDE: IMRaD FORMAT

Prepared by:

Marietta B. Agustin, Ph.D. and Gener S. Subia, Ph.D.

Title The title comprises 10 to 16 valuable words

Abstract The abstract contains the description of the main points of the study, participants, methodology,
results, and potential consequences, and future work. The abstract is typically between 150-250 words
(Purdue Online Writing Lab, 2019).
Keywords The keywords should consist of five to seven variables that were used in the study (i.e., Competency,
Job Satisfaction, etc.). Keywords are written alphabetically and separated by commas (Subia, 2018).
Chapter 1. Introduction
A rationale should not be more than two pages. The first paragraph should be strong enough to arouse
interest and cause an impact. Through summarizing the current understanding and pieces of evidence
Rationale about the subject, the rationale institutes the scope, context and significance of the subject being
studied (USC-Libraries, 2016.). The last paragraph should be convincing enough to justify the conduct
of the study. This can be done by citing how the findings of the study will contribute to the existing
knowledge (Agustin, 2012).
Observe coherence when writing a literature review present it following a certain structure like from
global to local. There must be a smooth transition between the paragraphs and logical sequencing of
the ideas. Do not jump from one topic to another. Organize the review thematically and develop
Literature Review themes according to the research variables/questions and their perceived relationship. The review
should culminate with a synthesis (Agustin, 2012).

For thesis, 30 to 35 references (5 to 7 pages) and for dissertation 35 to 40 sources (7 to 9 pages).

The sources should be 10 years back.
Theoretical & Conceptual
Framework
Statement of the Problem and
Hypotheses (If necessary)
Definition of Keywords
Chapter 2. Methodology
Research Design
Research Locale and Sampling
Procedures
Scope and Delimitation
Theoretical Framework can be viewed as a road map that will lead to the accomplishment of research
objectives/questions. This also orients the readers as to variables included in the study and their
perceived relationship. Theories are general and broad statements of the interplay among variables
that can be too broad to test. In this case, you may draw your conceptual framework from a theory.
This requires your understanding of the theory as well as your skills in contextualizing it to your
present study. Remember that your conceptual framework is the application of a theory or a portion
thereof in your present study. Guided by a theory, you should be discussing the different variables in
your study and their perceived relationship (Agustin, 2012).
Statement of the problems are questions that the study seeks to answer. These are presented generally
and specifically. The general statement refers to the main problem of the study while specific questions
are the sub-problems arising from the general problem. Immediately after the statement of the
problem are the research hypotheses. These are tentative answers to the research problems concerning
possible relationships among your research variables. Hence, only research questions concerning
correlation and difference need hypotheses. Hypotheses are often stated negatively. At the discussion
of your results, your null hypotheses are either accepted or rejected (Agustin, 2012).
Keywords are defined to promote a better understanding of the variables included in the study. As
such, it is better if to define these variables conceptually and operationally (Agustin, 2012).
Research Design utilized in the paper such as experimental, correlational, phenomenological, etc.,
should be conceptually defined and described how it was used in the study (Subia, 2012).
Discussed in this section are the respondents and where they come from. Also explained are the factors
considered in selecting them (e.g. objectives of your study, availability of data, and variables to be
measured). Moreover, you need to identify the inclusion and exclusion criteria that stipulate the exact
characteristics that must be met for a participant to be included in your study as well as the exact
characteristics that would exclude a member of the population (Agustin, 2012).
This defines the boundaries of the research by identifying what will and will not be covered by your
investigation. You should identify the main objective of the study and cite the main variables included.
The period of the conduct of the study and the respondents included should also be cited.
Research Instrument
Data Gathering Procedures
Data Analysis
Ethical Considerations (for
qualitative research involving
participants)
Chapter 3. Results and
Discussion
Presentation, Analysis and
Interpretation of Data
In this part, the researcher will enumerate and explain the different tools employed in gathering data
(e.g. questionnaire, interview guide, and/or checklist). There are instances that standardized
instruments are used. In this case, the researcher just needs to describe such an instrument, its contents,
and its applicability to the study. In most cases, the researcher needs to develop his/her instrument
that will suit the research objectives/statement of the problem (Agustin, 2012).
In this subsection, the researcher has to discuss the step-by-step procedure adopted in gathering the
data. From securing a permit from proper authorities to distribution and retrieval of a questionnaire,
interview schedule, and other procedures employed (Agustin, 2012).
Written in this part are the data analysis tools used in treating the gathered data per research
objective/SOP (e.g. frequency, percentage, mean, Pearson's r, Spearman's rho, t-test, etc for
quantitative research designs and content analysis, thematic analysis, discourse analysis, etc for
qualitative research designs) (Subia, 2018).
The ethical considerations the researcher must include in the study are the following: 1. informed
consent, 2. privacy and confidentiality, 3. protection from harm, 4. risks and benefits, 5. data
protection, and 6. Deception (Subia, 2018).
Present the data. Avoid table reading when presenting data. First-time writers often commit the
mistake of presenting textually all the data in their tables. It should only highlight the three important
figures in your table: top-ranked, least ranked, and the overall average.
Analyze the data. Analyze the data because of the results of statistical measures. Quantitative data
are analyzed in mathematical terms while qualitative data (e.g. responses from open-ended items or
interview transcript) are analyzed by (a) identifying patterns or commonalities in responses (b)
categorizing them and (3) drawing out common themes. The implication or meaning of these values
is discussed. Hypotheses are either accepted or rejected in this section.
Interpret the data. The data should be translated into meaningful information. This can be done by
drawing the interconnections among data. This is like putting data together to form a meaningful
whole. The researcher should also be able to provide explanations of findings (e.g. you provide a
possible explanation why the relationship between two variables amounted to significant results).
 Discuss the data. Link the present findings with the findings of previous studies. It is in this section
that the researcher may compare how his/her findings affirm or contradict findings of other studies
mentioned in the literature review (Agustin, 2012).

Conclusions and The conclusion does not simply present the summary of findings it does not answer the question of
Recommendations what did you find, rather you should be able to answer the question so what if you found that. In
answering the so what question, you have to extract the insights, the wisdom, and the significance or
implications of your findings. Play the so what game. If you feel your conclusion is not saying
anything new or interesting, try answering the so what questions. If you find that variable Y is not
correlated with variable X, ask the question so what and then try to answer it (Writing Center of
University of Carolina, 2012).
In the light of the findings and conclusions of your study, recommendations are offered. This section
is where you can advance the practical application or utilization of your findings. Your
recommendations should be feasible, workable, and adaptable. They should be written in a suggestive
tone. Suggestions for further research end this section (Agustin, 2012).
Reference Materials

Bibliography 40 to 50 sources for Master’s Thesis and 50 to 60 sources for Dissertation. 80% of the sources from
journal research publications (10 to 15% research from the Philippines and 65% to 70% -from other
countries) (10 years back) and 20% from other sources (i.e. Books, thesis magazines, online sources,
etc.)
Appendices Included here are the questionnaire, permission letters, pictures, and other necessary documents used
in data gathering.

Main Reference (Text Book)

Agustin, M. (2012). Thesis and dissertation writing guide. Graduate School, Wesleyan University-Philippines, Cabanatuan City.
Other References
Purdue Online Writing Lab. (October 2019). Reference List: Basic Rules.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html

Subia, G. (2012). Statistics Manual: A Guide for Researchers and Thesis Writers. Graduate School, WUP, Cabanatuan City.

USC Libraries. (2016, Sept. 20). Organizing your social sciences research paper: 4. The introduction.
http://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/introduction

Writing Conclusions. Writing Center of University of Carolina. Retrieved May 2012 from http://www.unc.edu