HOW TO START A

RESEARCH PAPER
Identification of Problem
 CHAPTER I:
INTRODUCTION
• Background of the Study
• Research Questions
• Significance of the Study
• Scope and Delimitation
• Theoretical Lens
• Definition of Terms
• Review of Related Literature
 CHAPTER ONE

Background of the Study Elements:

Introduction
International Problem
National Problem
Local Problem
Call to solve the problem
 Introduction – Giving the readers the clear definition of the research
problem.
Global Setting– Cite international statistics, facts, or interview results that
shows a problem.
National Setting– Cite national existing issue through statistics, facts, or
interview results.
Local Setting – Cite city wide problem: statistics, facts, published journals,
or interview results.
Call to Action – Intensify your assertion that the said research problem
must be settled through research.
ENGLISH SPEAKING POLICY AND PROFICIENCY
LEVEL OF STUDENTS IN THE JOSE MARIA
COLLEGE
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Introduction - The English language

serves as the global lingua franca
 GLOBAL SETTING
The Santiago Times reported that a Swiss-based
education company that among the 750, 000 adults
of the 60 countries worldwide who took the English
proficiency tests online. Latin America got, as a
result, the lowest English proficiency bracket
(McHugh, 2013)
 NATIONAL SETTING
In the Philippines, English proficiency based on the
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) list of the top English
language universities, among 600 countries in the
world, Ateneo de Manila placed 24th and University
of the Philippines (UP) ranked 32nd while DLSU
placed 44th. They all moved down in the year 2012
(Baluyot and Dagle, 2013)
 LOCAL SETTING

Moreover, the National Achievement Test of the

Davao City high school students of the school year
2007-2008 was ranked as the 182 out of 191 school
divisions and consider as part of the bottom list. In
the English subject, Davao Region placed as 14th
out of 17 regions in the Philippines (Virola, 2009)
 CALL TO ACTION
To answer this increasing problem, the Jose Maria
College released the memorandum number 9 series
of 2014 to strengthen the English Speaking Policy.
Thus, the researchers would like to determine the
level of its implementation, and the implementation
influenced the proficiency of the students in the
language.
 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Specifically, this study will seek to answer the following
questions:
•
•
•
 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of this study would be beneficial to the following:
Commission on Higher Education. This served as their basis of implementing the English Speaking Policy in all higher
education institution to fully equip the graduates of the effective communication skills.
School Heads. This served as their data in designing a strategic plan wherein the policy was effectively imposed and the
English proficiency of the college students be improved.

College Instructors. This provides them the basis for improving their medium of instruction during the class discussion.
Moreover, it gave them the data how to effectively teach the English language to the college students.
Students. This offered the information of the current level of the English Speaking Policy in JMC and to evaluate their selves
as to what level of the English language competency they have and how to improve.
Future Researchers. This would be presented as the data for further research study and understanding to the nature and
concepts of this study. This also provides them as other related study.
 SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS
This part of the study presents the span and its limitation.
This research study focuses on identification of the level
of the English Speaking Policy in the college students who
are officially enrolled in the first semester of academic year
2014-2015 in the Jose Maria College.
 THEORETICAL LENS
This part of the study serves as the foundational theory
(e.g. Conflict theory, Marxist theory, Femenist perspective,
Critical theory, Structural functionalism, Racialized
discourse, etc.).
It convinces readers that the study is not based on the
personal instincts of the researcher but rather on established
theory gathered via credible studies.
 THEORETICAL LENS
(example)
Theory Base
This study was anchored on Stephen Krashen’s Theory of Second Language Acquisition (1982) which stated that
the acquisition required meaningful interaction in the target language- natural communication in which speakers were
concerned not only with the form of their utterances but with the messages they were conveying and understanding.”
Krashen’s view of the role of grammar was that teaching of grammar could be a great result of the language
acquisition and proficiency when the students were interested in the subject and the medium of instruction. This was
when the teacher met the styles, strategies and interest of the students to create participation that became an
environment suitable for language acquisition.
To sum it up Krashen’s view in the explanation why language learners in classroom settings often fail to achieve
the target language fluency was because people acquired language when they were exposed to the second language
which they could comprehend. Thus, this was reflected to the English Speaking Policy in Jose Maria College as to
require every faculty, administrative official and student to use the English language in every conversation.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms were defined operationally and conceptually for the better clarification and
understanding of the terms related to this study.
Academic Performance. It pertained to the Grade Point Average (GPA) of the college students on the
Communication Skills (ENG+) and Speech Communication (ENG3) courses.
Adherence. It referred to the act of doing and giving support to the present policy implemented in the
institution.
Consistency. It emphasized to the regularity of the policy and maintaining its purpose in line with the vision
of the institution.
English Speaking Policy. It pointed to the current existing policy that enable the students to communicate
using the English language.
Proficiency. It showed to the students’ academic performance in the English language.
Student. This referred to the officially enrolled college students of Communication Skills (Eng.+) and Speech
Communication (Eng.3) courses.
 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This part of the study synthesize the state of knowledge

related to your topic which may include articles, books,
theses, and other sources.
 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
(example)
English Speaking Policy
Enever (2009), as cited by Culej (2013), mentioned that the implementation of foreign language teaching
policies should be viewed not only in the light of linguistic evidence but also regarding social and economic
issues.
Consistency
Tipan (2013) found out in his study that the degree of contact and input of the English language affected
the sociolinguistic competence. It was attested that the exchange living of information using the English
language they encountered in everyday living was comprehensible and considered as a living experience
within the school community.
 RESEARCH PAPER FORMAT
Short bond paper
2.0 Spacing
Justified
Font Size – 12
Font Style – Bookman Old Style
Margins – Top, Bottom, and Right (2.5 cm)
Left (3 cm)
 TASK
1. Prepare CHAPTER I
(Background of Study
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
Scope and Delimitation)
(BY GROUP)
2. Research for related studies, statistics, interviews, journals,
books, encyclopedia, (General to secondary sources)
(INDIVIDUAL)
3. Make sure to include your references.