Research Writing

By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.
1
Honor. Patriotism. Duty.
OBJECTIVE
Develop a complete staff work
“THE MANY FUNCTIONS

OF WARFIGHTING
REQUIRES THE
MASTERY TO
COMMUNICATE ”
The two “HOWS” of the Army
MILITARY
DECISION STAFF
MAKING STUDY
PROCESS

Reference
SP3-003 Staff Organization and Operation (Feb
2005)
FM 6-0 Commander and Staff Organization and
Operations (Ma7 2014)

SCOPE
 PURPOSE OF STAFF STUDY
 STAFF CHARACTERITICS
 STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
 STAFF STUDY: HOW?
 WHAT TO DO?
 CONTENTS OF STAFF STUDY
 MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
• GRADED PRACTICAL EXERCISES (INDIVIDUAL)
– PANEL PRESENTATION
– TURN-INS

STAFF PRINCIPLES, FUNCTIONS &

PROCEDURES
COMMANDER STAFF OFFICER
PLANNING
ASSISTS/ SUPPORTS
ORGANIZING COMMANDER
DIRECTING PERFORMS STAFF
COORDINATING FUNCTIONS
CONTROLLING FOLLOWS STAFF
PROCEDURES
MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT
Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

STAFF PRINCIPLES, FUNCTIONS &

PROCEDURES
COMMON FUNCTIONS
1. PROVIDING INFORMATION
2. MAKING ESTIMATES
3. MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS
4. PREPARING PLANS AND ORDERS
5. SUPERVISING THE EXECUTION
PROCEDURES
1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION &
ANALYSIS
2. STAFF COORDINATION
3. COMPLETED STAFF ACTIONS
4. STAFF VISIT AND INSPECTION
5. LIAISING
6. INFORMATION DESSIMINATION
7. MILITARY WRITING
8. STAFF RESEARCH
9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

STAFF CHARACTERISTICS
1. Competent in all aspects of their area of expertise

2. Exercise individual initiative
3. Critical and creative thinkers
4. Adaptive
5. Flexible
6. Disciplined and confident
7. Team player
8. Communication skills

STAFF STUDY
o formal military problem solving process
o A method of identifying, analyzing, and solving

problem.
o A research and problem solving process which assists

the commander in making decision by providing a
logical and orderly framework or process for
command decisions.

PURPOSE
o Protect the Commander from half-baked ideas
and proposals.
o Provides suitable, feasible, and acceptable
solution.

STAFF STUDY Overview

PREPARE CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
EVALUATE THE ESTIMATE

INTERPRET DATA
DEVELOP POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS OR ESTIMATES
LIST FACTS & ASSUMPTIONS
RESEARCH & COLLECT DATA
IDENTIFY & STATE THE PROBLEM

WHAT TO DO?
Step 1: Identify and state the problem
o What is the problem? What is the background?
• Be certain of the problem
• Determine the focus of the study
• State it clearly and simply
• Ask stakeholders
• Indicate the scope of the problem and discuss it with
care.
• Draft the statement of the problem and have it approved
by the commanding officer.

WHAT TO DO?
o STATING THE PROBLEM
- It should contain a task and a purpose.
o MAYBE STATED AS:
- An infinitive
- A question
- A statement of need
Army Core Purpose: Serving the people. Securing the land. Duty.
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
o Infinitive
“To find ways to increase the funeral services
allowance of deceased PA military personnel in order
to provide them a decent burial.”
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
o Question
“What can be done to increase the funeral
services allowance of deceased PA military personnel
in order to provide them a decent burial?
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
o Statement of Need
The need to increase the funeral services
allowance of deceased PA military personnel in order
to provide them a decent burial.”
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
Step 2: Research and Collect Data
o Collect information and data through any means
available
o Walkthrough
o Use tools and techniques
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
Step 3: List Facts & Assumptions
o Present concrete and relevant facts
o List relevant fact-based assumptions (if relevant facts
are unavailable)

WHAT TO DO?
ASSUMPTIONS
o valid assumptions are best described as unobtainable
data that bear directly upon the problem.
o valid assumptions are stated in positive languages;
incorporating the auxilliary verb “will”.
Example: troop requirements will remain near
current levels in the immediate future.
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
ASSUMPTIONS
o in order to be “valid”, assumptions must describe
information that is unobtainable. i.e. events that have not
yet occurred.
o valid assumptions establish requirements that must be

fulfilled for the recommended solution to be successful.
o Typically, they describe future eventualities upon which

the success of the solution depends.
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
FACTS
o include only those significant and pertinent to the problem.
o undisputable.
o brief statements.
o sequentially arranged for discussion/ logic.
o detailed facts included in the annexes.
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
Step 4: Develop Possible Solutions & Estimates
o List all possible Courses of Action (COA)
o All COA’s should answer “yes” to all the S-F-A test
o All COA’s should be distinct from the other
o All COA’s, when implemented will solve all the causes
stated
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
Step 5: Interpret Data
o Assess the information and data collected in order to
determine the best evaluation methods and criteria to
apply in the study
o Survey questionnaires should be evaluated properly to
cover all areas of the research
o Ensure that interpretation of data is objective to avoid
biases
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
Step 6: Evaluate the Estimate
o Determine criteria in evaluating the COAs
• Screening Criteria that will accept or reject a solution or COA

(Suitability, Feasibility and Acceptability)
• Evaluation Criteria that will measure, evaluate, and rank-order the

remaining COAs (employ a mathematical-based weighting system or
simply use qualitative measures)
Honor. Patriotism.
WHAT TO DO?
Step 7: Prepare Conclusions & Recommendations
o Conclusions must be based on the findings
o Recommendations are based on the conclusions
• Address recommendations to those particular or specific people who
are in a position to implement them
• Do not recommend anything if you have no basis or if it has not been
discovered or discussed in your study
Honor. Patriotism.

CONTENTS OF THE STAFF STUDY

Chapter 3. Operational framework
o Disclaimer o Materials
o Acknowledgement o Methods
o Endorsement Sheet o Processes/procedures undertaken by phase
o Approval Sheet o Evaluation
o The Problem Chapter 4: Results and discussion
Chapter 1. Introduction o Results by phase
o Background of the Study o Verification studies
o Objectives of the study Chapter 4: Summary, conclusions,
o Significance of the study recommendations
o Scope and Delimitation
Chapter 2: Theoretical framework • References
o Review of related literature • Appendices
o Facts Bearing the Problem/Concept of the
study
o Definition of terms
o Processes Undertaken
SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
o Observations, intuitions or a combination of

both
o Existing in the unit or office
o Fields of interest or specialization or event from
related fields
o Existing practices and needs
o Advice/directed by authorities
o Offshoots of friendly conversations

TOPIC SELECTION
o ELEMENTS:
• Subject matter
• Setting
• Respondents or participants
o GUIDES:
• New, original, different from what has already been
written
• Significant to field of study
• Clear, not ambiguous
• Specific, not general
• Not more than 15 words
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
o Gives an overview of what the study is all about

o Presents a situational analysis of the topic at
hand from general to specific scenarios
o Contains the reason for the need to undertake the
study

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
INDICATOR - shortcomings in
BEST POSSIBLE COA expectation of the system
EVALUATION CRITERIA
CAUSES - nature of the shortcomings
SCREENING CRITERIA – SFA

Test
TASK – what to
PURPOSE – why?
do?
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS – at
least three (3) possible COAs PROBLEM - difference between
present system & expectation
Indicators
Best COA
"shortcomings in expectation
"Result of
of the system”
Evaluation" Problem
Development
Causes
"nature of the shortcomings"

Evaluation/Testing
Task Purpose
“What to
do?” “Why”
"Test the solutions

using the SFA criteria." Problem
"difference between
present system &
expectation
Possible Solutions
1.
2. "make at least three"
3.
Army Core Purpose: Serving the people. Securing the land.
FEEDBACK
PROCES
INPUT OUTPUT
S
Independent variables
(predictor or factor) Systems that will Dependent
* All factors that has variables
be utilized to
effect on the problem
like policies,
achieve an (outcome or
literatures, surveys output
etc
responses)

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
FEEDBACK
BEST POSSIBLE COA INDICATOR
EVALUATION CRITERIA CAUSES
SCREENING CRITERIA TASK PURPOSE
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS PROBLEM

S-F-A TEST
o Suitability deals with the
overall rationale of the
strategy. One method of
assessing suitability is using
a strength, weakness,
opportunity, and threat
(SWOT) analysis. A suitable
strategy fits the
organization’s mission,
reflects the organization’s
capabilities. Army Core Purpose: Serving the people. Securing the land.
S-F-A TEST
o Feasibility is concerned with whether or not the
organization has the resources required to
implement the strategy (such as capital, people,
time, market access, and expertise).

S-F-A TEST
o Acceptability is
concerned with the
expectations of the
stakeholders. One method
of assessing acceptability
is through a what-if
analysis, identifying best
and worst case scenarios.


Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride
How quickly can you say the following

colors, not the words themselves, but the
color they are written in?

Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride

Theoretical Conceptual Framework
PROBLEM INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT Outcome
How big is the problem Desired state

(current state)
FEEDBACK
AGREES INDICATORS
It was observed that Soldiers
COMMANDER nowadays are struggling
BEST SOLUTION financially in spite of the doubled
COA 3 -
salary increase
D
I
FEASIBILITY TEST 1 2 3 S
A CAUSES
1. ⁄ G
R
2. ⁄ E
E
3. ⁄ S
FEASIBILITY TEST 1 2 3 TASK PURPOSE
1. ⁄
2. ⁄
3. ⁄
PROBLEM
SUITABILITY TEST 1 2 3
SOLUTIONS
1. ⁄
COA 1-
2. ⁄ COA 2-
3. ⁄ COA 3-
COMMON ERRORS
o Solution first before problem analysis
o Not conducting an exhaustive research or misapplication
of “research”.
o Broad or too narrow problem statement
o Using word/s or variables that is complicated to measure
o Unable to logically organize ideas on paper (Be guided
by the conceptual framework)
o Lack of focus… poor time management.
Note: All gaps needs basis. This will save you from a half-
baked output.

REVIEW THE STAFF STUDY

o Is the problem properly defined?
o Are facts or assumptions clear and valid?
o Are there any unnecessary facts or assumptions?
o Are there any facts that appear for the first time in the
discussion?
o Are there a limited number of options or courses of
action?
o Are evaluation criteria invalid or too limited?
o Is the discussion too long?
o Is the discussion incomplete; must the reader look at
annexes?
REVIEW THE STAFF STUDY

o Does the conclusion include a discussion?
o Is the logic incorrect or incomplete; does the conclusion
follow from analysis?
o Can the solution be implemented within resource or time
constraints?
o Do the conclusions & recommendations answer the
problem?
o Is there an implementing directive?
o Have new criteria been introduced?


MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION
o Paper: A4 Bond paper
o Font Size: 12 point
o Font Style: Arial
o Spacing: Double-space (text), single-space (quotations, table
and figure caption)
o Titles: All caps, underlined
o Margins: Left – 1.5” and top, bottom, and right – 1”
o Page Numbering: Format the page number in the lower right
corner of the stationery (portrait and landscape format)
o Use APA

FINAL OUTPUT CHECK

o Ask yourself; “IF I AM THE COMMANDER, WILL I
APPROVE THIS KIND OF STUDY?”.
o IF YOUR ANSWER IS NO, THEN REVIEW YOUR WORK.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PRESENT AN OUTPUT THAT YOU
CANNOT EVEN APPROVE.

SUMMARY


END OF PRESENTATION

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By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.

“THE MANY FUNCTIONS

The two “HOWS” of the Army

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

STAFF PRINCIPLES, FUNCTIONS &

COMMANDER STAFF OFFICER

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

STAFF PRINCIPLES, FUNCTIONS &

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

1. Competent in all aspects of their area of expertise

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

o A method of identifying, analyzing, and solving

o A research and problem solving process which assists

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

STAFF STUDY Overview

EVALUATE THE ESTIMATE

LIST FACTS & ASSUMPTIONS

RESEARCH & COLLECT DATA

IDENTIFY & STATE THE PROBLEM

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

o valid assumptions establish requirements that must be

o Typically, they describe future eventualities upon which

• Screening Criteria that will accept or reject a solution or COA

• Evaluation Criteria that will measure, evaluate, and rank-order the

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

CONTENTS OF THE STAFF STUDY

SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

o Observations, intuitions or a combination of

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

o Gives an overview of what the study is all about

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

SCREENING CRITERIA – SFA

"nature of the shortcomings"

"Test the solutions

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

BEST POSSIBLE COA INDICATOR

EVALUATION CRITERIA CAUSES

SCREENING CRITERIA TASK PURPOSE

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS PROBLEM

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people. Securing the land.

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people. Securing the land.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

How quickly can you say the following

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

How big is the problem Desired state

FEASIBILITY TEST 1 2 3 TASK PURPOSE

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

REVIEW THE STAFF STUDY

REVIEW THE STAFF STUDY

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.

FINAL OUTPUT CHECK

o IF YOUR ANSWER IS NO, THEN REVIEW YOUR WORK.

Honor. Patriotism. Duty.