PREPARING

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
 Contents of Chapter 1

1. Background of the Study

2. Statement of the Problem
2.1 Objectives of the Study (General and Specific)
3. Assumptions of the Study
4. Significance of the Study
5. Scope and Limitations of the Study
6. Definition of Terms
7. Endnotes
Sources of Research Problems
• New problems from completed theses
• Problems from topics in major subjects
• Problems from arising from school
• Interesting problems/ideas from faculty members
• Technological/mechanization needs of
industries/businesses within the locality
• Original or creative ideas of the researcher based on
problems met in the locality/ curriculum
 What is a Research Problem?
- First step in the research process
- Main function is to decide what you want to find about

Conditions that can be improved Information gap that can be filled

Difficulties that can be eliminated Theories to be validated

Process that can be refined Characteristics of a

population/technology
Factors that explains the
occurrence of a phenomenon
Considerations in Selecting a Research Problem

1. Researcher’s interest
2. Magnitude – manageable within the time and resources
3. Level of expertise
4. Relevance - timely
5. Availability of data
6. Availability of materials and machinery
7. Ethical issues
 Characteristics of a Good
Research Problem
Specific Is the problem specifically stated?

Measurable Is it easy to measure using research instruments,

apparatus or equipment?

Achievable Can the data be achieved using correct statistical

tools to arrive at precise results?
Realistic Are results real and obtained scientifically and not
manipulated?/Are the objectives attainable?

Time-bound Is the period for achievement clearly stated?

Any problem?
INTRODUCTION (3-4 Pages)

• This part provides an overview of the thesis,

giving the readers a background or basis of the
problem to be reported.
• It should contain the statements of other
researchers from their investigation of the topic at
hand.
• It also indicates the need for the study or the need
for more investigation.
How to write the
INTRODUCTION
1. Read related literature about your topic of interest
2. Pick-out interesting facts/ statistics (including author,
year written, title of article, source of article, page
no., issue no. and volume no.)
3. Write your own ideas based on your stock knowledge and
readings
4. Identify the gap that you want to address in your research
5. Write in a deductive manner of presenting ideas
OBJECTIVES OF THE
STUDY
• Objectives of the study or what the researcher
hopes to achieve after the implementation of the
research
• Two parts:
1. General problem/ objective
2. Specific problems/objectives
 General Problem Specific Problems
Purpose Provides a glimpse Provides a direct guide in the
on the purpose of formulation of hypothesis,
the study determination of research
variables, deciding what
analytical tools to use and the
construction of data-gathering
tool

Form of Declarative form Declarative form OR

writing Question form (generally
accepted approach)
 How to write OBJECTIVES of
the Study
1. Write the main problem or objective
2. Identify the key concerns and the auxiliary
concerns
3. Identify parameters under each identified concern
4. Decide which concern to study on
5. Write questions based on Steps 3 and 4
Example:

1. To determine the operational efficiency of the

prototype in comparison with the existing model
2. Key concern: operational efficiency
Auxiliary concerns:
a. Manufacturing consideration
b. Marketing consideration
Example:
3. Classification of concerns
a. Operational efficiency
1. facility of use
2. time consumed
3. quality of output
b. Manufacturing consideration
1. availability of materials
2. cost of materials
3. wastage
c. Marketing consideration
1. acceptability by target users
2. cost-benefit ratio
Example:
4. Decision: operational efficiency and manufacturing
consideration
5. What is the operational efficiency of the prototype compared
with the existing model in terms of:
a. facility of use
b. time consumed
c. quality of output
What is the advantage of the prototype in terms of:
a. availability of materials
b. cost
c. wastage
 Sample Statement of the
Problem
Title: Electrical Outlet System using Internet of
Things
General Problem/Objective:
This study aims to develop a system for
electrical outlet automation using internet of things.
 Sample Statement of the Problem

Specific Problems/Objectives
1. What is the design of the system using internet of things?
2. How will the electrical system be developed?
3. What is the performance of the system in terms of:
a. Activation time
b. Response time
4. How significant is the difference on the response time
according to groups?
HYPOTHESIS

• In scientific jargon, it refers to a presumed answer

to a thesis problem which must be testable by
appropriate statistical tools.
• Two ways of stating hypothesis:
1. Negative manner (null hypothesis)
2. Positive manner (alternative hypothesis)
 How to write Hypothesis
Steps
1. Write the interrogative form of the
problem
2. Write the answer of the problem
whether in the positive or negative
form
3. The declarative answer is already
the hypothesis
Illustration
Does verbal negative feedback affect
the attitude of an employee towards
respect for his supervisor?
Verbal negative feedback does not
affect the attitude of an employee
towards respect for his supervisor
(null)
Verbal negative feedback affect the
attitude of an employee towards
respect for his supervisor
(alternative)
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It should contain:
• The important contribution of the thesis to knowledge
• The perceived positive effect or influence of the
undertaking to the clientele which it seeks to reach, help,
train or inform
• The necessity of finding solution to the study problem

State only the perceived importance of your

study bounded by the scope and limitations of
the problem. DRAW what the findings can
contribute, NOT what it dreams to contribute.
How to write SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1. Identify the general and specific problems of the study
2. Project or visualize the possible answers to the problem
3. Draw reasonable and tangible contributions which the possible
answers to the problems can make
4. Identify the possible beneficiaries of such contribution
5. Visualize the effects which such contributions will have on
each beneficiary
6. Organize textual presentation of the significance for each
beneficiary in paragraph form (1 paragraph=1 beneficiary)
SCOPE and LIMITATIONS OF THE
STUDY
Scope – coverage of the study
Limitation – furthest extent within the coverage of the
study which the researcher could cover due to inevitable
restrictions
Delimitation – specifically fixed limitation which the
researcher decided to cover
 How to write SCOPE and
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

1. Divide the study into parts like problem, sampled

population and data gathering method
2. Identify and write the scope and limitations for
each part
 Example

Part Scope Limitation/Delimitation

Problem Analysis of 100 Critical analysis of the
English literary literary articles is only based
articles on the researcher’s personal
ability
Sample The study will The study population will
populatio cover only male cover only those who are
n CSPC 3rd year and enrolled in SY 2013-2014
4th year students

Data- Survey method Only 90% of the

gathering using a researcher- respondents answered the
method made questionnaire
questionnaire will
be used
 Or Simply ...

• State the following in paragraph form:

1. coverage of your study;
2. subjects;
3. research apparatus, equipment or instrument used;
4. research issues and concerns;
5. duration of the study; and
6. constraints that have direct bearing on the results of the
study
DEFINITION OF TERMS

• The portion where the researcher will define key terms

in the study
• Two kinds of definition:
1. Conceptual definition – based on concepts or hypothetic
ones derived from dictionary, encyclopedia or journal
2. Operational definition – based on how the term is used in
the study
• It is advisable that terms be defined 2 ways
• Technical terms should be defined operationally
 How to write DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Identify significant terms in the title, general problem and

specific problems, methodology and results and discussion
• Look for the dictionary or technical (conceptual) meaning of
the term or expressions
• Visualize the use of the term/expression in the study
• Write the conceptual meaning if it is the same meaning of the
term in the study and mention your reference
• If not, write the definition of the term/expression as used in
your study (operational)
• Write as a paragraph starting with the term/expression being
defined
End Notes (References)