Chapter 1 Research

Parts of a Scientific Paper

CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM

AND ITS BACKGROUND
1.1 Background of the Study
“Why did you conduct the study?”

– describes the circumstances that are

suggested in the research.
 Nowadays, the number of people facing Alzheimer’s disease, a
progressive loss of brain cells that leads to memory lapses and the
decline of other thinking skills, has been continually increasing.
According to the 2018 Alzheimer’s disease Facts and Figures
Reports, at least one person develops an Alzheimer’s disease
every 65 seconds - and that is just only from the United States. In
fact, an estimated of 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
disease. This number includes an estimated of 5.5 million people
aged 65 and older, the age range that the said disease will most likely
attack. But in a recent study conducted by the Alzheimer’s
disease Association, approximately 200,000 individuals under
the age of 65 have developed younger-onset Alzheimer’s. This
leads to an assumption that Alzheimer’s does not only strike with age,
but also with some other factors.
 Papayas are spherical or pear-shaped fruits that can be as long
as 20 inches. The ones commonly found in the market usually average
about 7 inches and weigh about 453.6 grams. Their flesh is a rich
orange color with either yellow or pink hues. Besides the fact that
papayas are delectable which is obviously favorable to the consumer, a
papaya is also known for its ability to whiten and beautify our skin. The
said fruit also contains nutrients like vitamin E, carotenes, vitamin
C, flavonoids, the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid and the
minerals: potassium, copper, magnesium and fiber (Ronse De
Craene, L., 2010).

So in line with this, it is crucial to find a simple solution to this intricate

problem of memory loss– the use of papaya fruit extract as natural
long-term memory enhancer.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
“What did you study?”

-clearly, accurately and briefly states the

issue that was studied.
-may be stated either in the declarative
form or interrogative form.
 The main purpose of this study was to determine if the Papaya Fruit extract
can effectively enhance one’s long-term memory.
Specifically, it aimed to answer the following questions:

1.) What were the pre-trial and post-trial time results of the set-ups treated with:
a) Papaya Fruit extract;
b) Commercial memory enhancer; and
c) Water only?
2.) Was there a significant difference between the pre-trial and post-trial time results
for the set-ups treated with :
d) Papaya Fruit extract;
e) Commercial memory enhancer; and
f) Water only?
3.) Was there a significant difference between Set-up A which was the experimental
set-up, Set-up B which was the positive control set-up and Set-up C which was the
negative control set-up regarding the time spent by the rodents in navigating the
maze?
1.3 Hypotheses
*Proposed solution *Tentative explanation
* Educated Prediction
– should be clear & brief.
– should be based on past experiences or
observations or on information gathered
from your research.
– must be testable.
Types of Hypotheses

1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS 2. STATISTICAL HYPOTHESIS

– alternative hypothesis - null hypothesis

- refers to populations and represents the vehicle by which
– stated in a declarative form.
findings are generalized from the sample to the
Examples: population.
Examples:
a. Insect Y develops resistance to Pesticide X.
a. When a sample of Insect A is regularly exposed to
b. b. If the concentration of Substance A is Pesticide X for one week, 100% of the sample will die; None
increased, then plant growth will be will survive.
reduced. b. The mean heights of plants exposed to 0%, 10%, 20% and
30% Substance A are not significantly different.
1. There was no significant difference between the pre-trial and post-trial time

results for set-ups treated with:

a. Papaya Fruit extract;

b. commercial memory enhancer; and

c. Water only.

2. There was no significant difference between Set-up A which was the

experimental set-up, Set-up B which was the positive control set-up and Set-up C

which was the negative control set-up regarding the time spent by the rodents in

navigating the maze.

1.4 Conceptual Framework

– is a general statement which 2 TYPES OF DIAGRAMS

forms the frame of reference for REPRESENTING OF:
your inquiry or investigation.
1. Relationships of the KEY
– sets out the rationale which
CONCEPTS involved in the study.
underlies
2. Relationships of the KEY
”Why you do/What you do? “
VARIABLES to be investigated.
“How you do your research?”
 The effect of Aloe vera Effectiveness of culturing
extract on the rate of growth grouper in fish cages using
and regeneration of Planaria bread meal as supplemental
feed

Salinity
Temperature
Regeneration of Planaria Oxygen
pH
Aloe Vera
Supplemental
feed Growth Rate
(Bread Meal)
Growth of Planaria
 Treatments (IV) (DV)
1. Papaya Fruit Time spent by
Extract rodents in the
2. Commercial Memory standard maze
Enhancer starting from the
3. No Memory point of entry to
Enhancer the point of exit.

Figure 1.1: Paradigm on the Independent Variables and Dependent

Variable on the efficacy of Carica Papaya Fruit extract as a
natural long-term memory enhancer.
1.5 Significance of the Study
“How will the research output be
directly useful to people?”

– the relevance of the research to felt needs.

– the explanation of it is presented either
1. INDUCTIVE PERSPECTIVE – particular to general
2. DEDUCTIVE PERSPECTIVE – general to particular
 If the Papaya Fruit extract will be proven to be an effective
memory enhancer, it will become an affordable natural remedy for
almost every individual on Earth.
The said alternative can particularly help students who struggle in
studying or recalling different topics for their exams which may be a
result of having a poor diet, sleep-deprivation, stress and too much
use of electronic gadgets. This can also be very useful for stressed-
out adults who forget doing important matters due to various
problems flooding their minds. People, may it be adults or
teenagers, who are used to juggling different tasks at the same time
leading to forgetfulness, can also benefit from the Papaya Fruit
extract. But most especially, people aged 65 and older who are
suffering Alzheimer’s disease are the main beneficiaries of this
natural long-term memory enhancer.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study

– Coverage of the study includes:

Area
Subject/problem
Research apparatus, equipment or instrument
 Time frame
Any limitations in the reference population, sample size
This study was conducted at Tagbilaran City Science High School and the experiment was

performed at the researcher’s residence in Tiptip District, Lindaville Subdivision Phase 1,

Connecticut Street, Tagbilaran City, school year 2018-2019 which lasted for two weeks.

This study was limited to the assessment of Carica Papaya Fruit extract as a natural

long-term memory enhancer with commercial memory enhancer that was used for comparison.

Albino mice, procured from JD’s Petshop located at 74 M. Torralba Street, Tagbilaran

City, were used as the subjects from which the findings of the experimentation were taken. Out of

35, only nine albino mice were drawn from their cage through random procurement.
 The data collection was derived from the recordings of the maze
navigation. Only the difference between the times spent by Set-up A, Set-up
B and Set-up C in navigating the maze was used to determine the memory
enhancement.

The maze that was used in the study was also taken into
consideration. There was only one maze made of cardboard with the
dimensions of 32 by 20 inches. The usage of only one maze ensured
that all the subjects were able to navigate the same structure, design and
level of difficulty of the maze. It was in standard form wherein the structure
was just simple and rectangular in shape. Moreover, the whole maze
structure was covered by a single screen which blocked the mouse from
climbing over the barriers and seeing the other areas of the maze.
1.7 Definition of Terms

– Includes terms which should be interpreted in a manner unique to

your research.
– Includes all the important variables in the study.
– The definitions may be:
1. CONCEPTUAL – based on concepts or hypothetic ones which are
usually taken from dictionary, encyclopedia & published journals.
2. OPERATIONAL – based on observable characteristics & how it is used
in the study
Aging. The process of growing old which can impair memory and lead to changes
in cognitive skills.

Albino Mouse. A small mammal of the order Rodentia which is bred and used for
this research study; also called laboratory mouse.

Alzheimer’s. A progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old

age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain.

Commercial Memory Enhancer. These are over-the-counter drugs used to

improve cognitive memory.

Long-term Memory. The stage where informative knowledge is held indefinitely.

Papaya Fruit Extract. The juice derived from the fruit of the Carica Papaya plant
through pressing or through the use of a juicing machine.