Thesis - Guide in Thesis Writing
Thesis - Guide in Thesis Writing
Thesis - Guide in Thesis Writing
1. Introduction
2. Statement of the Problem
3. Assumptions and Hypotheses
4. Significance or Importance of the Study
5. Definition of Terms
6. Scope and Delimitation
7. Conceptual Framework
How to Write the Introduction in Chapter 1 of a Thesis?
Introduction
The introduction of a thesis should contain a discussion of any or all of the following:
The
Presentation of the problem. This is how you will start your introduction. Presentation of the
problem is stating what the problem is all about. This will show what you will cover in your
study.
The existence of an unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem that needs a solution. You need
to discuss the current situation and elaborate the problem that is present. Tell the readers
how grave the problem is, thus a solution is necessary.
Rationale of the study. Here, you need to discuss the reason/s why it is necessary to conduct
your study. What will you achieve if your study was conducted?
Historical background of the problem. You can actually add some information about the past.
This can give more details on how and why the main problem occurred.
Desire to find a better way of doing something or improving a product. If you think that theres
something wrong with the usual way of doing things, you should explain your desire to find a
better way to improve the outcome.
A desire to discover something. State your desire to discover what is wrong with the current
situation. Aside from that, show your desire to discover a better way to improve it.
A link between the introduction and the statement of the problem. Two sentences can be
written to show the link between the introduction and the conducting of the researcher.
It is also recommended that you use the "macro-to-micro" (or general-to-specific) style of writing.
Discuss things in a general way at first and slowly lead the readers to what exactly your research is
all about.
The first thing to do before conducting your research is to formulate the general statement of
the problem and the specific sub problems or questions.
State your specific sub problems in the interrogative form. Sub problems are also called as
specific questions because they are in question form.
Do not use double-meaning questions. Specific questions should be clear and unequivocal.
Remember, it should have only one meaning.
Each specific question is researchable apart from the other questions. It means that you can
answer each specific question even without considering the other questions.
Each specific question should be based upon known facts and phenomena. And make sure
that those facts and phenomena are accessible to make the specific questions researchable.
Answer to each specific question can be interpreted apart from the answers to other specific
questions. It must also contribute to the development of the whole research problem or topic.
When you summed up the answer to all of those specific questions, it should give a
complete development of the entire study.
There should be enough number of specific questions to cover the development of the whole
research problem of the study. I remember some thesis examiner require having at least five
specific questions. Well, it depends upon the situation.
As stated above, there should be a general statement of the problem and that should be
broken up into as many sub problems (or specific questions) as necessary.
Specific question: How effective are the methods used in the teaching of Mathematics?
Implicit assumption: There are certain methods that are effective in the teaching of science.
You cannot assume the reliability of the instruments you propose to use in your research. *
Keep in mind that an assumptions is not tested, neither it is defended nor argued.
*Such a rationale and defense, validity and others can be established under methodology.
instruments, sampling design and statistical treatment to use. In short, hypotheses can help you
design your study.
The rationale, timeliness, and/or relevance of the study. Yes, explain these things based on
the existing conditions.
Who are to be benefitted and how they are going to benefit from your research. It will show
individuals, groups per communities who may be helped by the study. It may also include the
researcher himself and the future researchers who will conduct a related study.
Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge. If in your study something is found more
effective and better, it can be a contribution to the fund of knowledge.
Possible implications. Discussed here are the implications that include the possible causes of
the problems discovered, the possible effects of the problems and the solution to these
problems.
Not every single word should be added. It should be terms, words or even phrases which
have special or unique meanings in the study.
We also have this operational definition and terms should be defined on that way. Defining
them operationally means defining them on how they are used in the study.
You may develop your own definition from the characteristics of the term defined. For
example, house of light materials may be defined as one made with bamboo posts; nipa
walls and roof and split bamboo floor. Does it sounds like an operational definition too?
You can take your definitions from books like encyclopedias, magazines and newspaper
articles, dictionaries (of course) and other publication that provide your needed meaning.
Definitions like this are called conceptual or theoretical definitions. Lastly, be sure to
acknowledge your sources!
Fully spell out all acronyms if it is not commonly known or if it used for the first time.
Some school requires writing both the operational and conceptual definition of each term. Better ask
your thesis adviser about this matter.
The subject matter and topics studied and discussed. (Answer the question to whom your
research is directed to?)
The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity to which the data belong.
State where the study will take place. It is the population or universe from which the
respondents were selected. This must be large enough to make generalizations significant.
The period of the study. This is the time, either months or years, during which the data were
gathered. Indicate the timeframe or the time coverage of the study.
Of course, the limitation of your study. (Try to answer questions like What is the incapability
of your research? or What your research cannot do?)
This part of the thesis doesnt require being very long. Actually, as long as those important matters
have been discussed, its already done. Thats it!
Today, most theses dont have a discussion of their conceptual framework. But still, some still do the
explanation thing.
We also have the Paradigm thing. Do you know what it is? Well, according to
thefreedictionary.com, paradigm is one that serves as a pattern or model. It is also a set of
assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the
community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline. In research writing, a
paradigm is a diagrammatic representation of a conceptual framework. It depicts what a
conceptual framework wants to convey (in a more vivid way). Paradigm can be in different
diagrammatic forms but in most cases (here in the Philippines), it is in the Input-Process-Output
form. Here is an example:
Paradigm for "Chinese Investment in Africa"
INPUT
PROCESS
Review of appropriate
literature, this includes
examining studies related to
Chinese investment to Africa.
Qualitative data, perspective
of the selected respondents
regarding the impact of
Chinese investments to Africa.
OUTPUT
Clarification regarding
Chinese investment in Africa.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 - Related Literature and Studies
The Chapter 2 of a thesis should contain a discussion of each of the following topics: (Click on the
link for a more detailed explanation.)
Rules in Writing Related Literature and Studies
4. Quoting a Material
5.
It should be objective and unbiased, as possible. Do not cite materials and literatures that
discuss things in a one-sided way. If its political or religion, it should not obviously make
favorable statement to a certain people, group, party, sect or anything.
OF COURSE, it should be relevant to the study. If the materials have some similarity to or
bearing on the problem researched, then go for it! Enough said.
It should not be too few or too many. Materials should be sufficient enough. This is to give
the researcher insight into his problem, or to indicate the nature of the present investigation.
Sometimes, the number of related materials may depend upon its availability. If you are
making a study that is first of its kind or rare, you may find few or even no related studies for
it. Ordinarily, you can cite ten to fifteen related materials for your undergraduate
thesis, fifteen to twenty-five for a masters thesis and above twenty for a doctoral dissertation.
Remember, those numbers are just recommendation.
Sources you can consider in preparing the Related Literature and Studies:
Books, encyclopedias, almanacs and other similar references.
By author or writer. When using this way, ideas, facts, or principles (even though they have
the same meaning), they are explained or discussed separately and cited in the footnote with
their respective authors or writers. Example:
Footnotes:
1
Bogie Halcasid. Singing in our Life. Manila: Protg Publishing Company, Inc., 2009, p. 89.
2
Regina Pelasquez, Benefits of Singing to Stressed People, (Unpublished Masters Thesis, St.
Andre Farm College, San Andrs Bukid, Manila, 2011.)
By topic. If different authors gave the same opinions and views about the same topic, the
topic is discussed and cited under the names of the writer. This is a summary of their
opinions and is to avoid separate and long discussions of the same topic. For example:
It has been found out that singing lively songs is a good way to relieve stress.1
Footnote:
1
Bogie Halcasid. Singing in our Life. Manila: Protg Publishing Company, Inc., 2009, p. 89 and
Regina Pelasquez, Benefits of Singing to Stressed People, (Unpublished Masters Thesis, St.
Andre Farm College, San Andrs Bukid, Manila, 2011.)
Chronological. Well, chrono means time and related materials can also be cited
chronologically, that is, according to the year it was written. You write those new/latest
materials first following those written later. If youre using the by author or writer way above,
then you may want to arrange them in chronological order too. In the by topic
way, chronological citation can be done in the footnote.
Quoting a Material
You can exactly quote a material if the idea stated is so perfectly declared or it is controversial and it
is not too long. You can write it with single-spacing and with wider margins on both sides (left and
right). Some of you may also think of enclosing the line with quotation marks, but it is not
Thesis, St. Andre Farm College, San Andrs Bukid, Manila, 2011.)
Chapter 3
On this chapter, you need to explain the research design. On the other hand, below are the topics
included in the research design which needed some kind of explanations: (Click on the link for a
more detailed explanation)
The instrument used to collect data was the questionnaire. This was used because it gathers data
faster than any other method. Besides, the respondents were professionals and so they are
very literate. They could read, understand and answer the questionnaire with ease.
Development of the instrument. After reading and studying samples of questionnaire from the
related studies, the researchers construct their own questionnaire. They also consulted some skilled
and knowledgeable people about how to prepare one. Some websites with tutorials and ideas on the
web also helped them in the formulation. The researchers saw to it that there were enough items to
collect data to cover all aspects of the problem. Also, this is to answer all the specific questions
under the statement of the problem. Then, the researchers submitted their questionnaire to their
adviser for correction after which it was finalized.
Chapter 4
On this chapter, you write you analysis, presentation and interpretation of your data. Actually, I
just repeated the title above. Haha! Again, for the third time, here are what you're going to include
on chapter 4 of a thesis: (Click on the link for a more detailed explanation.)
1. Analysis
2. Presentation of Data
3.
Interpretation of Data
Qualitative (kind) means data with same quality or same kind are grouped together.
Quantitative means data are grouped according to their quantity. For example, people can
be grouped according to their ages such as 6-12, 13-19, 20-30 and so on.
them into forms that are intelligent and interpretable so that the relationships between the research
specific questions and their intended answers can be established. You can do this in three ways;
textual, tabular and graphical.
Textual. Uses statements with numbers to describe data. You may find it boring to read this
kind of presentation if its too long.
Tabular. Uses tables which classes or numerical facts or data are given each a row and their
subclasses are given each a column. Its easier to read data (especially those numerical
ones) with this presentation.
Graphical. Uses charts that represents the quantitative variations or changes of a variable
itself, or quantitative changes of variable in comparison with those of another variable or
variables in pictorial or diagrammatic form. If your goal is to present a variation or a change
of variable, then you can go for graphs. Its the appealing and convincing way to do it.
Condition. In here, you discuss the present condition or situation based upon the findings.
Cause. Just the cause of the current condition. See to it that theres a logical and valid
relationship between the condition and cause.
Effect. Whether its good or bad, you should indicate here the result of the condition.
Continuance or remedial measure. If the effect above is disastrous or harmful, there must be
some remedial measure you need to provide. On the other hand, if the effect of the condition
is good then lets just allow the condition to continue.
Chapter 5
1. Summary of Findings
2. Conclusions
3. Recommendations
There should be a short statement about the main purpose of the study, the population or
respondents, the duration of your study, methods of research used, the research instrument
and the sampling design. Remember, just a brief statement for all of those, and theres no
need to elaborate.
You can bring together the findings but to make everything clear, each specific question
which is on your statement of the problem must be written first. Those are to be followed by
the findings that would answer it.
The findings must be a summary of the important data consisting of text and numbers.
Statement of facts is written in words, numbers, or statistical measures written into a
meaningful statement. No new data should be brought out here. Do not make deduction or
interpretation. Reserve those for the conclusion part.
You should not make explanations nor elaborations of the findings anymore. Just state them
in a few words (and straight to the point) as possible.
Since this is a summary, find only the important findings and the highlights of data which
your conclusion (later) should be based.
Conclusions
There are several terms to describe conclusion. Deductions, abstractions, implications, general
statements, inferences, and/or generalizations based upon the findings are some.
We follow several guidelines when writing the conclusion. Here are some of its characteristics:
Do not include numerals because it may limit the compelling impact and scope of a
generalization.
It should answer your specific questions in the order they are given under the statement of
the problem. If those questions are not clearly answered by the conclusions, it will leave your
study meaningless.
It may point out what were factually learned from the inquiry.
Conclusions should be written in a brief manner. However, you should make it sure that all
the important details resulting from the study as required by the specific questions are
brought out.
Do not make a conclusion that will sound like you are doubtful or not reliable. Avoid using
words like perhaps, probably, maybe, and the like. Be positive! Write it as if they are 100%
accurate, true and correct.
Be sure that your recommendations are pointed to a problem that has been discussed in
your study.
You can also make a recommendation for the continuance of a good system. If it needs
improvement, then recommend for it too.
They should be feasible, practical and attainable. Dont suggest for an irrelevant or
impossible thing.
You should direct your recommendations to people, of course. It can also be entities,
agencies or offices that are in the position to implement them.
Recommendation for further research regarding the study will also do.