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RESEARCH FORMAT GUIDE

(Qualitative)

General:
A4 paper size, Double spacing, 1.5 left – 1.0 right margin, Bookman
Old Font at 12 point

Paragraph alignment
Align the text to the left margin. Leave the right margin uneven, or
“ragged.” Do not use full justification for student papers or
manuscripts being submitted for publication.

Do not insert hyphens (manual breaks) in words at the end of line.

However, it is acceptable if your word-processing program
automatically inserts breaks in long hyperlinks (such as in a DOI or
URL in a reference list entry).

Paragraph indentation
Indent the first line of each paragraph of text 0.5 in. from the left
margin. Use the tab key or the automatic paragraph-formatting
function of your word-processing program to achieve the indentation
(the default setting is likely already 0.5 in.). Do not use the space bar
to create indentation.

Exceptions to these paragraph-formatting requirements are as follows:

Title page: For student papers, the title (in bold), byline, affiliations,
course number and name, instructor, and assignment due date
should be centered on the title page.
Section labels: Section labels (e.g., “Abstract,” “References”) should be
centered (and bold).
Abstract: The first line of the abstract should be flush left (not
indented).
Block quotations: Indent a whole block quotation 0.5 in. from the left
margin. If the block quotation spans more than one paragraph, the
first line of the second and any subsequent paragraphs of the block
quotation should be indented another 0.5 in., such that those first
lines are indented a total of 1 in.
Headings: Level 1 headings should be centered (and in bold), and
Level 2 and 3 headings should be left-aligned (and in bold or bold
italic, respectively). Level 4 and 5 headings are indented like regular
paragraphs.
Tables and figures: Table and figure numbers (in bold), titles (in
italics), and notes should be flush left.
Reference list: Reference list entries should have a hanging indent of
0.5 in.
Appendices: Appendix labels and titles should be centered (and bold).
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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Four paragraphs. The first three paragraphs should be the

background of the study clearly stating what the problem is in relation

to the topic. This should have the international, national, and local

backgrounds as to results and implications of previous works. One

paragraph for international, one paragraph also for the national and

one paragraph for local. The fourth paragraph should contain the

research gap and the connections of independent variable(s) and

dependent variable(s).

Statement of the Problem

This should contain the main objective of the study. It should be

complementary with your research title and method. One objective for

each variable and another objective on significant relationship/

difference/ influence/ prediction/ impact/ and other related

problems.

Example:

1. What is the level of IV in terms of:

1.1. 1st indicator;

1.2. 2nd indicator (enumerate indicators?

2. What is the level of DV in terms of:

2.1. 1st indicator;

2.2. 2nd indicator (enumerate indicators)?

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3. Is there a significant relationship between IV and DV?

4. What the domain of IV significantly influence DV?

Hypotheses of the Study

Contains the null hypothesis of each problem on significance

presented in the statement of the problem.

Example:

1. There is no significant relationship with IV and DV.

2. There is no domain of IV that significantly influence DV.

Review of Related Literature

Related readings that are significant to the study should be

presented here. Start with an introductory paragraph. Grouped by

variable of the study and relations of variables (or difference, impact,

influence whichever is applicable). Only the variables are listed and

labeled as sub-headings; indicators are part of the paragraph. Use

appropriate TRANSISTION terms for coherence.

Sources must not exceed 10 years earlier from the conduct of

the study, except for the theories and very important authors.

Minimum of 10 pages: every variable should have at least 3 pages and

at least 2 pages for the correlations or association. For single variables

studies (univariate) – it must be group into 2 sections; 5 – 10 pages for

the main variable, 3 – 7 pages for moderator, and 1 -3 pages for

intervention.

At least 10% from old articles may be allowed (intended for

theories and important concepts). Current rules on related literature

must be followed (resonation, inventory, compare and contrast).

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Paraphrased, not copy pasted. Literature for correlation – association

and link between the variables. Synthesis – last paragraph of RRL, a

general summary, not conclusion and the last sentence is

contribution to the study. Every paragraph contains author(s).In citing

authors, follow APA 7th Edition In-Text Citation, Parenthetical APA

Citation.

Theoretical Framework

Anchored theory/preposition/model/study with author – the

link to the study must be justified (a theory has a name, if none, then

it is a preposition or model) and at least three 3 supporting theories.

Add your personal account on choosing the theory /preposition/

model/study.

Conceptual Framework

Sources/author for every variable with indicator (Only one

author for every variable, not several authors). One sentence definition

of each indicator under each variable. One page for conceptual figure

after the page citing it. Avoid redundancy of terms.

Significance of the Study

This should contain the possible beneficiaries and their benefits

on the result of the study. This should be written in a paragraph form.

Definition of Terms

Only the keywords in the title and the variables must be

defined. It should be defined according on how it is used in the study.

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Chapter 2

METHODOLOGY

Write an opening paragraph introducing the content of the

entire chapter.

Research Design

Appropriate design used, with author. Justification for its use

and contextualized to the study. Typology of research in terms of

objective dimension and time dimension specified.

Research Locale

Description of the place of the study supported with map. 2

maps (1 page) – Philippines (big) and local map (smaller, inserted

inside the PH map)

Research Respondents

Description of population of the study and respondent is clear

(nature of work, lifestyle, & other profile). Timeframe should be

indicated. Sampling procedure and its justification for use and

supported with author. Chart on the distribution of respondents or

profile of respondents after the page citing it (It could be a direct

discussion with no supporting chart if there are only very few items.

Research Instrument

Source/author, Cronbach Alpha, average validation rating. If

research-made question – validation, pre-testing procedure, and

reliability must be conducted. Scale appropriate; range of means,

level/extent, interpretation.
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Data Gathering Procedure

Should be written in a paragraph form. Explained in detail (from

asking permission to the collation of data; focus and experiences)

Statistical Tools

Enumerate the appropriate statistics that should be used for

each research objective.

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Chapter 3

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Write an opening paragraph introducing the content of the

entire chapter.

1. Start the discussion with the overall result followed by the highest

to lowest indicators.

2. Tables and Figures should follow immediately after the page citing

it.

3. Italicize the indicators and items taken from the tables.

4. Tables should always start on the top page.

5. Table title in italics should start at the left margin.

6. Table number should start also at the left margin.

7. RRL used as support to the result should come from the RRL of

Chapter I.

8. Be careful in citing an author to support the result.

9. Correlation Between Measures and Regression discussions should

be comprehensive compared to descriptive section levels. Cite as many

sources coming from your RRL.

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Chapter 4

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

Write an opening paragraph introducing the content of the

entire chapter.

Summary

Must contain each specific question under the statement of the

problem and must be written first to be followed by the findings that

would answer it. It should be textual generalizations, that is, a

summary of the important data consisting of text and numbers. No

deductions, nor inference, nor interpretation should be made. Only

the important findings, highlights of the data, especially those upon

which the conclusions should be based. Must be stated as concisely

as possible. Use past tense to present the result of findings of the

investigation. No figures in this section; all in narrative form.

Conclusion

Objective- based. Unify you research results, discussions and

elaborate their significance to your study.

Recommendation

Results- based, action – oriented and practical. For every result

there should be a recommendation.

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REFERENCES

1. Follow APA format (7th edition)

2. Alphabetical order

APPENDICES
(Separate page)

Example:

A. Survey Questionnaire

B. Letter Request to Expert Validators

C. Validation Sheets

D. Permit to Conduct the Study

E. Statistical Tables

CURRICULUM VITAE
(Separate page)

Contributors:

MICHAEL ERIC L. DANDAN

SHELLA MAY L. DANDAN

CLAUDINE JOY E. CONTRERAS

Prepared by:

CLAUDINE JOY E. CONTRERAS

Reviewed by:

ARJAY PEREZ
Assistant Research Coordinator

Approved by:

DR. NESTOR SATINITIGAN

Dean of College