CHAPTER I
RESEARCH INTRODUCTION
Basic Guidelines in Making a
Research Title
A research study title is the very first thing a
reader comes across when searching for
scientific literature. It is a concise description of
the content of the research study containing the
fewest possible words, yet adequate to describe
the contents of the paper for a simple reason that
we do not want to mislead the readers. After
conceptualizing a most probable research topic,
drafting the title early in the research process
helps in keeping your focus on the subject.
Basic Guidelines in Making a
Research Title
The following are the basic guidelines in making a research
study title:
1. Use an accurate description of the subject and scope of the
study instead of using general terms.
2. Do not use abbreviations except for commonly known ones
like DNA and ICT.
3. Do not include words like “The study of,” “Analysis of,” “An
investigation of” or similar construction as these would only
lengthen the title.
4. Include the main dependent and independent variables.
5. Be mindful of the proper use of grammar and punctuation.
Basic Guidelines in Making a
Research Title
6. Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives,
adverbs as well as the first letter of the first and last
words.
7. State in a declarative form, although you may also
see titles in question form from time to time.
8. The year the study has been conducted should not
be indicated unless it is a historical study.
9. Use current terminology.
10. Depending on the institutional requirements, 5
to15 words are sufficient to describe the research
study.
Basic Guidelines in Making a
Research Title
11. Use the common name instead of
chemical formula (e.g., Ammonium instead
of NH4)
12. Write and italicize full scientific names.
13. Make sure to reflect the tone of the
paper. An academic research paper has
title which is not casual, or informal, or does
not contain humor.
The following steps can guide
you in writing your research title:
1. Determine what it is that you wish to accomplish or know from your
study. Write one to two sentences to state the main objectives of your
research project.
2. Include important keywords and variables. Revise the sentences
into one complete sentence that includes important keywords and
variables of the study.
3. Shorten the title by eliminating unnecessary words. You may also
shrink a phrase into a simpler phrase or a single word. In doing this,
make sure that the main thought of the research study is retained.
4. Correct grammar and punctuation errors if there is any.
[Link] proper formatting. The format may vary according to the
requirements of the course or school. Please seek guidance from
your professor.
PARTS OF CHAPTER I:
I. Background of the Study
II. Statement of the Problem
III. Significance of the Study
IV. Scope and Delimitations
V. Definition of Terms
Background of the Study
The background of the study is the part of your paper
where you inform the reader of the context of the
study. When we say context, it means the situation or
circumstances within which your research topic was
conceptualized. Ideally, this part is written when you
have already conducted a literature review and has a
good perception of the topic so you can articulate the
importance and validity of the research problem. It is
also in this part of the paper where you justify the
need to conduct a research study about the topic
selected by establishing the research gap.
RESEARCH GAP
▪A research gap is an under or
unexplored area of a topic that
requires further exploration.
The gap can be in a form of other
variables, conditions, population,
methodology, or test subject. To identify
research gaps, an exhaustive literature
review regarding the topic is required.
You may have to look for similar or
related studies employing quantitative,
qualitative, or mixed-methods from
legitimate sources and examine the
gray areas.
While both the Background of the
Study and the Review of Related
Literature involve reading past related
studies, they differ in some aspects.
The former is at the introductory part
of the paper with the purpose of
relaying the importance of your
research study; the latter is more
comprehensive and thoroughly
discusses the studies mentioned in the
background of research.
Moreover, the background of the study
answers the following questions:
1. What is already known about the
topic?
2. What is not known about the topic?
3. Why do you need to address those
gaps?
4. What is the rationale of your study?
Guidelines in Writing the Introduction
(Background of the Study)
1. The intention of the 1st paragraph is to provide the readers
a mental warm-up; thus, giving them information and
readiness as to what the research is all about. It should
introduce the study and justify the problem.
2. The 2nd paragraph carries the bulk of the introduction. The
statement of the problem can best be used as a frame of
reference to write this paragraph. It is simply telling the
readers the scope and coverage of the study. This will help
revolve around mentioning the purpose of the study, which
is to determine what is existing or not between the
independent and dependent variable.
Guidelines in Writing the Introduction
(Background of the Study)
3. The 3rd to the last paragraph is a sort of
closing portion that is intriguing and
challenging the readers to become
interested in knowing the results of the
study. It is one or two sentences to link
between the introduction and the statement
of the problem.
4. This part is a 2–3-page discussion.
Example:
Research Questions:
When you have identified your quantitative
research problem, you can now state it and
make sure to establish its place in your study. In
your written paper, this can be found as
Statement of the Problem, where it formally
introduces the problem that you want to
investigate or address. By this time, you can
start specifying what you want to answer in your
study.
Research Problem and
Research Questions:
The research questions help clarify and
specify the research problem. They are also
considered as sub-problems of your
research problem and are informative in
nature. They specify the method of
collecting and analyzing data, and the type
of data to be collected when exploring a
quantitative research problem.
Characteristics of Good Research
Questions:
Once you have already enumerated your research
questions for your study, it is important that you
consider its quality to answer and explain your research
problem. The following are good characteristics of
research questions, as described by Fraenkel and
Wallen (2020).
1. Feasible
2. Clear
3. Significant
4. Ethical
Formulating Research Questions:
Research questions can be generally classified into two:
general and specific. The general question of the study is
derived from the research problem while the specific
questions are anchored on the general research problem.
For example:
This study aims to determine the relationship between the types of
learning delivery mode and students’ learning styles. Furthermore, it
seeks to answer the following research questions:
(1) What are the different learning delivery modes of the school?
(2) What are the various learning styles of the students?
(3) Is there a significant relationship between the different learning
delivery modes of the school and the learning styles of its students?
Research Questions for
Descriptive Research:
Research Questions for Descriptive Research focus
on observing and reporting factors or aspects of the research
problem. Phrases such as how often/frequently, how
many/much, what is/are, to what extent/degree, and the likes
are used in these questions. For example, you study the use of
social media among Senior High School Students, you can ask
the following questions:
What are the various social media platforms used by Senior High
Students?
How many hours students spend on social media per week?
Research Questions for
Correlational Research:
-aim to determine the relationships among two or more variables
in your research problem. Correlational research questions
usually begin with the phrases “Is there a significant relationship..”
or “What is the relationship between/among..”. In the study of use
of social media and level of digital literacy of students following
questions can be asked:
What is the relationship between the length of hours spent on
social media and level of digital literacy of students?
Is there a significant relationship between the type of social media
used and the level digital literacy of students?
Research Questions for Ex
Post Facto Research:
- attempt to identify the causes of the phenomenon in the context of
your research problem. It is also assumed that no control or
manipulation of variable has been done in order to cause the effect. It is
understood that the cause of the problem already exists before you
conducted your study.
For example, ex post facto study on family background and digital
literacy of students, the following questions can be asked:
Is there a difference in the literacy level of students between their
cultural and educational family background?
Research Questions for Experimental
and Quasi-experimental Research:
▪Research Questions for Experimental and
Quasi-experimental Research suggest that
answers to these questions are brought about
by manipulation or control of a certain variable
during the conduct of the study. These
questions provide explanation to the causal
relationship of variables.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
▪The statement of the problem or the
problem statement aims to highlight the
pressing issue the research intends to
address. It should be concise and to the
point. Researchers can follow a two-step
approach: first, think about the content of
the problem statement, and then organize
the writing framework.
Components of Scope and
Delimitation:
In writing the scope and delimitation of your study, you are also asking the basic
profile questions of your research. The following are the components of the scope
and delimitation of the study but not limited to:
Topic of the Study. What are the variables to be included and excluded?
Objectives or Problems to be addressed. Why are you doing this study?
Time Frame. When are you going to conduct this study?
Locale of the Study. Where are you going to gather your data?
Characteristics of the Respondents. Who will be your respondents?
Method and Research Instruments. How are going to collect the data?
Difference between Delimitation
and Limitation of the Study
The delimitation of the study describes the various limitations that arose during the
design and conduct of the study. Along the way of conducting your study, you will
encounter limitations which you have not drawn before you start – these are the
delimitations of study.
Most of the delimitations arose from the applicability or usefulness of the findings of the
study to the current problem.
Variables not included in your study are also determined by delimitation of your study.
While on the other hand, limitation of the study are those variables included in your
study.
Hence, limitation of the study is actually the identified scope of the study.
Source: [Link]/academy/scope-and-delimitations/
Types of Definition:
TWO TYPES:
1. Conceptual Definition
2. Operational Definition
a. Measured Operational Definition
b. Experimental Operational Definition
Types of Definition
CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Also known as constitutive; is that Also known as functional definition
which is given in dictionaries
It is the academic or universal TWO FORMS:
meaning attributed to a word of Measured Operational Definition –
group of words. states the way the concept is
It is mostly abstract and formal in measured in the investigation.
nature. Experimental Operational Definition –
the researcher may spell out the
details of the manipulation of a
variable.
*The usual practice when using both types of definition is to state first the
conceptual definition followed by the operational definition.
Examples:
CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Alternator – is an electric Alternator – As used in this study, is
generator that converts a device used in converting
mechanical energy to electric mechanical energy into an
energy in the form of alternating electrical energy.
current.
Power cable – is an assembly of Power cable – As used in this
one or more electric conductors, study, is a bundle of electrical
usually held together with an conductors or wires to transport
overall sheath. The assembly is electrical power.
used for transmission of electric
power.
Example:
Tips in Writing the Definition
of Terms:
1. Arrange your terms in alphabetical order.
2. Define only what is absolutely necessary and do so precisely
by using an authoritative document.
3. Define only the variables used in your study.
4. If you cannot find an authoritative definition (conceptual), find
one or two such definitions; cite them and try to create your
own definitions as used in the research.
5. Complicated and lengthy definitions like those required in
mathematics or science, should be placed in the appendix.
ACTIVITY:
Create your own Chapter I.
Follow the proper format.