INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS AND IMMERSION

MODULE 3
WRITING A RESEARCH INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

In this module, you will learn how to write the introduction of your research paper. You
will be able to identify and state the research problem, outline the background of the study,
develop a theoretical or conceptual framework, formulate a research hypothesis, define terms,
assess the significance of the study, and define the scope and limitations of the study.

THE RESEARCH INTRODUCTION

The parts of the introduction of a research paper are the following:
1. Background of the study
2. Statement of the problem
3. Theoretical or conceptual framework
4. Research hypothesis
5. Definition of terms
6. Significance of the study
7. Scope and limitation of the study
8. Review of related literature

DEVELOPING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

A research problem is the “issue or problem that leads to the need for a study” (Creswell,
2009, 233). It is the central idea of the study. it serves as the main reason why research is
being undertaken. Without a clearly identified problem, research is futile. According to Ardales
(2001, pp. 14-15), these are the five conditions that make problem researchable. These include
the following:
1. A problem is researchable if there are gaps in literature explaining the answer or solution
to the problem.
2. A problem is researchable if the solutions developed to address the problem are
ineffective, untested, or still unknown.
3. A problem is researchable if the answers or solutions to the problem provided are wrong
or contradictory.
4. A problem is researchable if there are several possible solutions or explanations for an
objectionable condition.
5. A problem is researchable if there are no explanations yet to an existing phenomenon.

In developing a research problem, it is necessary to have enough background

information
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and knowledge about the subject matter of the research. You can develop a research problem
about a particular topic that interests you by reading relevant literature and related studies
written about the subject matter. A well-formulated research questions should state the different
variables to be analyzed in the study. When you formulate a research question, you must be
able to determine the different variables in the study and identify their relationship with one
another?
Below are three examples of research questions. Can you determine which ones are
sound research question?

a. What are the causes of poverty in the Philippines?

b. Is corruption in government and overpopulation associated with the increasing poverty
rate in the Philippines?
c. How did the political policies and economic programs of former Prime Minister Lee
Kuan Yew transform Singapore into a modern and rich Southeast Asian country?

If you think examples b and c are sound research problems, then you are correct!
Research question b clearly suggests three variables, namely, (1) corruption in government, (2)
overpopulation, and (3) the increasing poverty rate in the Philippines.
On the other hand, research question c is designed to analyze the relationship among
different variables. It is to be answered by examining how the political policies (variable 1) and
economic programs (variable 2) of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew led to the
transformation of Singapore into a modernized and rich Southeast Asian country (variable 3).
Research questions a is not well formulated. It is very broad, and it does not indicate the
specific relationship among the variable.

TECHNIQUES IN DEVELOPING A RESEARCH TOPIC INTO A RESEARCH QUESTION

Neumann (2009, pp. 87-88) suggests several techniques that you can apply when
developing a research topic into a research question.
1. Examine available literature on the topic. Published articles, books, and reading
materials about the topic can provide ideas for the research question. By reading
literature on the research topic, a research question or problem can be proposed by
doing any of the following:
a. Replicate a previous study by doing some modifications
b. Explore unexpected results that were yielded from previous research
c. Follow the recommendations or suggestions given by the author for his or her
research
d. Apply an existing theory or explanation to a setting
e. Challenge or refute the findings or any previous study
2. Ask your teachers or some experts about your topic so that they can help you develop
your ideas into a clear research problem.
3. Talk to people that have different opinions about the topic because they can help develop
possible research questions as you exchange opinions with them.
4. When developing a research question, always ensure that the problem has a specific
historical time period, geographical location, and subgroups or categories of people that
will be studied.
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 5. Define the objective or desired outcome of the research. Is the research exploratory,
descriptive, or explanatory? Is it basic or applied research?
Ardales (2001) gives important characteristics of a good research problem.
1. A research problem must be interesting to the researcher. He or she must be motivated
to answer the research question, otherwise, the research would be futile.
2. A research problem must be significant to society. When formulating a research
question, always consider the relevance of the study to the different sectors of society.
Applied research, for example, is undertaken to solve problems or address issues that
can help change the condition of the vulnerable sectors of society.
3. A research problem must be something innovative or pioneering. When you develop a
research problem, you have to consider what has been written so far about the topic.
The research problem should be something new. It has never been studied before, it
could be about the same topic, though it should focus on areas that are usually neglected
in research.

Neumann (2009) gives additional characteristics of a good research problem. He mentions

that it must be well-defined or clearly stated. The research problem must be empirically
verifiable and can be tested scientifically. It must have a clear parameters and limitations. It
must not be vague or ambiguous. A research problem is not just a topic or a set of variables, it
must be clearly stated, indicating a specific historical time period, a geographical location, and
subgroups or categories of people under study. Below are some examples of inadequate and
unsuitable research questions.

Reasons Why the Research Questions are

Research Questions
Inadequate and Unsuitable

1. Should divorce be legalized in the The questions are not empirically verifiable
Philippines? and not scientific.
2. Is it timely to restore death penalty in the
Philippines?
3. Prostitution in the Philippines These are general topics and not research
4. Drug abuse and the youth questions.
5. Death penalty and crime rate in the These are variables and not research
Philippines questions.
6. HIV and homosexuality
7. What can be done to prevent rape? The questions are very imprecise and
8. Do broken families create drug addicts? ambiguous.
9. Has poverty incidence in the Philippines The questions are very broad. They must be
increased during the Benigno Aquino III’s limited. They must indicate a specific
administration? historical time period, a geographical location,
10. How does corruption relate to poverty? and the subgroup or category of people under
study.
11. What problems do homeless people
experience?
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 Here are examples of good research questions categorized according to the purpose of
research – exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory.

Purpose of Research Examples of Questions

1. How did the child abuse incidences in the

Metro Manila change from 2000 – 2015?
Exploratory 2. How did police visibility in Davao City
affect drug related cases in the city from 2010
– 2016?
3. Are child abuse cases more common
among poor Filipino families than in middle
class families?
Descriptive 4. Do poor Filipino children experience
difficulties in adjusting socially and
emotionally compared to middle class
children?
5. Does the emotional instability experienced
by high school students at home increase
their chances of becoming juvenile
delinquents?
Explanatory
6. Is the lack of government subsidy for drug
rehabilitation a major cause of the increasing
number of drug users among poor Filipino
families in Metro Manila?

WRITING THE BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM

Aside from developing the research problem, the researcher should be able to explain
the background or context of the research problem clearly. To describe the background of the
study, the researcher must use data published in other works about the subject. The
background must clearly show that the issue or problems leads to the necessity of conducting a
study about the topic. Creswell (2009) provides guide questions that can help researchers in
describing the background of the study or problem.
1. Why is it necessary to conduct a study about the topic?
2. What problem influences the need to conduct a study about the topic?
3. What is the context or background of the topic?

Below are more tips on providing the background of the study.

1. Develop and opening sentence that will attract the reader’s interests and at the same
time convey the issue or problem in such a way that the audience can relate.
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2. Refrain from using idiomatic expressions because they convey vague or unclear
messages.
3. Use statistical data or numerical figures because they create a good impact. Using such
information suggests that the researcher has a good background of the topic before
conducting the research.
4. Clearly identify the research problem or issue that leads to the study. You should be
able to explain the research problem of the study clearly in the background.
5. State the reasons why the research problem is important by providing a number of
references to justify the necessity of studying the problem (Creswell, 2009, pp.103-104).

Here is an excerpt from “An Analytical Study of the Republic Act 7160 Otherwise known as
the Local Government Code of 1991.” This study tries to answer the question “How did the
long history of government centralization in the Philippines lead to the passage and
implementation of the 1991 Local Government Code?” The following text is the background
of the problem.

Background of the Problem

The Philippine local government has undergone a long tradition of centralism

that started since the Spanish period until the postwar period. For more than three
hundred years of Spanish rule, the Spaniards made centralization as their major
instrument in controlling the whole country. Under their centralized system of
government, the Spaniards created a political organization where the authority of the
central government extended up to the smallest village. They implemented this by
dividing Luzon and Visayas into alcaldias or provinces, then into pueblos or towns.
The heads of this political units were called alcalde mayor and gobernadorcillo,
respectively. Smaller than the pueblo was the barangay which was headed by the
cabeza de barangay. The Spanish government implemented the policy of
centralization in order to unify the country under a single central authority with power
to establish an effective system of administration and supervision over the different
political units. In this type of government, all laws created by the central government
had to be implemented by the local political units.
During the three decades of American rule, the system of local government
established by the Spaniards was continued. The Americans renamed the political
units but centralization continued as official policy. The alcaldias became provinces;
the pueblos became municipalities; the cabildos became cities; and the barangays
became barrios. The change in name did not mean a change in policy over the
control of the local political units. The Americans continued to perform direct
supervision over the local governments. Aside from the American civil governor who
exercised direct supervision over local government units, the Executive Bureau
assisted the civil governor-general and directly supervised the local government units
from the provinces down to the barrios.
When the Philippines gained its independence in 1946, the Philippine national
government continued to directly control and supervise the affairs of local
government units. Centralism remained intact even if the country had already gained
its independence. During the post-war years, the local government had no complete
administrative control over local government services. It had no sufficient power to
carry out its executive and legislative functions. It was the national government who
exercised the real power an authority with regard to local administration.
In 1972, the Philippines came under the authoritarian rule of President
Ferdinand Marcos. During the Marcos Pageregime,
5 of 15the bonds of centralism continued.
The imposition of martial law strengthened the authority of national government and
its control over the local government units. Although reforms on the local
government were made during his term, the imposition of martial law did not allow
the growth of decentralization in local governments. It was only after the passage of
the 1991 Local Government Code on October 10, 1991 that the country totally
 After describing the background of a study, the researcher must state the problem. The
statement of the problem is basically composed of the different questions that the entire study
will answer. One of the two main parts of the statement is the general or main question of the
study, which indicates the main problem of the study. The other part is the specific questions,
which are detailed questions that the study will answer.

The following is an example of a statement of the problem.

The study wants to find the relationship of poverty with corruption and overpopulation in
the Philippines. It hopes to answer the following questions:
Main question: What is the relationship of corruption and overpopulation with poverty incidene
in the Philippines?
Specific questions: The study aims to answer the following questions:
1. What is poverty, corruption, and overpopulation?
2. How do corruption and poverty correlate?
3. What is the effect of overpopulation on the country’s poverty rate?
4. How do the Philippine government and nongovernmental organizations explain the
relationship of poverty with corruption?
5. How do the Philippine government and nongovernmental organizations explain the
relationship of poverty with overpopulation?
6. What is the government doing to alleviate poverty in the Philippines?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The research objectives explain the reason behind the study and its specific goals and
aims. There are two categories, namely, the main objective and specific objective. The main
objective, the ultimate goal of the research, restates the main problem. The specific objective
states the detailed objectives of the research, and they echo the specific questions in the
statement of the problem. To state the objectives, the researcher may use the action verbs
below, which are provided by the Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Levels Action Verbs

Knowledge To…
Define Match
Label Relate
Know Recall
Find Select
List
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Comprehension To….
Explain Illustrate
Discuss Infer
Compare Outline
Contrast Summarize
Demonstrate Classify
Interpret
Application To…
Use Plan
Apply Select
Build Identify
Choose Solve
Interview Experiment with
Organize
Analysis To….
Analyze Divide
Categorize Examine
Classify Inspect
Compare Simplify
Contrast Survey
Discover Distinguish
Dissect Distinction
Synthesis To….
Choose Estimate
Combine Formulate
Compile Plan
Compose Predict
Develop Propose
Design Solve
Evaluation To….
Conclude Justify
Criticize Recommend
Assess Rate
Rate Determine
Judge Choose
Dispute

Below are templates that you can use in formulating the objectives of the study. The first

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template is designed for qualitative research, and the second one is for quantitative research.

Below are examples of research objectives of a study:

The research
The study aims tothe
aims to examine ___________________________
relationship of poverty with(Understand? Examine?
corruption and overpopulation
in Explain?) the _______________________________ (the central phenomenon to be studied)
for ____________________________________ (unit of analysis or participants of the study, if
applicable) at __________________ (research site, if applicable).
The research aims to _____________________________ (Understand? Examine?
Explain?) the ___________________________________ (the central phenomenon to be
studied) for _____________________________________________________ (unit of analysis or
participants of the study, if applicable) at ______________________________ (research
site, if applicable).

The study has the following specific objectives:

 _____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________

The purpose of this _________________________________ (nature of study) is to test

the theory of _____________________________ that ______________________________
(Compares? Relates? Examines?) the _____________________________ (the independent
variable) to ___________________
(the dependent variable controlling for _________________________ (control variables) for
____________________________________ (participants) at ___________________________
(research site). ___________________________ (the independent variable) is defined as
_____________________ (definition). __________________________________. Finally,
_______________________ (the control intervening variable), is defined as
________________________ (definition).

the Philippines. It has the following specific objectives:

1. To define poverty, corruption, and overpopulation.
2. To discuss the effects of overpopulation on the country’s poverty rate.
3. To discuss how the Philippine government and nongovernmental organizations
analyze the relationship of poverty with corruption.
4. To discuss how the Philippine government and nongovernmental organizations explain
the relationship of poverty with overpopulation.
5. To analyze the correlation of corruption and poverty.
6. To explain the programs of the government to alleviate poverty in the Philippines.

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CONCEPTUAL/THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Social research requires the application of framework. These are perspectives, points of
views, models, or frames of references usually made up of assumptions, theories, and concepts
that are used by the researcher in the organization of observation, reasoning, analysis, and
interpretation of research data (Babbie, 2013; Ardales, 2001).
Research frameworks can be theoretical or conceptual. A theoretical framework is the
application of a theory or theories in explaining the existence of a phenomenon and the
interrelationship of various factors which led to the existence of the phenomenon (Ardales,
2001). Using a theoretical framework, the researcher borrows the concepts, theories, and ideas
proposed by different scientists, theorists, and philosophers.
Here are examples of theories that can be used to form the theoretical framework of
study.
Theoretical Framework Major Assumptions
Macrotheory This theory explains the big picture of
institutions, societies.
Microtheory This theory explains society, social life, and
individual social interaction at the level of
individuals.
Conflict theory This paradigm understands human behavior
as an attempt to control others or avoid being
dominated by other people.
Symbolic Interactionism This paradigm believes that human behavior
creates meaning through social interaction.
Structural Functionalism This theory posits that society and every
social phenomenon have parts and that each
part has functions which are vital for the
operation of society.
Feminist paradigm This paradigm views and understands society
through the experiences of women.
Marxist theory This theory posits that social change happens
due to the process of class conflict. It is
focused on the struggle of the economic
classes, which is between the haves and the
have nots.

A conceptual framework, on the other hand, uses concepts from theories. The
researcher finds a variable in the study that corresponds to the concept as it was used in the
theory from which it was taken. An example of a conceptual framework is Anthony Oliver-

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Smith’s concept of vulnerability. In his research on disasters, he defines vulnerability as the
“characteristics of a person or group in terms of their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist and
recover from the impact of natural hazard.” (2002) It has been frequently used in environment
history and anthropological research on disasters as a framework of study.
The following are steps in developing the theoretical or conceptual framework of your
study.
1. Read discipline-based scholarly literature and look for frameworks related to your
topics. For instance, if the unit of analysis of your study is an individual, or the topic is related to
psychology; read psychology literature. If groups or organizations are the unit of analysis, or if
your research topics deals with sociology, read sociological literature and find an appropriate
theory and conceptual framework for your study.
2. Read scholarly journals and past studies related to your topic. Ask the following
questions as you read the works:
a. What theories are used by the authors in their works?
b. What concept or conceptual framework do they use?
c. How can I connect my study with the conceptual framework or theory used in such works?

Most of the time, frameworks are explained using a schematic diagram to show how the
concepts or theory are applied in the study. Researchers use the concept or the theory and
apply it to the variables used in the study.
Below is an example of a conceptual framework using a schematic diagram.

Hazard Vulnerability Disaster



 =
 Children
Typhoon Homeless People
Earthquake Poor
koo

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis, Neumann (2009, pp.92-93) writes, is a verifiable proposition or a tentative
statement that clearly explains the relationship between two variables about how the social
world operates. It has two main elements. First, it must state the relationship between two
variables. Second, it must express a causal or cause-effect relation between two or more
variables. Aside from these two elements, Neumann (2009) mentions three other
characteristics of a hypothesis. They are as follows:
1. A hypothesis can be stated as a prediction or an expected outcome in the future. It
can be verified through the use of accurate and empirical data.
2. A hypothesis is logically connected to a research question and a theory. Social
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researchers test a hypothesis to solve a research problem or to find empirical evidence that will
support a particular social theory.
3. A hypothesis can be falsified that is it can be verified through the use of empirical
evidence. Statements that answer questions that are logically true or questions that cannot be
answered empirically cannot become hypotheses.

Here are sample hypotheses.

a. Coupes who go to church often have a lower chance of separating compared to

couples who seldom attend masses.
b. Double standards still exist in popular mass media in the Philippines.
c. Religion influences the voting patterns of Filipinos in the provinces.

Let’s Go Online:

Read the following documents online and study how the researchers established
their research framework:
1. “Skin Color, Culture, and Blood Pressure in Southeastern Puerto Rico.” by H. Russell
Bernard and Clarence C. Gravlee, from
[Link]

2. “Dissertation research: Ethnic identity switching among Latinos in Queens, NY.” by

[Link] Bernard and Rosalyn Negron, from
[Link]

3. “Doctoral Dissertation Research: The Implications of Economic and Social Mobility for
Transnational West African Migrants in Spain.” by Maxine L. Margolis and Ermitte St.
Jacques, from [Link]

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of the study explains its relevance and contribution to the field. It must
be explained as clearly as possible so that readers will understand the necessity to pursue the
research. It must explicitly state the contribution of the study to the body of knowledge about
the subject matter i.e., the study adds new knowledge to the existing scholarly literature on the
topic, fills up the gaps in the existing knowledge, and confirms or contradicts a theory, a
concept, or a methodology. Also, the significance of the study lies in the fact that it can help
address or solve an existing social or political problem and that different sectors of the society
will benefit from the study. You must then identify which sector will gain much from the study
and explain what each sector will gain from the research (Ardales, 2001, pp.41-42).
Below is an excerpt from “An Analytical Study of the Republic Act 7160 Otherwise Known
as the Local Government Code of 1991.”

Significance of the Study

The research being undertaken is important because of various reasons. First, the study
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discusses the similarities and differences of the 1991 Local Government Code and the 1993
Local Government Code. Second, the study provides a historical analysis of the development of
local governance in the Philippines during the Spanish, American and contemporary periods.
The study is also important because it analyzes the implementation of centralism in the
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The scope and limitations of the study define the extent and focus of the research. The
scope refers to the specific topics or coverage of the research. The researcher should clearly
explain the geographic location of the study, the unit of analysis or the people/population to be
studied, the time period of the research, and the questions that will be answered by the study.
The limitations, on the other hand, are the parameters of the research; they are the topics that
the researcher will not look into in his or her study. They provide readers with a clear guide of
the limits and conditions of the research.
Below is an excerpt from “An Analytical Study of the Republic Act 7160 Otherwise Known
as the Local Government Code of 1991.” The text is the scope and limitation of the study.

Scope and Limitation

The study discusses the historical development of local government in the Philippines,
particularly the adoption and implementation of centralism during the Spanish period, and
postwar period (1946 -1991). Pursuant to this focus, the study will explain, in a topical manner,
how centralism is evident in the political structures created and the laws and policies
implemented during these periods. In this study, the investigator will explain the main features
and important provisions of the 1991 Local Government Code. It will focus only on the following
aspects of the Local Government code, namely, on the local government structure; basic
services and facilities of the local government; interlocal government relations; local government
relations with people’s organization, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector; and
the powers, duties, and functions of local and appointive officials and legislative bodies. Other
aspects of the code that were not mentioned will not be discussed in this research. Also, the
research will compare the 1991 Local Government Code, with the 1983 Local Government Code
using the same parameters mentioned above. Furthermore, this paper will explain the
weaknesses, problems, and failures of the implementation of the 1991 Local Government Code,
particularly on issues related to fiscal administration, devolution of basic services and facilities,
and inconsistencies in the Code’s provisions (Dela Cruz, 2004).

DEFINITION OF TERMS
In the introduction of a research proposal paper, it is imperative that the researcher
clearly defines the terms used in the study. Without clear definitions, the readers may
misunderstand or misinterpret the terms. The researcher then gives operational definitions that
are based on how the terms are used in the study. Though it is within the researcher’s
judgment what terms to define, he or she should define the common ones that are used
differently in the study.
There are two ways of defining a term. A researcher can give a conceptual definition, the
meaning given by a thesaurus or a dictionary which is generally understood by people. He or
she can also give an operational definition, which explains the term in a particular language
rather than in abstract manner as it is used in the research. As researchers produce new
knowledge, they usually introduce key concepts that are distinct from their conceptual definition.
Thus, they need operational definitions to make the meaning of the words appropriate to the
given context or situation.
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 Below is an example of a definition of a terms.

The investigator will use the term kinship relationship to the grandchild in the study. It will
be used in the study to refer to whether the grandparents are maternal grandparents or paternal
grandparents. Previous research (e.g. Cherlin and Furstenberg, 1986) suggests that maternal
grandparents tend to be closer to their grandchildren.

Let’s Go Online:

Read the following documents online and study how the researchers define the
terms in their respective papers:

1. “The effect of conceptual change and literacy strategies on students in high school
science classes, California State University, Northridge” by David Arias (2007), from
[Link]

2. “Designing a Community Based Early Warning and Mapping System for an Urban
Barangay” by Jad N. Gonzales, [Link]., (2013), from
[Link]
[Link]

Rubric for Writing a Research Introduction

Criteria Excellent Very Good Good Needs Improvement

The Background The The background of
background of of the study is background of the study is badly
Background of the
the study is fairly well the study is written.
Study
well developed. not well
developed. constructed.
The research The research The research The research problem
problem is problem is problem is not is not properly stated,
clearly stated fairly well clearly stated, and there is no
and supported stated, but it and it lacks evidence that
Statement of the
by high quality provides quality supports the problem.
Problem
(strong) evidence that evidence for
evidence. is not as support.
strong as it
could be.
Research Objectives The research The research The research The introduction lacks
objectives are objectives are objectives are research objectives.
very clearly very clearly not clearly
stated, and stated, and stated, and
they connect they connect they do not
very well with well with the connect well

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 the research research with the
problem. problem. research
problem.
The The The The introduction does
importance importance importance not state the
and relevance and and relevance significance of the
Significance of the
of the relevance of of the study.
Study
research is the research research is
clearly is fairly not clearly
explained. explained. explained.
Scope of the The scope of The scope of The introduction does
study the study the study not include the scope
including the including the including the and limitation of the
Scope and Limitation areas that will areas that will areas that will study.
of the Study not be not be not be
covered is covered is covered is not
clearly fairly defined. clearly
defined. defined.
The research The research The The hypothesis does
hypothesis is hypothesis is hypothesis is not support the
well stated fairly well unclear. The purpose of the study.
based on the stated based statement The statement fails to
purpose of the on the follows less follow the guidelines
study. The purpose of than 80% of for formulating
statement the study. the guidelines hypothesis.
Research Hypothesis follows all the The for
guidelines for statement formulating
formulating follows hypothesis.
hypothesis. greater than
80% of the
guidelines for
formulating
hypothesis.
The The The The framework of the
framework of framework of framework of research is not
the research the research the research established.
is clearly is fairly is not clearly
established. It established. established.
clearly It fairly It does not
explains the explains the explain the
Theoretical/ relationship of relationship relationship of
Conceptual the variables of the the variables
Framework with each variables with with each
other. It each other. It other. It does
discusses discusses not discuss
extensively fairly how it is extensively
how it is relevant to how it is
relevant to the the research relevant to the
research problem. research
problem. problem.
Definition of Terms The key terms The key The key terms There are no
used in the terms used in used in the definitions of terms.
research are the research research are
clearly are fairly not clearly
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 defined. The defined. The defined. The
operational operational operational
and and and
conceptual conceptual conceptual
definitions are definitions definitions are
clearly stated. are fairly not clearly
stated. stated.
The Although a A relevant The statement of the
introduction research research problem, significance,
articulates issue is issue is purpose,
clear, identified, the identified. questions/hypotheses,
reasonable statement of Research or definitions of
research the problem questions are constructs and
questions is too broad, succinctly variables were
given the or its stated, omitted or
purpose, description connected inappropriate.
design, and fails to with the
methods of establish its research
the proposed importance. issue, and
study. All The research supported by
Overall Quality of the
constructs and purpose, the literature.
Research Introduction
variables have questions, Constructs
been hypotheses, and variables
appropriately or definitions have been
defined. of constructs identified and
Propositions and variables described.
are clearly are poorly Connections
supported by formed, are
the literature. ambiguous, established
All elements or not with the
are mutually logically literature.
supportive. connected to
the
description.

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