LYCEUM NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Institute of Graduate and Professional Studies

Master in Public Administration
2nd Semester A.Y. 2019-2020

TOPIC: PARTS OF A RESEARCH PAPER

SUBJECT: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
PROFESSOR: DR. ABRAHAM D. SORIANO
REPORTERS: SARAH MAY D. ERFELO
DIANA MAE L. GANZAGAN
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PARTS OF A RESEARCH PAPER

The research paper is usually divided into three, four or five parts,

but it carries almost all the same features. The following will show the five

parts of a research paper.

CHAPTER I – The Problem

Chapter I of the thesis should contain a discussion on the following topics.

1. The Introduction

The main purpose of the introduction is to give a description of the

problem that will be addressed. In this section, the researcher might

discuss the nature of the research, the purpose of the research, the

significance of the research problem, and the research question(s) to be

addressed.

The introduction should go directly into what the problem is

investigating. Some researchers start this part with a presentation of very

general ideas such that it takes the reader a long time to grasp what the

problem is about. This part may include some previous researches which

can strengthen the reason for investigation. Care should be exercised,

however, so that the real review of the literature should come in the next

chapter. This portion of the introduction very naturally leads to the

statement of the problem.

The three essential parts of a good introduction are:

a. Rationale, where you need to inform the reader the reason of your

research. This is a brief explanation of why your research topic is worthy

of study and may make a significant contribution to the body of already

existing research

b. Purpose, which refers to the goal or objective of your research. It is

not simply a statement of why the research is being done; and,

c. The Research question(s) which should be related to your research

purpose, must be focused and clear.

The introduction of a thesis should contain a discussion of any or all

of the following guidelines:

a. Presentation of the problem. The start of the introduction is the

presentation of the problem which is what the problem is all about. This

will include what will be covered by the study.

b. The existence of an unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem that

needs a solution.
c. Rationale of the study. The reasons why it is necessary to conduct

the study must be discussed.

d. Historical background of the problem.

e. A desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding of a situation,

circumstance or a phenomena. The researcher must explain his earnest

desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding of the situation so that

he will be in a better position to initiate remedial measures.

f. A desire to find a better way of doing something or improving

a product.

g. A desire to discover something

h. Geographical conditions of the study locale. This is necessary in

anthropological and economics studies.

i. A link between the introduction and the statement of the problem. A

sentence or two should show the link between the introduction and the

conducting of the researcher.

2. Statement of the Problem

There should be a general statement of the whole problem followed

by the specific questions or sub-problems into which the general problem

is broken down. These are already formulated at the beginning of the study

and so they should be copied in this section.

The statement of the problem must be precise, clear and accurate.

There are variations in the form for stating the problem.

 The selection and definition of a research problem involves a

series of refinement processes that begin with the identification of a

problem area and terminates with one or more testable hypotheses or

answerable questions. The refinement process is based upon a thorough

review and critical analysis of related literature on the problem.

A research question is always stated in question form. It may

start out as being general and become specific and refined later on. The

research question you start out with forms the basis for your review of

related literature. This general question would also evolve into your

hypothesis. When you draw conclusions, they should address this

question. In the end, the success of your research depends on how well

you answer this question.

The research problem is one or more questions to be

answered empirically by factual investigation. A problem is an interrogative

sentence or statement that asks what relations exist between two or more

variables (Kerlinger in Fonollera, 1986). Criteria for a good problem

statement are as follows:

a. The problem should express a relation between two or more

variables.

b. The problem should be stated clearly and unambiguously in question

form. Questions have the virtue of posing problems directly.

c. The problem and the problem statement should imply possibilities of

empirical testing. A problem that does not contain implications for testing

its relation is not a scientific problem.

d. A researchable problem is one that can be investigated through the

collection and analysis of data.

e. A problem should have theoretical as well as practical significance.

It should contribute to the solution of a problem.

f. A good problem is one that is good for a researcher, a problem that

one can adequately investigate given his current level of research skill;

available resources, time and other restrictions.

The main problem is usually stated in a declarative form and covers

the broad problem area. It states the intent of the investigation in a clear

grammatical sequence, shows congruency with the title and theoretical

framework, and provides for linkage with the methodology to be employed.

Sub problems are interrelated parts of the main problem that allow

the researcher to confront the main problem into smaller sub parts. By

being resolved separately, the sub problems resolve the main problem in

piecemeal. Sub-problems should be stated in such a way that they are not

answerable by yes or no, neither by when or where. Also, sub-problems

should include all the independent and dependent variables which are

reflected in the conceptual framework, and they should be arranged in a

logical order and extensive in coverage and must be mutually exclusive in

its dimensions.

The characteristics of the sub-problems are as follows:

a. Each sub-problem is a complete research unit which should

constitute a logical sub-component within the larger research goal. Within

the sub-problems, interpretation of the data must be apparent.

b. Sub-problems must add to the totality of the research problem.

c. The sub-problems should contribute to finding solutions to the main

problem.

d. Each sub-problem should be completely researchable units

amenable to testing or verification.

3. Significance of the Study

This section of the research discusses the convincing importance

of the study to the society, the government, the community, the institution,

the agency concerned, the curriculum developers, and to the researcher

as well as other researchers. There should be a convincing rationale to

justify the entire research. It expounds on the study’s probable impact to

education, science, technology, on-going researches, and the like.

Significance of the study may be established with the following:

a. Proving a theory vis-à-vis a practice

b. Expressing the study’s practical importance;

c. Using research methodologies, measurement procedures,

treatment, sampling or gaps in literature

d. Visualizing who the readers will be and how they will be benefited by

the results of the study;

e. Identifying possible contributions to the fund of knowledge; and

f. Noting possible implications

Always remember that your research must have its significance to

be able to reach its value.

4. Scope and Limitations of the Study

The delimitation of the problem sets the precise boundaries of the

problem area, the variables and the sample; what the researcher will

include and exclude. It also defines its scope or inclusive frame of

reference as well procedural limits. The setting of the problem should also

be stated in terms of geography, period covered, subjects and area

limitations. Constraints in resources, sources of data, and administrative

permission should also be included. It should describe constraints

imposed by the sampling method and recognize restrictions imposed by

the study design on the interpretation of findings. The scope and limitations

should include the following:

a. An explanation of the nature, coverage, and time frame of the study

b. The subject matter and topics studied and discussed

c. The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity

to which the data belong

 d. The population or universe from which the respondents were

selected. This must be large enough to make generalizations significant.

e. The period of the study. This is the time, either months or years

during which the data were gathered.

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References:

https://linguistic.byu.edu

Tips and Techniques in Writing a Research; Magsajo-Sarno, Emerita

G., Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc. 2010)