CHAPTER 1:

THE PROBLEM AND ITS

C

BACKGROUND
Chapter 1 should contain a
discussion of each of the following:
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Significance of the Study
Assumptions of the Study
Hypothesis
Scope and Limitation
Definition of Terms
1. Presentation of the Problem.
2. The existence of an unsatisfactory condition, a felt
problem that needs a solution.
3. Rationale of the study. Introduction
4. Historical background of the problem. This is where you
provide an
5. A desire to have deeper and cleared understanding introduction to the
of a situation, circumstance, or phenomenon. topic of your thesis:
you give the
6. A desire to find a better way of doing something or context in terms of
of improving a product. content of the
research project.
7. A desire to discover something.
The introduction of
8. Geographical condition of the study locale. should contain a
discussion of any or
9. A link between the introduction and the statement of all of the following:
the problem.
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
- This is a brief description of the issues that need to be addressed. The
statement of the problem briefly Caddresses the question: What is the
problem that the research will address?

- This is a general statement of the whole problem followed by the

specific questions or sub problems into which the general problem is
broken up.
 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
This is the foundation of the study.
C
The theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory
that explains why the research problem under study exists.
1. Existing research and its relevance for the topic
2. Key ideas or constructs on the approach Conceptual
3. Identify and discuss the variables related to the Framework
problem. This is also called
research paradigm.
4. Conceptualized relationships between variables
It consists of the
5. Independent variables (presumed cause) investigators own
position on a
6. Dependent variables (presumed effect) problem after his
exposure to various
7. Intervening variables (other variables that theories that have
influence the effect of the independent bearing on the
variable) problem.
1. The rationale, timelines, and/or relevance
of the study. Significance
of the Study
2. Possible solutions to existing problems or
It focuses on the
improvement to unsatisfactory conditions. question, Who will
benefit from the
3. Who are benefited and how they are study?
going to benefit. This section will state
the contribution of
4. Possible contribution to the fund of the study and its
knowledge. usefulness in society.
It may contain many
5. Possible implications. or all of the following:
 ASSUMPTIONS OF THE STUDY
An assumption is a belief that forms one of the bases for the research. This
belief is not to be tested or supported
C with empirical data.
 HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is a tentative
C
answer to a
research question.
 Kinds of Hypothesis
1. Non-Directional Hypothesis States that the dependent and independent
variable will have an effect on one another but it does not specify what that
effect will be. Ex: Consuming 2 grams of caffeine will alter how much sleep you
will get in hours.
2. Directional Hypothesis States that the independent variable will effect the
dependent variable and the direction of the effect in the experiment. Ex:
Consuming 2 grams of caffeine will make you sleep less than 5 hours in one
night.
3. N
ull Hypothesis States that if there is an effect between the dependent and
independent variables, it is down to chance and not an effect from the
experiment. Ex: Consuming 2 grams of caffeine will not influence how much you
sleep in one night. It depends on the participant levels of stress at the time.
Kinds of Hypothesis
The null hypothesis states
that there is no relationship
between the two variables
being studied (one variable
does not affect the other). It
states results are due to
chance and are not
significant in terms of
supporting the idea being
investigated.
The alternative hypothesis
states that there is a
relationship between the two
variables being studied (one
variable has an effect on the
other). It states that the results
are not due to chance and
that they are significant in
terms of supporting the
theory being investigated
1. A brief statement of the general purpose Scope and
of the study. Limitation
This determines the
2. The subject matter and topics studied coverage of the
and discussed. study and all the
things it will not
3. The locale of the study. cover in order to be
specific.
4. The population from which the It should include
the following:
respondents were selected.
5. The period of the study.
1. Only terms, words, or phrases which have special or
unique meanings in the study are defined.
2. Terms should be defined operationally, that is how Definition of
they are used in the study. Terms
3. The researcher may develop his own definition from This defines technical
the characteristics of the terms defined. terms based in how
they are used in the
4. Definitions may be taken from encyclopedia, books, study, specifically
magazines and newspaper articles, dictionaries, the title.
and other publications but the researcher has to This aims to provide
acknowledge the sources. the readers or future
researchers with the
5. Definitions should be brief, clear, and unequivocal basic terminologies
as possible. that are important to
understand in the
6. Acronyms should always be spelled out fully paper.
especially if it is not commonly known or if it is used
for the first time.