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RESEARCH/ THESIS/
DISSERTATION
SEMINAR-WRITESHOP
Dr. Dave Cababaro Bueno
Dean, Graduate School
Director, Research and Publications
Why Are We Here?
1.
To
define,
explain, the 4-chapter
prepare, format of a thesis/
criticize, dissertation.
propose, and
defend
Why Are We Here?
1.
To
list,
express,
interpret,
appraise,
synthesize,
and
value
other matters
related to thesis/
dissertation writing.
WHAT is RESEARCH?
 An
exploration combined with
learning.
 It
is a "detailed study of a subject
in order to discover information
or achieve a new understanding
of it."
Research
is a process of
searching, discovering, and
investigating information, as
well as collecting, interpreting,
and evaluating the information
you find.
 One
must know how to apply the
tools and techniques for finding,
evaluating, and using information
effectively— a set of skills known
as information
literacy.
Research
contributes to an
expansion of knowledge
through inquiry,
investigation or
experimentation aimed at
the discovery of facts,
theories, or laws.
Survivor Tip: To be a
successful researcher, you will
need to develop knowledge and
skills in information literacy
and research and build upon
those skills year after year.
Therefore:
RESEARCH
is a
SYSTEMATIC and
ORGANIZED way to
FIND ANSWERS to
QUESTIONS.
 SYSTEMATIC
because there
is a definite set of
procedures and steps which
you will follow. There are
certain things in the research
process that are always done in
order to get the most
accurate results.
 ORGANIZED
in that there is
a structure or method in
going about doing research.
 It
is a planned procedure, not
a spontaneous one. It is
focused and limited to a
specific scope.
 FINDING ANSWERS
end of all research.
 Whether
is the
it is the answer to a
hypothesis or even a simple
question, research is successful
when we find answers.
 QUESTIONS are central to
research. If there is no question,
then the answer is of no use.
 Research
is focused on relevant,
useful, and important
questions. Without a question,
research has no focus, drive, or
purpose.
What is a THESIS?
A
THESIS is a complete
record of an argument or a
series of arguments
combined with the
description and discussion of
research undertaken for a
graduate/ postgraduate
degree.
What is a THESIS?
 It
analyzes and synthesizes the
existing research about a
particular topic and describes
the writer’s own idea for a new
knowledge, based on the
assessment of gaps or
problems in the research
literature.
What are the Steps in the
Research Process?
“The 4-Chapter
Thesis/ Dissertation
Format”
Part 1
THESIS
ARRANGEMENT
PRELIMINARY PAGES
TITLE PAGE
 APPROVAL SHEET
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 ABSTRACT
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 LIST OF TABLES
 LIST OF FIGURES

THE TEXT: MAIN BODY

CHAPTER
1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
Introduction
Research Locale
Theoretical Framework
Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis/ Assumption
Scope and Limitation
Significance of the Study
Definition of Terms
2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Population/ Sample
Instrument
Validation of Instrument
Data Gathering Procedure
Treatment of Data
3
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
4
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
Conclusions
Recommendations
REFERENCES AND
SUPPLEMENTAL SECTIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
CURRICULUM VITAE
PRELIMINARY
PAGES
TITLE PAGE
The full title of the Thesis/ Dissertation.
 All capital letters.
 On top of the paper.
 Placed at the center in inverted pyramid
form.
 Researcher’s name (Complete).
 The program/ degree.
 Month and Year.

APPROVAL SHEET
 Contains
the endorsement statement
(with the full title of the thesis and name
of the candidate) of the Thesis Adviser;
the acceptance and approval of the
Members of the Thesis Committee; and
the Date of Oral Defense.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 An
acknowledgments page is a brief
note of appreciation for assistance given
the candidate in the research and
preparation of the thesis. The word
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS should be
centered at the top of the page.
ABSTRACT

An abstract is a concise, clear and coherent
summary of the study.

An abstract should be limited to a 200-250
word statement capturing the
relevance/purpose/importance of the study, the
methodology, and the highlights of the findings/
conclusions/ recommendations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

It is suggested that the candidate make a
temporary Table of Contents as soon as the
outline of work has been approved.

The entry and appropriate page numbers of the
Table of Contents must appear on the Table of
Contents.
LIST OF TABLES
 When
tables are used, a List of Tables
should be placed on a separate page
immediately following the Table of
Contents.
 Center
and position the heading, LIST OF
TABLES. Table numbers should be
presented. The complete table title must
be shown.
LIST OF FIGURES
 When
figures, process flow charts, or similar
schematics are used, a List of Figures should be
shown on a separate page immediately
following the List of Tables.
 Center
and position the heading, LIST OF
FIGURES. Figure numbers should be presented.
Each figure or illustration must have a legend
or title. The figure legend is presented in lowercase letters except for the first letter of the
first word, which is capitalized.
THE TEXT:
MAIN BODY
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
 Introduction
 The
introduction is the part of the
research that provides readers with
the background information or
overview of the area involving the study.
 Guiding
questions:
 Why is this an important area?
 What has been the historical
development of the topic?
 Are there different points of view
about the topic?
 Guiding
questions:
 Have there been significant
investigations, studies, or reports
concerning the topical area?
 What is the current status of the area
of your interest?
 What are the major outstanding
concerns in the general area?
Research Locale


This part describes the locale of
the study with Figure 1 as the
Location Map.
The researcher must consider only the
relevant characteristics of the
place/ locale that have something to
do with the research problem.
Theoretical Framework
 It
uses abstract concepts, facts or laws,
variables and relations that explain and
predict how observed phenomena exist
and operate in the investigation.
 The
researcher should fully discuss the
various variables relative to the field or
focus of investigation.
Statement of the Problem
 It
should provide a specific and accurate
synopsis of the overall purpose of the
study.
 The
specific problems must possess the
characteristics of SMART (Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and
Time-bound).
Research Problems

One or more sentences indicating the goal,
purpose, or overall direction of the study

General characteristics:
◦ Implies the possibility of empirical investigation
◦ Identifies a need for the research
◦ Provides focus
◦ Provides a concise overview of the research
Ways of Stating the Research
Problems
◦ General Statement of Research
Problem: typically a rather general
overview of the problem with just
enough information about the scope and
purpose of the study to provide an
initial understanding of the research.
Ways of Stating the Research
Problems
◦ Specific Research Statements
and/or Questions: more specific,
focused statements and questions that
communicate in greater detail the
nature of the study.
Assumptions/ Hypotheses
 Assumptions
are presumed as true
statement of facts related to the
research problem.
 They
are clearly stated to provide
the reader foundation in analyzing
the conclusions.
A
hypothesis represents a
declarative statement of the relations
between two or more variables.
A
researcher’s tentative prediction of
the results of the research.
 Hypotheses
are ideas to be tested.
 Considered
as the most specific
statement of a problem or objective.
 Must
be stated in a null form.
Types of Hypotheses
 Non-directional – a statement that
no relationship or difference exists
between the variables.
 Directional – a statement of the
expected direction of the relationship
or difference between variables.
Types of Hypotheses
Non-Directional
Directional
There is no relationship
between Math attitudes
and Math achievement.
There is a strong positive
relationship between Math
attitudes and Math
achievement.
There is no difference in Students using technology will
the achievement of
have higher levels of
students using technology achievement than students
or not using it.
who are not using it.
Scope and Limitations
 The
scope explains the focus
(general problem) of the study as
well as the range of the study in
terms of geographical location, time
frame, samples, areas, dimensions
and others.
Limitations
- these are
constraints to the study that are
beyond your control but that
may influence the data.
Limitations
may emerge at any
time during your study.

Delimitations - deliberately selfimposed constraints on the research.

You define the boundaries in the
problem area within which the study
will be done, and the population or
situation to which the findings may
apply.
Significance of the Study
 This
section provides answers as to
what the study will contribute. It
should specifically state the value of
the study.
 Why
is this study important to?
Definition of Terms
 There
are two ways in defining the
key terms namely, conceptual or
operational.
 In
conceptual, the meaning of the
term is usually taken from the
dictionary (source).
Definition of Terms
 In
Operational, the definition is
based on an observed characteristics
and how it is used in the study.
 The
terms must be arranged in
alphabetical order.
Chapter 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 The
purpose of this chapter is to provide,
in detail, clear and understandable
statements describing EVERY STEP you
will take in carrying out your study.
 It
explains the research method/ design
and its appropriateness to the study.
Research Design
 If
the study is descriptive research, you
have to choose one of the types of
descriptive research.
 If
the research is experimental, you have to
choose the right design.
 If
the study is qualitative, you have explain
the specific procedure/ technique
Types of Research Design
Research Designs
Quantitative
Non-Experimental
Qualitative
Case Study
Concept Analysis
Phenomenaology
Historical Analysis
Experimental
Descriptive
True
Ethnography
Comparative
Quasi
Grounded Theory
Correlational
Single Subject
Causal Comparative
Analytical Study
Mixed Method
Population/Sample/(Participants, if
qualitative)
 Carefully
identify the sample and describe in
detail the manner in which it was chosen.
 if
you are including all possible subjects, you are
dealing with a population. In this case, you
describe the characteristics of the population.
Participant/ Subject/ Sample
 Participant
or Subject
◦ Person from whom data are collected.
 Sample
◦ The collective group of subjects or
participants from whom data are collected.
Instrument (Data Collection, if
qualitative)
 Identify
each instrument you will use
to measure the variables in the study.
There should be a separate subsection
for each instrument.
Instrument (Data Collection, if
qualitative)

Information should be provided regarding
the development of the instrument, the
history of its use, data regarding its validity
and reliability, data regarding how the
instrument is administered and scored and
anything else that will give insight into its
appropriateness.
Instrument (Data Collection, if
qualitative)
 Additionally, provide
a rationale for the
selection of your instruments.
 Generally, a
copy of the instrument
should be included in the appendix (for
the proposal and the final thesis).
Data Gathering Procedure
 Describe
each and every step taken to do the
study.
 It
is a type of "road map" that others must
follow if they choose to replicate your study.
 If
you are conducting qualitative inquiry,
explain your data collection procedures.
Data Gathering Procedure

Include the steps you took to contact the
concerned people, how you obtained their
cooperation, how the instruments(s) were
administered, how the data was handled as it
was returned, how follow-ups were handled, etc.

Copies of all letters, instruction sheets, etc.
should be placed in the appendices.
Treatment of Data

The statistical parameters are discussed together
with the principle for testing the significance
of the measured data.

Specify the procedures you will use, and label
them accurately (Percentage, Mean, z-Test, tTest, Pearson Rank, ANOVA, etc).

Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will
have available and expect to use (e.g.,
SPSS).
Chapter 3
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
 Tell
the reader how you have organized the
findings. Typically, you would organize them
around your study's research questions or
hypotheses.
 There
should be an analysis of each section
and tables/charts included.

The narrative portion of the section should
stand on its own Tables/ Charts.

Other illustrations should only verify or
elaborate points made in the text.

The discussion part should present the
principles, relationship and generalization
shown by the results.
The
results need to be
compared and
interpreted with those in
previously published
works (Studies and Literature
review).
Interpretation & Discussion

This gives you an opportunity to move beyond the
data with inferences and implications.

Guiding questions:
Have you provided an overview of the significant
findings of the study?
Have you discussed the findings and compared
them to existing research studies?
Have you presented implications of the study for
education?
Have you discussed the applications of your
findings?
Chapter 4
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Summary - this is an overview of the
study and not a summary of your findings.
Restate the problem, research questions,
hypotheses and a short summary of the
procedures you followed in conducting your
study.
Conclusions - these are the
conclusions you draw from your findings.
Number the conclusions. The
conclusions must relate directly to the
findings.
Recommendations - these should be
based on the conclusions. Number the
Recommendations.

Guiding questions are:
Are the recommendations concisely and precisely
stated?
Are the recommendations justified by the data
gathered?
Does the study suggest related problems that
need to be investigated?
Are your recommendations data-based and stem
directly from the data and the conclusions?
REFERENCES
AND
SUPPLEMENTAL
SECTIONS
REFERENCES

The list of references contains sources
consulted during the course of your research

Follow APA (American Psychological
Association, 6th ed.) referencing style
carefully.

Include only the sources that were used in the
study.
APPENDICES

Appendices are labeled Appendix A, Appendix B,
etc.

One appendix might include the raw data from
the study when appropriate.

One appendix might include copies of materials
or instruments used in the study when
appropriate.
CURRICULUM VITAE
 This
section gives the biographical information
of the researcher. A curriculum vitae is a longer
(two or more pages), more detailed synopsis
than a resume.
 It
includes a summary of your educational and
academic background, as well as teaching and
research experience, publications,
presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, and
other details.
Part 2
THESIS FORMAT AND
APPEARANCE
Suggestions about Thesis
Form and Style

One official guide should be followed
consistently for form and style throughout the
thesis.

Students are urged to become familiar with
contents before beginning to write. Frequent
reference to the guide may spare the candidate
much revision and rewriting.
General Formatting
Guidelines
 The
specific requirements, which follow,
supersede guidelines in any other
publication.
TITLE
 Your
document begins with its title
centered on page one.
 Titles
longer than one line should be
single-spaced.
PAPER AND PRINTING

White paper, 8 1/2 x 11 inches, must be used. A
letter-quality laser printer should be used for printing
the thesis.

Good quality (black and white only) photocopies are
also acceptable. Print must be clear and distinct with
clean, sharp letters, and even blackness throughout.

The thesis is to be printed on only one side of the
paper.
FONT (TYPE)

One type style must be used throughout the text
of the manuscript.

The type must be Times New Roman.

Broken, colored or faint print is not acceptable
for text.

Figures, tables and their titles as well as appendix
material are not considered text of the
manuscript and be different type styles.
FONT (TYPE)

One type size must be 14 point.

Major headings must be 14 point and in
boldface.

Tables, figures and their titles are not
considered text and can vary in point size.
MARGINS

A margin of one-inch (1) must be provided at
bottom, and right-hand sides of each page and
a margin of one and one-half (1.5) inches on
the top and left-hand side of each page.

All writing (text, tables, figures, appendixes,
etc.) must be placed within the margins (with
the exception of the page numbers).
SPACING

The text of the manuscript must be double-spaced.

Block quotations, tables, figure legends, lists in text, and
table and figure titles can be single-spaced.

Headings and subheadings must have at least two full
lines of body text below them.

If only one line of text fits below a heading, move the
heading to the next page.
SPACING

Use single spacing in the following situations:
◦ For headings longer than one line
◦ For figure titles/legends
◦ For bibliographical and reference citations
◦ For direct quoted material
◦ For items listed within the body of the text
(optional)
BLOCKED QUOTES

Use Blocked Quotes for quoted material
longer than three lines.

Use the smaller font size (12 point).

Single-space the quotation, and indent it
evenly on both sides.

There is no need to justify quotations.
PAGINATION
 Each
page must be numbered.
 For
the preliminary pages such as the Approval
Sheet, Acknowledgements, Abstract,, Table of
Contents, etc., use small Roman Numbers (iii, iv,
v, etc.). These numbers should be centered at
the bottom of the page.
 The
 The
printed numbering should begin with iii.
title page counts as i (one), the approval
sheet as ii (two), but these numbers do not
appear.
PAGINATION
 For
the remaining part of the thesis, including
the text, illustrations, bibliography, and
appendices, use Arabic Numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.).
 The
numbering begins with 1 and runs
consecutively to the end of the thesis and
should be placed at the top right-hand corner.
 On
pages carrying a major heading, such as the
first page of a chapter, the page number should
be counted but do not appear on the page.
TABLES, GRAPHS, AND
ILLUSTRATIONS

Tables are numbered with numerals (1, 2, 3, 4,
etc.) and the title is placed at the top of the
Table. Any calculations must be carefully
checked. Illustrative material drawn in dark ink
will reproduce satisfactorily.

Lines on a graph/ tables should be identified by
labels or symbols rather than colors.
TABLE CAPTION

Are located above the table, on the same
page as the table.

Table captions should contain the illustration
number, i.e., Table 1 and its title.

You may number tables consecutively
throughout the text or within the chapter
(Table 1 ).
CORRECTION OF ERRORS

Erasures, the use of correction fluid and
corrections made by hand, or by strikeover,
are not acceptable.

If the thesis has pages where excessive
corrections are obvious, the thesis will not be
accepted by the GS Office and CHED.
REFERENCES
 Use
the same font size as within the text.
 Single-space
each citation, and use
adequate and consistent spacing ( one
line) between citations.
Part 3
THE FINAL
MANUSCRIPT
 After
the thesis has been defended and
approved by the committee, the student
makes arrangements for word processing
of the final manuscript.
 The
final copy of the thesis is then
submitted to the Dean for approval.
Proofreading

This essential requirement is the candidate's
responsibility.

All materials, submitted for examination should
represent the candidate's best efforts, and should
be carefully proofread for errors in grammar,
spelling, punctuation, word processing format etc.

It is worth emphasizing that the quality of
typescript is the sole responsibility of the
candidate.
Copy Permission

The completed thesis is the property of the
College. The right to publish and copyright the
thesis shall remain with the author.

After the oral defense, the author of the thesis
shall sign a form authorizing the College to
make copies, at its discretion, of the thesis
upon request by individuals or institutions or
for publication.
Copy Permission

However, extensive quotation or further
reproduction of the thesis by persons or agencies
other than the University may not be made
without the express permission of the writer.
When the University lacks signed permission
from authors to copy theses (as will be the case,
for example, for theses accepted before this
policy took effect), the University will seek such
permission when these copies are requested by
individuals or institutions.
Important Note:
 Do
not use previously approved
theses as a guide to the preparation
of the manuscript unless it exactly
meets the current requirements/
guidelines. This current guidelines will
be enforced.
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU!!!