Reviewer in PR1 for the 3rd Grading Examination

What is RESEARCH?
Research is an organized investigation and study of materials and sources to create
facts and reach new inferences. Research has come up with developing appropriate solutions
to improve the individual’s quality of life. Although it may take place in a different setting and
may use different methods, scientific research is universally a systematic and objective search
for reliable knowledge (Walker, 2010).
Research is a verified approach of thinking and employing legalized instruments and
steps to obtain a more adequate solution to a problem that is otherwise impossible to address
under ordinary means (Crawford, as cited by Alcantara & Espina, 1995).
In most cases, research helps society to answer the WHAT and HOW questions. It
must be a proper investigation and should reach a valid conclusion that would facilitate the
finding of answers to the questions. Some of these questions are: How can research affect
society? What is the impact of the research to daily life?
Research can be categorized into two:
Basic Research
This is the type of research that is a purely direct
application but increasing the nature of
understanding about the problem. It develops the
scientific theories to be more understandable to the
readers.
Applied Research
It is a type of research that needs an answer to a
specific question. It provides solutions and
validation in order to apply to the real setting

CHARACTERISTICS, PROCESSES, AND ETHICS IN RESEARCH

Prieto, et.al. (2017) stated that the following are the major characteristics of research:
1. EMPIRICAL - is based on observations and experiments of theories.
2. SYSTEMATIC - follows orderly and sequential procedures, based on valid
procedures and principles.
3. CONTROLLED - In research, all variables, except those that are tested/
experimented on, are kept constant.
4. EMPLOYS HYPOTHESIS - refers to a search for facts, answers to questions and
solutions to problems.
5. ANALYTICAL - shows analytical procedures in gathering the data, whether
historical, descriptive, and or case study.
6. OBJECTIVE - it is unbiased and logical. All findings are logically based on real-life
situations.
7. ORIGINAL WORK - it requires its own examination and produces the data needed to
complete the study.
It is said that research can be done in different ways. It can be either a well-planned
and methodical process that is based on keen observation and concrete and valid evaluation.
Integration is the best way to evaluate the validity of a certain study.
Prieto, et.al. (2017) also added that the following are involved in the Research
Processes:
1. DEFINE RESEARCH PROBLEM: What is the problem?
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE: What evidence is already presented?
3. FORMULATING HYPOTHESIS: How are we going to find/look for the answer to
questions being studied?
4. RESEARCH DESIGN: Where will the study be shown and with what population?
5. COLLECTING DATA: Are we ready to gather the data? Where do we find the data?
6. ANALYZING DATA: How do the data answer the research queries?
7. INTERPRET AND REPORT: What are the implications of the results?
According to Resnik, 2007, ethical norms are significant in conducting research
studies as explained in the following:
First, ethics promotes the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and credibility. It also fosters
values that are essential to collaborative work.
Second, ethical norms help individuals to be accountable in every act that the
researcher/s undertake.
Third, ensure that researchers are held accountable to the public.
Lastly, an ethical norm in research also needs public awareness. This can be evaluated
by the researcher before conducting the study because this may help a certain
population in an area once the study is completed.
Ethical Codes and Policies for Research, Resnik, 2007
Given the importance of ethics in the conduct of a research, you will follow codes and
policies for research:
Honesty
Maintain all communication. Data should not be faked.
Objectivity
Avoid biases in experimental designs, data analysis,
interpretation, expert testimony, and other aspects of
research.
Integrity
Keep your promises and agreements.
Carefulness
Avoid careless errors and negligence.
Openness
Share data, results, ideas and tools. Be open to criticism and
new ideas.
Confidentiality
Protect confidential communication.
Responsible Publication Avoid duplicating publications.
Responsible Mentoring Help to educate, mentor, and advise others.
Respect Colleagues
Treat all peers fairly.
Social Responsibility
Strive to promote social good. Avoid social harm.
Non- Discrimination
avoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the
basis of sex, races, ethnicity, and or others.
Legality
Be informed and obey relevant laws and institutional
governmental policies.
Respect of Intellectual
Property
Give proper acknowledgment or credits to all researchers.
Human Subject
Minimize risks that involve human lives, dignity, and privacy
KINDS OF RESEARCH:
QUANTITATIVE VERSUS QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
There are two categories of research methodology:
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH - is a
positivist scientific method which refers
to a general set of orderly discipline
procedures to acquire information (Beck,
2004).
Mostly, it is concerned with numbers and
measurement.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH - is defined
as the “naturalistic method of research
which deals with the concern of human
difficulty by discovering it straightly.”
(Beck, 2004)
It is concerned with the experiences,
understanding and words of the
individual.
The following are some examples of titles and abstract studies in different strands in
Senior High School.
Information and Commuication Technology (ICT)
Why Does the Use of Social Network Site (SNS) Make Users Happy? A Qualitative Analysis
Dogan, Ugur; Uysal, Humeyra; Sidekli, Sabri International Journal of Educational
Methodology, v4 n3 p109-124 2018
This study investigated the reasons why the usage of Social Network Sites (SNS)
makes users happy. To this end, the study was conducted with as a qualitative research
method. The phenomenological design, which is a qualitative research method, was utilized
for determining why SNS usage cause happiness and having a better understanding of how
SNS users describe SNSs and what they feel about it. The study group was composed of 137
university students (60 males and 77 females) attending the Faculty of Education, Faculty of
Science, Faculty of Literature, and Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at a
university in the southwestern of Turkey. A structured, open-ended interview was used as the
data collection instrument. The contributors were asked the question "Why does SNS usage
cause happiness?" and their answers were retrieved. The answers were encoded and entered
to the NVivo software to conduct analyses. Based on the most frequent answers of the
participants, three different experts were consulted, and seven themes were created
accordingly. These seven themes include Need for Stroke, Self-Concealment, Ease of
Interaction, Ease of Accessing and Disseminating Information, Ease of Shopping, Leisure
Activity, and Fear of Missing Out. Subcategories were also created for these seven themes.
It was concluded that the theme of FoMO is nourished by all other themes.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Black Undergraduate Women and Their Sense of Belonging in STEM at Predominantly
White Institutions
Dortch, Deniece; Patel, Chirag NASPA Journal About Women in Higher Education, v10 n2
p202-215 201712
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 1
Because little work exists on the sense of belonging focusing on just Black
undergraduate women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), especially at
highly selective predominantly white institutions (PWIs), this study takes a phenomenological
approach to understand the lived experiences of Black undergraduate women in STEM by
exploring how racial and gendered micro-aggressions influence how three African American
women majoring in the sciences experience sense of belonging at PWIs. A phenomenological
inductive analysis was used to compile the research findings, which indicated that racial and
gender discrimination, isolation, marginalization, and alienation resulting from micro
aggressions occurred. Implications for inclusive practices are discussed.
Arts and Design
Social Phenomenological Analysis as a Research Method in Art Education: Developing
an Empirical Model for Understanding Gallery Talks, Hofmann, Fabian International Journal
of Education & the Arts, v17 n33 Dec 2016
Social phenomenological analysis is presented as a research method to study gallery
talks or guided tours in art museums. The research method is based on the philosophical
considerations of Edmund Husserl and sociological/social science concepts put forward by
Max Weber and Alfred Schuetz. Its starting point is the everyday life world; the researcher
interprets the phenomena that can be observed there as an individual, intersubjective
accessible reflection of subjective meaning. This approach is suitable for research projects
that seek correlations and structures of certain typical situations in domains that are
theoretically few restructured. The article explains the methodological principles, the use and
the profit of this research method.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Challenging Normative Assumptions Regarding Disengaged Youth: A Phenomenological
Perspective
Lewthwaite, Brian; Wilson, Kimberley; Wallace, Valda; McGinty, Sue; Swain, Luke
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education (QSE), v30 n4 p388-405 2017
This paper explored the experiences of 12 young people, all teenagers, who have
chosen to attend alternative schools known as flexible learning options within the Australian
context. Using a phenomenological approach, the study seeks to understand their experiences
outside the normalized public discourse that they had "disengaged" from mainstream school.
A phenomenological approach is employed because of its potential to draw attention to
predetermined assumptions about, in this study's case, student disengagement, a concept
commonly framed within a pathologist and deficit perspective. The study gives evidence for
the utility of a phenomenological approach in providing insight into how macrosystem policy,
such as a nationalistic neoliberal agenda, influences "schooling" and subsequently students'
experiences with schools.
The implications of this study with attention to the nexus between methodology and
policy are discussed, especially in drawing attention to how phenomenology as a qualitative
methodology provides a means of agency for the disenfranchised to challenge existing policy
and public assumptions.
Sports
Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Experiences in Physical Education and Youth Sport
Na, Jaekwon Physical Educator, v72 n1 2015
The purpose of this study was to examine parents' perceptions of their children's 13
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 1
experiences in physical education and youth sport. Qualitative research design was employed
in this study. Data collection methods included phenomenological interviews and qualitative
questionnaires. Forty-one questionnaires were collected and analyzed through inductive
analysis method to identify themes. Ten parents (either father or mother) participated in the
interview process. Parents indicated aspects of physical education classes (learning life skills,
playing time, and health promotion) and aspects of youth sport (learning life skills and health
promotion). Parents believed that their children learned more from youth sport than physical
education because of deeper understanding in one sport, children's choice of activities, and
parental involvement.
Agriculture
Reflective Journeys of Five Women Agriculturists in Australia: A Qualitative Study
Stephens, Carrie A.; Brawner, Shelby; Dean, Amanda; Stripling, Christopher T.; Sanok,
Danielle Journal of Agricultural Education, v59 n1 p271-286 2018
Women comprise the minority in production agriculture leadership, and their leadership
roles in agricultural industries are rarely explored. The purpose of this study was to explore
the reflective journeys of five Australian women in production agriculture. The central research
questions asked were "What lived experiences helped you obtain your leadership position and
what leadership characteristics do you identify as essential in your success?" This study used
a phenomenological approach, as reflecting upon the subjects past cultural experiences was
crucial in understanding their current positions in life and leadership. Five women in agriculture
from Australia served as the participants for this study, and they were selected based upon
their leadership presence in Australia. Specific themes were generated which included (a)
childhood experiences, (b) current family dynamics, (c) hardship, and (d) perception of
leadership style. The perception of leadership style is further divided into three sub-themes:
(a) self-perception of leadership, (b) leading by example, and (c) outreach efforts for women
in the industry. The five women whose personal journeys were explored are primarily
concerned with improving the knowledge given to them and presenting new opportunities to
other women when they can. Some recommendations for future research are "What are the
reflective journey stories of women agriculturists in the United States?", "What are reflective
journey stories of men engaged in agriculture industries?" and "What mentoring strategies are
being utilized to recruit and retain women in agriculture industry fields?
Kinds of Qualitative Research
Below are the kinds of qualitative research that you may venture on. Your choice of
conducting a qualitative research study depends on your interest, on the issues and
concerns need to be addressed in the community, and on your curiosity as an individual.
Phenomenology
It is the study of how people give meaning to their experiences, like the death of
loved ones, care for the people, and friendliness of the people.
Ethnography
It is understanding of how a particular cultural group goes about their daily lives which
includes their organizational set-up, internal operations, and lifestyle.
Grounded theory
This occurs when a researcher discovers a new theory based on the data collected.
It is a research methodology for discovering theory in a substantive area.
Case study
This study involves an investigation of a person, group, organization, or situation for a
long period of time to explain why such things occur to the subject under study. Some
examples of this type of study are the fields of social care, nursing, psychology, rehabilitation
centers, education, etc.
Content and Discourse Analysis
This method requires the examination or analysis of the substance or content of the
communication that takes place through letters, books, journals, photos, video recordings,
short message services, online messages, emails, audio-visual materials, etc.
Historical Analysis
This is the study of primary documents to explain the connection of past events to the
present time. An example of this is explaining the happenings during the Marcos regime.
Characteristics and Uses of Qualitative Research
∙ Qualitative research takes place in a natural setting like home, school, institution, or
community. Researchers gain actual experiences of the research participants.
∙ It focuses on participants’ perceptions and experiences (Franenkel and Wallen, 1988 in
Creswell, 2013)
∙ Researchers are sensitive to participants’ needs and participants are actively engaged in
the process.
∙ Data are collected through observation, interviews, documents, e-mails, blogs, videos,
etc.
∙ It may result in changes in research questions after new discoveries occur. ∙ It develops
from a specific to a general understanding of concepts.
∙ It is a process of describing a situation, analyzing data for themes or categories, and
making interpretations or drawing conclusions.
∙ It may be subjected to the researcher’s personal interpretation.
∙ The researchers, as a primary instrument in data collection, view social phenomena and
situations holistically.
Strengths of Qualitative Research
1. Issues can be analyzed through detailed and deep examination.
2. Interviews are not being delimited to specific questions and can be guided/redirected
by the researcher along the process.
3. The research framework and direction can be easily revised as new information
emerges.
4. The obtained data from human experience is powerful and sometimes more interesting
than quantitative data.
5. Data usually are collected from a few cases or individuals so findings cannot be
generalized to a larger population. Findings can however be transferable to another
setting. 7
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 2
Weaknesses of Qualitative Research
1. Research quality is heavily dependent on the researcher’s skills and may be influenced
by the researcher's outlooks.
2. The volume of data makes analysis and interpretation time-consuming.
3. It is sometimes hard to prove.
4. The researcher's presence during data gathering, which is often unavoidable in
qualitative research, can affect the subjects' attitudes towards the process.
5. Issues of anonymity and confidentiality can bring/result in problems when presenting
findings.
6. Findings can be more difficult and take time to visualize.
Importance of Qualitative Research across Different Fields
Qualitative Research in Education
To better understand research in education, Green and Bloome (1997) gave a
distinction between Ethnography of education and Ethnography in education.
Ethnography of education seeks to understand what counts as education for members
of a particular group while ethnography in education studies about social and cultural
dynamics of a school or classroom. An example is how teaching styles match the learning
styles of students.
They concluded that ethnographic practice-like any set of social and cultural practices
are ways that people in a certain place react to each other to pursue an agenda: including
research agenda, educational agenda, and social, cultural, and instructional change agenda.
An example of this study is how students react to the evaluation of their academic performance.
Qualitative research is important as it navigates towards the improvement of
performance in education.
Qualitative Research in Technical Communication
Qualitative research can also be used in studying the effective use of technology in the
workplace to ensure a smooth flow of communication. This can be conducted using focus
groups.
Technical communications under study can be in the forms of e-mail, fax messaging,
video and voice conferencing, intranet and extranet, jargon, and graphics.
The advancement in technical communication is a product of exploration using
qualitative research.
Qualitative Research in Psychology
According to Braun and Clarke (2013), the qualitative research paradigm in psychology
has been emerging since the second half of the nineteenth century.
Psychology has been strongly shaped by the behavioral and cognitive traditions within
which psychology should seek to understand and determine an observable, objective
psychological reality. An example of this is, psychologists seek to understand why some
students lack the motivation to go to school and why some students resort to bullying and the
like.
Understanding the psychological processes and how they affect society is the
contribution of qualitative research.
11 CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 212 CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 2
Qualitative Research in Advertising
Morrison et al. say that great advertising comes along from an understanding of
consumer’s wants and needs. Further, they say that qualitative research approaches, or
methods useful in advertising have been used by advertising researchers.
The stated connection of understanding the connection between advertising and
consumers’ preferences can be explained through qualitative research.
Qualitative Research in Social Work
Conducting research under social work means studying people’s experiences especially
what they found traumatic and painful. This can be done by analyzing interview data and
narratives which has four broad categories:
1. Knowledge-direct remembering and reliving, with complete details of the events
2. Awareness of mental process: awareness of emotions and of cognitive processes
3. Awareness of identity- awareness of values and the construction of personal
characteristics of each partner and of the couple as a unit
4. Alienation-refusal to observe, reflect or remember
Qualitative Research in Marketing
Historically, qualitative research in marketing is influenced by social research and has
embedded projective devices within the approach of in-depth interview.
The more modern qualitative marketing studies use the grounded theory approach. For
example, Flint, Woodruff, and Guardial (2002, as cited in Belk, 20016) studied customers at
different levels in US automobile manufacturing.
Thus, by thorough investigation through research, marketing strategies are improved
for better return of investment.
Qualitative Research in International Business
Business establishments use methods like participant observation, content analysis
focus groups, narrative interviews, and “hidden” methods such as archival research (Marschan,
Pekkari & Welch, 2004).
In this manner, business establishments can collect reliable information and come to a
decision of improving their ways and processes.
Designing a research is similar to making a house, car, bag, dress, cake, etc. which needs
appropriate materials and necessary process or steps to follow. Then, you have to consider
whether what you intend to make or invent has significance to you as a person. Otherwise, your
efforts will not be put to use.
In designing your qualitative research, you have to consider whether the topic you have
chosen is relevant to you as a learner, as a constituent in your barangay, and as a citizen of this
country.
Therefore, the first question you should answer is, “What is the issue, phenomenon or
problem in my school, at home, and in the community that needs my special attention by
conducting a research?”
Examples:
1. In School
Based on observation, what are the issues and problems I encounter inside
the classroom? Is it the lesson, teachers, learners’ attitude and hindrances to
graduation?
2. At Home
Considering my life on a daily basis, what are the things that bother me at
home?
3. In the Community
What are the usual complaints of my neighbor regarding ordinances,
practices and activities in the barangay? Or, what are the situations in my
community that need to be improved?
Once you have decided on area where you can focus on, you need to remember
the design of the qualitative research you will venture into.
Design of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is an emergent design which means that it emerges as you make
ongoing decisions about what you have learned.
As a design, qualitative research requires researcher’s decision-making like how to gather
data, from where and whom to collect, when to gather, and for how long is the process will be.
To have a holistic picture of qualitative research project, you have to remember that in
deciding on a topic, you have to consider the kind and the field it belongs, as well as its
relevance
to your daily life.
Guidelines in Choosing a Topic
1. Interest in the subject matter
You are interested about the topic because you have experienced it.
2. Availability of information
It is important that when you decide on a topic, sources of information are available.
3. Timeliness and relevance of the topic
The topic you have chosen can be of significance to the community.
4. Limitations on the subject
Sometimes, topic is limited to what the teacher suggests. An example of this is when the
teacher asks the entire class to focus on COVID-19 pandemic, then you have no freedom
to explore other topics aside from what is given.
5. Personal resources
Consider also if you can finish the research in terms of your intellectual and financial
physical capabilities.
Topics to be Avoided
1. Controversial topics
Avoid highly opinionated topics.
2. Highly technical subjects
Too technical topics requires expertise. If you don’t have enough knowledge about it, then
look for another one.
3. Hard-to-investigate subjects
Unavailability of reading materials and materials that are not updated make the subject
hard to investigate.
4. Too broad subjects
You lack focus if you deal with broad topics. The remedy is to narrow it down.
5. Too narrow subject
Some subjects are too narrow that extensive and thorough reading are required.
6. Vague subjects
Titles that start with indefinite adjectives such as several, many, some, etc., make the topic
vague.
Sources of Research Topics
1. Mass media communication-television, newspaper, ads, radio, films, etc.
2. Books, internet, journals, government publications
3. Professional periodicals- specialized periodicals in different fields
4. General periodicals- Reader’s Digest, Time Magazine, Women’s Magazine, etc.
5. Previous readings
6. Work experience9
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 3
Examples of Research Topics and their Sources
Possible Area of Research Source
Topic
1. Social Problems
Magazines, journals, social
media, books, newspapers,
Cyberbullying and coping
mechanisms among senior high
school students
2. Wide Reading/Critical
Film Viewing
Varied reading materials- books,
journals, magazines, newspaper,
videos and documentaries
SONA as information campaign of
the President’s programs and
projects
3. Social Networking
Social Media: Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter
Functionality of social media
among students during the
pandemic
4. Replication of research
Compilation of research in the
library
Inadequacies of private schools in
the K to 12 implementations
5. Gray Areas about
issues, phenomena,
etc.
Lectures, Talks, Seminars
The
fallacy about COVID-
19 vaccines
How to Narrow Down a Topic
1. You can narrow down the topic by exploring and extending the explanation of a theory.
2. Talk over ideas with people who know research.
3. Focus on specific group. Ex: Students, Mothers, Teachers
4. Define the aim or desired outcome of the study.
a. Is the study exploratory, explanatory, or descriptive?
b. Is the study applied or basic?
Before deciding on your topic, ask:
1. What areas are not yet explored that I want to investigate?
2. Is my research useful to me, to my school, to my family and to my community?
Remember, a research study must be significant enough to make it worth your
efforts as the researcher.
Example of a Broad Topic Narrowed Down to Specific One
General Concept: Early Pregnancy
Narrow:
Early Pregnancy among Senior High School Students
Narrow:
Prevention of Early Pregnancy among Senior High School Students
More Examples of broad and specific topics:
Broad
Specific
Lack of Self-esteem
Lack of Self-Esteem among Introverts: Remedies and
Intervention
Drug Addiction
Health Hazards of Vaping: Prevention and Intervention
Suicide
Suicidal Teenagers in Urban Areas: A Case Study
COVID-19
Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of COVID-1910
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 3
Now, we will tackle how you will formulate your research title.
⮚ Research title is the most important element of your research as it clearly expresses the
problem to be explored.
⮚ A research title capsulizes the main thought or idea of the whole research paper. It also
reflects the variables under study.
⮚ It is expressed in few words possible and just enough to describe the contents and the
purpose of your research.
⮚ It needs to be informative.
⮚ It contains the:
● What: the subject matter or topic to be investigated
● Where: place or locale where the research is to be conducted
● Who: the participants of respondents of the study
● When: the time period of the conduct of the study
Examples:
● Struggles in Online Learning Modality among Students of Quezon National High School
during School Year 2021-2021
What:
Struggles in Online Learning Modality
Where:
Quezon National High School
Who:
Students
When:
School Year 2021-2021
● Less Mastered Competencies of Senior High School Students in Bukidnon during School
Year 2020-2021
What:
Less Mastered Competencies
Where:
Bukidnon
Who:
Senior High School Students
When:
School Year 2020-2021
In qualitative research, it is not necessary to complete the data on what, where, who, and
when in the title. Consider the research titles below.
● Study Habits of Senior High School Students in Public Schools of Bukidnon
● Understanding the Academic Journey of Senior High School Students
● The Pulse of the People on the Leadership Style of President Rodrigo R. Duterte
● Phenomenology of Pioneering Senior High School Students in Private Schools
● Body Tattoo: Is it an Art?
Formulating Research Questions
The questions that you ask in your research will determine the data that you want
to have, answer, and specify in Chapter 4. Hence, it is a crucial stage to attain your
research objective. Research questions help writers focus their research by providing a
path through the research and writing process. You should ask a question about an
issue
that you are genuinely curious and/or passionate about. The question you ask should
be
developed for the discipline you are studying. A question directed towards Literature, for
instance, is different from an appropriate one in Mathematics to Biology.
Let’s get into the details
A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is
the initial step in a research project. The research question is the first active step in the
research project. Let us use this metaphor--the research project is a house. Your data
collection forms the walls, and your hypothesis that guides your data collection is the
foundation. So, what is the research question? It is the ground beneath the foundation.
It
is what everything in a research project is built on. Without a question, you can't have a
hypothesis. Without the hypothesis, you won't know how to study what you're interested
in.
A research question forms the base of where you are going, so we have to write a
good research question. If your foundation is built on something shifty, like a house built
on sand, then everything following that will be about correcting that initial issue instead
of
on making an awesome home/research project.
Writing a Research Question
Writing a good research question means you have something you want to study.
Let's say you're interested in the effects of television. We will examine the steps and
then
look at how you could write a research question. 15
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 3
✔Specify your specific concern or issue
✔Decide what you want to know about the specific concern or issue
✔Turn what you want to know and the specific concern into a question
✔Ensure that the question is answerable
✔Check to make sure the question is not too broad or too narrow
✔ This is the basic process in writing a research question. Writing a good
question will result in a better research project.
A research question should be (from the Writing Center of George Mason
University):
✔ Clear. It provides enough specifics that one’s audience can easily understand its
purpose without needing additional explanation.
✔ Focused. It is narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly in the space the
writing task allows.
✔ Concise. It is expressed in the fewest possible words.
✔ Complex. It is not answerable with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but rather requires
synthesis and analysis of ideas and sources prior to composition of an answer.
✔ Arguable. Its potential answers are open to debate rather than accepted facts.
Writing the Thesis Statement
Every paper you write should have a main
point, a main idea, or central message.
The argument(s) you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence
that
captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement.
A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or
two sentences. It should present
the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the
topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also
help
guide your writing and keep your argument foc
used.
Please check for the following examples for reference:
Unclear: How should social networking sites address the harm they cause?
Clear: What action should social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook
take to protect users’ personal information and privacy?
The unclear version of this question doesn’t specify which social networking sites
or suggests what kind of har
m the sites might be causing. It also assumes that this
‘harm’ is proven and/or accepted.
Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming?
Focused: What is the most significant effect of glacial melting on the lives of
penguins in Antarctica?.
The unfocused research question is so broad that it couldn’t be
adequately
answered in a book length piece. While the focused version narrows down to a
specific effect of global warming, a specific place and a specific animal that is
affected. 16
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 3
You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer
essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your
reader
a sense of direction.
Tip: In order to write a successful thesis statement:
A. Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in
the paper.
B. Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words.
C. Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “The point
of my paper is…”
Tips in Writing Clear Thesis:
Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing: it needs to be as clear as
possible.
By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your
reader
understands exactly what you mean.
Tip: In order to be as clear as possible in your writing:
✔Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical language. Always avoid
jargon, unless you are confident your audience will be familiar with it.
✔Avoid vague words such as "interesting,” "negative, "exciting,” "unusual," and
"difficult."
✔Avoid abstract words such as "society," “values,” or “culture.”
Please see these examples on how to improve your thesis:
Original thesis:
There are serious objections to today's horror movies.
Revised theses:
Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more
graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence.
The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both men and
women.
Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s horror
films did.17
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 3
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
THE SCOPE OF YOUR STUDY
The scope of study in your research paper contains the explanation of what
information or subject is being analyzed. It is followed by an explanation of the limitation
of the research. Research usually limited in scope by sample size, time and geographic
area; while the delimitation of study is the description of the scope of study. It will
explain
why definite aspects of a subject were chosen and why other were excluded. It also
mentions the research method used as well as the certain theories applied to the data.
YOUR STUDY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
Writing a research paper has its purpose-- may it be for you (as a researcher) or
even for others. That is why, you need to identify the key reason/s why you are taking a
step forward and make your query into a formal writing. In this stage, your ‘WHYs’ and
‘HOWs’ will be answered and explained. Before taking this step, read the following
notes:
Tips in Writing the Significance of the Study (Regoniel, 2015)
A. Refer to the statement of the problem
Your problem statement can guide you in identifying the specific contribution of
your study. You can do this by observing a one-to-one correspondence between the
statement of the problem and the significance of the study.
For example, if you ask the question ‘Is there a significant relationship between the
teacher’s teaching style and the students’ long quiz scores in Mathematics?’ then the
contribution of your research would probably be a teaching style or styles that can
help students perform better in Mathematics. Your research will demonstrate that
teaching style really works. That could be a groundbreaking approach that will change
the way teachers teach Mathematics which students are hesitant of.
B. Write from general to specific contribution
Write the significance of the study by looking into the general contribution of your
study, such as its importance to society as a whole, then proceed downwards--towards
its contribution to individuals and that may include yourself as a researcher. You start off
broadly then taper off gradually to a specific group or person. 18
CO_Q1_SHS Practical Research 1_Module 3
Sample Significance of the Study
What’s More
Given the notes on writing research questions, formulate three (3) research
questions from your research title on the previous lesson. Indicate your thesis statement
to guide you in making clear, focused and concise questions.
Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will underscore to the benefit of society considering
that mathematics play an important role in science and technologies today. The greater
demand for graduates with Mathematics background justifies the need for more
effective, life changing teaching approaches. Thus, schools that apply the
recommended approach derived from the results of this study will be able to train
students better. Administrators will be guided on what should be emphasized by
teachers in the school curriculum to improve students’ performance in Mathematics.
For the researcher, the study will help them uncover critical areas in the educational
process that many researchers were not able to explore. Thus, a new theory on
learning mathematics may be arrived at.