UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Research Methods and

School Year: 2016 - 2017
Title: Proposal Writing

Course No. RESM/PW Semester: Second

No. Of
2 Prerequisite:
Units:
s
Course Ernesto D. Tuesday 9 11am, 12
Schedule:
Facilitator: Dimaculangan, PhD 2pm; Th 10 12 noon
Faculty of Arts and
Office: Meeting Place Room 109
Letters
Contact Consultation
Thursday 3pm
No. Period:

E-mail: dr_ernied@yahoo.com Place: AB Faculty Room

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to support students in developing their research proposal and to assist them
in defining their mode of enquiry. The course has been constructed to guide students through a range
of issues and considerations which should inform their general approach to research. It will give
students a general introduction to scientific research, its methodologies, its challenges and its
organization.
This course permits an understanding of the various decisions and steps involved in preparing a
research proposal which includes the problem and its background, literature review, research
methodology as well as a critically informed assessment of published research.
Also, students will be introduced to a range of research tools, data analysis and will be equipped to
plan and organize their research, as well as develop their data collecting instrument.

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 B. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

Course Objectives
2.1 Understand the concepts, approaches and procedures underlying
the conduct of research.
2.2 Develop a research problem, select the appropriate tools and
construct data collecting instrument;
2.3 Prepare a review of literatures and studies relevant to the topic
selected which will be of help in preparing a research proposal.
2.4 Develop research questions that are based on and build upon a
critical appraisal of existing research.

1. Develop integrated and practical knowledge of the different concepts,

Value Objectives:
theories in research.
2. Engage in intensive study and work harmoniously with others in
cooperative team activities in the preparation of research proposal;
3. Demonstrate ethical actions in undertaking survey, in-depth interview
and
4. Demonstrate a high level of effective communication competence in
oral, written and visual forms.

C.
C. COURSE
COURSE
ORGANIZATION:
ORGANIZATION:

UNIT CONTENT OUTLINE

Unit I: Course A. Introduction to the Course
Overview 1. Introduction
2. The Research Methods and Proposal Writing
3. Video Presentation
4. Group Workshop

B. Introduction to Scientific Research

Unit II: Introduction 1. Sources of knowledge
to Scientific 2. Research as scientific inquiry
Research 3. Basic Assumptions underlying scientific research
4. Types of research designs
5. Functions of research

Unit III: The Basic C. Research Approaches and Methods of Data Collection
and Fundamental 1. Ways of Categorizing Research Approaches
Concepts of 2. Variables in Quantitative Research
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Research 3. Experimental Research
4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Experimental Approach
5. Experimental Research Setting

D. Fundamental Concepts of Research

1. Different Kinds of Research
2. Sources of Problems
3. Characteristics of a Good Problem
4. Factors that Influence the Selection of the Problem

E. The Problem and its Background

Unit IV: 1. Introduction
The Problem and its 2. Statement of the Problem
Background 3. Hypothesis
4. Assumptions
5. Scope and Delimitation of the Study
6. Significance of the Study
7. Definition of Terms

Unit V: Review of F. Review of Related Literature

Related Literature 1. Essential topics for Review of Related Literature
and Studies 2. Functions of a Theory
3. Searching for Review of Related Studies
Case Study
Unit VI G. Methods of Research
Methods of Research 1. Introduction
2. Methods of Research
3. Qualitative methods of research
4. Experimental methods
5. Quantitative method
6. Developing data collecting instruments
Case Study

Unit VII: H. Sampling and Sampling Technique

Tools in Methods of 1. Population
Research 2. Choosing a Sample
3. The Different Sampling Technique
4. The Different Probability Sampling Technique
5. The Different Non-Probability Sampling Technique
Unit IX: Statistical I. Statistical Tools For Data Analysis
Tools for Data 1. Types of Statistical Variables
Analysis 2. Random or Statistical Variables
3. Frequency Distribution
4. Standard Deviation
5. Pearson r
Unit X: Research J. Chapter 4 and Chapter 5
Writing 1. Findings and Analysis
2. Conclusion and Recommendation
K. Writing the Thesis Proposal
1. Language and Style
2. Things to Remember in Writing a Proposal
3. Format Considered in the Writing of the Proposal
4. Principles of Footnotes and Bibliography
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D. INSTRUCTIONAL AND LEARNING METHODOLOGY AND STRATEGY:

Course Facilitators Lecture

Input
Enabling Activities
Interactive,
Cooperative, and
Collaborative Activities
Integrating Activities
Power point presentation
Demonstration
Case Study
Video Presentation
Extensive readings of research proposals and relevant journals
Internet surfing
Individual and Group presentation
Actual fieldwork/interviews among targeted respondents
Sharing of review of studies published in research journals
Participation in the conduct of the various research program
studies
End of course requirement
Written and oral presentation of research proposal

E. COURSE REFERENCES:

Basic Readings Books

. Adanza, E., Bermudo, P. Rasonabe M. 2010. Methods of Research: A
Primer. Manila. Rex Bookstore .
Christensen, L. Johnson, B. Turner, L.. 2011. Research Methods, Design
and Analysis. England. Pearson Education
Graciano M.., Raulin, A. 2011 Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry
7th Edition. New Jersey.. Pearson Education
Ghauri, P. Gronhaug, K. 2012. Research Methods in Business Studies. 4th
Edition. Canada. Pearson Education.

Extended Research Journals

Readings - Journal of Research
- Journal of Academy of Research
- Journal of Business Research
- Journal of Consumer Research
- Harvard Business Review

Web-based www.customersat.com
www.infospan.ca
www.surveytools.com
www.jdpower.com

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

GRADING SYSTEM:

Prelims: 50% Final Periodic Grade: 50%

Class Participation/Attendance 5% Pre-Final

Quizzes/Long Test 40% Class Participation/Attendance 5%

Assignment/Seatwork 15% Assignment/seatwork 10%

Prelim Exam 40% Quizzes/Long Test 30%

PRELIM GRADE 100% Chapter submission 30%

Chapter 1 10%
Chapter 2 10%
Chapter 3 10%

Final Paper and Oral Presentation 25%

PRE-FINAL GRADE 100%

PrelimGrade + Pre-Final Grade = FINALGRADE

2

COURSE POLICIES:

1. ATTENDANCE SHALL BE CHECKED. THE NUMBER OF ABSENCES ALLOWED SHALL

CONFORM TO THE FACULTYS PRESCRIPTION. EVEN IF EXCUSED, THE STUDENT IS
STILL HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING MISSED IN CLASS. THE INSTRUCTOR
MUST BE INFORMED ABOUT SUCH PREDICAMENTS BEFORE THE LECTURE STARTS.
2. SPECIAL TEST ARE AUTOMATICALLY GIVEN ONLY TO MISSED MAJOR
EXAMINATIONS.
3. QUIZZES ARE ALWAYS ANNOUNCED BUT SEATWORKS MAY BE GIVEN ANYTIME.
4. SUBMISSION OF ANY REQUIREMENT THROUGH EMAIL IS PROHIBITED. SEATWORKS
ARE COLLECTED IN BULK. LATE AND INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSION OF SEATWORK IS
PROHIBITED.

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 5. ACADEMIC CORRESPONDENCES WITH THE INSTRUCTOR, ESPECIALLY ON ISSUES AS
GRADES, LATE SUBMISSIONS, ETC., SHOULD BE MADE BY THE STUDENT HIMSELF,

AND WITHOUT ANY PROXY.

OFFICIAL FORMAT FOR PAPERS

OFFICIAL FORMAT FOR PAPERS: Letter-sized, 1 inch on all sides, Arial, TNR, 12 points, stapled,
no Title page

Generic Format of the first two lines of first page:

Name: Section:

Student number: Date:

For Group Project Report or any homework: double spaced.

APPENDIX : THESIS PROPOSAL FORMAT

Overall Objectives:

The overall objective of the course is to complete a research proposal at the end of the term. The
research proposal is the prerequisite to the thesis paper stage and the final fulfillment of the thesis
requirement. The research proposal should follow the standard format for an undergraduate thesis
and should include the following minimum standards:1

TEMPLATE FOR RESEACH PROPOSAL

CHAPTER 1 The Problem and its Background
Introduction - this part should include an introduction of the topic and should signify the importance
of the paper.

1
Note: Papers that do not conform to these standard will NOT be read nor evaluated.

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Objectives of the Study- Includes general and specific objectives. It should also include both the
research and policy objectives.
Theoretical Framework- This part should clearly identify the theoretical framework that will be used
in studying the research problem. It should also identify and explain the underlying assumption
inherent in the framework and demonstrate how such assumptions fit into the research problem and
thesis statement.
Conceptual Framework or Research Paradigm This part states the direction of the research or
the roadmap to be followed based on research topic.
Statement of the Problem the statement should clearly identify the variables and (in the case of
the thesis statement) the precise relationship of the variables.
Hypothesis is a tentative solution to a particular problem which may be accepted or rejected,
depending on what the facts are.
Significance of the Study- this part should include a discussion of the importance of the study to the
researcher, the significance of the work to the academic community, and its policy relevance.
Scope and Limitation- This section should include the scope of the study in terms of time frame,
concepts, variable-relationship; and the limitation of the research methodology implemented.
Definition of terms- Key concepts and terms used in your paper should be conceptually and
operationally defined specifically highlighting criteria and indicators used to measure and interpreting
your terms.

Chapter II Review of Related Literature

Review of Related Literature- The review should include the most significant and recent studies
about the subject matter. It should provide a discussion and critique of the contents, methodologies
and conceptual frameworks used in the studies reviewed. In the process, the review should clearly
identify the research gap in the literature that the proposed study intends to fill.
Synthesis of the Study this part is a summary of all literatures reviewed. It includes researchers
critique on the work of other authors.
.

Chapter III Research Methods

Research Design - The research design should provide for the scheme that will be used in collecting,
analyzing, and interpreting data. At the minimum, it should include (1) a specification of the variables
to be employed, (2) a detailed statement of how observations (i.e., data collection) are to be
organized and conducted, (3) a discussion of how the data collected will be analyzed, and (4) a
justification of the methodology that was chosen.
Sample Size and Sampling Design this part includes the proposed total number of samples to be
used as respondents of the research. It also includes the total number of population of the proposed
research.
Data Collection Instrument this part includes the proposed instrument or questionnaire to be used
for the respondents The proposed instrument or questionnaire should be included at the last part of
the paper.
Data Gathering Procedure - this part includes the way in which the researcher will collect his/her
data i.e. through survey, focus group discussion or through an in-depth interview.

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Data Analysis this part includes the use of tables, charts and graphs to be used and mathematical
tools such as weighted mean, Pearson Correlation Analysis or Chi-square.
Appendices
References
Books, Journals, Periodicals, Internet:
Appendix I Data Collection Instrument or Questionnaire
Curriculum Vitae

Prepared by:

________________________________
Prof. Ernesto D. Dimaculangan, Ph.D.

Reviewed by:

_________________________________
Atty. Antonio Chua
Coordinator, Legal Management Dept.

Approved by:

_______________________________
Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D.
Dean

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