A problem is (1) any significant, perplexing

and challenging situation, real or artificial,

the solution of which requires reflective
thinking; (2) a perplexing situation after it
has been translated into a question or
series of questions that help determine the
direction of subsequent inquiry.
Aim or purpose of the problem for
investigation.
The subject matter or topic to be
investigated.
The place or locale where the research is
to be conducted.
The period or time of the study during
which the data are to be gathered.
Population or universe from whom the data
are to be collected.
1
st
Key: Select and Focus your Topic

Choose General Subject Area
Narrow down the topic
Select focused topic from general subject
area
Verify topic with instructor
2
nd
Key: Set Up a Research Strategy

Research available information is there
enough?
Start research

3
rd
Key: Develop a Preliminary Research
Statement
Develop your thesis statement
4
th
Key: Conduct In-Depth Research

5
th
Key: Take Good Notes

6
th
Key: Choose the Best Structure Create
an Outline

7
th
Key: Complete the First Draft

8
th
Key: Revise Your Draft

The research problem must be chosen by the
researcher himself.
It must be within the interest of the
researcher.
It must be within the specialization of the
researcher.
It must be within the competence of the
researcher to tackle.
It must be within the ability of the researcher
to finance, otherwise, he must be able to find
funding for his research.
It is researchable and manageable.
It can be completed within a reasonable period of
time unless it is a longitudinal research which
takes a long for its completion.
It is significant, important, and relevant to the
present time and situation, timely, and of current
interest.
The results are practical and implementable.
It requires original, critical, and reflective thinking
to solve it.
It can be delimited to suit the resources of the
researcher but big enough to be able to give
significant, valid, and reliable results and
generalizations.
Identify and develop your topic.
Find background information
Use catalogs to find books and media
Use indexes to find periodical articles
Find internet sources
Evaluate what you find
Cite what you find using a standard format
The title should be concise, descriptive
and comprehensive.
The title should convey the subject matter
of the study by the use of key terms
The title should be delimited accordingly.
The researcher may emulate the works of
outstanding researchers on how they set
their thoughts in the words of the title.
APA Style from the American
Psychological Association

MLA Style from the Modern Language
Association of America

Turabian and Chicago Styles from the
work of Kate Turabian at the University of
Chicago and the University of Chicago
Press
Chapter 1 The Problem
The Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Definition of Terms

Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature
Related Theories and Concepts
Research Paradigm
The Variables

Chapter 3 Research Methodology
Research Design
Research Setting
Research Subjects
Research Instruments
Data Gathering Procedure
Data Treatment

Chapter 4 Presentation, Analysis and
Interpretation of Data

Chapter 5 Findings, Conclusion and
Recommendation
Findings
Conclusion
Recommendation
Essential Parts of a Good Introduction
Rationale informs the reader the reason of the
research. A brief explanation of why the research
is worthy of study and may make a significant
contribution to the body of already existing
knowledge.
Purpose the goal or objective of the research
The Research Questions
Introduction of a thesis should contain a discussion
of any or all of the following:

Presentation of the problem.
The existence of an unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem
that needs a solution.
Rationale of the study.
Historical background of the problem.
A desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding of a
situation, circumstance, or phenomena.
A desire to find a better way of doing something or
improving a product.
A desire to discover something.
Geographical conditions of the study locale.
A link between the introduction and the statement of the
problem
The problem should express a relation between
two or more variables.
The problem should be stated clearly and
unambiguously in question form.
The problem and the problem statement should
imply possibilities of empirical testing.
A research problem is one that can be investigated
through the collection and analysis of data.
A problem should have theoretical as well as
practical significance.
A good problem is good for the researcher given
his current level of research skills, available
resources, time and other restrictions.
Guidance in explaining the significance of
the study:
The rationale, timeliness, and/or relevance of the
study.
Possible solutions to existing problems or
improvement to unsatisfactory conditions.
Who are to be benefitted and how they are going
to be benefitted.
Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge.
Possible implications.
Guidelines in defining terms:
Only terms, words, or phrases which have special or
unique meanings in the study are defined.
Terms should be defined operationally, that is, how
they are used in the study.
The researcher may develop his own definition from
the characteristics of the term defined.
Definitions may be taken from encyclopedias, books,
magazines and newspaper articles.
Definitions should be as brief, clear, and unequivocal
as possible.
Acronyms should always be spelled out fully especially
if it is not commonly known or if it is used for the first
time.
Guidelines in writing the scope and
delimitations
A brief statement of the general purpose of the
study.
The subject matter and topics studied and
discussed.
The locale of the study.
The population or universe from which the
respondents were selected.
The period of the study.