Mentoring ThesisWriters

Bulacan State UniversityGraduate School

Role of the Thesis Adviser

•To guide the advisee in conceptualizing the study.

• To assist the writer in the preparation of appropriate research design.

• To review the logic and coherence of the research report, the analysis and interpretation of results as well as its relevance to the conceptualization of the research problem.

Basic Essentials

• Research Conceptualization and Development. This refers to “how” to develop the idea for the research project. This involves:

1. Formulating good research problems.Research TitleMajor ProblemSpecific Problems

Criteria in Selecting a GoodResearch Topic

1. Novelty 2. Workability 3. Theoretical Value 4. Practical Value 5. Critical Mass

SAMPLE RESEARCH TITLES

1. Solid Waste Management and Water Quality Assessment:

Strategic Stewardship Research Program for

Sustainable Stakeholder Engagement

2. Garbage to Gobar, Dumpsite to Goldmine: Proposed Solid

Waste Management Recovery Program

SAMPLE RESEARCH TITLES

3. Manpower Needs and Labor Demand Shift in the Clark and

Subic Growth Corridors: Perspective for Academe and

Industry Linkage

4.Breaking Walls,Building Bridges: Matching Teaching and Learning

Styles in Classrooms

Formulating Research Problems

Form and Style in Thesis/Dissertation

Writing

Bulacan State UniversityGraduate School

Elements of A Graduate Thesis/dissertation

•Preliminaries•The Body of the Thesis/ Dissertation•References

Preliminaries

• Title Page• Approval Sheet• Acknowledgemen

t• Table of Contents• List of Tables• List of Figures• Abstract

Chapter 1

The Problem and its Background

Introduction

1. Careful presentation of the importance and validity of the problem.

2. Systematic and orderly presentation of background information with educational trends related to the problem, unsolved issues, and social concerns.

1. Tips in Writing the Introduction(The TIOC Approach)

• Highlight the trend/s in the field• Pinpoint the issues underlying the trend/s• State the overall objective/intent of the

paper in the light of the gap identified• Discuss the possible contribution of the

research attempt to advancing/improving disciplinal theory research, practice and policy

• (cross-reference to strengthen claims)

Significance of the Study

1. Clear presentation of the significance of the study, its role in addressing contemporary issues and problems.

2. Orderly identification of probable users of the research, specific ways on how the findings could be used.

Statement of the Problem

1. Clear identification of the problem statement.

2. Succinct, unambiguous statement of specific problems related to the major problem.

Specific

Measurable

Presents a conjecture

between/among variables

Scope and Delimitations

1. Sufficient delimitation of the problem area in terms of content, time, place, and subjects of the investigation.

Chapter 2

Theoretical Framework

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

1. Clear presentation of the theory which explains why the study exists.

2. Appropriate development of conceptual frame with reference to the problems of the study.

2. Tips in Writing the Theoretical Framework

(The SEC Approach)

• Rule 1: State the theory• Suggested sentence stems

• The theoretical basis of this paper is…• This study is theoretically anchored on…• This paper is premised on…

• Rule 2: Explain the theory• Rule 3: Contextualize the theory

Other Forms of Conceptual F.

Related Literature and Studies

1. Systematic presentation of literature and studies related to the problem.

2. Adequacy of presentation with reference to problem, research design, significant findings.

Hypothesis of the Study

1. Clear-cut statement of hypotheses/assumptions.

• Formulate the hypotheses

• Null hypothesis (H0)

• Research/Alternative hypothesis (H1)

Definition of Terms

1. Use of operational definitions of key variables.

Chapter 3

Methodology of the Study

Method and Techniques

1. Concise description of the research method and justification for its choice.

2. Sufficient description or field procedures followed in the collection of data (when, where, and how data are to be obtained).

Population and Sample of the Study

1. Use of appropriate sampling design and sample size.

Instruments of the Study

1. Appropriate choice and description of the instruments.

2. Detailed procedures on how the instrument was constructed.

3. Adequate information pertaining to validity of the instrument.

Data Processing and Statistical Treatment

1. Appropriateness of statistical treatment and data processing.

Chapter 4

Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

• The researcher is required to: (1) briefly introduce the topic, (2) present the data, (3) analyze and interpret the results.

• Presentation of the results should follow the order and sequence of the problems raised in Chapter 1.

• The researcher is required to scholarly analyze and interpret the results by providing scientific & unbiased insights concerning the results of the study.

• It is also suggested to integrate the contents of Chapter 2 in the analysis & interpretation of the results.

Chapter 5

Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations

• The purpose of Chapter 5 is to summarize the entire research project. It would include discussions on what the research is all about, the problems and the hypotheses, and a brief version of the significance of the study.

• The summary would also include the research design, the population and sample, and the statistical techniques used.

• The summary of findings or results of the study is presented in the order of the problems raised in Chapter 1

• The conclusions are based on the findings of the study.

• The recommendations are based on the derived conclusions.

References

Appendices

Thank Youand

Good Day!

Problem Conceptualization and Development

STAGES OF SOCIO-EDUCATIONAL RESERCH

IMPLICATIONS ANDRECOMMENDATIONS

SOCIO-EDUCATIONALPROBLEM

SUMMARY ANDCONCLUSIONS

IDENTIFYING/DEVELOPING RESEARCH QUESTIONS/

PROBLEMS/HYPOTHESES

DATA INTERPRETATION

REVIEWING RELATED LITERATURE AND

STUDIES

DATA PROCESSINGAND ANALYSIS

THEORETICALFRAMEWORK

DATA COLLECTINGFORMULATIONS

HYPOTHESIS

Step 1 :Analysis of Socio-Educational Issues/Problems

• Issue: Need to improve the productivity

of teachers.• Basic Assumption: The administrator’s

leadership behavior plays a key role.

Basic Essentials

• Research Conceptualization and Development. This refers to “how” to develop the idea for the research project. This involves:

1. Formulating good research problems.Research TitleMajor ProblemSpecific Problems

•Research Title:

The Leadership Behavior of School Administrators at BSU and Its Influence

on Teachers Performance

• Major Problem:How do the leadership behaviors of school administrators influence teachers’ performance?

•Specific Problems

1.What is the profile of school administrators in terms of educational preparation, trainings, age, etc.?

2.How may the leadership behavior of school administrators be described in terms of task and relationship dimensions?

3.What is the level of performance of the faculty in terms of: teaching competency, professional development activities, etc.?

4.Do the leadership behavior of school administrators exert significant influence on the performance of the faculty?

2.Formulating good/testable hypothesis

• Research Hypothesis (H) “The leadership behavior of school

administrators influences faculty performance.”• Alternative Hypothesis (H1) “The leadership behavior of school

administrators positively influences faculty performance”.

• Null Hypothesis (Ho) “The leadership behavior of school

administrators does not exert significant influence on faculty performance”.

3 Reviewing Related Literature and Studies.

Established the

need/significance/justificatio

n in conducting the present study.

Provide a historical

background perspective about the

study.

Familiarizes the reader

with previous studies done related to the present topic.

Avoids the unnecessary duplication of

selecting a research

problem which had been done

before.

Figure 2. Importance of the Review of Related Literature

3. Developing theoretical & conceptual frameworks

What is a Theoretical Framework?

1. The Theoretical Framework outlines the theory that one wishes to espouse to verify in the study.

2. The Theoretical Framework is the basic theory which explains why he study exists.

3. The Theoretical Framework is the basis structure upon which concepts are built on.

4. The Theoretical Framework is the research study’s frame of reference that provides the very foundation for which the study is being conducted.

Forms of Theoretical Framework

Example 1 - The study wishes to verify Engel’s law in the context of Cebuano culture in the Philippines.

Example 2 - The study rests on the theory that supervisory effectiveness is influence by the human resource management skills of the leader.

attempts to verify atheory using empiricaldata

 asserts / postulates or theory that will be tested in actual operation.

Example 3 - The study posits that managerial effectiveness is influenced by the managers level of training, experience and mental ability. 

Sample Theoretical Framework

• The study draws theoretical support from Hemphil’s theory which states that effective leadership behavior is associated with high performance of people in organization. He opined that effective leadership strikes a good balance between attaining the task function of the organization, and maintaining good interpersonal relationship among personnel.

What is a Conceptual Framework?

1. A conceptual framework is the set of terms and relationships within which the problem is formulated. 

2. The Conceptual Framework relates or translates the basic theory / postulate into more specific concepts.

3. The Conceptual Framework is usually depicted by a diagram or schematic framework called paradigm.

4. The paradigm is the operational framework of the research study which illustrates the interrelationships among variables.

PROFILE

High Leadership Behavior

1.High in Task2.High in relationship

Average Leadership Behavior

1.High in Task2.Low in Relationship

Low leadership Behavior

1.Low in Task2.Low in Relationship

Teacher’s Performance:

1.Teaching Competency

2.Professional and Personal Characteristic

3.Human Relations4.Punctuality and

Attendance

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Conceptual Model of the Study

Step 4 : Develop the research design

Step 5 : Prepare/validate the instrument

Step 6 : Data Collection

Step 7 – Analyze and Interpret the data

Step 8 – Write the research report

END

Thank You!