TIPS FOR THESIS FORMAT/CONTENTS

Tips of Thesis Format for Beginners

October 23, 2018

*Title must be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound)

TITLE PAGE

• Title starts 2.5 inches from the top.
• Title is in an Inverted Pyramid style.
• No page number.
• Bold-faced and single-spaced.
• Author/s name is/are arranged alphabetically/ inverted pyramid.
• Submission date- 1 inch above the bottom

ABSTRACT 

• Usually, the second page and the last to be made.
• Summarizes the whole study: title, objectives of the study, scope and limitations, findings, and conclusion.
• Avoid citations.
• Usual length is 150-300 words.

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

• Length: 3-5 pages
• Summarizes the subject/title.
• 1.5 line spacing
• Has citations and related studies.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• Includes the general overview of your study.
• Statement of the problem, respondents, methodology, and related issues/study are included here.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

• The research questions sought to answer by the researcher/s.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 

• Supporting theories for the study and explains why this study exists

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

• Includes the independent and dependent variables of the study.
• It is an outline of your plan of how you are going to conduct your research.
• Sometimes, researchers uses the IPO method (Input, Process and Output).

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

• The aim/focus and limitation of the study.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

• Stating the future contribution of your study: for students, teachers, administration, future researchers, society, etc.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Defining the terms used in the study.

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

• All concepts/discussion related to your topic.
• Related studies are the researches conduct previously which is similar to your study.
• Related literature are written information like books, articles, journals, internet sources...

CHAPTER 3 

METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH DESIGN

• Qualitative or quantitative study.
• Can be experimental or survey.
• If experimental, participant/s is/are called subject.
• If survey, participant/s is/are called respondents.

RESPONDENTS OF THE STUDY

• The people who are going to participate in your study.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

• Simple Random Sampling- applicable if you know the names/identities of your participants.
• Systematic Random Sampling- respondents are selected from a large population, probability type of sampling.
• Stratified Random Sampling- classify first the population like for example, according to age, gender, etc.
• Cluster Sampling- dividing the population of a separate group like class A, B, C,...
• Multi-Stage Technique- nationwide coverage

INSTRUMENTS USED

• The measurement device used in the study (survey questionnaires,test, etc.)
• It is use to collect data from the participants.

CHAPTER 4 (if applicable)

ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Analysis- process of breaking down the problem into its constituent data.

CLASSIFICATION OF DATA 

• Qualitative Data- pertains to the characteristics, descriptions,qualities, and attributes.
• Quantitative Data- numbers, numerical values, and figures.
• Geographical Data- places, locations
• Chronological Data- sequence, arrangement

WAYS IN PRESENTING DATA

• Textual- entrees are in narrative form (sentence/paragraphs). The purpose is to focus on important statement and to supplement the tabular/graphical presentation. The disadvantage is that too long, and boring.
• Tabular- entrees are in table form. The functional parts are table number, title, head note/prefatory note, box head, main body/field/text, foot note, source note, and stub.
• Graphical- entrees are in graph form. It can be a pie circle, line graph, bar graph, or pictograph.

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

• A brief statement (main purpose, respondents, period of the study, method of the study,research instrument, sampling)
• Lumped sum
• Textual generalizations- combination or consist of texts with numbers/figures.
• Only the highlights/important things must be included.
• No need for explanation or elaboration.
• No introduction of new data.

CONCLUSIONS

• Are inferences, deductions, abstractions, implications, interpretations, general statements, or generalizations based upon the findings.
• Must appropriately answer the 3-5 specific questions mentioned in chapter 1.
• Must point out what the researchers factually learned.
• Must be formulated concisely.
• Must be stated categorically.
• Must refer only to the population, area, and subject of the study.
• Not a repetition of any statement in chapters 1-4.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Aim to solve or help to solve the problem in the findings.
• No recommendations must be made on any problem which is not part of the study.
• Recommend for further study on the topic.
• Must be feasible, practical, and attainable.
• Valid and logical.
• Must be addressed to the person/s entities, offices and agencies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• APA format
• Alphabetically arranged. 

REMINDERS

ETHICS OF RESEARCH

• Disclosure- requires the researcher/s to be sincere.
• Capacity- within the comprehension.
• Voluntarily- free will

ETHICAL GUIDELINES

• Deception
• Protection of participants from harm.
• Try to withdraw.
• Briefing
• Confidentiality
• Privacy
• Concern

ETHICAL CODES AND POLICIES FOE RESEARCH

• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Integrity
• Care
• Openness
• Respect for intellectual property
• Confidentiality
• Responsible publication
• Responsible mentoring
• Respect for colleague
• Social responsibility
• Non-discrimination
• Competence
• Legality
• Human subject protection

Note: Still, the format depends on your research teacher so listen carefully.