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University of Southeastern Philippines

COLLEGE OF DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT
College of Development Management
Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City

RESEARCH PAPER FORMAT

Preliminaries

Title Cover Page

Declaration of Originality

Abstract

Summary of the problem statement, methodology, findings and the

conclusions. Maximum of 300 words or two pages. Introductory
paragraph and name of adviser not indented. Pagination not reflected.
Name of researcher and title of study – all caps and bold; adviser –
upper/lower case bold; all the rest – upper/lower case regular. Please
refer to annex 2.

Title Page

To be presented in inverted pyramid, double-spaced, centered.

Pagination not reflected. Title – all caps and bold; name – all caps and
regular; all the rest – upper/lower case and regular. Date of graduation
should be reflected. Please refer to annex 3.

Table of Contents

Preliminaries – all caps and bold; indicate sub-headings of related

literature/studies; if sub-heading is more than 1 line – single spaced, flash
left. Please refer to annex 5

List of Tables

If tabular title is more than 1 line – single spaced, flash left. Please refer to
annex 6.

List of Figures

If figure title is more than 1 line – single spaced, flash left. Please refer to
annex 7.
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Chapter 1: Introduction

The introduction generally consists of the background of the study,

statement of the problem, objectives of the study, significance of the study, and
the scope and limitation of the study.

Background of the Study

This is a brief statement of the origin of the problem. It is an

account describing the circumstances, which suggested research. It may
include a justification of the selection or choice of the study. Present
global-national-local scenarios. (2-3 pages; do not start with a quotation)

Statement of the Problem

The problem studied must be shown as one, which arose from a

situation of need or unresolved difficulties. The reader must be made to
recognize this need.

The problem should be stated precisely, accurately, and clearly.

The problem should be defined in terms of the data that can be obtained.
(Present general problem statement followed by the specific problem
statements. General problem statement – declarative form; specific
statements – question form)

Objectives of the Study

A brief statement of the purposes which the study/research hopes

to achieve. (general problem statement’s; in paragraph form)

Significance of the Study

This section should show why the problem investigated is

important and what significance the results have. It should include a
statement on relevance to felt needs, the potential contribution of the
research to new knowledge, and policy implications and other possible
uses for its results. (identify who would benefit from the study and what
benefit they could get from it)

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The boundaries of the study should be properly defined. The scope

is expected to indicate a reasonable area of study, which is large enough
to be significant but narrow enough to permit careful treatment.

The scope of the problem should be stated specifically. The nature

of the subjects treated, their number, the treatments they received, and
any limitations that exist in the reference population, instruments or
research design should be stated.

Definition of Terms

Many terms are subject to a variety of interpretations. Such terms

should be defined operationally according to the precise meanings they
are intended to convey. Clear definitions should be stated for all
important variables, especially if these are to be measured by means of
specific instruments or a combination of devices.
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For clearer presentation, include conceptual and operational or working

definitions. For example, middle class is conceptually defined as a category of persons
within a given society. Operationally, it is “group of persons whose average annual
income is P 10,000 – 24,000; minimum educational attainment is high school graduate.”
(Include the variables of the study as reflected in the conceptual framework. Terms
defined – upper/lower case, bold; paragraph form per term defined). Please refer to
annex 8

Chapter 2: Review of Literature and Theoretical Framework

This chapter consists of the review of related literature, the framework

itself including its presentation in the form of a paradigm, the hypotheses, and
the discussion on key variables.

Related Literature and Studies

The purposes of this section are: (a) to tell what research has or
has not been done on the problem; and (b) to explain or clarify the
theoretical rationale of the problem. This section provides a general
picture of the research topic.

Only studies which are related in purpose, method, or findings to

current study, should be included in the review. The discussion of such
studies should be in the form of a brief critical analysis of the purposes,
method of study, principal findings and conclusions.

Clarify the interrelationships of the studies reviewed. Point out the

weaknesses and strengths of each study. Point out how each study
reviewed is related to the problem at hand. Summarize the review and
provide a transition from the past studies to the present one. The present
study should be shown to relate with or evolved from earlier work.

In the text, only the last names of the authors are given. In the
case of citations of different works by persons with the same surname,
initials should be included in the last names for proper identifications.

Literature review should cover all variables in the conceptual

framework. Group same topics, both literature and studies. Minimize
figures/diagrams in the text. If many figures and diagrams are necessary,
place them in the appendix.

Subheading/subtitle should be upper/lower case bold followed by a

period. Discussions/enumeration should be in paragraph form. Direct
quotes should be indented both sides, italicized, single spaced.

Theory Base

Shapes the justification of the research problems in order to

provide the legal basis for defining its parameters. This includes existing
accepted concepts, principles, theories and frameworks. (Include
theories/frameworks where you anchor your study)

For figure presentation, please refer to annex 9

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Conceptual Framework

From the review of the related literature and studies, the

researcher formulates a conceptual scheme for his research problem,
which is a tentative theoretical explanation of the phenomenon/ problem
he is going to investigate. The conceptual framework should be reduced
into a paradigm/ schematic diagram showing the variables of the
framework and their interrelationships. The theoretical scheme is the
basis for formulating the research hypothesis/es.

Research Assumptions /Research Hypothesis (es)

Assumptions are presumed to be true statements of facts related to

the research problems.

Hypotheses are conjectural statements of relationships between

two or more variables. These statements are based on existing
information and are tested experimentally or empirically.

Whether stated explicitly or not, hypotheses are a part of a

research study. They guide the investigation.

The hypothesis(es) should be: (1) rational, involving at least two

variables; (2) precise and clear; (3) non-judgment, i.e. moral/value free;
(4) not answerable by yes or no; and (5) measurable.

The hypotheses should originate from substantially the same

background as that which served to identify/ suggest the problem.

The research hypotheses are stated in the alternative form however,

these are changed to the null form when they are tested statistically. Only
null hypotheses can be subjected to statistical testing.

Chapter 3: Methodology

This chapter includes descriptions of the method used, sources of data,

the data gathering instruments, sampling technique, procedure of the study
and statistical treatment.

Method Used

A brief description of the method of research used in doing the

study. (e.g. descriptive method, survey method, etc).

Sources of Data

This section describes the sources of data – whether primary or

secondary.

The report should include appropriate information on the total

population, the sample and the sources of evidences. How was the
problem of missing data handled?

To be valid, the investigation must make use of exact and complete

primary and/or secondary information.
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Data Gathering Instrument

A description of the adoption, construction, and administration of

instruments should be included. Instruments include tests,
questionnaires, interview guides or schedules, and the like. Apparatus,
devices, and laboratory equipment used should be described. In the case
of complex or custom-built equipment, the inclusion of a drawing or
photograph is recommended. (Likert scaling to be used should also be
presented).

Include discussion on validity and reliability of the instruments (if

survey instruments are self constructed).

Sampling Technique

A description of the sampling technique used in determining the

sample size of the subject and how were they selected.

Procedure of the Study

The procedures followed in conducting the study should be

explained in complete detail. Techniques, devices and procedures
followed should be described.

In the case of experiments, this section should include the

instructions given to participants, the formation of groups, the
experimental manipulations, and the control features of the design.

Remember that this section tells the reader what you did and how
you did it.

Any error or weakness in procedures that has been discovered

during the conduct of the research should be pointed out, and any
consequent limitations upon the research results should be fully noted.

(Discussion should revolve around the problem statements;

presented in paragraph form.)

Statistical Treatment

Describe briefly how the data collected are to be processed. If

statistical techniques/tools are used, this fact should be mentioned. If
one has used a technique that is, strictly speaking, not appropriate to
the data, this fact should be noted and explanations should be made. It
is only when the statistical technique used is new or unfamiliar that the
formula is given. (Mention to which problem statement the statistical tool is
used/applied).
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Chapter 4: Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

In this chapter, the researcher summarizes the collected data and the
statistical treatment applied to them. The results should be presented in a
straightforward and unbiased way. The presentation must be geared to the
research questions and the research hypotheses. (Presentation of findings must
follow the sequence of the problem statements. Tables and figures should be
presented after being introduced in the text or after the discussions. Present
either a table or a figure and never both. Table and figure numbering must be
sequential.)

Present only relevant data. Individual scores or raw data should not be
reported in the text. If these need to be included at all, they should be placed in
the Appendix.

In reporting the data, choose the medium that will present them
effectively. It will be very helpful to summarize the results and analyses
through tables and/or figures/ graphs.

Do not repeat the same data in several places, and do not include tables
with the data that can be presented as well in the text.

The textual description, analysis and interpretation should focus on the

patterns and deviations in the contents of the tables and charts, rather than
restatement of their content all over again. Do not expect the tables and figures
to do the entire communication for you.

The analyses of data should be objective and logical. Make a careful

distinction between fact and opinion. Facts, not opinion, should prevail.

Present all relevant results, including those that run counter to the
hypotheses.

In reporting statistical tests of significance, include information

concerning the obtained magnitude or value of the test, the degrees of freedom,
the probability level and the direction of the effects.

The interpretation of the data should consist of the following:

1. The antecedents of what has been found;

2. The consequences or implications drawn from the findings;
3. The practical applications or uses of the findings;
4. The conditions that limit the generalization of the findings so that the
reader can judge the validity of the conclusions and inferences;
5. Suggestions for improvement of instruments and procedures; and
6. The differences/ similarities between the findings and conclusions of
the study and the findings and conclusions of other studies and
plausible reasons therefore.
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Format of Table, Chart and Figure Title: Tabular Title – upper left
portion of the table. Chart/Figure Title – bottom center of the
figure/chart. Titles presented in upper/lower case, regular.

Table 1. Enrolment Data

Figure(Chart) 1. Enrolment Data

(Don’t cut tables; instead present them in smaller fonts)

For table presentation, please refer to annex 10.

Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

Summary

The summary contains an overview of the research. It gives a brief

statement of the problem, the procedures and the findings. (Should be in
paragraph form. Present only the summary of findings. No need to present
numerical data.)

The summary should not contain any new information but should
briefly recapitulate the entire content of the paper. It is as if the
researcher was asked by a colleague what problem he has studied and
what results he has obtained. He should reply briefly and to the point,
sketching all the important aspects of his study, describing the
conclusions and how he arrived at them.

Conclusions

Broad generalizations not adequately supported by data should be

avoided. Conclusions should be drawn only for the population and
circumstances for which evidences have been collected. (Should be based
on the findings of the study. It should be presented in paragraph form).

Any weakness in the research design, techniques, or population

that has come to light and which can no longer be corrected should be
discussed frankly, with particular attention given to the manner in which
the weakness may have affected the outcomes of the research.

Recommendations

Presented in paragraph form.

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References

References preferably not older than ten years.

Alphabetized, hanging, double spaced. ( Use APA format). Include only

those cited in the text. Please refer to attached photocopy as guide.

Example of Citing Internet Sources:

Author, A.A. & Author, B.B. (Date of publication). Title of article.

Retrieved month day year. From http://web address.

Appendices

Should be sequential (as they appear / are being mentioned in the text).
Bookman Old Style; maybe presented in smaller fonts.

Curriculum Vitae

Follow standard format for research work.

Notes:
1. Font Style : Bookman Old style / Font Size : 12
2. Double space
3. Include introductory paragraphs in all chapters except chapter 1
4. The word Chapter must be in upper and lower case. Chapter number is
in arabic form BOLD; Chapter title must be ALL CAPS bold.
5. Between sub headings – two double spaces.
6. Pagination – top right
7. Margins: top – 1.2”, bottom – 1.2”, left – 1.5”, right – 1.2”
8. 22 – 24 lines per page