LECTURE GUIDE

Writing a Concept Note of research/master thesis for title defense

 Research Title
 Research Discipline
 Scientific/Theoretical Background of the Study
 Conceptual Framework
 Main Research Questions
 Relevant References

Research Title

Every paper must have a title and concept paper needs to have a title that
summarizes what the paper is about. The title should be as brief as possible and to the point
such that by a glance one would know exactly the paper’s intention.

Research Discipline
Introduce the concept by giving a brief on how it will contribute to the body of
knowledge. Also, state your understanding of the main objective of the targeted area of
implementation clearly introducing the gap intended to be addressed. An introduction is like
the sitting room of the concept paper as it determines a lot on the person proposing the
concept.
Scientific/Theoretical Background of the Study
This section indicates that some research has been carried on the area of interest
however, there still exist a gap that needs to be filled. It is important therefore to outline
several studies that have been undertaken on the topical area summarizing their conclusive
evidence and relevance to the study area. A more descriptive background will then be
structured from the worldview, regional, and localized perspective. For a shorter-version
concept paper, this may not count however it is important to show that some study have
been done but little research in the area of interest and how the concept seeks to solve this
gap.

Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework illustrates what you expect to find through your research. It
defines the relevant variables for your study and maps out how they might relate to each
other.

Construct first a conceptual framework before you begin collecting data. It is often
represented in a visual format.

Further, a conceptual framework is a written or visual representation of an expected

relationship between variables. Variables are simply the characteristics or properties that
you want to study. The conceptual framework is generally developed based on a literature
review of existing studies and theories about the topic.
Main Research Questions
These are the broad and specific questions the research seeks to answer. It should be
stated starting with the words “To” and linked to the general and the specific area where the
study is to be undertaken. Both the general and the specific questions must be regularized to
conform with the topic of the concept.

Example
CONCEPT NOTE
Title:
Outcomes of Social Isolation amidst covid-19 Pandemic on Senior High School students

Research Discipline:
This study will provide the most relevant contribution in the field of Education, Health,
and Social Science. To respond to covid-19 pandemic, many countries have introduced
travel restriction with the intention to prevent the spread of the virus. Public health experts
and government officials are taking several measures, including physical distancing, self-
isolation, or quarantine; strengthening health facilities to control the disease; and asking
people to work at home. In view of the rising concern about the current covid-19 pandemic, a
growing number of schools across the country have either postponed or canceled campus
events such as workshop, conferences, sports, and other activities. Schools have moved
rapidly to transition from face-to-face to online delivery mode. Covid-19 outbreak has
disrupted the lives of many people across the world. The worldwide rapid increase of
infected cases has created a sense of uncertainty, anxiety, stress, and loneliness about what
is going to happen. It has also caused tremendous level of anxiety, stress, and loneliness
among the students. These different mental and emotional baggage may lead to
unfavourable effects on the learning and psychological health of students.

Scientific / Theoretical background of the Study:

The research will be anchored on the theory of Tony Giddens the Structuration theory
that believes on human behaviour based on a synthesis of structure and agency effect. This
theory described the capacity of human action as being constrained by powerful stable
societal structures or function of the individual expression of will. Thus, theory acknowledges
the interaction of meaning, standards and values, and power and posits a dynamic relation
between the different facets of society. Attachment theory of John Bowlby believes on the
importance of the child’s relationship with their mother in terms of their social, emotional and
cognitive development. Bowlby defined attachment as ‘lasting psychological connectedness
between human beings.’ Erik Erickson theory of Psycho-social Development believes that
personality develop in a series of stages. Erik Erikson also described the impact of social
experience across the whole lifespan, added also that social interaction and relationship
played a role in the development and growth of human being.
Knowledge gap to be filled:
The study will focus on how long-term social isolation is closely related to loneliness
and physiological illness, and how it affects a student well-being. The absences of social
relationships and behaviors have been shown to affect child development in various ways.
For example, previous research has revealed that socially isolated children tend to have
lower subsequent educational attainment, be part of a less advantaged social class in
adulthood, and are more likely to be psychologically distressed in adulthood (Lacey, Kumari
& Bartley, 2014).
If a person is not able to experience the necessary level of social contact and
behaviour, they can experience social isolation. Social relationships are critical to the
maintenance of health, and a lack of them often correlates with feelings of loneliness (Doane
& Adam, 2010). Loneliness, in turn, has been linked to higher levels of stress.
As argued, socially isolated children are at increased risk of health problems in
adulthood. Furthermore, studies on social isolation have demonstrated that a lack of social
relationships negatively impacts the development of the brain’s structure. In extreme cases
of social isolation, studies of young mice and monkeys have shown how the brain is strongly
affected by a lack of social behaviour and relationships (Makinodan, Rosen, Ito & Corfas,
2012).
Research Paradigm (Present your Conceptual Framework / IPO)
EXAMPLE (from different topic)
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Teachers'
Demographic
Profile Survey
Construction
Teachers' Coping Teacher
Mechanism Survey Training
Administration Programs
Teachers' Work
Values Survey
Analysis
Teachers'
Performance

FEEDBACK

Figure1. Research Framework (IPO Model)

 Independent variable Dependent variable

Coping Mechanism Teaching

 Proactive coping Effectiveness
 Reflective coping
 Strategic Planning  Teacher Techniques
 Preventive Coping to Engage and
 Instrumental Support Seeking Support all Students
in Learning
 Emotional Support Seeking
 Instructional and
 Avoidance Coping
Assessment
Practices
Work Values of Teachers
 Learning
 Core Values
Environment.
 Work Environment
 Work Interactions
 Work Activities

Figure 2. Research Paradigm

Main Research Questions (example)

This study attempts to determine the Outcome of Social Isolation amidst covid-19
Pandemic on Senior High School students.
This study aims to answer the following specific questions:
1. What is the learner’s demographic profile in terms of the following:
1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Section
1.4 Grade level
2. What is the extent of learner’s isolation in the following aspects?
– personal
– family
– friendship
– Community
3. How do the learners respond to Isolation in terms of:
3.1 External
3.1.1Frequency of social contact
3.1.2 Social Network
3.2 Internal
 3.2.1 Belonging to own community
3.2.2 Loneliness
3.2.3 Trust
4. Which of the following determinant significantly affect the behavior of the
students toward social isolation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic?

Hypotheses (example)
There is no significant relationship between learners’ behavior and social isolation
amidst the covid19 pandemic.
There is no significant relationship between learners’ social aspect and social isolation
amidst covid19 pandemic.

Research Design, Method, Materials:

This study will use the Interpretive Quantitative Research Design and will use
Purposive Sampling.
The respondents of the study will be the incoming Senior High School Students. The
participant is chosen base on their grade level, age, gender, section and their attitude toward
connectedness in their classmates.
It will utilize standardized questionnaires in assessing the participants’ basic
information. The researcher also use interview with the following standardized question and
use observation tools in conducting the research.

Relevant References
Akpabio, I. U. (2015). Managing school facilities for quality education in Nigeria:
challenges and prospects. Journal of Qualitative Education, 11(1).
Braun, T., & Spielmann, J. (2020). Challenges for higher education and staff
development towards sustainability: Empowerment of people and shaping of
organizations. ETH Learning and Teaching Journal, 2(2), 397-402
DepEd Order No. 12, s.2020, Adoption of the Basic Education –Learning Continuity Plan for
School Year 2020-2021 in light of the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency
DepEd Order no. 24s.2020.National Adoption and Implementation of the Philippine
Professional Standards for School Heads
Ezeugbor, O. C., C. L. Ongeli, and O. F. Okaye. "Staff personnel administrative
practices adopted by principals’ for promoting teacher-job performance in secondary
schools in Awka Education Zone, Anambra State, Nigeria." International Journal of
Advanced Research and Publications 2.1 (2018): 20-26.
Fatima, Z., Shahzadi, U., & Shah, A. (2017) Financial Management Competence
of Selected and Promoted School Heads: A Demographic Comparison
Franks, L. A. (2020). Stakeholder Involvement and Management in Non-Public,
Independent, Not-For-Profit Schools (Doctoral dissertation, Wilmington University
(Delaware).
Fikuree, W., Meyer, F., Le Fevre, D., & Alansari, M. (2021). Linking principal task
effectiveness to student achievement in secondary schools in the
Maldives. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 1-18.
Hunjra, A. I., Butt, B. Z., & Rehman, K. U. (2010). Financial management practices
and their impact on organizational performance. World Applied Sciences
Journal, 9(9), 997-1002.
Kingshott, B. F., & McKenzie, D. G. (2013). Developing crisis management
protocols in the context of school safety. Journal of Applied Security Research, 8(2),
222-245.
Lateef, O. A., & Muniru, A. A. (2020). THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR
IMPROVED SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT IN OGUN-STATE,
NIGERIA. JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN EDUCATIONAL PLANNING
AND ADMINISTRATION, 5(2), 44.
Leal Filho, W., Pallant, E., Enete, A., Richter, B., & Brandli, L. L. (2018). Planning
and implementing sustainability in higher education institutions: an overview of the
difficulties and potentials. International journal of sustainable development & world-
ecology, 25(8), 713-721.
Ma, X., & Marion, R. (2021). Exploring how instructional leadership affects teacher
efficacy: A multilevel analysis. Educational Management Administration &
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Makore, O. O. H., & Shukuru, H. H. S. (2017, August). Academic Achievement of
Students not only Depends on the Process of Teaching and Learning but also
Effectiveness of Staff Management. In 2nd International Conference on Educational
Management and Administration (CoEMA 2017) (pp. 96-101). Atlantis Press.
Republic Act 9155. (2001). An Act Instituting a Framework of Governance of Basic
Education, Establishing Authority and Accountability, Renaming the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports to Department of Education
Sakurai, A., Bisri, M. B. F., Oda, T., Oktari, R. S., & Murayama, Y. (2017,
February). Assessing school disaster preparedness by applying a comprehensive
school safety framework: A case of elementary schools in Banda Aceh City. In IOP
Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 56, No. 1, p. 012021). IOP
Publishing.
Shaibu, L. Edegbo, C., & Ishaka, M. (2019). Problems and Strategies for the
Management of School Facilities for Effective Instructional Delivery in Federal and
State Colleges of Education in the North Central States of Nigeria
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Implementation in Public Secondary Schools:A Case Study of Kohat District,Pakistan
Swaleha, S. (2013). Principals’ administrative role for quality assurance in
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Wenceslao, A., Misa, J., & Tugonon, T. (2018). Leadership Capabilities, Management
Competence and Performance of Elementary Public Administrators.

Valdez, A. P. (2012). Graduates' Transition from Study to Employment of

Radiologic Technology Graduates of the Lyceum University of the Philippines--
Batangas. Online Submission, 3(1), 269-291.