HOW TO WRITE CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

Introduction This is not a title of a chapter. It is actually a

paragraph side head, which begins chapter 1. Statement in this
chapter should not only signify the importance of the topic but
should also cause an impact on the reader.
• Guidelines in Writing the Introduction
It may be composed of three paragraphs enabling the readers
to see at a glance the entire contents of the research work.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
1. The intention of the first paragraph is to provide the readers a
mental warm-up, thus giving them information and readiness as
to what the research is all about. It should introduce the study
and justify the problem.
2. The second paragraph carries the bulk of the introduction. The
statement of the problem can best be used as frame of reference
to write this paragraph. It is simply telling the readers the scope
and coverage of the study.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
This will help revolve around mentioning the purpose of the
study, which determine the existing or non-existing relationships
between the independent and dependent variables.
3. The third or last paragraph is a sort of closing portion that is
intriguing and challenging the readers to become interested.
4. Avoid assuming the value of the study, reliability of the
instruments and the population of the study
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Statement of the Problem – this is the focus of the study and all
questions stated should be categorically answered.
• Guidelines in Writing the Statement of the Problem
1. The problem should be stated both in general and in specific
terms. The general statement of the problem is usually a
reiteration of the title of the study.
2. The problem is always in an interrogatory form, hence it must
ask a question and sub-problems must follow the main problem
which are the key points for investigations in the research.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
• Guidelines in Writing the Statement of the Problem
3. The problem should be satted in the infinitive to (action
words in research), setting 4-5 research objectives is
ideal for a research problem.
4. Specific questions should be stated using the following
guide question words: How, Will, What, Is there …..
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Assumptions – It is a statement related to the problem, which is
presumed to be true on the basis of observation or experience. It
is used to provide general direction to the study and does not
require confirmation or discussion in the research.
• Guidelines in Writing and Use of Assumption
1. Descriptive and Historical researches, assumptions are not
explicitly expressed but left implicit, that is they are unwritten.
2. Avoid assuming the value of the study, reability of the
instruments and the population of the study
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

Hypothesis This is understood as:

a statement of what one expects to find
a statement to be proven
an initial answer to the research questions
a common sense statement
an expected relationship between variables
an explanation of the phenomena
a statement of patterns of behavior
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

• Forms of Hypothesis
• Null Hypothesis This says “there is no difference”, meaning
the independent variable does not affect the dependent variable.
• Alternative Hypothesis This says “ there is a difference”,
meaning that the independent variable affects the dependent
variable. The alternative hypothesis serves as the real concern of
the research. It is a definite statement of the relationship between
variables. This is what the research hopes to determine.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

• Ways of Stating the Alternative Hypothesis

• Non-directional form A difference exists between the related
variables. It does not tell us if the relationship is direct or
inverse.
• Directional form This states very explicitly that the
relationship is direct or inverse
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
• Guidelines in the Formulation of Explicit Hypothesis
1. In experimental investigation, hypothesis have to be explicit, they have
to be expressed. They have to be expressed also in comparative and
correlational studies.
2. In descriptive and historical investigation, hypothesis are seldom
expressed if not entirely absent. No research is conducted without any
hypothesis at all
3. Hypothesis are usually stated in the null form because testing a null
hypothesis is easier than a hypothesis in the operational/alternative form.
4. Hypotheses are formulated from the specific questions upon which they
are based.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

Importance or Significance of the Study

• The researcher expresses the value or importance of the
research study. It is where the significant contributions of the
results of the study are enumerated. Such contributions may be
viewed from the point of the target beneficiaries. It may also
be viewed on their contributions to the accumulation of
knowledge, improvement/refinement of concepts and theories,
improvement of methods and instruments.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

• Guidelines in Writing Importance or Significance of

Study
1. The rationale, timeless and or relevance of the study to existing
conditions must be explained or discussed.
2. Possible solutions to existing problems or improvements to
unsatisfactory conditions
3. It must be shown who are the individuals, groups or
communities who may be placed in a more advantageous
position on account of the study.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

• Guidelines in Writing Importance or Significance of

Study
4. Possible contribution to a pool of knowledge
5. It should discuss the implications, including the possible
causes of the problems discovered, the positive effects of the
problems and the remedial measures to solve the problems
Implications must include the good points of a system, which
ought to be continued or to be improved.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Scope and Delimitations of the Study
The scope identifies the boundaries or coverage of the study
in terms of subjects, objectives, facilities, area, time frame
and the issues to which the research is focused.
The delimitations of the study defines the constraints or
weaknesses, which are not within the control of the
researcher, therefore, they are not expected to be covered by
the study.
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Scope and Delimitations of the Study
The use of the following phrases could help express the scope of this
portion:
This study will focus on ……
The coverage of this study ……
The study covers the ……
The study focuses on …..
It includes …….
It is concerned with ……
The study consists of ………
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Scope and Delimitations of the Study
The delimitations could be expressed using the following
phrases:
The study is limited to ……
The study does not cover the …..
The investigator limited this research to …..
It does not seek to include …….
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
The theoretical framework shapes the jstification of the
research problem objectives in order to provide the basis on its
parameters. It is desirable for a researcher to identify the key
concepts that are used in the study for better understanding of
the rule of theory in research. It is symbolic construction,
which uses abstract, concepts, facts or laws, variables and their
relations that explain and predict how an observed
phenomenon exists and operates.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
Conceptual framework presents specific and well defined
concepts which are called constructs. Its function is similar
with theoretical framework because the constructs used are
derived from abstract, concepts of the theoretical framework.
• Theory – consists of generalizations (statements or
conclusions) about a phenomena based on some amount of
evidence and continued verification.
• Speculative philosophical theory – analyzes data and prescribes norms
• Empirical theory – derives conclusions of cause-effect and relationship
variables
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
• Model – is a construction of variables and their relationships
used to represent reality. It provides a picture of what the
phenomena could be like. The model is a format, a pattern, a
drawing, a picture of what reality could be.
• Perspective – is preferred in cases of hesitancy in using
theory. Perspective denotes the mind set, the system of
thought or context of terms, the meanings and conclusion
• Approach – is the language of research that includes the word
approach. It conveys the idea that the research will deal with.
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Constructing Theoretical Framework
• The practice of research is to present the different theories,
models, paradigms, perspectives related to the problem and
the hypothesis. This shows the generalizations already
accumulated related to the problem. In planning and
writing the theoretical framework, it is important to cite the
theory that will be used by giving the assumptions,
defining terms-concepts, identifying the variables, stating
the relationship of variables and presenting hypothesis.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Constructing Conceptual Framework
• The conceptual framework is anchored on the theoretical
framework. The conceptual and theoretical framework
needs to be consistent and related. The conceptual
framework is the detailed presentation of the variables to
be observed in the current study, the concepts defined in a
way the researcher wants, it is understood in the current
research, the operationalization of the variables-concepts,
the visible indicators or the variables-concepts, the scheme
of measuring the variables.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Styles of Presenting Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
• The theoretical or conceptual framework is integrated with the
problem in Chapter 1 of the research. There is no review of
related literature as a separate chapter but it is incorporated in
chapter 1. This design is also known as the Journalistic style.
• The theoretical or conceptual framework in chapter 1 and labeled
as such but there is still a separate chapter for the Review of
Related Literature.
• In this style, the usual content of chapter 1 are presented. Chapter
2 consists of the related literature and theoretical framework is
labeled at the end of chapter 2.
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Paradigm – is a diagrammatic representation of a conceptual
framework. It depicts in a more vivid way what the
conceptual framework wants to convey.
Context input Process Product Model (CIPP)
Inputs-Process Throughputs-Outputs Model (IPO)
Combined Variables Model (CVM)
Interactional System Model (ISM)
THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Definition of Terms
This section of the research includes important or key terms
that should be substantially and clearly defined according to
how they are used in the study in order to facilitate
understanding of the problem and avoid ambiguous meaning.
• Operational definition – express the meaning of terms as used in a
particular field of study
• Conceptual/lexical definition – usually taken from the dictionary
 THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES
Guidelines in Writing Definition of Terms
1. Define those terms, which though common may have a special
specific meaning or are differently used
2. Define some special terms or languages created by some
disciplines.
3. Define only what is absolutely necessary and do so precisely by
using an authoritative document.
4. If you cannot find an authoritative definition, find one or two such
definitions; cite them and try to create your own definitions as
used in research
5. Complicated and lengthy definitions, should be placed in an
appendix
 THE PROBLEM AND ITS OBJECTIVES

Example: Table Salt

Type A – The result of the chemical combination of water and
chlorine

Type B – A water soluble substance that conducts electricity

Type C – A substance having cubical crystals

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Alternative Ways of Generating Operational Definitions

Type A – in terms of operations that which must be performed to
cause the phenomenon or state of being defined to occur. It is the
statement of what preconditions of the experimenter creates or
looks for to indicate that a certain phenomenon or state exists.
Type B – includes how a particular object or term operates, what is
does or what constitutes its dynamic properties.
Type C – can be constructed in terms of what the object being
defined look like, that is what constitutes its static properties