HOW TO WRITE

CHAPTER 1
MAED 120 METHODS OF RESEARCH
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

The introduction may be composed of three or four paragraphs which

will enable the readers to see at a glance the entire contents of the research
work.
1. The first paragraph is intended to provide the readers a mental readiness,
thus giving them the information as to what the problem of the research
is a about. It introduces the study and its justification.
Example:
“Online Teaching Readiness of the Faculty of Aurora State College of Technology, Baler, Aurora, Philippines”

The State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines experienced an abrupt change
in the modes of delivering lessons to students amidst this time of coronavirus pandemic. The
change started when the President of the Republic of the Philippines issued a Memorandum
through the Executive Secretary last March 16, 2020, declaring the entire Luzon including the
National Capital Region (NCR) under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), indefinitely
suspending classes in all levels, from pre-school to tertiary. During this time, faculty in State
Universities and Colleges were faced with a dilemma on how the current semester will go on
without face-to-face contact with students. Some faculty of universities and colleges adapted
the so called “new normal” of teaching just to finish the semester and that was through
online.
2. The second paragraph carries the greater part of this introduction and the problem that is used
as frame of reference. It tells the readers the scope, circumstances and the coverage of the study.
Example:
The two types of online teaching adapted by faculty were the synchronous, which happens in
real-time and the asynchronous, which used online channel without real-time interaction. However,
as faculty and students were situated in different locations, problems like slow internet
connection would often result to a lag during discussions, sometimes there was no internet
connection at all, and some faculty were not familiar on the use of current technology. These
were some of the challenges encountered by faculty as they tried to adapt with the online mode of
teaching. According to Johnson and Berge (2012), when faculty are asked to re-design their courses
to online method, it is important that they receive appropriate training in teaching methods, learner
support, and course delivery. Therefore, there is a need to identify areas for development that would
enhance faculty competencies in the online environment. These competencies among faculty will
differ by culture, contexts, and organizations (Guasch, Alvarez, & Espasa, 2010).
3. The third paragraph revolves around the various conditions that accompany and
determine the purpose of the study.
Example:

Several studies have already been conducted on examining faculty

readiness for online teaching using different criteria. Chi (2015) developed
a Readiness to Teach Online (RTTO) Scale that included social and student
engagement, faculty and technology support, course development and
instructional design, and evaluation and assessment factors while Palloff and
Pratt (2011) examined faculty readiness for online teaching based on the
criteria that included visibility, compassion, communication,
commitment, and organization.
4. The last paragraph is a sort of closing portion that arouses the curiosity and interest of the
readers to know the results of the study.
Example:

The Aurora State College of Technology is planning to adopt an online

mode of instruction. However, adoption will be difficult since there are no
prior studies that examined the readiness of the college’ faculty in
adopting such system, hence a survey will be conducted among
permanent faculty in the three campuses e.g. Baler, Maria Aurora, and
Casiguran from April to May 2020.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. The statement should be stated both in general and in specific terms. The general statement
of the problem is a reiteration of the title of the study
Example of the title:
“Online Teaching Readiness of the Faculty of Aurora State College of Technology, Baler,
Aurora, Philippines”
Example of the general statement:
Generally, this study aimed to determine the online teaching readiness of the faculty of
Aurora State College of Technology.
2. The problem is stated in an interrogatory form. It must ask a question and sub-problems must follow the
main problem which are the key issues for investigations in the research.
Example:

1. How do faculty perceive their own readiness in online teaching in terms of:
a. Technological Readiness, and
b. Cultural Readiness?
2. Is there a significant difference between sociodemographic profile of faculty
(e.g. age, sex, years in teaching, academic department and place of residency)
on their perceived readiness in online teaching?
3. The problem should be stated in the infinitive to (action words in research) such as
examine, analyze, determine, assess, evaluate, find out, among other.
Example:
Generally, this study aimed to determine the online teaching readiness of the faculty of
Aurora State College of Technology.
4. Specific questions should be stated using the following guide question words: ‘How”,
“Will”, “What”, “Is there”.
Example:

1. How do faculty perceive their own readiness in online teaching in terms

of:
a. Technological Readiness, and
b. Cultural Readiness?
2. Is there a significant difference between sociodemographic profile of
faculty (e.g. age, sex, years in teaching, academic department and place of
residency) on their perceived readiness in online teaching?
HYPOTHESIS

 A statement of what one expects to find; a statement to be proven

 Am initial answer to the research questions
 An expected relationship between variables
 An explanation of the phenomenon
 A common sense statement
 A statement of patterns of behavior
EXAMPLE

If the problem is to find out the causes of dropouts among Filipino pupils in the
grade school, review the theoretical statements and some earlier research findings on
this phenomenon and the variables that have been noted to be associated with it, e.g.,
such as sex, IQ, motivation, and economic status. Then, formulate the hypothesis,
Hypothesis 1. Children from low income families are more likely to drop out than
those from high income families.
Hypothesis 2. IQ is negatively related to dropping out in school.
TYPES OR FORMS OF HYPOTHESIS

1. Null Hypothesis
This is sometimes described as the hypothesis of no difference or no
relationship. Technically, when a statistical hypothesis is tested using
inferential statistics, it is a null hypothesis that is being tested. Where “there
is no difference” meaning the independent variable does not affect the
dependent variable and if the data reject the null hypothesis, then the
alternative hypothesis should be true. It is testable and should be drawn
directly from the specific problems which basically are related to
theoretical/conceptual framework.
2. Alternative hypothesis
This says “there is a difference”, meaning, that the independent variable
affects the dependent variables. The alternative hypothesis serves as the real
concern of the research study. It is a definite statement of the relationship
between variables. In essence, this is what the investigation hopes to
determine.
EXAMPLE

Is there any significant difference between the effectiveness of inductive method and
that of the deductive method in teaching science?
Null hypothesis
There is no significant difference between the effectiveness or inductive method and
the deductive method in teaching science.
Alternative hypothesis
There is a significant difference between the effectiveness of inductive method and that
of the deductive method in teaching science.
EXERCISE 1.

Is there a significant difference between sociodemographic profile of faculty (e.g. age,

sex, years in teaching, academic department and place of residency) on their perceived
readiness in online teaching?
Null hypothesis?
_________________________________________________
Alternative hypothesis?
_________________________________________________
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

See notes in word format…

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

See the word format…

IMPORTANCE/ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1. The rationale, timelines and relevance of the study to existing conditions/situations covered by
investigations.
2. What motivated the researchers to conduct the study?
3. The possible solutions to existing problems or improvement to unsatisfactory conditions.
4. Show the individuals, groups, or communities who maybe placed in a more advantageous on account of
the study.
5. The possible contribution to the fount of knowledge.
6. It should consider and discuss the implications, including the possible causes of the problems, the
positive effects of the problems, and the remedial measures to solve the identified problems.
USE THESE PHRASES TO EXPRESS THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
 Results could help benefit…
 The study will enhance involvement in the…
 Similar organizations/ institutions will benefit from this study…
 This study can help improve the…
 The findings may also serve as guides to…
 This study will serve…
 This study will contribute…
 The results of this study will provide some insights and understanding on how to…
 This study will make them aware of…
 This could motivate and challenge school authorities to…
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope identifies the boundaries in terms of time, location and samples, subjects and
the limitations which are beyond the control of the researcher.

The use of the following phrases could help to express the scope/limitation of the study:
 This study is focused on…
 This study is limited to…
 The coverage of this study…
 The investigation is concerned on…
 The researcher limited this study to…
 The study does not seek to include…
DEFINITION OF TERMS

Operational definition
- expresses the meaning of the terms/ variables as used in a particular field of study.

Conceptual definition
- usually taken from the dictionary and carries a universal meaning easily understood
by the readers.
The terms should be arranged in alphabetical order. Acronyms should be spelled out fully,
especially if it is not commonly known or if used for the first time:
In writing definitions of Terms/ Variables
1. Define terms, which, though common, may have a special specific meaning or are
differently used.
2. Define terms that are absolutely necessary in the study and do so precisely by using an
authoritative document.
3. If it is difficult to find an authoritative definition, find one or two such definitions; cite
them and try to create your own definition as used in the study.

4. Complicated and lengthy definitions like those required in Science or Mathematics,

should be placed in the Appendix.
NEXT…

HOW TO WRITE CHAPTER 2