DISSERTATION/THESIS
FORMAT
FOUR-CHAPTER FORMAT
PRELIMINARIES
Title Page
Approval Sheet
Dedication
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction (Perceived gap)
Background of the Study
Literature Review (Only the variables found in the Statement of the Problem are
provided with a literature review. Use only the findings)
Synthesis of Literature Review
Theoretical Frameworks (For PhD programs, the variables in the SOP must be
back-up with grounded theory: for Doctoral programs, the frameworks
must be industry-based, they are models)
Initial Conceptual Framework
Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations
Definition of Terms
CHAPTER 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Population, Samples and Sampling Technique
Research Instrument
Validity Test
Reliability Test
Data Gathering Procedures
Statistical Treatment
CHAPTER 3
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF FINDINGS
Note 1: RESULTS are presented in the order of the Statement of the Problem
Each result decision must be with an implication. No personal views
are included
Note 2: DO NOT copy the figures from the Tables to make lengthy presentations.
Simply make an analysis of what the figures convey.
Note 3: DO NOT include in the Tables data that are not analyzed and interpreted
All data included in the Tables must be analyzed and interpreted
Note 4: The end of Chapter 3 must be the derived final conceptual framework,
properly discussed and its importance as a new theoretical framework.
CHAPTER 4
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
To start with, copy/paste the Statement of the Problem
Summary of findings (Highlights of the findings for each of the SOP. Do it in bullet form)
Conclusions (The acceptance or rejection of the hypotheses. The decisions must be
cross-referenced using the review of related literature. Make sure that
the cited review of literature is based on the specific variables in the SOP). Your findings may
agree/disagree/completely different from your cross-references. This is not a concern
as this will invite more research activities to be done.
Recommendations (All recommendations must be research-based)
For PhD
Policy/Frameworks for maintenance on identified strengths
Policy/Frameworks for corrective actions on identified weaknesses
For Doctoral
A Derived Model
SPECIFIC DETAILS
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
The Perceived Gap. At most three paragraphs: the first paragraph
deals with general topic of the research, the second paragraph deals with
the specific topic, and the third paragraph is the perceived gap.
Background of the Study
Following the order of the variables presented in the statement of the
problem, discuss briefly the current situation related to these variables.
Review of Related Literature
The review follows the order of the Statement of the Problem, i.e.,
the topics being reviewed follow the order of the intervening,
explanatory, moderating variables as presented in the Statement of
the Problem
(NOTE:
1 Whether local or foreign, these are presented whenever it is
appropriate
2 Only the findings are required here. Do not include the
design used or recommendations).
3 As much as possible place the authors together where
appropriate.
Synthesis of Review (Just state briefly the highlight of findings
● Theoretical Framework
● Note: For PhD program, use Grounded Theory
● For Doctoral program, use Industry-Based
Models
Theoretical Framework
A good theoretical framework gives you a strong scientific research base
and provides support for the rest of your dissertation. But what exactly is a
theoretical framework? And how do you write one? After you have
identified your problem statement and research question(s), it is important
to determine what theories and ideas exist in relation to your chosen subject.
By presenting this information, you ‘frame’ your research and show that
you are knowledgeable about the key concepts, theories, and models that
relate to your topic.
● Initial Conceptual Framework
● For PhD program derive an initial conceptual
framework (Grounded Theory, derived from
the Grounded Theory and Review of Related
Literature
● For Doctoral program, derive an initial model
(Industry-based model)
Statement of the Problem
The general statement of the problem must capture the title of the
study to be followed by specific questions addressing the areas of
concern. It should catch the attention of the reader and establish a
persuasive context for what follows.
Hypothesis
It states the theory needing investigation: a tentative explanation for a
phenomena used as a basis for further investigation.
NOTE. The null hypothesis (HO) addresses the assumptions as stated in
the Statement of the Problem. The HO is usually stated negatively.
Significance of the Study
This refers to the contribution of the study to decision/ policy makers,
recipients of the study, community (local and national level), other
relevant stakeholders, and future researchers.
Note: List only the major stakeholders as you need to identify appropriate
implications to these stakeholders in the decisions you will make in
Chapter 3 based on the results or findings.
Scope and Limitations
The scope discusses the extent to which the intervening, moderating
and explanatory variables are used. The limitations acknowledge the
perceived weaknesses and constraints of the study.
Definition of Terms
Only the intervening, moderating, and explanatory variables are
defined operationally. These definitions need not be based on the
definition provided by the dictionary
The definitions and models you select also give your research direction,
as you will continue to build on these choices in different stages of your project.
The theoretical framework also provides scientific justification for your investigation:
it shows that your research is not just coming “out of the blue,” but that it is
both grounded in and based on scientific theory.
Theoretical Framework Conceptual Framework
● This is a survey o relevant theoretical ● From the chosen theoretical framework,
frameworks. the researcher constructs his initial
conceptual framework.
● The researcher has to choose the most
appropriate theoretical framework for the ● This initial conceptual framework can be
study revised to result with a final framework
based on the results of the study.
INITIAL CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Research reports cast the problem statement within the context
of a conceptual framework. A description of this framework
contributes to a research report in at least two ways because it
1 identifies research variables, and
2 clarifies relationships among the variables.
CHAPTER 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is a concise description of the research method and justification for its
choice. Sufficient description of operational and field procedures are needed in
the collection of data (when, where, and how data are to be obtained.
Research Design
Population and Sampling Technique
N
n = ------------------- N, population size
1 + (Ne.05) n, sample size
e, allowance for error
for stratified proportionate sampling, n = n1 + n2 + …
Instrument
Test for Validity (Use one-sample t-test or factor loading)
Test for Reliability (Use Cronbach α ≥ .70)
Data Gathering
Statistical Treatment
CHAPTER 3
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The results and discussions follow the order of This chapter ends with a derived
the Statement of the Problem. paradigm/model based on the findings.
At the end of each discussion, expected This is the revision of the initial conceptual
implications affecting decision-making/policy framework. This framework/model represents
making/managerial decisions are presented. the contribution of the researcher to the now
existing body of knowledge.
CHAPTER 4
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter starts with the Statement of the Problem (Copy/Paste here the SOP found in
Chapter 1)
Summary of findings (Note: Just the highlights of the answers to the Statement of the
Problem preferably presented in bullet form)
Recommendations
Maintenance policies/frameworks to address identified strong areas
Corrective policies/frameworks to address identified weak areas
A Balanced Scorecard for monitoring and control with a corresponding Action Plan
(Provided in a separate folder)
Do not forget to recommend your final conceptual framework
Conclusions
The conclusions are answers to the Hypotheses
(NOTE: This must be crossed-referenced using the
review of related literature, i.e., if your finding is in
agreement/disagreement/or entirely different from the
findings based on the review of related literature.
Recommendations (Based on findings)
For PhD:
Maintenance policies/frameworks to address identified
strong areas
Corrective policies/frameworks to address identified
weak areas
For Doctoral
A Industry-based Model
REFERENCES
APPENDICES/EXHIBITS
A BRIEF CURRICULUM VITAE
