Month: March 2009

Related Literature and Studies Characteristics

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Related literature and studies help the researcher understand his topic better because it may clarify vague points about his problem. It also guides the researcher in making comparisons between his findings with the findings of other similar studies. So it is necessary that the related materials should have true value.  I listed some characteristics of related literature and studies for your guidelines.

  • The related materials should be as recent as possible. It is important that reviewed materials must be new or fresh because of the rapid change in technology, social, economic, scientific and human lifestyle.
  • Reviewed materials should be objective and unbiased. Avoid reviewed materials that is extremely political or religious or onesided.
  • Surveyed materials should be related to the study. Relevant or similar materials to the research must be reviewed.
  • The reviewed materials should be based upon genuinely original and true facts or data must be valid and reliable. Avoid materials where fictitious data are supplied just to complete the research report because it is hard to prove.
  • Reviewed materials should not be too few and too many. The researcher should provide sufficient enough reviewed materials to give insight into the research problem or to indicate the nature of the present studies. However, the number may also depend upon the availability of related materials.

Some Sources of Related Literature and Studies

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Related literature and studies plays important rule in your thesis or dissertation because it serve as a foundation of the proposed study.  Related literature is composed of discussions of facts and principles to which the present study is related while related studies are studies, inquiries or investigations already conducted to which the present proposed study is related or has similarity.

The following are sources of related literature and studies

  • Books, encyclopedias, almanacs and other similar references
  • Unpublished thesis and dissertations
  • Reports from seminars
  • Official reports from educational, social, economic, scientific, political, etc from the government and other entities
  • Constitution and laws
  • Bulletins, circulars and orders derive from government offices and departments.
  • Records of schools, public and private
  • Articles published in professional journals, magazines, periodicals, newspapers and other publications
  • Manuscripts, monographs, memoirs, speeches, letters and diaries

Usually, the sources of related literature and studies are found in the libraries, government and private offices, and national library.

Research Aims and Purposes

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All research has its own purpose. Man had been enjoying the product of research such as comfortable lives due to wonders of electricity like the light in the homes, use of computer, drugs to promote human health, and transportation.

The main purpose and aim of research is the preservation and improvement of the quality of human life.

The following are some specific purposes of research:

  • Discover facts.  Research investigates an area or issue on which previous work is carried out.
  • Find out solution to the problems. Discover solution to existing problem that are partially solved.
  • Provide basis for decision making most especially in business, industry, education, government and other activities. Some important decision is based on the result of research.
  • Find answer to queries by means of scientific methods.
  • Improve existing technologies.  Develop new products such as invention of new gadgets or machines.
  • Promote health and prolong life.  This includes the pharmaceutical, nutritional and medical research.
  • Give man with more of his basic need.  This includes clothing, food, and shelter.
  • Improve educational practices by raising quality of school products. Through research surveys, curricula and instructional innovations have been revised to maximize the effectiveness of the learning process.
  • Satisfy researcher’s curiosity.  For instance, Edison discovered incubator because he is curious how the hen hatches egg.
  • Make man’s life easier. Due to research, man reduces the burden of work through the use of labor saving machine.

Choosing of a Good Research Problem or Topic

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To ensure the completion of the study and to make research work enjoyable to the researcher, certain criteria should be observed.

  • Within the interest of the researcher. The research problem or topic should be within the interest of the researcher so that the researcher will focus his full attention on the research work.
  • Competence of the researcher. The researcher must have a workable understanding of his study such as the method of research to be used to the problem to his problem.
  • Specialization of the researcher. Research problem or topic should be within the specialization of the researcher to make research work easier for him.  This will also improve his specialization skills, and competence of his profession.
  • Research budget. The researcher should be able to finance or find funding for his research until his study is completed.
  • Personal choice of the researcher problem or topic. This is to prevent from blaming others or offering excuses for any problem encountered.
  • Researchable and manageable research problem or topic. All the data used should be accessible as well as equipment and instruments for research are available and can give valid and reliable results. Also, the hypothesis formulated are testable and the research problem or topic should be able to meet the standards of accuracy, objectivity and verifiability.
  • Within period of time. Research topic should be completed within a reasonable period of time.  There must be a project time table.
  • Relevant to the present time. Research topic should be significant, important and relevant to the present time and situation, and of current interest. In addition, it should be able to arouse people’s interest.
  • Add human knowledge. Research topic must contribute a new bit of knowledge to what we already have since all the facts and knowledge are the products of research.
  • Solve problems. Prove the way for the solution of the problems or problems intended to be solved.  After research or project have been conducted, recommendations are made for the solution and if implemented can solve the problems.
  • Moral and spiritual values. Research topic must promote divine values and admirable human values including love, peace, goodwill, etc.
  • Quality of human life. Research topic must improve the quality of human life or show how to improve unsatisfactory conditions.

Thesis Mistakes

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These are some list of common thesis mistakes to be used as guidelines to your thesis writing.

  • Fails to identify clearly the focus of the research. The problem being addressing should be identified exactly through the abstract and introduction section of the thesis since readers need to know what are the thesis is all about.
  • Incorrect chapter content. Most thesis writers are confused of what they should write in different chapters of a thesis or dissertation. Make sure to consult your advisor as often as possible.
  • Thesis plagiarism. Plagiarism is unavoidable while writing your thesis. So, it is necessary to format and cite the parts copied out.
  • Method(s) used is not clearly identified to solve the question addressed in the research. Justify the reason why choose that method.
  • Thesis assumptions are not properly defended. Thesis writer should explain the reason for the assumption.
  • Literature reviews are not clearly related with the work of others. Thesis should always be clear which parts refer to your own research findings.
  • Not properly organized such as the main points and evidence. It is important to create thesis outline to organize thoughts.
  • Punctuation error in references. The works cited page is prepared incorrectly such as the article name, author, publication date, journal and page number are not written properly.
  • Failure to do a thesis proofreading. It is best to ask someone’s help with proofreading.  It is a vital part of making thesis great. Make sure that the correct grammar, spelling and punctuation have been used. Also, thesis should be proofread several times to make sure that the correct spelling, grammar and punctuation has been used.

Good Thesis Characteristics

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Thesis is asserting what you believe and you may have to prove it. It is an explanation of theory or statement that represents your opinion and what you want is to prove it.  Your point of view or opinion should prove your point in an acceptable manner. There are no set rules for good thesis however your thesis must prove its points.

Some Thesis Writing Characteristics

  • It should present a valid argument. You should always propose a valid arguable point and be able to justify it.
  • It expresses only one idea.
  • It clearly declares your own conclusion based on evidence.
  • It should not vague generalization and vague language.
  • Thesis should not useless points because it will only make your thesis difficult to understand.
  • It should guide your readers to the conclusion instead of confusing them.
  • You should avoid using the first person such as “I believe”, “In my opinion”.

Writing Thesis Abstract

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Abstract is a brief and concise descriptive summary of your thesis or dissertation.  It is a sum up of your statement of the problem, hypotheses, assumptions, research design, objectives, data-gathering, data-processing method, findings, conclusions and recommendations. It is brief summary of your thesis outline from the beginning to end. Thesis abstract is place after your table of contents page.

Your abstract should consist of direct quotes which are lifted from the thesis.  Your paragraph should use simple language and avoid using technical terms as much as possible. Abstract contains 100 to 350 words only if it is a descriptive type but if it is informative type, it should contain 100 to 250 words only.  Also, thesis abstract should focus more on problem and solution discussed in the thesis.

By the way, your thesis abstract is served as great introduction or opening section for the actual thesis.  This is for the benefit of your readers because not everyone has to go through the entire thesis; they just want to know important information.  Likewise, the examiner board generally does not have enough time to go through the thesis of all the students who shall defend their work in front of them so after reading your thesis abstract, they have the idea about the work done by the student and can ask intelligent questions.

The best way to write your thesis abstract is after the rest of the paper is completed and take note important points. Anyway, how can you summarize something that is not yet written?

Sample Thesis Abstract

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sample thesis abstractThe primary purpose of this study is to explore the development of a solar dehydrator for the use of the indigenous people and other partner communities of the University of Santo Tomas’ in the rural areas. The research study focuses in the design and adaptability of the solar dehydrator to the produce of these partner communities as way to alleviate their plight of poverty due to exploitation of tradesmen buying their agricultural output such as papayas, bananas, mangoes, root crops, ginger, etc.

Secondly, the research study as an output together with a fabricated solar dehydrator, the development of a source material that can be of use in the long term of its primary beneficiaries, the farmers.

By: Engr. Mary Rose Florence S. Cobar, Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Thesis title: “Development of a Source Material in Food Dehydration Craft Technology for the Secondary Schools”

Sample Thesis Format and Outline

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thesis outlineTITLE PAGE

  • This page is assigned a Roman numeral “i” although does not appear on the page
  • The date used is the month and year of commencement
  • The proponents name must appear as registered at the institution

APPROVAL PAGE

  • The names used on the approval sheet and title page must be that under which the proponents are registered at the institution
  • Black ink is required for the signatures of approving signatories
  • The number of signature lines must equal to the number of panelists
  • The approval page required counted as page “ii” but not numbered

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

  • Numbered with Roman numeral “iii”

ABSTRACT

  • Number page; Roman numeral and placed at center of heading
  • Should be a concise review of the work containing a brief summary of the problem and results of the research.
  • A short statement concerning the area of research study
  • A brief discussion of methods and procedures used in gathering data
  • A condensed summary of the findings and conclusions reached in the study

CONTENT OF ABSTRACT

  • Proponents
  • Title
  • Key concepts
  • Degree
  • Adviser/s
  • Statement of the Purpose or Problem
  • Methodology [ Research Design and Procedure]
  • Summary of Findings
  • Recommendations

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables, Charts, Figures, Plates
Chapters  [with Chapter I starts as page 1
Bibliography
Appendices – include Gantt Chart of Timetable

Curriculum Vitae

TYPE FONTS and PRINT QUALITY

1.    Recommended font – Times Roman, size 12

2.    Line Spacing – standard double space

3.    Margins – the left hand margin must be 1½ inches wide to allow for binding; all other margins must be 1 inch wide. Adherence to this margin will leave a 6×9 inch area on each sheet of the text or illustrative material including page numbers. The right margins should not be justified. The only exceptions to the margin requirements are:

a)    The first page of each chapter or major section of the manuscript, where typing begins 2” down from the top rather than 1” and tables and figures maybe smaller and centered but not larger than the 6×9 area.

b)    Tables and figures must be reduced to meet margin requirements

c)    It is not permissible to leave a single line of a paragraph or other subdivision at either the bottom or top of a page.

d)    The last word on a page cannot be hyphenated.

4.    Pagination

a)    Every page of the thesis must have a page number except the title page, approval page, abstract pages and CV.

b)    Small roman numerals (ii, iii,etc) are used for the preliminary pages: acknowledgement, table of contents and list of tables

c)    Arabic numbers are used for the remainder of the document including the text and reference material. No other numbering scheme is acceptable.

d)    All page numbers must be placed 1” from the top, even with the right margin

e)    On pages with a major heading such as APPENDIX or BIBLIOGRAPHY and those beginning a CHAPTER, the page is placed in the center bottom position – 1” up from bottom

f)    Numbers of preliminary pages are placed at the center bottom in small roman numerals.

Scope and Delimitations

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It is important to narrow down your thesis topic and limit the scope of your study.  The researcher should inform the reader about limits or coverage of the study. The scope identifies the boundaries of the study in term of subjects, objectives, facilities, area, time frame, and the issues to which the research is focused.

Sample phrases that help express the scope of the study:

The coverage of this study……….
The study consists of ……..
The study covers the ……….
This study is focus on……..

The delimitation of the study is delimiting a study by geographic location, age, sex, population traits, population size, or other similar considerations. Delimitation is used to make study better and more feasible and not just for the interest of the researcher. It also identifies the constraints or weaknesses of your study which are not within the control of the researcher.

Sample phrases that expressed the delimitations of the study

The study does not cover the……
The researcher limited this research to……
This study is limited to………