Project Name: Annual Website

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Have you been able to go to a party or other social gathering in the last year or two without running into conversations about the Internet? Chances are, the answer is no.

This global network has been around for nearly 20 years, but most people seems to have appeared out of nowhere in the last year or two.  In that time, more and more people have tried it out.  Many have been able to get through the initial startup, which is almost always baffling, and have come to appreciate this brave new world for the phenomenal amount of information it makes available, as well as for its entertainment value.

Today, internet is very popular. Many people and companies invest in it due to its worldwide connection and access.  It renders services such as advertisements, new technologies, and new movies especially to those popular people including celebrities and high officials, and virtually any subject you can think of.  It also serves as research reference for many, especially students.  You may even avail of chats where you can make new friends around the world.

Because of it being in demand and popular to people, as graduating students, we thought of putting a Computer Science WebPage in the Internet.

Not to boast about the graduates but to give them the advantage of being known by companies who need their services.  This is also a nice way of helping the students to be known not only in their places but also throughout the world.  Their faces will be seen as well as their scholastic records and some personal information.

As a start, we also have placed the student’s achievements and activities or organizations that he had participated in.  With this effort, we can also advertise our school and the courses we have finished.  In short, not only the students or their relatives benefits from this but also the school and those who are planning to finish a degree in the near future but haven’t decided yet what to take and where to take it.

The idea of this study started when we saw our elder brothers and sisters as well as our parents with their classical Yearbook.  We had the difficulty of scanning book pages, looking for them; they’re past activities and organizations.  With the advent of this new technology, these difficulties won’t be experienced anymore.

So why be contented with this old style of Yearbook when we can have a better and “viewer friendly” one?

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of the study is to determine whether or not a CompSci WebPage in the Internet would be feasible for future usage.

Specifically, the researcher would like to address the following problems:

  1. Is a CompSci WebPage in the Internet better than that the usual Yearbook?
  2. Will this be applicable to all students whatever their courses may be?
  3. What are its advantages as well as disadvantages?
  4. What can this project contribute to trends of technology?
  5. In terms of the cost, will the CompSci WebPage in the internet cost more than that of the classical Yearbook, and would be difference of cost worth it?

Excerpt from Annual Website Project by Romalyn Mamalateo, Sheryll Hipolio, Mary Jane Edquiban

The Feasibility of Bagasse and Filter-Press Mud as a Substrate for Mushroom Cultivation

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Abstract

Bagasse and filter-press mud (FPM) are the primary by products from processed sugarcane.  This research uses these two by products to create a substrate suitable for mushroom cultivation.  The mushroom spores were initially introduced into test tubes which contained Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA).  After two weeks of incubation, the mycelia were then transferred into bottles containing sorghum seeds.  The mycelia were allowed to develop into grain spawn for two week, after which the spawn were transferred into prepared substrate bags of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 of bagasse FPM ratios.  A second batch of substrates was made without the 1:1 ratio and with a pure bagasse substrate.  Mushroom growth was recorded after 60 days.  In the first initial trial, the highest growth rate was observed in the 2:1 proportion.  In the second trial, all replicates exhibited positive mushroom growth.  The bagasse and substrates are therefore suitable for mushroom cultivation.

Introduction

Mushrooms, which are in demand in the domestic and world markets, are found everywhere.  They live on dead or decaying organisms such as beneath decaying tree trunks.  They are easy to produce, but growing them in large numbers is a difficult task.

Bagasse and FPM are the principal by products obtained from processing sugarcane.  Bagasse is used primarily as fuel in factories while FPM has no apparent use.  Since they are by products from sugarcane, they could contain nutrients essential for mushroom growth  They could be used as substrates for mushroom culture, specifically oyster mushrooms.

Review of Related Literature

Mushrooms.  Mushrooms are the fruiting structures, or spore-bearing organs, of higher fungi.  They are produced by the fungi’s vegetative bodies (mycelia) growing in the soil, on wood, or in or on other substrates.  Some are very common, but many are found only rarely in special habitats (Lexicon Encyclopedia, Vol. XIII, 1986).

Bagasse.  Bagasse, aside from molasses, are the principal by products from processed sugarcane.  Bagasse is used primarily as fuel for factories and for the manufacture of building boards and paper products (Jain, et.al, 1988).

A study of the ability of P.ostreatus to degrade bagasse was conducted by Poonam Nigam of India.  A significant decrease in crude fibre was found in autoclaved pretreated bagasse samples.  The results indicated a stronger ability of P.ostreatus to degrade bagasse (Nigam, 1988).  This means that oyster mushrooms grow well on bagasse.

Filter Press Mud.  Filter Press Mud (FPM) is the residue that collects in the sedimentation tank during clarification of the sugarcane extract.  It has been used in the production of organic compost.  Otherwise, it is usually discarded.

Materials and Methods

I. Preparation of the Culture Medium (Potato Dextrose Agar or PDA)

Potatoes were first washed and weighed before they were cut into cubes.  They were boiled in a 1/4 liter of water for at least fifteen minutes until they become soft.  The potato extract was strained through an unsoiled cloth.  The volume of the extract was restored to 1/4 liter and the broth was then returned to the casserole.  Powdered dextrose and the agar bar were added and the mixture stirred constantly until they were melted.  The hot solution was poured into clean, flat bottles, filling around a height of 1 inch from the bottom.  For stock cultures, test tubes were filled with at least 10 mL of the liquid agar medium.  Care was taken so that the solution would not touch the mouth of the test tube and the plug will not get stuck.  The mouth was then plugged with a cotton wad.  It was then sterilized in an autoclave for 15 minutes at 120 degree celcius and 15 psi.  (The bottled media can also be steamed in a casserole of water for 1-2 hours.)  After sterilization, the bottles/test tube were cooled to about 45 degree celcius.  The bottles/test tubes were placed in a reclined position in order to increase the surface of the solution in it.  Again, care was taken so that the agar does not touch the plug.  The slanted bottles/test tubes were then stored in a cool place for future use.

This is an excerpt from Bato Balani Magazine.

Parts of the Research Paper

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Abstract
–  Contains that brief discussion of the background and objectives of the problem, statement of the problem, short discussion of research design as well as  findings, conclusion and recommendations.

Title Page
– Composes of title of the research, full name of the researcher, the subject for which the research is presented.  Also, it includes the college and department of the institution to which the research is presented and the month and year in which the research is submitted.

Acknowledgement
– Mention the people who guided in the completion of the research.

Table of Contents
– Lists the chapter headings of the research such as the preliminaries, chapter number, chapter titles and page citations, sub-headings of main headings, bibliography, appendix(ces) with corresponding page.

List of Tables
– Demonstrate the presentation of the captions of the tables with the number of tables, caption of titles and pages in the research where the table is located.

List of Figures and Illustrations
– Includes graphs, charts and other illustrations used in the research.  It shows the numbers of figures and illustration, captions or title, and pages in the research where the figures/illustrations appear.

Introduction
– Background of the study, statement of the problem, statement of the hypothesis, theoretical and conceptual framework, definition of terms, importance of the study and scope and delimitation of the study are included in the introduction.

Review of Related Literature
– Presents what has and has not been researched on the problem by explaining the basis of the theoretical framework.

Methodology
– Presents the procedures in data gathering such as the design of the study, variables and measures, sources of data, instrumentation, procedure, and treatment of research and data.

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
– Presentation and analysis of data as well the interpretation are included in this section.

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
– Summarizes findings to answer the research questions.  Also, include conclusions or generalizations from the collected data as well as the recommendation  and implications for further research and policy implementation

Sample Thesis Acknowledgement

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and the help of several individuals who in one way or another contributed and extended their valuable assistance in the preparation and completion of this study.

First and foremost, my utmost gratitude to Dr. Nilo L. Rosas, President of the Philippine Normal University whose sincerity and encouragement I will never forget. Dr. Rosas has been my inspiration as I hurdle all the obstacles in the completion this research work.

Dr. Norma J. Manaloto, former Head of the Department of Educational Management, Measurement and Evaluation, who until her day of retirement had kind concern and consideration regarding my academic requirements.

Dr. Alice D. Dioquino, for her unselfish and unfailing support as my dissertation adviser;

Engr. Alex A. Santos, co-adviser to Dr. Dioquino, for his patience and steadfast encouragement to complete this study;

Dr. Danilo K. Villena, Head of the Department of Education Management and Measurement, for the moral support despite his just being newly appointed;

Dr. Angelita D. Romero, Dean of the College of Education, for the insights she has shared;

Dr. Florentina L. Gorospe, Dr. Jose Rizal Sanchez and Dr. Rebecca C. Nueva-Espa?a for their inputs especially in the curriculum part of this study. They have shared valuable insights in the relevance of the study to basic education not just in the technology sector.

The staff of the PNU President’s Office especially Ms. Didi, Vic and Noel for being accommodating to our queries likewise the secretary of the Educational Management Department Chair and her student assistant for all the help.

Dr. Generosa Eligio, Principal of the CLSU Science High School and Engr. Donald Mateo of the Bureau of Post Harvest Research Extension, Nueva Ecija, for their expertise. Despite the distance, they have painstakingly e-mailed the information I needed.

The UST ME graduates namely the Andaya group and Emas group for the literature such as catalogues and journals needed that came all the way from Nueva Ecija;

Allan Valera of Santo Tomas E-Services Providers for the assistance on how to use the software needed for my presentation;

The Administrators of the Faculty of Engineering University of Santo Tomas, for their untiring effort in encouraging the teaching staff to pursue professional growth. Likewise the staff of the Dean’s Office for their relaying every communication sent in my behalf.

Mr. Edwin G. Antonio of the UST CAD-Engineering for re-editing the electronic version of this dissertation for consistent pagination prior to printing of the required number of hard copies.

Alex Roland Realco, Jr. of the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I for helping out in sorting and compilation of the printed copies.

My colleagues and staff in the Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering Departments for the use of facilities in the ME Lab, consultations in EE and moral support from CE.

Mechanical Engineering students who in one way or another were assistance especially when the system broke down during the course of usage.

Last but not the least, my family and the one above all of us, the omnipresent God, for answering my prayers for giving me the strength to plod on despite my constitution wanting to give up and throw in the towel, thank you so much Dear Lord.

MRFSC

Thesis Review of Related Literature Sample

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CHAPTER II – Review of Related Literature

Philippine Secondary Education Curriculum
Massive societal changes over the past twenty years (Drucker,1994; Reigeluth,1994)  have altered society’s educational needs and in turn are driving schools to redesign their curricula. Within the educational field, schools have been challenged to shift from the traditional paradigm of teacher-directed learning and dissemination of knowledge to learner-centered curricula that can promote the development of life-long learners who can think critically, solve problems and work collaboratively. These are the skills youths need to survive in the future (Drucker,1994; Reigeluth,1994; Banathy,1992). In order to realize these goals, secondary education schools need to adopt a new paradigm that embeds learning within real world contexts and that involves students in hands-on activities that promote meaningful problem solving and cognitive apprenticeship (Jonassen,1991).
The Philippines, classified as a developing country and grouped in the East Asian region, needs to establish a system of mass secondary education: (a) that responsive to the country’s socio economic needs and capabilities; ( b) that can respond effectively to increased and diversified demand by expanding access to secondary education; and (c) that can help students to graduate with knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience needed to exercise their choices beyond secondary education. Hence, secondary education is considered the bridge between primary or basic education, the labor market and tertiary education.

Patterns of Secondary Education in the East Asian Region
From year 1945 onwards, primary and secondary education were given significant investments that advanced economies of Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan adopted to increase the length , access and improve the quality of basic education that included lower secondary schooling or junior secondary school (Mundle,1998). From Table 1 (p.21), the duration and age of entry as per data from the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) show that the Philippines has the shortest span of basic education compared to its East Asian regional neighbors. The country has the shortest basic education ladder of six plus four, (six years of primary education and four years of secondary education) typified by eight subjects on the average per year level either primary or secondary prior to the 2002 restructured curriculum. But the long term deterioration in quality showed that Filipino children between nine and fourteen in mathematics, science and reading were two standard deviations below the international Mean (World Bank,1999). In order to arrest this downslide in learning, the Department of Education implemented the new revised basic education curriculum known as the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum with five learning areas namely: Mathematics, English, Science, Filipino and the much maligned Makabayan. The 2002 BEC (Basic education Curriculum) is not a sweeping change but a restructuring of the 1983 Elementary Education Curriculum (NESC) and the 1989 New Secondary Education Curriculum (NSEC). It is focused on the basics of improving literacy and numeracy while inculcating values across learning areas to make it dynamic (Batomalaque,2002). Other East Asian countries have a compact curriculum with five learning areas with emphasis to mathematics, science and technology with one to two languages, English one of them and culture (the country’s own history).

The new curriculum is similar in essence to Indonesia’s educational framework wherein the eighty percent (80%) is national and twenty percent (20%) localized. The core subjects are Mathematics, Science and Technology, Indonesian language and Civic education and Geography. Science is integrated to different streams such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Technology and the twenty percent localized has subjects in Agriculture, Fisheries, Woodcraft and Entrepreneurship.  In the regional context, the education systems in Asia during the last decade were in a state of flux. However, there has been a general desire to reform the system in order to gain knowledge and skills appropriate to a changing world. Globalization and the era of free market stress the teaching and learning of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in addition to further strengthening the teaching of mathematics, science and foreign language subjects. The axiom has been to be a competitive citizen in a highly competitive world. Competition has become the formula for success where opportunities abound and education is held as the key to unlocking these opportunities.

In Thailand, secondary education is divided into two levels, each covering a period of three years. The lower level emphasizes learners’ intellect, ethics, morality and basic skills, while the upper level aims to provide appropriate academic and vocational knowledge and skills corresponding with the learners’ interests and aptitudes. Meanwhile, secondary curriculum covers five broad fields: language, science, mathematics, social studies, character development and work education. The use of credit system at this level facilitates flexibility in the teaching-learning area.

Vietnam, on the other hand, secondary education comprises of two grades- basic secondary and general secondary education. Basic secondary education is conducted in four school years from sixth to ninth form and the pupil must have a primary education graduate certificate and be eleven years old. General secondary education is conducted in three school years from the tenth to twelfth form and must have a graduate certificate from the basic secondary level and be fifteen years old. Water resource education is integrated in the subjects Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Civics, Language and Extra-curricular activities (Lam,2003).

Secondary schools in Singapore can be government funded, government aided or independent. Students attend four or five years of secondary education under the Special Express or Normal course. The Special and Express courses prepare students for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education `Ordinary` (GCE`O`) Level examination for four years. Students in the Normal course can opt for the academic or technical stream, both of which prepare students for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education `Normal` (GCE`N`) Level examination after four years of study and upon satisfactory completion, the GCE`O` Level examination in the fifth year. Secondary curriculum includes English, the Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Science and the Humanities. At Secondary 3, students can opt for electives of their choice, depending on whether they are in the Arts, Science, Commerce or Technical stream. Singapore’s secondary curriculum is recognized world wide for its ability to develop students with critical thinking and intellectual skills. Foreign students are accepted depending on the availability of vacancies. (UNESCO,Bangkok 2004)

The Hongkong Administrative government provides equitable access to nine years of free and universal primary and junior secondary education to all children in the relevant age group. And from year 2003, the Hongkong government has provided subsidized senior secondary education or training to all secondary 3 with particular emphasis in vocational technology. Besides the four core subjects, Chinese language, English language, Mathematics and Liberal studies, students are encouraged to select two or three elective subjects from different key learning areas (KLAs) according to their interests and abilities and also to engage in a variety of essential learning experiences such as aesthetic and physical activities, career-related experiences, community service and moral and civic education. One of the career related subjects is food processing and services which includes food dehydration technology.  The new 21st Century curriculum implemented this year replaces the traditional practice of streaming students into science, arts and technical/commercial subjects. Finally, there is the Brunei education system which is patterned after the British system of education. The appendices provide a number of education systems in the Asian region sourced from UNESCO-Bangkok (2000).

An excerpt from the thesis of  Engr. Mary Rose Florence S. Cobar, Doctor of Philosophy in Education entitled, “Development of a Source Material in Food Dehydration Craft Technology for the Secondary Schools”

Components of Thesis Proposal

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Thesis proposal is written by a student who is working on a masters or doctoral degree to be presented and carefully reviewed by a committee to determine if the subject is appropriate or suitable and relevant to the field of study.  If your thesis proposal does not approve by the committee because they see that it does not have any value in the chosen topic, you will have to do other thesis proposal.  So, thesis proposal is one of the important parts of a dissertation or thesis.

If you want to have a successful thesis proposal, you should outline your thesis topic, discuss the issues the paper will address and explains why the topic deserves further research.  Identify a specific problem and offer a detailed solution for that problem.

Here are some basic components of your thesis proposal

  • Title Page. Short and descriptive title of the proposed thesis project as well as the author, research mentor and date of delivery.
  • Abstract. A brief summary of your thesis proposal and it should not excess more than 200 words.
  • Table of Contents. List of headings and subheadings with page numbers.
  • Introduction. Background of your study and should capture reader’s interest.
  • Thesis statement. State your thesis.  It can be in the form of a hypothesis, research question, project statement or goal statement.
  • Approach or Methods. Describe the methods to be used and contains description of your approach, materials and procedures as well as calculation and techniques.
  • Preliminary results and discussion. Discuss the results of your study.
  • Work plan. Time table of your project such as the indicating deadlines and the work already completed.
  • Implication of research. New knowledge will likely to produce.
  • List of reference.  Cite all references used.

How to Prepare Thesis Statement

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Thesis statement states what you believe and what you intend to prove.  It presents the main idea of the research paper. In preparing thesis statement, make sure to draft the thesis statement in three sentences or longer and have enough fats, examples, details or reasons to support your statement.  Your thesis sentence is included in the introduction of your research paper.

According to Lester, 1994, there are specific methods in developing a thesis statement:

1.    Stating an argument for or against an issue,
2.    Offering advice or giving directions,
3.    Suggesting consequences,
4.    Giving instructions,
5.    Offering personal judgment, and
6.    Making an interpretation

In the research process, after data have been treated statistically and presented in tables, the researchers must be able to analyze and interpret the meaning of the processed data.  You should be able to give the meaning of these data, their implications to the field in which the research was conducted and to the people involved as the subjects of the research being conducted.

Thesis Statement Example

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Below is an example of thesis statement.

A good education is important to Filipinos.  It is something they strive and work hard for.  Education is compulsory for children up to 12 years old.  Consequently, almost all children within this age bracket go to school while 78% of youths (ages 13-16) are enrolled.

At present, the country’s literacy rate is around 99%

Foreign companies prefer Filipino workers because they are intelligent, resourceful, creative and resilient.

In the above example, let us presume here that in a study on the current education trends in the Philippines, the country was found to have a very high literacy rate.  Given this, it can be surmised that education is really valued by Filipinos and this is something foreigners admire – a source of the Filipinos’ competitive edge in the global market.

Example of Summary of Findings

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From the analysis of data, the findings were as follows:

1.    Status of the Flood Control Projects in the two congressional districts of Metro Manila.

There were more than 52 flood control projects and activities undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways in the district of Tondo (representing 74.28% of the total projects of the Department for Metro Manila) as compared to 18 projects for the district of Sta. Cruz (25.72%)

2.    Assessment of the parents, teachers and students in the districts of Tondo and Sta. Cruz, Manila regarding the flood situation:

2.1.    The three groups of respondents indicated that the floods in the two congressional districts were caused by residents throwing garbage in the canals and water outlets.  These canals are not cleaned, and uncollected garbage clog the sewerage and streets.  The situation is aggravated by the fact that the districts belong to low-lying areas of the city. There is also the lack of flood control campaign and commitment among resident.
2.2.    The three groups of respondents in the two congressional districts of Manila manifested that oftentimes, when there are floods, schoolchildren are forced to absent themselves from their classes, obliging them to do remedial/make-up lessons.  This is in addition to make-up classes due to suspension of classes.

3.    School assistance in the promotion of the flood campaign as perceived by the three groups of respondents:

The three groups of respondents strongly agreed to three major flood control campaign programs, such as: integration/inclusion of the concepts of flood control as a unit of study in Sibika (Social Studies), Science and Health and Physical Education; orientations to be conducted by teachers and school officials in every class as early as the first week of the school year and putting up billboards in strategic places regarding the flood control campaign, posters in every house and in school educating the people on the causes of floods, the frequency of occurrence and the effects of floods on the lives of the people in the community.

4.    Significant differences in the assessment of the three groups of respondents regarding the flood situation.

No significant differences were noted among the respondents’ assessment on the rate of flood occurrence as supported b the chi-square values which were much lower than the tabular value of 33.924 with 22 degrees of freedom at .05 level.

Sample Dissertation Abstract

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This study was conducted to determine the anti-microbial effects of Reevera on Staphylococcus aureus.  This is important to a lot of people suffering from skin disorders for it could offer a solution to their skin problems.  The descriptive method of research was used with a questionnaire and an interview as the most important instrument utilized to gather the needed data.  The skin irritation test and the anti-microbial procedure were also used in this study.

Findings of the study show that Reevera, Brand X and Brand Y completely inhibited further growth of Staphylococcus aureus which means that these formulations are very effective in killing this kind of bacterium.  It also shows that it usually takes less than an hour to observe the effects of Reevera againsts blackheads and whiteheads.  This study also revels that Reevera is also suitable for alleviating itchiness and for killing the bacteria which causes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and itchiness, compared to other commercial brands used in this study.

It is concluded that Reevera has significant difference when used against Brand X and there is significant difference between the use of Reevera against Brand Y.

Source: Rivera, Maximiano, Jr. and Roela Victoria Rivera.  Practical Guide to Thesis and Dissertation Writing.  Manila, Philippines: Katha Publishing, Inc. 1996.