Writing in the Discipline - Parts of a Research Paper

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A research paper has three basic parts: the Introduction, the Discussion, and the Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION

The sections within the Introduction are: Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, Significance of the Study, and the Definition of Terms.

Background of the Study. This section should contain a discussion of any or all of the following. (N.B., The following are not section headings under Background of the Study.)

Presentation of the problem – Describe the existence of an unsatisfactory condition or a problem that needs a solution.

Rationale of the study. - Give the reason(s) why the study should be conducted.

Historical background of the problem. - Give the historical background of the problem, if applicable.

Geographical conditions of the study locale. - If applicable, describe the geographical location of the study.

Example:

MARKETING THE PHILIPPINES AS AN EDUCATIONAL DESTINATION  

FOR NI-VANUATU UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In 2004, the researcher migrated to the Philippines to accompany her spouse who was at the time studying at the Adventist Institute for International Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in Silang, Cavite. They discovered the study opportunities and were motivated by the quality of education and low school fees being offered. They visited several colleges and universities to collect pamphlets and sent them back to Vanuatu for educational awareness. The Ni-Vanuatus became aware and decided to send students to study in the Philippines. The first two schools to receive Vanuatu students were AMA Computer College in Dasmariñas, Cavite and Air Link Aviation College in Parañaque City. The researcher came to know Cavite State University (CvSU) in 2009 and transferred from AMA.

(Ngwele, March 2011)

Statement of the Problem. This has two parts: the general statement of the problem and the specific sub-problems. The general statement of the problem is stated as a declarative sentence while the specific sub-problems are given as questions.

Example:

Statement of the Problem

This study is conducted to discover the how sociolinguistic factors influence the use of Hebrew among Jewish-Filipino children studying at Beth Yaacov Synagogue, Makati City.

Specifically, this study attempts to answer the discover:

1. What is the level of language proficiency of the children?
2. What language(s) do the children speak?
   a. at home
   b. at school
   c. when watching television
3. What is their attitude in language learning?
   a. for learning new things;
   b. being a good member of one’s family,
   c. being a good religious person,
   d. being respected by others, and
   e. communicating with others?

(Guerrero, 2011)

Significance of the Study. List down who will benefit from the study and how.

Example:

Significance of the Study

The study will provide some insights and information on the effect of watching Korean dramas on housewives’ perception on marriage. Also, the useful and relevant information acquired from this study will stimulate awareness on housewives on the possible effects the message weight after their beliefs and attitudes.

Married couples. The study would be beneficial to them since they are married and they would be able to understand each other more and be more aware of each others feelings toward a certain topic.  

Future researchers. The study would serve as their reference in their research study which could be beneficial and similar to this.

Housewives. Since they are the participants, this would help them to know more and be aware in Korean dramas’ effects in their lives as well as their perception on marriage and family life.

(Arcibal, April 2011)

Definition of Terms. Give the definition of words used in the title of the research paper.

Example:

Definition of Terms

Exposure. It is the fact or condition of being exposed (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2004). In this study, it is the one where housewives are involved to Korean dramas.

Housewife. It refers to a married woman in charge of household. Another meaning is a married woman who manages the affairs of her own household as full time occupation (The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2004). In this study, they are the participants and the ones to be observed.

Korean drama. It refers to televised dramas, in a miniseries format, produced in the Korean language. Many of these dramas have become popular throughout Asia and have contributed to the general phenomenon of the Korean wave, known as Hallyu and also “drama fever” in some countries. Most popular Korean dramas have also become popular in other parts of the world. In this study, they were the ones the housewives watch and were being studied about.

(Arcibal, April 2011)

DISCUSSION

In the Discussion part of the research paper, researchers present their findings from library research and field research according to the order of the specific sub-problems given in the Statement of the Problem.

Each reference from library research, whether from the physical library or the electronic library (i.e., the Internet, need to be cited using the American Psychological Association (APA) format (see next lecture).

Example:

DISCUSSION

In this study, the researchers used descriptive research in order to find out the mobile photography habit of selected young people in Cavite. In order to gather primary data, the researchers use a questionnaire.

The respondents of the study were students from different places in Cavite. They are students 13 to 19 years old, from the secondary to tertiary levels. These respondents live in Indang, Dasmariñas, Tanza, Rosario, Silang, Cavite City, and Imus. Purposive convenience sampling was used to select the respondents.

Table 2. Usual subjects in taking pictures

Subjects	No. of Respondents
Myself in different poses	59
Views of places that I go to	47
Friends and family	63
Others	1

 

The study reveals that a majority of the respondents usually take pictures of family and friends. This is because Filipinos are family-oriented and they are loving to the friends.

More than half also said that they like taking pictures of themselves in different poses. According to Erik Erikson (in Papali, nd), in the said age bracket, 13 to 19 years old, people are said to be deciding about who they are, what life is all about, and where they are going on in life. This is also the stage of developing emotional competence that is seen as when they become more skillful at presenting their emotions to others (Larson & Richards, 1994).

(Daco, et al., March 2011)

CONCLUSION

Summary. This is a brief review of the major points of your discussion. Avoid merely repeating the statements made in the discussion.

Example:

CONCLUSION

Summary

A majority of the young people in the study are fond mobile photography and consider this as their hobby. They usually take pictures of family and friends; themselves in different poses; and views of places they visited. They do this in order to express themselves and to reinforce connections between them and family and friends.

(Daco, et al., March 2011)

Conclusions. Discuss the principles learned from the study. Again, avoid merely repeating statements from the Discussion. Present these in the order the specific sub-problems are given in the Statement of the Problem.

Example:

Conclusions

1. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that Smile, Dong Hae was the most preferred Korean drama being watched everyday by the 41 housewives (58.6%), which means that they were highly exposed.

 

2. The housewives perceived marriage positively as shown by nine positive answers out of 15 indicators which means that the perception on marriage was not affected by the exposure of the participants to Korean dramas.
 

3. Moreover, using the Pearson Correlation Coefficient in this study, it was found out that there is no significant relationship between the housewives’ level of exposure to Korean dramas on GMA 7 and their perception on marriage.

(Arcibal, April 2011)

Recommendations. These are appeals to help solve problems. This may also include recommendations to continue good practices or systems and an appeal for further study by future researchers.

Recommendations
 

1. The government of Vanuatu should use social media as a marketing strategy to influence Vanuatu citizens to focus on the study opportunities in the Philippines as an educational destination.

2. The government of Vanuatu should promote the Philippines as an educational destination because of the quality of education, affordable school fees, and the similarity of the Filipino and Vanuatu cultures (compared to those in Australia and New Zealand).

3. Cavite State University should use English [for teaching and business transactions] during official hours to make both local and foreign students proficient in English.

4. Further studies should be made on the preferences of other Pacific islanders like those from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands studying in the Philippines.

(Ngwele, March 2011)

REFERENCES

Calderon, J. F., & Gonzales, E. C. (1993). Methods of research and thesis writing. Mandaluyong: National Bookstore.

Arcibal, N. C. (April 2013). Housewives' exposure to Koreanovelas on GMA 7 and their perception on marriage. Unpublished undergraduate thesis. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

Daco, K., Bolilan, M. C., Tanael, G., Bernardo, J. C., Sialsa, D. & Vista, J. A. (March 2011). The effects of mobile photography to selected young people in Cavite. Unpublished undergraduate research paper. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite.

Guerrero, G. T. (2011). Sociolinguistic factors influencing the use of Hebrew among Jewish-Filipino children. Unpublished master's degree thesis proposal. Philippine Normal University – Manila.

Ngwele, H. (March 2011). Marketing the Philippines as an educational destination for Ni-Vanuatu university students. Edited by G. T. Guerrero. Unpublished undergraduate research paper. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite.