1) Introduction
Purpose and Context: Clearly introduce the topic and set the context for your
research. Explain why the topic is important and provide some background
information.
Engage the Reader: Start with a hook or an interesting fact, statistic, or
question that draws the reader in.
Define Key Terms: Introduce any key terms or concepts that will be central
to your research.
Research Gap: Identify the existing gap in knowledge or practice that your
research will address. You can briefly mention key studies or theories that
have laid the groundwork.
Research Focus: State the general area of your study and narrow down to the
specific research focus or questions.
Objective of the Study: Concisely state what you intend to explore, analyze,
or solve with this research.
2) Statement of the Problem
Research Problem: Clearly articulate the specific issue or problem that your
study aims to address. This should be something that needs investigation or
resolution.
Contextualize the Problem: Provide background on the problem and why it
is significant. Reference previous studies, reports, or data that highlight its
importance.
Research Questions: Pose the key research questions or hypotheses that your
study will answer.
Specificity and Clarity: Make sure the problem is defined narrowly enough
to be manageable but broad enough to be of academic or practical
significance.
Practical Relevance: Explain why solving this problem matters to your field
of study or to a specific community, industry, or society at large.
3) Scope and Delimitation
Scope of the Study: Clearly define the parameters of your research—what
will and will not be included. For example:
o The time frame (e.g., the years your study covers).
o The geographical region or population you're studying.
o The specific focus (e.g., a particular aspect or dimension of a broader
issue).
Delimitations: Acknowledge any boundaries or limitations you have set on
your research (e.g., specific variables, data sources, or methods). This shows
that you’ve thoughtfully scoped the project.
Assumptions: Mention any assumptions that your research relies on (e.g., a
particular theory, model, or prior study).
Limitations: Be transparent about any factors that might limit the scope or
generalizability of your findings (e.g., sample size, location, or access to data).
Clarity: Be specific and clear about the scope so that readers understand what
your research will focus on and what is excluded.
4) Significance of the Study
Contribution to Knowledge: Explain how your research will add new
insights to the existing literature or field of study.
Practical Implications: Discuss how the findings could be used in practice—
by professionals, policymakers, educators, etc.
Social or Cultural Impact: If applicable, describe how your research can
contribute to societal well-being or cultural understanding.
Theoretical Contribution: Identify how your study will advance theoretical
understanding, challenge existing theories, or propose new frameworks.
Future Research: Highlight how your study might lay the groundwork for
future research in the field.
Personal Motivation: If relevant, briefly touch on your personal motivation
for pursuing the research (optional, but it can humanize your project).
General Tips:
Clarity and Precision: Each section should be clear and to the point. Avoid
unnecessary jargon.
Flow and Transition: Ensure a smooth flow between sections. The
introduction leads to the problem, the problem leads to the scope, and the
significance ties everything back to the larger context.
Conciseness: While it’s important to be thorough, avoid excessive detail that
could overwhelm the reader in the introduction. You’ll have the rest of the
thesis to delve deeper.
Chapter 1 Check Points:
1. Where I able to plot a good “hook opening statement” that gets reader’s interest, a
striking opening sentence that clearly conveys the relevance of your topic?
2. Where I able to briefly but clearly and completely describe the background of the study?
3. Where I able to establish my research problem well and specify the objectives?
4. Where I able to map out the paper? Define the scope, delimitation, and the significance of
the study?
