Chapter 1

Introduction

English Department of President University

 Guidelines in Writing the Research Title

1. Research Title must be reflective of its problem.

2. It must answer the following questions:
What question will answer the following
What are you trying to investigate?
What are you trying to find out, determine or discover?

Who question will answer who are the respondents or subjects of the
study.
Where question will indicate the research locale, setting or the
place where the research study is conducted.
2
 Introduction
Chapter 1

Background
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Significant of the Study
Organization of thesis
Introduction to Research topic (Background)

Explain:

What the research topic is?

Why have you chosen it?
Why is the topic important?
Background Writing & Research Process

(APA model).
Goals of formulating a research questions

Understand why we develop academic research

questions.
Consider strategies for developing research
questions.
Begin formulating our own research questions.
Questions?

Curiosity is the desire to learn or know about anything; inquisitiveness (Dictionary.com)

Research is diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to

discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc. (Dictionary.com)

Considered together,curiosity is the source of our questions we ask

because we want to know; research is the means by which we find an answer.

In academic work, we formulate clear questions to guide us in our search for answers.
A Research Question is

Something you want to know about your discipline, or about a specific area within your
discipline.

Not a topic, fragment, phrase, or sentence. It ends with a question mark!

Clear and precisely stated. It is not too broad, nor is it too narrow.

Open-ended, as opposed to closed. It cannot be answered in a sentence or phrase.

Personal Knowledge and the Research
Question (Strategy #1)

List your interests as they pertain to your specific discipline or assignment.

Consider one of the items on your list. Jot down everything you know about the
topic as quickly as you can (list or paragraph form is fine).
Now find the answers to the following questions in your freewrite, or add the
answers to your freewrite: Who? What? When ? Where? Why? How? So what?
and What if?
These represent possible gaps in your knowledge; the last four are particularly tough
because they are open-ended they often lead to good research questions .
Continue steps 2 and 3 with each item on your initial list until you have found an
open-ended question you would like to answer.
Secondary Sources and the Research
Question (Strategy #2)

READ
Often times, we dont know what we are curious
about until we read about subjects that interest
us first. Go to the library, and also search online academic
and professional sites related to your discipline and topic.

After you have read, try doing

strategy #1 again!
Modes of Thought and the
Research Question (Strategy #3)

Consider the Rhetorical Modes which we all use to organize our

ideas in speaking or writing.
Comparison & Contrast
Process
Classification or Division
Cause & Effect
Problem & Solution
Consider Why? How? So what? and What if? for each of these modes.
Focusing and Supporting
Research Questions

Focusing Question -- The most important question you discovered from the three
prior activities.
Supporting Questions -- Questions that will help you explore the relationships
around the focusing question in greater depth.
Example
Focusing Question: How can the university community increase its economic impact
on the Florence-Muscle Shoals community?
Supporting Questions: How does the university currently impact the community
economically? What could be done that isnt being done, and why? What are the
limitations?
Remember as you G(r)o(w)
Make your question one that somebody else will want an answer to
as well. They will be your AUDIENCE.
Your PURPOSE is your reason for asking your question. The answer to
your research question will be a complete statement expressed as
a sentence your THESIS.
If you used a Rhetorical Mode to formulate your question, you
should use that mode to ORGANIZE THE PARAGRAPHS of your
paper (though you may certainly use other modes as you DEVELOP
your ideas!)
Most importantly, do not get discouraged or worried if you find
your thesis or your beliefs changing this is a natural part of the
researching and writing processes!
Research Questions

Example

Research Topic : An International comparison

of Technology Adoption Testing the UTAUT
Model
RQ1 How does acceptance of a technology vary
across cultures?
RQ2 What factors in the UTAUT model most
significantly differ across cultures and what are the
implications of these differences?
Research Objectives

Research objectives are the specific actions/

activities to answer the research questions .
Objectives indicate what we are trying to get
from the study or the expected results / outcome
of the study.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Research objectives should be clear , achievable and

verifiable - as they directly assist in answering the
research questions / problem .
Objectives may be specified in the form of actions
(verbs) to answer the posed questions- generally
objectives begin with to : discover , determine ,
establish access, identify, compare .,
analyze , evaluate ,Examine, investigate etc.
Write research objectives of these research questions.

Question 1: Is alcohol consumption associated with increased

partner violence?
Question 2: Is labour force status (employment, unemployment, not
in the labour force) associated with variations in the incidence of
partner violence?
Question 3: Are there differences between couples with an
extended history of partner violenceand couples with only a brief,
recent history of partner violence?
The objectives

Objective 1: To examine whether alcohol consumption is

associated with increased partner violence.
Objective 2: To examine whether labour force status
(employment, unemployment, not in the labour force) is
associated with variations in the incidence of partner
violence.
Objective 3: To explore differences between couples with
an extended history of partnerviolence and couples with
only a brief, recent history of partner violence.
Write the research objectives of these
research questions.

What is the impact of a study skills program on student

achievement?
What is the effect of teaching keyboarding skills to sixth
grade students on word processing skills and quality of
writing?
Write your research objectives based on
your research questions.
Significance of the Study

Indicate how your research will refine(remove unwanted

elements), revise, or extend existing knowledge in the
area under investigation. Note that such refinements,
revisions, or extensions may have either substantive,
theoretical, or methodological significance.
This can be a difficult section to write. Think about
implicationshow results of the study may affect
scholarly research, theory, practice, educational
interventions, curricula, counseling, policy.
When thinking about the significance of your study,
ask yourself the following questions.

What will results mean to the theoretical framework that framed the study?
What suggestions for subsequent research arise from the findings?
What will the results mean to the practicing educator?
Will results influence programs, methods, and/or interventions?
Will results contribute to the solution of educational problems?
Will results influence educational policy decisions?
What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research?
How will results of the study be implemented, and what innovations will come
about?
Example

The study of dehydration technology and craft fabrication can be a learning paradigm in
the secondary level and vocational schools to enhance the students knowledge and
entrepreneurial skills as well. This is but a small contribution with the Dakar Framework for
Action (2000) that not only basic education be learned by todays students but acquisition
of learning skills and knowledge for gainful employment and full participation in countrys
society. The projects goal is designed to help students improve academic competence,
develop employability skills, implement a career plan and participate in a career pathway
in preparation for post secondary education or careers in the food manufacturing or
services sector after graduating from high school. This goal can be achieved through the
mentors that can teach the students the food dehydration technology and craft
fabrication for use of the process. The output of this study is a source material that the
teachers can assimilate and disseminate by diffusion and induction technique.
 Assignment
Finish your chapter I

CHAPTER 1
NTRODUCTION

Background
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Significant of the Study

references
References

Ballenger, B. (2007). The curious researcher: A guide to writing research papers (5th ed.).
New York: Pearson Longman.

Harris, M. (2006). The Prentice Hall reference guide (6th ed.). New York: Pearson
Longman.

Lester, J. D. & Lester Jr., J. D. (2002). Writing research papers: A complete guide (10th
ed.). New York: Longman.