FORMAT for RESEARCH PROPOSAL OUTPUT

TITLE PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter
1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
Review of Literature
Synthesis
Statement of the Problem
Theoretical Framework/Conceptual Framework
Hypothesis/Assumption
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
Significance of the Study
Definition of Terms

2 METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Population and Sampling
Participants of the Study
Research Instrument
Validation of Instrument
Data Gathering Procedure
Statistical Treatment of Data

REFERENCES
APPENDICES
SAMPLE TITLE PAGE

AN INNOVATION TO HEIGHTEN RESEARCH CULTURE IN SELECTED

COLLEGES OF NURSING IN REGION IX, PHILIPPINES

9 spaces

A Research Output
Presented to
the Faculty of the College of Nursing of
ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA UNIVERSITY

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the course
Nursing Research I (Research 300)

5 spaces

JUAN B. NITAY
PEDRO C. NUGBA
BART T. LOME
GRETA P. NIRITO
LOU M. BOTIDO

March 2018
FORMAT – PRELIMINARY CONTENTS

Title Page. Title Page. It contains the (a) title of the dissertation/thesis; (b) the full name
of the researcher; (c) the course for which the research is presented; and (d) the month
and year in which the final paper is completed.

The title (maximum of 18 words) should appear like an inverted pyramid written in
bold uppercase (capital) letters, single space. The full name of the student/s appears in
uppercase letters followed by the month and year when the manuscript was completed
written in uppercase-lowercase letters, double space.

Table of Contents. It contains a listing of the chapter headings with page numbers,
including the preliminaries, chapter number, chapter titles, sub-headings of main
headings, references, and appendices. This page should contain up to the third level titles
of sub-topics.

List of Appendices. All materials used as appendices appear chronologically in the

manner they are used in the research paper.
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

[This chapter contains the following parts: Introduction; Review of Literature; Statement
of the Problem; Theoretical/Conceptual Framework; Hypothesis//Assumptions; scope
and Limitation of the Study; Significance of the Study; and Definition of Terms.]

INTRODUCTION

The Introduction encapsulates what the study is all about. It contains the
surrounding situations that prompted the researcher to undertake the study. The
researcher starts with a macro to micro approach to bridge the gap between the
phenomenon of the study and the purpose of the study. The following may be used as
effective starters: (a) A quotation that is related to the study; (b) Information/Concepts
taken from books; journals, magazines, on-line sources and the like; and (c) Statistical
data significantly related to the present undertaking. Active voice is used, rather than the
passive voice. There should be a smooth transition between the sentences and paragraphs.

It should be noted that authorities/sources may be cited at the beginning or at the end
of the statements. In using quotations, please note that for more than 40 operational
words, the block style in single space is followed and for less than 40 operational words,
quotation marks are used and the quotation is written as part of the paragraph.

It also contains a brief narration of the origin of the problem, and/or justification of the
selection and choice of the phenomenon/problem. The last paragraph of the introduction
ends with the general objective of the research study.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This section presents the literature and studies reviewed by the researcher that
have significant bearing to the present undertaking. These related literature and studies
refer to the revisited and gathered information taken from books, journals, periodicals,
magazines, on-line sources and related studies taken from master’s theses and
dissertations. Citations follow the Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association (APA), 6th edition. The researcher should use only recent materials (the
copyright date must be at most five (5) years to date) though old documents are also
accepted as long as they are pertinent to the problem at hand and can give
strength/justification to support the focus of the study.

The order follows the presentation of the related topic headings or variables of the
study. For each variable, the related literature and studies are presented.

Related readings are presented starting from the Related Literature (Foreign
Literature and Local Literature). Related Literature are concepts gathered from books,
journals, magazines, periodicals, on-line or web resources and the like arranged
accordingly. The authors or source of web resources must be acknowledged. The review
or discussion must be made brief employing critical analysis. Coherence in terms of
interrelationships of the studies reviewed must be clarified.

Related Studies must come from master’s theses and dissertation papers that have
direct relationships and similarities to the current study. This part contains both foreign
and local studies. The researcher shall observe the principle of coherence and continuity
of ideas and preferably chronological occurrence.

Synthesis

The last part of the Review of Literature section is a Synthesis. The synthesis is a
brief account of how similar or different the current undertaking is to the related studies
included in the section. An objective critical analysis/judgment is needed to justify the
inclusion of the studies mentioned. This part puts the bits and pieces of the conceptual
literature and studies into a meaningful whole.

In writing the Review of Literature, the student must note that all citations should be
truthful and accurate. This section comprises around 15-20 per cent of the total number
of pages/volume of the accomplished final manuscript.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The main problem is presented in statement or declarative form. For quantitative

research, the main problem is followed by the specific problems of the study generally
stated in question form. The number of specific problems depends on what the study or
the systematic investigation would like to find out or elicit as output.

Sample:
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study will assess and compare the Level III clinical competencies of

fourth year students enrolled in the SPN vis-à-vis REGULAR Program in

Nursing of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the clinical competency level of the fourth year nursing students

enrolled in the:

a. Regular Program?

b. Special Program in Nursing?

2. Is there a significant difference in the clinical competency level between

the fourth year nursing students in the Regular program and in the SPN?

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The researcher explains the theory (if using theoretical framework) or the concept
(if using conceptual framework) that guided the study. Concepts from authorities and
theories of notable educators/philosophers are used in the discussion.

The following are guidelines in evaluating the theoretical/conceptual framework.

(a) Does it show relationship of theories with the problem?; (b) Is the theory/concept
spelled out clearly and adequately in simple terms?; and (c) Are the concepts/terms
defined in functional or operational terms?

This part also includes the figure that represents the paradigm or model of the
study. Prior to the presentation of the paradigm, there is a need for the researcher to
discuss/explain the figure clearly and completely. He/she clarifies the relationship
existing between or among the independent and dependent variables in the study.

Sample:
HYPOTHESIS/ASSUMPTION

The non-directional or null hypothesis should be used. This usually pertains to the
question of relationship or significant difference between the variables (independent and
dependent) tested in the study.

Assumption should be used for a qualitative research. Similar to a hypothesis, an

assumption also indicates a prediction, a statement of what specific results or outcomes
are expected to occur in the study.

Sample:
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This section contains the setting of the study, the time frame, the number of
respondents to be used, and the main focus of the research. Moreover, this part of the
study identifies the variable of the study which the researcher wishes to control or limit in
order to delimit the broad coverage of the study, thereby permitting a thorough and a
more in-depth investigation or discussion of the problem. Thus, this delimitation could
be used as a springboard for recommendations.

One paragraph is normally allotted for the scope and another paragraph for the
delimitation/s.

Sample:
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The researcher presents the person/s or sector/s that will benefit from the result of
the study, followed by a brief account that each one will derive from the results of the
study.

Sample:

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Clear definitions as frames of reference composed of selected terminologies that

are operationally defined are needed and must be provided in the study. These terms are
defined within the context of the study, examples of which are the variables of the study
which are to be measured by appropriate statistical instruments. Clear definitions will
help the readers/panel of examiners understand what the researcher is driving at.
 Operational definition means how the terms are used in the study. Although
content definition may also be included, operational definitions are preferred. The terms
are arranged in alphabetical order and should be written in complete sentences.

Sample:
 Chapter 2

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research design, population and sampling, participants
of the study, research instrument/s, validation of the instrument/s, data gathering
procedure, and statistical tools employed in the treatment and analysis of data.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The researcher/s discusses in this section the method used as defined by an

authority. He also includes the importance of using the method in his study.

Sample:

POPULATION AND SAMPLING

The population refers to the complete enumeration of the individuals that possess
the characteristics which are of interest to the researcher for inferential purposes.
Sampling or sample, on the other hand, is a proportion of the population chosen for the
study which represents the entire population of interest.

The researcher/s describes the sampling procedure in detail. The sampling

technique used in the choices of subjects/respondents for the study explains how the
sample/group was selected and whether it is representative of the population of interest.

PARTICIPANTS OF THE STUDY

In this section, the researcher/s explains the characteristics of the respondents and
the reasons why they are chosen as respondents. The number of respondents depends on
the extensiveness/intensiveness of verifiable data needed in the study.
 A presentation of the distribution of respondents is presented, together with a
thorough discussion of the number of respondents stated as frequency and the equivalent
percentage.

RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

The researcher/s discusses COMPREHENSIVELY, in this section the instrument

to be used to gather the necessary data to answer the specific problems posed/raised in
the study. He/she indicates if the instrument is a researcher-constructed instrument,
copyrighted, or an adapted one. He/she clarifies the mode of responses and the scale to be
used as part of the assessment tool or measure.

VALIDATION OF THE INSTRUMENT

The researcher/s includes here the procedure on how the instrument will be
validated for content and construct. He/she cites the names and designations of the
people who will validate the instrument.

Sample;

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

This section contains the procedure the researcher/s plan/s to follow from the time
of the distribution of the instrument/questionnaire up to the time of retrieval. The
researcher gives a brief but precise narration of the procedure and discusses the details of
every step/procedure to be undertaken in the course of gathering data. The procedure is
best represented by means of a flowchart.
STATISTICAL TREATMENT OF DATA

The researcher/s enumerates here the statistical tools to be used in treating the
data. He/she includes here the definitions of the statistical measures and the names of
authors. He/she does not need to write the formula except for the uncommon or newest
formula. He/she indicates the title of the statistical package used if there is any, in
processing the data.

The student may consult a statistician of his/her choice for the purpose, in which
case, the certification of the statistician is appended.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
 WRITING STYLE FOR RESEARCH

Majority of the rules stated below follow the format of the Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association (APA), 6 edition.
th

SECTION 1. MARGIN AND FONT SIZE

The research is written on the standard size paper of 8.5 x 11.0 inches. The margin
on the left and right side are 1.5 inches and 1.0 inch, respectively. The top margin is 1.0
inch while the bottom margin is 1.0 inch. The type text is double spaced (including block
quotes and citations), using Times New Roman font type size 12. Text is flush with the
left margin. Do not justify lines. Page numbering begins with the title page. Indent the
beginning of each paragraph using one-tab space. Do not leave extra space between
paragraphs. Use two spaces after a period at the end of a sentence and one space after
periods in a reference citation. Do not use a period with measurement abbreviations, such
as cm and ft, except for the abbreviation for inch (in.).

SECTION 2. MAIN HEADINGS

Every chapter starts with a new page. The chapters of the research are numbered
using Hindu-Arabic Numbers with its title written in bold upper-case and centered.
Example:
Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

SECTION 3. SUB-HEADINGS

The lower level subheading is written starting at the left margin of the page. It is
written with the important words starting with capital letters. Bold lower-case letters are
used. Example: Significance of the Study

SECTION 4. ABBREVIATIONS

Only standard abbreviations should be used. Avoid abbreviations or acronyms in

the title. The abbreviation or acronym shall be spelled-out or in full term when used for
the first time and may be preceded by the abbreviation or acronym. Foreign
words/language, i.e., German, French, etc. are italicized.

SECTION 5. TABLES AND FIGURES

All tables are consecutively numbered using Hindu-Arabic Numerals. Their

corresponding titles are written on the center of the page, with only the first letter of the
first word and proper nouns capitalized, single-spaced, as shown in the sample below.
 Table 1
Profile of the Participants in Terms of their
Degree of Intellectual Disability

Titles of figures are placed beneath the graphs, charts, maps or photographs. They
are placed at the center of the page.

Graphs and tables obtained from other sources must cite the reference. Example:
Source: CHED Memorandum No. 53, s. 2007 Policies and Standards for Graduate
Programs in Education for Teachers and other Education Professionals

The citation must be properly listed in the References.

Tables and figures are written first, followed by the explanation of the table or figure.
In the text of the research, references to tables and figures should contain the respective
numbers, for instance “…as shown in Table 1 or Fig. 1.”