systematic and scientific way of investigating and gathering information to answer a particular problem, establish facts, and reach conclusions. PDF

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Based on the example, the thesis statement contains three details (i.e., starvation, strength, and different diseases). These details can be used as basis for your specific research questions. These specific questions are supposed to be answered through your instrument to support your research....

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Q2L13: Writing a Research Paper Research -systematic and scientific way of investigating and gathering information to answer a particular problem, establish facts, and reach conclusions. - can be done in various fields such as arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, technology and health sciences.

Some of the research papers in various fields are: • •

•

Survey Report – paper which presents the results of the author’s research. Field Report – usually used in the field of social sciences to link theory and application. - usually contains the author’s observations when out on the field and an analysis using theoretical concepts from discipline. - can be personal and simple Laboratory or Scientific Technical Report – written by those in the sciences mainly to: -persuade others to accept or reject hypothesis -record the details for future researches -document current phenomenon for future reference or comparison

➢ To begin a research, you have to determine your topic. Asking questions is one useful way to focus on a topic easily and quickly. Sample Topics in Question Form • •

How does the Mindanao peace and order situation affect the economy of the Philippines? What are the psychological effects of online games?

Things to consider when choosing a topic: • •

•

A research topic should be relevant. - A relevant topic addresses a particular problem or issue. It should be interesting, especially for the researcher. - Interest and natural curiosity in the topic will encourage greater commitment to the research A topic should be manageable. - It should be something you can undertake with your ability and within the time limit given to you. - It should not be too broad or too narrow, and must be achievable using available financial, human, and material resources.

➢ After choosing your topic, you need to formulate your thesis statement. A thesis statement: - answers the question you previously asked to narrow down your topic. - it guides and serves as central point of all the ideas in your paper. General Topic Topic in question form Thesis Statement

Dieting What are the major physical effects of too much dieting? Too much dieting can lead to starvation, loss of strength, and different diseases.

Q2L13: Writing a Research Paper Based on the example, the thesis statement contains three details (i.e., starvation, strength, and different diseases). These details can be used as basis for your specific research questions. These specific questions are supposed to be answered through your instrument to support your research. For the example given, the possible specific research questions are as follows: 1. How does too much dieting lead to starvation? 2. How does too much dieting lead to loss of strength? 3. How does too much dieting lead to different diseases?

Qualities of a Good Research Question 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Clear, especially to a layperson. Require the gathering of data to answer it. Address an observed problem or issue. Manageable in terms of your skills and resources. Ethical Have a practical use.

Writing a Research Report A research report is -

Expanded paper that presents results and interpretation of a phenomenon so that readers can understand it. NOT a summary of different articles or ideas that are presented uncritically. NOT a series of quotations and a compilation of unsubstantiated opinion. Produced through formal investigation and scientific inquiry.

Some requirements needed to complete a research report: • • • • • • • • •

Topic (field specific or general) Type of paper (journal format or thesis format) Length Number of sources required (usually at least 10 reputable references) Types of sources (books, journals, periodicals, and other online sources) Documentation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, IEEE) Deadlines Format (depends on documentation style) Parts of the research report

Parts of a Research Report Generally, a research report includes: title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references. 1. Title page -

Contains an informative title which describes the content of the paper, name of author/s and address or affiliation, and date when it is submitted.

Example: Effects of Facebook on Academic Achievement of First Year Students Development and Validation of a Software for Detecting Plagiarism

Q2L13: Writing a Research Paper 2. Abstract -

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Contains the summary of the findings and conclusions. Briefly presents the context of the study, research questions or objectives, methodology, major findings, conclusions, and sometimes implications, with minimal number of citations and statistical data. Its length ranges from 100 to 250 words.

3. Introduction -

Explains the current state of field of discipline and identifies research gaps addressed by research. - Presents the research focus in a way that it addresses the identified gaps and puts the research topic in context. - Its length usually ranges three to five paragraphs. 4. Literature Review - Contains the summary and synthesis of all available sources directly related to the study. - It is divided into two sections which both help the researcher explain the phenomena which may arise during the study. Related concepts explain some of the fundamental concepts needed by readers to better understand the study. In this section, some concepts and theories are defined, explained, and described. Related studies are based on previously conducted studies directly related to the paper. - This section ends with a paragraph that synthesizes all of the studies presented and puts the study in context. Hence the last paragraph may include the topic and specific research problems. - Its length may range from two to three pages. Note that in some cases, the literature review is integrated into the introduction. 5. Methodology - Contains the process and steps taken in gathering data for the research. - This section contains the context and participants, the instruments used, data gathering procedure, and data analysis. Context and participants section explain the number and demographic profile of participants involved as well as the place or the environment where the study was conducted. Instrument section presents the tools that you used in gathering the data. These may include a questionnaire, interview focus group discussion, and tests among others. All of the instruments used, as well as the method of validating them, should be described in detail. Data gathering section presents the details on how the data were collected whereas the data analysis section presents how the data are analyzed, whether it be qualitatively (coding scheme) or quantitatively (statistical tools). 6. Results -

Factually describes data gathered. This section usually contains tables and graphs that summarize the collected data and their respective interpretations along with it. When interpreting tables and graphs, remember the following: ➢ First sentence should contain the figure or table number and the title. ➢ Succeeding sentences should focus on the most important information in the graph or table. ➢ Trends or gaps that you notice may be included in the body of interpretation....