WRITING CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1, which is the introductory part of the study consists of the Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, Objectives of the Study, Scope and Limitations of the Study, and the Significance of the Study. The Background of the Study starts with an introduction or opening statements about the main topic leading to the specific topic and the identification of the nature of the proposal. It is followed by a discussion on the specific topic leading to the problem definition. Finally, a solution is proposed to solve the problem and its corresponding strategy. The background facts are basically the existing knowledge about the topic. You are expected to conduct thorough retrieval of all information available about the topic.

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The Five Ws and the H:

What: Descriptions and Types Who: Users and Beneficiaries Where: Uses and Applications Why: Importance and Relevance When: Historical background How: Process, Functions and Operations
Aside from background facts, another good source of information is the current facts. Specific information which people would like to know usually include the deficiencies and/or problems encountered in the use of a particular technology becomes visible in the current facts.

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Likewise, possible solutions to these problems may also be identified from any or combination of the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Use of locally available materials Improving efficiency of its operation Increasing productivity of its users Improving flexibility or multiciplicity of its users Growing concern for environmental degradation Affordability or cost-effectiveness

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The Statement of the Problem. Having chosen a specific topic for your study, it is definite that you have something in mind that is finding a solution. It must be something which can be a technological need or problem. In defining your research problem, it is necessary that you create interest in your reader. This should give an idea to the reader of how you arrive at selecting your project study. The Objectives of the Study includes the General Objective and the Specific Objectives. The General Objective captures the title of the study. It must contain the subject matter of the study. It must be responsive to solve the main or overall problem presented. On the other hand, the specific objectives must be explicit, precise and expected results are verifiable.

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Thus, the criteria of SMART must be carefully considered in setting the specific objectives: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time-bound The Scope and Limitations of the Study defines what the study is all about, where and when the study is to be conducted and who the subjects are or for whom the study is being made. Also included is a brief statement of the reason why the study is conducted and how it will be resolved. The Significance of the Study presents the value of the study, not only to the researcher but also to other stakeholders.

WRITING CHAPTER 2 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The Conceptual Framework includes the Review of Related Literature and Studies, Conceptual Model or Research Paradigm and the Operational Definition of Terms. The Review of Related Literature and Studies is concerned with conceptual literature and research literature. Conceptual literature is literature coming from books, journals, and other non-data materials while research literature is literature that is empirical-based, consisting of findings in theses and dissertations. The review of literature is basically a big pool of information related to your topic from which you can develop your concept of the study. It involves concepts, theories and ideas taken from different authors and experts. The concepts provide the basic knowledge to understand the topic. The theories identify the research problem by presenting the gaps, weak points and inconsistencies in the previous researches. These theories provide the study with a conceptual or theoretical framework, which justify the need for an investigation.

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The following steps may help you in conducting your review of related literature and studies:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Prepare a preliminary bibliography Read and take notes Organize your materials Write your first draft

Several characteristics must be considered for the choice of related literature and studies:
1. 2. 3. 4. The materials must be as recent as possible The materials must be objective and unbiased The materials must be relevant to the study The materials must have been based upon genuinely original and true facts or data to make them valid and reliable 5. The materials must not be too few or too many

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The sources of related literature and studies are limitless. These include the following: 1. 2. Books, encyclopedia, almanacs, and other similar references Articles published in professional journals, magazines, periodicals, newspapers and other publications Manuscripts, monographs, memoirs, speeches, letters and diaries Unpublished theses and dissertations The Constitutions, laws and statutes of the land Bulletins, circulars, and orders emanating from government offices and departments, especially from the Office of the President of the Philippines and the government agency concerned Records of schools, public and private, especially of their activities Reports from seminars, educational or otherwise Official reports of all kinds, educational, social, economic, scientific, technological, political, etc. from the government and other entities

3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9.

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Similarly, there are also many different ways of citing related literature and studies. Examples include the following: 1. Magno (2003) stressed that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is strongly pushing for National ID System Act as a high priority.

2.

According to Strasser, et. al (1981), men and boys are involved in more than two-thirds of the accidental deaths; whereas women and girls are involved in fewer than one-third.
Australian universities tend to become research-oriented institutions since research publications is considered to be the main criteria for recruitment and promotion of academics (Oxenford, 1995).

3.

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4.

Ayers (1994) claims that dewatering improves waste handling and reduces the volume of garbage to be incinerated. Incidentally, dewatering is another method of waste treatment designed to treat wet garbage.

5.

Moreover, Crucido (2004) reported that vegetable growing is possible even in areas where production is limited by space or by unsuitable growing conditions through container gardening.

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In order to avoid plagiarism, the following guidelines can help you: 1. 2. Always put quotation marks around any direct statement from someone elses work. Give credit to the author for any paraphrase of his or her ideas or statements, even though quotation marks are not used, because these ideas are clearly not your own. Reference ant material, ideas or thoughts you found in a specific source if it is evident that they came from your reading and are not common knowledge. Do not reference material that is a common knowledge. Reference any summary of discussion from one of your sources, even if it is your own words. Reference any charts, graphs, or tables that are created by others or that you make out of someone elses information. Put the reference immediately below the chart, graph or table.

3.

4. 5. 6.

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A paraphrase is... your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form. one legitimate way (when accompanied by accurate documentation) to borrow from a source. a more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea. Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because... it is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage. it helps you control the temptation to quote too much. the mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp the full meaning of the original.

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6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing 1. 2. 3. Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning. Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card. Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase. Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form. Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source. Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

4. 5.

6.

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Example of paraphrasing:

The original passage: Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 2nd ed. (1976): 46-47.
A legitimate paraphrase: In research papers students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester 4647).

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The Conceptual Model or the Research Paradigm is the diagrammatic presentation of the concept of the study. The most common presentation of a conceptual model for a developmental study follows the input-process-output model while the research paradigm for trends and projection study follows the use of dependent and independent variables. A brief description and explanation of the model or paradigm must always be included. All inputs and processes involved and/or variables must have been included and properly discussed in the Review of Related and Studies.

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The most common presentation of a conceptual model for a developmental research is shown below. In some cases, the same pattern could also be applicable for an experimental research. However, it is necessary that the required inputs be included in your respective conceptual model presentation.
Input
Knowledge Requirements

Process
Design

Output

Software Requirements

Development

A new technology or an innovation

Hardware Requirements

Implementation

Evaluation

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Knowledge Requirements are the basic information needed to understand in pursuing the study. These include the concepts and principles involved in the operation of the project. Discussions on similar gadgets or machines maybe presented and how they are the same or hoe they differ in construction, operation and/or application. Software Requirements involve knowledge and skills on certain computer programming languages in order to create a workable system for the project prototype. Such languages maybe Visual Basic Programming, Database Management System, SQL and similar others. Hardware requirements include the materials and equipment to be used in the fabrication and assembly of the project prototype. The kind or nature of materials to be used will also determine the quality, time and cost involved in the development of the project.

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Preparing the Bibliography

The Bibliography is a list or literatures used in the conduct of the study. It is the concluding section of a research paper, thesis or dissertation and is usually in alphabetical listing of source materials. The style and form of preparing the bibliography must conform to some standards being adopted by the college/university. Generally, there are two different styles for bibliographic entries: the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA).
Incidentally, the type most frequently required for both undergraduate and graduate research papers is the APA form and style where the year of publication immediately follows the authors name. Author maybe a person, a corporation, an association, a city, or a bureau.

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Books (Suggested Minimum: 25; arrange in alphabetical order) Authors Surname, First Name M.I., Copyright year. Title of the Book. Place of Publication: Publisher. Example: Merriwether, Nell W., 1997. Twelve Easy Steps to Successful Research Papers. Chicago: NTC Publishing Group.

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Theses and Dissertations (Suggested Minimum: 20; arrange in alphabetical order) Authors Surname, First Name M.I. Title of the thesis or Dissertation. Degree awarded with thesis or dissertation citation. Name of University, Date Granted. Example: Rilles, Geraldine M. Development of Assistive Technology for Persons with Vision Loss. Masters Thesis. Technological University of the Philippines, May 2012.

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Journals and Other Publications (Suggested Minimum: 15; arrange in alphabetical order) Authors Surname, First Name M.I. Title of the Article or Publication. Name of Journal or Magazine or Newspaper. Date of Publication (in day-monthyear order): or Volume Number Issue Number. Pages. Example: Brody, L. E. Gifted Children with Learning Disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23 September 2006: 30(3).

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Electronic Sources (Suggested Minimum: 10; arrange in alphabetical order) Authors Surname, First Name M.I. Title of the Document. Title of the Complete Work. Date of Publication (in day-month-year order). Full URL used and (Date of Access). Example: Robert, Adelle B. Teaching Strategies and Techniques for People with Disabilities (2007). Retrieved last July 21, 2010 from http://www.hcblind.org