CHAPTER 1CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUNDITS BACKGROUND

Chapter 1 of a thesis should contain a Chapter 1 of a thesis should contain a discussion of each of the following topics:discussion of each of the following topics:

- - IntroductionIntroduction

- - Background of the StudyBackground of the Study

- - Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical Framework

- - Conceptual FrameworkConceptual Framework

- - Statement of the ProblemStatement of the Problem

- - Hypothesis(es)Hypothesis(es)

- - Significance of the StudySignificance of the Study

- - Scope and Limitation of the StudyScope and Limitation of the Study

- - Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms

IntroductionIntroduction The introduction should give information The introduction should give information

as to what the study is all about.as to what the study is all about.

It should show the existence of an It should show the existence of an unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem that needs a solution. That is, the reason that needs a solution. That is, the reason or reasons why it is necessary to conduct or reasons why it is necessary to conduct the study must be discussed.the study must be discussed.

The introduction should be linked to the The introduction should be linked to the statement of the problem.statement of the problem.

Background of the StudyBackground of the Study This section should discuss the historical This section should discuss the historical

background of the problem.background of the problem.

It must explain the students’ earnest desire It must explain the students’ earnest desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding to have a deeper and clearer understanding of a situation so they will be in a better of a situation so they will be in a better position to initiate remedial measures or to position to initiate remedial measures or to find a better way to improve the situation.find a better way to improve the situation.

The geographical conditions of the study locale The geographical conditions of the study locale may also be discussed in this section.may also be discussed in this section.

Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical Framework

This section should present the different This section should present the different theories, models, paradigms, perspectives theories, models, paradigms, perspectives related to the variables, problem statement related to the variables, problem statement and hypothesis of the present study. and hypothesis of the present study.

The students should test, confirm, validate, The students should test, confirm, validate, or verify the cited theories in other or verify the cited theories in other situations or attempt to formulate a new situations or attempt to formulate a new theory which will be their contribution to theory which will be their contribution to their field of specialization.their field of specialization.

Conceptual FrameworkConceptual Framework

The conceptual framework should be The conceptual framework should be anchored on the theoretical framework. anchored on the theoretical framework. That is, the conceptual and theoretical That is, the conceptual and theoretical frameworks should be consistent and frameworks should be consistent and related.related.

It should present in detail the variables to It should present in detail the variables to be observed in the current study, the be observed in the current study, the concepts defined, the operationalization of concepts defined, the operationalization of the variable-concepts, and the scheme of the variable-concepts, and the scheme of measuring the variables. measuring the variables.

A paradigm of the study showing a A paradigm of the study showing a diagrammatic representation of the diagrammatic representation of the conceptual framework should be included conceptual framework should be included in this section. It should depict in a more in this section. It should depict in a more vivid way what the conceptual framework vivid way what the conceptual framework wants to convey.wants to convey.

Statement of the ProblemStatement of the Problem The problem should be stated both in The problem should be stated both in

general and in specific terms. The general general and in specific terms. The general statement of the problem is usually a statement of the problem is usually a reiteration of the title of the study. reiteration of the title of the study.

The problem should be stated in the infinitive The problem should be stated in the infinitive to such as examine, analyze, determine, to such as examine, analyze, determine, measure, assess, evaluate, or find out.measure, assess, evaluate, or find out.

Specific questions should be stated using Specific questions should be stated using the guide question words: “How,” “Will,” the guide question words: “How,” “Will,” “What,” “Is there,” etc.“What,” “Is there,” etc.

Hypothesis(es)Hypothesis(es)

Hypotheses should be stated in the null Hypotheses should be stated in the null form.form.

They should be formulated from the They should be formulated from the specific questions upon which they are specific questions upon which they are based.based.

Significance of the StudySignificance of the Study

The candidate should explain or discuss The candidate should explain or discuss in this section the rationale, timeliness in this section the rationale, timeliness and/or relevance of the study to existing and/or relevance of the study to existing conditions.conditions.

This section must show who are the This section must show who are the individuals, groups, or communities who individuals, groups, or communities who may benefit on account of the study.may benefit on account of the study.

The candidate should point out the The candidate should point out the possible contribution(s) of the study to possible contribution(s) of the study to the fund of knowledge.the fund of knowledge.

It should discuss the implications, It should discuss the implications, including the possible causes of the including the possible causes of the problems discovered, the positive effects problems discovered, the positive effects of the problems, and the remedial of the problems, and the remedial measures to solve the problem.measures to solve the problem.

Scope and LimitationScope and Limitation The students should identify the boundaries The students should identify the boundaries

or coverage of their study in terms of the or coverage of their study in terms of the subjects, the study area, the research subjects, the study area, the research instrument, the time frame, the population instrument, the time frame, the population or universe, and the issues to which the or universe, and the issues to which the study is focused.study is focused.

The students should also define the The students should also define the constraints or weaknesses which are not constraints or weaknesses which are not within their control and hence are not within their control and hence are not covered by the study.covered by the study.

Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms

This section should include important or This section should include important or key terms that should be substantially key terms that should be substantially and clearly defined according to how they and clearly defined according to how they are used in the study in order to facilitate are used in the study in order to facilitate understanding of the problem and avoid understanding of the problem and avoid ambiguous meaning to terms which can ambiguous meaning to terms which can be otherwise interpreted in different be otherwise interpreted in different ways.ways.

The researcher should defined only what is The researcher should defined only what is absolutely necessary. Only terms, word, or absolutely necessary. Only terms, word, or phrases which have special or unique phrases which have special or unique meanings in the study should be defined.meanings in the study should be defined.

Terms may be defined operationally, that is, Terms may be defined operationally, that is, based on observable characteristics and how based on observable characteristics and how they are used in the study; or, conceptually, they are used in the study; or, conceptually, that is, based on definitions taken from that is, based on definitions taken from encyclopedias, books, magazines and encyclopedias, books, magazines and newspaper articles, dictionaries, and other newspaper articles, dictionaries, and other publications. Definitions taken from publications. Definitions taken from publications should be acknowledged.publications should be acknowledged.

The terms defined should be arranged in The terms defined should be arranged in alphabetical order and acronyms should alphabetical order and acronyms should always be spelled out fully, especially if it always be spelled out fully, especially if it is not commonly known or if used for the is not commonly known or if used for the first time.first time.