Developing the Introduction of the Research Paper

Introduction

includes the discussion of the overview of the study, the problem and the theoretical anchor

Background of the Study

“What was the problem or what is the research all about?”

Background of the Study

“why was it necessary to solve the problem?”

Background of the Study

“What were the findings of previous authors who worked on aspects related to the problem?”

Background of the Study

The proponent should describe the existing and prevailing problem situations based on his/her experience

Background of the Study

The scope may be global, national, regional and local

Background of the Study

The proponent should give strong justification for selecting such research

Statement of the Problem

There should be an introductory statement which reflects the main problem of the study

Statement of the Problem

Sub-problems are included

Sub-problems

should be stated in such a way that they are not only answerable by either yes, no, when and where

Sub-problem

includes all the independent and moderator variables which will be reflected in the conceptual framework

Sub-problems

should be arranged in logical order and extensive in coverage and must be exclusive in its dimensions

If the research is quantitative

When to avoid having the “how questions”?

Important criteria for a research problem statement

1. Written in Interrogative Sentence Form

2. Includes the population

3. Includes the variables

4. Empirically testable

Correlational Statement

format: is there a correlation between X (independent variable) and Y (dependent variable) in the population?

Comparative Statement

format: is there a difference in Y (dependent variable) between people in the population who have X characteristics (independent variable) and those who do not have X characteristics?

Experimental Study

format: is there a difference in Y (dependent variable) between Group A who received X (independent variable) and Group B who did not receive X?

• state what the research hopes to come up with or accomplish

• state the purpose or aim

• state what is expected from the study

• specific

• consistent with the title

The objectives should:

Significance of the Study

describes the contributions of the study

Significance of the Study

should be in the form of new knowledge in the field

Significance of the Study

discusses the importance of the study to the various stakeholders or beneficiaries

Significance of the Study

expounds on the study’s probable impact to nursing, health care, science & technology

Theory

a set of interrelated constructs, definitions and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena

Conceptual Frameworks

made up of concepts and propositions that state the relationship between the concepts

Conceptual Frameworks

represent a less formal attempt at organizing phenomena than theories

Conceptual Frameworks

deal with abstractions like theories that are assembled by virtue of their relevance to the common theme

Conceptual Frameworks

provide a perspective regarding interrelated phenomena, but are more loosely structured than theories

Statement of Hypothesis

prediction about the relationship between two or more variables

Statement of Hypothesis

states the researchers’s expectations concerning the relationship between variables in the research problem

Statement of Hypothesis

formulated following the review of literature and prior to the execution of the study except in qualitative research

• lend objectivity to scientific investigation by pinpointing a specific part of a theory to be tested

• guide the research design and dictate the type of statistical analysis to be used with the data

• provide reader with an understanding of the researcher’s expectations about the study before data collection begins

Purposes of Hypothesis

• State expected relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable within a population

• Must follow from previous research findings or are deduced from a theory

Characteristics of Testable Hypotheses

• Personal Experience

• Previous research studies

• Theoretical propositions

Sources of Hypothesis

Simple Hypothesis

expresses an expected relationship between independent variable and one dependent variable

Simple Hypothesis

Birth weight is lower among infants of alcoholic mothers than among infants of non alcoholic mothers

Complex Hypothesis

prediction of relationship between two or more independent variables and/or two or more dependent variables

Complex Hypothesis

Postpartum depression and feelings of inadequacy are reported by women who give birth by cesarean delivery than by those who deliver vaginally

Null Hypothesis

• statistical hypothesis

• there is no relationship between the independent variable and dependent variable

• hypothesis is subjected to statistical analysis

Null Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between denial and reports of anxiety among post myocardial infarction patients

Research Hypothesis

• alternative hypothesis, scientific, substantive, theoretical hypothesis

• statements of expected relationship between variables

• determine exactly what the researcher expects to find after analyzing the data

Directional Research Hypothesis

specifies not only the existence but the expected direction of relationship between variables

Directional Research Hypothesis

Older patients are at more risk of experiencing a fall than younger patients

Nondirectional Research Hypothesis

the researcher merely predicts that a relationship exists but the direction of relationship is not stated

Nondirectional Research Hypothesis

Older patients differ from younger ones with respect to their risk of falling

• written in declarative sentence

• written in the present tense

• contains population

• contains variables

• reflects the problem statement

• empirically testable

Hypothesis Criteria

Scope and delimitation

describes the nature, coverage and time frame of the study. It presents in brief the subject, area of investigation, the place, the time period or school year covered

Scope and delimitation

discusses the variables to be included in the study and the exclusion of other variable which are expected to be included

Scope and delimitation

may not be included in the proposal

• knowledge or expertise

• time alloted to conduct

• financial support

• purpose or aim in conducting the study

Factors affecting the scope and limitation of the dtuy

Conceptual Definition

presents the abstract or theoretical meaning of the concepts being studied. They are based on theoretical formulations, on a firm understanding of relevant literature or on researcher’s clinical experience

Operational Definition

specifies the operations that researchers must perform to collect the required information. This is necessary in quantitative research because researchers need to determine how variables are observed and measured