Chapter 7

THE RESEARCH MANUSCRIPT

A research manuscript is a written document which, among others, presents the
results, conclusions, recommendations and implications derived from the conduct of a
research study. Its purpose is “to inform a relevant audience of the nature of the
problem studied, the details of how the project was implemented, and its results.”

PARTS OF THE THESIS MANUSCRIPT

The research manuscript includes the different parts of a research proposal

(introduction, review of related literature, materials and methods, bibliography, and
appendices) and two additional chapters whose contents are discussed in the preceding
sections.

The Results and Discussion or Data Presentation and Analysis

This chapter presents and discusses the findings of the study derived from the
data which have been gathered, processed and analyzed.

In this portion of the manuscript, do the following:

a. Organize and divide this chapter into topics (and subtopics, if needed), each
of which is titled according to the statement of the sub-problems.

b. Present a summary of the experimental results or data gathered relevant to

the study and the findings of the statistical analyses applied on them. The
experimental results or data gathered can be presented in any of the following
means of presentation:

i. Textual Presentation. This is done by presenting the results in sentences

and paragraphs. This explains, supplements, or expands further the
contents of tables and figures. This is always placed before tables or
figures, not after them.

ii. Tabular Presentation. Results of the data processing are usually

presented in tables. A table is a systematic arrangement of extensive data
in rows (horizontal line) and columns (vertical line). A table should be
carefully constructed so that the reader can readily see comparisons,
relationships, or trends at a glance.

iii. Graphical Presentation. Numerical data can be presented also visually in

the form of graphics. A graph presents comparative information quickly
and simply. Graphs are usually included and cited in the discussion as
figures. The most commonly used graphs are:

● Bar graph – this is the simplest and easiest to construct and interpret.
It is especially useful in presenting comparative data or contrasts.
However, it is used only when there are few values to be compared.

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 ● Line graph – this is used to show or compare trends, cycles, progress,
or development and to plot the behavior of the independent and
dependent variables. This is the most accurate of all graphs.

● Pie graph – this is appropriate for presenting the distribution of the

whole into component parts usually in percentage. It is especially
useful when showing breakdown in expenditure, population, income,
etc.

c. Discuss the experimental results or data gathered comprehensively in order to

show the relationships among observed facts. This is done by:

i. presenting relationships and principles shown in the results;

ii. showing how your results and interpretations agree or disagree with
previously published works; and
iii. pointing out and defining exceptions, discrepancies and inconsistencies.

Summary, Conclusions, Implications and Recommendations

This is the final chapter of the research manuscript. This includes the following
sections:

1. Summary

The summary briefly restates the important parts of the manuscript which
consist of the problem, the objectives, the methods and procedures, and the major
findings. In this section, reduce to two or three sentences the problem, objectives
and the important topics under the procedures and findings, and link them together
in short paragraphs.

2. Conclusions

Conclusions are generalizations derived from the investigation and

examination of known data. In this section, state all the generalizations that can be
validly drawn from the results of the study. They should be stated briefly and
adequately using simple words. Avoid making broad generalizations, not adequately
supported by your data.

3. Implications and Recommendations

Implications refer to the meaning and/or relation of the findings and

conclusions to a group of persons, program or any circumstance with which the
results of the study have bearing or use. Recommendations are suggestions which
are based on the findings of the study for future research or action. In this section:

a. mention the practical implications that can be drawn from your findings; and

b. present recommendations having logical connection with your findings and

conclusions.

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Preliminary Pages

Finally, to complete the research manuscript into a book-like document, six (6)
preliminary pages are placed before the first page of the introductory chapter which
include the following:

1. Acceptance and Approval Sheet

This page bears the title of the research manuscript, the name of the
researcher/s, and the name of the members of the thesis examination committee,
thesis adviser, institute director and the college dean. When the manuscript is
already acceptable, the members of the thesis examination committee, thesis
adviser, institute director and the college dean will affix their signature to the spaces
provided for in this page.

2. Acknowledgment

In this page, the help/assistance extended by individuals and institutions in

the conduct of the research study is recognized and acknowledged by the
researcher.

3. Table of Contents

This is the chronological listing of the various chapters, sections and

subsections of the research manuscript. Appropriate indentions are observed in this
page to identify the main headings from sub-headings.

4. List of Tables

This is a chronological listing of the tables as they appear in the text.

5. List of Figures

This is the chronological listing of the figures as they appear in the text.

6. List of Appendix Tables

This is the chronological listing of the appendix tables as they appear in the
appendices.

7. List of Appendix Figures

This is the chronological listing of the appendix figures as they appear in the
appendices.

8. Abstract

This is an executive resume of the entire study which gives a brief account of
the problem, the methodology used, the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations. This is an abridged version of the most important results and
conclusion reported in the research manuscript written in not more than 300 words.

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 It should contain the name of the researcher/s, school, month/year of graduation, title
of research underlined and name of the thesis adviser.

PREPARATION AND DEFENSE OF THESIS MANUSCRIPT

When the data gathering and analysis have been finished, a thesis manuscript is
prepared following the forms and styles described in this manual. The manuscript
should be written in close consultation with the thesis adviser.

After writing the first draft of the thesis manuscript, this is submitted to the thesis
adviser for corrections and revisions. After doing the corrections, the thesis adviser
returns the corrected first draft to the student/s for correction and revision. When all the
corrections and revisions shall have been complied with and upon the recommendation
of the Thesis Adviser, the thesis student/s ask/s permission from the Office of the
College Dean through the College Research Coordinator to present his/her/their thesis
manuscript for final acceptance and approval (using the College of Engineering
Research Form 3 in Appendix A).

When permitted by the Office of the College Dean to present his/her/their thesis
manuscript, the thesis student/s distribute/s an examination copy of the thesis
manuscript to the members of the Thesis Examination Committee (TEC), the
Department Chairman, the College Research Coordinator, and the College Dean, at
least, one (1) day before the schedule of the thesis manuscript defense. The same
members of the TEC constituted by the Office of the Dean for the proposal defense of a
particular student or group of students, considering the scope and coverage of the
thesis study will examine the thesis manuscript. The Thesis Examination Committee
consists of at least three (3) faculty members, with one (1) chairman and two (2)
members.

During the thesis manuscript presentation, the thesis student/s will only
present/discuss to the thesis examination committee the objectives of the study, the
actual methodology, the results and discussion, the conclusions, recommendations and
implications. However, the examination copy of the thesis manuscript should contain
already all the preliminary pages as listed in the topic HOW TO WRITE A THESIS
MANUSCRIPT.

During the open forum, the thesis student/s should answer the queries of the
members of the thesis examination committee and take note of the suggestions /
revisions to the thesis manuscript. A faculty member will act as Secretary during the
defense to take note of all the suggestions and corrections on the manuscript, a copy of
which will be provided to the thesis student/s after the manuscript defense.

After the thesis manuscript defense, the thesis adviser shall report the results of
the thesis manuscript defense to the College Dean by accomplishing the College of
Engineering Research Form No. 4 and submitting this at least three (3) working
days after the defense date.

If there is a need for re-defense, the thesis student/s will work on the part/s of the
results and discussion that should be improved and re-defended. After which, the thesis
student/s will accomplish again College of Engineering Research Form 3 for the
scheduling of a re-defense.

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 FINAL SUBMISSION OF THESIS MANUSCRIPT

After the thesis manuscript presentation or a re-defense, the thesis student/s

should prepare a final copy of the thesis manuscript incorporating all the
suggestions/revisions during the thesis manuscript defense. This final copy should be
recommended first by the thesis adviser for acceptance and approval by the college
research coordinator, department chairman, college dean, and all the members of the
thesis examination committee, before several copies of it are prepared for final
submission to the College Research Office.

In the final copy of the thesis manuscript, the different parts should have the
following arrangement: Title Page; Acceptance and Approval Sheet; Acknowledgment;
Table of Contents; List of Tables; List of Figures; List of Appendix Tables (if any); List of
Appendix Figures (if any), Abstract; Introduction; Review of Related Literature; Materials
and Methods; Results and Discussion; Summary, Conclusions, Implications and
Recommendations; Bibliography; and Appendices (Appendix Tables and Figures).

After the approval of the final copy of the thesis manuscript, the thesis student/s
make/s five (5) copies to be distributed as follows: one (1) for the concerned
department; one (1) for the College Mini-Library; one (1) for the College Research
Coordinator; one (1) for the Thesis Adviser; and one (1) for the University Library.
Manuscripts should be permanently bound in maroon with letterings in gold. The front
cover should have the following information: Thesis Title, Name of Author/s, and
Month/Year the thesis was completed (please see Sample Thesis Manuscript Cover in
Appendix B).

The five (5) copies of hardbound thesis manuscripts should be submitted to the
College Research Office not later than two (2) weeks after the manuscript defense or on
the last day of submission of the requirements for graduation.

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 REFERENCES
Ardales, Venancio B. Basic Concepts and Methods in Research. Manila: Great
Books Trading, 1991.

Calderon, Jose F. and Expectacion C. Gonzales (Coordinators). Methods of

Research and Thesis Writing. Manila: National Book Store, 1993.

Evardone, Haydee O. Research Handbook. Catarman, Northern Samar: College of

Education, University of Eastern Philippines, 1998. 49 p.

Fonollera, Maura B. Developing Competencies in Research Writing. Manila: Melfon

Publishers, Inc., 1993.

Gomez, K. A. and Gomez, A. A. Statistical Procedures for Agricultural Research.

Second Edition. New York, U.S.A.: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1984. 680p.

Lastimosa, Pura J. and Llemit, Norma V. Style Guide for Research Writers and
Editors. Los Baños, Laguna: Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and
Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), 1994. 150p. (Book
Series No. 147)

Pal, Saroj K. Statistical Techniques : A Basic Approach to Geography. New Delhi,

India. Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Ltd, 1982. 296 pp.

Ramirez, Dolores A. Manual of Thesis Style and Form for the M. S. and Ph. D. Degree
in the Graduate School, University of the Philippines Los Baños. Los Baños,
Laguna: University of the Philippines Los Baños, 1980. 20p.

Varela, Benjamin D. Guide to Thesis Preparation. Catarman, Northern Samar:

College of Engineering, University of Eastern Philippines, 1997. 18p.

Walpole, Ronald E. and Raymond H. Myers. Probability and Statistics for Engineers
and Scientists. Second Edition. New York, U.S.A.: MacMillan Publishing Co.,
Inc., 1978. 580 p.

Wikepedia Encyclopedia. Statistical Tools. Available at: www.yahoo.com. April,

2008.

Wikepedia Encyclopedia. Survey Sampling Methods. Available at:

www.yahoo.com. May, 2002.

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