GUIDELINES

Name :
Program
____Thesis _____ Dissertation _____ Action Research
CHECKLIST FOR A RESEARCH PAPER
NOTE: ENSURE THAT THESE ITEMS IN EACH SECTION/PART OF THE RESEARCH
PAPER ARE DONE.
TITLE OF THE STUDY
The title is aligned with the research agenda of the University, College and Program enrolled
The title states all key variables of the study
The title does not have repetitive, non-contributory words and any abbreviations
The title has no more than 15 words
The title presents the summary of the study
ABSTRACT
The Abstract is written in 250 to 350 words only
The Abstract states the research objective/purpose of the study
The Abstract states the research method , study site, partcipants and instruments used in the
study
The Abstract states the results of findings, conclusions and key recommendations of the study
The INTRODUCTION Section
Defines the key concepts/variables of the study and its importance to discipline,profession and
practice
Discusses the global and local issues, problems, trends, development happening on the present
study
Presents the global and local results, findings by citing previous studies
Discusses the reason why the topic is being researched on and the need to solve problem
Discusses the relevance of the study with citations from results of previous studies
The Background of the Study Section
Describes the empirical problem observed in the locality that led to undertake the study
Discusses the factors that led to the problem to include citing findings from previous studies
States the research gaps of the study (e.g.participants, methods, etc) by citing previous
studies
Discusses the need to explore the problem study and results once the issues are addressed
States clearly the purpose of study - align it with the title of the study
States the contribution of study (new theory, improve practice, policy formulation and for social
action
The Research Question/s Section
States clearly and specifically the research questions of the study
States the specific question as researchable apart from the other questions
Makes the specific question complete the whole research topic
States the relationship between two or more variables - (independent/dependent/moderating) if
applicable
States the difference between groups of participants , if applicable
The Research Hypothesis Section
States clearly the null hypothesis of the study
States the hypothesis in such a way it is testable
States the independent and dependent variables in the statement , for relationship study
The Significance of the Study Section
States the person/groups/ entities and the benefits each will derived from the results of the
study
States the future contributions of the study (to fund of knowledge, discipline or practice of
profession)
Theoretical Background
The Theoretical Framework Section
States the theory and the name of proponent appropriate to use in the study with citations
Presents the visual framework/model of the theory
Explains the theory and its elements (concepts , variables)and their relationships in the study
Discusses the appropriateness of the theory in guiding the study

The Conceptual Framework Section

Contextualizes (localizes) how the use of the theory can help achieve the objectives of the study
Discusses the variables and their relationships with one another in the study
Presents the schematic paradigm of the study ( to see the whole process of the study at one
glance.)
Literarure Review
The Related Literature Section
Defines operationally all the variables of the study in a concise manner
Organizes the variables of the study by themes and flows logically
Uses published works cited within the last five (5) years
Presents at least 30 -50 cited works (Master;s) and 50-80 cited works (doctoral)
Uses APA format in text, citation and references.
The Related Studies Section
Presents the findings/reco0mmendations of previous studies which have relation to the study
Presents the positive and negative results of the previous studies
Uses APA format in text, citation and references.
METHODS
The Research Design Section
States the research design and method appropriate to use in the study
Defines the Research design and method with citattions from an authority
Discusess what the research design and method all about
Discusses why the selected research design and method are the most approprIate to
use in the study
Study Site and Partcipants
The Study Site Section
States the name of the physical (location) site of the study
Describes the reason for the choice of the study site
Describes the highlights of the site that makes it interesting to study
The Participants Section
States the general participants of the study
Describes the participants ( profile ) in textual or narrative form if asked but not part of
the research question
States the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the selection of participants
The Population , Sample Size, Sampling Method Section
States the total number of the population of the study (the big group of the
participants)
States the number of the sample size of the study (the small group that represent the
study)
States the method use in computing the sample size
States how the sample size was selected
States the appropriateness of the sample size
Describes the sampling method in getting the sample of the study (purposive etc.)
The Instrument Section
States the instrument/s to be use in data collection (questionnaire, interview guide,
observation, etc)
States the origin , the purpose, the features or parts of the instrument
States if the instrument is adopted from previous work (from whom and date) or self-
constructed instrument
If adopted, states the results of the validation and reliability test conducted on the
instrument
If adopted and modified , states what have been modified to suit the needs of the
study
If self- constructed, discuss where did you get the contents of the instrrument/s
Describes the process of validating the instruments by the experts
Describe the process of testing the reliabity of the instrument/s and the statistical tool/s
used
Describes the process of pilot testing the self-constructed instrument
Describes the different parts of the questionnaire (number of items , scoring guide,
scale range, intepretation)
The Data Gathering Procedure Section
Describes the process of obtaining permission from authorities to conduct the study
Describes the process of obtaining permission from authorities to administer data
collection instrument/s
Describes the process of recruiting participants of the study
States the protocols to be observed in data collection
Describes the process of securing informed consent from each of the participants
Describes the data collection processes and strategies (survey,
interview,transcriptions)were done
Describes the process of the administration and retrieval of instrument from
participants
States how long the data gathering will last
 The Data Analysis Section
States the statistical tools to be use for each research questions /hypothesis
Describes the steps/ strategies use for data analysis
Describes the manual methods or computer program to be use to organize and
interpret the data
The Ethical Considerations Section
Describes the ethical protocols followed before, during , after the conduct of the study.
Describes the process of maintaining the confidentiality, anonymity, and data security
from partcipants
Describe the process on how the Informed Consent Form will be obtained
The RESULTS Section
Introduces ,in statement form, what the table or figure is all about
Presents the results of the study in accordance with the sequence of research
questions/hypotheses
Presents the results of the study in tabular or graphical forms for each research
questions/hypothesis
Presents the most salient results of the table or figures (starting from highest to -
lowest) and uncommon results.
Presents the numerical values of significant relationships being highled in parenthesis)
Items in the tables, graphs, figures agree with the narratives of the study.
For qualitative research-presents the findings of the study in grid form stating the
theme,sub-theme,
significant statements and identity code of the partcipants
The DISCUSSION
States the purpose of the study
Discusses the major results of the study in the order of the sequence of research
questions/hypotheses
Presents the principles, relationships and generalization shown by the results of the
study
States the highlights/summary of the major findings of the study on a per research
questions
Explains the causality of the findings through cross-referencing with previusly
published works
Discusses the implications of the study to theory, research and findings of a specific
field or discipline
For qualitative research - presents the major themes of the study based from
excerpts of provided data
The themes captures the meaning of the narratives
The Conclusions Section
Recalls the purpose of the study
States the major findings of the study in the order of the stated research
questions/hypothesis
Presents the conclusion of the study based on the results/findings of the study
States the limitations of the study (sample size, research designs, methods, study site,
variables, procedure etc.
States what the study has achieved because of rersearch conducted
States the implications of the study - the theoretical as well as the practical contribution
of the study
States what are the key ideas that one can draw from the study for application in
practice of profession

The Recommendation Section

States the recommendations based on the results /findings and conclusions of the
study
States the persons or entities to whom recommendations are address
States the recommendations based solely on the findings of the study
States recommendations for future research based on use of different design,
respondents, settingg etc.
The References Section
Lists down all resources cited in the study
Cites the references following APA format (Books, Journals, etc)
Arranges authors alphabetically by their surnames
Appendices
Contains the original data-letters, questionnaires, computations - type single space
Each Appendix is identified using letters of the Alphabet
Appendix A - Approved letter to Conduct Study
Appendix B - Approved letter to Float Questionnaire
Appendix C - Letter to Partcipants
Appendix D - Informed Consent Form
Appendix E - Questionnaire/Interview checklist/ Aide Memoire
Appendix F - Others (please indicate the title)
Appendix G - Curriculum Vitae
Editorial
Check layout/ structure. Main sections, sub-sections, figures, tables
Use headings appropriately
Use terms consistently throughout the study
Check the number sections . Tables, figures
Check all references in the text if reflected in the reference section
Report
Writing paper size: 8.5 X 11 inches
Type face - Arial , font 12
Margins: Left 1.5 inches , top/right/bottom 1 inch