How to Write Chapter 1 – The Problem and Its Background

The Introduction

This is not a title of a chapter. It is actually a paragraph side head, which begins Chapter 1. Statement in this
chapter should not only signify the importance of the topic but should not only signify the importance of the topic but should
also cause an impact on the reader.

Guidelines in Writing the Introduction

It may be composed of three paragraphs enabling the readers to see at a glance the entire contents of the research
work.

1. The intention of the first paragraph is to provide the readers a mental warm-up, thus giving them information
and readiness as to what the research is all about. It should introduce the study and justify the problem.

2. The second paragraph carries the bulk of the introduction. The statement of the problem can best be used as
frame of reference to write this paragraph. It is simply telling the readers the scope and coverage of the study.
This will help revolve around mentioning the purpose of the study, which is to determine the existing or not
existing between the independent and dependent variables.

3. The third or last paragraph is a sort of closing portion that is intriguing and challenging the readers to become
interested in knowing the results of the study. It is one or two sentences to link between the introduction and the
statement of the problem

4. This part is 1 2 – 3 page discussion

Statement of the Problem

This is one of the most important parts of a research report. This is the focus of the study and all questions stated
should be categorically answered.

Guidelines in Writing the Introduction

1. The problem should be stated both in general and in specific terms. The general statement of the problem is
usually a reiteration of the title of the study.

2. The problem is always in an interrogatory form, hence, it must ask a question and sub-problems must follow the
main problems which are the keys points for investigation in the research.

3. The problem should be stated in the infinitive to (action words in research) such as examine, analyze,
determine, measure, assess, evaluate, recommend, find out, among others; setting 4-5 research objectives is
ideal for a research problem.

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

Example:
 This study was conducted to investigate all aspects of the Teaching of Science in the High Schools of the
Province of Abra during the School Year 2002 – 2003 as Perceived by the Science Teachers

Specifically, the study attempted to answer the following questions:

1. How do the respondent’s profiles be described in terms of:

1.1 educational qualifications,

1.2 field of specialization

1.3 kind of examination taken

1.4 numbers of years in teaching science,

1.5 in-service trainings/programs attended,

1.6 reading materials read and subscribed to, and

1.7 membership of related organizations/associations.

2. How effective are the methods and strategies used by the respondents in teaching of science?

3. How adequate are the instructional and the non-instructional facilities for the teaching of
science?

4. What problems are being encountered by the respondents?

5. What suggestions are offered by the respondents to improve the teaching of science?

Importance of the Significance of the Study

In this section, the researcher expresses the value or importance of the research study. It is where the significant
contributions of the results of the study are enumerated. Such contributions may be viewed from the point of the target
beneficiaries like the researcher himself, service providers, client, society, administrators, planners decision-makers,
implementers, the community, the educational institutions, legislatures, and practitioners. It may also be viewed on their
contributions to the accumulation of knowledge, solving a problem which improves certain of refinement lf concepts and
theories, improvement of research instruments and methods and meeting the priorities of institutions.

Guidelines in Writing Importance or Significance of the Study

1. The rationale, timeless and or relevance of the study to existing conditions must be explained or
discussed.
2. Possible solutions to existing problems or improvements to unsatisfactory conditions.
3. It must be shown who are the individuals, groups, or communities who may be placed in a more
advantageous position on account of the study.
4. Possible contribution to be a fount of knowledge.
5. Is should discuss the implications, including the possible causes of the problems, and the remedial
measures to solve the problems.

Implications must include the good points of a system, which ought to be continued or to be improved.

The use of the following phrases could help express the importance of the study:
 The results of this study could help them realize…
The useful and relevant information acquired from the study will encourage them to continue...
This study will encourage them to…
This study will enhance involvement in the…
Results could help benefit…
It will also serves as basis in the study of…
This study will also afford the management to know…
Similar organizations will benefit from the study in…
Researchers may find the findings useful as…
This study can help boost the…
The findings may also serve as a guide to…
The results hopefully, will be of value to…
Through this study, students will become aware of…
This could motivate and challenge the…
The results of this study will provide some insights and information on how they…
The study will provide…
It will likewise serve…
Hopefully, this study will eventually help…
Finally, this study will make them aware of…
This study will contribute…
It will also motivate the…

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The scope identifies the boundaries or coverage of the study in term of subjects, objectives, facilities, area, time,
and the issues to which the research is focused.

The delimitations of the study defines the constraints or weaknesses, which are not within the control of the
researcher, therefore, they are not expected to be covered by the study.

The use of the following phrases could help express the scope of this portion:

This study will focus on…

The coverage of this study…
The study covers the...
The study focuses on
It includes…
It is concerned with…
It also involves the…
The study consists of…
The delimitations could be expressed using the following phrases:

This study is limited to…

This study does not cover the…
The investigator limited this research to…
It does not seek to include…

Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

Some researchers use both the theoretical and conceptual framework; however, it is advisable to use only one.
They both provide clear explanations regarding the relationships of the variables. The fact that variables can be shown to be
associated, but does not guarantee that the relationship of variables has significance, research study must have a
framework as a legal basis to describe properly the process of the study.
 The theoretical framework shapes the justification of the research problem objectives in order to provide the basis
on its parameters. It is desirable for a researcher to identify the key concepts that are used in the study for better
understanding of the rule of theory in researcher to identify the key concepts that are used in the study for better
understanding of the rule of theory in research. It is a symbolic construction, which uses abstract, concepts, facts, or laws
variables and their relations that explain and predict how an observed phenomenon exists and operates. An investigation is
required to formulate existing theories which link the study because theories are useful devices for interpreting, criticizing,
and unifying established scientific laws and facts guide in discovering new generalizations.

Conceptual framework presents specific and well-defined concepts, which are called constructs. Its function is
similar with theoretical framework because the constructs used are derived from abstract, concepts of the theoretical
framework

Constructing Theoretical Framework

The practice of research is to present the different theories, models, paradigm, perspectives related to the problem
and the hypothesis. This shows the generalizations already accumulated related to the problem. To start with, the
researcher should consider the field of knowledge in which the problem statement can be classified. Then, he decides to
focus on one or more theories. This leads to building the particular theory, by testing and validating it in other settings.
Another way is to practice it to modify or reconstruct the theory in to new general framework containing the variables and
relationships for the purpose of the research to be undertaken.
In planning and writing the theoretical framework, it is important to cite the theory that will be used by
Giving the assumptions,
Defining terms-concepts,
Identifying the variables,
Starting the relationship of variables and presenting hypothesis.

Constructing Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework is anchored on the theoretical framework. The conceptual and theoretical framework
needs to be consistent and related.
The conceptual framework is part of research but different from theoretical framework. It is the detailed presentation
of the variables to be observed in the current study, the concepts defined in a way the researcher wants, it is understood in
the current research, the operationalization of the variables-concepts, the visible indicator or the variables-concepts, the
scheme of measuring the variables. It concentrates on the specific stipulative and operational definition of concepts and
variables with respect to the particular research problem
Stipulated definitions are the researcher’s choice of the meaning of the concepts and variable from among the other
possible definition. Throughout the research process, this will be the basis for meaning and interpretation. The operational
definition is the way the concept should be understood by means of certain visible, experiential, observable indicators. It
states which of the concepts will be independent, dependent and interventing variables and the visible indicators of these
variables.
Stating Approach. The word approaches is also used to determine the viewpoint or outlook towards the phenomena
and the new strategy of the researcher will handle data. It is also used to refer to the strategy of the researcher. In current
practice, approaches are named after: (a) theories used, (b) the discipline or field of knowledge, and (c) the data-analysis
technique employed.
Examples of approaches based on the theory are:
Systems approach from system theory,
Behavioral approach from behaviorism,
Marxist approach from Marxist theory.

Examples of approach based on discipline are:

Historical approach,
Sociological approach,
Legalistic approach,
Multidisciplinary approach,
Interdisciplinary approach.
Examples of approach based on methods for gathering sand analyzing data are:
Comparative approach,
Descriptive approach,
Quantitative approach,
Qualitative approach.