Thesis Writing

• Parts of Methodology

  • research design
  • participants and sampling technique
  • locale
  • research instrument
  • data gathering procedure
  • statistical treatment of data
• Research design is an overall strategy taken by the researcher to logically and coherently integrate the various components of a study.
• Type of Research Design

  • descriptive research
  • correlational research
  • experimental research
• Steps in Research Design

  • State which research design your study will adopt.
  • In defining it, add an in-text citation.
  • Explain why the study adopts such design.
• Sampling technique involves selecting a subset of individuals or items from a larger population to gather data. Choosing the appropriate sampling method is crucial for ensuring that the sample is representative of the population and that the research findings can be generalized.
• Important terms in Sampling Technique:

  • Sampling - the process of choosing a representative portion of a population.
  • Population - the entire group or set of individuals or items which are the focus of an investigation.
  • Sample - a subset or portion of the population that is based on the statement or generalization about the population from which is it drawn.
• Types of Sampling in Quantitative Research:

  • simple random sampling
  • stratified sampling
  • systematic sampling
  • cluster sampling
  • convenience sampling
  • snowball sampling
  • quota sampling
• Sampling Random Sampling is where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample; use of random number generators or random selection techniques.
• Stratified Sampling is dividing the population into subgroups or strata based on certain characteristics (e.g., age, gender, income level) and then randomly selecting samples from each stratum proportionally.
• Systematic Sampling is selecting a smaller group of participants (the sample) from a larger group of participants by a fixed periodic interval (e.g., every 6th person on the list)
• Cluster Sampling is collecting data from a large population by dividing it into smaller groups, or clusters.
• Convenience Sampling involves the selection of participants based on ease of finding them. This is considered the weakest rationale and has the lowest credibility.
• Snowball Sampling identifies a member of the targeted population and asks them to identify other members of the population who possess the characteristics relevant to the research.
• Quota Sampling uses a set of criteria for selecting samples. However, it considers the size and proportion of each subgroup to ensure that the selected samples represent the different segments of the population.
• Steps in Participants and Sampling Technique

  • state the exact target participants of your study as well as the number.
  • establish the sampling technique you'll use.
  • include an n-text citation of the definition, and explain justification of the chosen sampling technique for the study.
• Locale states the setting where the study will take place, as well as its description.
• Research instrument is a tool or method used to collect data systematically and objectively. It could be a questionnaire/survey, test, or any other standardized instrument designed to measure variables and gather numerical data for statistical analysis.
• Survey Questionnaire

  • structured format
  • close-ended questions
  • objective measurement
  • standardized
• Steps in Research Instrument:

  • indicate the first type of research instrument that will be used, and explain why its is the suitable instrument to gather the data.
  • state if it is made by the researcher themselves, or adopted/modified from other authors.
  • give proper credit.
• Data Gathering Procedure

  1. letter to principal authority
  2. consent letter to respondents
  3. manner of informing respondents about the study, as well as the way of giving assurance that their identities and answers are kept confidential
  4. place of data collection (face-to-face, online)
  5. manner of data collection (giving surveys)
• Statistical Treatment of Data discusses the statistical too that you will use. Include the formula of the said tool. and what it measures.
• Ethical Process of Giving Surveys

  • obtain approval from authority
  • present letter/consent to respondents
  • observe anonymity and confidentiality
  • avoid undue influence
  • respect respondents
  • establish clear communication
• Presentation, Interpretation, and Analysis of Data

  • this section systematically represents the collected data using tables, graphs, or charts to provide a clear visual representation.
• Presentation of Data

  • presents the data gathered and the information obtained
  • a selection that should stand on its own tables, charts, and other illustrations that elaborated through words/texts.
  • guides through the table. Highlight the trend, range of values, and other interesting aspects.
• Key points to consider in Preparing Graphs and Tables

  • Number the table, figure, or graph, and provide a title.
  • Title headings - keep it brief
  • Body - present information in its most meaningful and appropriate form
  • legend - place within the figure
  • caption - concise explanation
• Tabular Presentation of Data - tables display numbers or words arranged in a grid.
• Graphical Presentation of Data - chart displaying frequencies, trends, and associations.

  • Attribute Data - countable or data that can be put into categories (# people willing to pay, # of complaints etc.)
  • Variable Data - measurement data, based on continuous scale (length, time, cost, etc.)
• Types of Graphical Presentation

  • Bar Graphs
  • Histograms
  • Line Graphs
• Types of Graphical Presentation

  • Bar Graphs
  • Histograms
  • Line Graphs
  • Pie Charts
  • Scatter Plots
• Bar graphs are bars of equal width representing different categories with the length of each bar corresponding to the value it represents.
• Histograms represents continuous data. The bars touch each other to show that the data is continuous.
• Line graphs shows data points plotted on a graph, and lines are drawn to connect these points, showing trends or changes over time. (time series data, trend analysis)
• Pie charts are circles divided into slices.
• Scatter plots includes plotting individual data points on a graph with two axes to show relationships between variables. (correlation analysis, identifying patterns, and outlier detection)
• Data Collection is a process of collecting information regarding the variables that the researcher sought to examine, and to answer the objective/s of the research.

  Benefits:

  • Accounting Department – financial projections
  • Finance Officer – projections of earnings to present to investors
  • Marketing - sales, decrease and increase of production
  • Economist – observe the behavior of economic variables
  • Research Firm – in all aspects of improvement of the society.
  • Government – policy making
• Nature and Role of Data in Research

  • data are like pieces of puzzle that gives a better picture
  • it follows a certain behavior that humans can or can't be predict to happen unless it will undergo certain tabulation
  • data provides information to improve or solve a particular researcher problem
• Primary data are first-hand information gathered from a specific purpose.

  Examples:

  1. interview
  2. questionnaire
  3. direct observation
  4. experiment
• Secondary data are second-hand information gathered from an existing collected data - primary data.

  Example:

  • BSP
  • PSA
  • World Bank
  • United Nation
  • NSO
  • DepEd