REPRO

• Background of the Problem

  The background of the problem in a research paper they have to do with the work done previously in relation to the object of study. In the background we discover the approximations that other authors have had towards the object of study. It links introduction to your research topic and ensures a logical flow of ideas. Thus, it helps readers understand your reasons for conducting the study.
• Conceptual Framework


  An analytical tool with several variations and contexts. It can be applied in different categories of work where an overall picture is needed. It is used to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas. It is a representation of the relationships of the variables involved in the study. The conceptual framework serves as a "map" that will guide you towards realizing the objectives or intent of your study.
• Research Hypothesis


  A specific, clear, and testable proposition or predictive statement about the possible outcome of a scientific research study based on a particular property of a population, such as presumed differences between groups on a particular variable or relationships between variables. It is a tentative answer to your research question that has not yet been tested.
• Stating Hypothesis


  • Null Hypothesis - statement of no relationships between variables; or no effect of one variable to another; or no difference between two variables.
  • Alternative Hypothesis - a statement used in statistical inference experiment. It is contradictory to the null hypothesis and denoted by Ha or H1.
• Statement of the Problem

  A claim that outlines the problem addressed by a study. A good research problem should address an existing gap in knowledge in the field and lead to further research. It can be a general statement or specific statements (descriptive, relationship, inferential).
• Definition of Terms


  Important terms mentioned in the title, statement of the problem, conceptual framework must be defined operationally. To operationally define means to give meaning to a term or concept as it is used in the study.
• Literature review


  A narrative that provides a thorough background of the topic by giving your reader a guided overview of major findings and current gaps in what is known so far about the topic
• Selecting related literature


  Identifies a gap within the literature that your research will attempt to address
• Importance of literature review

  • It describes how the proposed research is related to prior research in statistics
  • It shows the originality and relevance of your research problem
  • It justifies your proposed methodology
• How to select relevant literature

  1. Use key sources like journals, internet, institution's library

  2. Look for reference material on databases suitable for the field

  3. Use Google Scholar or Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
• Chronological literature review


  Describes each work in succession starting with the earliest available information
• Thematic literature review


  The author organizes and discusses existing literature based on themes or theoretical concepts
• Citing related literature (APA style)


  1. Single author: Include author's last name and date published

  2. Multiple authors: Cite all authors in first reference, then use first author's last name followed by et al

  3. Works with no author: Use first part of reference, usually the title

  4. Corporate author: Use full name in first reference, then abbreviation in subsequent references
• Synthesizing related literature


  Grouping articles around a common finding or idea rather than writing about each article separately
• Quantitative data collection methods


  • Experiments
  • Controlled observations
  • Surveys
  • Longitudinal studies
  • Polls
  • Telephone interviews
  • Face-to-face interviews
• Research design


  The overall strategy that integrates the different components of the study in a coherent and logical way
• Population


  The entire pool from which a statistical sample is drawn
• Probability sampling methods


  • Simple random sampling
  • Systematic sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Cluster sampling
• Data collection


  The procedure of collecting, measuring and analyzing accurate insights for research using standard validated technique
• Data collection methods


  • Experiment
  • Survey
  • Interview/focus group
  • Observation
  • Ethnography
  • Archival research
  • Secondary data collection