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HANDOUT 1 ON SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS:

THESIS/THESIS PROPOSAL OUTLINE GUIDE AND KEY TIPS

By Prof. Arturo Boquiren November 2003

 

I.                    INTRODUCTION

-          briefly introduces the history or background of the study, research problem, objectives, review of literature, relevance, basic methodology, and general findings (when used as a thesis outline rather than as an outline for a research proposal). The section can be from one to several pages long

 

II.                  REVIEW OF LITERATURE

-          competing theories and related studies on the research problem

-          introduces and provides a background of the research problem

 

III.               METHODOLOGY

 

A.      RESEARCH PROBLEM

A useful style is to phrase the research problem into a series of questions or a paragraph of questions that starts with the key research problem and then followed up by several other questions that when answered solve or address the key research problem. Research problems must be theory-linked or link with concepts associated with theories in the discipline.

B.      OBJECTIVES

This section addresses the relevance as well as divides research problem into several objectives so that when addressed the research problem is also addressed.

C.      FRAMEWORK OF ANALYSIS

-          can be adopted from noted theorists of the field or discipline or  can be constructed by researcher constructed based on the array of theories in the discipline or field (in the latter, you must seek the consent of your adviser when you are writing a thesis)

-          one may use a conceptual framework instead (but concepts basically reflect theory or a set of theories)

-          discusses the key theory (-ies) or models that would be most relevant or useful for the research problem

-          for economics: a combination of diagram, graphical, and mathematical models is advisable

D.     RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY

E.       SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

F.       HYPOTHESES (ALTERNATIVE: ASSUMPTIONS, HYPOTHESES, AND DEFINITION OF TERMS)

G.     SOURCES OF DATA, COLLECTION, AND SELECTION OF RESPONDENTS

H.     DATA ANALYSIS PLAN

 

IV.               RESULTS (ALTERNATIVE TITLE: PRESENTATION OF DATA AND ANALYSIS)

* usually useful: the outline of this section can follow the outline or  sequence of the study objectives. Alternatively, you can restructure or refine how your study objectives can be rewritten based on the outline of this section.

A.      __________

B.      __________

C.      __________

ETC.

 

V.                  CONCLUSION (ALTERNATIVE TITLE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS)

* usually useful: follow outline of study objectives and then address the research problem or address the research problem first then address the objectives

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDICES

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