THESIS WRITING

(Guidelines, format and sample)

CATEGORIES
Society/community Business
Health Social networks
Government Crime
Environment Literature (poems,
Academics/school songs, novels and
Food movies)
Technology
Books
 WHAT IS A THESIS?

thesis signals the fact that your thesis

must be a work of persuasive argumentation. You
first make a statement defining the focus of your
research (the problem/question/issue that needed
to be solved) and signal your results. Then, through
evidence and reasoning, you persuade your
committee of the validity of your research.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 In the process of telling that story, you must answer,
clearly and precisely, the following key questions:

What problem/question/issue does your thesis focus on?

Why is it important?
How does your work fit into the intellectual context of your field?
What experimental design / methods did you use? Why did you
choose those methods? What difficulties did you encounter along the
way? How did you solve (or not) those difficulties?
What are your research results? How do they differ from what you
had expected or from what had previously been done by others?
What evidence do you have to support those results?
Whatconclusions did you reach?
What, specifically, is your unique contribution?
What are some possible applications, either practical or theoretical,
of your findings? What future work does your thesis suggest?
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 PARTS
OF A THESIS

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 INITIAL PAGES

Title Page
Approval Sheet
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 TITLE PAGE

The following information needs to be on the title page:

The title (and possibly the subtitle) of your thesis

First name and surname of the author(s)
Whether it is a Bachelors thesis or a Masters thesis
Faculty and department
Place and date of completion
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
Title Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 APPROVAL SHEET

This is to prove that the authors have passed the

requirements needed for the thesis.
This is signed by the thesis/FS adviser, panel and
the Dean.
This also states the grade obtained by the author/s.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Approval Sheet Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
Approval Sheet Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This is a page focused on expressing gratitude to

organizations, agencies or individuals who, in one
way or another, have aided the researchers in
finishing the thesis.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Acknowledgment Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 Acknowledgment Measurements

1
 ABSTRACT

An abstract presents a brief summary of your thesis.

The aim of the abstract is to briefly provide the
reader with the most important information from the
entire text.
An abstract never contains new information.
This summary is no longer than 2 pages of A4.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 ABSTRACT

The abstract must summarize the contents of

the thesis, not merely say what it is about.
Write it last because you must have written the
Introduction and Conclusion before you can
summarize their main ideas in the Abstract.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Abstract Sample

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

The table of contents is essentially a topic outline of

the thesis.
It is compiled by listing the headings in the thesis
down to whichever level you choose.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Table Of Contents Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 LIST OF TABLES / LIST OF FIGURES

Include a list of figures (illustrations) and a list of

tables if you have one or more items in these
categories.
Use a separate page for each list.
List the number, caption, and page number of every
figure and table in the body of the thesis.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 Figures, tables, illustrations... what's
the difference?
If you are doing a design or fine arts subject, it is likely that you will
include photographs, drawings, paintings or illustrations in your
dissertations. These would normally be included in your List of
illustrations.

In other subjects, it is common to include all tables, charts, graphs,

photographs, drawings, etc. together in a List of figures.

However, if you have a great deal of information presented in

tables, it may be best to have a both a List of tables and a List of
figures (everything that's not a table). When labelling, number these
separately (Table 1, Table 2, Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.).
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
List Of Tables / List Of Figures Samples
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 TITLE OF CHAPTERS

1. Problem and Its Background

2. Review of Related Literature and Studies
3. Methodology of the Study
4. Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
5. Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 Title Of Chapters Measurement
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

From bottom to page number .5 1 from bottom to footnote

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FORMAT
Title Page
Approval Sheet
Acknowledgment
Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures

CHAPTER
1 THE PROBLEM
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Scope and Delimitation
Significance of the Study
Notes
2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Related Literature
Related Studies
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Definition of Terms
Notes
3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Method
Sources of Data
Respondents of the Study
Research Instrument

Data Gathering Procedure

Notes
4 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Presentation of Data
Analysis of Data
Interpretation of Data
5 Summary of Findings, Conclusions and
Recommendations
Summary of Findings
Conclusion
Recommendation
BIBLIOGRAPHY

APPENDICES
Survey Questionnaire
Letter of Request
 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
AND
BACKGROUND OF THE
STUDY

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 INTRODUCTION

The first chapter of your thesis is your introduction.

This is where you provide an introduction to the
topic of your thesis: you give the context in terms of
content of the research project.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 INTRODUCTION
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

This chapter provides an overview of the thesis as a whole

it does not simply give background.
The first sentence should identify the problem and signal your results.
Then move to a more detailed overview of problem, importance,
method, intellectual context, and your findings.
The last paragraph usually briefly lists what will be covered in
subsequent chapters. You can usually do it in one sentence per chapter;
try to vary the sentence style.

The Introduction is often short, perhaps some 10 pages.

Write it after you have written the body chapters and the Conclusion
so that you know just what you are introducing.
Introduction Format

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Introduction Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
Introduction Sample Format
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problem must be reflected to your title or the

readers must know your problem by just simply
reading your topic.
The problem must not be answerable by yes or no
and must be arranged in the flow of your
documentation or study.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Statement Of The Problem Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The scope is mainly the coverage of your study and

the Delimitation is the limitation of your study or
topic.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Scope And Delimitation Sample

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of the study will mainly focus on the

question Who will benefit from the study?.
This section will state the contribution of your study
and the usefulness of your study in the society.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 CHAPTER II
Review of
Related
Literature and
Studies

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 RELATED LITERATURE
In this part you must get your data and information from any books,
magazines, and news papers. You must label your published
material with local or foreign.
1. Must be also organized to cover specific problems.
2. Must take all the evidences about the problem with the authors
experiences.
3. As much as possible, get the latest published materials. Avoid old
published materials.
4. It must be related to your topic. If not, do not get it.
5. On the last part of this part you must have a statement how this
old published material helps the researcher in their current study and
relate it to your study.
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 RELATED STUDIES

In this part you must get your data and information from unpublished
material such as previous or old study, research or thesis. In some
format, you must label your unpublished material with local or foreign.

1. This should be organized to cover the specific problems.

2. You must take note all of the evidences that the previous researcher
came up.
3. The unpublished material should not be older than 5 years if possible.
4. It must be related to your topic. If not, do not get it.
5. On the last part of this part you must have a statement how this old
unpublished material helps the researcher in their current study and
relate it to your study.
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
Related Literature Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

A conceptual framework elaborates the research problem in relation to relevant

literature. This section may summarize the major (dependent and independent)
variables in your research. The framework may be summarized in a schematic
diagram that presents the major variables and their hypothesized relationships. It
should also cover the following:
Existing research and its relevance for your topic
Key ideas or constructs in your approach
Identify and discuss the variables related to the problem.
Conceptualized relationships between variables
Independent variables (presumed cause)
Dependent variables (presumed effect)
Intervening variables (other variables that influence the effect of the independent
variable)

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

Conceptual Framework Sample
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
Instructional
Materials and
Equipment
commonly used in
teaching Science Effects of the use of
instructional
1Traditional
Materials Materials and
2Technologic
equipment
al Equipment

Profile of the respondents

1Age
2Gender
3Civil Status
4Educational Attainment
5Years of Service

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The definition of terms must be arranged in

alphabetically. It must be also stated if you used
your definition of terms in technically or
operationally.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 CHAPTER III
Methodology of the Study

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 METHODOLOGY
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

The purpose of the methodology chapter is to give an

experienced investigator enough information to replicate the
study. Some advisors do not understand this and require students to
write what is, in effect, a textbook. A research design is used to
structure the research and to show how all of the major parts of the
research project, including the sample, measures, and methods of
assignment, work together to address the central research questions
in the study.
The chapter should begin with a paragraph reiterating the
purpose of the study. The following subjects may or may not be in
the order required by a particular institution of higher education,
but all of the subjects constitute a defensible methodology chapter.
SOURCES OF DATA

Discuss and explain primary sources that you will

use in order to get the data needed in your
research.

Ex: questionnaires, interviews, books or articles

RESPONDENTS OF THE STUDY

Discuss and explain who will be the respondents of

your study and why do you choose them
 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

Describe the instrument and what it will measure.

State qualifications of informants if used in the
study.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 PROCEDURE

Fully describe how the data were when and how the data are
collected.
In a QUALITATIVE study, this is the section where most of the
appendices are itemized, starting with letters of permission to
conduct the study and letters of invitation to participate with
attached consent forms.
A paragraph must be inserted that states the study is deemed
to be one of minimal risk to participants and that the probability
and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research
will not be greater than any ordinarily encountered in daily life,
or during the performance of routine physical or psychological
examinations or tests. CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

Describe how instrument will be administered.

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 CHAPTER IV
Presentation, Analysis
and Interpretation of
Data

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 PRESENTATION OF DATA

Present the findings of the study in the order of the

specific problem as stated in the statement of the
Problem.
Present the data in these forms:
Tabular
Textual
Graphical (optional)

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 ANALYSIS OF DATA

Data may be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively

depending on the level of measurement and the number
of dimensions and variables of the study.

Analyze in depth to give meaning to the data

presented in the data presented in the table. Avoid
table reading.

State statistical descriptions in declarative sentences,

e.g. in the studies involving:
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Establish interconnection between and among data

Check for indicators whether hypothesis/es is/are
supported or not by findings.
Link the present findings with the previous literature.
Use parallel observations with contemporary events
to give credence presented in the introduction.
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 CHAPTER V
Summary of Findings,
Conclusions and
Recommendations

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

This describes the problem, research design, and

the findings (answer to the questions raised). The
recommended format is the paragraph form instead
of the enumeration form.
For each of the problems, present:
The salient findings,
The results of the hypothesis tested

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB

 CONCLUSIONS

These are brief, generalized statements in answer to the

general and each of the specific sub-problems.
These contain generalized in relation to the population. These
are general inferences applicable to a wider and similar
population.
Flexibility is considered in making of conclusions. It is not a must
to state conclusions on a one-to-one correspondence with the
problems and the findings as all variables can be subsume in
one paragraph.
Conclusions may be used as generalizations from a micro to a
macro-level or vice versa (ZOOM LENS approach).
CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB
 RECOMMENDATIONS

They should be based on the findings and conclusion

of the study.
Recommendations may be specific or general or
both. They may include suggestions for further
studies.
They should be in non-technical language.
They should be feasible, workable, flexible, doable,
adaptable.
 REFERENCES:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thesis

http://www.jpsimbulan.net/thesis-writing-guide/how-
to-write-a-thesis/
https://www.google.com.ph/

CHELDY S. ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA;LLB