HOW TO WRITE CHAPTER 3
Method of Research
This method of research used whether historical, descriptive, or experimental should be explained
briefly. The procedural part of the method, its appropriateness to the study, and some of its advantages
should be given attention and should be well discussed.
Example: Suppose the descriptive method of research was used in the study of the teaching of science in
the high schools of Province A. Briefly the discussion follows:
The descriptive method of research was used in this study. Descriptive method of research is a factfinding study with adequate and accurate interpretation of the findings. It describes what is. It describes
with emphasis what actually exist such as current conditions, practices, situations, or any phenomena. Since
the present study or investigation was concerned with the present status of the teaching of science in the
high schools of Province A, the descriptive method of research was most appropriate method to use. [This
can be elaborated further]
Method of Collecting Data and Development of the Research Instrument
This method of collecting data and the development of the instrument for gathering data must be also
explained.
Example:
The method of collecting data used was the survey. This is concerned with looking into the
commonality of some elements. Since the present research is a status study, a survey was the most
appropriate method to use in gathering data.
The instrument used to collect data was questionnaire. This was used because it gathers data faster
than any other method. Besides, the respondents were teachers and students and so they are very literate.
They could read and answer the questionnaire with ease.
Development of the Research Instrument
After reading and studying samples of questionnaire from related studies, the research prepared his
own questionnaire. He also consulted some knowledgeable people about how to prepare one. The researcher
saw to it that there were enough items to collect data to cover all aspects of the problem and to answer all
the specific questions under the statement of the problem. Then he submitted the questionnaire for his
adviser for correction after it was finalized.
For validation process, the questionnaire was given to ten high school science teachers for them to
fill up. These teachers did not participate in the study. [This can be elaborated further]
The copies of the questionnaire were distributed personally by the researcher to the respondents.
After a few days, all copies distributed were retrieved also personally by the researcher. [The discussion
may be extended.]
The Sampling Design
Before the collection of data starts in any research project the proportion of the population to be used
must have been determined already and the computation of the sample must have been finished. So,
what the researcher has to do here is to write about the complete procedure he used in determining his
sample. Among the things that he should explain are:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
The size of the population
The study population
The margin of error and the proportion of the study population used
The type of technique of sampling used whether probability or non-probability sampling
The actual computation of the sample
The sample
The researcher must explain very clearly how he selected his sample. He must be able to show that his
sample is representative of the population by showing that he used the appropriate technique of
sampling. This is very important because if it appears that his sample is not representative, his findings
and conclusions will be faulty and hence, not valid or reliable.
Statistical Treatment of Data [For Qualitative Research]
The last part of this chapter usually describes the statistical treatment of data. The kind of statistical
treatment depend upon the nature of the problem, especially the specific problems, and the nature of
the data gathered. The explicit hypotheses particularly determine the kind of statistics to be used.
Sample Research Instrument