PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Business and Accountancy
Department of
Puerto Princesa City
MODULE 2:
COMPONENTS OF CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION
BAC 7: BUSINESS RESEARCH 1
1st Semester | SY: 2020-2021
BSBA FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 3
PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Business and Accountancy
Department of Human Resource Management, Financial Management
and
Economics
Puerto Princesa City
APPROVAL SHEET
This Instructional Material entitled MODULE 2-COMPONENTS OF CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION authored by JOSE V. MANAAY, EVELYN B. TOMAS, MARY GRACE A. MASDO,
YVETTE J. DAQUIOAG and LILYBETH JOY MAE A. CUYO (FIRST SEMESTER SY 2020-2021) is
recommended for production and utilization by the students and faculty members of the College of
Business and Accountancy.
PANEL OF EVALUATORS
Local Evaluation Committee
College of Business and Accountancy -Financial Management
Reviewed by:
MARY GRACE A. MASDO, MBA
Program Coordinator
Recommending Approval:
YVETTE J. DAQUIOAG, MPA
Chairperson
Dept. of Human Resource Management,
Financial Management and Economics
Approved by:
NELLY I. MENDOZA, DBA
Dean
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Approval Sheet
Table of Contents
1
2
3
Overview
Course Outcome
Learning Outcomes
Summary of Topics
4
4
4
4
Content
Topic 1: Background of the Study
Topic 2: Statement of the Problem
Topic 3: Objectives of the Study
Topic 4: Significance of the Study
Topic 5: Scope and Limitation/Delimitation
5
7
9
11
11
Module Activity
Activity No. 1
Activity No. 2
Activity No. 3
Activity No.4
Activity No. 5
14
14
15
15
15
References
16
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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MODULE 2
COMPONENTS OF CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Overview
In this module entitled Components of Chapter 1: Introduction, you will be oriented to the simplified
mechanics and processes of writing the Chapter 1 of your future research output.
The first chapter of your research, which is called as the Introduction of the thesis or proposal that you’re
going to write, consists of several sub-headings or sections, such as the background of the study,
statement of the problem, objectives of the study, significance of the study and scope and limitation. The
lessons in this module will teach you how to introduce to your readers the issue you are exploring.
Course Outcome:
Apply the components of Chapter 1 in writing Business Research 1.
Intended Learning Outcomes:





Prepare the background of the Study of the chosen research topic.
Write the Statement of the Problems (SOP’s).
Prepare the objectives of the study.
Write the significance of the study.
Write the scope and limitation or delimitation of the study.
Topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Objectives of the Study
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitation/Delimitation
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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Topic #1: Background of the Study
You must begin this section first with an introduction as this is the first passage of your research. Be
sure to make your first sentence a compelling “hook.”
Here are some suggested steps in writing your introduction:
1. Think of topics that interest you. Discuss your topics with your adviser before choosing the most
interesting and practical one.
2. You have to search for more information first in order to understand what has been studied about the
subject or your topic of interest.
3. Define a research problem.
4. Before you can formulate or define the appropriate research questions, you need to be familiar with
your topic and current trends/research advances on the topic. A pilot study or feasibility study can be
done before the actual research process.
5. Research questions should be developed keeping in mind time constraints—can these be answered
by only one study or several studies?
Your introduction should address the following:
a. Create reader interest in the topic;
b. Establish the problem that leads to the study;
c. Place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature; and
d. Reach out to a specific audience
Remember
Warnin
1. If your
gs research is a qualitative study, you must write in the simple, present tense to communicate
immediate or direct action.
Be sure
2. If yourtoresearch is a quantitative study, your introduction must be written from the third person point of
view to create a sense of objectivity.
organiz
e and
Orienting
Yourself in Writing an Effective Background of the Study
track
This section
your provides the general environment of your study. You describe the problem from macro to
the micro level or from general to specific. You must provide sufficient information for your readers to
sourcethe topic you are researching about.
understand
s and
notes.
Writing
a thesis
is a
long
and
In thisdetaile
section, you ponder on the context of your problem. Your guiding questions should be:
d
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
proces
s that
5
1. What is the context of this problem?
2. In what situation or environment can it be observed?
3. Where is the research taking place?
4. Who is to be affected by your research?
5. What is already known?
How to Do a Background Study for a Thesis
1. Conduct preliminary research in the beginning stages of formulating a thesis, when many issues are
unclear and thoughts need to be solidified. Conducting preliminary research on your area of study and
specific topic will help you to formulate a research question or thesis statement that will lead to more
specific and relevant research. Visit your library, the internet and electronic databases to find preliminary
sources, such as books and scholarly journals, for your background study.
2. Read the information and develop a research question or thesis statement that will guide your thesis.
You will need to take notes and keep accurate track of the sources that you used up to this point. Many
people use note cards, but with current technology there many electronic note taking programs available.
Use a method of recording source information that you are comfortable with. Be sure to cite the source
of the information on each note so you don't forget where each piece of information came from, should
you decide to use it in your thesis.
3. Write a thesis statement or research question. Think about what you've read and look for issues,
problems or solutions that others have found and determine your own opinion or stance on the issue.
Write out your opinion as an authoritative statement on the issue, problem or solution. At this point, you
can do more detailed research and find sources that are more relevant to your thesis or research
question.
4. Complete your research using your thesis statement and research question as your guide. You will
find relevant sources that will provide insight into your specific thesis issue or problem. Make sure that
your sources provide details on the history and past research related to your research question.
5. Create relevant sections as you write the background study. As you evaluate your research and begin
to write the background study, create five separate sections that cover the key issues, major findings,
and controversies surrounding your thesis, as well as sections that provide an evaluation and conclusion.
6. Conclude by identifying any further study that needs to be done in that area, or provide possible
solutions to the issue that haven't been considered before.
7. Revise and edit your background study. Complete several drafts of your work, revising and filling in
information as you go. Each time that you read over your work, try to leave it better than it was before.
It's also a great idea to have someone else look it over as well.
This paragraph shows an actual example of how a clear and concise Background of the Study is written.
The example below includes the first two paragraphs and the concluding paragraph.
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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___________________________________________________________________________________________
Topic #2: Statement of the Problem
♦A problem statement is a clear description of the issue(s). It includes a vision, issue statement and
method used to solve the problem.
♦It provides the context for the research study and generates the questions which the research aims to
answer. The statement of the problem is the focal point of any research.
♦A problem statement expresses the words that will be used to keep the effort focused and it should
represent a solvable problem.
♦Guiding questions: What is it that we do not know? What is the gap in our knowledge this research will
fill? What needs to be improved?
What Are the Key Components of the Statement of the Problem?
Problem statements often have four elements:
1. The problem itself, stated clearly and with enough contextual detail to establish why it is important;
2. The method of solving the problem is often stated as a claim or working thesis;
3. The purpose, statement of objective and scope of the project being proposed. These elements should
be brief so that the reader does not get lost. One page is enough for a statement problem.
4. The actual statement may be in a declarative or in a question form. The statement should indicate
the variables of interest and the specific relationship between the variables that are to be studied.
Please note: In some qualitative methodologies, a statement of variables will not be possible and should
not be done. However, an explanation of the qualitative methodology and the parameters of the research
methodology should be explained.
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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♦The statement of the research problem should be concise and should identify the key factors (or
variables) of the research study.
♦A constant is a characteristic or condition that is the same for all individuals in a study.
♦A variable is a characteristic that takes on different values or conditions for different individuals.
♦Independent and dependent variables are descriptors of variables commonly used in educational
research.
♦The independent variables may be affecting the dependent variables - and in that sense, dependent
variables depend on independent variables.
The intent of using variables quantitatively will be either to relate variables (as one typically finds
in a survey or to compare
samples or groups (as is commonly found in experiments).
Major components of a good quantitative purpose statement consist of a brief paragraph that includes
the following:
●Use a word such as purpose, intent or objective to begin the passage.
●Identify the theory, model, or conceptual framework to be tested in the study.
●Mention the specific type of method of inquiry being used in the study.
●State whether the independent and dependent variables will be related or whether two or more groups
(as in independent variables) will be compared in terms of the dependent variable(s).
●Order the variables in the relationship or comparison sentence from independent to dependent.
Example of a Scripted Purpose Statement
“The purpose of this ___ (experimental? survey?) study is (was? will be?) to test the theory of
___ that ___ (compares? relates?) the ___ (independent variable) to ___ (dependent variable)
for (subjects? sample?) at (the research site). The independent variable(s) ___ will be defined
generally as ___ (provide a general definition). The dependent variable(s) will be defined
generally as (provide a general definition), and the intervening variable(s), ___(identify the
intervening variables) will be statistically controlled in the study.”
Actual Example of a Purpose Statement (DeGraw,1984, as cited by Creswell, 1994)
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between personal characteristics
and the job motivation of certified educators who taught in selected state adult correctional
institutions in the United States. Personal characteristics were divided into background
information about the respondent (i.e., institutional information, education level, prior training,
etc.) and information about the respondent’s thoughts of changing jobs. The examination of
background information was important to this study because it was hoped it would be possible
to identify characteristics and factors contributing to significant differences in mobility and
motivation. The second part of the study asked the respondents to identify those motivational
factors of concern to them. Job motivation was defined by six general factors identified in the
educational components study (EWCS) questionnaire (Miskel & Heller, 1973). These six factors
are: potential for personal challenge and development; competitiveness; desirability and reward
of success; tolerance for work pressures; conservative security; willingness to seek reward in
spite of uncertainty vs. avoidance/ and surround concerns. (DeGraw, 1984, pp.4-5).
After you have identified a problem for your research, the next step is to write a problem statement. An
effective problem statement is concise and concrete. It should:
♦put the problem in context. (What do we already know?)
♦describe the precise issue that the research will address (What do we need to know?)
♦dhow the relevance of the problem (Why do we need to know it?)
♦set the objectives of the research (What will you do to find out?
Writing the Statement of the Problem
The 5 'W's can be used to spark the discussion about the problem. The 5 'W's: Who, What, Where, When
and Why – are great tools that help get pertinent information out for discussion.
Who - Who does the problem affect? Specific groups, organizations, customers, and others.
What - What are the boundaries of the problem, e.g. organizational, work flow, geographic, customer,
segments, and others? What is the issue? What is the impact of the issue? What impact is the issue
causing? What will happen when it is fixed? What would happen if we didn’t solve the problem?
When - When does the issue occur? -When does it need to be fixed?
Where - Where is the issue occurring?
Why - Why is it important that we fix the problem? What impact does it have on the business or
customer? What impact does it have on all stakeholders, e.g. employees, suppliers, customers,
shareholders, etcetera.
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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Each of the answers will help to zero in on the specific issue(s) and frame the Issue Statement. Your
problem statement should be solvable. That is, it should take a reasonable amount of time to formulate,
try and deploy a potential solution.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Topic #3: Objectives of the Study
The primary focus of your research is usually expressed in terms of aims and objectives.
The Difference between Aims and Objectives
Aims are statements of intent and are usually written in broad terms. They set out what you hope to
achieve at the end of the project.
Objectives, on the other hand, are specific statements that define measurable outcomes, e.g. what
steps will be taken to achieve the desired outcome. Your objectives describe concisely what the research
is trying to achieve.
How can I form the Objectives of My Study?
♦First, you must summarize the accomplishments you wish to achieve through your research. In doing
so, you can provide a sure direction to your study.
♦Your objective must be achievable. For an instance, it must be framed by keeping in mind your available
time, the infrastructure required for your research, and other resources that you will need.
♦Before forming your research objective, you should read about all the developments in your area of
research and find gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed.
These reminders will help you come up with suitable objectives for your research.
Guiding Questions in Forming Your Study Objectives
♦What steps will I take to try to fill the gap in literature or improve the situation?
♦Are my objectives related to my research problem?
♦Will there be time in my schedule to allow for unexpected delays?
Points to Remember in Forming Your Objectives
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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 Break down your general objective into minor, connected parts (specific objectives).
 Specific objectives should systematically address the different research questions.
 Specify what you will do in your study, where and for what purpose.
When writing your objectives try to use strong positive statements.
♦Use strong verbs like collect, construct, classify, develop, devise, measure, produce, revise, select
and synthesize.
♦Don’t use weak verbs like appreciate, consider, inquire, learn, know, understand, be aware of,
appreciate, listen and perceive.
♦Objectives should also be S.M.A.R.T., which means they should be:
Specific – Be precise about what you are going to do.
Measureable –You will know when you have reached your goal.
Achievable – Don’t attempt too much – a less ambitious but completed objective is better than an
over-ambitious one that you cannot possible achieve.
Realistic – Do you have the necessary resources to achieve the objective like time, money and skills?
Time constrained – Determine when each stage needs to be completed.
How many aims or objectives should there be?
Please check with your research adviser. Some research advisers are happy with one clear strong aim;
while others like to see a main aim supported by at least two subsidiary aims.
Example of Aims and Objectives
Aim:
The aim of this research study is to investigate the effectiveness of corporate governance
regulation in Nigerian Stock Exchange markets.
Objectives:
The following individual objectives will be used for this research:
1. To evaluate corporate governance regulation in developing countries Stock Exchange Market;
2. To evaluate the effect of corporate governance regulation system in Nigerian Capita Market; and
3. To examine the effectiveness of corporate governance regulation in meeting the interests of the
shareholders.
________________________________________________________________________________
Topic #5: Significance of the Study
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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What to Include in Your Significance of the Study section
♦ Reasons why the study adds to the scholarly research and literature in the field.
♦Reasons about how the study helps improve practice.
♦ Reasons why the study will improve policy.
When stating the significance of your study, it is necessary to reflect on these guiding questions:
1. Why are you interested in your topic?
2. What are the professional and the personal benefits that you could gain once the goals and objectives
of your study are achieved?
3. What are the potential contributions of your research to new knowledge?
4. What are the policy implications and other possible uses of the results of your research?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Topic #6: Scope and Limitation /Delimitation
Defining the Scope of the Study and Limitation/Delimitation
Scope of the study explains the extent to which the research area will be explored in the work and
specifies the parameters within which the study will be operating.
Basically, this means that you will have to define what the study is going to cover and what it is focusing
on. Similarly, you also have to define what the study is not going to cover. This will come under the
limitations. Generally, the scope of a research paper is followed by its limitations.
As a researcher, you have to be careful when you define your scope or area of focus. Remember that if
you broaden the scope too much, you might not be able to do justice to the work or it might take a very
long time to complete. Consider the feasibility of your work before you write down the scope. Again, if
the scope is too narrow, the findings might not be generalizable.
Typically, the information that you need to include in the scope would cover the following:
1. General purpose of the study;
2. The population or sample that you are studying;
3. The duration of the study;
4. The topics or theories that you will discuss; and
5. The geographical location covered in the study
Difference between Delimitations and Limitations
Delimitations and limitations clarify the boundaries, exceptions and reservations inherent in every study.
The two concepts are different in that:
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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Delimitations aim to narrow the scope of a study. For example, the scope may focus on specific
variables, specific participants, specific sites, or narrowed to one type of research design (e.g.,
ethnography or experimental research). Delimitations are your choices make which should be
mentioned. They describe the boundaries that you have set for your study.
Limitations, however, aim to identify potential weaknesses of your study. They are influences or
shortcomings that you cannot control and restricts your methodology and conclusions. Any limitations
that might influence the results of your research must be mentioned in your paper. For example, all
statistical procedures and research strategies, such as surveys or grounded theory studies have
limitations. In introductory discussions about these strategies, authors typically mention both their
strengths and their weaknesses.
Examples of Delimitations and Limitations
A. Delimitation
Initially, this study will confine itself to interviewing and observing the Business College Teachers of
Palawan State University.
B. Limitation
The purposive sampling procedure decreases the generalizability of findings. This study will not be
generalizable to all areas of Financial Management students.
In this qualitative study, the findings could be subject to other interpretations.
What, then, is the meaning of scope and delimitations of a study?
Scope and delimitations are two elements of a research paper or thesis. The scope of a study explains
the extent to which the research area will be explored in the work and specifies the parameters within
which the study will be operating. For example, let's say a researcher wants to study the impact of mobile
phones on the behavior patterns of the business college students of Palawan State University. However,
it is not possible for the researcher to cover every aspect of the topic.
So the scope will have to be narrowed down to a certain section of the target population. In this case,
the scope might be narrowed down to a group of 50 business college students in their freshmen years
of Palawan State University. Their behavior patterns in the university may have been observed for a
duration of 6 months. These would form the delimitations of the study.
Thus, delimitations are the characteristics that limit the scope and describe the boundaries of the study,
such as the sample size, geographical location or setting in which the study takes place, population or
traits. As a researcher, you might also choose to use some research tools and methodologies to collect
data but not others. These delimitations might be imposed for practical reasons, such as lack of time or
financial resources to carry out a more thorough investigation. The delimitation section of the study
should explain why specific choices were made while others were excluded and how this might affect
the outcome of the research.
In the example mentioned above, the researcher might state you chose to study a sample population of
50 freshmen business college students. You will state why you selected the first year college students
and not the business college students from the second Year level, the third year level nor the fourth year
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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level. You will also state why you chose students of Palawan State University over other schools in
Puerto Princesa City.
Scope of the study and delimitations aim to narrow the scope of your research.
What is Scope of the Study and Limitation?
The scope and limitations of the study are those characteristics of design or methodology that impact or
influence the application or interpretation of the results of your study. They are the constraints on
generalizability and utility of findings that are the result of the ways in which you chose to design the
study and/or the method used to establish internal and external validity.
The Importance of Scope of the Study and Limitation
Always acknowledge your study's limitations because all studies have limitations. It is far better for you
to identify and acknowledge your study's limitations where you have no control than to have them pointed
out by your professor and be graded down because you appear to have ignored them. Keep in mind that
acknowledgement of a study's limitations is an opportunity to make suggestions for further research.
Claiming limitations is a subjective process because you must evaluate the impact of those limitations.
Don't just list key weaknesses and the magnitude of a study's limitations. Limitations require a critical,
overall appraisal and interpretation of their impact. You should answer the question: Do these problem
with errors, methods, validity, and others, eventually matter and, if so, to what extent?
*The sections Scope of the Study and Limitation of the Study can be combined in one section to form
the “Scope and Limitation of the Study”. When writing the remaining chapters of your research or thesis,
the Limitation of the Study should be included in Chapter 3 as part of the Methodology.
Example:
“The purposive sampling procedure decreases the generalizability of findings. This study will not be
generalizable to all areas of Financial Management students.”
Example of Scope of the Study and Limitation
“Although the research has reached its aims, there were some unavoidable limitations. First,
because of the time limit, this research was conducted only on a small size of population who
were attending the Financial Analysis course in their second semester at Palawan State
University. Therefore, to generalize the results for larger groups, the study should have
involved more participants at different levels. Second, the students' overloaded work, to some
extent, might affect the result of the correlation between the students' motivation in learning.”
Note: When considering what limitations there might be in your investigation, be thorough. Consider all
of the following: your analysis; the nature of your self-reporting; the instruments you utilized; the sample;
and time constraints to conduct more research in Financial Analysis and their performance because they
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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were required to take part in many studies at the same time. Finally, the slow network might discourage
your participants' interests and motivation in joining peer feedback activities.
___________________________________________________
MODULE ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Background of the Study
This is a by group work activity.
Read about the guidelines on how to prepare for the Background of the Study. After this, prepare
the background of the study of your chosen research topic.
Activity 2: Statement of the Problem
This is a by group work activity.
Write the Statement of the Problems (SOP’s) based on your chosen research topic under Module
1 activity.
Activity 3: Objectives of the Study
This is a by group work activity.
Prepare the objectives of the study based on your chosen research topic.
Activity 4: Significance of the Study
This is a by group work activity.
Write the significance of the study of your research.
Activity 5: Scope and Limitation/Delimitation
This is a by group work activity.
Write the scope and limitation or delimitation of your research.
BAC 7: Business Research 1| Module 2: Components of Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
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REFERENCES
Book
Creswell, J.W. (2012). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and
Qualitative Research, 4th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
Online Sources
1. http://languages.ait.ac.th/home-thesis-structure-and-content-part-1/
2. https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/15450/Thesis-Ch_13.pdf?sequence=8&isAllowed=y
3. https://education.seattlepi.com/stepbystep-background-study-thesis-1626.html
4. https://studylib.net/doc/6961198/sample-activities
5. https://www.scribd.com/document/55924528/Significance-of-the-Study
6. https://learn.solent.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=116233&chapterid=15294
7. http://www.ceptara.com/blog/how-to-write-problem-statement
8. https://studylib.net/doc/6972300/problem-statement-worksheet-–-example
9. https://creately.com/usage/conceptual-framework-examples-templates/
10. www.scribbr.com › dissertation › conceptual-framework
11. https://simplyeducate.me/2015/01/05/conceptual-framework-guide/
12. https://creately.com/usage/conceptual-framework-examples-templates/
13. https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185919#:~:text=The%20theoretical%
14. https://www.editage.com/insights/how-do-i-present-scope-of-mystudy#:~:text=Answer%3A,what%20it%20is%20focusing%20on.
15. http://www.dissertationrecipes.com/definitions-terms-dissertations/
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