Introduction

Writing Introduction Chapter

 Provides an orientation to your study.
 Establish the general territory (real world or
research).
 Describe the broad foundations of your study—
provide sufficient background for readers.
 Indicate the general purpose/scope of your project.
 Provide an overview of the sections that will
appear in your proposal (optional).
 Engage the readers.
Tentative Contents for Chapter One
1. Background of the Study.
2. Statement of Problem.
3. Purpose of Study.
4. Significance of the Study.
5. Definition of Terms.
Tentative Contents: Continued..
6. Theoretical Framework.
7. Research Questions.
8. Limitations.
9. Assumptions.
10.Organization of the Study.
1. Background of the Study
 Identify the Context of your Study.
 Importance of your study.
 Develop a case for designing statement
of problem.
 Highlight key theoretical constructs
 Background of the Study: Example
Educational researchers have long been
interested by the effects schooling can have on
overcoming the impact of students and family
characteristics. For the past 20 years, research
has shown a positive correlation between
effective schools and high students
achievement (Hallinger and Heck, 1997). From
the history of effective schools and school
effects research, the general findings showed
that the quality of schooling share a noticeable
portion of the educational outcome and cannot
be ignored……..
2. Statement of the Problem
 Definition of what you are investigating in your
study.
 Clarifies, outlines, limits and bring into existence
your problem expression.
 Answer to what is being done in this study.
 Statement of problem performs two major
functions:
 Direction to the study,
 Unify all the efforts undertaken during the
study.
Statement of the Problem
 Answer the question: “What is the gap that
needs to be filled?” and/or “What is the
problem that needs to be solved?”
 State the problem clearly early in a
paragraph.
 Limit the variables you address in stating
your problem or question.
 Consider framing the problem as a question.
Reasons for Problem Evolution:
1. Little or no research on a particular topic exists.
2. There is some research, but is has not been
applied to enough samples or in enough
situations to be considered a reliable
phenomenon.
3. Research abounds, but the findings are
contradictory.
4. Two theories explain the same phenomena but
recommended or predict different outcomes.
Statement of Problem: Example
Consider the demands of the pricipalship, what
influences does the principal’s belief in his/her
own abilities and skills impact his/her success
as a principal? Extensive research has been
conducted on self-efficacy and teacher efficacy.
While there is little empirical research on
principal efficacy. Exploring principal efficacy
may provide a source of valuable information
for educational leaders.
3. Purpose of Study
 To help solve the stated problem.
 Brief overview of plan to solve the problem defined
previously.
Example Continuing:
The Purpose of the this study is to explore the
relationship of principals’ leadership styles and
their school ratings of Exemplary, Recognized,
Acceptable or Low-Performing, assigned by the
Agency. Secondly, to determine how time spend on
instructional leadership and management tasks is
related to their school ratings.
4. Significance of the Study
 Argument that study make a significant contribution
to the field.
 Preparing the significance section requires answers to:
 Why is my study important or valuable?
 Will it revise, extend or create new knowledge?
 Does it have theoretical and/or practical application?
For Example: (A Study Conducted on MIS)
Teachers will have access to the same information to
which only administrators were privy, thus eliminating
the need for school hierarchy. The system, if fully
implemented, will force new organizations and policy-
making structures upon the school.
5. Definition of Terms.
 Define all the Key Terms central to your study.
 Definition terms can be obtained from dictionary or professional
sources, such as handbook or encyclopedia.
For Example:
Out-Migration – Movement of people from one place in the world
to another for the purpose of taking up permanent or semi-
permanent residence for their livelihood. Out-migration is the
movement from native place to a place where they can have more
opportunities regarding employment, income, education, etc,.
Migration can be Voluntary or Involuntary in nature.
Voluntary migration means the choice by individual to move to a
new place for exploring more opportunities.
Involuntary migration means that when individual are forced to
move-out from their native place to somewhere, where they can
sustain their existence.
6. Theoretical Framework
 Theoretical framework within which to pursue
study.
 Take help from review of related literature.
 Inter-relationship among set of variables.
 Provides a framework to generate research
questions.
 Guides research design, including population,
sample size, sampling, data collection, data
analysis and presentation & interpretation of
findings.
7. Research Questions
 Directional beam for the study.
 They are the unanswered questions.
 They depict the nature of study and variables and
their relationship.
 They helps in formulating research hypothesis.
For Example:
1. What differences exist between academically
successful students and academically un-successful
students attending college?
2. What are the possible factors responsible for causing
out-migration amongst the people?
8. Limitations
 Not under control of researcher.
 Financial.
 Time.
 Environmental.
 Generalization etc.
9. Assumptions
 These are the postulates accepted for research
purpose.
For Example:
 This sample is typical of the total population.
 This instrument will measure what it purports to
measure when applied to these data.
 This criterion is valid when applied to these
findings.
10. Organization of the Study
 This is a description of content to be found in
subsequent chapters.
For Example:
This study is presented in five chapters. Chapter I titles
introduction to study including background,
statement of problems, etc.
Chapter II presents review of literature.
Chapter III describes the methodology used for the
study.
Chapter IV includes analysis and findings and the
Chapter V provides a summary of entire study,
recommendations and conclusion.
Summary
 Background
 Statement of problem
 Purpose of study
 Significance of study
 Definition of terms
 Theoretical framework
 Research question
 Limitation
 Assumption
 Organization