An explanation of the significance of a study may include the meaning of

theresearch work to you personally and should include how

your research benefits or impacts others in part or whole. Discuss what
people or groups of people might benefit from reading your research.

Essentially, the section on significance of the study provides

information to the reader on how the study will contribute. It must
be specifically stated, however, what the study will contribute and
who will benefit from it.

You can figure out several important contributions of your research

paper if you let your mind flow. But I find the following tips helpful
in writing the significance of the study.

2 Tips in Writing the Significance of the Study

1. Refer to the statement of the problem

Your problem statement can guide you in identifying the specific

contribution of your study. You can do this by observing a
one-to-one correspondence between the statement of the problem
and the significance of the study.

For example, if you ask the question “Is there a significant

relationship between the teacher’s teaching style and the students’
long quiz scores in Mathematics?” then the contribution of your
research would probably be a teaching style or styles (among say,
three teaching styles you evaluated) that can help students perform
better in Mathematics. Your research will demonstrate that that
teaching style really works. That could be a groundbreaking
approach that will change the way teachers teach Mathematics
which many students abhor.

2. Write from general to specific contribution

I learned this technique from a former professor while in pursuing

my masters degree. It works this way:

Write the significance of the study by looking into the general

contribution of your study, such as its importance to society as a
whole, then proceed downwards—towards its contribution to
individuals and that may include yourself as a researcher. You start
off broadly then taper off gradually to a specific group or person.

Coupled with reference to the problem statement, this effectively

stimulates the mind to think in a deductive mode, i.e., from general
to specific. This writing approach is similar to the Inverted Pyramid
Approach discussed in How to Write a Good Thesis Introduction.
For example, in the study on teaching style given in #1, you may
write:

Essentially, the section on significance of the study provides

information to the reader on how the study will contribute. It must
be specifically stated, however, what the study will contribute and
who will benefit from it.

You can figure out several important contributions of your research

paper if you let your mind flow. But I find the following tips helpful
in writing the significance of the study.

2 Tips in Writing the Significance of the Study

1. Refer to the statement of the problem

Your problem statement can guide you in identifying the specific

contribution of your study. You can do this by observing a
one-to-one correspondence between the statement of the problem
and the significance of the study.

For example, if you ask the question “Is there a significant

relationship between the teacher’s teaching style and the students’
long quiz scores in Mathematics?” then the contribution of your
research would probably be a teaching style or styles (among say,
three teaching styles you evaluated) that can help students perform
better in Mathematics. Your research will demonstrate that that
teaching style really works. That could be a groundbreaking
approach that will change the way teachers teach Mathematics
which many students abhor.
2. Write from general to specific contribution

I learned this technique from a former professor while in pursuing

my masters degree. It works this way:

Write the significance of the study by looking into the general

contribution of your study, such as its importance to society as a
whole, then proceed downwards—towards its contribution to
individuals and that may include yourself as a researcher. You start
off broadly then taper off gradually to a specific group or person.

Coupled with reference to the problem statement, this effectively

stimulates the mind to think in a deductive mode, i.e., from general
to specific. This writing approach is similar to the Inverted Pyramid
Approach discussed in How to Write a Good Thesis Introduction.

For example, in the study on teaching style given in #1, you may
write:
Example significance of the study.

These two techniques will prevent your mind from wandering wildly
or aimlessly as you explore the significance of your study. Applying
them will save time thus allow you to focus on the next section of
your thesis. Who knows, this section may also help justify why your
study deserves a grant.

©2015 February 9 P. A. Regoniel

Cite this article as: Regoniel, Patrick A. (February 9

Example significance of the study.

These two techniques will prevent your mind from wandering wildly
or aimlessly as you explore the significance of your study. Applying
them will save time thus allow you to focus on the next section of
your thesis. Who knows, this section may also help justify why your
study deserves a grant.
©2015 February 9 P. A. Regoniel

Cite this article as: Regoniel, Patrick A. (February 9

Significance of the Study This section creates a perspective for looking

at the problem. It points out how your study relates to the larger issues
and uses a persuasive rationale to justify the reason for your study. It
makes the purpose worth pursuing. The significance of the study answers
the questions: Why is your study important? To whom is it important? What
benefit(s) will occur if your study is done?

Definition of Terms. This is a section in Chapter One. The terms that have
special meanings in the research are defined, citing authorities as may be
necessary, using the usual citation format. Especially in the social sciences,
universities require the use of the American Psychological Association or
APA system of citation. Language research uses the Modern Language
Association or MLA system of citation.

Chapter II should also contain a definition of terms section when

appropriate. Include it if your paper uses special terms that are unique
to your field of inquiry or that might not be understood by the general
reader. "Operational definitions" (definitions that you have formulated
for the study) should also be included. An example of an operational
definition is: "For the purpose of this research, improvement is
operationally defined as posttest score minus pretest score".