CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

 Chapter 1 of a thesis should contain a discussion of each of the following topics:

- Introduction

- Background of the Study

- Theoretical Framework - Conceptual Framework - Statement of the Problem - Hypothesis(es) - Significance of the Study - Scope and Limitation of the Study - Definition of Terms

Introduction
The introduction should give information as to what the study is all about. It should show the existence of an unsatisfactory condition, a felt problem that needs a solution. That is, the reason or reasons why it is necessary to conduct the study must be discussed. The introduction should be linked to the statement of the problem.

Background of the Study

This section should discuss the historical background of the problem. It must explain the students earnest desire to have a deeper and clearer understanding of a situation so they will be in a better position to initiate remedial measures or to find a better way to improve the situation. The geographical conditions of the study locale may also be discussed in this section.

Theoretical Framework
This section should present the different theories, models, paradigms, perspectives related to the variables, problem statement and hypothesis of the present study. The students should test, confirm, validate, or verify the cited theories in other situations or attempt to formulate a new theory which will be their contribution to their field of specialization.

Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework should be anchored on the theoretical framework. That is, the conceptual and theoretical frameworks should be consistent and related. It should present in detail the variables to be observed in the current study, the concepts defined, the operationalization of the variable-concepts, and the scheme of measuring the variables.

 A paradigm of the study showing a diagrammatic representation of the conceptual framework should be included in this section. It should depict in a more vivid way what the conceptual framework wants to convey.

Statement of the Problem

The problem should be stated both in general and in specific terms. The general statement of the problem is usually a reiteration of the title of the study. The problem should be stated in the infinitive to such as examine, analyze, determine, measure, assess, evaluate, or find out.

Specific questions should be stated using the guide question words: How, Will, What, Is there, etc.

Hypothesis(es)
Hypotheses should be stated in the null form. They should be formulated from the specific questions upon which they are based.

Significance of the Study

The candidate should explain or discuss in this section the rationale, timeliness and/or relevance of the study to existing conditions.
This section must show who are the individuals, groups, or communities who may benefit on account of the study.

 The candidate should point out the possible contribution(s) of the study to the fund of knowledge. It should discuss the implications, including the possible causes of the problems discovered, the positive effects of the problems, and the remedial measures to solve the problem.

Scope and Limitation

The students should identify the boundaries or coverage of their study in terms of the subjects, the study area, the research instrument, the time frame, the population or universe, and the issues to which the study is focused. The students should also define the constraints or weaknesses which are not within their control and hence are not covered by the study.

Definition of Terms
This section should include important or key terms that should be substantially and clearly defined according to how they are used in the study in order to facilitate understanding of the problem and avoid ambiguous meaning to terms which can be otherwise interpreted in different ways.

 The researcher should defined only what is absolutely necessary. Only terms, word, or phrases which have special or unique meanings in the study should be defined.
Terms may be defined operationally, that is, based on observable characteristics and how they are used in the study; or, conceptually, that is, based on definitions taken from encyclopedias, books, magazines and newspaper articles, dictionaries, and other publications. Definitions taken from publications should be acknowledged.

 The terms defined should be arranged in alphabetical order and acronyms should always be spelled out fully, especially if it is not commonly known or if used for the first time.