Institute of Graduate Studies and Research

Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.

THESIS FORMAT
Research is one of the trifocal functions of the Davao Medical School Foundation,
Inc. (DMSFI) alongside with instruction and community extension. The members of the
DMSFI community are encouraged to conduct research to develop new ideas, tools or
technology that will be used in the improvement of our health care delivery and
educational system.
All DMSFI students are required to conduct research in a form of a thesis. This is
an original research work that will provide a significant contribution in their field or will be
utilized by potential users. The thesis begins with a capsule proposal which is
formulated during the Research Methods course. At the end of this course, the students
present their capsule proposals before a panel of researchers.
If the panel approves the capsule proposal, the student proceeds to writing the
full-blown research proposal which will be evaluated by the Ethics Review Committee
(ERC) and thesis defense panel. The student proceeds to data collection, processing,
interpretation and writing. The final thesis report or research write-up will be
presented to the thesis defense panel, revised and submitted to the
department/college/graduate school in hard bound copies. The graduate students are
required to submit five hard-bound copies and two copies of electronic file in CD-ROM
format. Students from other departments/colleges have specific requirements for
submission of their thesis report.
The following section describes the a) capsule proposal; b) full-blown proposal
and c) research write-up. This section also shows the thesis presentation and
submission guidelines.
A.

CAPSULE PROPOSAL

A capsule proposal is a three to five-page document that BRIEFLY shows why and
how the study will be done. This document contains the following parts : a) brief
background to justify why a study has to be done; b) general and specific objectives; c)
significance of the study; and d) brief description of the methodology which contains
the research design, setting, population, sampling design, variables (dependent and
independent variables), data collection method/s and plan of analysis. The capsule
proposal is written and presented before a panel of researchers during the Research
Methods course. After presentation and revision, the student requests the members of
the panel to sign their names in the Capsule Proposal Approval Sheet or Form 1 (see
Page 13 for template).
B. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (FULL-BLOWN)
A research proposal (full-blown) is a document that shows a comprehensive
justification for doing the research study and a detailed description of the whole research
process. This is composed of only two chapters, the Introduction (Chapter 1) and
Methodology (Chapter 2 which is written in the future tense). The review of related

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literature is found in the first chapter. The outline of the research proposal is given below.
See guidelines for writing a full-blown research proposal in pages 3-8 of this document.
______________________________________________________________________

C. Research Proposal Outline

1. Preliminaries
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL SHEET FOR DATA COLLECTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
2. Text Body
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
Background
Review of Related Literature
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Objectives
Hypothesis
Significance (Note: In the final write-up, this section is integrated in the DISCUSSION)
Chapter 2 METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Setting
Population
Variables and Measures
Sampling
Sampling design
Randomization
Estimation of sample size
Data Collection Procedure
Data Analysis (Note: In the final write-up, this section is integrated in the RESULTS)
Limitations of the Study (Note : In the final write-up, this section is integrated in the
DISCUSSION)
Ethical Considerations
Appendices
______________________________________________________________________

D. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A FULL-BLOWN RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The following section presents the contents of a research proposal and

instructions how to write each component.
1. Preliminaries
TITLE PAGE
Write the title of the thesis (maximum of 12 words). Secure a copy of the format of
the title page from the IGSR Secretary.
APPROVAL SHEET FOR DATA COLLECTION
There are two approval sheets to be accomplished :
a) Approval Sheet for Proposal Defense or Form 2 If ready for the proposal
defense, prepare this approval sheet and request the mentor to sign his/her
name on it to signify his/her agreement to the defense. This will be used to notify
the department (or IGSR for graduate students) about the schedule of defense.
(See page 14 for template).
b) Approval Sheet for Data Collection or Form 3 - After the research proposal has
been presented and revised, request the mentor and the thesis defense panel
to sign their names in this document (see template of Form 3 in page 15),
indicating that they approve the data collection activity.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Arrange this section by chapter (with main headings and sub-headings) and other
important parts such as the preliminaries, references, appendices and curriculum vitae.
LIST OF TABLES
List the number and titles of tables as they appear in the body of the research
proposal. The first table may start in Chapter 2 or Methodology (e.g. List of barangays
with total number of households and number of samples (households) computed for
each barangay.
LIST OF FIGURES
Make a list of figures and arrange as they appear in the body of the thesis. The first
figure may start in Chapter 2 or Methodology (e.g. a map if necessary).

2. Text Body of a Full-Blown Research Proposal

The full-blown proposal contains only two chapters : Chapter 1 (Introduction and
review of related literature) and Chapter 2 (Methodology).
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter justifies the need to answer the main question you are designed to
answer. It gives a clear idea about the seriousness of the problem. It sets the scene of
the setting of the study that is to interest the reader. It starts with general ideas then
moves down to specifics. This chapter contains the background, review of related
literature, theoretical framework, conceptual framework, objectives, hypothesis
and significance of the study.
Background (Maximum of Three Pages)
Start with a brief provocative problem statement that is applicable to the theme of
the study. This one statement will catch the attention of the reader. Include convincing
argument/s that will support the statement on the seriousness and urgency of the
problem. Follow with facts/statistics that portray the problematic situation (global,
national, regional and local setting). Present a resume of events/programs/projects that
have been done by various public and private sectors to address the problem. Indicate
a firm stand on the need to bridge the gap between existing facts and the problematic
situation. Indicate what should be done and what data are needed to address the
problem. Present the rationale on the need to conduct the study.
Review of Related Literature
This section provides information on the background of the problem, theories that
explain the existence of the problem and determinants, and previous studies done.
Acquaint the reader with existing studies as to what has been found, who has done the
work, when and where the latest studies have been conducted. Provide the reader with
information on what research methods were utilized and provide information on what
problems were met and how were they resolved. Use sub-headings and use past tense.
Establish the theoretical and conceptual framework for the research.
a) Theoretical Framework - Make use of a theory or theories to explain why a
phenomenon exists and how the different factors which brought about the
phenomenon are interrelated. The purpose of the theoretical framework is
to develop and present a unified explanation of related ideas and to provide the
foundation on which the study will build and develop.
b) Conceptual Framework - Make a diagram to present how different variables
in the study are related to each other. It has the same function as the
theoretical framework but instead of using theories, it uses constructs which are
specific and well-defined. Explain how the different variables are related to each
other.

Objectives

These are statements of purpose for which the investigation is conducted. These
serve as guide in the specification of variables, selection of research method,
determination of the data to be collected and planning of analysis of results.
For a quantitative study, state the General Objective by transforming the problem
statement from an interrogative form to a declarative statement, usually introduced by
the phrase to determine. State the Specific Objectives which are specific
activities/questions that are desired to be done to answer the general objectives. These
are statements of the specific outcomes expected in the study.
In a qualitative study, the objectives appear as a) Grand Tour Question as the
main aim which is written in a declarative statement; and b) the sub-problems which
are in the interrogative form. Please see the format of a qualitative research in page 12
of this document.
Hypothesis
This section appears in the proposal only if the study determines relationship/s or
difference/s between variables. This is an educated guess, an assertion or proposition
about the interrelationship or about differences between two or more variables. If your
study does not test causal relationships or differences between variables, do not use a
hypothesis (e.g. in purely descriptive, diagnostic or exploratory investigations). There
are two types of hypotheses, the Null Hypothesis (statement of denial of an existence,
attribute, relationship, difference or an effect) and Alternative Hypothesis (statement of
relationship, difference or an effect). Of these two, use the null hypothesis because
errors in accepting or rejecting the hypothesis can be easily avoided.
Significance
State the value of the study or justification for making the study. Make a list of
potential users and indicate the specific contribution of the results (findings,
conclusions recommendations) to these beneficiaries of the study. (Note : In the final
research write-up, integrate significance in the DISCUSSION or Chapter 4).
Chapter 2 METHODOLOGY
This chapter provides a detailed description of the basic research plan or procedure
on how the study will be done so that it will be reproduced by a competent colleague or
that the procedures are needed to judge the validity of its answer. This maybe a place to
begin writing then return to introduction when a flow of words has already started.
Include in this section the following parts : research design, setting, population, variables
and measures (dependent and independent variable), sampling (design, randomization
and estimation of sample size), data collection procedure and ethical considerations.
In the proposal, this chapter is written in future tense. In the final write-up, it is written in
past tense.

Research Design

This refers to the plan of action, approach or strategy to be used in the study. Define
the research design used, whether it is descriptive, cross-sectional, case-control, cohort
or experimental, quasi-experimental, etc. Indicate who has the authority of such
definition and cite the reference.
Setting
Describe the study area or locale of the study. Provide a justification for choosing
the study area. A map may be shown when necessary.
Population
Indicate the number and significant characteristics of the participants. Provide
inclusion criteria (specific characteristics that make the participants qualified to
participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (specific characteristics that render a
certain segment of the population to be ineligible to be included in the study).
Variables and Measures
Variables are characteristics that are measured numerically (e.g. blood pressure) or
in terms of categories (e.g. presence or absence of a disease). If your study determines
a relationship between variables, write the dependent variable first. A dependent
variable hangs on to another variable or is a putative effect of one or more variables.
Then write the independent variable/s. This/these characteristic/s is/are the assumed
cause/s or reason/s for any variation of a dependent variable which is usually the
problem in the study.
Specify the categories or classes of the dependent and independent variables in
terms of scales of measurement. These maybe written in a form of a nominal (two or
more categories that are qualitatively different from each other e.g. place of delivery
such as hospital and home); ordinal (ranked categories, e.g. severity of a disease);
interval (zero does not indicate absence of attribute and equal differences between any
pair of numbers in the scale indicate equal differences but not in the amounts of the
attribute such as temperature); and ratio (zero indicates absence of attribute and equal
differences between any pair of numbers is the same as that between the amounts of
attribute being measured (e.g. hemoglobin concentration or scores in the examination).
Sampling
Explain the process of choosing the samples that will represent the entire
population. Include in this section three issues about sampling : i.e., sampling design,
randomization and estimation of sample size if appropriate.
Sampling design. Explain the entire procedure how the participants will be chosen.
Choose the appropriate sampling design. There are two basic types of sampling
designs namely non-probability or non-random or judgmental sampling (e.g. accidental
and purposive) and probability sampling (e.g. simple random, systematic, stratified
random, stratified systematic, cluster, two-stage and multi-stage designs). State the
sampling frame, whether a spot map or a list will be used.

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Randomization. Describe the randomization procedure if needed in the study. This
refers to the procedure where each participant is assigned to a treatment group or
control group by chance (e.g. by random numbers) to reduce the influence of extraneous
factors.
Estimation of sample size. Show how sample size is derived using some formula
for estimation of sample size. This is used to consider the availability of human
resources and logistics.
Data Collection Procedure
Explain in detail how pre-testing or pilot testing will be conducted including the
number of participants, recruitment, setting, instrument to be pre-tested, procedures to
be used in pre-testing.
Explain in detail how the data will be gathered, whether through observation
method using instruments (like tape measure or weighing scale) ; personal interview
using a structured interview schedule, self-administered interview, key informant
interview and/or focus group discussion. Describe the instrument in terms of number
and content of questions to be used, type of scale, how these are organized, and the
method of validation. Attach a copy of the instrument in the appendix. Also describe
here when the study will start and when it will end. Describe the enumerators in terms of
their educational attainment, employment status, experience as interviewers/observers,
method and duration of training for the study.
Data Analysis
Indicate the type of statistical test/s, decision making criteria (alpha level) and
computer software that will be used in the study. Refer to the specific objectives as
guide in the identification of appropriate statistical tool. (Note : In the final research
write-up, integrate data analysis in the RESULTS (Chapter 3).
Limitations of the Study
The limitations of the study should provide information on certain conditions which
are beyond the control of the investigator. (Note : In the final paper, integrate
limitations of the study in the DISCUSSION (Chapter 4).
Ethical Considerations
Describe the ethical issues that will be observed to protect the rights, safety,
privacy and sensitivity of laboratory animals and/or human participants as well as the
researchers themselves, the community and the environment. If the study deals with
human participants, state clearly how informed consent is obtained. This means that
the participants will give their consent (by signing in the informed consent form) after
they have been informed of the nature of the study, their roles in the study, risks and
inconveniences, benefits for participation, compensation, provision for illness/injury,
whom to contact, voluntariness of participation, and confidentially that must be carried
out to secure their anonymity and privacy. If the study deals with animals, it should be
stated that extreme care must be observed in every step from the time these are
purchased to the time that they are disposed of. Secure a copy from the IGSR of the

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template for informed consent form, guidelines for evaluation of studies involving human
participants and guidelines for studies that involve animals.
References - Format the references using the American Psychological Association
(APA) writing style.
Appendices - Attach the appendices next to the reference page. The first document shall
be identified as Appendix A.

E. FINAL WRITE-UP - The outline of a thesis/final write-up is found below. See the
description of each part in pages 9-12.
OUTLINE OF THE FINAL WRITE-UP
1. Preliminaries
TITLE PAGE
THESIS APPROVAL SHEET
ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
2. Text Body
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
Background
Review of Related Literature
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Objectives
Hypothesis
Chapter 2 METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Setting
Population
Variables and Measures
Sampling
Sampling design.
Randomization.
Estimation of sample size
Data Collection Procedure
Ethical Considerations
Chapter 3 RESULTS

Chapter 4 DISCUSSION
Summary
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Appendices
F. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE FINAL THESIS WRITE-UP

1. Preliminaries
TITLE PAGE

- Write the title of the thesis (maximum of 12 words). Secure a

copy of the format of the title page from the IGSR Secretary.
At the bottom of this page, write the date (month and year) the
final thesis is presented to the thesis defense panel.

APPROVAL SHEET Accomplish three approval sheets :

a) Approval Sheet for Thesis Defense or Form 4 Request the
mentor to sign his/her name in this form (see template in page
16) to indicate his/her approval of final thesis presentation.
(Note : This sheet is not attached in the final write-up).
b) Approval Sheet for Bookbinding or Form 5 Request the
mentor and thesis defense panel to sign their names in this
form to indicate approval of reproduction and bookbinding.
See page 17 for template. (Note : This sheet is not attached
in the final write-up.)
c) Approval Sheet (by the Oral Examination Committee) or Form
6. This page is accomplished LAST, only after the five hardbound copies of the thesis are reproduced. See template in
page 18. (Note : This page is included/attached in the final
write-up.)
ABSTRACT -

This is a concise write-up of the research study composed of 250

to 300 words (in block format and not indented). Write this
section last and do not include any information that is not found in
the paper. Use the following tips below :
a) introduction Start with a brief statement about the problem
to be addressed or why the study was done and state the
main objective of the study.
b) methodology Summarize how the study was done. Include
the research design, setting, participants, sampling, method/s of
data collection, information on ethics review, if applicable

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c) results include only the major findings of the study
d) discussion/conclusion- state the implications and major
contribution of the study to the field.
Note : Do not cite references in the abstract. Below the abstract
write keywords that indicate the following : discipline, important
variables/concepts, design and geographical location.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - Write the names of individuals and/or groups of individuals
who provided significant contributions in the thesis.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
2. Text Body of the Final Research Paper
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
Background
Review of Related Literature
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework
Objectives
Hypothesis
Chapter 2 METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Setting
Population
Variables and Measures
Sampling
Sampling design
Randomization
Estimation of sample size
Data Collection Procedure
Ethical Considerations

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CHAPTER 3 RESULTS -

Explain what actually happened in the study. Refer to

objectives for sequence/organization. Use
sub-headings. Present the data in textual form, tables,
figures, graphs and organizational charts. Place the
titles of tables above the body of the table while titles for
graphs should be placed below the figure. Analysis of
data should appear before the statistical tables,
graphs, maps and charts. Summarize the data and
present only the most important points. Do not repeat
all the data presented in the table. Write this section in
past tense but when the table or figure is being
described, use the present tense. Integrate in this
section the data analysis procedure of the research
research proposal (Methodology or Chapter 2).
In qualitative studies, thematic analysis is usually used.

CHAPTER 4 DISCUSSION - Include the following issues in the discussion : main

findings of the study; meaning and explanations of
major findings or reasons why the results happened
that way; comparison of major findings with previous
studies (whether similar or do not confirm with other
findings); emergence of new finding/unusual result/s,
deductions or inferences to explore possible meaning
which can be used as hypotheses by other researchers
for their future studies. In this section, integrate the
limitations of the study which are previously stated
stated in Chapter 2 (Methodology) of the proposal.
Summary

Summarize the entire thesis. Re-state main problems,

sub-problems, hypothesis, number of participants
involved in the study, research design, research
methods, instruments used and major findings of the
study.

Conclusions

Write conclusion/s based on your hypothesis/es. Omit

conclusion/s if you are doing a descriptive study.

Recommendations

Use findings and conclusions as bases in formulating

recommendations. Use negative results (e.g.
counterproductive factors) or positive findings.
Organize the recommendations according to subproblems. Include recommendations that suggest
actions by schools, health institutions and agencies
(if applicable) and future research studies.

References

- Using the authors last names, list all references

alphabetically in APA format

Appendices

- Attach the informed consent (English and local dialect),

and actual instruments.

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G. FORMAT OF A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH STUDY
A student who is interested to conduct a qualitative research study is required to
use the format provided below. It should be noted that in Chapter 3 given below, the
term Implications shall be used instead of Recommendations. A section on
Methodological Notes is included in this type of study which shows the graduate
students expectations (met and unmet), experiences, insights and learning achieved
during the conduct of the study.

PRELIMINARIES
Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Review of Related Literature
The Grand Tour Question and Sub-questions
Definitions
Delimitations (or Scope) and Limitations
Significance of the Study
Chapter 2 - PROCEDURE
Assumptions and Rationale for a Qualitative Design
The Type of Design Used
The Role of the Researcher
Data Collection Procedures
Data Analysis Procedures
Methods for Verification (depending on the orientation of the researcher)
Outcome of the Study and its Relation to Theory and Literature
Ethical Considerations
Chapter 3 - RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS
Chapter 4 - SUMMARY
Methodological Notes
References
Appendices
______________________________________________________________________

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Form 1
CAPSULE PROPOSAL APPROVAL SHEET

This capsule proposal entitled:

has been prepared, revised and submitted by __________________________ who is

recommended to proceed to the formulation of a full-blown proposal to enable him/her to
fulfill the requirements for the degree of _______________________ (
).

________________________________
Teacher - Research Methods Course

The Capsule Proposal Defense Panel recommends that ____________________

proceeds to the formulation of full-blown proposal in partial fulfillment of the requirement
for the degree of ________________________________ (
).
________________________________
Chair
______________________________
Member

_______________________________
Member

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Form 2
APPROVAL SHEET FOR PROPOSAL DEFENSE

This research proposal entitled:

has been prepared, revised and submitted by __________________________ who is

recommended to present his/her full-blown research proposal to enable him/her to fulfill
the requirements for the degree of ___________________________ (
).
The schedule of the proposal defense is on ____________________________ at
_________________.

_________________________
Name and Signature of Mentor
_________________________
Date

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Form 3

APPROVAL SHEET FOR DATA COLLECTION

This research proposal entitled:

has been prepared, revised and submitted by ___________________________ who is

recommended to proceed to data collection to enable him/her to fulfill the requirements
for the degree of ___________________________ (
).

______________________
Mentor

The Oral Defense Panel recommends that __________________________

proceeds to data collection in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
________________________________ (
).
________________________________
Chair
______________________________
Member

_______________________________
Member

_______________________________
Member

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Form 4
APPROVAL SHEET FOR THESIS DEFENSE

This thesis entitled :

has been prepared, revised and submitted by __________________________ who is

recommended to present his/her final research write-up to enable him/her to fulfill the
requirements for the degree of ___________________________ (
).

The schedule of the oral defense is on ______________________ at

_____________________________.

_________________________
Name and Signature of Mentor
____________________
Date

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Form 5
APPROVAL SHEET FOR BOOKBINDING

This thesis entitled:

has been prepared, revised and submitted by ___________________________ who is

recommended to proceed to bookbinding to enable him/her to fulfill the requirements for
the degree of ___________________________ (
).

______________________
Mentor

The Oral Defense Panel recommends that __________________________

proceeds to bookbinding in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
________________________________ (
).
________________________________
Chair
______________________________
Member

_______________________________
Member

_______________________________
Member

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Form 6

APPROVAL

SHEET

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of _____________________

this THESIS entitled:

has been prepared and submitted by __________________________________ which

is recommended for approval by the corresponding ORAL EXAMINATION COMMITTEE.
______________________________________
Adviser
APPROVED in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of __________
________________________ by the Oral Examination Committee.

________________________________
Chair
______________________________
Member

_______________________________
Member

_________________________________
Member
ACCEPTED in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of ____________
____________________________________.

________________________________
Dean

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