If you read
my last post, I briefly discussed some necessary things that are important to
know and should have been done before writing your thesis chapters. If all
those things have been done then you are ready for your first chapter.
The first
chapter is a section that deals with the introduction to the topic. It is usually arranged (depending on level,
i.e. first degree or postgraduate work) under the following sub-sections:
Background to the study: in this sub-section, you need to trace the
conditions and factors necessitating your study. All you need to do is to
provide the necessary background information that you think will show your
reader the conditions, circumstances and factors that have given rise to the
problem you want to work on. Present your materials to show how the problem you
are working on developed.
Statement of the problem: here you need to clearly define the problem
in short and precise terms using few words as possible to give necessary
information. You may state it in a declarative or an interrogative form. But,
whichever way you choose to state it the most important thing is that it should
be short and clear. (A half quarto size page in enough)
Purpose of the study: this can also be referred to objectives of
the study, i.e. what you want to accomplish. You can break this down to
specific statements, but do not generalize your statements. Make effort to
avoid preambles or any materials that do not directly relate to your purpose of
the study.
Significance
or importance of the study: this subsection is concern with the usefulness of
your findings i.e. who are to benefit from this study? Any research work should
be able to find answer or solution to a specific question or problem, therefore,
some people, group, organization or society at large should stand a chance to
gain from your findings.
Research questions and/or hypotheses: research
questions refer to the major questions to which you seek to provide answers to
in your study. Research hypotheses refer to intelligent guess which you
formulate to guide you in your research for the solution to the problem. (My subsequent
post will fully discuss this area)
Scope of the study: the scope of the study refers to the extent
of the problem you are able to tackle in your present study. The areas or boundaries you want to cover
should not be too much or too little. This will depend on your available time,
resources and interest or competence.
Definition of terms: in this subsection, terms or concepts used
should be defined or explained. These should include terms or concepts whose
meanings are not ordinarily known or which have been used in a specialised
sense.
Chapter two:
This chapter contains the literature
review or review of literature.
A literature review is the summary and critical evaluation of previous
published or unpublished researches made by various scholars and researchers. A
review of literature gives you the knowledge about the topic, and helps to
focus upon the specific problem. It provides you the bases for the development
of theoretical frame work by identifying variables that are very important as
determined by the previous research findings. All you need to do is to organize
your work under relevant sub-heading. You are to create your sub-heading
yourself, depending on the variables you are working on.
My next
write-up will discuss chapter three, four and five. Keep up-to-date.
Feel free to
comment below or email: ayoolaoluwatosin@gmail.com or
ayoolaoluwatosin@mail.com
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