DEFINITION OF TERMS
The concepts in the study needs to be defined and explicated. Sometimes, researchers adhere to
definitions provided by dictionaries; however, it could not be sufficient to fully understand meanings of
the term that are used in the study. The concepts in which the researchers’ world views shape how these
concepts are defined. There are three types of definitions namely: operational, conceptual and lexical
but the first two types of definitions are of particular significance in a research study.
1. Conceptual definition. It is an abstract meaning of the concepts/terms being studied. Generally,
this definition of term is understood by community at large.
2. Operational definition. In Quantitative studies, the researchers need to clarify and define term at the
outset because they must indicate how variables will be observed and measured, operation definition uses
the researchers own definition of term based on how these terms are used in the study.
3. Lexical definition. This is a definition usually taken from authorities of the subjects. Some theorists
and authorized personalities have defined terms based on their observations and experiences. These are
adapted by the researchers to further enlighten the study and direct the readers what they want toconvey.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: BENEFITS AND BENEFICIARIES OF RESEARCH
A discussion of the significance of a study typically includes an explanation of the work’s
significance, its potential benefits and its overall impact. The significance of a study,
often called the rationale attempts to explain to an audience why a researcher`s work is
worth performing.
The rationale often explains which specific groups of people can benefit from the research.
It typically indicates how the specific projects fits within the developing body of knowledge.
If the research project is part of a larger investigation, the rationale explains thee overall
importance of that larger project as well.
Researchers attempting to describe the significance of a study should consider why their
work is important and what its complications are. They should consider how the study might
fill in knowledge gaps in their field, develop better theoretical models or point the way
toward further study. Through the review of related literature, the researcher may identify
the gaps to which the study will contribute. If the research is in an area for which theory is
well developed, the research study may be significant test or expansion of the theory. The
researcher may use concepts developed by previous researchers and formulate questions
similar to those used in previous researches. Data collection, however, may be in a different
setting with different group and certainly different time. Thus, the results of the research will
constitute an extension of the theory and expand the generalization or more finely tune the
theoretical propositions.
Researchers should also examine what impact the study might have not just on the academic
or scientific community but also on the general public. They should present practical benefits,
such as how the work might inform policy, improve some aspect of people’s lives, help
people save money, make a process more efficient or help the environment. Theyshould also
explain the unique perspectives they bring to the research study. They should outline the
potential contributions to knowledge of the research study. They should outline the potential
contributions to knowledge of the research study and describe how it will fit in to the
research traditions in new, insightful and creative manner.
The problem statement can be a guide in identifying the specific contribution of the research
study. The researcher 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 the researcher has
the research question as “Is there a significant relationship between the teacher’s teaching
style and the students’ long quiz scores in Science?” Then the contribution of the research
would probably be a teaching style or styles that can help students perform better in Science.
The research will demonstrate that the teaching style really works. That could be a
groundbreaking approach that will change the way teachers teach Science which many
students despise.
Example:
The findings of this study will redound to the benefit of society considering that Mathematics
plays an important role in science and technologies today. The greater demand for graduates with
mathematics background justifies the need for more effective, life changing teaching approaches.
Thus, schools that apply the recommended approach derived from the results of this study will be
able to train students better. Administrators will be guided on what should be emphasized by
teachers in the school curriculum to improve students’ performance in mathematics. For the
researcher the study will help him uncover critical areas in the educational process that many
researchers were not able to explore. Thus, a theory on learning mathematics will be arrived at.
In writing the significance of the study the researcher should look
into the general contribution of his study, such as its importance
to society as a whole, and then proceed downwards towards its
contribution to individuals and that may include himself as a
researcher. He can start off broadly then shrink gradually to a
specific group or person. Coupled with reference to the problem
statement, this effectively stimulates the mind tothink in a
deductive mode, meaning from general to specific.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS OF RESEARCH STUDY
The Scope of research study is a section of a research paper that
explains what information or subject is being analyzed. For example, the
scope of a historical research paper includes a scope section that explains
what time period the writer is analyzing. Since it is impossible to study
every aspect of every subject, the scope of study tells the reader which
aspects of a subject the writer has chosen to analyze. Most research is
limited in scope in terms of subjects, objectives, facilities, area, time
frame, issues, sample size, time and geographic area to which the research
s focused. Sample phrases that help express the scope of the study are:
1. The coverage of this study……….
2. The study consist of …………..
3. The study covers the …………
4. This study is focus on ………….
The scope of study is usually followed by an explanation of the delimitations of the
research study.
The delimitation of research study is the explanation of the
scope of study. This section allows the researcher to explain why
certain aspects of a subject were chosen and whyothers were
excluded. It is also common for a researcher to explain the
chosen research method in this section and explain why certain
theories were applied to the data. It is important to narrow down
your research topic and limit the scope of the research study.
The researcher should inform the reader about limits or coverage
of the study.
The delimitation of the study is delimiting a study by geographic
location, age, sex, population size, or other similar
considerations. Delimitation is used to make study betterand
more feasible and not just for the interest of the researcher. It is
also identifies the constraints or weaknesses of the study which
are not within the control of the researcher.
Sample phrases that expressed the delimitations of the study are:
1. The study does not cover the ……….
2. The researcher limited this research to ……….
3. This study is limited to ……….
