Thesis guide plmar cba

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Contents
Foreword....................................................................................................................................................... 2
DEFINITION OF TERMS .................................................................................................................................. 3
GROUPING OF STUDENT THESIS WRITERS ................................................................................................... 4
Number of students per group ................................................................................................................. 4
Grouping ................................................................................................................................................... 4
RESEARCH PROPOSAL ................................................................................................................................... 4
Policies and Procedures ............................................................................................................................ 5
Evaluation ................................................................................................................................................. 5
Schedule of Topics and Presentation of Proposals ................................................................................... 6
Content and Format of a Thesis Proposal Paper ...................................................................................... 7
GENERALITIES OF THE THESIS PROPOSAL ................................................................................................. 7
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE MANUSCRIPT .................................................................................. 12

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Foreword
This manual outlines the policies and procedures to ensure uniformity in the physical format of
an undergraduate thesis in business administration programs. Submission of this document is a
step in a program leading to the awarding of a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
degree.
Thesis final reports are scholarly publications that are the results of research and academic
pursuits. The original copy will be kept in the Business Administration Library for public use.
Undergraduate students must be familiar with the guidelines before writing their paper. The use
of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling are solely the responsibility of the student. The
PamantasanngLungsodng Marikina, College of Business Administration provides assistance to
the students in completing their research proposals as well as services such as statistical analysis
and APA formatting package for students who are in the process of writing their research
proposals or thesis final reports.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS
Adviser.The adviser is a member of the faculty who guides the researchers in the preparation of
their thesis paper, including writing, data gathering, treatment of data, and coming up
with recommendations. The adviser also reviews the entire manuscript written by the
researchers, and gives suggestions for its improvement.
Head of target organization.This is the head of the organization where the researchers could
possibly conduct their study. This can be the president, general manager, proprietor, etc.
Panel members.The members of the panel will observe the thesis presentation and review the
thesis paper. The members of the panel are composed of the Dean or VP for Academics,
faculty members, the adviser, and the guest panelist. The adviser is part of the panel only
for the thesis proposal defense. The guest panelist, who is not a member of the campus
faculty, joins during the final defense of the thesis. The panel members are tasked to rate
the outputs of the researchers and give suggestions to improve the study.
Research.Research is an organized and formal process of exploring a subject matter by
searching, experimentation, investigation and observation to discover new information,
inventions, theories and conclusions.
Researchers.These are the Business Administration students enrolled in the thesis proposal
writing courses (Financial Management with Research [FMPS5], Research in Human
Resource Development [HRDMELECT1], and Marketing Research [MMPS6]) and thesis
writing courses (FMPS9, HRDMPS9, and MMPS9), who conduct the research study for a
selected organization that has a particular need in improving its business or job process
or for a specific business phenomena. They will gather data through surveys and
interviews, experimentation or market testing, and observe the current business process,
to come up with recommendations as possible solutions to the target organization or to
future researchers.
Target organizations. This is the business organization where the researchers might possibly
conduct their study. Not all researchers are required to conduct their study using a target
organization.
Thesis. A thesis or dissertation is a document that presents the author's research and findings
and is submitted to the College of Business Administration as a requirement to acquire a
degree in business administration.

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Thesis Proposal. A thesis proposal is a document that presents the researchers’ intention of
conducting research and is submitted to the College of Business Administration for final
approval. This is a requirement for undergraduate business administration students
currently enrolled in FMPS5, HRDMELECT1, and MMPS6 before being allowed to take the
succeeding thesis writing course.
GROUPING OF STUDENT THESIS WRITERS
Number of students per group
The maximum number of students per group is five (5) while the minimum is three (3).
Considering the number of students enrolled in each course, time constraints for both oral
presentations and revisions of final documents would be hard to address.
Both the adviser and course lecturer would be tasked evaluate each member as the research
undertaking progresses.
Grouping
Students that are enrolled in the same major (Marketing, Finance, Human Resource
Development) are allowed as members of one distinct group.
Students who belong to the group that have been formed during the thesis proposal stage must
also belong with to the same group during the thesis writing stage. Any member of the group
who wishes to bolt-out of the group must submit a letter of intent to the Program Head of the
respective group. The student who leaves the group will not be allowed to enroll in further
thesis writing courses and will be forced to undergo the entire thesis proposal stage. Only after
the thesis proposal defense and, if and only if the proposal has been approved, will the student
be allowed to enroll in further thesis writing courses.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The courses that cover the thesis / research proposal stage are the following:
COURSE CODE
FMPS5
HRDMELECT1
MMPS6
COURSE TITLE
Financial Management with Research
Research in Human Resource Development
Marketing Research
STUDENT’S MAJORS
Finance Majors
Human Resource Majors
Marketing Majors

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Policies and Procedures
1. Students must be officially enrolled in any of the aforementioned courses before being
allowed to continue with the thesis proposal undertaking.
2. After the course orientation all the students must form their groups and submit their
fully accomplished application form for their thesis proposal (see Annex A). to their
respective academic program heads Students who wish to undertake their research as
individuals must also fill-out the same form.
3. Students must have chosen their adviser (in some cases, advisers will be assigned to the
researchers) from the College of Business Administration faculty and must submit the
fully accomplished Adviser’s Contract (see Annex B). The form must also be submitted to
their respective academic program head.
4. Students need to attend their thesis proposal classes for evaluation of their performance
in class by their respective course lecturers.
5. Before appointing a group or an individual researcher to a schedule for thesis proposal
oral presentation, the adviser must have signed the endorsement form to be submitted
to the academic program head.
6. The researchers must get their schedule from their course lecturer and/or their
7. At least one week before the scheduled oral presentation, the researchers must have
submitted the thesis proposal paper to the course lecturer for evaluation and
distribution to selected research proposal panel members.
8. The students must present their thesis proposal to the Thesis Defense Panel for approval.
9. Two weeks will be allotted to those students who will be asked to re-present their thesis
proposal.
10. Once approved the researchers are required to submit their thesis / research proposal
together with the approved application form.
11. Two (2) copies of the Thesis Proposal must have been duly approved before submitting
one (1) copy to the College of Business Administration. The final and approved proposal
must be ring-bound with a clear plastic cover and green board paper at the back.
Evaluation
The following shall be the basis for the evaluation of the Thesis Proposal Project (see Annex C)
CRITERION
Thesis Proposal Paper
Originality of Topic / Extent of Contribution to Business and the
Industry
(Problem and Its Background)
Citation of Experts’ Opinion
(Review of Related Literature)
Correct Discussion of Methodology
PERCENTAGE
25
20
15

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Evaluation Table continued…
CRITERION
PERCENTAGE
5
5
References
Research Paper Format
Thesis Proposal Oral Presentation
Mastery of Subject Matter
Quality of Presentation
Attire
Appropriate Body Language
Language Proficiency
Ability to Answer Questions
Organization
Logical Ability
Total
15
5
10
100
Schedule of Topics and Presentation of Proposals
Stated below will be the topics, date and allotted number of weeks for all the topics and events
that are pertinent to the Thesis Proposal:
TOPIC
Problem and Its Background
Statement of the Problem / Hypothesis
Introduction / Background of the Study
Theoretical / Conceptual Framework
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitation
Definition of Terms
Review of Related Literature
Methodology and Design
Sampling Design / Technique
Design of the Instrument
Data Gathering Procedure
Statistical Treatment
APA Format of Research, References, and
Citations
EVENT
Submission of Thesis Proposal Paper
(Researchers)
Scheduling of Oral Presentation of Thesis
Proposal
(Lecturers, Advisers, Program Heads)
Oral Presentation
(Researchers, Lecturers, Advisers, Program
Heads, Panel Members)
No. of Weeks
3 Weeks
Dates
11/12 – 11/29 2013
3 Weeks
4 Weeks
12/1 – 12/19 2013
1/6 – 1/30 2014
2 Weeks
2/1 – 2/14 2014
2 Weeks
2/1 – 2/17 2014
2 Weeks
2/1 – 2/14 2014
6 Weeks
2/17 – 3/28 2014

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Schedule of Topics and Events continued…
EVENT
Re-Presentation of Thesis Proposal
(if needed)
Submission of Grades
1 Week
TBA
3/4/2014
Content and Format of a Thesis Proposal Paper
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT
Title Page
Research Proposal Application Form
Certificate of Originality
Table of Contents
List of Tables, Figures
Chapter 1
Introduction
Background of the Study
Theoretical / Conceptual Framework
Statement of the Problem and Hypotheses
Assumptions of the Study (when applicable)
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations (Delimitations) of the Study
Definition of Terms
Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature
Literatures read; arranged thematically
Synthesis of Literatures Read
Chapter 3
Research Methodology
Research Locale
Population Sampling or Respondents of the Study
Research Design
Research Instrument
Data Gathering Procedure
Statistical Treatment of Data
REFERENCES
SAMPLE OF THE FINISHED RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
GENERALITIES OF THE THESIS PROPOSAL
The following are the suggested discussions for the thesis proposal paper. This could also serve
as a guideline or a check list for writing the final paper.
I.
RESEARCH TITLE
1. Research Title must be reflective of its problem
2. It must answer the following questions:

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2.1. What question will answer THE FOLLOWING
2.1.1.
What are you trying to investigate?
2.1.2.
What are you trying to find out, determine or discover?
2.2. Who question will answer who are the respondents or subjects of the
study
2.3. Where question will indicate the research locale, setting or the place
where the research study is conducted.
I.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1. The researcher should describe the existing and prevailing problem situation
based on his/her experience. This scope may be global, national, regional and
local. The researcher could also describe the problem situation in general terms
and could also demonstrate the logical continuity between relevant works and
present study.
2. The researcher should give strong justification for selecting such research
problem in his/her capacity as a researcher. Being a part of the organization or
systems and the desire and concern to improve the systems.
3. The researcher should link and relate the background of the study to the
proposed research problem.
4. The researcher should cite pertinent data from existing documents or findings,
methodological issues, conclusions and recommendations from previous studies
that shape and portray the problem situation.
5. The researcher must give a firm sense of the need and practical importance of
the study.
II.
THEORETICAL /CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY
The researcher should discuss the merits of the theories/concepts that legitimize the:
Validity of the research questions
Meaning of the variables in the study, the measurement employed and the
design adopted
Analytic and interpretative approaches used
The researcher should depict and briefly explain the conceptual blueprint that serves as
the roadmap of the study
1. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
1.1. The theoretical framework consists of theories, principles, generalizations
and research findings which are closely related to the present study under
investigation. It is in this framework where the present research problem
under study evolved.

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1.2. Authors of these theories and principles should be cited. As much as
possible research findings and theories should be correct.
2. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
2.1. The conceptual framework is the schematic diagram which shows the
variables included in the study.
2.2. Arrows or line should be properly placed and connected between boxes
to show the relationship between the independent and dependent
variables.
2.3. All the independent and dependent variables should be clearly discussed
and explained how these would influence the results of the study.
III.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM AND HYPOTHESES
1. There should be an introductory statement which reflects the main problem of
the study.
2. Sub-problem should be stated in such a way that it is not answerable by either
yes, no, when and where.
3. Sub-problems should include all the independent and moderate variables which
are reflected in the conceptual framework.
4. Sub–problems should be arranged in logical order and extensive in coverage and
must be mutually exclusive in its dimensions.
5. If the research is quantitative avoid the “how questions."
6. The researcher should state the corresponding research hypothesis after each
research question (only when applicable).
IV.
ASSUMPTIONS (when applicable)
1. Assumption refers to a proposition of some occurrences or considerations that
may be considered in eliminating the area of the study.
2. It is a proposition which a researcher asserts based on his own intuition,
experience, and observations but which is not scientifically proven. It is adopted
as a premise to the solution of the problem envisioned in his study.
V.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
1. This section describes the contributions of the study to knowledge. This could be
in the form of new knowledge in the field, a check on the major findings of other
studies, a check on the validity of findings in a different population, a check on
trends over time and a check on the other findings using different methodology.
2. It discusses the importance of the study to the society, the country, the
government, the community, the institution, the agency concerned, the
curriculum planners and developers and to the researchers.
3. It expounds on the study’s probable impact to education, science,
technology, on-going researchers and etc.
VI.
SCOPE, LIMITATION, and/or DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

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SCOPE – refers to the parameters under which the study will be operating
LIMITATION – are matters and occurrences that arise in a study which are out of the
researchers’ control.
DELIMITATION – are those characteristics that arise from limitation in the scope of the
study (defining the boundaries) and by the conscious exclusionary and inclusionary
decisions made during the development of the thesis proposal.
1. This section explains the nature, coverage, and time frame of the study.
2. It presents in brief the subject area of investigation, the place, the time period, or
academic year covered.
3. It discusses the variables included in the study and the exclusion of other
variables which are expected to be included.
4. It indicates the extent of capability of results arising from the sampling
population
VII.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. The terms which connote different meaning from the conceptual or dictionary
definitions should be operationally defined to facilitate the full understanding of
the text by the readers.
2. The terms to be operationally defined are those used throughout the study and
may be a word or a phrase, usually taken from the title, the statement of the
problem or hypothesis.
3. The terms should be arranged in alphabetical order and the definitions
should be stated in complete sentences.
VIII.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
1. Related literature includes research findings, published or unpublished theories
and principles formulated by experts or authorities in some field or discipline; and
ideas or opinions of experts contained in books, pamphlets magazines and
periodicals.
2. It should be written in terms of the purpose of the study.
3. It should give more weight to studies considered more authoritative as evaluated
and should give reference to primary rather than secondary sources.
4. It should be organized thematically to conform to the specific problems.
5. It should be synthesized such that evidence from all the studies reviewed would
get an overall understanding of the state of knowledge in the problem area.
IX.
METHODOLOGY
This discusses the research locale, research design, population sampling or respondents
of the study, research instrument, and the statistical treatment of data.

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1. Research Locale
1.1. This discusses the place or setting of the study. It describes in brief the
place where the study is conducted. Only important features which have
the bearing on the present study are included.
1.2. Shows the target population.
2. Population Sampling or Respondents of the Study
2.1. This describes the target population and the sample frame.
2.2. It specifies the sampling technique used and how the sample size is
determined.
3. Research Design
3.1. This describes the research mode whether it is true experimental or quasiexperimental design, descriptive or survey research, historical research,
qualitative research, ethnographic and etc.
4. Research Instrument
4.1. This explains the specific type of research instrument used
such as questionnaire, checklist, questionnaire-checklists, structured
interview, teacher– made test, standardized instrument which are adopted
or borrowed with permission from the author or from other sources.
4.2. The parts of the instruments should be explained and what bits of
information are derived.
4.3. The establishment of validity and reliability should be explained and only
experts should be chosen to validate such instrument. Specific and
appropriate statistical test used should be given and the computed values
derived. Interpretation should be included in the discussions.
5. Data Gathering Procedure
The researcher should discuss how the data will be collected, including the
instructions that will be given to the respondents, the randomization,
counterbalancing, and other control features in the design.
6. Statistical Treatment of Data
6.1. Explain how each statistical test will be used in the treatment of data.
6.2. If the research instrument included options which are scaled, explain how
each scale is given the weight, its interval and class limits.
X.
REFERENCES
1. This includes all materials used and reviewed by the researcher, such as books,
magazines, periodicals, journals, thesis or dissertation (published or unpublished).
Monographs, speeches and modules, web page or internet, etc.
2. In the choice of bibliographic materials, the following should be considered:
2.1. Relatedness to the research problem.

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2.2. Inclusion of recent publications (materials published in the 50’s up to 70’s
should not be included).
XI.
SAMPLE OF THE FINISHED RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
XII.
WORKPLAN
(Please use the Gantt Chart)
XIII.
FINANCIAL PLAN
1. Work plan and financial plan must go hand in hand. The purpose is to trace all
the activities to be accomplished in undertaking the study and the corresponding
financial requirements in carrying out these activities.
2. The researcher/proponent must make careful estimates of all expenses that are
likely to be incurred in carrying out the project. It contains the following:
Personnel Requirement, Materials and Supplies, Communication Services and
Other operating expenses such as research-related travel and transportation,
materials reproduction, testing fee, computerization, evaluation fee, etc.
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE MANUSCRIPT
DETAILS
SPECIFICATIONS
Paper size
8 ½ x 11 (Short Bond Paper or Letter Size)
Margin
1” for all margins; Gutter: 0.5”
Font Style
Times New Roman
Font Size
12
Paragraph Spacing
Double; After Spacing: 6 pt
Indention
0.5”
Please refer to the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual 6th Edition for
other paper specifications.

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