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Summary Writing a quantitative research thesis
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Summary of the article Nenty, H.J. Writing a quantitative research thesis. 2009. International Journal of Educational Sciences 1(1).
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Writing a Quantitative research Thesis1. Research problem and topic
There are basically two types of problems: that whose aim is to increase our knowledge and that whose
aim is to make our life better. Research topic emanates from a detailed and insightful analysis of a
research problem as one of the possible ways through which a solution could be contributed to the
problem. Generally, research topic should reflect three components: the independent variable, the
dependent variable, and the population under study. Each of these has to be defined or operationalized
during the process of the study. Topics should be stated as concisely as possible. The maximum length,
in number of words, of a typical topic should be 20.
The problem
The first chapter in a thesis research report is often labelled as “The Problem” because everything that
goes into it has to do with the presentation, analysis, and validation of the research problem. If the first
chapter of the research report is titled “Introduction”, there will be no need for any section or
subsection to be titled “Introduction”. Generally, the chapter presents, analyses, and validates the
problem for which a solution is sought through the study. It validates the problem through presenting
and analysing:
1. Current observations, experiences, views, opinions that reflect or bear on the existence of the
problem.
2. Background information on the problem or on its development
3. Rationale or theoretical/conceptual background/ foundation information that provides the
knowledge so far available to human on the area of the problem.
4. The actual problem to which one intends to contribute a solution
5. The purpose of the study and if possible, its objectives based on which research questions could be
derived
6. Research hypotheses which, informed by theory, speculate possible solution to the problem.
7. The significance of the study
1.1. Introduction
This section presents and analyses current observations, experiences, views, opinions, etc. that reflect or
bear on the existence of the problem. It argues with evidence for the existence of the problem. It serves
to present the existence of the problem to potential readers in such a way as to involve them as
stakeholders and capture and keep their attention and whet their appetite to read the work. Try to
make it their problem too, let them see the problem with you, and to feel that the solution to the
problem is important to them. The questions you should try to answer here are:
1. What observations, experiences, etc., caught your attention and raised interest and/or questions in
your mind and hence gave rise to the study?
2. In other words, what did you observe, hear, see, or experience that prompted you to think that this
is a problem worth spending your time and funds on trying to contribute a solution?
3. What prompted your curiosity or interest which you are trying to satisfy?
, Present and analyse these in such a way as to whet other person’s appetite to read your work by raising
similar interest or curiosity in their minds. Avoid theory or review of empirical literature here but use
current information and data that highlight your problem, curiosity, or interest.
1.2. Background to the problem
Sometimes it is necessary to present and analyse the historical, cultural, social, etc. background to the
problem of your study within the population under study. Place the problem under study in a historical,
sociological, traditional, or cultural etc perspective.
1.3. Rationale, Theoretical or Conceptual Background/Foundation
Research, especially quantitative research is basically a theory validation procedure hence the research
process is cyclic in nature. It starts from theory and ends in theory. It is a process through which theories
are validated, refined, or invalidated. Though this may not always be obvious, especially to beginning
researchers, effective solution to any human problem is based on an application of one existing theory
or the other or an application of “what is known so far” in the search of what could be known in the
problem area. Theory serves three basic purposes in a research study. These are: the provision of a
conceptual framework for a research study; serving as a vehicle for incorporating prior knowledge; and
linking research to the larger body of knowledge in the area of the problem.
Any attempt at the solution of any problem is always founded on what is known so far in the area of the
problem. What is known so far is often enveloped in one theory or the other. Our reasoning toward a
solution to the problem starts deductively from here and ends inductively at adding to the theory or
increasing our confidence or lack of confidence in the theory. Generally, therefore, from a body of
acceptable knowledge, a hypothesis is deduced and tested inductively based on the result of an
empirical observation of a large enough typical cases. Tested hypothesis are used inductively to build,
revise or validate a generalization or theory. Your speculations (hypotheses) must stand theoretical test
by being compatible and consistent with existing knowledge. Theoretical background should precede
the research questions or hypotheses which are speculated based on it.
1.4. Statement of the Problem
Here the researcher presents and analyses the problem to which he/she is trying to contribute a
solution through his/her research. Here a statement of the actual problem or interest is presented and
elaborated on. The purpose of the study is not its problem, the two are different. Present and analyse,
with a high level of clarity, the problem of the study and then specifically focus it by narrowing it down
to the aspect your study will contribute solution. Relevant questions to be answered here are:
1. What exactly is the problem to which you are trying to contribute a solution?
2. In what area, field of interest, education are you intending to contribute a solution through your
research?
3. How and why is this a problem? (Consequences of the problem)
You should not be writing a thesis only for the sake of meeting graduation requirements, but you should
make a significant contribution to knowledge or to the solution of a significant problem. Information
from literature should help you delineate, clarify and enrich your problem statement; it should rarely be
the source of your problem since you should aim at contributing solution to a real-life problem.
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