1. Once a viable topic is chosen, a good part of the battle is won. Thesis Title Functions 1. It draws, in summary form, the content of the entire investigation. 2. It serves as a frame of reference for the whole thesis. 3. It enables the researcher to claim the title as his own. 4. It helps other researchers to refer to the work for possible survey of theory

2. Title of the Study 1. Must be clearly and specifically written. 2. It should be clearly related to the proposal content. 3. Brevity is usually desired. 4. The title should not exceed 20 words and should contain keywords to help future users locate this document. 5. If a long title cannot be avoided, consider a main title and a subtitle.

3. Introduction/Background of the Study 1. The introduction should provide sufficient information about the background and key ideas/concepts contained in the problem statement. 2. The introduction may be viewed as a "funnel" with the last paragraph being the small end of the funnel and leading the reader logically to the problem statement.

4. Statement of the Problem  Always state the problem in a complete grammatical sentence with as great an economy of words as possible.  Absolute honesty and integrity is assumed in every statement that you make. Say precisely what you mean. Ensure that the problem statement implies the possibility of testing (the variables must be measurable).

5. As a general rule, the problem statement should describe and express a relationship between two or more variables or differences between/among groups. Every problem can be broken down into smaller discrete units. Divide and Conquer! The sub-problems are stated in a form of a question: Research Questions

6. The Sub-problems 1.Each sub-problem should be a completely researchable unit. 2. Within each sub-problem, interpretation of the data must be apparent. 3. The sub-problems must add up to the totality of the problem. a.Nothing in excess of the coverage of the main problem is included. b. You have no omission, so that all significant areas of the main problem are covered by the several sub-problems.

7. Research questions should 1. be clear. 2. be researchable. 3. connect with established theory and research. 4. be linked to each other. 5. have potential for making a contribution to knowledge. 6. be neither too broad nor too narrow.

8. Research questions should guide your 1. formulation of a research planresearch plan 2. aims and objectivesaims and objectives 3. literature searchliterature search 4. decisions about the kind of research designresearch design to employ 5. decisions about what data to collect and from whom 6. analysis of your dataanalysis of your data 7. writing up of your projectwriting up 8. direction

9. If you are stuck about how to formulate research questions (or indeed other phases of your research), it is always a good idea to look at journal articles, research monographs or past theses to see how other researchers have formulated them. Objectives highly focused and feasible steps you are going to take to answer your research questions or a specific list of tasks needed to accomplish the goals of the project