TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Ayala Blvd., Ermita, Manila, Philippines

College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

Ce 520 5b
Civil Engineering project

Assignment #2

CAPIRAL, GRACHELLE ANDREA S.

12-205-027
JULY 3, 2017

DR. MELITO A. BACCAY

PROFESSOR
 1. Writing A Strong Undergraduate Dissertation Literature Review:
Basic Strategies
You have a lot of freedom when it comes to writing about a fragment of literary work. It is important to
properly manage how you communicate your insight. In order to create a thesis statement in your
literature dissertation, first you need to have a thorough comprehension on the text you are referring
to. Next, you should outline the essay. Last but not least, you ought to find the suitable words to make
yourself through.
Making a list of the key points. As you read the texts you are going to cite in your dissertation, you
should summarize the most relevant ideas. By doing so, you are less likely to miss a key point. In any
case, you are able to look for the indispensable when you re-read the fragment.
Summarizing the content. In addition, you will need to focus on a summarized version of the texts so as
to consult your sources in a more effective way. You may add a synopsis before stating your personal
ideas on the topic.
The importance of a first draft. As soon as you read the fragments you will quote, you are ready to
create an outline to work on. A draft is very useful when it comes to organize and progressively
manage the information you are putting together.
Discuss the text. The review is the most relevant part of your dissertation. This is the section where you
express what the texts have meant to you. Besides, is it the part of the document where your writing
skills will truly shine or lack some charm.

There are no rules regarding how to compose this content but you ought to keep in mind some basic ideas:
You need coherence
You should state your ideas clearly
Avoid ambiguity when possible
Avoid self-contradiction
Avoid repetition and use different structures
Put your feeling down in words
Focus on the controversial parts. The more arguably contentious passages of a text are the more
fascinating. You should address such parts in-depth. Do not overlook the fragments that people may be
more interested in. If you lack a one-sided opinion about the matter, present both sides and proceed
to analyze the possible consequences.
Making a conclusion. In order to properly close your dissertation, you should review the main ideas you
have studied. This part should be as concise as possible to clearly transmit the message to the reader.

2. How to Make a Conceptual Framework for a Thesis

A conceptual framework is a bit like a recipe or a blueprint. It provides an outline of how you plan to conduct
the research for your thesis, but it goes further than that by also positioning your work within the larger field of
research. Writing a conceptual framework can not only help to guide your thesis to ensure that your research
stays on track, but it also helps to guide fellow researchers or advisers who are analyzing your thesis.

Conduct a Literature Review

Before you can start your own research, you need to understand what research has already been conducted on
your topic of interest. Your thesis should always be new research that helps to advance your field of study. You
may find that someone has already explored the question you have in mind. Conducting the literature review
can help you to refine your central argument or hypothesis. You must also conduct the literature review to be
able to place your work within the larger field of study in your conceptual framework. Your framework should
introduce the relevant research and show how your work will help to advance the field.

Create a Flow Chart

Conceptual frameworks are often visual in nature and allow those reading the framework to understand the
flow of your research. You can present this in whatever way makes the most sense for your work, which can
include a flow chart, mind map or diagram. For each component of your research, you should show the
variables that influence it. For example, if you are studying childhood development outcomes, you might study
home life, school and community, which would each be influenced by different variables. For school, your
variables might be peers, teachers and learning disabilities. The more detailed you are with your diagram, the
more thorough your conceptual framework will be.

Write a Narrative
Not all conceptual frameworks have to include a diagram or graphic. You can present the same information by
writing a narrative. Your narrative should summarize the variables influencing your research and explore how
they may change your hypothesis. The narrative should also explain the basic methodology for your research.
Even if you include a diagram in your conceptual framework, a narrative should also be included explaining
these details for those who prefer more in-depth information. Use bolded headers to separate the sections of
your narrative and to create a visual hierarchy of information.
Return and Revise

As you begin your research, you may find that certain elements of your conceptual framework no longer work.
You may discover new variables, or you may learn that your hypothesis is incorrect. You may find additional
research that challenges your own theory. You should return to your framework and revise it as necessary. The
document is not fixed in stone. It should be considered an adaptable guide as you work through your thesis. It
should be seen as a partner to your thesis and should be updated as necessary.
http://education.seattlepi.com/make-conceptual-framework-thesis-7029.html

Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework can guide research by providing a visual representation of theoretical constructs (and
variables) of interest. This consists of concepts that are placed within a logical and sequential design, represents
less formal structure and used for studies in which existing theory is inapplicable or insufficient, based on
specific concepts and propositions, derived from empirical observation and intuition annd may deduce theories
from a conceptual framework.
Designing a conceptual model begins with conducting a thorough review of the literature. Search peer-reviewed
journal articles, books/monographs, conference papers, and other relevant references.
Next, organize the literature around the topic. Begin to develop research questions or objectives based on
theory.

Templates for Conceptual Models

If you decide to use a diagram, place the dependent variable on the right side and the independent variables
toward the left. Insert arrows to represent the hypothesized relationships between variables use one-way
arrows leading from each determining variable to each variable dependent on it.
3. Theoretical Framework
The theory provides a point of focus for attacking the unknown in a specific area. If a relationship is found
between two or more variables a theory should be formulated to explain why the relationship exists. Theories
are purposely created and formulated, never discovered; they can be tested but never proven.
I. Developing the Framework
Here are some strategies to develop of an effective theoretical framework:
Examine your thesis title and research problem. The research problem anchors your entire study and
forms the basis from which you construct your theoretical framework.
Brainstorm about what you consider to be the key variables in your research. Answer the question,
"What factors contribute to the presumed effect?"
Review related literature to find how scholars have addressed your research problem. Identify the
assumptions from which the author(s) addressed the problem.
List the constructs and variables that might be relevant to your study. Group these variables into
independent and dependent categories.
Review key social science theories that are introduced to you in your course readings and choose the
theory that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in your study [note the Writing
Tip on this page].
Discuss the assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your research.
A theoretical framework is used to limit the scope of the relevant data by focusing on specific variables
and defining the specific viewpoint [framework] that the researcher will take in analyzing and
interpreting the data to be gathered. It also facilitates the understanding of concepts and variables
according to given definitions and builds new knowledge by validating or challenging theoretical
assumptions.
II. Purpose
Think of theories as the conceptual basis for understanding, analyzing, and designing ways to investigate
relationships within social systems. To that end, the following roles served by a theory can help guide the
development of your framework.
Means by which new research data can be interpreted and coded for future use,
Response to new problems that have no previously identified solutions strategy,
Means for identifying and defining research problems,
Means for prescribing or evaluating solutions to research problems,
Ways of discerning certain facts among the accumulated knowledge that are important and which facts
are not,
Means of giving old data new interpretations and new meaning,
Means by which to identify important new issues and prescribe the most critical research questions
that need to be answered to maximize understanding of the issue,
Means of providing members of a professional discipline with a common language and a frame of
reference for defining the boundaries of their profession, and
Means to guide and inform research so that it can, in turn, guide research efforts and improve
professional practice.
4. ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORKS
The Analytical Frameworks are structures that allow students to interpret the meanings and messages of
artworks from various points of view
When the Analytical Frameworks are applied collectively, students learn to appreciate how an artwork may
contain a number of different aspects and layers of meaning
There are 4 Analytical Frameworks
1. Formal Framework
2. Personal Framework
3. Cultural Framework
4. Contemporary Framework
PERSONAL FRAMEWORK
The Personal Framework is used to interpret how an artists experiences, feelings, thinking and/or personal
philosophy can be reflected in an artwork
It can also be used to gain awareness of the effect of a viewers personal background and experience on their
own interpretation of an artwork
Consider the following:
What relationship does the artwork have to the artists life and experiences?
What visual evidence supports this?
Has the artist used a specific process or practice in creating the artwork that may reflect a personal philosophy
or ideas?
How is the artwork linked to people, places or experiences of personal significance to the artist such as:
Personal feelings
Way of thinking
Aspirations,
Beliefs,
Memories,
Dreams etc.
FORMAL FRAMEWORK
The Formal Framework involves assessing the use of the Elements and Principles of Art
Also to be considered is the distinctive artistic style and materials and techniques used by the artist. Students
are required to think about how these contribute to the meanings and messages in the work
In using the Formal Framework, students should consider the following questions:

Visual Analysis
How have the formal elements and principles of composition, focal point, balance, line, texture, shape, form,
scale, colour, tone etc., been applied by the artist and to what effect?
How do these qualities contribute to the meanings and messages of the work?.
CULTURAL FRAMEWORK
The Cultural Framework is used to identify influences on an artwork including the time, place, purpose and
cultural and political settings in which it was made
These influences may include historical, political, social, socio-economic and religious contexts as well as aspects
of ethnicity and gender

5. Basic Instructions On Using The APA Dissertation Format

APA (American Psychological Association) Style originated in 1929, when a group of
psychologists, anthropologists, and business managers convened and sought to establish a
simple set of procedures, or style rules, that would codify the many components of scientific
writing to increase the ease of reading comprehension.
As with other editorial styles, APA Style consists of rules or guidelines that a publisher
observes to ensure clear and consistent presentation of written material. It concerns
uniform use of such elements as selection of headings, tone, and length, punctuation and
abbreviations, presentation of numbers and statistics, construction of tables and figures,
citation of references, and many other elements that are a part of a manuscript. (Source:
Official APA website)
In-text Citation with APA
The APA style calls for three kinds of information to be included in in-text citations.
The author's last name and the work's date of publication must always appear, and these
items must match exactly the corresponding entry in the references list. The third kind of
information, the page number, appears only in a citation to a direct quotation.
Do you need to write a paper using the APA dissertation format? Perhaps that's the only piece of information
that has been given to you, and now you're scratching your head wondering, What on earth is it then? Well
have no fear- there is an answer to every question! Um, maybe. Anyway, here are the basic instructions for
deciphering what the acronym is all about and how to use it!
What is it?

The APA format, which is mainly used in social science subjects, is a format applied to an essay as set out by the
6th edition, 2nd printing of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
It sets standards for essays in organizing content, citing references and writing style, as well as being a tool to
prepare a manuscript for publication on a certain subject.

Why use it?

It can decrease editors' workloads.
Familiar formats for particular disciplines make it easier for many readers to follow.
You can allow people to focus on reading your paper without unfamiliar formatting distractions.
It makes it easy for readers to locate the further information they require.
You can gain more credibility by showing that you are able to perform to the required set standards.
Why citations are important.

When you need to reference a source or quote, the APA style allows brief in-text citations. It also contains a
Reference List of all in-text citations at the end of each document.

Citations are incredibly important, which is why you need to learn as much as you can about APA.
To avoid any plagiarism and to illustrate to your reader that you have researched your subject well, it's crucial to
reference sources. You can then help the reader by directing them to where the source origin came from so
they can discover more for themselves.

You will be able to educate your reader, know that you're conforming to the guidelines and learn for yourself
what is important input for an essay and how to achieve high standards. Most importantly, by using APA
correctly, you won't lose any marks!

Where do I get started?

For the complete set of instructions on using APA, consult the American Psychology Association's publication.
You can find it in your campus or public library. It is also available online. Make sure you're searching for it on
reputable websites though- renowned educational platforms are the ones to go for. If you have any trouble
locating it, be sure to ask a teacher.
http://www.amandawhitewrites.com/

APA Paper Formatting & Style Guidelines

Your teacher may want you to format your paper using APA guidelines. If you were told to create your citations
in APA format, your paper should be formatted using the APA guidelines as well.
General guidelines:
1. Use white 8 x 11 paper.
2. Make 1 inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides
3. The first word in every paragraph should be indented one half inch.
4. APA recommends using Times New Roman font, size 12.
5. Double space the entire research paper
6. Include a page header known as the running head at the top of every page. (To make this process
easier, set your word processor to automatically add these components onto each page)
1. To create the running head/page header, insert page numbers justified to the right-hand side
of the paper (do not put p. or pg. in front of page numbers)
2. Then type TITLE OF YOUR PAPER justified to the left using all capital letters
3. If your title is long, this running head title should be a shortened version of the title of your
entire paper
Sample running head/page header

APA Paper Components

Your essay should include these four major sections:
1. Title Page
2. Abstract
3. Main Body
4. References
Title Page
This page should contain four pieces: the title of the paper, running head, the authors name, institutional
affiliation, and an authors note. Create the page header/running head as described above.
*Please note that only on the title page, your page header/running head should include the words Running
Head before your title in all capitals. The rest of the pages should not include this in the page header. It should
look like this on the title page:
 The title of the paper should capture the main idea of the essay but should not contain abbreviations
or words that serve no purpose
It should be centered on the page and typed in 12-point Times New Roman font. Do not underline,
bold, or italicize the title.

1. Your title may take up one or two lines, but should not be more than 12 words in length.
2. All text on the title page should be double-spaced in the same way as the rest of your essay
3. Do not include any titles on the authors name such as Dr. or Ms.
4. The institutional affiliation is the location where the author conducted the research
Sample Title page:

Abstract
On the following page, begin with the Running title.
1. On the first line of the page, center the word Abstract (but do not include quotation marks).
2. On the following line, write a summary of the key points of your research. Your abstract summary is a
way to introduce readers to your research topic, the questions that will be answered, the process you
took, and any findings or conclusions you drew.
3. This summary should not be indented, but should be double-spaced and less than 250 words.
4. If applicable, help researchers find your work in databases by listing keywords from your paper after
your summary. To do this, indent and type Keywords: in italics. Then list your keywords that stand out
in your research.
Sample Abstract page:

The Body
On the following page, begin with the Body of the paper.
1. Start with the Running title
2. On the next line write the title (do not bold, underline, or italicize the title)
3. Begin with the introduction. Indent.
4. The introduction presents the problem and premise upon which the research was based. It goes into
more detail about this problem than the abstract.
5. Begin a new section with the Method. Bold and center this subtitle The Method section shows how the
study was run and conducted. Be sure to describe the methods through which data was collected.
6. Begin a new section with the Results. Bold and center this subtitle. The Results section summarizes the
data. Use graphs and graphs to display this data.
7. Begin a new section with the Discussion. Bold and center this subtitle. This Discussion section is a
chance to analyze and interpret your results.
1. Draw conclusions and support how your data led to these conclusions.
2. Discuss whether or not your hypothesis was confirmed or not supported by your results.
3. Determine the limitations of the study and next steps to improve research for future studies.
** Throughout the body, in-text citations are used and include the authors/authors name(s) and the
publication year. In APA format page numbers are not used in in-text citations.
Ex: (Wilkonson, 2009).

For more information about how to cite properly please see EasyBibs guides for APA citations based on the
sources you are using.
Sample Body page:
References
On a new page, write your references.
1. Begin with a running title
2. Center and bold the title References (do not include quotation marks, underline, or italicize this title)
3. Alphabetize and Double-space all entries
4. Every article/source mentioned in the paper and used in your study should be referenced and have an
entry.
Sample Reference Page: