This document provides tips for writing a successful research paper. It discusses defining the research problem, conducting a literature review to identify gaps in existing research, and developing an effective search strategy. Effective search techniques include using Boolean operators and searching academic databases available through the university library. The document concludes by offering guidelines for preparing an engaging presentation, such as designing concise slides with large fonts and contrasting colors.

1. Research Lifehacks:
Tips for Writing a Research Paper
Dr. Emmanuel Dotong, CHIA, AFBE
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

2. 01
02
03
04
05
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Presentation Agenda
Research definition, purpose, and scope.
Introduction
Key points for writing introduction, problem
statement, etc.
Writing Research Problems
Key points and ways to find related
literature.
Finding Related Literature
Introduction to Boolean Operators.
Effective Search Strategies
Introduction to citation reference tool via Microsoft word.
Basic Reference Management Tool
Slide deck preparation and guidelines.
Preparing for Research Presentation
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph 2

3. 1
Introduction

4. Business Research
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph 4
The acquisition of information or knowledge for professional or
commercial purpose to determine opportunities and goals for a business.
Business research is a field of practical study in which a company obtains data
and analyzes it in order to better manage the company. It is a systematic
inquiry that helps to solve business problems and contributes
to management knowledge.
Definition

5. Research Purpose
§ Help businesses gain better insights about
their target customer’s preferences, buying
patterns, pain points, as well as demographics.
Business and Market Intelligence
§ Provides effective and efficient optimal business
solution and best possible plans and strategies.
Business Solution
§ Provide insights on the business policies and
management strategic processes.
Corporate Policies Implementation

6. Business Research Scope
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph 6
Field and Scope
Functional Areas of Business Research
Consumer insights, market study, product
analysis, branding, advertising, etc.
Marketing Research
Manufacturing, computing and information
technologies, supply chain management, logistics, etc.
Operations Research
Financial economics, financial planning and forecasting,
capital valuation,, investments, etc.
Financial Research
New product development, technology development, process
improvement, digital innovation, market commercialization, etc.
Product Research & Development
Management leadership research, human resource, business
sustainability, corporate social responsibility, etc.
Organization & Management Research
Corporate policies, business strategy framework, merging &
acquisition, integration, diversification, etc.
Corporate Governance and Strategy

7. 2
Writing Research
Problems

8. Writing Research Introduction
8
Establish the context of your research
proposal.
(What is known?)
Research Background
Identify the gaps in knowledge that your
research try to solve.
(What is unknown)
Research Gaps
Present the research objective and rationale
of your approach.
(How and why do we need to pursue this
research?)
Significance of the Study
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

9. 01
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Writing Research Problems Key Points
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SPECIFIC
The problem should be specifically stated.
MEASURABLE
Data can be understood or analyzed.
ATTAINABLE
Data analysis and analysis is achievable.
REALISTIC
Results are not manipulated.
TIME – BOUND
Research timeframe for completion is reasonable.
GOOD RESEARCH
PROBLEM SHOULD BE
SMART
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

10. “Research Consistency is the Key”
10
What, Who, and How?
Research Title
Includes related theories, precedence, and
case studies about a particular phenomenon.
Literature Review
Research questions that contains variables of
the study.
Problem Statement
Theories, Concepts, Frameworks, and Models.
Theoretical / Conceptual
Framework
Survey Questionnaire, Interview Guidelines,
Experimentation, etc.
Research Instrument
Beneficiaries of the research.
Significance of the Study
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

11. 3
Finding Related
Literature

12. 01
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Literature Review Key Points
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Topic Organization
Summary of the
Relevant Information
Research Gap
Basis for Crafting
Research Questions
Be organized around and
related directly to the
thesis or research
question you are
developing.
Synthesize results into a
summary of what is and is
not known.
Identify areas of controversy
in the literature.
Formulate questions that need further research.
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

13. Finding Related Literatures
13
Google Scholar
Google Scholar Search
Reference & Bibliography
Reference List Snowballing
Science Direct, Scopus, DOAJ, JSTOR,
EBSCO, Gale, ProQuest, ERIC, etc.
University Library
Database
Research Gate & Academia
Academic Social Networks
College / University Thesis and
Dissertations
In – House Related Thesis
and Dissertations
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

14. Finding Related Literatures
n Prioritize searching for the inhouse publications of your current
university/college.
n e.g. BSBA researches, Master thesis of MBA graduates, Doctoral
Dissertations of PhD graduates, etc.
In – House Related Thesis & Dissertations
14

15. Finding Related Literatures
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Refers to the research database subscriptions of the university.
e.g. Science Direct, Scopus, DOAJ, JSTOR, EBSCO, Gale,
ProQuest, ERIC, etc.
University Library Databases
An online, freely accessible search engine that lets users
look for both physical and digital copies of articles. It
searches scholarly works from a variety of sources,
including academic publishers and universities looking
for Peer-reviewed articles.
Google Scholar
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

16. 16
Finding Related Literatures
n Social Networking Sites for Academic and Scientific Researches. The social
networking sites are created for professors, scientists and researchers to
share papers, ask and answer questions, and find collaborators.
n e.g. Research Gate, Academia.edu
Academic Social Networks
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

17. Finding Related Literatures
n Snowballing reference list from the best journal
articles.
Related Literature Reference List

18. 4
Effective Search
Strategy

19. Boolean Operators
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Boolean Operators Definition
Used in most research databases, providing the ability to combine synonyms and variant concepts together to
access relevant items. AND, OR, and NOT are the basic Boolean connectors. When used in library databases they can
make each search more precise and save you time!
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

20. Boolean Operators
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coffee AND satisfaction
import AND policy
food AND advertisement
Retrieves items that include two
different concepts together.
OR
gen z OR teenagers
gender OR sex
online OR blended
Retrieves one concept or another.
market NOT place
java NOT man
university NOT universe
Eliminates concepts you don’t need.
AND
NOT

21. 21
“food cost”
“corporate governance”
“air fryer”
Holds words together in your
search instead of separately.
*
market* = market OR markets OR marketing OR marketer
Teen* = teen OR teens OR teenage OR teenager OR teenagers
canad” = canada OR canadian OR canadians
Truncates a word so that you can
have different endings.
“ ”
Boolean operators tell databases exactly how you want your search
terms combined for the optimal results.
Boolean Operators
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph

22. 5
Basic Reference
Management Tool

23. Reference Management Tool
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Citation Tools enable you to store, organize, annotate, and share your references for research
Microsoft Word Citation Tool

24. 6
Preparing for Research
Presentation

25. Preparing an Effective Presentation
25
Start with an outline and develop good transitions between
sections.
Organize your thoughts
Create only those slides that are necessary to improve your
communication with the audience.
Design your slidedeck
Highlight the key topics and data for your storytelling.
Identify important notes
Practice your timing and start with interesting pitch.
Practice your presentation
01
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26. PowerPoint Tips
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Choose a theme appropriate
to your research topic.
Create or choose
appropriate design
Avoid text smaller than 24
point.
Use a large font.
Make your presentation
shorter and use infographics
to present your points.
Make it concise
A common standard is the
6/7 rule: no more than six
bulleted items per slide and
no more than seven words
per item.
Use bullet points and
phrases
Avoid combinations of colors
that look similar.
Use contrasting colors
Using animations, cool transition
effects, sounds and other special
effects is an effective way to make
sure the audience notices your
slides.
Use special effects
sparingly.

27. Thank you!
Any questions?
ejdotong@alum.up.edu.ph
THE END