START OF STUDENT RESEARCH PROCESS

Propose Topic

1. The student identifies a research topic aligned with their interests and academic program, then formally presents this topic to a research professor for preliminary approval and guidance.

Topic Approval

2. The research professor evaluates the proposed topic for relevance, feasibility, and academic rigor. If approved, the student proceeds; if not, the student revises the topic based on feedback.

Select Qualified Research Adviser

 3. The student selects a faculty member with expertise in the research area to serve as their adviser, ensuring proper mentorship and support throughout the research process.

Adviser Acceptance

4. The chosen adviser formally accepts the advisory role by signing the Adviser Acceptance Form, confirming their commitment to guide the student’s research.

• Adviser Acceptance Form

Write Chapters 1-3

5. The student drafts the introduction, literature review, and methodology chapters, consulting regularly with the adviser to ensure clarity, coherence, and methodological soundness.

• Research Instrument Validation Form

Needs Quantitative Analysis?

6. The student and adviser assess whether the research data requires statistical or quantitative analysis, which may necessitate specialized expertise.

Consultation with Statistician 

7. If quantitative analysis is needed, the student consults a statistician to design appropriate data collection instruments and analysis plans, ensuring validity and reliability.

Has human/animal participants?

8. The student and adviser determines if the research involves human or animal subjects, which triggers ethical review requirements.

Research Ethics Forms

9. If participants are involved, the student submits an Application for Ethics Review  to the Institutional Technical Review Committee (ITERC).

• Application for Research Ethics Review

• Informed Consent Form Template

• Assent Form

• Parental Permission for Child's Participation in Research

• AI Declaration Statement (if applicable)

Completion of Forms for Ethics

10. The student completes and submits all required ethical clearance forms and documentation as mandated by the ITERC for approval. 

Ethics Form Approval

11. The ITERC Chairman approves and signs the Application for Ethics Review .

Submission of Chapters 1 to 3

12. The student submits the initial research draft to the adviser to obtain endorsement to proceed to the formal title defense.

Review of Chapters 1 to 3

13. The adviser reviews the draft and determines if it meets standards for title defense. If not, the student revises and resubmits. Once approved, the Research Adviser signs the Defense Endorsement Form.

• Defense Endorsement Form

Payment of Defense Fees

1. The student pays the required fees for the title defense at the Treasurer’s Office.

Submission of Invoice and Defense Information

2. The student submits proof of payment and the completed RDIF to the Dean’s Office for filing and payment processing.

• Research Defense Implementation Form 

Title Defense

 3. The student presents Chapters 1 to 3 to a panel for evaluation of the study’s merit, feasibility, and ethical compliance.

• Thesis/Dissertation Defense Minutes 

Proposal Deliberation

4. The panel deliberates and decides whether to approve, disapprove, or require revisions to the proposal.

Distribution of Panel Comments

5. The secretary distributes the Thesis/Dissertation Defense Minutes to the student and adviser.

• Thesis/Dissertation Defense Minutes 

Proposal Revision

6. The student revises the proposal based on panel feedback and resubmits for adviser and panelist review.

Review of Revised Proposal

7. The adviser and panelists review the revised proposal; if not approved, further revision is needed. If approved, the adviser and panelist signs the Thesis/Dissertation Defense Minutes to the student and adviser.

• Thesis/Dissertation Defense Minutes 

Data Gathering

8. Upon approval, the student collects data according to the approved methodology and ethical guidelines.

(see Research Ethics Forms in previous process section)

Need for Quantitative Analysis

9. The student and adviser determine if the collected data requires statistical analysis.

Consult Statistician

10. If yes, the student consults the statistician for data analysis.

Statistician Certificate

11.  The statistician certifies that the data analysis was properly conducted and issues a Statistician’s Certificate.

• Statistician's Certificate

Write Chapters 4 to 5

12. The student writes the Results and Discussion/Conclusion chapters, with ongoing input from the adviser.

• AI Declaration Statement (if applicable)

• Research Contribution Form 

• Thesis/Dissertation Approval Sheet

• Thesis/Dissertation Certification

Scheduling of Final Defense

1. The adviser sets the date for the final defense, ensuring that the panel members remain consistent throughout the process.

• Panel Approval Form

Payment of Final Defense Fees

2. The student pays the required fees for the final defense.

Submission of Invoice and Defense Information

3. The student submits proof of payment and the completed RDIF to the Dean’s Office for filing and payment processing.

• Research Defense Implementation Form 

Final Defense

4. The student presents the final manuscript to a panel for comprehensive evaluation.

• Thesis/Dissertation Defense Minutes 

Panel Decision

5. The panel decides whether to approve the final manuscript or require further revisions.

Distribution of Panel Comments

8.  The secretary communicates final defense feedback to the student and adviser.

• Thesis/Dissertation Defense Minutes 

Research Editor Receives Manuscript

9. The approved manuscript is sent to the research editor for final editing and certification.

• Turnitin Submission Authorization Form 

Research Editor & Certification 

10. The editor reviews the manuscript by performing language editing, format checking, and plagiarism detection to ensure quality and originality. Upon completion, the editor issues a certificate of authenticity confirming the manuscript meets all required standards.

• Certificate of Authenticity 

• Thesis/Dissertation Approval Sheet

• Thesis/Dissertation Certification

• Research Contribution Form 

Printing & Hard binding

11. The manuscript is sent for printing and hard binding.

Journal Format & Poster

12. The student prepares a research poster and formats the manuscript for journal submission.

Submission of Hardbound & Softcopies

13. The student submits all final materials to the university’s designated offices.