Significance of the Study

The lecture notes is on to how to write the significance of the study. This section often referred to as the “rationale” or justification is one in which you try to convince your audience that the study is worth doing. As you write the significance, there is the need to figure out several contributions and benefits of your study, especially, why you are undertaking the study.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. state the general contributions of the study
2. state the specific contributions of the study
3. give grounds for the study
4. explain with logical reasons the benefits of the study

Techniques for writing significance of the study

General significance

To write the general significance, consider the importance or contribution your study will impact or benefit others in part or whole. Discuss what people or groups of people might benefit from your study. Show how this project is significant to developing a body of knowledge. An example is how your study will influence public policy.

Specific significance

Your problem statement can guide you in identifying the specific contribution of your study. You can do this by observing a one-to-one correspondence between the purpose of the problem and the objectives of the study. For example, if your research question reads “Is there any significant relationship between the usage of WhatsApp and the performance of students in spelling in English language?” perhaps, you may write one of the contributions of your study as “The study will identify common errors in spelling and grammar by users of WhatsApp and recommend its appropriate use in a manner that can improve better performance in spelling.”

Gaps in literature

Justify the need for the study by considering the following:

1. The gaps in related literature that demands attention
2. Where there is little or no literature on the identified gaps
3. Where the related literature available recommends a further work vis-à-vis the identified gaps

Benefits or outcomes

You may justify the need for the study by outlining the expected benefits or outcomes to be derived from conducting the study. You need to explain how the outcome of the study will be useful in terms of how it will contribute to extension, refinement or revision of a theory; or influence existing issues in terms of policy or practice.

Checklists

Use the following checklists to fine tune the significance of the study:

1. Why is this work important?
2. What are the implications of doing it?
3. How does your study link to other knowledge?
4. How does it stand to inform or influence policy making?
5. What new perspective will your study introduce to the subject?
6. What benefits might your study have for others in the subject area or to the general public?
7. How is your study expected to resolve lingering questions or gaps in knowledge in your field of study?
8. How is your study expected to develop better theoretical models in your specialty?
9. How your study will change the way people do their jobs in a particular field, or may change the way people live. 

Example  

Fig 1: Sample of significance of the study

Bibliography

Amedahe, F. K. (n.d.). Introduction to educational research. Cape Coast: Centre for Continuing Education, University of Cape Coast

Kutsanedzie, F., Achio, S., & Ameko, E. (2015). Comprehensive approach to research writing and publication. (1st ed.) New York:.Science Publishing Group. ISBN: 978-1-940366-51-7

Mahama, A. (2014). Guidelines for writing undergraduate research report. Accra: Islamic University College, Ghana.

Regoniel, P. A. (February 9, 2015). Two tips on how to write the significance of the study. Retrieved October 1. 2017 from http://simplyeducate.me/2015/02/09/two-tips-on-how-to-write-the-significance-of-the-study/

Thesisnotes. (September 19, 2016). Writing thesis significance of the   study. Retrieved October 10, 2017 from http://thesisnotes.com/thesis-writing/writing-thesis-significance-of-the-study/