Chapter 3

CHAPTER III

METHODS OF RESEARCH

            This chapter presents in detail the method used by the researchers in conducting their study and the population and sample.

Research Design

            The researchers used the descriptive research with the survey questionnaire as the principal instrument for data gathering. Questionnaire is a set of predetermined questions for all respondents that serves as the primary research instrument in survey.

            According to Manuel and Medel (1976), descriptive research involves the description, recording, analysis and interpretation of the present nature, composition, or process of phenomena. The focus is on the prevailing conditions, on how a person, group, or thing behaves or functions at the time of the study.

            Sanchez (1980) cited the process of descriptive research as going beyond mere gathering and tabulation of data. It involves the element of interpretation with the meaning or significance of what is described. Thus, description is often combined with comparison and contrast involving measurement, classification, interpretation and evaluation.

Research Environment and Participants

            This study includes the students from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) in Baliuag University, Baliwag, Bulacan. There are 100 students who voluntarily involved theirselves to be the sample of the study. The 100 students were from 1^st year to 4^th year who are currently enrolled for the second semester of the school year 2011- 2012.

Instruments for Data Gathering

            The researchers used the survey-questionnaire instrument to achieve the main objective of the study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the students of the department. The questionnaire was structured in such a way that the respondents will be able to answer it easily. A questionnaire is a set of questions drawn up for answering by a number of people independently, usually to provide statistical information. In other words, it is an inquiry using such questions.

Data Gathering Procedures

            The questionnaire was made by the researchers during their class time through the help of their professor. It was then revised and checked by their professor. After the immediate revisions, the researchers secured permission from the Dean of College of Business Administration and Accountancy to administer the survey questionnaire. An approval letter was made by the researchers signed by the group leader, our professor and the dean. After the letter was approved, the researchers personally distributed the questionnaires to the respondents to ensure that all instruction, terms and statement will be fully explained to them.

           

            The test takes about a minute to be completed. The responses to the questionnaires were tallied and analyzed. Out of 100 questionnaires distributed, 100% were retrieved.

Statistical Analysis of Data

            The data from the accomplished questionnaires were tallied, tabulated, and categorized. The researchers used the Frequency and Percentage in computing the data.

1.      Frequency Distribution – is any listing of set of classes (scores) and the frequency of observation in that class (number of students who made that score). It is used to measure the number of repetitions of a complete sequence of values of a periodic function per unit variation of an independent variable.

2.      Percentage (%) – is used to express how large one quantity is relative to another quantity.

                                                 Percentage (%) = F  x  100

                     N

Where:

            % - percentage

            F – Frequency

            N – Total number of respondents

            For the data gathered in the study, frequency and percentage were used. This was done by dividing the frequencies for a certain category/item by the total respondents multiplied by 100 to get the percentage.