CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Thus, this chapter provides a fully detailed account of

the research methodology, the reasons that the various

research strategies were selected and the rationale for the

sample selection process. It also deals with the issues of

why the particular survey instrument was selected as being

appropriate for the current study. To start with, the study

site were introduced, followed by a presentation of research

design, the sample selection, and data collection process,

the data collection tool and further more a description of

how the data will be analyzed.

Research Design

As it has been indicated earlier, the main purpose of

this research is to assess the impact of Facebook usage on

students’ academic performance. So, to attain the intended

objectives, the descriptive correlation method of research

was used in gathering data on the effect of Facebook in

students’ academic performance in Concepcion National High

School through the use of survey questionnaire. By means of

this research method, the researcher was able to provide a

secure reliable, accurate and correct information and data

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that are necessary to assess the effect of Facebook in student

academic performance.

Research Method Used

Usually in the research one of the most basic principles

is the partition between quantitative and qualitative methods

(Walliman 2006, 36). The selection of both research methods,

quantitative and qualitative depends on the data collections

and analysis. It is appropriate to select research methods in

the beginning of research. According to Heiberger and Harper

2008, the physical and psychological energy expended in

student interplay with Facebook may be measurable in both

(quantitative and qualitative) of these ways.

Primarily quantitative research method has been used for

this study and the data has been collected through paper based

survey form. It is justifiable to investigate the research

topic with the use of quantitative methods.

Research Locale and Time of the Study

This study was specifically designed for CNHS students.

In the advent of the Internet, students are considered as the

primary customer and the most vivid users of Facebook. The

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respondents comprise 40% of the total number of all Grade 12

students enrolled for School Year 2017-2018. Surveys were

conducted in March 2018.

Research Instrument

The researcher made use of the self-made questionnaire

to gather the necessary data on the effects of Facebook in

students’ academic performance in CNHS. The paper-based

questionnaire was divided into three parts. Part I was the

demographics of the respondents in terms of age, gender,

student GPA’s and studying habits. Part II presented the level

of involvement of student into Facebook, the frequency of

usage and the amount of time student spends in Facebook which

used to establish the perceived effects of it. Part III

highlighted questions that determine the perceived effects of

Facebook to student academic performance. It featured the

perceived extent of student involvement in Facebook with the

corresponding significant relationship in their studies,

evaluate the extent to which Facebook can affect student

academic performance in terms of areas such as, Facebook as

a good communication tool, avenue to discuss assignments and

projects, able to receive announcements, get help from

friends and classmates in school work, improves interaction

with classmates and teachers and whether SNSs distracts

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students in their studies. This in turn to provide answer to

determine the relationship between Facebook usage and student

academic performance.

Experimental Procedures

Students in the Grade 12 – GAS class were chosen to

respond to the paper based survey. Data were gathered using

a researcher-made instrument. The questionnaire was validated

by researchers and statisticians based from their field of

expertise. The items in the questionnaire were answered by

marking a choice in the given options. The statements measure

the frequency and extent of use of Facebook and the

corresponding effects on the respondents. The questionnaires

were administered via a paper based questionnaire form and

used as the data collection tool. There were 12 items in the

questionnaire that were required for each respondent to

answer. A total of 21 fully completed answered questionnaires

were collected.

Population and Sampling of the Study

Population: It was selected the Grade 12 students of

Concepcion National High School as the population. This

population has 50 students. So we selected 20 students from

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Grade 12 – GAS only as the sample by applying random sampling

method.

Data Collection Methods: Observation and interviews is

the best method to get the most accurate data for our

research. But practically it was difficult. So it was decided

to distribute a questionnaire to gather the data. Before the

distribution of the printed question forms, I explained the

objectives of the research and the importance of accurate

data. I assumed that there may be an 80% accuracy in the data

that collected.

Data Collection

A paper-based survey collected data from CNHS Grade 12

students. Students received the surveys during one of their

lectures and were asked to return them to the same lecturer

during the next session. Thus the students had an interval,

ranging from three days to one week, to answer the survey.

Participation was voluntary for all students, and their

motivation was enhanced by entering them in a drawing for

three smartphones. Ultimately, 21 completed surveys were

collected, representing an approximately 100% response rate.

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Method of Data Processing Analysis

The use of percentage, frequency were utilized to

describe the profile of the respondents in terms of age,

gender and student average grade. Correlation analysis was

used to determine relationship between GPAs and the various

engagements in Facebook.