University of the East – Caloocan

ANALYTICAL STUDY OF EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO TEXTIG AND OTHER

INSTANT MESSAGING APPLICATIONS TO SELECTED GRADE 10 STUDENTS OF

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST – CALOOCAN IN RELATION TO LITERACY

A Research Proposal

Presented to the

Basic Education Department

University of the East Academic Year 2018 - 2019

Submitted by:

Aguilar, Romangelyn Zoe L.

Blanquera, Janelle Marie S.

Rodriguez, Gabrielle Margaret P.

Sanchez, Ryan Christopher G.

Villarico, Ceejay

Submitted to:

Mr. Jomari M. Bucad

Submitted on:

February, 2019
 CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Background

Text messaging, or texting, is the act of composing and sending electronic messages,

typically consisting of alphabetic and numeric characters, between two or more users of mobile

devices, desktops or laptops, or other type of compatible computer. In today’s time, technology

has been a great part of everyone’s life, may it be in adults or youths, for it is accessible and

convenient. Because of this, many applications were developed such as instant messaging apps

like Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, and the like. In today’s generation, this is, if not the most

common way of communicating, may it be to their family or friends. Textism has been a part of

its nature. It is the language used in text messages, characterized by the use of abbreviations, single

letters, and symbols.

Textism has become a part and trend especially to teenagers. There have been suggestions

from both media sources and educators that texting may have a negative effect in literacy,

especially to younger generations. Perhaps that the biggest problem is that teenagers are having a

hard time distinguishing the right grammar, punctuations, and correct spelling because they are

used to textism, and these things are no big deal to them, so they are not aware of its proper use

and application. With this, it may be possible to see if individuals carry the textisms that they use

in their personal correspondences into their formal writing in a workplace environment. Texting

and other text messaging apps indeed help us on our daily lives. But with excess and not proper

use, texting might have deleterious effects. So it may be wise to encourage everyone, especially

younger generations, to lessen their use of textisms, and to instead use proper grammar and spelling

while they are using texting as a form of communication.

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 Conceptual Framework
Input
• Grade 10 students of University of the East - Caloocan
• Reading and writing capability
• Type of instant messaging application used

Process
• Conduct an interview, survey and tests
• Record the results of the data gathered

Output
• To know what and how instant messaging application
affects grade 10 students' literacy

Research Paradigm

The paradigm of this research first shows its input which are the Grade 10 Students of

University of the East – Caloocan, their reading and writing capability, and the type of instant

messaging application they are using.

It is followed by the process that is needed to be done which is conducting an interview,

surveys, and tests and recording the results of the data gathered afterwards.

And the third and last phase is the output where the result is addressed which states what

and how instant messaging application affects grade 10 students’ literacy.

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 Statement of the Problem

Today, we are encountering many issues regarding teenagers having a hard time

distinguishing the right grammar, punctuations, and correct spelling because they are used to

textism. It is also the possibility why many individuals carry this type of literacy that they use in

their personal correspondences into their formal writing in a workplace environment.

At the end of this study, the researchers want to improve the teenage literacy and be aware

of the proper usage of words, sentences, and grammars that is much needed in doing school works

and formal writing. It can also create more opportunities for people to develop skills that can be

used to provide for themselves and their family. This is also a way in improving the economic

strength because high level of literacy is a good foundation for the productivity in the workforce

and career advancement or success. Proper literacy will effect of better communication and

understanding that will be better until the next generations.

It is suggested that as early as possible, young individuals should practice the use and

application of the right literacy, may it be in academics or personal correspondences, for the

preparation in the workplace environment, next generation, and a better future ahead.

Hypothesis of the Study

Hypothesis 1: A proper and right application of literacy will lead to an effective

communication and better understanding.

Hypothesis 2: A solid foundation in literacy will be an essential aspect of career

advancement or success.

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 Hypothesis 3: This study will provide awareness to the students with the correct use of

words, sentences, spellings, and grammar.

Significance of the Study

The results of the study will be of great benefit of the following:

STUDENTS. The results will provide awareness to the students with the proper use of

words, sentences, spellings, and grammar that are commonly used in their school works and

assignments such as essay writing because now, students are often mistaken for they are used in

using shortcuts, symbols and abbreviations while sending messages and are usually adapted on

formal writing.

TEACHERS. A proper literacy can lead to an effective communication for better

understanding. Since teachers and students have a huge age gap, some of the words and slangs

used by the students cannot be easily understood by the teachers. A right and proper use of literacy

will be an effective way of communication with the two generations.

SCHOOL. The literacy of the student will speak on the school where they came from. A

good, right, and high level of literacy will reflect on the standard of education the school has. It

also preserves the formal and important documents the school have that observe a proper literacy.

SOCIETY. Literacy does not only enrich an individual’s life, but it creates opportunities

for people to develop skills that will help them provide for themselves and their family.

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The influence of improving literacy not only has a positive economic impact at a local community

level, but the productivity of the workforce flourishes at country level too by enhancing a country’s

economic strength. It can also help individuals lift out of poverty because lacking of basic reading

and writing skills is a tremendous disadvantage.

A solid foundation in literacy can be an essential aspect of career advancement or success. A good,

right and high level of literacy can lead to a better future.

Scope and Delimitation

The essence of literacy is slowly degrading especially to young generations. The scope of

this research is the effect of too much exposure to texting and other instant messaging applications

to the selected grade 10 students of University of the East - Caloocan in relation to literacy and

how this study will benefit to the students, teachers, school, and society.

This study limits its coverage on selected grade 10 students of University of the East -

Caloocan, their reading and writing capability, and the type of instant messaging applications they

are using. Due to time constraints, opinions and information presented by the researchers and other

sources may be limited.

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 Operational Definition of Variables

Excessive. Something that is too much.

Exposure. The condition of using or being involved.

Instant Messaging Applications. These are developed programs that are installed on

smart phones or computers that are used in sending and receiving messages immediately.

Literacy. It is the ability of an individual to read and write.

Slangs. It is an informal language used by a particular group.

Texting. It is the process of sending messages via smart phones or computer to other users.

Textism. It is the act of using symbols, shortcuts, and abbreviations when sending

messages.

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 CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

Foreign Related Literature

The effects of text messaging and instant messaging on literacy to determine whether they

positively or negatively affect literacy is the empirical studies published in the last decade is the

review of this article. Others found a negative correlation, while still others report conflicting

findings or no significant correlation at all, although the majority of studies found a positive

correlation between texting and/or instant messaging and literacy. These studies reveal that literacy

scores may correlate differently with frequency of texting, use of textese/textisms and knowledge

of textisms; correlations for reading, writing, and spelling may be different; and for formal and

informal writing, the correlations may differ. Differences in the designs and populations of the

studies could be the cause of mixed results. In addition, conclusions about causality do not warrant

the correlational analyses conducted in most of the studies. There is a need for further research,

preferably longitudinal studies with experimental intervention, on the relationship between text

messaging or instant messaging and literacy are all that this suggests. (Lieke Verheijen (2013) The

Effects of Text Messaging and Instant Messaging on Literacy, English Studies, 94:5, 582-602,

DOI: 10.1080/ 0013838X.2013.795737)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0013838X.2013.795737

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 Local Related Literature

A debate on what effects these new digital mediums have on literacy comes with the

revolutionary new forms of communication that technology has introduced. It should be interesting

to know that it has not been existence for that long, the activity of communicating to others in the

form of written text-based messaging through cellular phones is so common place in today’s

society.

One study (Hogan et al., 2012) states that this modern day, cell phones are becoming a

necessity, to the point where every teenager and adult must have at least one. Communication

purposes are depended to these devices by individuals rapidly. Text messaging is one of the most

new technology that emerges on the social and academic scene. Many people worry about the riff

it could cause in the talk of literacy that they are cautious and untrusting new technologies. The

importance of bringing daily literacies used by younger generations to engage them more critically

in the talk of language and technology is important for academics to embrace. (Thurlow, 2006).

The over-use of texting has been damaging to the way students write formally in the school

premises and even in society based on John Myhra’s article, “Negative Effects of Texting in the

Classroom”. Students form their own style of writing and terminologies caused of the character

limitations of text messages. It caused them to carry this style over to formal academic writing

projects. Little to no depth, terrible grammar, and are abbreviating almost every word they write

are the students’ writings. The way students write has negatively affected by texting. (Myhra,

2010)

David H. Urmann (n.d) provided a brief history of text messaging who revealed the

following interesting bits of information:

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 “The first text was message sent during 1989 by Edward Lants, a former NASA employee,

who sent the text message through a Motorola beeper.” This was done by “writing the numbers

upside down to read the message” (par. 6).

Further that “on December 3, 1992 in the United Kingdom, the first Short Message Service

(SMS) was used in a commercial sent through a Vodafone GSM network. The SMS message was

sent by Neil Papworth with the use of desktop computer” (par.7).

There are numerous of SMS users to include 72% of the population in Finland, Norway,

and Sweden and 82% of the population in Europe and North America globally. In addition,

Urmann stated that the addictive quality that texting has and was compared to the addiction

capability of smoking was the studies conducted at the University of Queensland. Another

perspective related to text messaging is this another example that may require further study.

Thurlow and Poff (2010) about the text messages that Barack Obama sent as president elect

when he text messaged his choice for of vice-president of the United States was another text-

messaging event that occurred more recently and may be perceived by some as history-making.

The authors were not convinced of the event as historic, but nonetheless, the media treated it that

way in the New York Times, which described the occurrence as “Mr. Obama’s use of the newfound

medium is the widest use of texting by a presidential candidate in history” (p.1) as the authors

stated. Text messaging even as recently as three years ago was still a relatively new technology, it

is likely the text message that Mr. Obama wrote was given historic significance.

(mansuetotj.blogspot.com)

Synthesis

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 Texting and using instant messaging applications is one of the most common things that

we use with regards to technology. But an excessive and wrong application of this can lead to a

negative effect.

According to John Myhra’s article, “Negative Effects of Texting in the Classroom”, the

extreme use of texting has an adverse effect to the formal writing skills of the students in the school

premises and even in society. The level of literacy is one of the things that employers seek for

when an individual is looking for a job. A high capacity in literacy will be a solid foundation for a

good workforce that will not only benefit the individuals, but the country as well and an advantage

for the next generation for a brighter future.

We, the researchers, together with many other individuals, are analysing how does

excessive exposure to texting and other instant messaging applications affects an individual in

relation to literacy. Everything has its own positive and negative effect. Technology helps us and

makes our work more convenient. But let us put in mind that all too much and wrong application

can lead to a negative effect. Let us use these wisely and start practicing for a better approach

ahead.

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 CHAPTER 3

Research Methodology

The descriptive statistics tool was used by the researchers to depict the variables comprised

in the study. The type of research question, design, and data analysis that will be applied to a given

topic refers to descriptive statistics. The type of question asked by the researchers will ultimately

determine the type of approach necessary to complete an accurate assessment.

To find out how does an excessive exposure to texting and other instant messaging

applications affect selected grade 10 students of University of the East – Caloocan in relation to

literacy, the correlation method was used.

To utilize the major technique in generating data from the respondents, survey method was

utilize with the use of questionnaire sheets.

Methods and Techniques

The survey and test were conducted to the selected grade 10 students of University of the

East – Caloocan. The descriptive method of research was applied on this study. As widely

accepted, the descriptive method of research is a fact-finding study that involves accurate

interpretation. Relatively, the method is appropriate to this study since it aims to describe how high

the level of literacy selected grade 10 students have. The technique that was used under descriptive

method was the survey approach and the paper-pencil-questionnaires, which is commonly used to

know the results according to the respondents who represented the whole population. The pencil-

paper-questionnaires was appropriate in this study because it enables the researchers find out the

level of literacy of selected grade 10 students through spelling.

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The study employed quantitative approach. It focuses the obtained numerical findings used in the

surveys and the questionnaires. The researcher opted to use this kind of research considering the

desire to acquire the first hand data from the respondents to formulate rational conclusions and

recommendations of this study.

Population and Sample of the Study

The selected respondents were 40 Grade 10 students from five (five) sections of University

of the East – Caloocan for the academic year 2018 – 2019. These students who answered the

surveys and questionnaires were identified by their class advisers as follows:

University of the East – Number of Students Percentage

Caloocan Grade 10
Students
Carbon 9 20.45%

Cobalt 9 20.93%

Sodium 9 20.93%

Tungsten 8 17.39%

Uranium 9 20.93%

Total 40 100.63%

Instruments of the Study

In relation to this research, the researchers conducted two instruments: surveys and paper-

pencil-questionnaires, answered by 40 Grade 10 students. These instruments were guided by our

teacher. All of the suggestions and comments by the respondents were incorporated in the final

draft.

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 Data Gathering Procedure

The surveys and paper-pencils-questionnaires were distributed to the respondents in order

to gather significant data after securing the permit. Respondents were asked to answer the survey

on what instant messaging application they are using and what is the average time they tend to

spend on using these applications. Afterwards, the students were asked to spell the words correctly

given by the researcher. The instruments were retrieved after they were finished answering to

collect, record, and measure the level of literacy of the selected students.

Data Processing

The researchers personally facilitated the subjects of the study after the formal process of

prepared tools and schedule. Supported with their subject teacher, the researchers distributed the

surveys and questionnaires to be filled out and answered by the respondents. The students spelled

some words asked by the researchers. They were guided by the researchers/facilitators in

answering the survey and questionnaire. The target total number of questionnaires were combined

and retrieved after a week. Tabulation of the data was achieved including the analysis and

interpretation.

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