Inquiry-Based Learning: Bring the Phases of Scholarly Inquiry to Life and Action

Far Eastern University

General Education
Activity # 5: Final Scholarly Inquiry/Research Report

PROPONENT/S Balidio Gicale Lalangan Neri Sison

SECTION/SCHEDULE Sec 104 TF 9:00-10:30am
RESEARCH TOPIC Utilization of E-book or Printed Textbook for Academic Purposes
INQUIRY TITLE Preference of Accountancy Students between E-book and Printed
Textbook for Academic Purposes
RESEARCH Accountancy Students of Far FINAL COUNT OF 20 BS
RESPONDENTS/LOCALE Eastern University RESPONDENTS Accountancy
students
KEYWORDS E-books, Printed Textbooks, instructional tool, preferences
RESEARCH APPROACH ( )Qualitative ( / )Quantitative ( )Mixed Approach
RESEARCH DESIGN Survey
SAMPLING DESIGN Criterion Sampling
DATA GATHERING METHOD Descriptive Method
INSTRUMENT/S USED Survey Questionnaire ( Online or Written)
CONCLUSIVE ABSTRACT

According to Wahl (2018), we are now in a generation where everything seems controlled by an
electronic device and one of the reasons behind this is that people love doing everything in a form of
technology or virtual life. With that, the E-learning was introduced in the educational field. Through
this, some universities including Far Eastern University adapted the use of E-books as an alternative tool
for learning of the students using any digital devices. In the article of Mcmaken (2019) he stated that in
the past years, e-books have become a mainstay and a powerful trend in publishing and technology
industry. However, the end of printed books as a result of e-books has not appeared, but instead, the two
formats have existed simultaneously. Despite of growing technology our world is offering. Do people
still read printed books? Are they inclined and feel the convenience of E-books? Do e-books should be
more encouraged than printed books by the universities? E-books, aside from helping the environment,
are said to be beneficial as it can give convenience while Printed textbooks maybe as beneficial in terms
of readers health, expose in radiation and use of electricity. (Khalid, 2014)

Both textbooks aforementioned above have their advantages and disadvantages but one thing is
for sure is that you will not go wrong with either one. (Nedda, 2015). With this, it raised an issue about
the preference of accountancy students between e-book and printed textbooks for their academic
purposes. The researcher provided a general objective which is to determine the preference of the

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accountancy students between e-book and printed textbook. In order to achieve it, specific objectives
are as follows; to determine the preferences of the respondents considering these factors such as; Year
Level, Financial Aid receives, and Hours spend in school works and to determine which between the e-
book and printed textbook do the respondents acquire the most and to identify the reasons for their
preferences, and how their preferences will help them.

The researchers used Criterion Sampling to identify the numbers of respondents and by setting a
predetermined criterion. It is limited only with 20 respondents. This research is in quantitative approach
using descriptive research design. It is based on data gathered through survey. The ethical consideration
was assured by the researchers while conducting the survey. The results of the study reveal that the
Accountancy students acquired and used more of e-books, however, preferred to use the Printed
Textbook as an instructional tool or reference for their academic purposes. Based on the findings, the
researchers conclude that majority of the respondents doesn’t received financial aid and spent below 10
hours of school work. The respondents agreed that they acquire e-books rather than printed textbooks.
Lastly, despite acquiring e-books, the students preferred using printed textbook because of the main
reason which is readability.

The researchers recommend by proposing an action plan which is by conducting a seminar about
the importance of e-book and how it will be effective reference for their academic purposes. The seminar
will be conducted during the plenary sessions of the accountancy first year students. This seminar may
serve as opening grounds to the accountancy students that e-book is an effective tool for academic
purposes. Also, it may help them to have a better perception about e-book and may close the issue
between the usage of e-book.

SCHOLARLY QUESTION/S ADDRESSED

E-learning system has been implemented to Far Eastern University that is why E-book has
become essential to the students for their academic purposes. With that, it become an issue for
Accountancy Students on how they would come up with their preferred textbook for academic used.
Provided that the main gap of it is that the main objective of FEU is to be globally competitive by
adapting E-leaning through the use of E-books, however, the students preferred using printed textbook

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over e-book. It is clearly seen that there has no meeting of the minds between the administration and the
students

The study sought to answer the following:

1. How can these factors affects the preference of the respondents?
1.1 Year Level
1.2 Financial Aid
1.3 Hours spend in school works
2. What textbook do the Accountancy Students acquire for their Academic Use?
2.1 Form of Text Book
3. What do Accountancy students prefer to use for academic purposes? Why?
3.1. Preferred Text book
3.2 Reasons of choosing Printed Textbook

INQUIRY PROCEDURES
The respondents are identified using criterion sampling. The researchers set a predetermined
criterion for respective respondents, these includes; students who uses e-Book and Printed textbook for
their studying and must be a student in Far Eastern University under the Bachelor of Science in
Accountancy. The total of respondents identified using criterion sampling are 20 Accountancy Students.
It is composed of 10 First Year Accountancy students and 10 Second year accountancy students of Far
Eastern University. This research is in a quantitative approach using a Descriptive Research Design. The
instruments used in this study are online survey through Google Forms and written survey
questionnaires.

The researchers seek, first, the permission and consent of the respondents to answer the given
questionnaire. The consent letter includes the purpose of this study. Then, the survey proper conducted
as follows. The researchers assured that the confidentiality of the answers and the profile is properly
hidden. The gathered data from the survey will be tallied, analyzed and interpreted accordingly. The
result of this data varies and serves as a reliable information to answer the problem of this study.

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RESULTS/FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION (Present tables, graphs, or other modes of presentation along
with brief descriptions/elaborations of the results/findings)

Throughout the gathered data after conducting the survey. The findings on the preference of accountancy
students between E-book and printed textbook for academic use are hereby presented:

1. Demographic Profile of the Respondents

1.1 By means of Year Level

The year level of the respondents needed is the following. Out of the total number of 20 respondents.
10 falls from first year students and the other half are from second year level.

Table 1: Frequency Distribution of Respondents by means of Year Level

Year Level Frequency Percentage

1st year 10 50%

2nd year 10 50%

Total 20 100%

The results show that these students in these two-year levels are the ones who are mandated to use the
e-book and printed textbook. With that reason, it affects the preferences of the students.

1.2 By means of Financial Aid

The number of respondents who received financial aid are based on whether they are supported by an
institution/ organization or supported by their family.

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Table 2: Frequency Distribution of Respondent by means of Financial Aid

Financial Aid Frequency Percentage

Yes 9 45%

No 11 55%

Total 20 100%

E-book is an additional form of expenses. With this result provided above, it shows that the majority of
the respondents does not received any financial aid aside from their family. With that, it may affect
their preferences since e-books are more expensive compared to printed textbook.

2. Acquisition of Textbook

2.1 By means of Form of Textbook

The form of textbook acquired are the following. Out of 20 respondents, 17 respondents acquire e-
book and the remaining acquired for printed textbook.

Graph 1: Pie Graph of Respondents by means of Form of Textbook

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Graph 1 revealed the form of textbook used by students to gain such knowledge or information in
which 17 or 85% fall under E-book while 3 or 15% says printed textbook. This simply shows that e-
book is the form of textbooks being used by accountancy students.

3. Preferred form of textbook used by accountancy students.

3.1 Preferred Textbook

The form of textbook preferred by the respondents for their academic purposes are the following.

Graph 2: Bar Graph of the Respondents by means of Preferred Textbook

Graph 2 revealed that the 20 or 100% of the respondents preferred printed textbook over the e-book.
This simply shows that Printed textbook is the preferred textbook of the respondents for their academic
purposes.

3.2 Reason of Choosing Printed Textbook

The following are the reason of the respondent in choosing Printed Textbook as their preferred textbook
to be used for their academic purposes.

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Graph 3: Pie Graph of the Respondents by means of Reason of Choosing Printed Textbook

The above graph simply showed the reasons of the students why do they preferred printed book rather
than e-book. Where readability got 18 response out of 20, ability to take note has 17 response, availability
of printed book has 10 number of response and 7 response fall under cost and impact on environment
got nothing. This denotes that students preferred printed book because of its readability.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings the following are drawn:

1. Majority of the respondents based on their profile are female, who does not receive any financial
assistance aside from their family and spending below 10 hours on their school works.
2. Majority of the respondents acquire e-book for academic purposes .
3. On the other hand, the preferred textbook of the respondents is printed textbook for their
academic purposes wherein the main reason why they preferred printed book is because it is
readability.

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RECOMMENDATIONS (Tangible action plan or call to action in the form of a creative output such as
infographics, poster, campaign, brochure, etc.)

REFERENCES (Include at least 10 working references used for this overall inquiry)

Allan P. (2014, August 26) E-books or Paper Books: Your Best Arguments. http://lifehacker.com/ebooks-or-
paper-books-your-best-arguments-1626607106

Harman, M. (2018, October 23). Importance of eBooks In Education. Retrieved from

https://kitaboo.com/importance-of-ebooks-in-education/

Joaquin, J. (2016, October 15). Ebooks Come of Age In Philippine Schools. Retrieved from
http://mindanation.com/ebooks-come-of-age-in-philippine-schools/.

Khalid, A. (2014, June). Text Books: ebook Vs. Print. Journal of Education and Human Development. Vol. 3, 2,
243-258. Retrieved from http://jehdnet.com/journals/jehd/Vol_3_No_2_June_2014/13.pdf

Knight R.(2016, January 18) 16 Facts About eBooks & Print Books. http://www.upauthors.com/16-facts-about-

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ebooks-print-books/

Mahinay et al. (2016). Acceptability of E-Books for Academic Use Among Students and Teachers in
Mindanao University of Science nd Technology. 10.13140/RG.2.2.23640.49927. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309187512_ACCEPTABILITY_OF_E-
BOOKS_FOR_ACADEMIC_USE_AMONG_STUDENTS_AND_TEACHERS_IN_MINDANAO_UN
IVERSITY_OF_SCIENCE_AND_TECHNOLOGY

McMaken, L. (2019, November 18). Exploring the Differences between E-Books vs. Print Books. Retrieved from
https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0812/e-books-vs.-print-books.aspx.

Nedda, B. (2015, August 21). A Teen Perspective: E-books vs. Print Books. Retrieved from
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2015/08/21/a-teen-perspective-e-books-vs-print-books/

Pursel B. (2015, October 17) Printed books or E-books? Which one do you prefer?
https://sites.psu.edu/ist110pursel/2015/10/17/printed-books-or-ebooks-which-one-do-you-prefer/

Wahl, J. (2018, July 19). What is an eBook? Understanding Why They Work and How to Make Your Own.
Retrieved from https://learn.g2.com/what-is-an-ebook

DECISION ON THE INQUIRY

Put a check mark to reflect decision on the overall inquiry
( )EXCELLENT ( )VERY GOOD ( )GOOD ( )FAIR ( )PASSED ( )FAILED
NOTES AND COMMENTS
Inputs to help students realize their strong points and areas for improvements

EVALUATED BY COURSE FACILITATOR

NAME/SIGNATURE/DATE

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Scholarly Commitment

We hereby declare that this inquiry work is our own work/concept, and that, to the best of our knowledge
and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material to which
a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma from a university or
other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment is made in the texts.

We also declare that the intellectual content of this inquiry work is a product of our work, even though we
may have received assistance from others on style, presentation, and language expression.

NAME/S OF MEMBERS SIGNATURE

1. Balidio, Rizbette Klaire

2. Gicale, Deanna Mae

3. Lalangan, Maybelene

4. Neri, Jessica Amie

5. Sison, Mark Ehrolle

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