CHAPTER 3

Methodology
 Methodology
Contains sets of procedures and instruments in dealing with the
research problems.
Parts of Methodology:
 Research Design = describes the specific research approach
you will use in the study.
Research Locale = describes the setting or location of the study.
Sampling Technique = describes the process on how the
participants are chosen for the study.
Sample or the Participants = describes the respondents of the study.
Research Instruments = outlines the instruments you will use in the
study such as interview questions, interview protocols, observation
guide, survey form, focus group discussion questions and others.
Data Collection Procedure = describes the specific steps you will
undergo in order to collect data for your study.
Data Analysis Procedure = describes how you will analyse the data.
Ethical Consideration= describes the ethics that the researcher
considered while conducting the research.
 Writing the research instrument
• A Priori Coding = A process of coding qualitative data whereby the
researcher develops the codes ahead of time based on a
theoretical framework, the interview question, or pre-existing
knowledge.
 Research Title:
SOP/Research VARIABLE DEFINITION REFERENC CODE QUESTION
Questions E
 COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENT QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH DESIGNS OR APPROACHES

Types of Qualitative Research Design/ Defining Features

Approach
1. Phenomenology Both an approach to, and a method of ,
understanding the behavioural emotive and
social meanings of lived experiences of
individuals.
2. Ethnography Focuses on studying shared practices and
belief systems(i.e. culture) of a group of
people in their natural context over a
prolonged period of time.
3. Grounded Theory Refers to set of inductive data collection and
analytic methods with the purpose of
constructing theories grounded in the data
themselves.
Types of Qualitative Research Defining Features
Design/ Approach

4. Case Study Allows the in – depth investigation

of a complex issues within a specific
context, based on a small
geographical area or a very limited
number of individuals as the subjects
of study.
5. Discourse/ Conversation Analysis Study naturally occurring discourse
and extract shared meaings from
such discourse,

6, Narrative Analysis Focuses on the narratives

(storytelling) used as source of data.
Types of Qualitative Research Defining Features
Design/ Approach

7. Historical Research Conducted to become aware of what

happened in the past in order to come
up with the best decision in the
fiuture.
8. Content Analysis A detailed and systematic
examination of the contents of a
particular body of materials for the
purpose of identifying pa3tterns,
themes or biases
 Important Perspective in Doing
Ethnographic Research
1. Emic Perspective = insider’s perspective of reality.
2. Etic Perspective = the external perspective on reality.
Contextualization of data means putting into a larger perspective
what is seen, heard, and observed.
Thick Description = involves describing what the researcher has
seen, heard, and observed in details and including quotations
directly from the participants in writing the final report.
 Sampling Procedures in Qualitative
Research
• Non – Probability Sampling and Purposive Sampling
NON PROBABILITY SAMPLING = is a sampling technique
where the samples are gathered in a process that does not give all
the individuals in the population equal chances of being selected.
Types of Non – Probability Sampling
Convenience Sampling = involves choosing respondents at the
convenience of the researcher.
Quota Sampling = samples a population into classes or
categories wherein the assembled sample has the same
proportions of individuals as the entire population with
respect to known characteristics, traits or focused
phenomenon.
Judgemental Sampling =  is a
nonprobability sampling technique where the
researcher selects units to be sampled based on their
knowledge and professional judgment.
• PURPOSIVE SAMPLING = sample is selected based on characteristics of a
population and the objective of the study. Purposive sampling is also known as
judgmental, selective, or subjective sampling.
Types of Purposive Sampling
1. A typical sample is the typical representative of that being studied such as a
class of grade 9 students.
2. A critical sample is considered to be exceptional or unusual such as a group of
high achievers despite physical disabilities.
3. A homogenous sample is considered if all the members of the sample have a
common characteristics or trait such as singers.
4. A theoretical sample is considered in helping the researcher to understand a
new concept or theory such as choosing a group of student leaders in assessing
student leadership.
5. An extreme case sample is considered if all the members of the group do not
fit with the general pattern or display extreme characteristics such as a group of
high school students who achieve high grades despite poor social environment.
6. An opportunistic sample is chosen during the study to take advantage of new
conditions or circumstances that have arisen.
7. A conforming sample is obtained to validate initial findings such as follow – up
interview of a group of teachers to verify the frequent absenteeism of students.
8. A maximal variation sample is selected to represent a wide perspectives or
characteristics.
9. A snowball sample is selected as the need arises during the conduct of research
such as a group of school heads is needed because they were recommended
during the interviews of school principals.
 Research Instruments
• These are the tools used by the researcher in gathering data.
Some of the most common data collection techniques or
instruments used in qualitative research are:
1. Documentary analysis = this technique is used to analysed
primary and secondary sources that are available mostly in
churches, schools, public and private offices, hospitals, or in
community, municipal, and city halls.
2. Interview = the instrument used in this method is the interview schedule or interview
questions. Life histories(self - disclosure) are also needed in this area. Responses may
be recorded in cell phones or smart phones because writing down responses during the
interview affects rapport, reduces spontaneity, and hinders eye contact.
TYPES OF INTERVIEW
a.Unstructured. Interview in the form of normal conversation or a free – wheeling
exchange of ideas.
b.Structured. The conduct of questioning follows a particular sequence and has a well
– defined content. Interviewer does not ask questions that are not part of the
questionnaire can ask for clarification of interviewee’s answer.
c.Semi – structured. There is a specific set of questions but there are also additional
probes that may be done in an open – ended manner. The researcher can ask
additional data from respondents to add depth and significance to the findings.
• Observation = the instrument used is called the observation guide or
observation checklist which must be done in quiet or inconspicuous
manner as to get realistic data. The following should be taken into
consideration: the focus of observation; concealment, the condition
wherein the subject of observation has no knowledge that he/ she is being
observed; duration; and the method of recording the observation.
TYPES OF OBSERVATION:
a. Structured. The researcher uses a checklist as a data collection tool.
This checklist specifies expected behaviors of interest and the researcher
records the frequency of the occurrence of these behaviors.
b. Unstructured. The researcher observes things as they happen without
any preconceived ideas about what will be observed.
• Questionnaire = it is the most commonly used instrument in research. It is a
list of questions about a particular topic with spaces provided for the response
to each question, and intended to be answered by a number of persons. It is
less expensive, yields more honest responses, guarantees confidentiality, and
minimizes biases based on question – phrasing modes.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
1. Dichotomous = answerable with two options such as yes or no; true or false.
2. Recognition type = alternative response are also provided, and the
respondents simply choose among the given choices. It also contains close –
ended questions.
3. Completion type = the respondents are asked to fill in the blanks with
necessary information. Questions are open - ended.
4. Coding type = numbers are assigned to names, and
other pertinent data such as the likert scale.
5. Subjective type = the respondents are free to give their
opinions about an issue of concern.
6. Combination type = the questionnaire is a combination
of two or more types of questions.
Examples of the different types of questions:
• Dichotomous:
Do caregivers have the right to refuse calls? ( )Yes ( )No
Do senior high school students come to class early? ( )Yes ( )No
Recognition type:
Specialization in Technical – Vocational Track
____Home Economics ___Welding ___Information Comm. Technology
____ Agriculture ___Hair culture ___ Automotive
____ Electricity ___ others; please specify: ________
Educational Qualification:
__ Elementary ___College Graduate
__ High School ___ MA/ Ph D
__ Technical Graduate ___ others; please specify
Completion type:
When I see a misbehaving student, I will, as a teacher,
___________________
____________________________________________________.
In order to pass my failing subjects, I will
_____________________________
_____________________________________________________.
Coding type:
On a scale of 1 – 10, how will you rate the skills of your manager?
Likert Scale = is a very popular rating scale used by a researcher to measure
behaviours and attitudes qualitatively. It consists of choices that range from
one extreme o another from where respondents choose a degree of their
opinions. It is the best tool for measuring opinions.
Frequency of Occurrence Frequency of Use
Very frequently Always
Frequently Often
Occasionally Sometimes
Rarely Rarely
Very Rarely Never
Degree of Importance Quality

Very important Strongly Agree

Important Agree

Moderately important Undecided

Of little importance Disagree

Not important Strongly

Level of Satisfaction Agreement

Very satisfied Strongly agree

Satisfied Agree

Undecided Undecided

Unsatisfied Disagree

Very unsatisfied Strongly disagree

Subjective type
What can you say about teachers who are deeply committed to their work?
Will senior high school students be allowed to change their specialization?
Parts of focus group discussion instrument
1. Engagement Questions= introduce the participants to the topic and
set the tone for the discussion.
2. Exploration Questions = get the insights of the participants on the
topic. These questions also probe some of the issues given by the
participants. Most of the questions here begin asking why and how.
3. Exit Questions = are given to make sure everything is covered up
and nothing is missed in the discussion.
 EXAMPLE OF FOCUS – GROUP DISCUSSION
INSTRUMENT ABOUT COMPUTER GAMING
• ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONS
1. What is your favourite computer game?
2. How often do you play?
• EXPLORATION QUESTIONS
3. Who influenced you to play computer games?
4. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of playing
computer games?
5. Knowing the disadvantages of constant and longer playing
time, why do you still continue playing computer games?
6. How do you feel when you are playing games?
7. Why do you think many are hooked on playing computer
games?
• EXIT QUESTION
8. Is there anything you would like to say about playing computer
games?