Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

Presented in this chapter are the research design, population and sampling techniques,
instrumentation, data gathering procedure and statistical treatment of data, coding and scoring
system that were employed in the conduct of the study.

Research Design

The quantitative correlational design was utilized in this study. This presents a single nature of
reality. Reasonable approximation of reality can be observed. Objectivity is critical in a scienific
approach to acquiring knowledge. Researchers tries to remain outside of the system, keeping
biases to a minimum.A correlational research design is used to describe the statistical association
between two or more variables.

For example, in this study, the researcher measured Breast Self Exam theoretical knowledge,
experiential kowledge, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, culture, biological, Behavioral,
Social factors, educational attainment, economic status, religion of Manila Advenist College
female students.Next, the researchers used a statistical techniques to measure whether the factors
mentioned above is associated with tthe practice of breast self seam. For example, when the level
of perceived benefit is increased, so does the practive of breast self exam increase. When there
were more than one predictor variables, the technique of multiple regression analysis produces a
multiple correlation that is used for prediction.

Instrumentation
The research instrument that was utilized was a self-constructed questionnaire. The
questionnaire had five parts:
1. Demographic characteristics of the Manila Adventist college female students which
included their age (in years), their year level, their course.

2. Cognitive characteristics measured in terms of the level of theoritical & experiencial

knowledge in relation to Breast Self Exam.
3. Social Characteristics which was composed of the following elements:
a. Perceived benefit of Breast Self Exam to prevention diseases, specifically
the threat of not doing breast self exam, perceived barriers towards adherence,
and the perceived benefits of breast self exam.
b. Perceived social support derived from their family members, treatment
partners and community.
4. Treatment characteristics which included the following subcomponents:
a. Cost – the practice of BSE is not costly. It could be done individually and it is
convenient.

b. Knowledge- one must have knowledge on how to perform it accurately.

 The research instrument was subjected to experts’ validation, utilizing the suggestions of
eight experts. After the questionnaire was edited based on the expert’s suggestions, it was
utilized for pilot testing.
______ female students of ____________ were recruited for pilot study. ________ sampling was
ultilized in the pilot study,
Wherein the researcher went to the administrators of ________ college/university &
asked for the approval of the survey to be given to their female students.

The results from the pilot study ( utilizing __ female students) was subjected to a
reliability test utilizing the split half method where the test items are divided into two halves,
even and odd items. The two halves test must be similar but not identical in content, number of
items, difficulty, means and standard deviation. The scores obtained in the two halves are
correlated. The result is reliability coefficient for a half test. However, the reliability coefficient
for the whole test is estimated by using the Spearman-Brown formula (Calmorin and Calmorin,
2007). A reliability of .70 was deemed acceptable, hence, the questionnaire was utilized.