CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents and discusses the research design, respondents and

sampling techniques, locale of the study, instrument used, data gathering procedures

and data analysis.

Research Design

This study will utilize correlational-descriptive to determine the relationship

between the learning competences and factors encountered in mastering learning

competence in calculus of STEM students. The correlational-descriptive research

design allows the researchers to answer questions about the relationship among

variables to determine, describe, and explain certain phenomena (Lappe, 2000).

Researchers utilize correlational study methods to define and assess the degree

of association between two or more variables or sets of scores, according to Creswell

when we want to see if there is a correlation between variables or predict a result.

Correlational research is a sort of nonexperimental study in which the researcher

analyzes two variables and evaluates their statistical relationship (i.e., the correlation)

with no or little attempt to control extraneous variables.

Gay (1992: 217) defines descriptive as "the act of describing something."

Collecting data for research entails testing hypotheses or answering questions about

the current state of the study's subject. The method things are determined and reported

in a descriptive study. Descriptive study is scientific research that methodically deals

with a certain area or population and characterizes an event, phenomena, or fact.

Respondents and Sampling Technique

The respondents of this study will be grade 11 STEM students of Cotabato State

University – Laboratory High School. The grade 11 students were divided into six

sections and each section had a different ratio or number of students, all in all there

were 258 students’ population in the grade 11. In this study, the researcher will utilize

simple random sampling using draw lots. The researcher will roll a die together with his

adviser as witness, in which there are six different ways the die can land. Then, in those

six sections only one section will serve as respondents of the study.

Locale of the Study

This study will be conducted at Cotabato State University – Laboratory High

School. It is located at Rosary Heights 4, Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City, Philippines. It

started its operation in June 1989 with two sections in the first year. It offers a general

secondary curriculum that provides an inclusive and well-rounded development of

potentials of its students. The Cotabato State University is headed by Prof. Sema G.

Dilna, Ed.Dand the first university president of the said school and Asso. Prof. Alfonso

B. Mana-ay Ed.D is the school principal of Laboratory High School. Cotabato State

University aims to produce Science & Technology professionals, peace and

development advocate; and provide progressive leadership in the fields of

specialization.

Cotabato State University is formerly known as Cotabato City StatePolytechnic

College, the only public operated state college in the city. Previously,the institution was
converted from state college to state university by the effectivityof the Republic Act

11031.

Instrument Used

The following research instrument will be used in this study:

First, the test-item to determine the learning competence of STEM students in

Calculus, it comprise of 20 items that will be included measuring the skills of STEM

students. The test covered the learning competencies of the specialized subject-

Calculus as stipulated in the curriculum guide of the Senior High program such as

analytic geometry, sequences, series and mathematical induction, trigonometry, limits

and continuity, derivatives, and integrals.

Second, the Table of Specification (TOS) that focus on the Bloom’s Taxonomy

(Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, and Creating). Since,

the researcher makes a questionnaire for learning competence of STEM students in

Calculus.

Third, survey questionnaire will be made by the researcher for the factors

encountered in acquiring the learning competencies of STEM students in Calculus.

There will be 10 statements in each part.

Fourth, will be the validity of instrument for the test-item survey questionnaire

which will be validated by the one section of grade 11 STEM students using a die. To

administer the respondents the researcher will roll a die together with his adviser as

witness, in which there are six different ways the die can land. Then, in those six
sections only one section will serve as respondents to validate the 20-item competency

test in Calculus.

Fifth, will be the validity of instrument for survey questionnaires which will be

validated by the panelist. Lastly, a letter for approval will be send to the University

President and the school principal.

The first part which is the 20 test-item to determine the learning competency of

the STEM students in Calculus will be interpreted using the following:

Score Scale Description Interpretation

16-20 4 Excellent Unconscious Competence

11-15 3 Efficiency Conscious Competence

6-10 2 Developing Unconscious Incompetence

0-5 1 Beginner Conscious Incompetence

The second part of the survey questionnaire which will be the factors

encountered in acquiring learning competence of STEM students in Calculus will be

interpreted using the following:

Range Scale Descriptive Title Interpretation

4.50 – 5.00 5 Strongly Agree Always Encountered

3.50 – 4.49 4 Agree Frequently Encountered

2.50 – 3.49 3 Moderately Agree Occasionally

Encountered

1.50 – 2.49 2 Disagree Seldom Encountered

1.00 – 1.49 1 Strongly Disagree Never Encountered

Data Gathering Procedure

A permission letter from Cotabato State University – Laboratory High School will

be secured by the researcher before the conduct of the study. The researcher will also

personally talk to the University President on the rationale of the research and suggest

a schedule for the conduct of the study. After he will sign for its approval, the researcher

will distribute copies to the principal involved. The section adviser of the student

respondents will also be informed about it. Finally, the school principal with the section

adviser will approve the set schedule for the survey or data gathering. They will also

provide the researcher with the classrooms as the survey or data gathering setting.

Data Analysis

The results of the study will be analyzed using mean and standard deviation will

be used to describe the competency of the senior high school students in Calculus,

frequency, percentage, will be used to rank the least learned competency in calculus

and Pearson correlation coefficient to determine the relationship among variables. The

data gathered will be process and analyze using SPSS version 21 statistical package

for windows.