METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the researcher intended to deal with the presentation and

discussion of the Research Design, Research Instruments, Research Intervention, Data

Collection, Data Analysis, Risk Assessment, Waste Disposal, and Ethical Considerations.

Research Design

This study utilized a quantitative research design and true experimental approach.

In experimental method, it strictly adheres to a scientific research design, and it includes

a hypothesis, a variable that can be manipulated by the researcher, and variables that can

be measured, calculated, and compared. Most importantly, experimental research is

completed in a controlled environment. The researcher collects data and results will

either support or reject the hypothesis. (Babbie E., 1998) Since this study only focuses on

manipulating the independent variable and administering random treatments and control

groups to ensure its validity, then its research design is quantitative research design in an

experimental approach.
Research Instruments

Materials used in conducting this research study to develop and assess the

effectiveness of Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes biomass as an Alternative Fiber

Board when compared to Commercial Ply-Board are:

•15 kg of Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

• 1 kg soybeans

• Scissors

• Blender

• Strainer

• Water

• Moulder

Density Test

• Ruler

• Weighing Scale

Bending Stress and Tensile Stress

• The researchers used the universal testing machine from TUPV

• Load sensor device

Water Absorption

• Weights

• Water

• Timer

• Weighing Scale
 This study gathered data by conducting performance test. The researchers adopted

the research instruments used in the study of Winda Rahmawati, Agus Haryanto, and Siti

Suharyatun (2018) entitled Development of Biodegradable Board using Water Hyacinth

(Eichornia crassipes). To develop and assess the effectiveness of Water Hyacinth

Eichhornia crassipes biomass as an Alternative Fiber Board when compared to

Commercial Ply-Board, the researchers tests the following:

a. Density - To determine a bio-board’s density, first bio-board’s

thickness, dimension and weight were measured. Then, bio-board

thickness, dimension, and weight data were processed into mass (g)

and volume (cm3) data. Finally, using equation (1) bio-board density

data was obtained and process

b. Bending stress - Bending strength testing conduct with Universal

Testing Machine, connected with load cell sensor device and PC to

record data during testing. Measurement method set to bending test,

calibration between load cell and PC was checked before conduct the

test. Specimen was put on the two parts of UTM device and then force

applied from upper side until yield point (over the elastic limit of

material). Bending test data was load and the deflection (mm).
c. Tensile Strength - Tensile strength test was conducted to investigate

the maximum force (tensile stress) that bio-board can withstand on

before it broke (reach fracture point) and over the elasticity limit.

Where; τ = tensile strength (MPa) , F = force , A = section area of

specimen (mm2)

d. Water Absorption Test – Water absorption test was conducted to

determine whether the products can absorb a lot of water which is bad

for a fiberboard. The test was done by submerging the product under

water and weighing it after to determine the amount of water absorbed

by the material and is calculated as the ratio of the weight of water

absorbed to the weight of the dry material

Research Intervention

Researchers are currently concentrating on natural fiberboard as a

reinforcement material rather than commercial plyboard in order to reduce the adverse

effects of environmental conditions. One of the typical aquatic plants with the fastest rate

of growth is the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which is a member of the

pontederiaace family. According to chemical analysis, water hyacinth fiber has a very

high cellulose concentration of 62.15% and a very low hemicellulose percentage of

14.82%. Water hyacinth fiber composite has a crystallinity index of 54.82%. it works

well for fiberboard (Arivendan, et al. 2022). This study will be carried out over the course

of three months, from November to January, at the laboratory of the Senior High School,

Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas, and DR. VFGMNHS.

According to M. Asif the control group, plywood, is made from thin

sheets ,veneers, of wood glued together, each with its grain in perpendicular directions in

alternating layers to improve the strength and to minimize movement in the plane of the

board while the treatment group, water hyacinth, is made from tiny bits of water hyacinth

stems and used modified soybean adhesive rather than Urea-formaldehyde or phenol-

formaldehyde that are common resins used in fiberboard manufacturing because these

are less expensive compared with other adhesives. However, the formaldehyde emission

is one of the most important disadvantages of these resins since it can potentially cause

health and pollution problems. The researchers expects that the fiberboard made from the
water hyacinth will be advantageous in terms of Density, Bending stress, Tensile

Strength, and Water Absorption.

The researchers will utilize 15 kilograms of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia

crassipes) stems from Barangay Tinampaan, ponds near NONECO (electric company)

where it will be sundried for three days until it became brownish green which is placed

on a on a roof of a house. To process soybeans into these useful products, the beans are

dehulled and the oil is removed by crushing the soybeans at a very high pressure or by

solvent extraction. If the soybean is intended for adhesive use, it is processed at

temperatures below 70°C to preserve the alkaline solubility of the proteins (Prosoy 1948).

After sun drying, the water hyacinth stems is cut into small strips that measures for at

least 1cm by 1cmin size and grinded using a blender. Using a strainer, the researcher

separated the excess water of the water hyacinth then it was transferred to a pot with three

liters for every seven kilograms of the grinded water hyacinth stems and boiled together

with a pinch of salt. Leave the pot covered up. When it boils, use a strainer again to get

the water hyacinth bits. Let it dry for at least four to five hours.

After the production of fibers, the researchers mixed the water hyacinth fibers

with modified soybean adhesives. The mixture was thoroughly mixed until homogeneity

was obtained and was then poured into the molder. Massage it so the adhesive used will

spread equally. It was then left to dry under the sun for 72 hours (about three days).

Varnish the finished product so it will not shrink and helps in decreasing the water

absorption capacity of the fiberboard.

 To construct the molder, there will be three different dimensions needed to form

base, width, and length of a one based rectangular prism five pieces of 15mm width x

150mm length, 10 pieces of 10mm width x 150mm length and 10 pieces of 15mm length

x 10mm width. There will be a total of five molders to be used.

In general, fiberboards are made of lignocellulosic fibers with adhesive to connect

between fibers. The study “All-lignocellulosic fiberboard from corn biomass and

cellulose nanofibers” aims to develop fiberboards from corn thermomechanical fibers

reinforced with cellulose nanofibers. In this work, corn stalk biomass was used to

produce high yield thermomechanical pulp (TMP) that was converted into binder less

fiberboards. That's the reason why researchers came up with the idea of using water

hyacinth fiber mass as an alternative fiberboard. Lastly, the procedure of gathering fibers

from water hyacinth was based on a study conducted by Christian Antonio Mastrile

(2017), entitled “Fiberboard from Nymphaea Plant for Structural Sheathing”.

Data Collection

The researchers gathered first the materials needed before conducting the study,

by preparing the Water Hyacinth. The researchers also asked permission to make use of

the research instruments needed for this study from the school principal of DVFGMNHS,

the school laboratory facilitator, and from the dean of Technological University of the

Philippines Visayas (TUP-V) by signing out the letter of consent.

A method to gather efficient quantitative data is through performance test; this

will be utilized by the researchers to determine the significant difference between Water

Hyacinth Lignocellulosic Alternative Fiber Board and Commercial Ply Board in terms of

density, bending stress, tensile strength, and water absorption. Density is used to

determine a bio-board's thickness, dimension and weight. Thus, density will be measured

using a weighing scale and density formula. Bending tests were performed to obtain

information about the bending behavior of the tested material from the single axis

bending stress. Thus, bending strength conducted in TUP Laboratory where the Universal

Testing Machine (UTP) used in determining the bending stress of the fiber board. Also,

tensile strength was used to measure the difference between Water Hyacinth

Lignocellulosic Alternative Fiber Board and Commercial Ply Board where in it is the

ability to resist breaking under tensile stress. Moreover, water absorption test is used by

submerging the product under water and weighing it after to determine the amount of

water absorbed by the material and is calculated as the ratio of the weight of water

absorbed to the weight of the dry material (Rafat Siddique, 2020).

 The data gathered were summarized in a tabular form. Also, the researchers

applied and utilized appropriate statistical tools with respect to the given research

questions. Moreover, data was analyzed through the use of T-test to compare the Density,

Bending stress, Tensile Strength, and Water absorption of the Commercial and

Alternative Ply-board. T-test is a statistical test used to compare the means of two groups.

Data Analysis

Data was analyzed using T-test. The researchers used T-test to compare the

Density, Bending stress, Tensile Strength, and Water absorption of the Commercial and

Alternative Ply-board. A t-test is a statistical test that is used to compare the means of

two groups. It is often used in hypothesis testing to determine whether a process or

treatment actually influences the population of interest, or whether two groups are

different from one another (Bevans, 2020). Since the study seeks to answer the question

on difference between Water Hyacinth Lignocellulosic Alternative Fiber Board and

Commercial Ply-board in terms of Density, Bending Stress, Tensile Strength, and Water

Absorption, T-test was found by the researchers most appropriate.

Risk Assessment Safety

During the conduct of the study, the researchers' used gloves and took extra

precaution in the handling laboratory equipment’s to avoid breakage and accidents. The

researchers also took caution before entering inside the laboratory, and made sure that the

workshop area is clean before and after doing the experiment. Proper handling of the

samples were observed from collection to experimentation. Complete laboratory outfit

(gown, gloves, mask and hair net) were worn to avoid unsafe substances from spilling on

the researchers’ skin.

Waste Disposal

The residual waste and leftovers after the experimentation was properly

segregated in the proper waste can. The laboratory equipment’s were washed and cleaned

thoroughly after being used. They were air-dried and kept in the laboratory cabinets.

Ethical Considerations

The gathered and analysed data from the experiment will be truthfully reported by

the researchers, making sure it is free from plagiarism and research misconduct. As well

as avoiding bias in the experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, expert

testimony and other aspects of research (CityU, 2022). Also, the researchers will honour

patents, copyrights and other forms of intellectual property (CityU, 2022).

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region 6- western Visayas
DR.VICENTE F. GUSTIO MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
DIVISION OF CADIZ CITY
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

November 2022
Mr. Dindo M. Ampalla
Principal IV, DVFGMNHS

Dear Sir,

Greetings! We, the undersigned, are the Grade 12 Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students of DVFGMNHS and are recently
conducting a research study entitled “Lignocellulosic Fiber Board Using Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) Biomass with Soybean-based (Glycine max) Adhesive” as a part
of the requirement of the course Practical Research II.
In this regard, we are humbly asking for permission to utilize the laboratory room
in conducting our research study. Below we have attached the list of equipment’s and
materials we will use for our research study.
We are hoping to hear from you soon, please let us know if you need more
information about this project. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Russel Myles Salcedo
Team Leader

Noted by:
Mr. Joenel D. Coros
Research Adviser
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region 6- western Visayas
DR.VICENTE F. GUSTIO MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
DIVISION OF CADIZ CITY
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

November 2022
Mae Rose S. Macasling
School Laboratory Adviser, DVFGMNHS

Dear Maam,

Greetings! We, the undersigned, are the Grade 12 Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students of DVFGMNHS from STEM
GERMAIN and are recently conducting a research study entitled “Lignocellulosic Fiber
Board Using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Biomass with Soybean-based
(Glycine max) Adhesive” as a part of the requirement of the course Practical Research II.
In this regard, we are humbly asking for permission to utilize the laboratory room
in conducting our research study. Below we have attached the list of equipment’s and
materials we will use for our research study.
We are hoping to hear from you soon, please let us know if you need more
information about this project. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Russel Myles Salcedo
Team Leader

Noted by:
Mr. Joenel D. Coros
Research Adviser
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region 6- western Visayas
DR.VICENTE F. GUSTIO MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
DIVISION OF CADIZ CITY
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

November 2022
Dean of Technological University of the Philippines- Visayas
Talisay City
Dear Sir,

Greetings! We, the undersigned, are the Grade 12 Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students of DVFGMNHS from STEM
GERMAIN and are recently conducting a research study entitled “Lignocellulosic Fiber
Board Using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Biomass with Soybean-based
(Glycine max) Adhesive” as a part of the requirement of the course Practical Research II.
In this regard, we are humbly asking for permission to utilize the laboratory room
in conducting our research study. Below we have attached the list of equipment’s and
materials we will use for our research study.
*Universal Testing Machine (UTP)
*load sensor device
We are hoping to hear from you soon, please let us know if you need more
information about this project. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Russel Myles Salcedo
Team Leader

Noted by:
Mr. Joenel D. Coros
Research Adviser
LIGNOCELLULOSIC FIBER BOARD USING WATER HYACINTH (Eichhornia

crassipes) BIOMASS WITH SOYBEAN-BASED (Glycine max) ADHESIVE

A Research Study Presented to the

Faculty of Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School

Senior High Department

Cadiz City

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Course

Practical Research `2

Bayona, Gilbert N.
España, Ashley P.
Gempasao, Crismay S.
Ong, Ashley A.
Olvido, Cara M.
Pescador, Mercedes M.
Salcedo, Russel Myles
12 STEM-GERMAIN

November 2022