Chapter 2

METHODS

In this chapter, we delve into the methodology employed for examining the voting

preferences in the 2023 Barangay SK election concerning social media exposure. The

key components explored include research design, research respondents, research

instruments, data gathering procedure, data analysis methods, and ethical

considerations.

Research Design

This study will employ a quantitative research design, the researchers used a

descriptive-correlational method of research. This method measures associations of a

variable with varying levels of measurement, and it aims to describe a society, situation,

or phenomenon correctly and systematically (McCombes & Van den Eertwegh, 2019).

The researcher is mainly interested in identifying variables relationships without

establishing a causal link. It will determine the significant interrelationships between

social networking site usage regarding the need to belong, perceived ease of use and

perceived usefulness toward youth involvement, attitude and confidence in voting in

terms of involvement with politics, attitudes toward voting, and confidence to vote.

The respondents of the study were the students of Tagum National Trade

School. They were deemed knowledgeable about the subject matter and capable of

providing factual data necessary for the completion of the study. The sample size was

determined based on Slovin's Formula. If it is impossible tostudy an entire population, a

smaller sample is obtained using a random sampling method. Slovin's formulaprovides

the researchers an indication of how big the sample size should be to ensure that the

results arereasonably accurate (Ellen, Day, & Davies, 2018).

The researchers use descriptive-correlational method of research. This method

measures associations of a variable with varying levels of measurement, and it aims to

describe a society, situation, or phenomenon correctly and systematically (McCombes &

Van den Eertwegh, 2019). The sample size was determined based on Slovin's Formula.

If it is impossible to study an entire population, a smaller sample is obtained using a

random sampling method. Slovin's formula provides the researchers an indication of

how big the sample size should be to ensure that the results are reasonably accurate

(Ellen, Day, & Davies, 2018).

Respondents of the Study

The research will take place in a school in Tagum City, Davao del Norte,

Philippines for SY 2023-2024. The study will focus on assessing the voting preferences

in the 2023 Barangay SK election, selecting School A to survey students' perceptions

and preferences, with the primary goal of understanding the impact of social media

exposure on voting decisions.

This study includes 210 respondents who will be selected through stratified

random sampling. The respondents of the study were the students of Davao del Norte

State College. They were deemed knowledgeable about the subject matter and capable

of providing factual data necessary for the completion of the study. The sample size

was determined based on Slovin's Formula. If it is impossible to study an entire

population, a smaller sample is obtained using a random sampling method. Slovin's

formula

provides the researchers an indication of how big the sample size should be to ensure

that the results are reasonably accurate (Ellen, Day, & Davies, 2018).

The respondents of the study will be the students from Grade 11 and Grade 12 of

School A, Apokon, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte. The next table will show the number

of students enrolled in the online class of senior high school department which the study

will also be implemented.

Table 1

Respondents of the Study

Grade and Section Population Percentage Sample

Grade 11

Grade 12

Total

Research Instruments

Survey questionnaires will be utilized in this study in order to determine the

motives for using Social Media Exposure and Voting Preference to students. This study

adapted downloadable questionnaires from web sources. The questionnaire was

modified to include only the items relevant to the study. The questionnaires are from

the study Voter’s Involvement, Attitudes, And Confidence in The Era of New Media by

Lee (2020), this instrument is consisting of factors related to social networking site
usage and youth involvement, attitude, and confidence in voting. The survey

questionnaire has two parts.

The data were gathered through a survey using researcher-made questionnaires.

The results implied that the participants perceived social media use, social media

behavior, and cognitive biases in different ways, such as never-rarely-often while

having a positive political awareness. In conclusion, there is a significant relationship

between social media use of (social media networking sites and microblogging and

social networking service), social media behavior, confirmation bias, and political

awareness among student voters.

 Reference

Ellen, D., Day, S., & Davies, C. (2018). Scientific Examination of Documents: Methods

and Techniques, Fourth Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Lee, H. (2020). Voters’ Involvement, Attitude, and Confidence in the Era of New Media.
Palgrave Communications, 6(1), 1–7.

McCombes, S., & Van den Eertwegh, L. (2019). Editorial: Courses of Nature. Junctions:

Graduate Journal of the Humanities, 4(1), 1.