CODE: SS3 12

Portfolio 3
Proposed Titles (required):

Title 1: The challenges and the lived experiences of ex-convict: A phenomenological study.

Title 2: Life after released from prison: The experiences of ex- offenders.

Title 3: Second Chance: The Journey of the ex-convicts in facing Social Stigmas

Research Design/Method
(In this section describe the choice of the design, its nature, and its appropriateness to the study. Support it with an author.)
Qualitative research is a research approach that is focused on exploring the subjective experiences, perspectives, and meanings of
individuals within their natural settings (Creswell, 2013). This approach emphasizes a deep understanding of a particular
phenomenon from the perspective of the participants, rather than seeking to generalize findings to a larger population.
Qualitative research methods include interviews, observations, focus groups, and document analysis, among others, and these
methods enable researchers to collect rich and detailed data on participants' experiences, beliefs, and attitudes. Qualitative
research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or
experiences. It can be used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research. (Prita Bhandari , 2020)
Qualitative research is particularly suited to exploring the experiences and coping mechanisms of an ex convicts, as it allows
researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges and dynamics of an ex convicts they face in their daily
lives. These challenges may include issues related to stigma and discrimination. Qualitative research methods are particularly
useful in exploring such complex and nuanced issues, as they enable researchers to explore the topic from the perspective of the
participants and to understand their subjective experiences and perspectives (Gamarel et al., 2016). Furthermore, qualitative
research methods allow researchers to uncover new and unexpected findings that may not have been evident through
quantitative methods alone. In the context of exploring the experiences and challenges of an ex convicts, qualitative research
methods can provide valuable insights into the coping strategies and support systems that ex convicts use to manage these
challenges.

Phenomenological research is a qualitative research approach that seeks to understand and describe the universal essence of a
phenomenon. The approach investigates the everyday experiences of human beings while suspending the researchers'
preconceived assumptions about the phenomenon. (Delve Ho, 2022). This research approach seeks to understand the essence of
an experience or phenomenon from the perspective of those who have experienced it. The goal of phenomenological research is to
uncover the underlying meanings and structures of these experiences and to gain insight into the way that individuals make sense
of their experiences (Giorgi, 2009). Phenomenological research is particularly suited to exploring the experiences and struggles of
an ex-convicts, as it enables researchers to gain a deep understanding of the participants' subjective experiences and perspectives.
By exploring the meaning of lived experiences, phenomenological research allows researchers to uncover the underlying structures
and patterns that shape these experiences, and to understand how individuals interpret and make sense of their experiences
(Delve Ho, 2022). In a phenomenological research study about the ex convicts ,the researcher would seek to understand the
essence of the experiences and struggles of these ex-convicts from their own perspectives. This would involve collecting rich,
detailed data through methods such as in-depth interviews, and analyzing this data to identify the themes and patterns that
emerge (Giorgi, 2009). The researcher would then seek to identify the underlying meanings and structures that shape these
experiences, and to develop a deeper understanding of how ex convicts interpret and make sense of their experiences.
Several study limitations may affect the credibility and transferability of the findings. A number of potential participants were
unwilling to be interviewed due to the possibility of lacking of self-confidence. A thorough description of the sample, the context,
and the raw data was provided to aid others in determining if the findings may reliably be used for other situations of participants
for a study of ex convicts either male or female. The researcher would need to obtain informed consent and protect participants'
confidentiality.
 Research Participants/Respondents and Sampling
(In this section describe who are your respondents; criteria for selection; sampling technique employed; and diagram of
Distribution of Respondents)

The respondents will be gathered from Monkayo, Davao De Oro. With reference to the objective of the study, their searchers will
ensure that the chosen respondents must be 18 years old and above, and must be an ex-convict either male or female with 1 or
more years of imprisonment. This serves as the distinct basis of the interview. As the study pursued an interview type of survey
the researchers used an in-depth interview, thus choosing participants randomly. The researcher would need to obtain informed
consent and protect participants' confidentiality.

Snowball sampling is a well-known, nonprobability method of survey sample selection that is commonly used to locate hidden
populations. This method relies on referrals from initially sampled respondents to other persons believed to have the characteristic
of interest. Limitations of this approach include nonrandom selection procedures, correlations between network size and selection
probabilities, reliance on the subjective judgments of informants, and confidentiality concerns. Advantages include cost and
efficiency. (Johnson, 2014).

Research Instrument
(In this sections describe the aid/s used by the researcher during data collection which usually involves the use of an Interview
Guide Questions)

(For Quantitative Research, provide a description, construction, validation, table of interpretation of the instrument used; the
proper citation should be observed when using other adapted or modified instruments; or when using the standardized tool)

In order to satisfy the purpose of this study an In-depth Interview were used. In-depth Interview technique involves intensive
individual interview with a small number of respondents about their perspective on a particular idea on a particular idea, program
or situation (Boyee, 2009). Thus, to collect more detailed information and to have a direct contact between the researchers and
respondents, this method was applied.

*Screenshots of the Adopted Questionnaires and Research Questions with APA 7 th Edition reference format*

1. What are the biggest challenges that ex-convicts face when returning back to the community?

2. What is the social stigma of being an ex-convicts?

3. What are the coping mechanism or strategies you used to overcome the challenges as an ex-convicts ?
 Research Locale
(In this section describe the place/institution/establishment where the study will be conducted. Prepare a map of the
Philippines then locate the province and the target local area)

PHILIPPINES DAVAO DE ORO MONKAYO, DAVAO DE ORO

This study will be conducted in Monkayo, Davao De Oro, Philippines.

Research Hypothesis (for Quantitative Research)

(In this section presents a clear null hypothesis that is parallel to your Statement of the Problem)

Not Applicable in Qualitative Research

Significance of the Study

(In this section state the contribution of your study and the usefulness of your study in the society. Enumerate here
the beneficiaries of your study in bullet form from larger body to fewer down to the most specific one)

The following sectors may primarily benefit from the results of this study:

 EX CONVICT- the participants who are directly associated with this study, will potentially improve their self-
determination. And also empowered by the strength they have used to live their experiences.
  SOCIETY - This study helps people in the society to change their perceptions towards ex-convict. This study
will beneficial to society because they will observe and learn about the experiences of former prisoners.

 FUTURE RESEARCHERS - Future research could use this research to provide more insight on the self- ...
experiences have been quantified in evaluation studies.

 FAMILY - It can benefit families by providing insight into the conditions that lead to criminal actions. This
understanding can help families develop strategies for avoiding or managing similar situations in the future. It
can also give family members a better understanding of how to best support the ex-convict in their journey.

 GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - Government and non-government organizations - can

benefit a research about ex convicts by providing funding, access to data and resources, and expert advice
and guidance. They can also help disseminate the research findings, which can lead to policy changes and
improved services for ex-offenders.

Scope and Delimitation

The scope of this study will focus on the experiences, challenges, and insights of ex-convict in Monkayo, Davao de
Oro. This is a qualitative study utilizing descriptive o phenomenology as research design where it described the lived
experiences and challenges of ex-convict in Monkayo. The study will be conducted through in depth interviews that
will be a face to face to gather information. Several study limitations may affect the credibility and transferability of
the findings. A number of potential participants were unwilling to be interviewed due to the possibility of lacking of
self-confidence. A thorough description of the sample, the context, and the raw data was provided to aid others in
determining if the findings may reliably be used for other situations.

Definition of Terms
(For Qualitative, get the terms from your title or the usually used terms in your content. For Quantitative, get as well
the variables of your study. Define it conceptually (with author) and operationally (how you used it in your study).

Challenges - something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests
a person's ability.
Challenges are 'situations or problems that require a person to use their personal skills, resources and creativity to
come up with appropriate solutions' (Avolio and Gardner, 2017). Challenges is related to this research study because
they expose the difficulties that exist for individuals transitioning from prison to the outside world.

Ex-convicts - a convicted criminal who is no longer serving a prison sentence.

Ex-convict is someone who has been convicted of a crime and spent time in prison as a result of that conviction.
( Harris, 2018 ) It is related to our research because our study focuses about the experiences and challenges of ex-
convicts.

Stigma – a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.

Stigma is a mark of disgrace or reproach felt by an individual due to their association with a particular group or
circumstance (Hailey and Link, 2005). Stigma is related to the study about ex-convicts because it provides an insight
into how individuals who have been convicted of a crime are perceived by society, and how their experiences may be
different from those who have not been convicted of a crime. Additionally, stigma can provide an understanding of
how former convicts may be affected by their criminal past and the social consequences they face after being released
from prison.

Chance - a possibility of something happening.

Chance is “the probability of an event occurring divided by the total number of possible events”. ( Rasheed, 2017 )
Chance plays a role of this research about ex-convicts because it can be used to identify patterns of behavior and to
figure out what factors lead to recidivism. Significance of the study Families- it can benefit families by providing
insight into the conditions that lead to criminal actions. This understanding can help families develop strategies for
avoiding or managing similar situations in the future. It can also give family members a better understanding of how
to best support the ex-convict in their journey.

Journey - an act of traveling from one place to another.

Journey- a movement from one place to another, undertaken with intention and accompanied by insight. ( Wood,
2018 ) It is related to our research about ex convicts lives because it is often filled with many challenges and obstacles
that must be overcome in order for the ex-convict to successfully reintegrate back into society.