RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This section presents the research design, the research environment, research

participants, research instruments, and research procedures.

Research Design

This study used the phenomenological research approach. Phenomenology is a

qualitative research method that focuses on the shared experiences of a group of people.

The approach's main purpose is to arrive at a description of the nature of the occurrence

in question (Creswell, 2013). This approach was used in this study since phenomenology

aims to determine a person's experiences in a certain situation, which is also the focus of

this study: to learn about the students' experiences during the pandemic and how this

affects their relationships with their family members.

Research Environment

This study was conducted at the University of Cebu-Main in 2022–2023. The

University of Cebu is a non-sectarian, private, coeducational basic and higher education

institution in Cebu City, Philippines. It was established in 1964 and offers preschool,

grade school, junior and senior high schools, as well as undergraduate and post-graduate

degrees. There are four campuses located throughout Metro Cebu: (a.) the main campus

along Sanciangko Street, which includes the new UC–Pri Campus for Senior High

School students (located along Private Street, Brgy. Sambag I, across Elizabeth Mall—

UC's sister firm); (b.) the Banilad campus along G. Brgy. Cuenco, Cuenco Street; (c.) the

UC–LM (Lapu-Lapu–Mandaue) campus situated along A.C. Cortes Avenue, Brgy. Looc,

Mandaue City; and (d.) the Mambaling campus, also known as the Maritime Educational

Training Center (UC–METC) along Alumnus Street, Brgy. Mambaling. The study
focused on the College of Arts and Sciences department, particularly these programs:

English Language, English Literature, Psychology, and Political Science. (See Appendix

C)

Research Participants

The research participants of this study were sixteen (16) selected third-year

students, eight (8) males and eight (8) females, who are from the College of Arts and

Sciences at the University of Cebu—Main. These participants experienced the COVID-

19 pandemic. The students spent their time at home together with their family members

during the pandemic lockdown.

Purposive sampling was used to represent the population. Purposive sampling,

also known as judgment sampling, is the purposeful selection of a participant based on

the qualities they possess (Tongco, 2007). This focuses on individuals who have specific

qualities and will be better able to participate in the study (Etikan et al., 2016).

Research Instruments

The researchers used a guided, semi-structured interview with open-ended

questions to gather and collect the necessary data for the study's thorough analysis. They

gathered the participants’ basic information (name, gender, course) and asked them

premeditated questions regarding their relationships with their families during the

pandemic. Researchers also asked follow-up questions during the interview.

Research Procedures

This section discussed the presentation of the data collection and analysis, ethical

considerations, the trustworthiness of the study, credibility, dependability, transferability,

and conformability of the study as initiated.

Data Collection

The study's participants were sixteen (16) third-year College of Arts and Sciences

students, eight (8) males and eight (8) females. After the Dean of the College of Arts and

Sciences gave her approval, the selected participants were contacted either via Facebook

Messenger or in person.

The students individually received an invitation message or were approached in

person to ask about their participation, as well as an explanation of what the study is all

about and why it is being conducted. To ensure that the participants are fit to participate

in the study, the researchers asked the participants if they were with their family members

during the pandemic. The researchers asked permission from the participants if they were

willing to partake in the said study.

A consent letter was given to the students once they agreed to participate as

participants in the study. The students read and signed the letter after agreeing to

willingly participate in the study.

Following the signing of the consent letter, the researcher asked the participants to

indicate a convenient and available time for the individual interview. The participants

were free to choose the date and time of the interview.

The researchers confirmed the date and time of the interview to the participants

the day before the scheduled interview. It was to ensure that the participants were still

available and willing to do the individual interviews on the scheduled date and time.

Following the completion of the research participants, each researcher was in

charge of four participants, as interviews can be time-consuming.

 Researchers gave a run-through of the interview and informed the participants

that the duration is at least 20–30 minutes and will be face-to-face.

Each participant’s answers would be kept confidential, so the interview was

performed separately.

The researchers reminded the participants that the interview was recorded for

documentation purposes. The researchers also confirmed the readiness of the participant

and repeated the instructions, necessary reminders, and assurances at the start of the

interview.

Once the interview began, the assigned interviewer used semi-structured

questionnaire. The interviewer also asked follow-up questions that they felt would benefit

the further exploration of the participant’s experiences.

After the interview, each participant was reassured that the information they

shared would be kept anonymous in the study. Each interviewer ensured that the

recording was saved and intact after every interview.

Data Analysis

Thematic analysis was used by the researchers to analyze the collected data and

determine the results of the study, which was conducted using a phenomenological study.

Braun and Clarke (2006) explained that thematic analysis is a method used in qualitative

research to analyze its data. It involves identifying a data set for repeating patterns,

analyzing them, and reporting them. This method is used to analyze the participants'

meanings and experiences in order to get insights into a certain problem that they are

dealing with. Thematic analysis can be used to uncover deeper themes in a wide range of

collected data (Joffe 2011; Clarke and Braun 2017).

 Thematic analysis is an excellent research tool to utilize for extracting

information about people's perspectives, attitudes, knowledge, experiences, or values,

especially when the data is collected through interviews. The data obtained is easier to

identify, analyze, and observe repeated patterns. After the recorded data has been

obtained, the researchers compose a transcript of each participant's responses. They then

sifted through the transcripts and annotated them to identify the feedback's implications

and emerging patterns. Such connections went through an initial coding process, wherein

the researchers coded compelling points from the responses and took note of them.

Similar anecdotes have been grouped afterward or, were branched out into subgroups.

The researchers reviewed this to ensure the accuracy of the thematic codes. Accordingly,

the researchers finalized everything to compose their interpretations and analysis and

build their conclusions.

Ethical Considerations

Following the Research Ethics Protocol, the researchers provided the participants

with Informed and Voluntary Consent forms to sign and indicate their agreement and

willingness to participate in the study. The participants were aware of the study's purpose.

During the interview, the participants’ answers were kept confidential. The researchers

asked permission to use audio recording devices to ensure accurate transcription. The

information gathered were used solely for research purposes only. The researchers also

reminded the participants that they have the right to withdraw if the questions make them

feel uneasy. The participants were not harmed in any way during the study's conduction.
Trustworthiness of the Study

When assessing the quality of a study, qualitative researchers utilize slightly

different criteria and terminology. They talk about how to make the data in the study

more trustworthy. Credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability are four

proposed alternatives for assessing the trustworthiness of qualitative research (Lincoln &

Guba, 1985).

Credibility of Research. When interviewing participants, the researchers used

the same questions. The adviser of the researchers reviewed the interview guides that

were used by the researchers. With the participants' permission, the interview was

recorded. Transcripts and reviews of the data collection were shared with participants,

who were asked to confirm the accuracy of their statements.

Dependability of Research. The information gathered was transcribed. The

participants' responses were examined and analyzed to obtain more accurate and

thorough findings.

Transferability of Research. This study can be utilized as a source of

information that can be passed from one institution to another. The study's conclusions

can be applied to a variety of circumstances. The researchers chose participants who

could best enlighten the research questions and improve their knowledge of the study.

Confirmability of Research. This study's findings were based more on the

experiences of the participants than on the qualities and preferences of the researchers.