Chapter III

Methodology

Research Design

This study used a qualitative research design, combining both

narrative and phenomenological approaches. The narrative design was

applied to collect and describe the personal stories of students about their

online shopping experiences and how these affect their financial

discipline. The phenomenological approach was used to explore and

understand the common experiences and meanings shared by the

students. Through this combination, the study aimed to gain both

individual and collective insights into the effects of online shopping on the

financial discipline of students at Notre Dame of Cotabato.

The researchers chose this research design to achieve a deeper

understanding of the students’ experiences, capture their personal

stories, and identify the common patterns and meanings behind their

behaviors toward online shopping and financial discipline. This design also

allowed the researchers to connect individual narratives with shared

experiences, providing both detailed and comprehensive insights into the

topic.

Locale of the Study

The study will be conducted at Notre Dame of Cotabato, located at

#63 Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City. Notre Dame of Cotabato is a private

school that offers both junior and senior high school education and is
recognized as the first Marist school in the Philippines. This school was

selected as the locale of the study due to the accessibility and availability

of senior high school students, who serve as the primary participants.

The researchers aim to explore the effects of online shopping on the

financial discipline of senior high school students at Notre Dame of

Cotabato. The school provides an ideal setting for this research because it

allows the researchers to find participants who actively engage in online

shopping, which is essential for exploring its effects on financial discipline.

Participants of the Study

The participants of this study are Senior High School (SHS) students

from Notre Dame of Cotabato during the School Year 2025–2026. The

target population consists of SHS students who are actively engaged in

online shopping. Twelve participants, six males and six females, will be

purposively selected from different strands to ensure a balanced

representation.

Research Instrument

The researchers will use a researcher-administered instrument,

specifically a semi-structured interview guide, as their means of gathering

the necessary data. It will be carefully designed and composed of 3

questions. Interviews will be used for this study because they allow for

deeper insights, enabling respondents to share detailed perspectives and

experiences in a natural and conversational manner. This method permits

the researchers to obtain accurate information while giving clarification

study, ensuring that the collected data can be analyzed systematically

and meaningfully.

Sampling Procedure

This study will utilize purposive sampling, a non-probability

technique in which participants are deliberately chosen based on specific

criteria relevant to the research objectives. The respondents will consist of

Senior High School students of Notre Dame of Cotabato from Grades 11

and 12, with two students selected from each academic strand to ensure

balanced representation. Selection will focus on students who have

engaged in online shopping within the last three months and are willing to

provide accurate and meaningful responses. By including two participants

per strand at both grade levels, the sample will reflect diverse academic

backgrounds while remaining manageable for data collection, allowing the

researchers to gather focused insights into the effects of online shopping

on students' financial discipline.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will utilize interviews to gather data. The

respondents will be chosen through purposive sampling, and formal

permission will be obtained from the school administration before

conducting the data collection. Interviews will be conducted with twelve

selected students (six males and six females) to gain deeper and more
detailed insights into their online shopping behaviors. After collection, all

responses from the interviews will be carefully reviewed, organized, and

analyzed through thematic analysis, where common themes and patterns

will be identified. The findings will then be interpreted to explain the

students’ experiences, perspectives, and behaviors related to online

shopping.

Ethical Considerations

The researchers will assure the participants that their names and

personal information will remain confidential and will not be disclosed in

any part of the study. Furthermore, the researchers will guarantee that

participation in this study will not cause any physical, emotional, or

psychological harm. Prior to the data-gathering process, informed consent

will be obtained from the participants, and formal permission will be

sought from the students and the school administration.

These ethical considerations show that the researchers truly care

about the safety and comfort of the participants. Participation in this study

will be completely voluntary, and the respondents will have the right to

withdraw at any time without any negative consequences. Getting their

consent and asking permission from the school also shows that the

researchers respect the participants’ right to choose and follow the

school’s rules. With these steps, the study will be done in a way that

respects and protects everyone involved.