CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study employed a qualitative descriptive research design to

explore and describe the lived experiences of the participants regarding

the effects of family income on their academic achievements. This design

was selected because it allows the researcher to present clear and

accurate descriptions of participants’ perspectives using their own words.

Through careful examination of the data, the researchers were able to

present a comprehensive description of the students' experiences and

challenges. Descriptive research is appropriate when the goal is to obtain

straightforward descriptions of a phenomenon without deep theoretical

interpretation (Sandelowski 2000).

Data were gathered through open-ended questions, which enabled

the participants to freely share their experiences and coping strategies.

Using this design, the study identified common patterns and themes

related to how participants manage difficulties. The qualitative descriptive

approach is appropriate as it provides practical and easily understood

findings and directly applicable for educators, administrators and future

researchers.
 Research Instrument

The main instrument used in this study is a researcher-developed

open-ended questionnaire designed to gather in-depth information about

the lived experiences of STEM students regarding the effects of family

income on their academic achievements. It consists of semi-structured

and open-ended questions that allow participants to freely express their

thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their own words, enabling the

researchers to collect rich and meaningful qualitative data. The

questionnaire is written in clear and simple language to ensure that all

respondents can easily understand the questions.

Participants of the Study

The participants of this study were selected STEM students of Mlang

National High School who are currently enrolled during the School Year

2025–2026. These students were chosen because they have direct

experiences related to the research topic, particularly on how family

income affects their academic achievements. As learners under the STEM

strand, they encounter academic demands that require access to various

resources, making them capable of providing first-hand accounts of their

challenges, experiences, and coping strategies.

specific criteria, including the willingness to participate in the study. The

participants may represent different genders and academic performance

levels to ensure a broader perspective of experiences. This selection

process allowed the researchers to gather rich, relevant, and meaningful

qualitative data from students who are directly experiencing the

phenomenon being investigated.

Data Gathering Procedure

To conduct this study, the researchers will secure a letter of

permission from the principal of M’lang National High School. Following

permission, the researchers will work with the STEM strand adviser to find

students who will participate in the study as respondents. The chosen

participants will next receive the prepared questionnaires from the

researchers. Respondents will be informed of the study's objective prior to

replying, and they will be reassured that their participation is entirely

voluntary and that their answers will remain private. They will have

enough time to complete the inquiry completely and honestly. After

gathering the questionnaires, the researchers will review and organize the

responses. They will then count, arrange, and study the data using

suitable descriptive statistical tools to outline the effects of family income

on the academic achievements of STEM students. All collected

information will be used only for academic purposes and kept confidential.
 Sampling Procedure

This study employed purposive sampling, a non-probability

sampling technique in which participants were intentionally selected

based on characteristics relevant to the research topic. This method is

suitable for qualitative research as it enables the researchers to gather

meaningful insights from individuals who have direct experience with the

phenomenon under study.

With help from the STEM strand adviser, participants were selected

based on specific criteria: they must be senior high school STEM students,

have experiences related to financial benefits or drawbacks that could

impact their academic performance, and be willing to voluntarily share

their personal experiences, challenges, and coping methods.

Ethical Considerations

This study will strictly follow accepted ethical standards to ensure

respect, fairness, and protection of all participants throughout the

research process. To protect the rights and well-being of the participants,

the following ethical considerations will be followed throughout the study:

1. Informed Consent - Participants will be informed about the

purpose of the study, the types of questions to be asked, and their role in
the research. Participation will be voluntary, and written consent will be

obtained before the interview.

2. Confidentiality and Anonymity - All information shared by the

participants will be kept confidential. Their real names will not be used in

the research. Codes or pseudonyms will be assigned to keep their identity

safe.

3. Right to Withdraw - Participants can refuse to answer any

question or withdraw from the study at any time without any penalty or

negative consequences.

4. Emotional Sensitivity - Since the study involves personal and

financial struggles, the researcher will conduct interviews with empathy,

respect, and sensitivity. Participants will not be pressured to share

experiences that make them uncomfortable.

5. Proper Use of Data - The data collected will be used only for

academic purposes and will not be shared with anyone not authorized. All

recordings and transcripts will be securely stored.