Research Methodology on Smoking Effects
Research Methodology on Smoking Effects
Challenges in data analysis might include interpreting subjective responses from the Likert-scale questionnaire and ensuring the reliability and validity of the results due to the small sample size of only seven students . Moreover, drawing meaningful conclusions from self-reported data on sensitive topics like smoking can be difficult due to potential biases and inaccuracies .
The study is set in Marcelina National High School, located in a rural area in the Philippines. This setting provides a unique context for understanding cigarette smoking among students, as rural settings might have different socio-economic and cultural factors influencing smoking behaviors compared to urban areas. The school's location, being 8 kilometers from the city proper, could affect access to cigarettes and exposure to smoking influences .
To ensure participant confidentiality, the researchers did not disclose the names of the student smokers in their report. Additionally, they obtained permission from the respondents to participate in the study before gathering data .
The Likert-scale questionnaire aims to determine the impacts of cigarette smoking among students, including their perceptions, the causes and effects of their smoking habits, and the importance of preventing smoking. The instrument is designed to assess student awareness and motivation to cease smoking .
Employing purposive sampling in this study limits the generalizability of the research findings to other student populations. Since the sample consists only of those who are smokers and have a particular interest or relevance to the study, the results may not represent the broader student body or teenagers in different contexts or regions .
The second phase of the study involves analyzing and discussing the gathered data and results from the students' responses to the questionnaires. This phase follows the initial phase of individual questionnaire answering .
A descriptive research design is more suitable for this study because it aims to observe and describe the existing phenomena of cigarette smoking behaviors among students without manipulating any variables. This approach allows the researchers to gain insights into the students' perceptions and deliberate the socio-cultural contexts influencing their smoking habits, which an experimental design might not effectively capture .
The researchers used a purposive sampling procedure by first identifying the students who engaged in cigarette smoking at Marcelina National High School. The selection was based on the participants' interest in the study, ensuring that only those relevant to the research objectives were included .
The study employed a descriptive research design. This method was chosen because the researchers aimed to determine the perceptions of students regarding cigarette smoking, the causes and reasons for their engagement in the habit, and its effects on their health and academic performance .
The study investigates potential impacts of cigarette smoking on students' academic performance. These impacts could include decreased concentration, lower academic achievement due to health issues, and increased absenteeism .


