Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the methods that we used in conducting this study. This

chapter includes the research design, the duration and the locale of the study, the

population and informants of the study, materials used to gather the relevant data, and

methods that we performed to complete the data. In addition, this chapter shows how the

researchers came up with the data for this study and how these data were examined,

interpreted, and introduced most appropriately.

Research Design

This research will entail a quasi-experimental design.

Quasi-experimental research designs allow researchers to compare groups (Bruce

A.T, 2012) without the need for randomization of test devices or subjects.

In this experiment, the research will have to develop an improvised scale model

drainage canal system made of available scrap or unused materials in the households of

the researchers, except for the plastic net mesh which will be obtained by purchasing.

Materials and Procedure

Test Device

The researchers developed a scale model of a canal system. The scale model is

designed to simulate a roadside canal with a manhole or opening covered with the
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drainage canal filtration system made of plastic mesh. The plastic mesh is a commercially

available plastic sold as window screens to prevent entry of mosquitoes and even dust.

The plastic screen mesh is cut to fit the size of the opening of the basin underneath,

attached on a wooden frame and secured using small nails and rivets. The mesh measures

12” X 8.” It is fastened to the rim of the basin to secure it and prevent it from getting

detached once the experimental flood water wastes are drained into it repeatedly.

The other materials needed in the manufacture of the scale model like nails, rivets

were bought from a local hardware store in San Carlos City, Pangasinan on April ____,

2022. The refrigerator basin was recovered from an old non-functional refrigerator.

The basin underneath the test plastic net mesh simulates the drainage canal. It is

made up of an old unused vegetable and fruit crisper tray recovered from a non-

functional refrigerator. It was cleaned and labelled in milliliters to facilitate volumetric

measurements.

The transparent refrigerator basin was chosen for this experiment as its

transparency will allow the researchers to see through as the filtrate drains into it.

The researchers marked the exterior with volumetric measurements (in millilitres,

ml) to allow more efficient measurement of the filtrate (See Figure 2).

Only one scale model of the drainage canal system with the plastic. The scale

model shall be used for all trials and treatment groups in this investigation.

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 SPEAKER EU GEN IO PEREZ N ATION AL AGRICU LTU RAL SCHOOL
Ro xa s, Sa n C a rlo s C ity, Pa n g a sin a n , Ph ilip p in e s
Te le p h o n e No .: +6375• 955• 5258

Figure 2.
Photo of the improvised drainage canal scale model
Test Materials

Three groups of materials shall be used in this experiment: (1) mixture of 5liters

of water and 500g of soil and sand; (2) mixture made of 5 liters of water and 500g of

assorted plastic materials made of shampoo sachets, candy wrappers, plastic straws and

plastic bags and (3) mixture of 5 liters of water and 500g of assorted dry leaves.

The solid wastes shall be sourced as follows:

a. About 500g of sample soil and sand shall be obtained from the backyard

where the research site is located. This shall be obtained and placed in a dry

bucket and stored in the makeshift laboratory room at least three days prior to

the date of the experiment to ensure that is dry.

b. Actual plastic materials such as shampoo packaging, candy wrappers and

plastic beverage straws shall be recovered at least two days before the date of

experiment from the household wastes where the research site is located. They

shall be cleaned prior to being used in the experiment.

c. Leaves from various plant species shall be collected fresh from their mother

plants at least one week before the experiment. This window time will allow

the leaves to dry up completely in time for the actual day of experiment.

The three groups of solid wastes to be used as test materials shall be prepared in

three sets each for the three trials for every treatment group.

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These three groups of test materials shall also serve as basis for the treatment

groups, which are all going to make up the three experimental groups and no control

group for comparison.

Treatment group number 1 will be the mixture of 5liters of water and 500g of soil

and sand. Treatment number 2 shall be comprised of the mixture made of 5 liters of water

and 500g of assorted plastic materials made of shampoo sachets, candy wrappers, plastic

straws and plastic bags and Treatment group 3 shall be made up of the mixture of 5 liters

of water and 500g of assorted dry leaves.

Each treatment group shall have three trials. The trials shall be prepared on the

day of the experiment on April _____, 2022.

Table 2 shows the treatment groups and the variables to be measured.

Outcome Variable (DV): Experimental Experimental Experimental

waste filtration Group 1 (T1) Group 2 (T2) Group 3 (T3)
Plastic net mesh fixed in an improvised drainage canal
Intervention
scale model
5 l. of water 5 l. of water
Test materials: Solid waste 5 l. of water
and 500g of soil and 500g of
mixed in water: and 500g of
and sand dried assorted
plastic wastes
mixture leaves
No. of Trials 3 3 3
1. Average volume of residue
Variables to be measured 2. Average volume of filtrate
3. Filtration rate
Table 2. Treatment Group Plots

Laboratory Structures

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The researchers chose an unused storage room of one of the group members as

their makeshift laboratory site. The place is secured to minimize if not eliminate potential

hazards or unnecessary disruption once the experiments is started. The permission to

convert and use the room for experimentation was sought from the concerned head of the

household. The research site is in Sitio ____, Barangay ____ , San Carlos City

Pangasinan.

An experiment table was placed at the center of the well-lit room. Aside from the

scale model drainage system, four (4) buckets of pre-measured tepid tap water measuring

five liters each shall be placed beside the experiment table to be used as part of the

mixtures with the various solid wastes that will comprise the four experiment groups.

A standard weighing scale is placed on the experiment table to be used for

assessment of weights of the residues and the filtrate for every trial. The weights to be

observed will be in grams up to two decimal places.

The makeshift laboratory will be ready for experimentation at least two days

before the first day of the actual experiment.

The researchers shall wear personal protective equipment (goggles, gloves and

laboratory gown and boots) during the entire duration of the experimentation for safety.

Data Collection

Observation shall be the main tool for data collection.

Specifically, the researchers will record the residue and the filtrate weights using

a digital weighing scale. A pre-designed observation template was prepared by the

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researchers that clearly indicates the treatment groups, replications or trials to be made or

performed as well the variables and actual data to be gathered, including units of

measurement.

Table 2 shows the observation template for this research.

Table 2. Observation Data Sheet

Variables/ T1
Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Residue weight (g)
Filtrate weight (g)
Filtration rate (g)
Variables/ T2
Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Residue weight (g)

Filtrate weight (g)

Filtration rate (g)
Variables/ T3
Parameter Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
Residue weight (g)

Filtrate weight (g)

Filtration rate (g)

Data Collection Procedure

The lone scale model of the drainage canal shall be used for all treatment groups.

For the first experimental treatment, the 6.5 kg mixture of water, soil and sand

will be poured on top of the mesh. The transparent basin underneath the mesh will catch

the filtrate, and shall be measured in terms of volume. The catch basin was pre-labelled

with volumes to facilitate real time measurement of filtrate volume. Meanwhile, the solid

wastes that will be trapped on top of the mesh, called residues, shall be collected by

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placing them on a lightweight plastic basin and shall be weighed as well. The scale model

shall be thoroughly cleaned before its next cycle of use for the next experimental

treatment groups. After the measurement is assessed, the procedure will be done two

more times and corresponding weight assessment shall then be conducted.

The second experimental group of test materials made up of tap water and mixed

plastics shall be poured onto the plastic mesh. Just like in the first treatment setup, the

residue and the filtrate shall be accordingly measured. The procedure for the second

experimental group will be repeated tow more times, similar to what the first treatment

group went through.

The third experimental treatment shall undergo the same process as the first two,

with the solid waste this time in the form of water and dried leaves.

Data Analysis

This research shall measure three variables as indicators of the effectiveness of

using plastic net mesh as a flood water filter in drainage canal system: residue weight,

filtrate weight and the filtration rate.

The residue weight shall be assessed per trial, and the average value of the three

trials for every treatment group shall be computed.

The same statistical treatment will be applied to the assessment of three trials in

all treatment groups in terms of the filtrate weight. The weight of the container of the

filtrate will be deducted from the gross weight. It shall be assessed prior to its use to

contain the filtrate for its weight assessment.

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The filtration rate shall be determined by dividing the weight of the filtrate by the

total weight of the mixture which shall have been assessed prior to pouring the

experimental solid waste and water mixtures on the drainage canal scale model.

Filtration rate = (residue / total weight) X 100

The filtration rates per treatment group shall be averaged, and the average values

shall be compared using one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

If statistical significance is found, Tukey’s post hoc tests shall be conducted.