CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This section of the study outlines the research methodology that will be used by

the researcher, covering the research design, data sources, respondents, research

instruments, data collection procedures, ethical considerations, statistical tools, and

endnotes.

Research Design

This study will utilize a mixed-methods approach, which involves the collection,

evaluation, and integration of both quantitative and qualitative data at various stages of

the research process to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the research

problem (Creswell, 2002). By employing mixed-methods research, we are able to

describe and further analyze the research concerns of the study (Ivankova & Stick,

2006). This approach emphasizes objective measurement and statistical analysis,

providing a clear and thorough understanding of how e-cigarettes affect the health of

nursing students at Divine Word College of Legazpi. The findings will be systematically

presented, enabling meaningful comparisons and conclusions based on the collected

data.

A sequential explanatory approach will be used in this mixed-method study. This

design, a two-phase mixed-methods process, starts with quantitative data collection and

analysis, followed by in-depth qualitative data (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003). The

quantitative phase (Phase 1) was used to analyze the initial results, while the qualitative
phase (Phase 2) aimed to examine, clarify, and explain the findings from the

quantitative phase (Creswell et al., 2003). This combination of methods offers a more

comprehensive understanding of the research problem

Sample

The participants in this study will be 100 nursing students from Divine Word

College of Legazpi. The respondents will be selected using a purposive sampling

technique, where participants are chosen based on specific criteria related to the study's

objectives. Only nursing students who are currently enrolled in the program and who

have either used e-cigarettes or are familiar with their effects will be included. This

purposive sampling method ensures that the selected participants are relevant to the

study's focus on e-cigarette use and its health effects.

The sample size of 100 students is deemed sufficient to provide a meaningful

analysis of the influence of e-cigarettes on physical and mental health outcomes. This

sample size also balances practicality with statistical power, allowing for robust findings

that can be generalized to the broader population of nursing students at the institution.

The primary criteria for participation are as follows:

(a) The student must be a current nursing student at Divine Word College of

Legazpi.

(b) The student must have prior experience with e-cigarettes, whether as a current

user or an individual who has used e-cigarettes in the past.

 (c) Students who have not used e-cigarettes will also be included to compare

differences in health outcomes between users and non-users.

Demographic information, including age, gender, year level, and general health status,

will also be collected to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the sample

characteristics.

This approach allows the researchers to capture relevant health factors in both physical

(e.g., respiratory health, cardiovascular issues) and mental health domains (e.g., stress,

anxiety) as they relate to e-cigarette use among nursing students.

Research Ethics Considerations

Ethical considerations are integral to ensuring the protection of participants' rights, well-

being, and dignity throughout the research process. In line with established ethical

standards and institutional guidelines, the following ethical protocols will be adhered to:

Informed Consent

All participants will be fully informed of the study’s purpose, procedures, and

potential risks before participation. Written consent will be obtained from each

participant, confirming that they understand the study and voluntarily agree to

participate. Participants will also be informed of their right to withdraw from the study at

any time without consequence.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

The confidentiality of all participant data will be strictly maintained. Personal

identifiers will be removed, and data will be coded to ensure anonymity. All research
data will be securely stored and accessible only to the research team. No identifiable

information will be included in any publications or reports resulting from this study.

Minimizing Harm and Risk

Every effort will be made to minimize any physical, psychological, or emotional

risks to participants. The study will be designed to avoid or reduce potential harm, and

any risks will be communicated to participants beforehand. In the event of any distress,

appropriate resources and support will be made available.

Data Integrity and Reporting

The research will uphold high standards of integrity in data collection, analysis, and

reporting. Results will be reported truthfully and accurately, and any conflicts of interest

will be disclosed. Plagiarism, data fabrication, or falsification will not be tolerated.

These ethical guidelines will be consistently followed to ensure the research is

conducted with integrity, transparency, and respect for all participants. The well-being

and rights of participants are paramount, and the research will be continuously

monitored to maintain compliance with ethical standards. By upholding these ethical

considerations, the study aims to contribute valuable knowledge while safeguarding the

dignity and privacy of those involved. Ethical conduct will remain a central focus

throughout the research process, fostering trust and credibility within the academic

community.

Statistical Analysis

The instrument used for data collection in this study will be a structured survey

questionnaire, designed to gather responses from a sample of 100 nursing students

selected through purposive sampling. The questionnaire will serve as the primary tool

for assessing the respondents' awareness and perceptions of the health impacts of e-

cigarettes, particularly concerning their physical and mental well-being.

Descriptive statistical analysis will be employed to summarize the data, calculate

the weighted mean, and validate the respondents’ answers. Specifically, Frequency

Distribution Analysis will be utilized to quantify the respondents’ capabilities, awareness,

and the major factors influencing their understanding of e-cigarette-related health risks.

This analysis will allow the researchers to identify the most common responses and to

gauge the overall distribution of knowledge and readiness among the sample

population.

The survey questionnaire will consist of four sections:

1. Part I will collect demographic information of the respondents, such as age,

gender, year level, and e-cigarette usage history.

2. Part II will assess the respondents' self-reported capabilities and knowledge

regarding the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use. Participants

will indicate the intensity of their awareness and understanding by checking the

appropriate boxes.

3. Part III will measure the respondents' awareness of factors that affect health

risks related to e-cigarette use, including physical and mental health concerns.

4. Part IV will present proposed measures and interventions aimed at enhancing

students' knowledge and management of e-cigarette-related health risks.

The gathered data will be tabulated, and the frequency and percentage of responses for

each question will be computed. This will allow the researchers to evaluate the

distribution of readiness and awareness levels across the sample, identifying the most

and least prevalent responses.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data collection process will begin with the development of a questionnaire by

the researchers. Once the questionnaire is drafted, it will be reviewed and approved by

the research adviser. Following approval, a dry run will be conducted to assess the

questionnaire's effectiveness, validity, and reliability. This trial will allow the researchers

to evaluate the clarity of the questions and the difficulty level of the items, ensuring that

the instrument accurately captures the intended information before the actual data

collection begins.

After the dry run, necessary revisions will be made to the questionnaire based on

the feedback and findings from the trial. Once the instrument is finalized, the

researchers will seek permission to proceed with the study by obtaining a letter of

endorsement from the dean. This letter will be submitted to the President of Divine

Word College of Legazpi for approval. Upon receiving the necessary permissions, the

researchers will initiate data collection.

The researchers will distribute the finalized survey questionnaires to the

respondents' respective households. The survey will be administered face-to-face,

ensuring that participants fully understand the instructions. Respondents will be

provided with a copy of the questionnaire, which will focus on their mental health,
capabilities, and knowledge regarding health risks associated with e-cigarette use. After

the surveys are completed, the researchers will retrieve the questionnaires from the

respondents.

The collected data will be coded to facilitate the organization and tallying of

responses. The responses will then be tabulated for analysis. The results will be

presented in tables, providing a clear summary of the findings. In the discussion section,

the researchers will interpret the data, analyzing whether respondents demonstrate an

active approach to health risk awareness and preparedness, as well as community

involvement. The findings will be used to identify areas for improvement in the

understanding of health risks among the nursing students and to suggest targeted

measures to enhance their knowledge and preparedness.

Research Instrument and Validation

1. Development of Research Instrument

The research instrument for this study will be a well-structured questionnaire designed

to collect relevant data regarding e-cigarette use, health perceptions, and behaviors

among nursing students. The questionnaire will consist of the following sections:

● Demographic Information:

This section will collect basic demographic data such as age, gender, year level,

and smoking status.

● E-Cigarette Use:

This section will gather information on:

 ○ Use: Frequency and duration of e-cigarette use.

○ Types of E-Cigarettes Used: Identification of the different e-cigarette

products used by respondents.

○ Reasons for Use: The reasons why respondents use e-cigarettes, such as

stress relief, social influence, or other factors.

● Health Perceptions:

This section will address the perceived health risks associated with e-cigarette

use.

○ Health Risks: The risks respondents believe are linked to e-cigarette use.

○ Perceived Comparison: Respondents' perception of the risks of e-

cigarettes compared to conventional cigarettes.

● Knowledge Evaluation:

This section will assess the respondents' awareness regarding e-cigarette

contents and health implications.

○ Chemical Constituents: The level of awareness about the chemicals found

in e-cigarettes.

○ Long-term Health Implications: Awareness of potential long-term health

consequences of e-cigarette use.

● Attitudes and Beliefs:

This section will capture respondents' attitudes and beliefs about e-cigarette

regulation and healthcare provider involvement.

○ Regulation: Attitudes toward the regulation of e-cigarettes.

 ○ Healthcare providers: Beliefs regarding the role of healthcare providers in

advising on e-cigarette use.

The questionnaire will incorporate a variety of question types, including multiple-choice,

Likert scale, and open-ended questions to gather comprehensive data.

2. Validation of the Research Tool

Ensuring the validity of the questionnaire is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable

data. The validation process will involve the following steps:

● Content Validity:

The questionnaire will be reviewed by experts in public health, nursing

education, and survey design. These experts will evaluate whether the questions

adequately cover the relevant topics and suggest improvements for clarity and

comprehensiveness.

● Construct Validity:

To ensure that the questionnaire accurately reflects the constructs of knowledge,

attitudes, and perceptions, statistical methods such as factor analysis will be

applied. This will help confirm whether the items are consistent with the

theoretical expectations of the study.

● Pilot Testing:

A small group of nursing students from the target population will participate in

the pretesting of the questionnaire. This pilot test will help identify any confusing

or ambiguous questions, allowing for revisions before the final distribution.

 ● Reliability Testing:

The reliability of the questionnaire will be assessed through test-retest reliability

checks or by calculating internal consistency coefficients (e.g., Cronbach's

alpha). A high reliability coefficient indicates that the instrument is stable and

produces consistent results over time.

End Notes

Creswell, J. W. (2002). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods

approaches (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

Ivankova, N. V., & Stick, S. L. (2006). Writing a successful research proposal for mixed
methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 114-131.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689806286993

Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2003). Handbook of mixed methods in social and
behavioral research. Sage Publications.

Creswell, J. W., Plano Clark, V. L., Gutmann, M. L., & Hanson, W. E. (2003). Advanced
mixed methods research designs. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of
mixed methods in social and behavioral research (pp. 209-240). Sage Publications.