Research Proposal
Research Proposal
Research Proposal
Authors’ Note
Emmanuel Joshua Timog, and Rodimar Torres Jr. Holy Angel University, #1 Holy Angel
[email protected]
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INTRODUCTION
The outbreak of COVID-19 has seen entire cities in Philippines effectively placed
under mass quarantine. Institutions and facilities were forced to shut down as a protocol to
prevent the spreading of the virus, resulting in an economic recession (Panchal et al, 2021).
However, precedents for such measures broke down as the resulting economic recession have
negatively affected many people’s mental health. Although these decisive actions and efforts
are highly commendable and necessary, issues continue to emerge as COVID-19 confinement
may have adverse effects on young adults’ mental health. Particularly college students.
Due to the long-lasting pandemic situation, the COVID-19 has likely affected mental
health, particularly with widespread social isolation. These times of uncertainty can fuel
anxiety, causing the mind to conjure up new stressors including fear and worry for oneself or
loved ones, constraints on physical movement and social activities due to quarantine, and
sudden and radical lifestyle changes (Son et al, 2020). These has the potential to affect the
As students’ mental health has been an increasing concern. College students are not
insusceptible. Unlike other student groups, such as primary. The COVID-19 pandemic
Studies show that during the pandemic, a larger than average share of young adults
(ages 18-24) report symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders (Panchal et al, 2021).
Whereas other reports from those who are quarantined were significantly more likely to be
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exhausted, detached from others, indecisive, anxious, and irritable. Some even had trouble
sleeping, poor concentration, and deteriorating work performance (Bai Y et al, 2020).
Hence, the study for the psychological impacts of COVID-19 was conducted. This
study examines its likely effects on mental health and the underlying factors that contribute to
these effects. The study aimed at proposing and validating a newly developed measurement
tool to specifically assess sources of stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
among university students, using the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire (CSSQ).
assess COVID-19 related sources or stress among university students. It includes the scope
within fear of contagion and the state of living in isolation. It was hypothesized that induced
changes in academic studying and relationships with friends, partner, university colleagues,
The researchers also elicited pandemic-specific stressors across academic-, health-, and
lifestyle-related outcomes such as effects on own or loved ones’ health, sleeping habits, eating
habits, financial situation, changes to their living environment, academic workload, and social
relations.
Overall, the study focuses on college students at Holy Angel University, Angeles,
Pampanga and presents an integrated framework to determine whether and how stressors
Rationale
As a major virus outbreak in the 21st century, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-
19) pandemic has led to unprecedented hazards to mental health globally. While psychological
support is being provided to patients, elders, repatriated workers and healthcare workers, the
students’ mental health requires significant attention as well. This research proposal aims to
synthesize the effects of COVID-19 on psychological outcomes and behavioral effects of the
general population of college students at Holy Angel University and its associated risk factors.
This study contributes to the current literature on psychological stress and mental
health. It makes up for the lack of understanding of the situations of college students who are
engaged in online classes from their home during the COVID-19 outbreak. This research does
not only overcome the previous analysis focusing primarily on the effect of a single stressor
on college students’ health but also enlarges the scope of current research on students’ stress
and health.
emotional being. They will come to an understanding with their own mental and
emotional needs to respond to the many aspects that make up their well-being.
2. Researchers would also gain from this study because it would develop their
3. The academe is also one of the beneficiaries, provided the basis for psychological
intervention programs, it would help them raise morale by promoting social support
4. Future researchers will benefit from this study as well. It could be a basis for future
The study aims to identify the psychological impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the
Conceptual Framework
procrastinating, eating habits, school, and home) and the outcome (mental health) which is
Abbreviations
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
structured interview is designed with the purpose of assessing the mental health status of
college students both quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, the interview aimed to
capture the ways that students have been coping with the stress associated with the pandemic
situation. However, the survey will assess participants’ general stress levels using the CSSQ.
assess COVID-19 related sources or stress among university students. It includes the scope
within fear of contagion and the state of living in isolation. It was hypothesized that induced
changes in academic studying and relationships with friends, partner, university colleagues,
academic-, health-, and lifestyle-related outcomes. Students will also be asked about the
behavioral effects under stress and the effects on academic and lifestyle related outcome. The
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aspects were scored using a 5-point Likert scale: 1 (significantly decreased), 2 (slightly
Participants
The participants of the study will be college students from different college
departments at Holy Angel University. The researchers will ensure that chosen students from
different colleges will qualify the following conditions: 1) six months of online class
Excel software, and for each section of different colleges, the computer will randomly select
twenty (n = 20) respondents from the list of students’ names in the worksheet. In this way,
every student and college department have an equal chance of being included in the sample.
For instance, if the researchers manage to acquire 40 students in each section, the names of
these students will be entered into the worksheet and only half (20) will be randomly selected.
There will be a total of (n = 120) respondents who will undertake in the study.
Research Instrument
To get the appropriate data needed, the researcher will use survey and interview as
research instrument. The survey questionnaires consist of three (3) parts. Part 1 includes the
demographic profile of the respondents. Researchers will determine the age, sex, and college
questionnaires that presents a list of multiple, possible answer options. This tool will help the
researchers determine the behavioral effects of stress and common stressor among the sample.
Part 3 consists of CSSQ and a separate 5-point Likert scale. Each statement on the CSSQ will
be answered from a similar 5-point Likert scale from 1 (not at all stressful) to 5 (extremely
stressful). This tool will help determine the psychological impacts of COVID-19 in terms of
stress levels. The other Likert scale consists of questions that will determine the effects of
The data needed for the study will be collected through survey questionnaires and a
semi-structured online interview. The researchers will disseminate online surveys via Google
forms. Whereas the interview will be conducted via Skype or Zoom app. The survey consists
of close-ended questions in which is divided by two parts: demographic (age, sex, and college);
The psychological impacts including behavioral effects of stress, stressors, and the
assessed using multiple response question that presents a list of possible answer options or
CATA (check-all-that-apply) questionnaire items and the respondent will select all options that
are true for them. The following CATA questionnaires are developed to assess the perceived
Though, the COVID-19 Stress Scales was developed to measure the psychological
impact of COVID-19 in terms of danger and contamination fears, fears about economic
stress symptoms (Taylor et al, 2020). Respondents answer each item of the questionnaire using
a Likert scale from 1 (not at all stressful) to 5 (extremely stressful). Total scores range from 1-
50.
Data Analysis
Association’s (EFPA) standards and guidelines will be used (Evers et al. 2013), which describe
the standard method for validity testing by the following levels of evidence: 1) construct
validity; 2) criterion validity: (a) postdictive or retrospective validity; (b) convergent validity;
Ethical Considerations
It is important to adhere to ethical principles to protect the dignity, rights, and welfare
of research participants (WHO, n.d.). Thereby the researchers ensure ethical considerations in
pursuit of this study. These include full honesty, requirements for informed consent– a consent
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form is presented to the possible participants for the interview containing their rights to be
informed about the study procedures. Moreover, anonymization and storage of data, and duty
of confidentiality for all those who will undertake the research study.
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APPENDICES
from Holy Angel University. I understand that the project is designed to gather information
about the psychological and behavioral impact imparted by the COVID-19 pandemic. My
participation in this project is voluntary. I understand that I will not be paid for participation. I
1. If I feel uncomfortable in any way during the answering the Google form and interview
session, I have the right to decline to answer any question or to end the interview.
2. Participation involves being asked to answer specific questions on the Google Form and
being interviewed by researchers from Holy Angel University via Zoom app. The interview
will last approximately 15 minutes or less. Notes will be taken during the interview by the
interviewer, and the interview will be audio recorded. If I do not want to be recorded, I will
3. I understand that the researcher will not identify me by name in any reports using
information obtained from this interview, nor will any identifying information be used in future
4. I confirm that I have read and understand the information provided to me. I have had all my
Date: ________________
Survey Form
Note: This survey and any data within it are confidential and intended solely for the use of this
study. Your participation is entirely voluntary. If there are items you do not feel comfortable
answering, please skip them. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Demographic
Gender:
□ Male
□ Female
Age:
College:
□ SAS □ SBA
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I.
a. What are the usual behavioral effects of stress you have noticed on yourself since
b. What are the most pressing factors that trigger your stress? (Check all that
apply)
II.
a. Check the box that indicates your answer based on the scale where 1 –
1 2 3 4 5
(breakfast/lunch/dinner) changed?
b. Check the box that indicates your answer based on the scale where 1 – not at all
5 – extremely stressful.
1 2 3 4 5
of COVID-19 pandemic?
pandemic?
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REFERENCES
Bai Y, Lin C-C, Lin C-Y, Chen J-Y, Chue C-M, Chou P. (2020). Survey of Stress Reactions
Among Health Care Workers Involved with the SARS Outbreak. Retrieved from
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Brooks, S. K., Webster, R. K., Smith, L. E., Woodland, L., Wessely, S., Greenberg, N., &
Rubin, G. J. (2020). The Psychological Impact of Quarantine and How to Reduce It: Rapid
Review of the Evidence. Lancet (London, England), 395(10227), 912–920. Retrieved from
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8
Evers, A., Muñiz, J., Hagemeister, C., Høstmaelingen, A., Lindley, P., Sjöberg, A., et al.
(2013). Assessing the Quality of Tests: Revision of the EFPA Review Model. Psicothema 25,
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Taylor, S., Landry, C., Paluszek, M., Fergus, T. A., McKay, D., and Asmundson, G. J.
(2020). Development and Initial Validation of the COVID Stress Scales. Retrieved from
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-020-00277-1
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World Health Organization. n.d. Ensuring Ethical Standards and Procedures for Research
standards-and-procedures-for-research-with-human-beings
Zurlo, M. C., Volta, M. F., Vallone, F. (2020). COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.576758