045 Admiral Village, Talon III Las Piñas City

THE EFFECTS OF SMARTPHONE USAGE TO GRADE 9 STUDENTS

DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

A Qualitative Research
Presented to the Basic Education Department

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Introduction to Research

By

Ronju Jose M. Alvarez

Cherelle C. Burton
Ralfh Timothy N. Cruz
Xyza Gabrielle M. Fernando
Elian Josh P. Inojales
Sophia Dominique C. Montegrande
Denise Jane J. Roy
Maria Guia Allyson A. Yambao

May 2022
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL SHEET
The thesis attached hereto, entitled "THE EFFECTS OF SMARTPHONE USAGE TO GRADE 9
STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC," was prepared and submitted by RONJU JOSE M.
ALVAREZ, CHERELLE C. BURTON. RALFH TIMOTHY N. CRUZ, XYZA GABRIELLE M.
FERNANDO, ELIAN JOSH P. INOJALES, SOPHIA DOMINIQUE C. MONTEGRANDE, DENISE
JANE J. ROY, and MARIA GUIA ALLYSON A. YAMBAO in partial fulfillment of the requirements in
Qualitative Research, hereby endorsed.

JOEMAR G. DIAZ, LPT

Chair, Thesis Advisory Committee
Date

CLARA BETTINA BORROMEO, LPT

Member, Thesis Advisory Committee
Date

REVELYN P. DAQUIAOG, LPT

Member, Thesis Advisory Committee
Date

Recommending Approval

REVELYN P. DAQUIAOG, LPT Date:

Grade 11, Team Leader

JOEMAR G. DIAZ, LPT Date:

Research Coordinator
Approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Qualitative Research
Approved:

MICHAEL I. HALAMAN, MAEd Date:

Vice Principal

Noted:
ARIES C. ROLDAN, PhD Date:
Principal

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, we would like to thank our ITR teacher and Research Adviser, Ms. Revelyn
Pingad Daquioag for providing us the necessary information and for giving us her expert advice,
patience, guidance, and support so we could develop a good system throughout this difficult
project.

Second, we want to extend our great gratitude to each one of our cooperating members for
participating and researching mindfully, methodically and sacrificing their time, for an energy to
articulate and to create the required answers making this group project possible.

Third, we would like to thank our leader Denise Roy for being our project guide: gathering and
uniting all of us to partake on this journey to complete this project proactively and with efficiency.

Fourth, to our beloved parents who showed us their genuine support. By seeing their love and
encouragement, we accumulated the necessary energy to meet all the important requirements to
complete our project.

And lastly, many praises and thanks to God, the Father Almighty for his great help by giving us
the mental strength, blessings and fighting the battles unknown to us throughout this project.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE i
APPROVAL SHEET ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii
CERTIFICATE OF PROOFREADING
TABLE OF CONTENTS iv
LIST OF TABLES v
LIST OF APPENDICES v
ABSTRACT vi

CHAPTER
I. THE PROBLEM AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Literature Review 2
1.3 Theoretical Framework 3
1.4 Research Problems 4
1.5 Definition of Terms 4

II. METHODOLOGY 5
2.1 Qualitative Design and Methodology 5
2.2 Research Site 5
2.3 Selection Criteria and Participants 5
2.4 Data Collection 5
2.5 Data Analysis 6
2.6 Role of Researchers 6
2.7 Methods of Validation 7
2.8 Ethical Consideration 7

III. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 8

IV. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 12

4.1 Summary of Findings 12
4.2 Limitations of the Study 12
4.3 Conclusions 13
4.4 Recommendations 14

REFERENCES 15
APPENDICES 17
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 33

List of tables
Table Title Page
1 The benefits of smartphones to students 8
 2 The way students used smartphones during 9
pandemic

List of Appendices
Appendices Title Page

A Letter of Approval from Participants 17

B Measurement Tool 18
C Interview Transcriptions 20
ABSTRACT

Technology plays an important character in our everyday lives. Smartphones are

prominent in children likewise in elders. In terms of gadgets, we can’t keep
ourselves out of this. This research paper dispenses the impact of smartphones
on children in positive and negative system. Research has been supervised in
what way smartphones affects on the analysis of children. It also defines the
techniques for parents on how they can invigilate their children by regulating time
of smartphone usage. As the gadgets are expanding day by day, it is directing to
the technology addiction among youth. The paper cease with recommendations
for additional study of better apprehension of more conclusions in youth by
lengthen impact of smartphones.
 Chapter I
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As

the virus kicked off to spread worldwide, nations retaliated with illiberal measures. During the
pandemic, individuals progressively anticipated on smartphones both to follow knowledge about
the pandemic (Garfin, 2020) and to keep in touch with their social network (Huckins & Nguyen,
2020) Preceding to the crisis, researchers had been upraising concerns over dangerous impact of
smartphones on students (Elhai, 2017a) These concerns were highlighted during lockdown (Chao
& Liu, 2020). Others, anyhow, foregrounded possible health benefits (Schneider, 2019) due to
smartphones’ important role as a subsisting tool or product to reduce stress (Carolus, 2019)
specifically during communal isolation.

Smartphones are the most appearing, vital and intricate trends in communication. Smartphone
is the mobile phone that provides internet access and operating system that allows users to
download applications as well as to interact with others. The first smartphone was invented in
1992. It was called the Simon Personal Communicator and was invented by IBM. The construction
of smartphone applications has become a multibillion-dollar industry. But according to (Wajcman,
2007) users have reported that they would not be able to live without technology. Tentatively,
adolescents had experienced numerous physical and psychological changes. As a result, too much
usage of smartphones may affect the sleeping schedule of users, especially students.

(Ezemenaka, 2013) writes that the coinage of mobile phone technology changes the desire
among people, and most of them are affected. This impact contributes to a negative outcome on
the students during the pandemic.

The COVID -19 pandemic was unfolding daily and the influence on students perceived one day
could be absolutely dissimilar from what was glimpsed on another day. Suitably, the goal of this
study is to inspect how the speedily changing impact of COVID-19 on students develops over time
using high-resolution, real-time data collection.
 Research discoveries from separate studies advocate that the lowest death in grownups is
connected with people who have almost seven hours of sleep a night. Both remarkably less sleep
and greater sleep proportion are attached with reports of innumerable demise, for reasons that are
still ambiguous (Vorona, 2009).

The purpose of this study is to give information about the effects of smartphone usage on Grade
9 students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to educate and help people to understand more
about the said topic. The result of the study may help the learners to identify the effects of
smartphones on students’ performances and wellbeing and the importance of identifying the effects
these gadgets have on our daily lives. The findings of this study will benefit and understand the
effects these everyday devices have on our daily essence. This research will also make those
parents understand the following effects of these gadgets and how it affects the students’
production. And of course, this research will surely help our future students identify how it can
make an impact on their attainment of these devices because it can be applied to their everyday
lives.

Literature Review

The following literature will be helpful in determining recommendations and allowing the

researchers to find out the Effects of Smartphones to Grade 9 students during COVID-19

pandemic.

On COVID-19

Social distancing can undermine an individual’s sense of social connection and have a negative

effect on one’s psychological well-being. During the current pandemic, however, technology may

enable individuals to maintain their social connections despite physical distancing. Smartphones

allow us to call, text, direct message, shop, surf the internet, and scroll (or post, comment, and like)

our social media feeds. A small body of research has found that social media use can help

individuals build bridging, bonding, and maintaining social capital. Mobile phone use was positively
associated with both bridging and bonding capital as well as psychological and emotional well-

being. An experiment conducted by Deters and Mehl as cited by asked subjects in the treatment

group to make more posts than usual to Facebook. Results of the experiment found that this

increased posting led to lower levels of reported loneliness. These same subjects reported that

they felt more connected to their friends because of their increased posting.

One significant lifestyle shift is the complete reliance on the internet and smart devices, like
tablets, laptops, and mobiles. During the quarantine, with the necessary social/spatial distancing,
the usage of these smart devices increased at an increasingly fast pace. Unfortunately, this total
dependence has shown to be a form of addiction, i.e., a compulsive physiological need for and use
of a habit-forming substance (10). Nowadays, addiction is not only restricted to extensive
substance or drug abuse but also extends to the behavioral obsession with a specific activity that
disturbs people's healthy daily lives. Recently, internet-based activities, like online gaming,
chatting, and communications through the different available applications, have shown similar
addiction levels to those of drugs (11–13).

The impact of internet misusage has increased significantly due to its high accessibility through
smartphones, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile phones are widely used; around
60% of the world's population and 80% of Jordanian households have mobiles (14, 15). In the past
year alone, Jordanian mobile phone connections, internet users, and active social media users
increased by 1.7, 1.2, and 7.4%, respectively (15). Several studies have identified the prevalence
of smartphone addiction risks in different countries, using the smartphone addiction scale-short
version (SAS-SV) (16–25). Although a few recent studies have highlighted the different aspects of
internet usage related to COVID-19 (26–29), none, to the best of our knowledge, have examined
smartphone addiction during the current lockdown and quarantine. This is the first research that
presents a large-scale study of thousands of Jordanian undergraduate students to assess the
effect of COVID-19 extended home quarantine on smartphone addiction levels. This is assessed
by collecting many exposures to cover the demographic, economic, and quarantine-related factors
that might worsen the effect of quarantine on smartphone overuse.

On Smartphone
 According to (Jung, 2019) a smartphone is a cell phone that allows you to do more than make

phone calls and send text messages. Smartphones can browse the Internet and run software

programs like a computer. Smartphones use a touch screen to allow users to interact with them.

There are thousands of smartphone apps including games, personal-use, and business-use

programs that all run on the phone. Smartphones are the friendly gadgets which have made

everything reachable through a touch. They have occupied such a huge place in our daily lives that

it is no wonder that for most of us, a smartphone is the first thing we look at in the morning and it is

the last thing we see before going to bed. However, there are two sides of a coin. No harm can be

caused by anything if you do not get indulged into it blindly. Wideness lies where you take the

positive and helpful aspects of anything and leave the negative and unnecessary attachment to

that. One should be careful and should not get involved completely into something. Hence, being

aware of the pros and cons and having self-control could save you from many disasters, which is

really necessary. Differing Communication Options old school cell phones can call and text. While

this can get your message across, smartphones allow you multiple ways of communicating with

your staff, customers and suppliers. Not only can they call, text and IM, these communication tools

give you access to email, immediate photo sharing, video calling and video conferencing. You can

chair a staff meeting from anywhere you have phone service. You can also remain connected

through social networking sites like twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

At first, web browsing happened at a desk in an office, where a wire could reach a PC. Wireless

access and laptops moved the web pretty much anywhere in the house or office, but smartphone

technology, including broadband wireless, has sent the web onto the subway, into cars and to the

park whenever there is cellular coverage. What’s more, the latest smartphones can display nearly

as much of the internet as PCs, including new sites and streaming high-definition videos.
From Several Devices to One Once, you might have needed an entire bag to carry around all the

devices needed for daily business activities. You would need your pager, cell phone and your PDA.

You might also need an MP3 player, an e-book reader, a camera, a GPS receiver, a Wi-Fi adapter

and a high-definition touch sensitive screen into a cell phone sized device, a smartphone puts all of

this functionality into your pocket. Read and sell flyers before a meeting starts and transmit an ad

sale to your office via a mobile hotspot.

Availability of many applications, the late twentieth-century saw an explosion of computer

applications. The early twenty - first century brings hundreds of thousands of smartphone apps.

The sensors built into the smartphone as well as its portability and programmability have made it a

device with almost limitless applications. Beyond the tons of games, there are numerous

productivity apps available to save a good idea when inspiration strikes, organize meeting notes,

and host of other possibilities. You and your staff can keep fit with health and fitness apps to track

miles walked and the calories you’ve consumed. Internet radio and podcasting apps put you in

touch with whole new worlds of audio. Compass apps, leveling apps and flashlights provide

handling utilities. Apps that let you paint, modify photos or create music tap into your creativity.

On Smartphone Usage

As cited by (Alyousefi, 2019) in another Saudi study by Alosaimi et al, 43% of Saudi university

students are using smartphones for long hours had decreased sleeping hours with low energy the

next day, a study by Al-Khlaiwi and Meo showed that there’s an association between mobile phone

usage and symptoms like headache, dizziness and sleep disturbance. From the study of Yogesh et

al. have reported that a mobile phone use of more than 2 hours is related to poor sleep and

decreased sleep time in medical students in India.

According to (Demirci, 2015), the results indicate that depression, anxiety, and sleep quality

may be associated with smartphone overuse. Such overuse may lead to depression and/or
anxiety, which can in turn result in sleep problems. University students with high depression and

anxiety scores should be carefully monitored for smartphone addiction. Mobile phone usage is

evolving as an imperative issue which affects sleep excellence and magnitude mainly as clever

movable phones become extensively obtainable to teenagers. The use of movable processing

devices and smart portable televisions on larger quantities has been linked to hindering sleeping

and waking strategies and wake lag with possibly harming healthiness and instructive result study

has discovered that smart mobile devices’ addiction was a risk factor for poor sleep quality. A study

conducted examined two key associations between technology use for the period of sleeping

/sleep time, sleep quality, and hopelessness or nervousness and wake up time due to technology

consumption. The same study reviewed that out of 236 university learners, most of them testified

nocturnal time getting up to answer mobile phone calls.

According to the same authors, regression interpretations that higher stages of technology use

before and after the inception siesta anticipated worse sleep quality.

Use of smart mobile devices close to bedtime is exceedingly common among the youth,

especially, in the United States of America. Amongst a variety of information communication

technology devices, communicating with high-tech gadgets are greatest when related to sleep

grievances. Information communication skill practice through bedtime duration was much more

sophisticated than imagined by the researchers. Examination of diverse year groups confirmed that

individuals who practiced information communication technologies at the last minute before going

to bed were younger than thirty years old. The same groups also reported the biggest amount of

sleep disorders. The various findings suggested that information skill practice is evolving as a

conceivable causative issue to sleep disruption in the 21st era

On importance of sleep
 Sleep is a physiological state of unawareness which is regulated at home statically, the ability to

maintain a constant internal environment in response to environmental changes. Almost one-third

of our lives are spent while sleeping. Sleep plays an important role in cognitive and physical

functions, cellular toxin removal, disease prevention and restoration of both mind and body. A

major decline in the sleep hours and its strong correlation with obesity, diabetes, and other chronic

debilitating diseases have been documented in the past 20–30 years.

Proper sleep is especially important for children and adolescents. Lack of sleep in adolescents

is becoming an important health issue worldwide. Many factors can affect sleep hygiene but the

role of mobile use in causing sleep problems in adolescence has gained huge attention in the past

few years.

A recent review by Sohn et al reported that one in every four children and young people are

suffering from Problematic cell phone use (PSU), which is linked to depression, anxiety and poor

sleep quality. Current meta - analysis by Carter et al showed that bedtime use of media devices

was positively associated with poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. Mobile use at

bedtime (after the lights have been turned off), can cause poor sleep quality (PSQ) by various

mechanisms. Due to the technology revolution, most of the mobile phone users now have

smartphones which enable them to access the internet and social networks, watching videos,

chatting online and playing games. This results in exposure to stimulating content, mobile phone

overuse and phone addiction thus contributing to hyper arousal in the pre-bedtime period and poor

sleep quality. (Learning, 2020)

According to (Oyasu-Marfo, 2018) Sleep plays an important role in mood cognition function,

sleep loss, sleep restriction and sleep disorders might have a negative effect on mood and

cognitive functions. Previous studies found that sleep disorders were associated with mood

deficits, and sleep loss leads to anger, confusion, anxiety and depression. In addition, sleep loss
may impair working memory and vigilant attention. Furthermore, one meta-analysis found that

individuals with insomnia exhibit a performance impairment in several cognitive functions, including

working memory and executive functioning.

According to (Ellis, 2021) a lack of sleep at night can make you cranky the next day. And over

time, skimping on sleep can mess up more than just morning mood. Studies show getting quality

sleep on a regular basis can help improve all sorts of issues from your blood sugar to your

workouts. Here's why you should give your body the ZZZs it needs. (Sharper Brain) When you’re

running low on sleep, you’ll probably have trouble holding onto and recalling details.

That’s because sleep plays a big part in both learning and memory. Without sleep, it’s tough to

focus and take in new information. Your brain also doesn’t have enough time to properly store

memories so you can pull them up later. Sleep lets your brain catch up so you’re ready for what’s

next. (Mood Boost) Another thing that your brain does while you sleep is process your emotions.

Your mind needs this time in order to recognize and react the right way. When you cut that short,

you tend to have more negative emotional reactions and fewer positive ones.

Chronic lack of sleep can also raise the chance of having mood disorder. One large study

showed that when you have insomnia, you’ve five times more likely to develop depression, and

your odds of anxiety or panic disorders.

Blue light is harmful to your eyes

The blue light emitted by your cell phone screen restrains the production of melatonin, the

hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle (aka circadian rhythm). This makes it even more

difficult to fall asleep and wake up the next day. The circadian rhythm seems to be especially

sensitive to blue light since it has a short wavelength. Studies also show that exposure to blue light

can cause damage to your retinas. Since you spent that extra time staying awake reading emails

instead of sleeping, now you're going to be more tired and less alert for the next day. And who
wants to be less aware and more sluggish throughout the day? Aside from the fact that late-night

scrolling can make you less efficient, it can also lead to a significant and chronic deficiency in

sleep.

“Using the mobile for at least 30 minutes (without blue light filter) after the lights have been

turned off” results in poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, sleep disturbances and increased

sleep latency. (Ratique, 2019) Recent research on mobile phone use and sleep quality has to an

increasing degree focused on behavioral aspects of mobile phone use rather than exposure to RF-

EMF: it has been reported that “problematic” mobile phone use (addiction) may affect sleep time,

sleep quality, and may cause sleep difficulties as cited by (Tettamanti, 2020)

According to (Motte, 2021), students who reported high use of cellphones also reported poor

sleep quality, in line with prior studies that have found overuse of smartphones at night to be

associated with trouble falling asleep, reduced sleep duration and daytime tiredness. That’s likely

because use of smartphones close to bedtime has been shown to delay circadian rhythm, the

body’s normal sleep-and-wake clock. A major factor which can contribute to PSQ is the blue light

emitted by screens of mobile phones. This blue light can decrease the production of melatonin, the

hormone which controls the sleep/wake cycle or circadian rhythm. Reduction in melatonin makes it

difficult to fall and stay asleep. Some studies have found that exposure to blue light increases brain

alertness and can stimulate cognitive functions, which in turn can lead to PSQ. Moreover, the

mobile phones receive and transmit the signals through radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-

EMFs). It is well documented that RF-EMFs can pass through the skull, and reach the brain.

Therefore, this technology may pose dangers for human health, of particular interest are its effects

on sleep parameters and sleep electroencephalogram (EEG). Some studies have reported that

RF-EMFs exposure can result in changes in EEG during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, non-
REM sleep, and sleep latency. All these findings further strengthen the role of mobile in causing

PSQ. (Why It's Time to Ditch the Phone Before Bed, 2019)

On smart mobile devices’ usage and sleep quality

The findings from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Centre established that

smart movable phones could extremely disturb sleep rounds Mobile phone usage is evolving as an

imperative issue which affects sleep excellence and magnitude, mainly as clever movable phones

become extensively prehypertension in strong adolescents. Scarce sleep quality is related to high

lifeblood pressure.

On usage of smart mobile devices and sleeping disorders

The effect of information communication technology on sleep is a subject of massive concern in
current media and must be made easily accessible to the whole community in a thoughtful style to
provide persons opportune contact to recent tendencies. Majority of studies reviewed tend to
explore the use of mobile phones or smart mobile phones and its association with sleep complaints
or disturbances and disorders. Insomnia may aggravate certain physical and mental health
problems of people who work at night as shift workers, and ruin their quality of life.

Use of smart mobile devices close to bedtime is exceedingly common among the youth,
especially, in the United States of America. Amongst a variety of information communication
technology devices, communicating with high-tech gadgets are greatest when related to sleep
grievances. Information communication skill practice through bedtime duration was much more
sophisticated than imagined by the researchers. Examination of diverse year groups confirmed that
individuals who practiced information communication technologies at the last minute before going
to bed were younger than thirty years old. The same groups also reported the biggest amount of
sleep disorders. The various findings suggested that information skill practice is evolving as a
conceivable causative issue to sleep disruption in the 21st era. For example, young male adults
play electronic games and use the Internet more frequently than young female adults. Information
Technology usage is connected with amplified wake up time weariness. The relations are sex
explicit particularly amongst young adults absence of sufficient sleep accumulation over a period of
time may result to more sleep liability. This may lead to bigger negative concerns among
individuals. People may not be able to concentrate very well due to the impact of lingering sleep
deficit or the accumulation of sleep debt. There are many negative consequences of nap
insufficiencies comprising of school absenteeism, drowsiness, weariness, reduced incentive, and
trouble directing attention, feeling and performance. Sleep insufficiencies may trigger someone to
have trouble with continuous thoughtfulness, intellectual promptness and exactness, operational
reminiscence, feedback time, and overall interactive capability, often deprived of the sleep
depressed individual being conscious of the insufficiencies. Common symptoms of prolonged sleep
deficiency consist of petulance, trouble focusing or making judgments, deficient short-range
memory retention. Outcomes of further current research study designate that sleep deficit may be
connected to augmented vulnerability to corporate viral ailments, diabetes, heaviness,
cardiovascular ailment, and hopelessness.
Theoretical Framework

This study is anchored on Underpinning Theory–Media System Dependency Theory.

Media system dependency theory (MSD), or simply media dependency, was developed by Sandra

Ball-Rokeach and Melvin Defleur in 1976. The theory is grounded in classical sociological literature

positing that media and other audiences should be studied in the context of larger social systems.

MSD ties together the interrelations of broad social systems, mass media, and the individual

into a comprehensive explanation of media effects. At its core, the basic dependency hypothesis

states that the more a person depends on media to meet needs, the more important media will be

in a person’s life, and therefore the more effects media will have on a person.

Research Problem

Generally, this study aims to determine the effects of smartphone usage on Grade 9 students

during pandemic.

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

 1. What are the benefits of smartphones to students?

2. How do students use smartphones during pandemic?

Definition of Terms

COVID-19 - refers to a disease infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Grade 9 students – it refers to the participants of this study

Smartphones - refers to the gadget used by the participants

Usage - it refers to the consumption or use of smartphone of the participants

 Chapter II

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses significant components of the study namely the research design,

sampling and participants and the methods and plans of the researcher in gathering data that were

beneficial to the study. This chapter further explains how the researchers evaluated and gauge

data that helps in recommending plans for the institution.

Research Design

The study will utilize the qualitative approach using the phenomenological research design.
Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or
audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be used to gather in-depth insights
into a problem or generate new ideas for research. Qualitative research is commonly used in the
humanities and social sciences, in subjects such as anthropology, sociology, education, health
sciences, history, etc. (Bhandari., June 19, 2020)
Research Site

The respondents who will answer the survey questions will be from grade 9 students of the

Junior High School of Saint Francis of Assisi College-Main Campus School Year 2021-2022 at 045

Admiral Village Talon III Las Piñas City.

Selection of Criteria and Participants

 The sampling method that will be applied in this research is Convenience Sampling. This

method will be used to interview participants who correspond to a certain set of criteria. The

researchers accepted this method of sampling as they trust it fits the study.

Individuals chosen to cooperate in the study that will furnish their impressions, concepts, and

personal occurrences about the topic of the study and the stated questions. The participants will be

preferred with the following criteria. (a) 5 individuals aged 15-17 (b) Participants must have

knowledge as regards to the effects of smartphones on Grade 9 students during the COVID-19

pandemic.

Data Collection
The following are the procedures that aim to acquire data particulars from the selected
participants to draw up successful and efficient charges for the research. For the first step, the
researchers will submit a letter as a permission to the principal of the campus, a permission to do
and manage a research study. And for the next step, it is asking for participants’ consent. The
researchers will prepare an apprized consent requesting participants to cooperate with the said
research. If the chosen participants decided to join on the said research project, then the
researchers will distribute a required to answer questionnaires then after reclaiming the survey
questionnaires, the researchers will set out, organize, and compile the collected data to know more
about the information.
Data Analysis
The researchers will carefully analyze and observe the data collected from the interviews to
identify the effect of smartphones on Grade 9 students during the COVID-19 pandemic. To answer
the first question, the researchers will ask the participants, what are the benefits of smartphones to
students? And second, how do the students use smartphones during the pandemic? The
researchers guarantee that there will be an allotted time frame to conduct the said interview.
Role of Researcher
In qualitative studies, the role of the researcher is completely divergent. The qualitative
researcher is required to define pertinent aspects including any biases and presumptions,
experiences, and forecasts to certify his or her potential to manage the research. The researcher
asks examined questions then listens and thinks. A successful researcher pursues creating a
picture using objectives and theories from a broad diversity of origin.
Methods of Validation
The researchers applied inter-rater reliability in order to validate the result and interpretation of
the data. According to (Geisinger, 2013), inter-rater reliability is applied in situations where different
assessors or raters provide subjective judgment on the same target. Every single assessor who
evaluates the same property is a single repeat of the measure and the error variance comes from
the variability among the evaluations of different assessors. In clinical psychology, it is commonly
used when the target being measured involves observed performance or behaviors, such as
clinical interviews or projective tests. The researchers consulted two validators namely Ms.
Revelyn P. Daquioag, LPT and Mr. Joemar G. Diaz, LPT to assess and rate their paper based on
the credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability criteria. Ms. Daquioag, is the Team
Leader of Grade 11 teachers of Saint Francis of Assisi College and the research adviser of the
researchers and Mr. Diaz is the Research Coordinator of Saint Francis of Assisi College- Las Pinas
Campus.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations can be defined as one of the most vital parts of the research.
Dissertations may even be condemned to disappointment if this part is misplaced. In order to
address the ethical considerations of your dissertation in a productive method, you will need to
increase discussions of each of the consecutive points. The confidentiality of the findings provided
by research subjects and the anonymity of participants must be valued. However, the characteristic
between the two terms is decisive in the design of custom that secures respondents’ privacy and
supply for sufficient literate consent. In such cases, keeping confidentiality and anonymity is a key
estimation to secure the protection and privacy of the information.
 Chapter III
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Below are the findings and discussion on The Effects of Smartphone Usage to Grade 9 students
during COVID-19 pandemic.

1. What are the benefits of smartphones to students?

Table 1
Benefits of smartphones to students

Categories Reasons of Participants

 Easy Access  They are using their mobile phones to

access the internet and there is also a
factor that they became addicted to it.

 Smartphones become their new line or

 Learning & Social Support source when it comes to academic
and entertainment.

2. How do students use smartphones during pandemic?

Table 2
Ways of using smartphones during COVID-19 pandemic

Categories Reasons of Participants

 Increase in mobile usage  They begin to focus on their

smartphones instead of spending
more time with their families and
friends.
 Academic Source  Mobile phones are used in online
classes that is done through social
media platforms.

Chapter IV

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS and RECOMMENDATIONS

This section discusses the summary, conclusions, and recommendations of the study drawn by the
researchers.

SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS

This research study entitled “THE EFFECTS OF SMARTPHONE USAGE TO GRADE 9

STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC” aimed to perceive and pinpoint these possible
impacts of smartphones to Grade 9 students during this pandemic. Also, this study wants to focus
on students’ performance and health, has an intention to spread an awareness and display the
proper usage of devices.

The survey released that there were bounteous effects the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on
the performances of students, resulting a learner’s addiction to mobile phones also due to people
are forced to isolate and stay on their households. However, in devising these problems, it is
implicit that there are still solutions and ways that students can do to control and discipline
themselves.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study has experienced a few limitations that have an impact on the overall result of the
study. This is the limitation encountered by the researchers.

Students – The result of the study may help the students to identify the effects of smartphones to
Grade 9 students and wellbeing and the importance of identifying the effects these gadgets have
on our academic performance.
Teachers – The findings of this study will benefit and understand the effects of these everyday
devices have on our daily lives.

Parents – This research will make them understand the following effects of these gadgets and how
it affects the students’ feature.

Future Researchers – This research will help them identify how it can make an impact on their
viability of these devices because it can be applied to their everyday lives.

CONCLUSIONS

After identifying the effects of smartphone usage to Grade 9 students during the Covid-19
Pandemic, the researchers have drawn the following conclusions:

Smartphone technology on its own and as addendum to social environment has a remarkable
appliance in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic that these Grade 9 students
experienced have afflicted their time, lifestyle, performance and mental health.

The findings from this study understands the negative impact of smartphone addiction on
learning. The outcome of this analysis showed that too much usage of smartphones has negative
effects on students’ academic performance. When learners spend time on their phones to the
extent of ignoring their practices of daily life, fascinating in extreme smartphone use, or excessively
texting on their phones, there is an impulse to build up behavioral addiction to smartphone use,
thereby experiencing a diminish in academic performance.

In the literature review, essential concepts were revealed, which indicated the positive and
negative impacts of smartphone usage on the academic performance of students. The handling
system of the internet is now a practice for people and also a source that is used by the students to
search for counsel at anytime and anywhere. This is an evidence that students now turn mobile
devices as their help to accomplish their school and even their personal works.

In conclusion, smartphones stimulate manner and attitude that is vandalizing to our health and
relationships. The long-term impact of this are greater than the small, daily satisfaction that
smartphones propose.

RECOMMENDATIONS

As per the findings that have been examined, there are a few recommendations that are made
for consideration. They are as follows:

Students said that they find smartphones useful and beneficial in keeping in relations with their
instructors. Moreover, a higher percentage of the learners found these mobile devices suitable in
acquiring their academic materials. As a result, it is recommended that teachers should correspond
more with the students through this matter.
 Smartphone use is certainly an effective source of this generation of students. They use them
during class time, while accomplishing school works, and while studying. The sequence of
technology uses, strategic professor support and social communication among learners will create
a strongest output.

There is an important need to better understand the process underlying this behavior. Future
studies should focus on ways to simplify learners’ intentional behavior toward using smartphones
so that they will establish the capacity to use smartphones to increase learning effectiveness.

REFERENCES

Alyousefi, F. A. (June 2019). The effects of Smartphone Usage at bedtime on Sleeping Quality
among Saudi Non-Medical Staff of King Saud University Medical City. Journal Family Med Prim
Care, 1953-1957.
Bhandari., P. (June 19, 2020). What is Qualitative Research? | Methods & Examples.
Ellis, R. R. (2021, June 12). Surprising Reasons to Get more Sleep. Articles on Sleep and Health.
Joseph Ovasu-Marfo, Z. L. (2018). The Effect of Snar Mobile Devices Usage on Sleep Quality and
Academic Performances-A Narrative Review.
Jung, B. (2019, Feb). What are the Benefits of Smartphone technology. CHRON. Retrieved from
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-smartphone-technology-57037.html
Kadir Demirci, M. A. (Jun 2015). Relationship of smartphone Use Severity with Sleep Quality,
Depression and Anxiety. Journal on Behavior Addictions, 4:(2): 85-92.
Learning, T. P. (August 2020). What are the Advantage and Disadvantages of Smartphones.
Computer Hope.
Nazish Ratique, L. I.-A. (2019, September). SCL Health's Sleep Services and Treatment. Retrieved
from https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2019/09/why-it-is-time-to-ditch-the-phone-before-bed/
Nazish Ratique, L. I.-A. (2020, June 23). Effects of Mobile Use on Subjective Sleep Quality. Dove
Press, Nature and Science of Sleep, pp. 12:357-364.
Sandke La Motte, C. (2021). Smart Addiction Ruins Sleep Study says but You Can Fight Back.
Milwaukee: CBS58.com.
Tettamanti, G. (2020). Long Term Effects of Mobile Phone Use on Sleep Quality. Environment
International Science Direct, Journal of Books , Vol 140-105687.
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and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2019/09/why-it-is-time-to-
ditch-the-phone-before-bed/
Carolus. (2019). Sage Journals. You ae not alone: Smartphone use, friendship satisfaction, and
anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Retrieved from journals.sagepub.com

Chao, & Liu. (2020). Sage Journals. You are not alone: Smartphone use, friendship satisfaction,
and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Retrieved from journals.sagepub.com

Elhai. (2017a). Sage Journals. You are not alone: Smartphone use, friendship satisfaction and
anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Retrieved from journals.sagepub.com

Ezemenaka. (2013). The impact of using smartphones on academic performance of

undergraduate students. ResearchGate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net

Garfin. (2020). Sage Journals. You are not alone: Smartphone use, friendship satisfaction, and
anxiety during the COVI9-19 crisis. Retrieved from
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Huckins, & Nguyen. (2020). Sage Journals. You are not alone: Smartphone use, friendship
satisfactrion, and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Retrieved from
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Schneider. (2019). Sage Journals. You are not alone: Smartphone use, friendship satisfaction,
and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Retrieved from journals.sagepub.com

Vorona. (2009). The Impact of the Use of Smart Mobile Devices on Sleep Quality among Health
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Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

APPENDICES
Appendix A: APPROVAL LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL

045 Admiral Village, Talon III Las Piñas City

Date :
To : Aries C. Roldan, Ph. D
Principal
From : Denise Jane J. Roy
Researcher
Re : Consent Letter to the Principal

Greetings in Saint Francis!

We, the Grade 9 students of this establishment are immediately managing a research study entitled “The
Effects of Smartphone Usage on Grade 9 students during COVID-19 pandemic”.

In line with this, we would like to meanly ask for permission and endorsement from your exemplary office to
allow us to use the name of our respected institution in our study. We would have a phone interview from
our chosen participants in order to accomplish the aspired data for our study. In addition, we also see
compliance to let us perform our interview session with our participants starting from March 21-28 2022.

Thank you very much and I look forward to your prompt and worthwhile feedback as regards with this
matter.

Very respectfully,

Denise Jane J. Roy Ralfh Timothy N. Cruz Sophia C. Montegrande

Researcher Researcher Researcher

Guia Allyson A. Yambao Xyza Gabrielle M. Fernando Cherelle C.Burton

Researcher Researcher Researcher

Ronju Jose M. Alvarez Elian Josh P. Inojales

Researcher Researcher

Noted by:

Revelyn Pingad Daquioag

Adviser

Recommending Approval:

Joemar G. Diaz
Research Coordinator

Approved by:

ARIES C. ROLDAN, Ph. D

Principal

Academics. And beyond

Appendix B: APPROVAL LETTER FROM THE PARENTS & PARTICIPANTS

PARTICIPANTS CONSENT LETTER

THE EFFECTS OF SMARTPHONE USAGE TO GRADE 9 STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Researchers: Denise Roy, Guia Yambao, Timothy Cruz, Xyza Fernando, Sophia Montegrande, Cherelle
Burton, Ronju Alvarez, Elian Inojales

Contact Numbers: 09564228720; 09298224023; 09298224023

Introduction

The interview in which you are asked to participate in is a part of the research study that focused
on determining the effects of smartphone usage to grade 9 students during COVID-19 pandemic. The
interview will be audio recorded. The audio that will be collected, consequently, will be the premise of the
discovery of this study. If you concur to take part, please fill in and sign the desired information.

Explanation of the Study

This study will determine the effects of smartphone usage to Grade 9 students during COVID-19
pandemic by a one-on-one interview.

Confidentiality

All gathered information will be confidential. The identity of the participants will remain unspecified.
No one, besides the researchers, will know about the personal information of the participants. The outcomes
will be highly confidential, but the participants will have the right to know the outcomes and the repercussion
of the study if they want to.

Participation

Your participation in this study is optional. No harm will be done in coordinating nor will it affect
your integrity as a person. At any time, you may apprise the researchers that you would like to stop
recording the audio and your coordination in this study.

Signature of the Researcher: Date: _____________

Denise Jane J. Roy Ralfh Timothy N. Cruz Sophia C. Montegrande

Researcher Researcher Researcher

Guia Allyson A. Yambao Xyza Gabrielle M. Fernando Cherelle C.Burton

Researcher Researcher Researcher
Ronju Jose M. Alvarez Elian Josh P. Inojales
Researcher Researcher

Signature of the Research Adviser: __________________________________ Date: ____________

Participant’s Consent
I have thoroughly read the information about this consent. All my questions were answered. I am
voluntarily participating in this study.
Signature of the Parent: ____________________________________________________________
Signature of the Participant: ________________________________________________________

Date: __________________
Appendix C: SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
“THE EFFECTS OF SMARTPHONE USAGE TO GRADE 9 STUDENTS DURING COVID-19
PANDEMIC”
The questions below are asked to the participants of this study in order to determine the Effects
of Smartphone Usage to Grade 9 students during COVID-19 pandemic.

1. What are the benefits of smartphones to students?

2. Can smartphones be used in education? In what way?
3. How smartphones are useful to students?
4. Why smartphones are good for learners?
5. How do students use smartphones during pandemic?
6. How does the pandemic affect students?
7. What are the effects of physical distancing education?
8. What are the possible impacts of smartphones?

Appendix D: TRANSCRIPTION
 PARTICIPANT 1
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Interviewer: Ano ang mga benepisyo ng mga Interviewer: What are the benefits of
smartphone sa mga mag-aaral? smartphones to students?
Participant: I believe smartphone helps Participant: I believe smartphone helps
students a lot with their learning. One benefit students a lot with their learning. One benefit
is that it helps students to be more is that it helps students to be more
comfortable and I believe that it is easier to comfortable, and I believe it is easier to adjust
adjust kasi dati pa naman kahit wala pang because even before the pandemic they
pandemic marunong na yan silang mag already know how to use smartphones, in fact
smartphone. In fact, a lot of my classmates a lot of my classmates and friends bring their
and friends bring their cellphones in school. smartphones to school.
Interviewer: Maaari bang gamitin ang mga Interviewer: Can smartphones be used in
smartphone sa edukasyon? Sa paanong education? In what way?
paraan?
Participant: Yes, smartphone can be used in Participant: Yes, smartphones can be used in
education. There are a lot of information in the education, there are a lot of information in the
internet. Kung hindi nila maintindihan yung internet, If they didn't understand the lecture or
lecture or kapag nagkasakit tapos hindi maka if they get sick and can’t attend in the online
attend sa discussion, magsesearch lang yung class the students can just search the
mga students ng kailangan nilang information information they need
tapos madami ng lalabas diyan na
makakatulong with their studies. and a lot of websites will pop-up that can help
with their studies.

Interviewer: Paano kapaki-pakinabang ang Interviewer: How smartphones are useful to

mga smartphone sa mga mag-aaral? students?
Participant: Ganon ulit, the internet is full of Participant: Like what I said on the previous
informations. It can help students to learn and question, the internet is full of information, it
understand their subjects more. can help students to learn and understand
their subjects more.
Interviewer: Bakit ang mga smartphone ay Interviewer: Why smartphones are good for
mabuti para sa mga mag-aaral? learners?
Participant: Smartphones are good for Participant: Smartphones are good for
learners as it helps students with their social learners as it helps students with their social
skills. Using the smartphone and the internet skills. Using the smartphone and the internet
helps students to engage and communicate helps students to engage and communicate
with their classmates and groupmates. with their classmates or groupmates.
Interviewer: Paano ginagamit ng mga mag- Interviewer: How do students use
aaral ang mga smartphone sa panahon ng smartphones during pandemic?
pandemya?
Participant: Smartphones are used by Participant: Smartphones are used by
students since may pandemic and ang mode students since there's a pandemic and the
of learning ng ibang students ay online mode of learning of the other students are
distance learning. online distance learning.
Interviewer: Paano nakakaapekto ang Interviewer: How does the pandemic affect
pandemya sa mga mag-aaral? students?
Participant: Malaki ang epekto ng pandemya Participant: The effect of the pandemic was
sa mga estudyante because we the students huge on the students, because the students
are forced to adjust to the new normal. Ang are forced to adjust to the new normal. Our
mode of learning namin ay nag iba from face mode of learning changed, from face-to-face
to face learning naging online distance learning to online distance learning.
learning.
Interviewer: Ano ang mga epekto ng physical Interviewer: What are the effects of physical
distancing education? distancing education?
Participant: Yun nga yung sa pag adjust, Participant: According to what I said about
maraming nahihirapan sa pag adjust dahil adjusting, a lot are finding it difficult to adjust
mas sanay sila sa face to face and mas sanay because they're used to face-to-face and
silang gumamit ng libro kaysa sa mga they're used to use books rather than gadgets
gadgets with their learning. with their learning.
Interviewer: Ano ang mga posibleng epekto Interviewer: What are the possible impacts of
ng mga smartphone? smartphones?
Participant: There are a lot of possible Participant: there are a lot of possible impacts
impacts of smartphones and it depends on of smartphones and it depends on the person
the person using it. May iba kasi na bumaba using it, because there are others that have
yung confidence nila sa sarili nila habang decreased their confidence while others
yung iba naman tumaas ang kanilang confidence increased and some gained more
confidence tas yung iba mas nagkaroon sila friends or online friends while some
ng friends, mga online friends habang yung friendships were ruined because they're
iba nasira yung mga friendships nila dahil always on their phone, social media, or video
mas nakatutok sila sa smartphone, social games rather than socializing.
media or sa paglalaro ng video games kaysa
sa pagsosocialize.
Interviewer: Ayon lang po, thank you. Interviewer: That’s it, thank you.
Participant: Thank you din po. Participant: Thank you too.

 PARTICIPANT 2
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Interviewer: What are the benefits of
smartphones to students?
Participant: Well on my opinion, smartphones
are beneficial to students, especially in this time
of the pandemic. Now that almost all of the
students are forced to stay at home because of
the virus, smartphones become their new line
or way of learning. Because of online classes
that is done through social media platforms
such as zoom or google-meet, along with the
modular system. the students chance of
continues learning has not put in threat. And
also because of the internet in smartphones the
inquiries of the students that cannot be explain
or answer by their teacher or parent, can now
be answered by just typing it away.
Interviewer: Can smartphones be used in
education? In what way?
Participant: Yes. As I’ve said earlier the
smartphones are used in online classes that is
done through social media platforms, although
even before the pandemic the students uses
computers or smartphones to answer their
inquiries that cannot be answered by their
teacher or parents.
Interviewer: How smartphones are useful to
students?
Participant: As I have said earlier the students
uses their smartphones to access the internet
and to solve or answer their inquiries that
cannot be answered by their teacher or parents.
Interviewer: Why smartphones are good for
learners?
Participant: I won’t actually say that its entirely
good for the students, because although they
uses it to answer their inquiries, there is also a
factor that they became addicted to it. Not
because of studying but because of mobile
games and videos online. Which they will
eventually learn the hobby of procrastinating
their school work. I’m not saying that all of the
students are like that but all I could say is that if
there is no control nor discipline, then its effect
is bad and harmful.
Interviewer: How do students use smartphones
during pandemic?
Participant: As I’ve said earlier, because of the
pandemic the students are forced to stay at
home, and they uses their smartphones to
attend the online classes that is held through
online platforms.
Interviewer: How does the pandemic affect
students?
Participant: Well in general, I don’t have the
rights to speak about others impacts or on how
it affects them because I don’t know how they
would feel of it. But based on what I have
observed, the students are struggling to cope
and adapt the new way of learning but as the
time passes they eventually get through of it.
Interviewer: What are the effects of physical
distancing education?
Participant: Well emotionally, there is this
feeling of longing on something or there is
something missing. For example in school, you
will miss the rage of your teacher whenever
he/she caught the class noisy, or the noises of
 your fellow classmate, the joyful memories that
you all shared. You know, there’s some kind of
longing feeling. And physically I think the
students are fine physically, I think it was only
affecting them emotionally and mentally.
Interviewer: What are the possible impacts of
smartphones?
Participant: Well there is no other “possible”
impact of smartphones, because I think it
already happens during 19th century, those
impact are: fast communication, fast sharing of
information, and practically helps us with our
daily lives.

 PARTICIPANT 3
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Interviewer: Ano ang mga benepisyo ng mga Interviewer: What are the benefits of
smartphone sa mga mag-aaral? smartphones to students?
Participant: Ang benefits ng smartphones sa Participant: The benefits of smartphones to
mga students ay pag halimbawang may hindi students are that if they do not understand
sila naintindihan sa lesson pwede silang something in the lesson, they can go to
pumunta sa google at youtube para magamit Google or Youtube to find a tutorial, and they
ito upang makahanap ng tutorial at magagamit can also use it to set an alarm and sometimes
mo din ito pang set ng alarm at minsan use it for a reminders of what they need to do.
ginagamit ito para sa reminder kung ano ang
mga dapat gawin nila.
Interviewer: Maaari bang gamitin ang mga Interviewer: Can smartphones be used in
smartphone sa edukasyon? Sa paanong education? In what way?
paraan?
Participant: Yes, kagaya ngayon na karamihan Participant: Yes, as of today, most of us use
satin gamit ay smartphones para sa online smartphones for online classes because of
class dahil sa pandemic ngayon nakatulong today's pandemic, smartphones have helped
ang smartphones para makapag aral pa rin us to study and we can use them to pass
tayo at nagagamit natin ito para makapag assignments, worksheets and more.
pasa ng mga assignments, worksheets at iba
pa.
Interviewer: Paano kapaki-pakinabang ang Interviewer: How smartphones are useful to
mga smartphone sa mga mag-aaral? students?
Participant: Nakakatulong po ito para makapag Participant: It helps us to be able to study and
aral pa rin tayo at nagagamit natin ito para we can also use it to pass assignments,
makapag pasa ng mga assignments, worksheets and more.
worksheets at iba pa.
Interviewer: Bakit ang mga smartphone ay Interviewer: Why smartphones are good for
mabuti para sa mga mag-aaral? learners?
Participant: Kasi dahil sa smartphones Participant: Because smartphones make all
napapadali nalang lahat ng gawain lalo na tasks easier, especially when you need
kapag kailangan mo ng mga information about information about your lesson.
sa lesson nyo.
Interviewer: Paano ginagamit ng mga mag- Interviewer: How do students use
aaral ang mga smartphone sa panahon ng smartphones during pandemic?
pandemya?
Participant: Ginamit ito in a good way and Participant: It is being used in a good way
meron din in a bad way. Ang good way is and there is also in a bad way. The good way
ginagamit pang online class and bad way is to use online class and the bad way is that
naman is hindi na tama ang oras ng pag tulog they don't have the right time to go to sleep
nila kasi sa sobrang paggamit ng because of the excessive use of smartphones.
smartphones.
Interviewer: Paano nakakaapekto ang Interviewer: How does the pandemic affect
pandemya sa mga mag-aaral? students?
Participant: Yung iba ay nag kakaroon ng Participant: Others develop anxiety or
anxiety o depression dahil sa sobrang dami ng depression due to too many problems and too
problema at sa sobrang stress. much stress.
Interviewer: Ano ang mga epekto ng physical Interviewer: What are the effects of physical
distancing education? distancing education?
Participant: Students were able to more Participant: Students were able to more
effectively manage their study hours by effectively manage their study hours by
accessing course content at a time and place accessing course content at a time and place
that is most convenient to them. that is most convenient to them.
Interviewer: Ano ang mga posibleng epekto ng Interviewer: What are the possible impacts of
mga smartphone? smartphones?
Participant: May advantage at disadvantage Participant: There are advantages and
kasi ang paggamit ng smartphone. Ang disadvantages of using a smartphone, its
advantage nya sa atin ay madali tayong advantage is that we can communicate easily
makakapag communicate at lalo na ngayon and especially now, it has helped us to be able
nakatulong ito para makapag online classes to take online classes, but its disadvantages
pa rin tayo pero ang disadvantage nito ay yung are that others are overwhelmed by the use of
iba nasosobrahan na sa paggamit ng social social media and playing games and
media at sa paglalaro ng games at minsan sometimes because of this, they sometimes do
dahil dito hindi na sila nakakain at not eat anymore, and that they are
nasosobrahan na sila sa pag pupuyat para overwhelmed by waking up just to play games
lang maglaro o gumagamit ng social media at or use social media, and sometimes because
minsan dahil sa sobrang pagkababad sa harap of the excessive soaking in front of the
ng smartphone ay lumalabo ng ang mga mata smartphone our eyes could blur.
natin.
Interviewer: Ayon lamang po. Salamat. Interviewer: That’s all. Thank you.
Participant: Salamat po. Participant: Thank you.

 PARTICIPANT 4
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Interviewer: What are the benefits of
smartphones to students?
Participant: The benefits of smartphones to
students is smartphones can be use for playing
games, online class and researching.
Interviewer: Can smartphones be used in
education? In what way?
Participant: As I've said, it can be used in
researching and online class.
Interviewer: How smartphones are useful to
students?
Participant: It can be useful through playing
games because it can kill boredom and you can
use it for online class.
Interviewer: Why smartphones are good for
learners?
Participant: As I've said, it can be used for
online class, researching and many more.
Interviewer: How do students use smartphones
during pandemic?
Participant: Most of the students use it to play
games to kill boredom or they're doing gaming
hobbies.
Interviewer: How does the pandemic affect
students?
Participant: A pandemic has a big impact to
students because of online class, they cannot
see or interact with each other.
Interviewer: What are the effects of physical
distancing education?
Participant: The transition to online learning has
implication not only for teachers. We need to
change courses for students. We need to adopt
to the new learning environment. Educators
and parents are taking note of this and many
are considering whether the shift to online class
will lead to lacking changes to students to move
out of the classroom. One of the most important
consequences of the transition to online
learning is its impact to students' self and
sleeping habit.
Interviewer: What are the possible impacts of
smartphones?
Participant: There are positive and negative
impacts of smartphones to students. First, the
positive impact is they can use smartphone on
playing some games, online class and
 researching. The negative impact is playing
games irresponsibly.
Interviewer: Thank you so much.
Participant: Thank you.

 PARTICIPANT 5
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Interviewer: What are the benefits of
smartphones to students?
Participant: Smartphones benefits students in
different ways. From the mere fact that it can be
used as a device for communication, it can also
be used for entertainment such as games and
surfing online. Nowadays, another benefit can
be evident in the context of Pandemic, it is now
a device for attending classes and learning.
Interviewer: Can smartphones be used in
education? In what way?
Participant: Smartphones nowadays can be
useful for students and it can be utilized in
various ways. One thing that I can think of it is
that smartphones can be used as a device for
students to be able to attend classes. Also,
smartphones can be use for gathering some
data.
Interviewer: How smartphones are useful to
students?
Participant: As I’ve mentioned earlier,
smartphones can be used as a device for
students to be able to attend classes. Other
than that, smartphones are used by students in
searching and learning different things.
Interviewer: Why smartphones are good for
learners?
Participant: As my phone plays a very critical
role, learners are using smartphones to be able
to search different things in doing their
assignments and learning new things, exploring
things that are available online.
Interviewer: How do students use smartphones
during pandemic?
Participant: During pandemic, smartphone is a
great device for buying time while we students
stay at home. Additionally, it is a great device
for attending classes and doing requirement for
 students to be able to adjust in the new normal
or learning.
Interviewer: How does the pandemic affect
students?
Participant: The pandemic made a very huge
impact on people from the perspective of
students. I can say that the pandemic has
affected their learning capabilities in a way that
cognitive aspects has been forced to shave in
the context of staying at home and adapting the
new normal of learning.
Interviewer: What are the effects of physical
distancing education?
Participant: For me, being at school helps me to
become more attentive and more interactive
when it comes to learning. A reason that I can
site is that school is a place where learning and
physical distance has somehow shaped the
way how I participate during class.
Interviewer: What are the possible impacts of
smartphones?
Participant: Smartphone had been a great
instrument for physical distance learning. Other
than that, smartphones can also be used by
students during their leisure time for
entertainment and recreational reasons. It has
also impacted how does students gathered
data using the internet without even going
outside.
Interviewer: That’s all, thank you.
Participant: Thank you.

APPENDIX E: DATA CODING

FIRST PROBLEM
What are the benefits of smartphones to students?
CODES CATEGORY
Easier to Adjust Easier to Adjust Easier Access
Students are comfortable Students are comfortable
Mobiles are used as a device to communicate Communication device
Best appliance for entertainment Amusement tool Learning & Social
Support
Learning goes on even when out of class New schooling inception
 SECOND PROBLEM
How do students use smartphones during pandemic?
CODES CATEGORY
Lack of emotional affinity Lack of emotional affinity Increase in mobile usage
Improper sleep schedule Improper sleep schedule
Become more addicted to online games Smartphone addiction
Students were able to attend online classes Easy website entrance Academic Source
Untroubled approach to web-based activities Beneficial to learners