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Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methods that are used in the conduct of this qualitative

phenomenological study. This section covers the research design, research participants,

role of the researcher, data sources, data collection procedure, data analysis,

trustworthiness of the study, and ethical considerations.

Research Design

Based on the research of Tong et al. (2012) and Pathak et al. (2013), qualitative

research investigates people's views, experiences, behaviors, attitudes, and interactions.

Additionally, it includes depicting people's opinions and an impression of how people see

things in everyday life (Gentles et al., 2015). Moreover, researchers in qualitative studies

analyze natural phenomena to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of these

phenomena. This involves analyzing their meanings (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Thus, it will

involve qualitative data, including participant interviews and records, to better describe

and explain social phenomena to turn the world into a collection of representations

(Hennink et al., 2020).

This research study utilized the qualitative research design which employed a

phenomenological approach for it explore people's daily lives and personal encounters

with a concept or phenomenon as well their coping mechanisms in their challenges

faced, and insights. In employing qualitative methods, the study delves deeply into the

nuances and perspectives of the participants, allowing for a rich and comprehensive

understanding of the phenomena under investigation.

According to Creswell (2014) as cited by Mohajan (2018), a phenomenological

study is a method of investigation that examines individuals' lived experiences about a

phenomenon as defined by participants. The main objective of this method is to obtain a

description of the nature of certain phenomena. In addition, this approach aims to


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explain the sense of experience and what is perceived and how it is experienced

(Tehrani et al., 2020).

Phenomenological design is the most appropriate approach in this research

study for it focuses on exploring people's daily lives and personal encounters with a

concept or phenomenon. Moreover, the researcher implored this approach in the study

such that, this research attempts to understand and describe how public-school heads

make sense of their experiences as they deal with professional burnout. Additionally, the

design gives light and information in exploring public elementary school head’s coping

mechanisms in dealing with professional burnout. Thus, this research discovered the

lessons and insights of public elementary school head’s coping mechanisms in dealing

with professional burnout worth sharing with others.

Moreover, this research employed a qualitative-phenomenological approach

where the statements of the participants and descriptions of the experiences, coping

mechanisms and insights are identified, explored, and understood. Thus, this is the most

appropriate design for this inquiry since it narrates and reflects gathered information

from the course of interviews. Also, researcher’s background and interest are considered

in the study.

In consonance with the qualitative research study that will follow

phenomenological approach, this study will deal with the entire methodology process.

Purposive sampling was used to select the research participants, and relevant data

generated through one-on-one interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the

data collected to formulate the major themes based on the participants’ experiences.

Finally, measures were strictly followed to ensure trustworthiness and to incorporate

ethical considerations into the study.


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Research Participants

This study involved 10 public elementary school heads in Kapalong East District,

Division of Davao del Norte. Total participants involving ten public elementary school

heads who are at the time are dealing with professional burnout was involved to

participate in the in-depth interview (IDI). In addition, Creswell (2014) advised that

investigating a phenomenon involves a group of people who have experienced it.

Additionally, Creswell & Creswell (2018) recommended that a qualitative

phenomenological study will involve a range of three to 10 participants.

This research utilized the purposive sampling method, considering the limited

availability of participants, the researcher made sure that the participants selected was

able to provide the necessary information for this study. The researcher selected and

identified individuals or group of individuals who are proficient and well-informed with a

phenomenon of interest and who are available, voluntary to participate as well as able to

convey experiences and opinions in an articulate, expressive, and reflective manner.

Purposive sampling is the process of randomly selecting participants based on their

characteristics (Brennard,2006; Lewis & Sheppard, 2006). It involves finding and

selecting individuals or groups of people who are highly qualified or skilled in a particular

area of interest (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011, cited by Palinkas, 2015). Furthermore,

Purposive sampling is used to select respondents that are most likely to provide relevant

and useful information and is a method for identifying and selecting cases that make

effective use of limited research resources (Campbell et al., 2020).

Moreover, the researcher identified and selected the participants using the

following inclusion criteria: (a) public elementary school heads (b) those who are

assigned in schools within Kapalong East District, Division of Davao del Norte; (c) those

who have at least three (3) years of experience in the practice; and (d) those who

acknowledged to have experienced professional burnout after knowing the results from
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taking Maslach’s Burnout Inventory. The researcher made sure that participants was

selected thoroughly based on the selection criteria with different genders and varying

years in service to ensure maximum variation of the study. Further, the exclusion criteria

for the participants of this study are the following: (a) school heads coming from the

private elementary schools; (b) school leaders who are not from Kapalong East District.

(c) school leaders who have less than three (3) years of experience in the practice; and

(d) those who have not experienced professional burnout.

Role of the Researcher

In this study, the researcher assumed multiple roles in exploring and

understanding the lived experiences of school heads dealing with professional burnout.

When interviewing and collecting specific data, it is essential to provide a more profound

sense of understanding and a broader sense of obligation (Alase, 2017).

Furthermore, the researcher’s role for this qualitative study, was to find answers

to the research objectives that will be proposed using field notes and audio recordings to

be done during the in-depth interview and the recorded virtual focus group discussion.

Moreover, the researcher does not have complete control over the questions, and they

were often of a general sort (Lichtman, 2013 as cited by Reeves & Oh, 2017). In

particular, the researcher played and took the roles in this study in a logical manner as

follows:

First, the researcher ensured the ethical conduct of the study in the measures

that was implemented throughout this research work. The researcher adhered to

guidelines such as social value, informed consent, the vulnerability of the research

participants, risk, benefits, and safety; privacy and confidentiality, justice, transparency,

qualification of the researchers, adequacy of facilities, and community involvement.

These ethical considerations helped in making the research possible and ensured
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accurate as well as reliable results. Additionally, adherence to these ethical standards

ensures the protection and welfare of the participants who were involved in this study.

Second, as an interviewer, the researcher determined the research participants

and communicate with them about this study's conduct to confirm their willingness to

share their experiences and insights as school heads dealing with professional burnout.

In qualitative research, asking permission is a vital move that a researcher should take

(Patton, 2015). The researcher had set a scheduled date and time with the participants

for the in-depth interview in agreement with each participant's availability. The research

objectives and interview guide questions were given and shown to the participants

before the interview for them to have a glimpse on what the interview is all about. All

their responses were recorded using a recorder along with the field notes and the

informed consent given to the participants.

Third, as a transcriber. The researcher translated and transcribed the

participants' responses into written code by using the standard format of the qualitative

research transcription to be able to study and analyze the data in detail. Moreover,

participants were given copies of the transcribed statements to double-check the

accuracy of their statements through the process of checking and the recorded data

were carefully put in written text.

Fourth, the researcher made sure to translate participants’ responses to standard

English format. Ahead of the interview, the participants were informed by the researcher

that they can answer in their preferred language or dialect, and then the researcher

translated it into written text the recorded data through attentive, repeated, careful

listening during the recorded interview to make sure that the content of the data is

accurate. Then, the researcher translated their responses during the preparation of the

data for the presentation of results.


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Fifth, to ensure to properly document and record the entire interview. The

researcher made use of tools to record what has been said and done during the

individual interviews, such as taking down handwritten notes and recording a video.

Furthermore, the entire interview of the study was recorded by the researcher and was

able to secure a folder of field notes as counterparts for the recorded interviews. The

researcher can use field notes to preserve and comment on impressions, environmental

conditions, actions, and nonverbal cues that may not be captured in audio recordings.

Lastly, as a primary data analyst, the researcher interpreted the results,

compiled, categorized and analyzed the data collected. The researcher sought guidance

and support on drawing interpretations to his adviser, an expert in this field, to create

factual information on the phenomenon they experienced. Any revelation, opinions, and

views expressed negatively and positively were taken constructively. Lastly, the

researcher ensured and upheld that the ethical standards will be held paramount in this

study's conduct.

Data Sources

Qualitative studies collect data by conducting interviews with participants. Thus,

interviews are the easiest and most transparent way to collect detailed and rich data

about a phenomenon (Barret & Twycross, 2018). Similarly, the most commonly used

data sources in qualitative research are in-depth interviews, focus group discussions,

observations, and document reviews (Sargeant, 2012). Thus, this research study will

utilize interviews as the data sources. Particularly the in-depth interviews (IDI) that will

be conducted to ten research participants. In-Depth Interview is a qualitative research

technique that allows one-on-one discussion, which reveals more the people's thoughts,

feelings, and behaviors on important issues

Given the fact that the interview style is unstructured, the researcher might

persuade the participant to speak and share deeper about the issue or interest being
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talked about (Shaiekh, 2015). It considered as one of the most efficient methods of

collecting primary data because it is used with the goal of gaining deeper understanding

on the participant’s perspective and experiences on a particular topic (Showkat &

Parveen, 2017).

In this study, the researcher utilized the responses of the participants as the

primary sources of data. The data that gathered from the participants of this study are

from the public elementary school heads who are working in Kapalong East District and

these data were acquired through face-to-face interviews.

More so, this study made use of secondary data. These data are information that

had been gathered, studied, and published by previous researchers (Hassan, 2023).

These includes published data, research reports, academic journals and other existing

data sets. Moreover, these sources provide second-hand information and commentaries

from other researchers who had described, interpreted, or synthesized the primary

sources (Streefkerk, 2023).

In the discussion of this study, supplementary readings from internet sources,

published materials, refereed journals, articles, newspapers, books and the like were

gathered as secondary sources of data and were used to support the data gathered from

the informants/participants.

Data Collection Procedure

Creswell and Creswell (2018) mentioned that qualitative researchers typically

gather various forms of data through interviewing, observing, documenting, and making

use of audio-visual information. These are forms of data in wherein the participants can

freely share their ideas, not constrained by predetermined scales or instruments. They

have also stressed four aspects as defined by Miles and Huberman (1994) as critical

steps that a qualitative researcher must observe during the data collection phase,

including intentionally selecting sites or settings, the participants, events, and the
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process. The researcher undertook rigorous steps in the data collection procedure and

was engaged in a sequence of activities in collecting data before arriving to complete the

research. In this study, several steps had been followed in the data collection procedure.

First, the manuscript was subjected to ethics review in the Research Ethics

Committee (REC) to secure approval to conduct the study. The researcher ensured that

the protocol meets suitability, content arrangement, and has accurate methodology that

meets ethical rules and health standard protocol. Upon receiving the ethical clearance

for the protocol, the researcher ensured that all stages of the research were complied

correctly and that all the process and activities that are linked with the protocol were

adhered with accountability.

Second, secure the endorsement of the Dean of the Graduate Education of the

institution after the thorough review of the research protocols to ensure that research

ethics is implemented in order to conduct the research. In addition, the researcher

personally constructed and prepared an interview guide which was validated by the

instrument validators to ensure that the questions asked during the interviews are

vertically aligned with the purpose of the study and specific research questions.

Third is to establish linkages and seek permission. Upon securing the

endorsement letter from the Dean of the Graduate Education, a letter was sent to the

Office of the Schools Division Superintendent in Davao del Norte, after which a letter

seeking permission was also forwarded to the Office of the Schools District Supervisor of

Kapalong East District. Then, upon approval, another letter was communicated with the

School Principals of this study's pre-selected participants. The communication letters

concisely stipulated the purpose of conducting this research.

Fourth, the participants were identified with the use of the purposive sampling

method using the following inclusion criteria: (a) public elementary school heads (b)

those who are assigned in schools within Kapalong East District, Division of Davao del
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Norte; (c) those who have at least three (3) years of experience in the practice; and (d)

those who acknowledged to have experienced professional burnout after knowing the

results from taking Maslach’s Burnout Inventory. Further, the exclusion criteria for the

participants of this study are the following: (a) school heads coming from the private

elementary schools; (b) school leaders who are not from Kapalong East District. (c)

school leaders who have less than three (3) years of experience in the practice; and (d)

those who have not experienced professional burnout.

Assured that the participants have experienced the phenomenon being studied

by knowing them individually through direct observation, referrals, informal dialogues,

and verbal agreements, and the participants meet the pre-inclusion criteria set in this

study. Moreover, prior to the interview, the researcher conducted an orientation. The

researcher asked permission from the participants to record the orientation. During the

orientation, all the participants were carefully informed of their rights, the risks and

benefits of their participation and the researcher outlined all the procedures that were

done during the data gathering, interpretation and presentation. This orientation was

done virtually so to ensure that our health is of paramount importance.

During the interviews, the participants were given letter consents affixing their

signatures or just their initials. The consent pertains to their willingness to share their

experiences as public elementary school heads dealing with professional burnout and

their voluntary participation in this study that serves as proof and verification of their

voluntary participation by affixing their signatures. Furthermore, the researcher gave

Data Privacy Notice to the research participants for them to be aware that I will access

their data, with whom the researcher will disclose or share their data with, and what are

their data privacy rights. `The researcher allowed them to use their dialect and decline

any questions they're not comfortable to answer. The researcher also asked for
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permission to record their responses during the whole interview duration. Each

participant was interviewed individually at their preferred time and venue.

In addition, the individual in-depth interview (IDI) was conducted in a one to two

hours individual face-to-face interview per participant, in a silent room far from any form

of distractions and upon the participants' discretion and availability. Voice recorder and

field notes were utilized to ensure the validity and reliability that are substantial in this

study's conduct. Also, for individuals who are pregnant, nursing mothers, LGBTQ, senior

citizens, or prefer to conceal their identity, they were allowed to wear a cap or face mask,

or the researcher can ensure their safety by blurring the videos and use technology that

can change and alter the audio recording voices. Further, since participation is voluntary,

if participants feel uncomfortable throughout the interview process, they had the right to

ask questions and to withdraw from the study. The recorded interviews were stored in

the researcher's personal computer and hard drive, ready for transcription.

Lastly, the recorded data were carefully kept in private. The researcher encoded

data using discrete coding, initials, and numerals. Names were kept confidential, and all

data obtained were securely stored in a laptop folder safely, which is encrypted with

password to ensure that the data is secured and are ready for verbatim and exact

transcription and that no personal information will ever be disclosed. Only the

researcher, my adviser, and the data analyst had access to the gathered data. More so,

interviews were recorded and transcribed word-for-word to reinforce the data accuracy.

Thematic analysis proceeded after the transcription, with the help of the data analyst for

the exact data analysis. Furthermore, the data collected shall be saved for three (3)

years and will be immediately deleted or burned to prevent unauthorized access,

disclosures, or use. This is to ensure that the researcher can respond to any verification

or validation requests from the Research Ethics Committee or Technical Panel and other

regulatory bodies. Thus, everything was done with the participants’ proper consent.
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Data Analysis

Results gathered in this study served as evidence for the conclusions,

implications for practice, and recommendations for future researches. The data analysis

of this research study followed the four steps developed by Creswell (2007).

The data processing commenced after compiling and transcribing the data. To

keep accurate notes, the recorded data were analyzed, synthesized, and transcribed.

After completing the formal period for data collection, the analysis began. Moreover, to

provide a holistic view, the qualitative data was analyzed and scrutinized collectively.

Content analysis in analyzing the collected data were used in this study. Content

analysis is a method of research method employed in identifying patterns from the

recorded communication. Thus, it offers unobtrusive data collection, transparent and

replicable, and is highly flexible. Systematically, the researcher collected data from a

group of texts, written, verbal, or visual to characterize communicative phenomena such

that it followed a systematic approach to assessing communicative messages' content or

context (Allen, 2017).

Moreover, in performing the data analysis, the researcher assumed the roles of

analyzing instruments, deciding on the coding, finding themes, decontextualizing, and

recontextualizing data (Nowell et al., 2017). Furthermore, to establish core consistencies

and meanings from a large volume of qualitative data in this research, data reduction

and sense-making effort was carried out (Patton, 2015).

More so, this research utilized thematic analysis to analyze the collected and

gathered data. Thematic analysis is a technique to find, evaluate, arrange, explain, and

report patterns in collecting data (Clarke & Braun, 2014). Additionally, Braun & Clarke

(2013), specified six phases of thematic analysis that were carefully followed in this

study; familiarization, where the researcher was familiarized to the data collected thru

thorough reading of interview transcripts—generating initial codes, researcher will begin


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coding the data. Next, was creating initial themes involving coding of data where

researcher listed the codes and began to group codes with similar meanings altogether.

After, researcher reviewed the initial themes and data, ensuring that the data's valuable

meanings are captured. Further, researcher named and defined the themes, utilized the

labels created for themes, and write the final result where the researcher will be

presenting the findings and interpretations of the data gathered in this phase.

The researcher formulated the core ideas and significant themes that emerged

from the individual interviews and focus group discussions, following the interview guide

and probing questions that was solicited from the participants which are duly aligned to

the study’s objectives. The entire transcripts and the transcription references were

utilized as basis in formulating and deriving core ideas and identifying the significant

themes were grouped with other similar themes will prevail, out from the experiences,

coping mechanisms, and insights of the public elementary school heads dealing with

professional burnout.

Trustworthiness of the Study

The results of this research are worthy of attention and are critical by

demonstrating the trustworthiness of this study. To ensure the trustworthiness of this

study, the idea of Lincoln and Guba (1985), as cited by Elo et al. (2014) was observed

such that, trustworthiness is an important determinant in analyzing the importance of a

research. the trustworthiness is vital in assessing the value of an investigated study

(Stahi & King, 2020). Relatively, this research study adhered to four strategies to ensure

trustworthiness of the study by Shenton (2004). These include the following: credibility,

dependability, confirmability and transferability.

Credibility. This refers to the trust that can be placed in the veracity of the

findings of the research. This institutes if the research results represent reliable

information obtained from the original data of the participants and are a correct
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interpretation of the original views of the participants (Korstjens & Moser, 2018).

Furthermore, it serves as a substitute for internal validity and is founded on truth value,

which assesses whether the researcher has developed and expressed varying degrees

of certainty regarding the phenomenon being examined (Lemon & Hayes, 2020). In this

study, the researcher focused on maintaining credibility by using iterative questioning

and member checking during the in-depth interviews which are appropriate and well-

known research methods in qualitative research.

In addressing credibility, Lincoln and Guba (1985) suggested iterative

questioning. In this study, this will be used in eliciting accurate data, repetitive

questioning is important in which the researcher will elaborately discuss the matters that

will be brought up by the participants and extract data related through rephrasing the

questions. Additionally, iterative questioning was utilized in order to obtain accurate

information as it is crucial and therefore, probing questions will be used concerning the

research questions.

Member checking, also called as participant validation is a strategy to explore the

credibility of the findings. Results will be given to the participants will and they will be

checking the accurateness of the data in connection to their experiences (Slettebø,

2021). Transcripts are presented to participants early to ensure that the researcher has

will analyze precise data. This process helps in eliminating the possibilities of

misrepresentations during the process of data analysis (Candela, 2019). Researchers

can use member checking during interviews by reiterating, paraphrasing, and clarifying

the participants' responses comments when they are unclear, thus giving the interviewee

a chance to verify or rectify the interpretation of the interviewer on their words (Gray

2018, Rutakumwa et al., 2020).

Furthermore, this study adhered to member checking as it is the single most

significant arrangement that can be made to solidify the integrity of the study. In line with
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this, the participants were asked to read the transcribed transcripts, as part of the

member checking process. After such, the participants were given certificates affixing

their initials or signatures as a shred of evidence, that the transcribed answers are clear

and acceptable. This was made to guarantee the truthfulness of the description of data

collected, thru reviewing data’s accuracy.

Since a tape recorder was used, the articulations themselves will be correctly

recorded, and the focus will be on whether the participants believe their words matched

what they meant. The participants were granted permission on the data, interpretations,

and conclusions. They were able to explain their intentions, correct mistakes, and

provide additional information as needed in the result of this study. In doing this, the

researchers can confirm the preciseness of their understanding to the participants during

the collection process of data (Gray 2018).

Dependability. This refers to the stability of the research findings over the time.

Dependability determines whether research results are consistently replicated and

whether the study is repeated with the same researcher or with a different one, in the

same or a different context (Megheirkouni & Moir 2023). Furthermore, qualitative

researchers guarantee dependability by properly documenting data, methods, and

making sound decisions about the study (Mandal, 2018).

Thus, to ensure dependability, the researcher ensured to establish procedures to

evaluate proper research practices and provide in-depth methodological descriptions for

study replications. The researcher also updated the progress regularly, schedules, and

deadlines based on the research matrix, diagrams and flowcharts for conducting the

study. Moreover, the researcher will provide the readers with adequate details to assess

the reliability of both the researcher and the study itself. Analyzing focus group data

made it easier to replicate findings and draw correct inferences to their context from the

text, all to offer new perspectives, to better understand the phenomenon, detailed, and
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realistic behavior. Consequently, to address the issues on dependability more clearly, the

process of the study was specified, allowing potential researchers to repeat the work, but

certainly not having the same results. Likewise, seeking feedback and guidance from his

research adviser helped the researcher to provide valuable insights and assistance

throughout the research endeavor.

Confirmability. Pertains to the extent to which results can be verified or

validated by others (Guba & Lincoln, 1983 as cited by Trochim, 2020). Ensure that the

findings are the result of independent research methods and not biased consciously or

unconsciously, it is important that other researchers can replicate the results (Devault,

2019). Acceptance of research beliefs and assumptions, identification of research

limitations, thorough methodological descriptions that can be used to verify the integrity

of research results, and audit trails are also applicable regulations for creating verifiable

initiatives. The researcher ensures that the results of the research are the result of the

expectations and ideas of the research participants and not the interests and desires of

the researcher.

A clear explanation of this research processes was made available to ensure the

validity of the research. The research design and execution were explained to gain

thorough interpretation on the methods chosen and their efficiency for the readers of the

research report. At each point of the research process, the proof of a decision trail was

recorded and created. More so, a detailed methodological analysis enables the reader to

evaluate the acceptability of the data and constructs that has been derived from it. A

transparent overview of these research steps was properly documented from the

beginning of this research project to developing and publishing results thru the interview

transcripts. Moreover, in forming the basis for themes, samples from the coding process,

descriptions on how the individual codes are made into themes by the researcher, and

analysis on what specific codes are to be gathered together are included in this study.
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To ensure the confirmability of this study, the researcher banked on audit trail. All

the raw data, observation notes, interviews, records, and documents collected in the

field of study were kept to facilitate the entire process of inquiry. At the same time, this

provided the researcher an easier way of tracking and following the participants’

responses which in turn made it easier for the data analyst to analyze the data.

Consequently, the researcher stored all the documents with regards to what has been

done in the study's conduct. This also included other personnel like the research panel

and adviser had checked the analysis and results presented extensively and had

become directly accessible to authorized sources.

Transferability. It refers to the extent to which qualitative research findings

can be generalized or transferred to other contexts. From a qualitative perspective,

transferability is prime responsibility of the researcher to generalizer. A qualitative

researcher can increase transferability by doing extensive work to describe the

context of the research and the fundamental assumptions on the research (Kyngäs

et al., 2020). Transferability can be attained through a detailed and thick description

of the results of multiple data collection methods (Stahl & King, 2020).

To guarantee transferability of this study, the researcher gave a thorough

overview of the investigation and participants chosen were handled with utmost care.

Generalization may be accomplished at various levels to achieve a comprehensive

realization on the studied phenomenon. Further, in addressing transferability, the

researcher made detailed and thick description on the method and the phenomenon

being studied to ensure that the data is preserved so that the analysis becomes more

reliable and transferable.

Ethical Considerations

Adherence to research ethics promotes research goals, values that are important

for collaboration, ensuring accountability of researchers to the public as a consequence


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misconduct, increasing public support and many other important moral and social values

(Resnik, 2020). In view of this, the study adhered to the ten (10) elements of an ethical

research, which according to Bhandari (2021) will guide the researcher on the designs

and practices that the study shall undertake and guarantee to protect the rights of the

research participants, the research validity is enhanced and the academic integrity is

maintained.

To guarantee that this research was ethically conducted, this study had

undergone review by the SMCTI-REC before conducting the study. Consequently, this

research was subjected to the protocols of the SMCTI-REC. Furthermore, before the

conduct of the interview, full approval of the participants shall be. Protection of their

privacy was guaranteed and they were given assurance of the confidentiality of their

answers.

Social Value. This refers to possible impacts of conducting the study to the

members of the school community (van Delden & van der Graaf, 2021). In addition,

social value refers to the contribution of the research to an existent social problem so

that the results are predicted to improve the understanding of the problems or give

contribution in promoting the welfare of individuals, their families and societies. (PHREB,

2022).

This research provided empirical evidence on the professional burnout of public

elementary school heads in Kapalong East District. Further, the study will help in

providing administrators knowledge on how to deal and overcome burnout and work

towards the accomplishment of the school's aims and goals. The officials from the

human resource management office will benefit as well by earning a better knowledge of

the factors that straightly and obliquely affects the school heads resulting to being

burned-out which can be utilized as basis in effectively creating tools that are authentic

in ensuring that school heads will not experience professional burnout.


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Additionally, this research will help school heads in distinguishing their strengths

as well as fields that needs improvement to perform more efficiently as school managers

of education and main enforcers of the curriculums’ programs. Stakeholders will benefit

from the results of this study on the burnout management of principals by using the

outcomes of the study as a basis for creating, enhancing, and preserving leadership and

programs that relates to managing instructions.

Consent. This refers to the participant’s consent in allowing the researcher to

conduct the study, ensuring that they have full understanding of all the relevant facts,

including risks, available alternatives, benefits as well as methods of the study (Shah et

al., 2022). Furthermore, permission should be given voluntarily, participants have to

know what is being asked from them, and participants must be capable to give consent.

This indicates that participants needed to be briefed about the study sufficiently,

understand the information, and given the choice and autonomy to make decisions to

partake or refuse (Mohd Arifin, 2018).

Another factor to consider is Consent. Before distributing questionnaires, the

researcher thoroughly explained the study's intent and how their responses will be

included in this paper. The consent consisted of the participant's freedom to refuse from

participating in the research. Moreover, it contained; research methods employed,

statements surrounding confidentiality, and the researcher and participant's signature or

just their initials if deemed so. Furthermore, the researcher made sure that the

participants of the study participates willingly or without compulsion.

With this, consent and approval from the Dean of the Graduate School and the

SMCTI-REC was secured by the researcher before conducting the study. Furthermore,

the researcher asked for authorization from the Schools Division Superintendent of

Davao del Norte and the Public Schools District Supervisor of Kapalong East District.

Participants were chosen based on the set of criteria for selecting the participants of the
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study. Thus, the participants involved participated according to their will, and therefore,

the interview only commenced after they have signed the consent and were guaranteed

that their identities were held confidential and will not be disclosed during the

presentation and analysis of the results.

Vulnerability of the Research Participants. Potential research participants may

be considered vulnerable through being a member of a group, racial minorities, or

individual qualities such as people in an inferior position to the researcher. The research

procedures itself may impose degrees of vulnerabilities on the research participants.

The vulnerability associated with study is determined by the circumstances of the

research and the traits of the possible participants. Vulnerability indicates that a person

is susceptible to harms and risks related to research, or that further protection is needed

to protect the potential participants from research-related risks or harms (Biros, 2018).

The participants of this research were the school heads dealing with burnout.

They are considered as non-vulnerable as they are in legal age, professionals, and

competent individuals who are rational and achieved level of proficiency in leading ang

managing schools. The researcher will recruit the participants by communicating with

them through in-person interaction or via messenger which will prioritize their well-being.

To ensure that the in-depth interview generated meaningful responses, the interview

guide were validated by experts. The participants’ schedule were considered as they are

also having several engagements and appointments being the managers and leaders of

their respective schools. Lastly, to safeguard them from vulnerability, their identity were

hidden, and coding was used.

Risks, Benefits, and Safety. According to Moller (2019), risk refers to the

possible harm and danger that the respondents might encounter during the conduct of

the study, benefits is defined as the advantages that a respondent received from

participating in the research, while safety pertains to the protection given to the
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respondents in the course of the study. These possible risks and benefits should

specifically appear in the written informed consents and documents utilized in the

research (Barrow, 2022).

Terms of risks, benefits, and safety are all factors to be considered. The

researcher ensured that the participants were never exposed to danger as they took part

in the data collection. Participants in the study were given complete details about the

study, including all risks and benefits, if there is any. The participants were free to

choose whether to participate or not. Research benefits might forge cordiality between

the researcher and the participants, knowledge or education gained from participating, or

the opportunities to flourish for the society or receive admiration.

Also, interviews were done during the free time of the informants/participants in

order not to cause any economic risks on their works/job and to ensure that their work-

related duties and responsibilities are not affected due to their participation in the study.

Besides, the possible risk of identifying their responses were avoided by observing

utmost confidentiality. In any case, psychological harm like humiliation, dangers of

exposure, loss of respect, embarrassment, and the like were avoided by keeping the

identities of the informants and participants. This were done by using pseudonyms or

alias in the presentation of the results.

Moreover, interview questions utilized in this study were checked by the experts

to ensure they won’t cause harm. The researcher performed an intensive evaluation of

possible risks and benefits, and a safety approach were applied both in acquiring

permission and during the research process. Also, possible risks such as discomforts,

inconveniences, regret, or worries of being a participant were clarified to the participants.

The researcher made sure to employ measures to alleviate these risks. Furthermore,

they were made to understand that their participation shall significantly contribute to the

generation of new knowledge in the field education which be of great advantage in the
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development and improvement of its implementation, and such alone outweighs the

possible risks and harm that this study may encounter. Finally, the results and

recommendations from this study will be shared with the Department of Education in

Davao del Norte to help in the creation of programs, projects, activities, and

interventions that may help in addressing burnout among school heads within the

division.

Privacy and Confidentiality of Information. As stated by Solomon (2018),

Privacy refers to the freedom from intruding into an individuals' personal affairs and

information, while confidentiality refers to personal information that can be shared with

others and usually cannot be disclosed to third parties without the expression of consent

of the individual concerned. Consequently, the researchers should retain any shared

information in their utmost confidentiality. Safeguarding privacy typically requires

implementing measures such as anonymity or confidentiality procedures (Cassell, 2000

as cited by Barrow, 2022).

Furthermore, any detail in the paper that might contribute to identifying a

particular respondent were highly avoided. The privacy and confidentiality of information

was upheld throughout the conduct of the study. The report did not mention the names,

designations, or any other characteristics of any of the participants involved in the study.

In this research, coding was utilized by the researcher in the IDI. Thus, the researcher

used field notes to guarantee confidentiality of their responses and their identities

through anonymity. Consequently, participants were assured that the data to be gathered

will be solely used to answer the study's objectives. The recorded data were carefully

kept securely in a location where the researcher only knew, and no personal information

will ever be revealed or disclosed. Only research personnel had access to the files,

questionnaires, audio recordings, transcripts, and summaries.


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Before the completion of this research, findings were presented to the

participants. They were guaranteed of their rights of privacy and confidentiality if the

participants request to withdraw or keep data hidden. Furthermore, adherence to the

mandates of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the Data Privacy Act of 2012

was ensured by the researcher. The processing of personal data is permitted if the

requirements of the law and other laws enabling the publication of data and the

principles of transparency, legal purpose and proportionality are followed. Consent is

guaranteed if the data were used for purposes other than those mentioned in this study

or if confidentiality was waived due to the research design of the study. The findings will

only be stored after the study has been completed and will be destroyed thru burning the

files and deleting all the digital files or medias including personal information so that the

data cannot be retrieved or reconstructed.

Justice. According to the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (2022), the

principle of justice requires that all those who benefit from the research and its results

have the right to participate and contribute to it, and at the same time share in the

burdens and fruits of the research.

One vital principle that was observed in this study is the principle of justice,

which was employed through fairness to all the participants involved in the study. All

participants will be systematically pre-selected through an inclusion criterion, assured

that everyone experienced the phenomenon. The researcher gave equal opportunities to

all the participants that they may be able to share their experiences as school heads

dealing with professional burnout. The researcher listened to their voices and

experiences and surely avoid any form of debasement or any untoward display of

behavior that may cause discomfort to the participants. The researcher ensured that

their vulnerability and contributions to the study are highly recognized.


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In addition, the researcher fully respected and honored their autonomy in giving

weight to their thoroughly considered thoughts and decisions while avoiding interfering

with their acts, thereby securing their well-being through protecting their identity through

utmost anonymity. Furthermore, the needs of the research participants were taken

precedence over the study's objectives. Nevertheless, the results of this research were

given to the participants so to ensure justice.

Transparency. According to Moravcsik (2019), transparency refers to the ways

of sharing and disseminating the research outcomes. It allows the evaluation of the

evidence, analysis, and research design behind the knowledge claims made by

researchers. In addition, by adhering to the principles of transparency, researchers can

help ensure that their work is trustworthy, reliable, and of high quality by making their

methods, data, and results openly available for scrutiny by the community (Colaiacomo,

2023).

In dealing with transparency, the researcher ensured and protected the proper

implementation of the methodologies used in the research. Any possible conflicting

interests were resolved and disclosed by the researcher in order to avoid biases.

Besides, the researcher made sure that only correct and accurate data were recorded

with complete integrity. Moreover, each participant was provided a copy of their

transcribed responses so to ensure transparency.

Qualification of the Researcher. As stated by PHREB (2022), this refers to the

truthfulness, scientific capabilities, social concerns, cultural awareness, intellectual

conduct, responsiveness, and readiness to address issues a person committed in

research involving human participants should have. These include standards such as

the educational backgrounds, trainings, abilities, and resources to administer the

proposed research.
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The researcher is competent and qualified to carry this research. As a graduate

of Bachelor of Elementary Education -Generalist in one of the Philippines' local colleges,

and as a candidate for Master’s Degree in Educational Management, the researcher is

eligible to assume responsibility for this study's proper conduct and guarantee human

research subjects' safety based on his education, training, and experience received over

the years. Additionally, the researcher is a teacher for two-very-satisfactory years in the

Department of Education in the Division of Davao del Norte. Adequately, the researcher,

is professionally accountable for this study's conduct, without any conflict of interest and

any form of biases.

Consequently, the researcher asked for guidance and advices from his adviser,

from the panel members, and from his colleagues who have exceptional knowledge in

this method. They had given guidance to the researcher towards the completion of the

research. The researcher sought advice from his adviser time to time and was given

advices in relation to the formats and contents of the research. Lastly, suggestions and

recommendations of the technical panel were followed and incorporated in the final draft.

Adequacy of Facilities. As defined by Wiggins (2021), it refers to the available

and accessible essential materials, equipment, and other resources in the conduct of the

study. This includes access to specialized equipment, software, or other materials

needed for data collection, analysis, and storage.

The researcher ensured to utilize the available and accessible essential materials

in this research. Libraries and online sources were utilized for additional sources to

intensify and fortify the data analysis and interpretation. Other materials that are of great

reinforcements on the study were made available and obtainable. The research adviser

was always available for consultation. Furthermore, constructive feedbacks and

recommendations was provided by the group of experts. They were asked and
25

consulted as well to guide the researcher in conducting the study but also in presenting

the research findings.

Community Involvement. According to Belter (2023), community involvement in

research is often referred to as community engagement and entails sharing the results

and findings to one’s local community or broader society by conducting related activities

or initiatives. In addition, it has the possibility to enhance the distribution, uptake, and

execution of the findings of the study (Fregonese, 2018).

This study sought approval from the and from Dean of the Graduate School and

the SMCTI-REC before conducting the study. Furthermore, the researcher also asked

permission from the Schools Division Superintendent of Davao del Norte and the Public

Schools District Supervisor of Kapalong East District. Informed consents from the

participants were ensured to make them fully aware of their involvement in the research.

In addition, the results of the research were aimed toward community involvement.

Benefits will be offered back by the researcher to the participants included in this

research by sharing the outcomes and inferences on the findings of the study. This will

be made to increase their consciousness in dealing with burnout experienced by the

school heads.

Lastly, this chapter encompasses the research procedures and essential actions

to be undertaken. It also outlines the discussions and explanations regarding the study’s

scope, focus, participants, involved offices, and authorities, and whose approval and

consent are the priority before conducting research. In addition, it explains the step-by-

step process of collecting data which is the most critical part of doing research up until

the data analysis down to its results and findings. It is emphasized that any research will

conform to the utmost trustworthiness, which can be attained through taking rigorous

steps and employing strategies with care and prudence. Also, it is important to
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remember that in doing any research, adherence to and following ethical considerations

will always be observed.

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