Chapter lll

Methodology

Research design
Phenomenology is a philosophy and technique of inquiry that focuses on
understanding human conscious lives. It involves interpreting and giving meaning to
lived events. Husserl's perspective sees phenomenology as a science that examines
phenomena to understand human beings at a higher level. On the other hand,
Heidegger's interpretive-hermeneutic phenomenology offers a broader interpretation of
these events. Researchers using phenomenology employ bracketing to gain insights
into lived experiences and construct meaning. By gathering and analyzing data
concurrently, they aim to understand the unique experiences of individuals in a specific
context. The findings of phenomenological investigations expand the mind and enhance
thinking methods. They enable researchers to define their position through purposeful
study of living experiences. Phenomenology is particularly valuable in the social
sciences as it emphasizes subjectivity and personal knowledge. (Qutoshi, 2018)
The researcher will employ a quantitative method and phenomenology research
design as it needed the respondents’ views, opinions, reasons, and attitudes towards
the topic. With use of this design, the researcher will be able to understand how limited
availability of welding machines and consumables and lack of welding activities to
develop student skills is Experienced by Grade 11 SMAW students.

Participants
The participants of the study were the Grade 11 SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc
Welding) students at General Santos City National High School in school year 2023-
2024. A total of 7 participants were selected based on their involvement in SMAW
training and practical sessions. The participants comprised 5 males and 7 females,
reflecting the gender distribution within the SMAW program at the institution. All
participants had completed at least one semester of the Grade 11 SMAW course and
were familiar with welding processes and equipment commonly used in the workshop.

Locale of the study

The study was conducted at General Santos City National High School, a public
school in General Santos City, Philippines. The school's dedicated technical education
department features modern workshops equipped with state of the art welding facilities,
including a welding station equipped for SMAW processes. The school's commitment to
hands-on learning and industry-relevant training creates an ideal environment for
exploring the dynamics of welding skill development among Grade 11 students.
Map of the location of the study
Data Collection
On May 2024, the researcher will ask permission to the adviser of participants
and to the principal. After asking permission, the researcher will orient them about the
purpose of this research. The qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured
interviews with approximately 6-7 Grade 11 students from the Shielded Metal Arc
Welding (SMAW) program. An interview guide is developed with open-ended questions
to explore participants' experiences with welding machine and consumable availability,
skill development, challenges faced, and suggestions for improvement. Participants
were selected based on their active engagement and willingness to share insights.
Before interviews, participants received detailed information about the study and
provided written informed consent. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, recorded
with participant consent, and transcribed for thematic coding and analysis to identify key
patterns and themes related to resource availability and skill development. Findings
were synthesized and reported using illustrative quotes to convey participants'
experiences effectively.

Interview techniques
The researcher will employ face-to-face interviews in this research study, which
aims to explore the lived experiences of Grade 11 SMAW students regarding the limited
availability of welding machines and consumables in their skill development. The face-
toface interviews offer a valuable opportunity to establish a personal connection
between the researcher and the participants, fostering an environment conducive to
open and authentic sharing of experiences. Through face-to-face interviews, the
researcher can delve deeply into the students' experiences, employing probing
questions to uncover the intricate nuances of emotions and challenges encountered.
Additionally, the observation of non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body
language, provides invaluable supplementary insights into the participants' emotional
states and reactions. By actively seeking clarification during the interviews, the
researcher ensures a comprehensive understanding of the participants' experiences.
Ultimately, face-to-face interviews generate a wealth of rich and reliable data, enabling
the researcher to conduct a comprehensive examination of the impact of limited
machine and consumable availability on the skill development of Grade 11 SMAW
students

Ethical considerations
Informed Consent, obtain voluntary and informed consent from participants,
explaining the purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits of the study.
Confidentiality and Anonymity, ensure strict confidentiality measures, including
the use of pseudonyms or codes to protect participant identities.
 Voluntary Participation, emphasize voluntary participation without negative
consequences or coercion.
Respect for Participants, treat participants with respect, sensitivity, and cultural
awareness, acknowledging their diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Minimization of Harm, take measures to minimize potential harm or discomfort
to participants, providing necessary support if needed.
Data Protection and Storage, adhere to data protection regulations, securely
storing research data to prevent unauthorized access.
Ethical Approval Seek, ethical approval from relevant review boards or
committees before conducting the research.

Sampling
The purposive sampling will be employed in this study to specifically select Grade
11 SMAW students who have experiences with the limited availability of welding
machines and consumables in developing their skills. This type of sampling is suitable
because it allows the researcher to intentionally choose participants who possess the
characteristics and experiences that are directly relevant to the research objectives. By
selecting Grade 11 SMAW students who have encountered the challenges of limited
availability, the study can gain comprehensive insights into their lived experiences and
the impact of this constraint on their skill development. Purposive sampling enables a
focused exploration of the specific subpopulation of interest, providing in-depth and
meaningful data that aligns with the research goals.

Instrumentations
Have you ever faced any challenges due to the limited availability of welding
machines and consumables?
Have you found any alternative ways to practice or improve your welding skills
due to the limited availability?
What are the main challenges you face when there is a shortage of welding
machines and consumables?
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with limited
access to welding machines and consumables?
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your interest in welding?
Thematic analysis
Challenges in Access to Welding Resources:
Availability of Welding Machines, from data highlighting students' experiences
with the availability and accessibility of welding machines. Specific challenges faced by
students in accessing machines for practice and skill development.
Availability of Consumables, Instances illustrating students' perspectives on the
inadequacy of welding consumables. Impact of consumable availability on students'
ability to engage effectively in welding activities.
Impact of Resource Availability on Skill Development:
Skill Acquisition and Practical Learning, students' reflections on how the availability
of resources influences their learning outcomes and skill development. Illustrative
examples demonstrating the relationship between resource access and skill
enhancement.
Emotional and Psychological Impact, Insights into the emotional and
psychological effects of resource constraints on students. Students' narratives revealing
sentiments towards resource limitations and their implications for learning experiences.