1. Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research design, research procedure, the subject of the
study, determination of sample, research instrument and statistical treatment of data.
Research Design
This study determined the factors affecting mathematics performance of
Laboratory High School Students at Laguna State Polytechnic University. The
descriptive – correlation method was used in this study.
In descriptive method, Calmorin(1994) as cited by Bagayana (2006), wrote the
study focuses on the present condition. The purpose is to find new truth, which may come
in different forms such as increased quantity of knowledge, a new generalization, or
increased insights into factors, which are operating, the discovery of a new causal
relationship, a more accurate formulation of the problem to be solved and many others.
Since this study measured data that already exists and the number of respondents
is not large, the descriptive – correlation method of studies is best suited. As mentioned,
the student-related factors in terms of interest and study habits, and the teacher-related
factors in terms of personality traits, teaching skills and instructional materials were
generated using researcher – made questionnaire.

2. Subject of the Study
The respondents in this study were the one hundred twenty six (126) Laboratory
High School Students at Laguna State Polytechnic University Academic Year 2009-2010.
Research Instrument
The main tool used in this study was a researcher – made questionnaire –
checklist. Set of questionnaire-checklist was constructed for the student respondents. The
questionnaire – checklist consisted of the students’ level of interest in Mathematics, their
study habits and their teachers’ personality traits, teaching skills and instructional
materials use in teaching as perceived by the students.
Part 1 on the questionnaire – checklist obtained the students’ level of interest in
Mathematics presented five(5) statements and the students’ study habits presented ten(10)
situations. These were given one set of five checkboxes each. The five checkboxes were
ranked as:
5 – Always
4 – Often
3 – Sometimes
2 – Rarely
1 – Never

3. Part 2 obtained teacher’s personality traits, teaching skills and instructional
materials used in teaching as rated by the students. Each statement was given one set of
five checkboxes. Again the five checkboxes were ranked as:
5 – Always
4 – Often
3 – Sometimes
2 – Rarely
1 – Never
The questionnaire – checklist was presented to the adviser and expert on
Mathematics for comments, corrections, and suggestions on the content.
Research Procedure
The original title proposed by the researcher was checked, revised and rechecked
by the researcher’s adviser to maintain conformity on the subject of research. The
questionnaire-checklist that aims to draw out proper responses on the objectives of this
study was constructed. This questionnaire – checklist made by the researcher and was
presented to, analyzed and checked by the research adviser to ensure the validity of
responses it would elicit.
Permit to conduct research and study was secured of letter requesting permission
to the principal of Laboratory High School at Laguna State Polytechnic University.

4. Data gathered from answered questionnaires were checked, classified , tabulated
and analyzed according to the research design described in this chapter using Microsoft
Excel and prepared for final presentation to the experts of different fields of
specialization.
Statistical Treatment of Data
Analysis Statistical Tools
1. The extent of student-related factors Weighted Mean
in terms of:
1.1 Interest
1.2 Study habits
2. The extent of teacher-related factors Weighted Mean
in terms of:
2.1 Personality Traits
2.2 Teaching Skills
2.3 Instructional Materials
3. The level of students’ mathematics Mean, median, mode, skewness and
performance. kurtosis.
4. Significant relationship between Pearson R, Spearman Rho, Regression
students’ mathematics performance
and student-related factors.

5. 5. Significant relationship between Pearson R, Spearman Rho, Regression
students’ mathematics performance
and teacher-related factors.