Research Design
The researchers employed a quantitative approach, a process involving the analysis of collected numeric data (Bhandari, 2023). This approach was carried out as the solid waste management of BASECO residents were measured using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by Ajzen (1985), and the degree of influence were evaluated to establish interpretations. The study used an experimental design which tests a hypothesis and determines the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable (Bevans, 2019). In line with this, a pre-experimental research design, particularly a one-group pretest-posttest was utilized as the study had one single group consisting of 30 selected BASECO residents from the sample who will undergo the intervention. These individuals were not from a pre-established or naturally occurring group, only residents from different backgrounds put into one sample. This research design is appropriate as there was no control group present, and it was used to measure the effects of the intervention (Manifold, n.d.).
Population and Sampling
The study’s sample consists of 30 selected residents from the BASECO Compound of Manila following the age range of 25-61. This category follows the age of maturity, in which these individuals have a higher level of rationality regarding behavior strategy compared to the youth, which is in line with standards for the inclusion criteria (Dyussenbayev, 2017). Additionally, Singh (2023) states that a minimum of 30 participants is recommended in quantitative studies in order to ensure a reliable, balanced and adequate interpretation. BASECO Compound residents were purposely chosen due to their experiences in their community as BASECO is affected by solid waste pollution. By choosing residents of BASECO, the researchers viewed different kinds of perspectives from people who have experienced these challenges firsthand.
Inclusion criteria required at least 3 years of residency in BASECO in order to substantially back up the gathered answers that reflect the community’s experiences. Furthermore, the selected participants were aimed to be the heads of their respective families to facilitate diverse representation, reasonable insights, and effective discourse as household heads are believed to hold a meaningful amount of influence on family behavior and decisions in developing countries (Morakinyo et al., 2015, as cited in Nwankpa et al., 2024). While exclusion basis included those who have had less years of residency and experience particularly considering the solid waste concerns of the compound.
Instrumentation
The researchers made use of a survey questionnaire as instrumentation. As stated by Hellevik (2019), survey questionnaires are a technique used by researchers to collect data from participants through a series of questions designed to gather specific information such as the respondent’s beliefs, opinions, behaviors on a certain subject and personal background. Survey questionnaires are specifically made to be confidential and to reduce bias.
The survey questionnaire contains a series of categorized questions using the Likert scale to answer.
- Questions 1-5 are adapted from the Second Minnesota Report Card on Environmental Literacy (Questions 26-29) to dwell on personal attitudes.
- Questions 6-10 are adapted from the Second Minnesota Report Card on Environmental Literacy (Questions 9-18) to measure subjective norms.
- Questions 11-15 are adapted from the Resident’s Preference for Urban Green Space Types and their Ecological-Social Services in China (Questions 3-7) to focus on perceived behavioral control.
- Questions 16-20 are adapted from the Second Minnesota Report Card on Environmental Literacy as well (Questions 17, 21, 25, 29-32) in order to evaluate the intentions.
Statistical Treatment
The data collected in alignment with the measurement of the locals of BASECO Compound’s solid waste management based on the variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics, specifically acquiring the frequency and percentage, targeted the paper’s first research inquiry on the demographics of the locals. However, the second research question used obtaining mean scores for statistical treatment. With the sample of the study being normally distributed, the mean is a reliable measure for the data (Turney, 2022). The ordinal data derived from the Likert scale-based questions were measured using the mean to arrive at the average.
When analyzing the third research question in the research however, a paired t-test was used given its comparative nature. To identify whether there was a significant difference in the solid waste management through the level of intention among the same participants pre and post-intervention, the parametric test, paired t-test, was utilized given the normality of data in the study (McClenaghan, 2024).
Data Gathering Procedure
In order to have gathered data, the researchers followed the procedure of:
- Asking for consent from the school administration, specifically Learning Community 6 (LC6), in order for the researchers to be able to contact the barangay administration of BASECO, Manila under the La Salle Green Hills contact information as a representation of the researchers.
- After contacting the barangay administration, 30 participants who meet the criteria of: 25-61 years old and head of the household who currently live in BASECO Compound, Manila will be scouted to participate in the researchers’ communication plan.
- The following participants will receive a letter of invitation with detailed information regarding the discussion with a consent form that will include the Data Privacy Act of 2012 to ensure their safety and privacy security.
- Prior to their participation in any activity related to the communication plan, the participants will be answering a pre-test questionnaire to establish a baseline for the standards included in the evaluation of data.
- The participants will be participating in the workshop program as the first stage of the communication plan.
- The whole process and documentation of the workshop program will be included in the infographic brochure that the selected BASECO residents will receive following the publication of the material.
- After the infographic brochure’s distribution, the selected BASECO residents will be answering the same questionnaire as before—as a post-test. This will determine the outcome of the communication plan.
- By the end of the data gathering process, the researchers will compare the pre and post-test results using the statistical method, paired t-test or the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Rank Test. This will provide results that will determine whether or not there would be an identified improvement in the level of intention toward solid waste management within the selected residents in BASECO Compound, Manila.
- The extracted data will be stored in a Microsoft Excel Software exclusive for the researchers’ view and access only. This is to ensure the confidentiality of the respondents’ answers and protect their privacy.
Ethical Guidelines and Informed Consent
Throughout the data gathering procedure, the researchers would be guided by ethical guidelines as decreed by the Republic Act 10173—the Data Privacy Act of 2012. This is to ensure the fundamental right of the respondents to their privacy. Confidentiality of personal and sensitive information is to be held at the highest degree. Furthermore, any discourse between the researchers and the respondents inside and outside of the survey questionnaire are to ensure that there will be no harm dealt. In any instance, the respondents hold the right to decline participation with their personal wellbeing the priority.