Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Numerous and continuous debates have been employed as to how powerful are

the effects of media when it comes to informing the public especially in the political

sphere and how it serves as an essential tool in promoting engagement of the citizens

particularly the students. The academe has been an essential partner of the government as

to how students can be informed regarding certain political activities, programs, issues

and developments. As a crucial element, the discourse of understanding and access of

critical information is significant. There is this process which control of knowledge

influences understanding and control of attitudes influences the development of the

society. Media has become an important part of people’s lives (Vanderweelee,2015). It

represents the content publicly created and available to users.

The City Government of Naga as the center of competence and good governance

allocated funds for the proliferation of projects involving the engagement of students in

the affairs of the government. The city is known for its participatory mechanism in

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addressing its goals. The entire city becomes stakeholders of transparency and

accountability to ensure a clean and innovative government. With this, the government

restructured and re-examined the existence of public information division. The direct

involvement of students in the decision-making process initiated by the government

embodies the intricate system of the political participation entailing a more relative

contribution of both the educational and governmental institution. Programs and activities

that are being implemented by the City Government of Naga seeks to establish a

partnership that both the government and students will benefit from. This will also

encourage them to continuously partake in the general management of the city, having

the students as an integral part of the city’s venture for progress.

The city government’s initiative is to provide specific functions and to

identify resources to guarantee the distribution of effective and appropriate information

as well as the proper management of services. They utilize media accounts, social media

and websites. It was necessary to develop and to implement mechanisms in fostering and

harmonizing connections with the private media and its constituents specifically the

young generation attending in a university or a college institution situated within the

territorial jurisdictions of Naga City. Given this political set-up that promotes

governmental and educational institutions` collaboration towards youth political

engagement, it is in the same way essential to understand the significant role of youth to

the media cognizance that advances to political involvement.

The youth plays a vital role in the political realm (Issoy, 2016), specifically

because among constituents of a particular locality, they have the most access to

information since the emergence of technology that paved the way for the advent of

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social media, essentially made a revolutionary change from the traditional approach and

means of acquiring information.

Majority of college students in Naga City has an account in the social

media either Facebook or Twitter. This is an avenue for them to freely express their

feelings about their thoughts in certain subjects of matter or that which specifically

concerns about politics. It also serves as a virtual tool that relays information and

announcements of programs or activities in response to public demand as well as

addressing an issue. Social media is considered as an efficient instrument to promote

engagement and citizen’s participation (Yang and De Hart, 2016). Online engagement is

characterized by liking, sharing or commenting on the political protocols and interacting

with the activities formulated by the government in pursuit of achieving a stronger

participation from the education sector. Posting or tweeting political status is also a

manifestation by which students exercise their essential role as active partners in the

decision-making process of the government. This study will try to focus more on the

scheme of the post-election period whereby students assess and respond to the activities

and programs laid upon by the government for the promotion of a relationship that will

keep the realm of the academe and administration together.

The interconnections among these three entities namely the government,

academe and the youth or student populace gave a conceptual affirmation that molded a

program that bolstered political chambering among the three entities aforementioned.

Sangguniang Panlungsod Student Participation Program was launched by

the government through the initiative of Vice Mayor Nelson S. Legacion in November

19, 2013. This program promotes transparency, accountability and student’s participation

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in Naga’s governance which primarily affords the students ample opportunities to express

their views and concerns on important governmental issues. This includes the

appropriation of information intended for development and awareness of the students to

engage in certain undertakings implemented by the city government. Students from

chosen colleges are given the opportunity to attend the sessions of the Sangguniang

Panlungsod and witness the different legislative processes taking place in the legislative

session. This particular program will be one of the determinants as to how students

actively and informed in the government affairs deeming relevance to their roles in the

society. Students who attend forums, debates and talks about the procedures entailed by

the government describes their offline political engagement. They can freely talk face-to-

face with public officials regarding issues present in the government. There are many

factors that can influence students’ political engagement and sources which they can

gather to affect their awareness on politics.

The researchers signify that the City Government of Naga generates a

government-owned website responsible for delivering effective information especially

the programs and activities that seeks to involve the participation of the students, college

students in particular. It engages and encourages student’s engagement through the

Sangguniang Panlungsod-Student Participation Program and Naga Youth Parliament

generally aimed at involving the youth in the legislation process as well as in the

enactment of good governance. Their concerns and involvement in a virtual manner will

be identified as to how it translates to physical or actual participation in the

governmentally- organized activities and programs which are political in nature.

However, not all students are being reached by these information yet are not also given

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the same opportunity to lobby their concerns with the immediate solution for the greatest

needs intended. The researchers will question how students exercise their online

participation in politics and also how does these actions directly affect or influence their

concrete involvement in the government. The researchers will narrow the problem to the

digital engagement and its role in shaping the enthusiasm of students and significant

effects for the literate to participate in the physical aspect with regards to government

projects, programs and activities as an effective tool for asserting good governance.

This rudiment of political process in Naga City with the tripartite entities paved

the way to delving deep on its existence in the locale itself. This study aims to understand

and analyze the Online and Offline Political Engagement of Naga City College

Students.

Statement of the Problem

This study will determine the political engagement of college students’ using

social media and their offline political engagement in the City Government of Naga.

Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions:

1. How do college students engage in political activities both online and offline?

2. What is the level of political engagement among college students?

3. What are the factors that influence their level of political engagement?

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 Scope and Delimitation

This study attempts to determine the participation and engagement of college

students using social media towards political announcements, activities and programs in

Naga City initiated by the government. The study will provide distinct relation of social

media and politics. It will give idea as to how the students specifically in tertiary level

utilizes social media to increase their political engagement. This will also be concerned

about the information that is being transmitted to its constituencies in pursuance of good

governance, transparency, accountability and the essential student’s participation in

particular. This study uses observation and analysis to formulate the relationship and

impacts of social media towards college students in Naga City in exercising their

particular role in the political sphere, in a descriptive-evaluative writing. The study aims

to identify as to what degree college students concretize their political participation. This

will also try to sort the significant effects of social media towards active participation of

tertiary students in the government’s political processes and activities in Naga City. In

addition, Naga City is chosen as the locale of the study, to be conducted among the

college students ranging from 18-24 years of age attending at a university or higher

educational institution situated in Naga City. This will be identified through the

systematic random sampling among houses, apartments, dormitories and boarding houses

located within the realm of Naga City. More so, the study employs an interview method

on particular city officials as well as certain educators who are concerned about student’s

political engagement, together with their assessment of the student’s participation in the

political affairs of the city.

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 Significance of the Study

This study aims to determine the online and offline political engagement of

college students in Naga City. Moreover, this particular portion offers the possible group

of people or institutions that would benefit from this study.

College Students. The result of this study may help college students in understanding

further the relationship of social media and politics vis-à-vis their involvement and

engagement in the government’s political processes. This will also aid them as to how

they can keep posted and updated about the city government’s projects and important

announcements.

City Government of Naga. This study shall generate opinions and suggestions to the

City Government of Naga to enhance their use of social media in information

dissemination. This shall also improve their level of effectiveness in terms of

accountability, transparency and participation. The city government shall also utilize this

study to serve as a framework of crafting certain policies, public information, protocols

and legislative actions tso further increase student’s engagement in the government. It

will formulate solutions for the purpose of advanced information dissemination and the

consistent relationship with the students regarding governmental affairs.

Political Science Students. This study will inspire the student to be more active in taking

part in the government’s activity in criticizing the need of improvement and changes of

the community as a whole. This research formulates information to the students of

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Political Science as a reference for their further studies which shall focus also in

participating in politics through the use of social media and in instilling active political

participation of the students’ offline or in actual activities.

Political Science Teachers. This study will enable the political science teachers to

frequently check strategies and current event in the government for the enhancements of

the student’s knowledge and awareness to the events present in the City Government of

Naga. Instructors shall also benefit from this study to impart the information to the

learners as to how they can effectively participate in the legislation process and

government undertakings.

School Administrators. The result of this study will guide the administrators in

formulating more definite plans of action to improve further the engagement of students

in politics through the utilization of social media together with the City Government of

Naga’s assistance.

Constituents of Naga. The study will provide the constituents of Naga with knowledge

and information which are contributory to the government; better performance to address

the need for awareness and development. Also, through this study, the constituents of

Naga will be able to openly rate the participation of the college students in the

government, especially whether online or offline participation.

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 Definition of Terms

The following operational and conceptual terms are used in the study:

Political It is an attribute relevant to concerns, active involvements, accusations and

cycles on politics and government. When a certain occurrence involves politics and its

procedures and mechanisms, it is obviously “political”. A person who`s actively

participating on jurisdictional activities, whether actual or using various modes, he/she

can be considered political and so the activities to where he actively participate

his/herself are political in nature.

Media It is a medium of cultivation, conveyance or expression of specialized fields of

information. It may be written, spoken and listened, or viewed. In the study, this term is

being denoted as the mode where people get to exhaust themselves with the current

socio-political undertakings and processes. This term comprises the online and traditional

materials that in such pace, influence people and make people aware of things which

information are accessible and helpful.

Political Engagement It is the explicit expression of one’s political view. This can be

categorized through:

a. Online Political Engagement – expression in a digital platform such as facebook,

twitter, Instagram, blogsites, etc.

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 b. Offline Political Engagement- expression in a non-digital platform such as signing

a petition, contributing to a political party and membership to a political or civic

group.

Active Offline Political Engagement This entails a more responsive attitude in a non-

digital platform. A person, who exhausts his /her opportunity to participate in actual

political activities, making actions through actual involvements, makes him/her active in

offline political engagements

Passive Offline Political Engagement It is the less responsive attitude in a non-digital

platform. The modes of digitization pave way for people to involve lesser on actual

political engagements for they become apathetic or driven to partly involve by online

accessibilities. This explains the passive offline political engagement.

College Students Individuals attending at a particular university or educational

institution in pursuit of learning and acquiring pertinent knowledge with specific

specializations on various fields for a desired profession to venture at.

Factors In general, it is the contributory element in indicating a significant result or

outcome. Factors are divided to both online and offline political engagement.

a. Offline Political Engagement : Age, gender, religion, family, instructors, peers

b. Online Political Engagement: Access to internet, frequency of usage of SNS,

virtual responses, posting,

Informational These are students who are active in online participation but not in offline

participation. This happens when students are merely discussing topics in a digital

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manner and aware of the present announcements of the city government yet not doing

concrete actions on how to transform it into offline participation. (Harahap, 2012)

Gladiator These are students who are participative in the social media at the same time is

active in the decision-making process and activities of the president and of the city

government. (Harahap, 2012)

Transitional These are students who devote their times in just reading and engaging into

political discussions seldom times and sometimes very often but are also occasionally

participating in actual activities in the government. (Harahap, 2012)

Apathetic These are students who do not participate in government activities and are not

well-informed in any political matters. (Harahap, 2012)

Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the review of related literature and studies. A number of

books, journals, web sites, and researches have been considered and examined to select

the most helpful and useful information to formulate plans, programs and activities.

Political Engagement

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 According to Harahap (2012), as a democratic society, the engagement

and involvement of students is an important condition for a democratic decision-making.

Political engagement helps on to develop their sense of sympathy with one another, skills

and responsibility and also deep understanding. It reflects how the person use their

opportunities. The engagement of citizen is important to reach what the democratic ideal

expects to us.

Buotros (2016) said that the political involvement of the youth leads to the

civic engagement of the citizens. Political engagement can be expressed by participating

in rallies, signing petitions and voting. Political engagement helps the youth to become

better citizens and have the capability to change the status quo.

Muntean (2015) described political participation as activities which are

performed by the citizens to influence in the government actions, policies and procedures.

Political participation pertains to actions that affect the decision-making of the

government through various activities. Political participation can be direct or indirect. It

can be direct because it influences in the making and the enforcement of policies. It can

be indirect because political participation is influenced by the legislators that makes

policies.

According to Stolle and Viserss (2013), political participation happens

when people are involved in expressing their opinions about the decision-making process

and the issues that is happening in the government. The use of online tools for

communication serves as the basis in developing new ideas for political participation.

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 Mondal (2016) stated that political participation is related to a modern political

system which is democracy. Individual participation in the political activities is the way

to guarantee the private interest of individuals. It is an opportunity to share ideas and

point of view. Political participation are activities which affects the decision-making

processes of the government. There are eight (8) factors influencing political

participation. First is the cognitive or psychological traits. This includes the sense of

responsibility, involvement and efficacy of individuals. Second is social environment.

This includes education, age, sex, occupation, culture etc.. Institutions for education serve

as the foundation in the progress of skills and engagement in politics through schools,

universities and colleges. Third is political environment. Fourth is level of modernization

and urbanization. Urbanization increases literacy then it increases the media exposure

then to the wider political participation. Fifth is political socialization. Socialization is a

tool in which people become conscious about the issues of the government that is why it

affects the quality and amount of participation. Sixth is the modes of participation.

Campaigning, rallying, attending forums and debates that are important modes of

participation. Seventh is campaign activities and the last one is cooperative activity in

which people can establishes or be part of a group or an organization to deal with the

social and political problems of the government.

Social Media and Political Engagement

According to Frago (2006) media and politics dependent to each other dependent

and almost parasitic. Because government, politicians and political groups communicate

through media, whereas the media feed on the politic for audience share and higher

ratings in the name of public service. In this previous election we experience very active

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of voters in social media, endorsing their political party or candidate bet. This is one of

manifestation that today social media one way to catch the attention of the Filipino

voters. Where people are free to express their thoughts about the current issues during the

day of election and Election Day.

According to Anthropology 225 class of UP Diliman (2014), social media is a

place where people can interact socially. People could post and share statuses, comment

on the statuses and exchange ideas, images and videos to others in the online community.

Citizens use social media so that they will be able to share their thoughts and opinions

regarding the social and political concerns and issues of our country. Sites that are used

for social networking like Facebook and Twitter, serves as an avenue for political

participation of the Filipinos in the government processes.

Toivo (2013) also describe social media as the new information technology and a

network where people can get information using a kind of communication that uses

contents that is produced by a user and it is interactive. Social media established and keep

social interaction. Social media can be blog services (eg: Tumblr, Twitter), social

networks (e.g: Facebook, Instagram, gmail and yahoo), media products community like

Youtube, information community like Wikipedia and Google, link sharing services and

virtual community.

Mcafee and Di Simone (2012) stated that there are many uses of social media. It

can be a source of information or it can be an avenue to express people’s ideas and

thoughts. Posting statuses that are related to the issues in the government, sharing videos

about politics and commenting on political opinions that are posted on sites that re used

for social networking are examples of the expressive use of the social media. These

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expressive uses of social media can be related to political engagement like joining

political organizations and petition signing. Social media can be a source of information

when people gives their attention to political posts and with that, it can be reflected to

offline participation. In short, the expressive the use of social media for information lead

to the offline participation of the citizens.

According to LSE Enterprise (2013), social media is a very useful involvement to

connect and inform people. Social media play an important role in information taking of

individual, checking news, getting messages from political leaders, sending petitions and

even messaging public officials. New media such as social media cannot replace the best

method for political engagement which is face-to-face interaction. Youth participate from

an actual participation and engagement like joining rallies or demonstrations and even

attending debates and forums than in the online participation.

In the case of social networking sites like Facebook, the political engagement of

the youth with the use of social media became easier than ever. In the study of Wang

(2013), social media is correlated with the greater level engagement about political

matters. Those people who are connected with the social media, they are more likely to

be engaged politically beyond the platforms of social networking.

Kurian (2012) described social media as a vast of information with a huge

potential to inform and connect citizens. Facebook, Youtube, etc. empowers, engages and

unite people. Public leaders and officials can raise political problems or issues and shapes

the opinion of the public through the use of social media. Social media make information

more accessible to people than before. As they are widely used by the youths, social

media became a way to encourage and engage young people in politics. Legislators,

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government and public officials should use the new media to understand further the needs

of the citizen and reach the people with more information. With the new media, citizens

will be provided with the information they needed to hold public officials to be

accountable in order to have a transparent government.

According to Baker (2009), discussions and forums in the social media may not

translate into actions that are political in nature. People who actively discuss issues about

politics will have a wider understanding about politics. It does not necessarily mean that

the people will engage themselves in the political processes. The use of internet will lead

to false efficacy of the citizens. Discussion about the issues or topics that are political in

nature is a tool to understanding and eventually the involvement and engagement of

citizens.

Factors affecting Political Engagement

Aichholzer and Allhutter (2009) described online participation as a social practice

that is facilitated by a technology. Online participation can be characterized by online

voting, online campaigning, online petitioning, online activism, as well as online

decision-making and even political dialogue.

Boulianne (2015) said that the use of sites for social networking and participation

of the citizens in the political sphere have positive relationship. The relationship on the

use of social media is with the citizen’s political engagement is generally stronger.

Studies in which the political participation of the citizen is separated as protest activities

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like rallies, petitions, boycotts generally show that social media has affirmative part in the

political engagement of the citizen.

Ginsberg (2012) defined political participation as activities that directly influence

the government. It can take into many actions like voting, protest, lobbying and public

relations. The use of internet increases the participation of the citizens. There are several

factors explaining political participation. It includes the economic status, efforts by the

institutions, formal obstacles and civic engagement level. People are more likely to

participate and engage themselves when someone that they know will ask them to get

involved in such activities.

Douglas (2015) stated that the political opinions of the college students are

influenced by the interactions in the online community and interactions in the offline

community. In his study, he found out that most of the college students said that their

political opinions and participation is highly influenced by their parents.

It is found out in the study of Harahap (2012) that the income, education and

occupation of the citizens are some of the factors that shape the political engagement of

the citizen. Having an education about politics is necessary to the political participation

because it has a positive impact in the development of democracy.

Political Engagement and Education

In the study of Colby, et.al (2007), students who take and participate in programs

and courses of their universities with politics as their focus result to greater political

knowledge, understanding, motivation and skills for their political engagement. Students

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taking courses and programs related to politics will have a higher level of political

interest and it will further increase their political skill and understanding.

In the study of Dalton and Crosby (2008), the researchers observed that a lot of

college students are politically engaged in the offline sphere because for them, they think

that politicians are not worthy of their trust and the political arena is very dirty. They

found out that students’ desire to be engage in the activities that will solve the problems

and issues involving their community. They also found out that college students may

have views and opinions regarding the issues in their community. But once these students

are questioned about their opinions regarding the issues about politics, they feel

uncomfortable with it. So with that, students feel that they will have an impact because

they think that political leaders seem that they do not care about the engagement of the

youth in the decision-making process of the government. They also found out that

students are influenced by their professors, good people and their parents in their

engagement in politics and community service. So with that, the researchers proposed

that higher education institutions must be active in promoting the engagement of students

in politics. First, higher education institutions should motivate students to be engaged in

the political discussion by having some talks, creating activities and projects that will

involve students in politics, have a debate and dialogue about political issues. Second is

to adopt political identity in the individual learning of students in their college years.

Third is to promote a common culture to encourage and value the engagement of students

in politics. Lastly is to motivate students to be informed politically and actively by

recognizing their political engagement to inspire students to help and solve problems

concerning the society.

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 According to the study of Turcotle (2015), young people who attended to higher

education institutions most likely to express their opinions about certain political issues

or problems through the forum and debates in the internet, participate in rallies and

demonstrations and signing petitions. Youths whose ages are ranging from 15-24 years

old least likely to participate in the activities that are political in nature because of their

young age. Youths aging from 20-24 years old are the most engaged youths in the

political activities.

State of the Art Synthesis

To validate the research, related literatures and studies are taken into account and

woven in order to formulate result and support the methods of the study.

Media is argued as a factor that contributes to political participation of citizens. It

tries to promote more relationships between the social media and the political

engagement of citizens. Social media established and keep social interaction of the

people as defined by Toivo.

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 Since the media has a big role in our society, Perlita Frago discussed that

government and other political personalities maximize media to communicate their

constituents and also media used today as tool to promote good governance for the reason

that people today are active user of media and also it is easy to access media because of

modernization.

Political participation has also a big role in the decision-making processes of the

government. Political participation as described by Stolle & Viseras and Muntean is a set

of activities where people express their views and opinions which affects the decision-

making process of the government.

Social media and political participation is related with one another. In the study of

Mcafee and Di Simone, the expressive uses of media can be related to political

engagement of the citizens. This was agreed by Boulianne. In her study, social media

most especially the social networking sites and the political participation of citizens have

positive relationship. It was also agreed by Kurian. According to him, social media

became a way to encourage and engage young people in politics. Baker argued that

online engagement may not translate into offline political engagement. But in the study of

Wang, she stated that social media is correlated with the greater level of engagement and

political matters.

There are many factors that affects the political participation of the people. As

stated by Mondal, there are eight factors which affect the political participation of the

people. And in additional, young people have identified five main sources of their

information as stated in the study of White, et.al. This was agreed by Ginsberg and

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Harahap. The economic status, civic engagement level, income, education and occupation

are some of the factors that affect the political engagement.

The researchers signify the relationship of media to the political participation of

the college students. The study will also determine the factors which influence the

political participation of the college students.

Theoretical Framework

Theoretical Framework of Modernization Theory by Daniel Bell

Youth online political participation can be categorized as non-conventional also

known as non-electoral or non-institutional is premised under the concept of the

Modernization which involves the willingness of individuals to rationally get involved

about the undertakings, endeavors and issues faced by the government through the

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successive progress of the society towards modernization. The diversion from a

traditional to a more industrialized trend of political participation increasingly developed

the requisites for a higher probability of active public participation.

Modernization Theory entails that due to the spring of industrialized society,

individuals are given the leeway in utilizing the new media especially Facebook as a tool

in capturing pertinent information circulated by the government. This is in the best

advantage of promoting greater participation amongst the citizens, the youth in particular

who are considered as active contributors in voicing out their concerns and opinions

necessary for determining relevant insights and problems which needs to be addressed or

catered and come up with a concrete action or solution in order to solve a pressing issue.

This shift from a rural approach to a metropolitan orientation fundamentally affected the

interpretation of college students in certain political issues. Access to information is an

integral part of learning politics therefore asserting participation. It involves the efforts

and behavior integrated by the youth in seeking to participate in political talks, forums or

discussion in an online community usually taking place in social networking sites

particularly Facebook manifested by updating status, wall posting, raising comments and

involvement on the conversations on political matters. Attending in a particular

educational institution, as a proof and a component of a comprehensive modernity serves

as an ultimate guarantor of employing and acquiring knowledge which at the same time

raises awareness and increases the enthusiasm of the youth to participate in the various

political affairs.

Hence, the more the youths are educated, the higher the probability that they will

engage in the political activities necessitating their participation. Political knowledge

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 posits comprehensive information regarding how the system works and how the political

processes are being conducted. It significantly identifies how the youth consume the

information they obtain and assess its definitive rationale and importance to their daily

lives. This expresses much clearer relationship that governs the factors that comes with

the utilization of the social media and in strengthening political coordination between the

government and the young generation. Decision-making process which also requires

public views and opinions considering that they are an essential facet of the society.

Nevertheless, being politically knowledgeable draws certain criticisms to the theory laid

upon that it cannot automatically translate to further interest in politics.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Factors:
Factors: a. Age
a. Access to internet b. Gender
b. Frequency of c. Religion
usage of SNS Political Engagement d. Family and
c. Virtual Responses Peers
d. Posting
e. Instructors

Online Offline

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Active Active Passive
Passive

Transitional Apathetic

Gladiator

Informational

Figure 2: Conceptual Framework

The contemporary society incorporates the significant role of the media which

focuses on becoming the main channel of communication. Variables like media uses,

attributes and contributions to the city government will become the main source of

information. The constituents of Naga rely on websites and other forms of media as their

core reference of information and it becomes the source by which students articulate

thoughts and other participatory activities. To some extent, the selection of disseminated

information will have a profound effect on the society.

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 Media is gaining popularity in contemporary society (Sawyer, 2011). The

governmental institution as well as the citizens developed a further prosper in their efforts

and endeavor in stimulating various user’s through the utilization of media and other

social networking sites in particular. The enhancement of competency and credibility

would require the awareness of the people through the social media in shaping the

political process, their behavior in engaging to the political sphere, their understanding

and experiences, affiliations to certain organizations and of course their use of this

particular entity (Social Media).

Because of modernization that is happening in our society, there is now an ease of

access to information that is through Facebook so in order to have an ease of access to

information, there is state regulations which serves as filters. It filters what should and

what should not be posted in the internet for the students to have an easy information

access. So with that, it encourages the students to be engaged and that translates to the

online and offline engagement of the students. The engagement of students is a two-way

process. Then the online and offline engagement of the students is now translated to their

political engagement in the online and offline sphere.

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

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 This chapter presents the methods and procedures that will be undertaken in the

study. It includes the research design, research methodology, the needed materials, target

persons and information, and process of obtaining information of the project.

Research Design

The study will use Descriptive-Evaluative. It refers to the collection of data

describing phenomenon that is may or may not be quantifiable such as close-ended

scales, open-ended survey questions, observation and interviews. The study will also use

qualitative and quantitative research methods. The qualitative methods used Focused

Group Discussions with the student leaders of higher education institutions who

participated in different activities that are sponsored by the city government of Naga and

a key-informant interview with the vice-mayor of Naga City. The researchers will be

utilizing these in order to know how college students participate in the political processes

of the government through the use of social media. In qualitative method, the researchers

will be doing systematic random sampling among houses, apartments, dormitories and

boarding house located within the realm of Naga City and also to all students who

participated in the Naga Youth Parliament that is sponsored by the City Government of

Naga. The researchers will be utilizing these to determine certain activities that are being

done by the college students in exercising their political participation both on online and

offline aspects as well as on who or what drives college students to actively participate

and get involved in the announcements posted by the city government and their actual

and physical appearance in political activities.

Research Locale

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 The study will be conducted in Naga City. The researchers will be doing house-

to-house surveying. The researchers will be surveying households which has college

students currently attending in universities especially in the three (3) higher education

institutions in Naga City which gained a status as a university namely: Ateneo de Naga

University, University of Nueva Caceres and University of Sta. Isabel. The researchers

will evaluate whether social media affect the online and offline political participation of

college students in Naga City.

The researchers chose Naga City because this city is a progressive and developing

city in Camarines Sur and Naga City is the only city that has many higher educational

institutions compared to the other city.

Respondents of the Study

The respondents of the study are the college students who are currently enrolled

in the three (3) higher educational institutions in Naga City that has a university status.

The researchers will randomly select four hundred students (400) students from these

three (3) universities. Also all college students who participated in the Naga Youth

Parliament will be surveyed.

As for the participants in the Focused Group Discussions, the researchers will

identify eleven (11) student leaders of higher education institutions who participated in

the different activities sponsored by the City Government of Naga.

As for the key-informant interview, the researchers will be conducting an

interview with the vice-mayor and educator.

Sources of Data

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 The data that the researchers will be using in this study will be derived from the

answers of the respondents through the self-made questionnaires that will be given to the

researchers as well as the responses of the participants in the focused group discussions

and in the key-informant interview.

Data Collection Instrument

The researchers will use researcher-made questionnaires to know the degree that

the college students exercise in their political participation. The questionnaire will adopt

the Likert scale scoring system. The researchers will prepare a check list researcher-made

questionnaire in determining the factors influencing college students’ political

participation.

In the focused group discussions and key-informant interview, the researchers

will adopt semi-structured interview schedule.

Data Gathering Procedures

The researchers be doing systematic random sampling, wherein the researchers

will be visiting and surveying in the houses, apartments, dormitories and boarding

houses. The researchers will start from the seventh house that is located near the Naga

City Hall. The researchers decided to have an interval of seven. Son once the researchers

will be surveying form the seventh house near the city hall, the researchers will be

surveying the next seventh house from the point of origin.

In the key-informant interview, the researchers will be sending a communication

letter to the office of the vice-mayor inviting the vice-mayor to explain how the programs

and activities sponsored by the local government affect the offline participation of the

28
college students. The researchers will be indicating in the letter the time, date and venue

as to where the interview will be conducted.

In the focused group discussion, the researchers will be sending letters to the

eleven (11) student leaders (One student leader per college or universities) who

participated in the different activities sponsored by the city government of Naga.

Data Analysis

After all the respondents have answered self-made survey questionnaires, the

answers will be tallied and be presented in a frequency and percentage table. The

researchers will also be using correlation. For the checklist survey questionnaire, the

researchers will use the mean. The data will be gathered and will be used to analyze the

extent of college students’ exercise of political participation and as well as the factors

influencing their political participation.

The data that will be gathered in the focused group discussions and key informant

interview will be collected and these data will be used to identify and analyze the impacts

of social media on the political participation of college students in Naga City.

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Comments and Suggestions Actions taken

Change Participation to “Online and Offline Political Engagement of College
engagement in the title Students in Naga City’s Government Programs for
2017” (p. i)
Change the Statement of the 1. How is the political engagement of college
Problem
students in Naga City impacted by their

exposure and participation in social media?

2. What are the factors that influence the political

33
 engagement of students in both online and

offline platforms?

3. What is the level of political engagement

among college students based on online and

offline factors? (p.7)

Conceptual framework Refer to the Conceptual Framework that is found on

should be merge to page
Theoretical Framework 27.

The Theoretical Framework Theoretical Framework of Modernization Theory by

should be changed Daniel Bell (p.26)
The population must be The researchers will be surveying four hundred
reduced to 400 students. students attending in the three universities in Naga
City. (p.31)

34
35