San Sebastian College-Recoletos Canlubang Campus 1

SAN SEBASTIAN COLLEGE—RECOLETOS CANLUBANG CAMPUS

COLLEGE DEPARTMENT

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS: GENERATIONS X AND Z’S ABILITY

TO DISCERN FACTUAL AND “FAKE NEWS”

        Cea, Maria Sofia Jasmin A.

   Bachelor of Science in Psychology

     Third Year

January 17, 2022

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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Critical thinking is considered a naturally occurring process to humans, and it is

what makes us a level higher than the animal species (Paul and Fellow, 2019). It is a

rationally educated process in which it involves an individual’s capacity to observe,

analyze, infer, communicate, and solve problems using one’s own intellect (Hitchcock,

2018). The problem would be that some judgments are biased, prejudiced, distorted, or

unethical (Paul and Fellow, 2019).  Critical thinking is defined differently by several

scholars, but all the explanations can be inferred that it is the ability to objectively make

reliable judgments through careful analysis of knowledge.

Fake news, or false information, on the other hand, is misinformation

disseminated with the intention of imitating authentic and traditional media (Lazer et.

al., 2018). It could be political propaganda, or mere content without being factually

accurate but is spread to become viral. During the pandemic, people are confined to their

homes for some time and had to work from home and resort to online learning since

these were the only available options that were safer and convenient. Even when the

pandemic has not yet happened, the Philippines already topped the statistical charts on
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online platform consumers’ data. This year, Filipinos remained to be at the top list of

social media consumers in January, spending an average of four (4) hours of

consumption daily. (Cruz, 2021, para. 7). At a conference in Munich, a speech was made

by the Director-General of the World Health Organization stating that: “We are not just

fighting a pandemic; we’re also fighting an infodemic.” (Ghebreyesus Adhanom, T.,

2020), as the proliferation of false information regarding the Coronavirus Disease

continued to arise within various social media platforms. Related to this is the 2019

result of the study conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and

Development (OECD) through the Program for International Student Assessment

(PISA) in which the Philippines is among the poorest performers on reading literacy

assessment out of 79 countries, scoring below the average. 

With the known information, the researcher sees further need to conduct a study

regarding the critical thinking skills of a group of Filipino respondents, without limiting

it to Coronavirus Disease-related news. Articles and research are more focused on the

vulnerability of Generation Zs to “fake news” as studies point them to be the more

vulnerable generation. Being “tech-savvy”, they encounter a lot of information that may

not be factually true on different social media networks, such as Facebook, Tiktok,

Twitter, and Youtube. The social media platforms do not limit users to Generation Z

only, this group of Filipino netizens is able to progress in terms of technology use. There

is little to no amount of studies conducted on Generation X’s susceptibility to false

information when they are the generation who are considered digital immigrants and
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continue to adapt to the technology-driven society they currently live in. The researcher

aims to fill this gap in academic studies.

Statement of the Problem

Intending to find out the critical thinking skills and vulnerability of Generations X

and Z, the researcher has come up with three (3) research questions. They are as follows:

1. How susceptible are Generations X and Z to false information such as fake

news?

2. How do the respondents perceive the authenticity of the information based on the

three factors of the Theory of Planned Behavior;

2.1. Behavioral Beliefs (Attitude towards the Behavior)

2.2. Normative Beliefs (Subjective Norm)

2.3. Control Beliefs (Perceived Behavioral Control)

3. How do the Critical Thinking Skills of Generation X differ from the Critical

Thinking Skills of Generation Z?

3.1. Is there a significant difference between the level of critical thinking skills

and vulnerability of the two (2) generations?

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The queries specified are intended to provide information on the critical thinking

skills of both generations and to quantify the susceptibility of both groups with the

application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Hypothesis

The study attempts to test the following null hypothesis at a 0.5 level of

significance.

H0: There is no significant difference between the critical thinking skills and

vulnerability of Generations X and Z.

Theoretical Framework

For the study to have a solid basis on the discernment of the applied critical

thinking skills of the respondents, Icek Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior is adapted.

It is an extension of the previous Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980;

Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975), in which the differences include the addition of perceived

behavioral control to the Theory of Planned Behavior. The TPB states that an

individual’s actual behavior would be influenced mainly by the intention to conduct the

desired behavior (Ajzen, 1991, as cited in Brookes, 2021). That is, the more an

individual is likely to perform a behavior is when the antecedents of intention are

influencing the behavior stronger. This intention is determined by three independent

factors: Behavioral Beliefs or the appraisal of the person to the behavior desired to be
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done, Normative Beliefs that include the standards of the society in identifying if the

behavior is a norm or considered deviant. This is considered the “what would others

think of this behavior?” belief. Control Beliefs, on the other hand, focus on the internal

and external factors that people distinguish they could control. Internal factors include

the will together with one’s own capabilities, while external factors include the

environment and available resources (Ajzen, 1991, as cited in Brookes, 2021). 

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (2019), 73.9% of Filipinos

within the Group of Generation Z to Baby Boomers use the internet mainly for social

media. People do not accidentally engage with social media information, specifically,

news regarding health and political issues. According to Bektasli and White (2012), as

stated in Moneva et al., (2020), by the age of adolescence to early adulthood, people are

expected to build their logical reasoning skills, which can also be considered one’s own

critical thinking skills. These stages, in today’s day and age, are when they get exposed

enough to the internet and technology, specifically, social media. That being declared, it

can be presumed that people can control their intention of doing a behavior even if it is

desired to be done virtually. They choose what and who to engage with, together with

the algorithm’s aid in filtering similar data. 

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Figure 1. The Theory of Planned Behavior Paradigm

These salient factors–behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs by

Ajzen shall become the basis for the evaluation of the respondents’ answers on the

questionnaires. Additionally, the set of questions to be generated by the researcher with

the aid of the validity and reliability testing of experts shall be grounded on the said

three factors of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Henceforth, the second research

question shall have its resolution, in conjunction with the basis for analysis for the other

questions.
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Conceptual Framework

Figure 2. The Conceptual Framework

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The study is based on the information that the respondents continuously engage

with on social media–be it political or health-related. This serves as the independent

variable of the study. Using the data, the researcher is to determine the critical thinking

skills of the said respondents in connection with the factors in the Theory of Planned

Behavior; their attitude towards the behavior, the subjective norm, and the perceived

behavioral control. These factors, as perceived through the theory, are what pushes an

individual into actually doing the behavior, which in this study is the engagement and

identification of factual or fake news. Through the data to be collected, the researcher

shall be able to analyze the results and arrive to conclusions and possible

recommendations.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research focuses on quantifying the critical thinking skills and vulnerability of

Generations X and Z to investigate which of the two (2) groups has been more

susceptible to misinformation and disinformation, specifically to “Fake News”. For

precision and transparency, the researcher is anchored by the following scope and

limitations:

1. Age and Barangay location would be the only demographic profiles that would

be collected for the classification of respondents; whether they are considered

part of Generation X or Z, and which barangay they reside in, to provide data to

the local experts and help in future implementations of action.

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2. The respondents would come from various Barangays of the City of Calamba,

and would only be required to answer online through Google Forms.

Significance of the Study

The researcher aims to provide a contribution to the Psychology of Human Behavior

with this study. In addition, it would benefit the following;

1. The Generation Z 

1. The results of this study would further aid in the existing studies related

to Generation Z’s vulnerability to misinformation and disinformation

online. 

2. The results of this study would aid in creating more informed Generation

Zs regarding the spread of possible fake news they would encounter as

they continue to use various online platforms and how it may be

subjected specifically to their said vulnerability.

2. The Generation X

1. Through this study, this group of social media users could be informed

through accessible and perspicuous interpretations about the complexity

of the data they engage with.

2. For Generation X to be included in the safe use of technology and online

information.

3. The technology experts

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1. The results of this study would help develop more quality control

measures for the dissemination of information, unlike the study by

Zubiaga et. al. (2018) wherein they stated that there is a wide gap in the

existence of verification tools to detect misleading information.

4. The community and community leaders

1. If the members are all exposed to the unverified information spread on

the internet, the whole community would be in chaos, affecting the lives

of the residents, and might continue to ignite confusion within the body

and even the leaders. This study would aid especially the community

leaders when handed with the level of vulnerability of the locals, would

push them into implementing safety online measures, and help in

clarifying the facts.

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Definition of Terms

Critical Thinking Skills. A deeper level of thinking. It refers to the ability to analyze

information objectively in order to come up with a rational judgment. 

False Information or “Fake News”. A type of information that has the characteristics

of misleading information but also takes the exact form of traditional and true media.

This kind of information is disseminated for reasons such as: pushing political

propaganda, scheming in affecting the perception of viewers, or gaining a profit. 

Generation X. A group of people born between the years 1965 and 1980, or are about

41-56 years old as of today (Brunjes, 2021).

Generation Z. A group of people born between the years 1997 and 2012, or are about 9-

24 years of age as of today (Brunjes, 2021).

Vulnerability (to False Information). Can be referred to as the exposure to deceitful,

fraudulent, or fabricated content on social networks which can hinder in thinking

critically and determining factual information.

Theory of Planned Behavior. A model of behavior by Icek Ajsen wherein the behavior

an individual would try to make is influenced by three independent factors, namely the

Attitude Towards the Behavior also known as the Behavioral Beliefs, Subjective Norms,

or the Normative Beliefs and Perceived Behavioral Control also called Control Beliefs.

It mainly states that the actual behavior of the person is influenced by the intention to

engage in the said behavior.

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Behavioral Beliefs. Salient to “Attitude towards the Behavior”, refers to the assessment

of the behavior in question made by the individual in consideration of how favorable the

behavior is. (Ajzen, 1991).

Normative Beliefs. Mentioned by Ajzen (1991) as the “Subjective Norms”, it is defined

as to how the individual feels societal pressure in doing or not doing the intended

behavior.

Control Beliefs. It is one of the factors in the Theory of Planned Behavior that

influences actual behavior. Behavioral Belief is identified as the confidence or

discernment of complexity of a behavior an individual might have an interest in doing.

(Ajzen, 1991).

Behavioral Intention. The appraised probability of the individual in eliciting one’s

own. behavior.
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CHAPTER 2

THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 

Included in this chapter are the variables that are directly related to the

conundrum. These works of literature tend to profoundly elaborate the terms and

relationship of the factors. This review encompasses studies with regards to (1) Critical

Thinking Skills; (2) Fake News; (3) Generations X and Z; and (4) Vulnerability to False

Information. 

The first part discusses critical thinking–its definition and application to some

situations.  The next part includes the definition, and data in line with Factual and Fake

News, along with the law that was passed to penalize those who spread such

disinformation. Generational differences among Generations X and Z would be then

specified along with the established definition of the Generation groups. Lastly, studies

connecting and explaining the vulnerability of people, specifically generations X and Z

to fake news on social media would be elucidated. 

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Critical Thinking Skills 

Critical thinking is the active analyzing, interpreting, conceptualizing, and

synthesizing of information presented through observation, reflection, reasoning, and

communication. It involves problem-solving skills and logical reasoning (Machete &

Turpin, 2020). Additionally, Iyer (2019) proposed that implementing critical thinking in

an educational setting should require the teachers and counselors to first commit to

critical thinking and its philosophy. He emphasized the need for critical thinking in both

practice and management also for those working in the field of human health,

particularly those who purposely engage in people’s lives such as

psychologists, counselors, and educators. As reported by Moneva et al. 2020, challenges

and exercises that are taught especially in school will aid in developing the thinking

abilities of individuals. In line with this research, and being another manifestation of

information literacy, critical thinking skills are vital when dealing with various

information and arguments in the context of social media. 

Factual and “Fake News” 

Misinformation and disinformation have long existed, especially in the political

world. As stated by Adolf Hitler’s propagandist, Joseph Goebbels (n.d), “Repeat a lie

often enough and it becomes the truth.”, as he was recalling the effectiveness of this

strategy that he decided to imply during that time (Dela Peña, 2021). During the Spanish
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War and World War, the concept of fake news was known as “freak journalism” and

disinformation, respectively (Molina, et. al., 2021). 

Over the past year, Facebook had removed a network that belonged to a “second

network” that was based in the Philippines which made 57 fake Facebook accounts, 31

pages, and 20 Instagram accounts. Meta Platforms Inc. which owns Facebook took down

this because of its violation of coordinated inauthentic behavior, aiming at politics-

related issues and had the Filipino audience confused, and in tumult. (CNN Philippines,

2020, para. 3), (Strangio, 2020, para. 11).  Defined by Allcott and Gentzkow, fake news

is “news articles that are intentionally and verifiable false and could mislead readers”

(2017, p. 213), and is also made-up information that appears to be news media content

but differs in terms of organization and purpose. (Lazer et al. 2018, p.  1094). Some

actions regarding the spread of misinformation were taken as it affected thousands of

lives, largely during the pandemic. One of those is the Republic Act No. 11469, also

known as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act in section 6, stating that:

“Individuals or groups creating, perpetrating, or spreading false information

regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms, such information

having no valid or beneficial effect on the population, and are clearly geared to promote

chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion; and those participating in cyber incidents that

make use or take advantage of the current crisis situation to prey on the public through

scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts;” 

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In Machete and Turpin (2020), they identified three (3) classifications of “fake

news”, namely: (1) satire; (2) hoaxes; and (3) serious fabrications. For the sole purpose

of this study, the researcher will focus on the disinformation spread in accordance with

health–such as information related to COVID-19–and political news, some considered as

propaganda. Molina et. al. (2021) further explained the etymology of “fake news”,

saying that it is more than the lack of facticity of fabrication, and the focus on the

entertainment of a satire. Fake news has long evolved through generations but the need

to eradicate them especially as it has been affecting more lives throughout the pandemic

and the near national elections is still vigorously deliberated by scholars and experts

(Molina, et. al., 2021). 

Generations X and Z

Despite the fact that the media existed since the birth of Generation Y, they were

not established until two decades later. Considering that situation, it resulted in

significant gaps between people born in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and the early 2000s.

Furthermore, if Generation Y members were born in the 1970s and 1980s, their children

born in the late 1990s and 2000s were nurtured in a completely different environment—

not the same as their parents. This is also due to their parents’ regular use of technology

at home (in comparison to Generation X, they are more acquainted with digital

technologies), aside from the pervasive technology (Fietkiewicz, et al.  2016). Given this
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information, it is clear that Generation X could be considered to be the immigrants, as

they continue to live in this world that seems to innovate and grow through the

technologies, therefore needing to adapt to the society. As they discover the Hows and

Whys of social media, they tend to be at risk of becoming prone to fake news, as to how

Generation Z is, too. 

Generations X and Z’s Vulnerability to False Information 

People are normally in a “hedonistic mindset” when they course through social

media as they use them mainly for communication and entertainment (Moravec et al.

2018a). That is, they focus on their self-indulgence and therefore become unaware of the

importance of critical thinking abilities in the online setting. In a study conducted by

Fietkiewicz et. al. (2016), they compared the usage of Generations X, Y, and Z’s social

media usage. Their results indicated that Generation X most likely consumes business-

oriented networking services probably for the reason that jobs exist there and also due to

the rise of online networking. However, due to the continuous rise of social media as

sources of information; such that news outlets like Cable News Network or

CNN Philippines, Philippine Star, Inquirer.Net, Rappler, and the likes have established

their own social media sites to provide data so people would not be informed late

wherever they may be, Generation  X along with the Generation Z cannot escape the
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information overload and the news being  bombarded to them despite their self-

indulgent intentions. 

Accordingly, Moneva, et. al., (2020) affirmed that the need for students’ good

judgment should be emphasized as it aids in thinking rationally and acts as a precedent

to one’s behavior. Their results concluded that the respondents, which mostly consisted

of individuals who belong to Generation Z, performed poorly in determining the false

information. Logical reasoning ability falls under critical thinking and is what is crucial

in information literacy. (Machete & Turpin, 2020). Among the factors that contribute to

the proliferation of fake news is the complex individual factor, which includes the

cognitive styles and predispositions of people (Bryanov & Vziatysheva, 2021). The

researcher has inferred that there is the need to include the group of Generation X since

they are the group that is considered the parents and or guardians of Generation Z

individuals. Along with that, the increase in social media usage and the proliferation of

fake news simultaneously occurred during the pandemic, wherein the country went on a

lockdown for several months, going to and from strict to moderate quarantine

restrictions. Confined to their respective homes with their families, some managed to

connect to the outside world through social networks. This increased the consumption of

uncontrolled and loads of information, and Generation X, being those who still adapt to

technology along with the crisis, may have found it exhausting to be critical in the

sources and data circulating the internet. 

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Synthesis 

This chapter explored the definitions, short history, and relationships through the

related studies available online guided by the researcher’s topic and its variables. 

Initially, humans are born with the ability to learn and hone their critical thinking

skills.  Although, some may not have the resources to do much. Based on a study made

by Moneva, et.  al. (2020), at the age of adulthood, people start to develop their critical

thinking skills through their experiences along with formal education. This includes their

logical reasoning and analysis skills. 

The rewriting of facts and perceiving them as true has been done even before

advanced technology existed. The spread of disinformation, “freak journalism”, “yellow

journalism”, or fake news has been evident in the World War, Spanish War, and the

dictatorship of Adolf Hitler as stated and proven by his propagandist, Joseph Goebbels

(Dela Peña, 2020). In addition, the concept of fake news is not new to the media

landscape of the 21st century. It first appeared with the publication of the first

newspapers, which were intended to entertain and help to reach a broader audience.

Turcilo and Obrenovic (2020) stated that politicians and business people recognized

the potential of fake news over time. They began to utilize it for manipulation such as

politicians acquiring a position in society, and businesspeople to profit. Furthermore, the

practice of not labeling fake news has persisted to this day, making it extremely difficult
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to distinguish such news.  To be more specific, only satirical portals are considered or

labeled as one. 

However, despite the technological advancements the society had come up with,

it did not make us safe from the purposeful dissemination of the now complex term

“fake news”. What used to be an educated and well-mannered conversation on politics

and diverse issues, became denounced because false information was uncontrollable

(David, 2019). As the technology that filters out all of them is not enough, the other

combat would be people’s own critical thinking skills. Defenseless in view of the fact

that the pandemic, political issues, and other disasters that struck the country, individuals

diverted to the use of social media as a form of escapism (Eden et.  al., 2020; Klosi,

2021). This made them exposed to news, unverifiable information, rewritten facts,

distorted data, when initially, they may have wanted to rely on it for entertainment

purposes. 

Generation Z has been the target subject for studies on social media

consumption, as they are the people who are born in the digital age and are considered

internet-dependent (Jones, 2020).  Several studies and little to none was made for the

digital immigrants, the Generation X, those that are considered the Generation Z’s

guardians or parents, whom are also adjusting to the new set up. On the other hand,

Professor Clarissa David of the University of the Philippines College of Mass

Communication reported that, though social media has been havoc of fake accounts
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and serious fabrications, it is where people could also counter the disinformation through

thorough analysis and reasoning abilities (David, 2020).

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  CHAPTER 3 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

This chapter includes the appropriate research design, instrument/s, research

locale, and criterion for selecting the respondents of the study. Finally, the ethical

considerations and the treatment for the data that will be collected and measured are also

expounded in this chapter. 

The researcher shall also provide the specific procedure on how data will be

collected and the statistical treatment that would aid in computing, analyzing, and

interpreting the provided information to answer the research questions. 

Research Design 

This study uses an experimental research design. Experimental research design

follows the strict process of scientific research wherein there is a variable that would be

manipulated (independent variable), and those that could be calculated. It also includes

hypotheses. It is mainly done with the purpose of explaining how the independent

variable makes a change in the dependent variable (Harland, n.d; McIntosh & Pontius,

2017; Nair, 2021). The quantitative results of these correlations, comparisons, or

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relationships would either accept or reject the hypothesis that was made. Experimental

Research Design is divided into two types, sometimes three. True Experimental Design

is where the researcher assigns the participants to random treatment categories as one

manipulates the independent variable, too. On the other hand, Quasi-Experimental

Design is where there is no randomization when it comes to the assignment of

individuals to treatment categories. For the reason that there would be involvement of

cohorts, the researcher would use a quasi-experimental design.

For the effectiveness of the elaboration of the vulnerability of Generations X, Z

as well as to answer the research questions, the researcher sees experimental research

design as the most suited type of approach for the study, since the purpose is to quantify

the vulnerability of both generations and to identify the critical thinking skills based on

who’s possibly more susceptible to fake news. 

Research Locale 

Calamba City is where the residence of the researcher is located, the limitation

on travel and person-to-person contact drove the study more into gathering data through

virtual means. The study shall be demonstrated and conducted within the area that the

respondents and researcher are most likely residing in which is the City of Calamba.

Although it would be done virtually, and through Google Forms, the respondents shall
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come from different Barangays within the city.  Furthermore, research on the topic at

the said city is absent and this would greatly contribute to possibly making more plans to

eradicate false information, as well as strengthening the critical thinking skills of the

locals. 

Sampling Design 

As the title presents, the population for this research is individuals that are from

Generations X and Z residing in various Barangays of Calamba City. Since the given

total sample is too large to quantify for the study’s purpose and scope, the researcher

sees stratified sampling as deemed appropriate to be used.

Stratified sampling is a type of sampling design wherein the total population is

divided into strata (singular: stratum), or levels of classification (“What Is Stratified

Sampling? Definition of Stratified Sampling, Stratified Sampling Meaning,” 2022).

From Thomas (2021), stratified sampling is done through the categorization of the

previously large sample size. From then on, randomization on treatments would follow.

As stated by Hayes (2021), it is crucial to note that this probability sampling method is

used to emphasize the differences between the groups within the sample, contrary to

what simple random sampling is about, which is expecting the total population as equals,

with no distinctions. 
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This study aims to determine the vulnerability level of Generations X and Z,

respectively.  Through that, the researcher shall be able to compare the results in order to

answer the research questions. Therefore, stratified sampling is the best method for this

research. 

Respondents of the Study 

Data from 384 respondents shall be collected and to serve as a guide, the

researcher has provided criteria for selecting respondents appropriately in accordance

with the study objectives.  They are as follows: 

A. Respondents should either belong to; 

a. Generation X (born between the years 1965-1980) or; 

b. Generation Z (born between the years 1997-2012); 

B. Respondents should be residents of Calamba City; 

C. Respondents should be using social media and have their own accounts.

From the data calculated in Raosoft, the researcher shall collect information on

384 respondents, on a 95% level of confidence and a 5% accepted margin of error. 

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Instrumentation 

Through the use of questionnaires made with Google Forms, the survey shall be

conducted.  For the reason that both the researcher and respondents could not initiate in-

person surveys due to protocol restrictions, the former sees online surveys to be most

fitting and convenient. 

In accordance with the principles of the Theory of Planned Behavior, the

researcher shall generate and modify a questionnaire in a way that would provide

accuracy and be in line with the purpose of the study, which involves the social media

engagement of the respondents, and the exposure to various news and information. The

created questions shall be tested for validity and reliability through the help of an expert,

for objectivity purposes. Once the questionnaire created through the online platform

Google Forms is already validated and reliability-tested, the duplication of such test

should be done. 

Data Gathering Procedure 

1. The researcher shall modify and finalize the questionnaire adapted from the original

source.  It shall be done through the use of Google Forms. 

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2. The questionnaires shall be disseminated to the first group of respondents, mainly the

acquaintances of the researcher and their family members.

3. Upon sending the link to the questionnaires through Messenger, the researcher shall

instruct the primary respondents to spread the message to their respective peers and

contacts that fit the criteria. 

4. Through the forms submitted, the researcher shall be able to collect the data on how

well the respondents can identify false information, specifically fake news. 

Ethical Considerations 

Through the studied ethical guidelines, the researcher sees to it that justice,

integrity, confidentiality, and the good of society and individuals would be considered

throughout the process of this academic work. 

Reliability and validity testing of the questionnaire shall be done by the

researcher and with the possible help of a knowledgeable third-party analytic, to ensure

the effectiveness and accuracy of the questions to be quantified later on. 

The researcher shall inform the respondents about the study to be conducted in a

manner that they would easily grasp and understand. Instructions shall be given clearly

to avoid confusion that could therefore alter the data and cause future errors. Since the

types of questions would be random, it is the respondent’s obligation to think by

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themselves and answer without the need of the researcher or anyone’s help but their

own. 

During the data gathering, respondents who refuse to answer the questionnaires

would not be forced to do so. The researcher shall only collect the age and the Barangay

that they reside in.  For confidentiality, the researcher sees to it that the e-mail and other

personal data would not be collected since they are not relevant to the study.

These ethical considerations shall be enough to conduct the study with

professional credibility and to ensure objectivity without defying the purpose of

contributing to society.  

Treatment of the Data 

To give answers and proper interpretation to the main motive of the study, the

statistical processes used to quantify the data that were gathered for analysis: 

1. The results of the questionnaires for Generation X and Generation Z shall be

categorized respectively and the researcher shall arrive at more than one (1)

mean, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) in doing the

computation. 
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2. Still, with the use of SPSS, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shall be

used to determine the p-values of the data and to determine if there is a

statistical difference between the groups.

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