ResearchPlan (3is)

THE COLLEGE OF MAASIN
Tunga-Tunga, Maasin City

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Society’s Dawn-kaleidoscopic Phantasma: A Phenomenological Study of
Women’s Different Perceptions on
the Standards of
Beauty
A Qualitative Research Plan
presented to the Senior High School Faculty of
Maasin City, Southern Leyte
In partial fulfillment of the requirements in
Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion
by
Alejandria, Rodsheen E.
Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬1

Abstract
The standard of beauty is essentially a variable standard of what it means to be attractive
that is contingent on the feminine beauty ideals that are present in a given culture. This beauty
ideal is a socially constructed notion that physical attractiveness is one of the women’s most
important assets, and something all women should strive to maintain. But it is important to note
that the concept of beauty is a subjective one. Thus, the research aims to determine the different
causes of the diverse perceptions of beauty standards among women of different ages. The paper
will also explore whether these different perceptions of the standards of beauty within the society
has a significant effect on the women’s self-esteem. In addition, this paper will compare the
different perceptions of beauty to debunk the myth that beauty is standardized for women.
Through this, certain questions about the perceptions of beauty will be answered like, ‘What are
the perceptions of the women of different ages regarding the standards of beauty in the society?’,
‘What are the impacts of the standards of beauty in the society towards women?’, and ‘How do
messages about the beauty ideal from the media or other people affect women’s perception
towards it?’. To make the study possible, this research will use a phenomenological type of
qualitative research and gather information through a face-to-face semi-structured interview.
Keywords: Standards of beauty, Feminine beauty ideal, Women, Perceptions, Society’s ideals

Table of Contents
Page
Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………….….1
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………….…2
Table of Contents …………………………………………………………………………….…3
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................5
Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................................6

Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................................6
Significance of the Study .............................................................................................................7
Theory or theoretical perspective .................................................................................................8
Research Method...........................................................................................................................10
Definition of Key Terms ...............................................................................................................10
Delimitations .................................................................................................................................11
Limitations of the Study ................................................................................................................11
Literature Review ..........................................................................................................................13
Sections .............................................................................................................................16
Review of related research ............................................................................................................18
Research Methodology .................................................................................................................21
Research Questions ...........................................................................................................21

Setting ...............................................................................................................................22
Population .........................................................................................................................23
Ethical Considerations ......................................................................................................23

Research Design ................................................................................................................24
Interview instrument and protocol ....................................................................................25
Data Analysis Strategy ......................................................................................................25

References .....................................................................................................................................27

Appendices ....................................................................................................................................33
Appendix A: Informed consent form ................................................................................33

Appendix B: Survey Instrument .......................................................................................35

CHAPTER 1
Introduction
The word “beauty” is often used as a countable noun to describe a woman. The
characterization of a person as “beautiful” whether on an individual basis or by community
consensus, which includes psychological factors such as personality, intelligence, grace,
politeness, charisma, integrity, congruence and elegance, and outer beauty which includes
physical attributes which are valued on aesthetic basis. However, standards of beauty have
changed over time, based on the changing cultural values. And as generations progressed
towards the present, the perception regarding beauty seems to be leaning more towards the
aesthetic outer appearance. It is shown through paintings how humans who are relatively young,
with smooth skin, well-proportioned bodies, and regular features, have traditionally been
considered the most beautiful throughout history.
Beauty standards are rooted in cultural norms crafted by societies and media over
centuries. These beauty standards circulate through society in different ways, whether through
the media (soap operas, advertisements, magazines, films), family or institutional coexistence,
beautification practices, gender relations, toys and literary stories, strongly contributing to the
construction of bodies and identities of the subjects (Cechin & Silva, 2012; Hall, 2000; Louro,
2000). These patterns are not something simple, natural or eternal, they are constructed culturally
and historically, changing according to culture and being reaffirmed by the media, with strong
market interest (Carvalho & Seipa, 2017). This overvaluation of beauty by the media greatly
affects people, especially women (Freitas et al., 2010). Globally, it is argued that the
predominance of white women featured in movies and advertising leads to a Eurocentric concept

of beauty, breeding cultures that assign inferiority to women of color. Moreover, exposure to the
thin ideal in mass media, such as fashion magazines, directly correlates with body dissatisfaction,
low self-esteem, and the development of eating disorders among female viewers. Further, the
widening gap between individual body sizes and societal ideals continues to breed anxiety
among young girls as they grow, highlighting the dangerous nature of beauty standards in
society.
Many studies have explored the history behind the standards of beauty as well as the
women’s perception about it. And these studies have often been about the Western’s beauty
ideals. So, in order to gain a deeper understanding regarding the society’s ideals of this
generation, this research will aim to explore the women’s different perceptions of beauty
standards here in the Philippines, particularly within the community.
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to examine the women’s different perceptions on the standards of beauty.
In order to do this effectively, the research will seek the answers to the following questions:
‘What are the perceptions of the women of different ages regarding the standards of beauty in the
society?’, ‘What are the impacts of the standards of beauty in the society towards women?’, and
‘How do messages about the beauty ideal from the media or other people affect women’s
perception towards it?’.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to explore the women’s different perceptions of beauty
standards present in the society as well as their own definition of beauty itself. The study will

also examine if the standards present in the society have a significant impact on these women,
and if their perceptions about beauty are affected by the media or the people that surrounds them.
This research aims to gain a deeper understanding regarding the phenomenon since society
seems to be painting it in a standardized and an unrealistic way. With the deeper understanding
that this research study will gain, it will compare the different perceptions to debunk the myth
that beauty is standardized for women. There is a need to broaden the perspective when it comes
to beauty because it can take in many forms and this overvaluation of beauty especially by the
media, is becoming a plague to today’s society.
Significance of the Study
This study will be conducted to help people to understand this certain phenomenon.
These are the few beneficiaries of this study:
 Women – This study will help them to understand that standardized beauty is just a myth
and these ideals painted by the society can never define their worth.
 Society – The deeper understanding regarding the phenomena that the research will gain
will help the society understand that there is a must to restructure their perspective and
see beyond physical beauty.
 Children – There is a study that observed how standards of beauty in the society have
also greatly influenced the children. Through the awareness from this research, children
will be guided by the adults to understand what real beauty is despite the unrealistic
media portrayals of beauty.

 Following research students – Next student researchers that will be conducting a topic
related to the focus of the study can be guided through the findings of this research.
Theory or Theoretical Perspective
Symbolic interactionism is used as the basis of the study. The Symbolic Interactionism
focuses on the different meaning’s individuals attach to objects, people and interactions as
well as the corresponding behaviors that reflect those meanings and/or interpretations. It is a
framework that actualizes the nature of humans to make sense of their actions and
interactions through external cues from their everyday life and environment (Vejar, 2015).
The theoretical framework presented below can be explained by the Symbolic
Interactionism’s “Three Tenets”. The first tenet which is the “meaning” explains the
generalized images wherein people apply the meaning of ideal beauty that women should
strive for. The second tenet which is “language” explains that the cultural influences changes
the perception of beauty through interactions within the society. The third tenet which is
“action” is the phase wherein people apply to themselves what they have learned from social
interaction.


Research Method
The method that will be used is phenomenological type of qualitative research using face-
to-face semi-structured interview. Qualitative research is a type of social science research that
collects and works with non-numerical data and seeks to interpret meaning from this data that
help understand social life through the study of targeted populations or places. Phenomenology is
an approach to qualitative research that focuses on the commonality of a lived experience within
a particular group. The fundamental goal of the approach is to arrive at a description of the
nature of the particular phenomenon (Creswell, 2013). This will enable a deeper understanding
about how participants feel about things during an event or activity.
Definition of Key Terms
Beauty bullying – Is a type of bullying that is based on beauty stereotypes and beauty
ideals for both men and women (Petric, 2020).
Beauty Standards – Is essentially a variable standard of what it means to be attractive
that is contingent on the feminine beauty ideals that are present in a given culture (Ross,
2018).
Body-shaming – Is the act or practice of subjecting someone to criticism or mockery for
supposed bodily faults or imperfections.
Contingent – Depending on something else that might or might not happen.
Debunk – To show something, such as a belief or theory, is not true.

Feminine beauty ideal – Is the socially constructed notion that physical attractiveness is
one of women’s most important assets, and something women should strive and achieve
to maintain (Ross, 2018)
Voluptuous – Is used to describe someone who is attractive and curvy.
Delimitations
Delimitations are restrictions or bounds that researcher impose prior to the inception of
the study to narrow the scope of a study. Thus, this is set so that a research study’s goal does not
become impossibly large to complete (Dimitrios et al., 2018). In this study, even though it
explores the standards of beauty within the society, it will only be inclusive to the women’s
different perceptions about it, how it significantly affects them, and their experience within a
society that holds such unrealistic standards. This will exclude the need to gather data and
conclusion about the history of how beauty standards have emerged as well as the factors that
have influenced it as it is today.
Limitations of the Study
Limitations of any study concern potential weaknesses that are usually out of the
researcher’s control, and are closely associated with the chosen research design, statistical model
constraints, funding constraints, or other factors. In this respect, a limitation is an imposed
restriction which is therefore essentially out of the researcher’s control. Still, it may affect the
study design, results and ultimately, conclusions and should therefore be acknowledged clearly
in the paper (Dimitrios et al., 2018). In this study, since it will explore the women’s perceptions
on the standards of beauty and is employing phenomenology, it will only aim to describe the

phenomenon in-depth and reach at the essence of participants’ lived experience of the
phenomenon. Therefore, this study will only clarify the concepts and determine the nature of the
problem and does not intend to offer final and conclusive solutions to the existing problem since
beauty is subjective and the way that people may look at it can change from time to time.

CHAPTER II
Literature Review
This research provides a framework on the different perceptions of the women’s
standards of beauty within the society. The researcher will be focusing mainly on the topic of
"Society’s Dawn-kaleidoscopic Phantasma: A Phenomenological Study of Women’s Different
Perceptions on The Standards of Beauty". The research aims to gain an insight regarding the
catalysts behind the standardized beauty within the society today. Historically, philosophers,
poets, artists, and scientists have striven to define and express one of the most complex words in
the English language: beauty. It is apparent that the term ‘beauty’ is used in multiple contexts
and can be divided into many subcategories. Historically, beauty has been divided into ‘inner
beauty,’ which is used to describe the goodness of personality and attitude, and ‘outer beauty,’
which is concerned with the aesthetic appearance. For centuries, ‘outer’ beauty was glorified as it
was believed to be representative of ‘inner’ beauty; Francis Bacon summarizes that “virtue is
nothing but inward beauty; beauty is nothing but outward virtue” (Bacon, 1884). Etcoff (2000)
argues that “no definition can capture beauty entirely” (p.8) and she quotes dictionaries defining
beauty as “something intrinsic to the object or simply as the pleasure an object evokes in the
beholder” (p. 8). Brand (2000) cites Plato's definition of beauty as timeless, changing and
universal where women's bodies have not only played a role in the making of art or provoking
philosophical interests but also establishes the business of the beautification such as the use of
beauty and hair products for personal grooming Like its sister called fashion, beauty is a
language of identity and a promoter of self-esteem (Man, 2000). Beauty is not just an aesthetic
category applied to faces and bodies, instead as Peiss (2000) adds, it helps to define social status,

gender and class. Thereby, beauty ideals are formed by social relations and cultural categories
and practices which eventually created opportunities and commercialization of fashion and
beauty industries (Peiss, 2000). From the Ancient Persian era to the present, Corson (2003)
writes that history has countless records of men and women grooming and adorning their faces
and bodies to either mark a rite of passage, for example puberty, or their social status. Sherrow
(2001) also believes that beautification has been done to symbolize social history, attitudes and
values of many different cultures. For example, during the Elizabethan era, Sherrow (2001)
states that English women used saffron and Sulphur to dye their hair red in order to emulate the
hair color of Elizabeth I. Compared to today where one can choose from many shades ranging
from blonde to auburn, dyeing one’s hair to emulate a celebrity or a model is more or less similar
to the Elizabethan era. The blonde bombshell mania is an example where the platinum blonde
shade had been popularized by Jean Harlow and Marilyn Monroe in the 1930s and 1950s
respectively. Johnson and Lennon (1999) state that socially constructed ideals towards beauty
not only encourage individuals to create appearances but also determine how they define
themselves based on self-worth and their perception towards appearances in the societies they
come from. From demure to playful, Man (2000) believes historical and contemporary women
project their self-images through make-up and fashion as current or new “frames of references
for beauty” (p. 193). The female body is a medium of culture where a woman faces pressures to
meet certain ideals of beauty in society (Gimlin, 2002). Ehrenreich and English (1978, cited by
Wiseman, Gray, Mosimann, and Ahrens, 1990) agrees that females have historically attempted to
change their bodies to conform to a particular era’s beauty ideal. From the Rubenesque
voluptuous body of the 1600s to the modern waif-like slender body, Grogan (2008) believes the
idealization of the woman’s body is due to the “outcome of successful marketing” (p. 19) which

plays a role in the standard of the cultural beauty in Western and affluent societies. Therefore, a
woman’s body is not just perceived as an object but also is expected to undergo “constant self-
surveillance and disciplinary practices” (p. 38) in the pursuit of the "perfect body" (Blood, 2005).
Baumann (2008) adds that ideals regarding beauty vary between societies and cultures as well as
groups within a society such as “ideals for height, body shape, facial parts, hairstyles and skin
tone” (p. 4). For example, plumpness is a symbol of beauty and fertility in African and Eastern
cultures where a plus sized, usually big-boned and curvaceous, wife symbolized a happy and
successful husband. Whereas, plumpness is considered un-ideal and symbolizes the lack of
willpower in the Western culture which prides on smaller figures. Grogan (2008) agrees by
adding that slenderness in the Western norm represents social success, happiness and social
acceptability. As a result, Wolf (1990) and Blood (2005) write that beauty standards have not
only undermined women’s self-worth but also pressure them to conform to the beauty practices
of femininity in the attempt to emulate the ideal images of womanhood presented by media and
society. When a woman ignores or fails to conform to the alleged standards of the ideal beauty,
she is not only vulnerable of becoming an outcast from normality, desirability and femininity but
also Blood (2005) adds she is blamed for resisting societal influences by accepting her body
instead of changing it to fit the beauty ideal. Halprin (1995) believes without support and self-
acceptance, many women “tend to internalize standards of beauty, and judge themselves to the
point of self-hatred” (p. 42) or harbor distorted views about how their bodies and faces should
look (Blood, 2005). Therefore, Grogan (2008) believes there is a great need to develop positive
body image in women at both individual and societal levels through education and health
campaigns. Throughout many eras, beauty has frequently mattered as an inevitable and
underlying socio-political framework for how it tells women what is acceptable as "beautiful"

within societal and cultural norms (Brand, 2000). And now, the perception of beauty among
women and girls is constantly changing and is being shaped according to the society's norms.
Sections
Historical and Contemporary Beauty Trends
Women's fashion, in both Western and non-Western context, has frequently symbolize
the important eras in a country or society's history and culture (Phelan, 2002). In addition, Phelan
(2002) and Kunzle (2004) say fashion not only “makes a statement of what society wants women
to be” (p. 2) but also expresses the dominance of a social class. For example, lotus feet or
bounded feet were considered endearing on a woman whilst large feet were seen as grotesque
and a signifier of low class in ancient China (Kippen, 2005). However, in the contemporary
Western context, having a tan now implies wealth, high social status and good health unlike in
the past, such as the Elizabethan and Victorian eras, where it was once associated with hard labor
and poverty (Phelan, 2002). Wykes and Gunter (2005) say beauty ideals have been projected by
the dominant communication forms of time, for example visual art, throughout history. From
high culture to mythology, Wolf (1990) says romanticized beauty in art and many cultures
determines not only the relations of men to women but also the relation of women to themselves”
(p. 59). Akin to the unattainable but romanticized historical icons in visual art, readers and
audiences of the present are invited to emulate modern media role models such as celebrities,
supermodels and socialites of the past and present (Mazur, 1986, as cited by Wynter and Gunter,
2005). Phelan (2005) states Western and non-Western beauty trends “have a price for women
and girls who attempt to achieve the fashionable look” (p. 138). At the same time, women of the
past and present are expected to regulate their bodies and produce femininity through beauty

practices (Black & Sharma, 2001). With beauty being idealized by media and society, Gimlin
(2002) and Kunzle (2004) write that the female identity is believed to be tainted causing women
to face “acute tension between assertions of individualism and the demands of conformism”
(p.5). Jeffreys (2005) agrees that beauty trends, traditional and contemporary, are not only
harmful to the health of women but also “creates stereotyped femininity” (p. 59) such as waxing
to create the hairless feminine body. Cortese (2008) says the image of the ideal beautiful woman
is captured with “the concept of provocateur which is a form or a hollow shell representing the
female figure and accepted attractiveness” (p. 59). With the standardized beauty glamourized by
media and culture, Gimlin (2002) writes that “women's bodies have fallen short of the ideal body
in print and film” (p.5). As a result, the imperfect body becomes a sign of an imperfect character
whilst the ideal body represents success, self-control and ultimate perfection. When women fail
to emulate the images of the "perfect beauty", it can lead them to feel guilty or ashamed about
their appearances. Therefore, they must attempt to repair the blemished identities which
imperfect bodies symbolize. For example, the use of cosmetic surgery to create a slender body
when dieting and exercise fail. Cortese (2008) and McKinley (1999) add self-objectification and
body shame has been related to both low self-esteem and increased risk of psychological
problems such as eating disorders and depression. Phelan (2002) says the acknowledgement of
the importance of fashion and beauty in cultures and the consequences of various trends towards
women is essential to both health care professionals and women experts.

History of the Philippine’s Beauty Standards
The Philippines was conquered by Spain, Japan and America that contributed to what the
country and the Filipino people are today. According to Rondilla (2009), the Filipino fascination
for fair skin is rooted in the country more than the three-hundred-year oppression of the
Spaniards and closely followed by the Americans. “In the past, American and Spanish cultures
tend to prefer fair skinned women, as lighter complexions, to them, signify wealth and social
status.” (Magdaraog, 2014). These countries have mostly fair skinned people and that influenced
Filipinos to think that having lighter complexion is more attractive than having darker
complexion. During those times, thicker waists or more voluptuous were also considered
beautiful as weight and size also signified wealth and their status. People also thought that
women who have lighter complexions are wealthy and have a high status in the society because
the Filipino’s perspectives on how they view women and their appearance were influenced by
the countries who occupied the Philippines. As the time changed, the people and their views on
women also changed. Especially now in the twenty first century, men are more attracted to
skinny or petite girls and shaming those women who are chubby or fat just because it does not fit
their standards and the society’s.
Related Studies
A related research study in the University of New Hampshire was conducted by the
researcher, Ann Marie Britton. The research conducted was entitled, "The Beauty Industry's
Influence on Women in Society". The study incorporated a quantitative method, developing a
forty-five (45) question survey that asked large variety of questions about cosmetic usage,
behavior, and personal habits to its main respondents which are college women. The results

found on the study was that overall; the cosmetics industry does have a significant impact on
college women today. When respondents were asked how likely they were to wear makeup in six
different situations, the most popular answers for all situations were “somewhat likely”, “likely”
and “very likely”, representing that makeup is indeed important to nearly every situation in a
college woman’s life. These results suggest college women are a large customer segment of this
7-billion-dollar cosmetic industry. However, students don’t spend that much time applying their
makeup for each situation, and they do not change much in their makeup routines for different
situations. The most commonly used items were mascara, eyeliner and powder. The terms
“mascara” and “eyeliner” were also the two most popular words that respondents recalled after
hearing the word makeup. This might represent that these items are considered “the basics” or
“the essentials” to a college student’s makeup collection. In regards to respondent’s awareness of
beauty trends, Pinterest was shown to be the largest resource for information and articles about
makeup. Pinterest was even more popular than magazines, which was a close second. There was
no overall preference to any particular cosmetic brand, but CoverGirl had very high brand
awareness as well as one of the highest preferred brands by respondents. This could mean that
CoverGirl has done a good job marketing their brand to college students, which could be
interesting to other cosmetics companies. It might also be interesting to conduct a further study
on how the advertising practices of CoverGirl Compared to other cosmetics companies. The
research also provided information regarding college women as individuals, not just as a
collective body. The study found no correlation between self-esteem and an individual’s
particular cosmetic usage, habits, and beliefs. However, the study did find a relationship between
levels have self-monitoring and an individual’s cosmetic habits. The lack of self-esteem findings
could potentially mean that a college woman’s self-esteem level will not impact the choices she

makes in the cosmetic industry. However, the self-monitoring findings do represent that high
self-monitors are much more active in the world of cosmetics.
Synthesis
The idea of beauty is always shifting. Today, it’s more inclusive than ever. Beauty is, of
course, cultural. What one community admires may leave another group of people cold or even
repulsed. What one individual finds irresistible elicits a shrug from another. Beauty is personal.
But it's also universal. There are international beauties—those people who have come to
represent the standard. For generations, beauty required a slender build but with a generous
bosom and a narrow waist. The jawline was to be defined, the cheekbones high and sharp. The
nose angular. The lips full but not distractingly so. The eyes, ideally blue or green, large and
bright. Hair was to be long, thick, and flowing—and preferably golden. Symmetry was desired.
Youthfulness, that went without saying. Human nature includes a desire to be attractive, and
historically much of the fine arts are depictions of human beauty. Much time, money and
emotional energy are spent in improving our appearance to reach a goal of beauty. People feel
better about themselves when they think they are attractive to others. We devote portions of our
brains to evaluating characteristics of attractiveness that are remarkably similar among cultures.
Our bodies are shaped not only for function but also to match the image of attractiveness to
others. For centuries, society has shaped and changed the way that people define beauty. As
trends are continuously evolving, people, most especially women, are forced to strive and
achieve what perfect beauty is according to the perceptions of the norm.

CHAPTER III
Research Methodology
A phenomenological type of qualitative research is most suitable to study the certain
phenomena. Wherein phenomenology is an approach that concentrates on the study of
consciousness and the objects of direct experience that is most appropriate to employ in the study
of women’s different perceptions on the standards of beauty and the qualitative method that is
best for describing, interpreting, contextualizing, and gaining in-depth insight into specific
concepts or phenomena. The researcher will use a semi-structured interview to gather the data
that will be collected from the selected participants that lives in Barangays within the
Municipality of Macrohon: Mohon, Rizal, San Vicente Poblacion, and Molopolo. The number of
participants to be selected will be a maximum of twenty-five (25).
Research Questions
This research seeks to answer the following questions:
 What are the perceptions of the women of different ages regarding the standards of
beauty in the society?
Through this question, the researcher can determine how women look around and see
expectations of what to look like everywhere around them and if these expectations
pushes them to try to change themselves to fit to society’s image.
 What are the women’s own definition of beauty?
It is important to examine this aspect in order to deeply understand if women sees beauty
through the aesthetic physical appearance or something beyond.

 How do messages about the beauty ideal from the media or other people affect women’s
perceptions towards it?
This is to situate if the society and the media really does affect the women’s perceptions
towards beauty and change it into something different as they originally perceive it to be.
 What are the experiences of women who lived in a society where beauty is standardized
in an unrealistic way?
With this certain question, lived experiences of the participants regarding the phenomena
will be discovered. This particularly aims to find out if women has experienced things
related to beauty bullying within that society.
 How do women feel about the standards of beauty in the society?
This question will ascertain the possible psychological, physical, and social impact that
the beauty standards of the society has to women.
Setting
In determining the women’s different perceptions on the standards of beauty, the
researcher will employ qualitative data to gather information in relation to the study. The
researcher’s participants for this study will be women aged eighteen (18) to fifty-one (51) in the
chosen barangays within the Municipality of Macrohon, namely: Mohon, Rizal, San Vicente
Poblacion, and Molopolo. And if unfortunately, there will be a virus outbreak in the municipality
by the time of the gathering of data, the researcher will utilize other modes of conducting data
via messenger or Zoom conference and the participants will still be selected from the mentioned
barangays.

Population
The study will take place in the barangays of Mohon, Rizal, San Vicente Poblacion, and
Molopolo. The researcher will select participants that are women aged eighteen (18) to fifty-one
(51). To do this effectively, the method of purposive sampling through a face-to-face semi-
structured survey interview will be employed in the study. According to the purposive sampling
method, which belongs to the category of non-probability sampling techniques, sample members
are selected on the basis of their knowledge, relationships, and expertise regarding a research
subject (Freedman et al., 2007). And for phenomenological studies, it is recommended that five
(5) to twenty-five (25) participants should be selected (Creswell et al., 1998), which the
researcher will follow and select a sample of twenty-five (25) participants as qualitative sample
sizes should be large enough to obtain enough data to sufficiently describe the phenomenon of
interest and address the research questions.
Ethical Considerations
There are always ethical considerations for the participants. As a participant in the
research study, they have the right to have enough time to decide whether or not to be in the
research study and to make that decision without any pressure from the people who are
conducting the research. The participants can refuse to be in the study at all, and to stop
participating at any time after the study has begun, they also have the right to be told what the
study is trying to find out, what will happen to them, and what they will be asked to do if they
are in the study, to be told about the reasonably foreseeable risks of being in the study, and to be
told about the possible benefits of being in the study. The participants will be told whether there
are any costs associated with being in the study and whether they will be compensated for

participating in the study, they will know who will have access to the information collected about
them, and how their confidentiality will be protected, and will be told whom to contact regarding
the questions about the research, about research-related injury, and about their rights as a
research subject. The last two rights for the participants is that if the study involves treatment or
therapy: Participants should be told about the other non-research treatment choices they have and
to be told where treatment is available, should they have a research-related injury, and who will
pay for research related treatment.
Research Design
In conducting a phenomenological type qualitative research, a researcher must consider a
process before employing a study. First is to decide on a question the researchers want to study.
A good research question needs to be clear, specific, and manageable. To do, qualitative
research, the questions should explore reasons for why people do things or believe in something.
Second, the researchers will do a literature review. A literature review is the process of studying
what others have written about the research question and particular topic the researchers are
studying about. The researchers should read widely on the larger field and examine studies that
relates to the topic. And then draw up an analytical report that synthesizes and integrates the
existing research. Third is to evaluate whether qualitative research is the right fit for the research
question. Qualitative methods are useful when a question cannot be answered by a simple ‘yes’
or ‘no’ hypothesis. Often qualitative research is especially useful for answering ‘how’ or ‘what’
questions. Fourth is to consider the ideal sampling size. Qualitative research methods don’t rely
as heavily on large sample sizes as quantitative methods, but they can still yield important
insights and findings. Fifth is to consider the possible outcomes. Because qualitative

methodologies are quiet broad, there is almost always the possibility that some useful data will
come out of the research. Sixth and last is to consider the research budget and available financial
resources. Qualitative research is often cheaper and easier to plan and execute. For example, it is
usually easier and cost-saving to gather a small number of people for interviews than it is to
purchase a computer program that can do statistical analysis and hire the appropriate statisticians.
Interview Instrument and Protocol
This research using the phenomenological type of qualitative study, will conduct a semi-
structured interview consisting of ten pre-determined questions using purposive sampling. The
interview will take place at the participant’s house or at any formal meeting place within the
community that they will prefer. And if there is an unfortunate interference like a virus outbreak
within the municipality, the researcher will utilize other modes of conducting data via messenger
or Zoom conference and the participants will still be selected from the barangays within the
Municipality of Macrohon.
Data Analysis Strategy
In analyzing the data, the researcher will employ an Interpretative Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA) in order to deeply understand the experiences of the subject in relation to a major
life event, experience, or situation. This data analysis strategy’s focus phenomena may range
from those that are common to those which are rare (Warren, 2020). This simply aims to offer
insights into how a given person, in a given context, makes sense of a given phenomenon.
Phenomenological study and the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis are applicable while

investigating the women’s different perceptions on the standards of beauty as it aims to unravel
the women’s lived experiences in a society that portrays beauty in an unrealistic way.

References
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Brocki J.J.M., Wearden A.J. (2006). A Critical Evaluation of the Use of Interpretative
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Retrieved from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/interpretative-phenomenological-analysis
Carvalho, I.A., and Serpa, M.G. (2014). Body and Beautification: The Child Participating in
Beauty Contest.Psicologia: Ciencia e Profissao, 34, 835-849. doi:10.1590/1982-370001432013
Churianti, V. (2017). Beauty Standard. Retrieved from medium.com/@BritzoneID/beauty-
standard-1992c8a395ac
Corson, R. (2003). Fashions in Make-up: From Ancient to Modern Times. London: Peter Owen
Publishers.
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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Retrieved February 24, 2021 from
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traditions. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Retrieved from
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Dimitrios, T., and Fountouki, A. (2018). Limititations and Delimitations in the Research
Process. Perioperative nursing (GORNA), E-ISSN: 2241-3634-7(3), 155-162. Retrieved from
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Appendices
Appendix A: Informed Consent Form
Date: April 19, 2021
MRS. JANNES E. BARRERA, MA
School Principal
Dear Madam,
Warm Christian Greetings!
The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) 12-1 students are having a research study
in their Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion subject. The study of the research is entitled,
“Society’s Dawn-kaleidoscopic Phantasma: A Phenomenological Study of Women’s Different
Perceptions on the Standards of Beauty”. The HUMSS 12-1 student of The College of Maasin,
wants to gain a deeper understanding of how women look around and see expectations of what to
look like everywhere around them and determine if these expectations of beauty standards
pushes them to try and change themselves to fit to society’s image.

The researcher ask your permission to allow them to conduct a survey in a random
selection in the barangays within their community. Rest assured that the data that the researcher
will gather, will be held confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of the study.
Respectfully yours,
Rodsheen E. Alejandria
Noted by:
MR. MARBEN BARRERA
Research Instructor

Appendix B: Participant’s Consent
Dear Participants,
Warm Greetings!
In partial fulfillment of the subject, Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion, the
researcher is presently undertaking a research study entitled, “Society’s Dawn-kaleidoscopic
Phantasma: A Phenomenological Study of Women’s Different Perceptions on the Standards of
Beauty”. It aims to gain a deeper understanding of how women look around and see expectations
of what to look like everywhere around them and determine if these expectations of beauty
standards pushes them to try and change themselves to fit to society’s image. Specifically
women that are aged eighteen to fifty-one. In view of this, the researcher will politely request
you to be one of their participants in this study. Rest assured that the data the researcher will
gather will be held confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of this study.
Your cooperation is highly appreciated. Thank you and God Bless!
Respectfully yours,
Rodsheen Alejandria

Noted by:
MR. MARBEN BARRERA
Research Instructor

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THE COLLEGE OF MAASIN

Tunga-Tunga, Maasin City

Women’s Different Perceptions on

A Qualitative Research Plan

presented to the Senior High School Faculty of

THE COLLEGE OF MAASIN

Maasin City, Southern Leyte

In partial fulfillment of the requirements in

Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬1

The standard of beauty is essentially a variable standard of what it means to be attractive

qualitative research and gather information through a face-to-face semi-structured interview.

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬2

Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................................6

Research Questions ...........................................................................................................21

Ethical Considerations ......................................................................................................23

Data Analysis Strategy ......................................................................................................25

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬3

Appendix A: Informed consent form ................................................................................33

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬4

characterization of a person as “beautiful” whether on an individual basis or by community

consensus, which includes psychological factors such as personality, intelligence, grace,

considered the most beautiful throughout history.

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬5

standards here in the Philippines, particularly within the community.

Statement of the Problem

perception towards it?’.

Purpose of the Study

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬6

media, is becoming a plague to today’s society.

Significance of the Study

These are the few beneficiaries of this study:

see beyond physical beauty.

media portrayals of beauty.

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬7

Theory or Theoretical Perspective

The theoretical framework presented below can be explained by the Symbolic

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬8

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬9

about how participants feel about things during an event or activity.

Definition of Key Terms

ideals for both men and women (Petric, 2020).

Beauty Standards – Is essentially a variable standard of what it means to be attractive

Body-shaming – Is the act or practice of subjecting someone to criticism or mockery for

supposed bodily faults or imperfections.

Contingent – Depending on something else that might or might not happen.

Debunk – To show something, such as a belief or theory, is not true.

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬10

to maintain (Ross, 2018)

Voluptuous – Is used to describe someone who is attractive and curvy.

have influenced it as it is today.

Limitations of the Study

constraints, funding constraints, or other factors. In this respect, a limitation is an imposed

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬11

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬12

This research provides a framework on the different perceptions of the women’s

"Society’s Dawn-kaleidoscopic Phantasma: A Phenomenological Study of Women’s Different

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬13

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬14

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬15

Historical and Contemporary Beauty Trends

Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion – A.Y. 2020-2021‫׀‬16