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CHAPTER 4
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

In reporting the results, the researcher stays close to the statistical findings

without drawing broader implications or meaning from them. Further, this section

includes summaries of the data rather than the raw data (e.g., the actual scores for

individuals). A results section includes tables, figures, and detailed explanations about the

statistical results.

1. Development of the Blueprint of Prototype Arduino-based Automated

Aquaponics System using Internet of Things (IOT).

The first objective of the research is to create a prototype Arduino-based

Automated Aquaponics System using the Internet of Things (IOT). The model

was developed in three stages: planning, accumulating, and drafting the blueprint

plan. The following steps were taken to develop a prototype Arduino-based

Automated Aquaponics System using the Internet of Things (IOT) for the

Maliwalo National High School.

1. 1. Planning

The development of the prototype Arduino-based automated aquaponics system

using the Internet of Things (IOT) will begin with the creation of a 3D model that

contains all of the project details and the project size. It includes all of the

measurements (sizes, scales) from every angle of the project. Furthermore, the

researchers plan the sensors that will be included in the prototype Arduino-based

system. The goal of the researchers was to create an effective blueprint prototype
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Arduino-based aquaponics system that would provide a sustainable manual

aquaponics system in farming methods. The ruler, cardboard, pencil, painting tools,

and other drafting tools are the basic components in building a prototype Arduino-

based automated aquaponics system. An engineering evaluation is required to ensure

the load-bearing capabilities of the materials that will be used in the construction

process in order to complete the project. This 3D model must be studied for a long

time in order to ensure that the automated farming system's durability is protected

from all potential problems that the project may encounter during its development in

the future. A 3D model, in general, conveys various concepts and ideas about the

overall project, which is the automation of aquaponics farming.

1. 2 Accumulation

This section contains information that the researchers’ gathered from

previous studies about the guidelines for developing an automated aquaponics

system, as well as information about electric circuits, robotics, hydroponics, and

aquaculture. The guidelines for developing a prototype automated aquaponics

system can help and encourage Maliwalo National High School to use this

information. This research will result in the creation of an Arduino-based

prototype aquaponics system as well as the introduction of some novel aspects to

the manual farming method. Also, to improve the farming method and the

aquaponics monitoring system. Furthermore, students and facilitators will benefit

from the study because it will result in school improvements. This research will

not only improve farming methods, but will also provide the school with ways to

strengthen their farming methods. We seek information and create a blueprint to

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identify the pros and cons of having innovative aspects in aquaponics farming.

Lastly, the basic materials for creating a blueprint plan for a prototype automated

aquaponics system are cardboard, pencil, paint, and other drafting tools. After

gathering all of the necessary information for the study, the data was statistically

analyzed to answer the consultant's questions about the materials being used and to

ensure the load-bearing capabilities that will be used during the construction

process. The researchers also presented the collected questions to the engineers,

who were the experts needed. The researchers then considered their suggestions,

corrections, and enhancements. 1.3 Drafting of the Blueprint Plan The

development of blueprint plan for the prototype Arduino-based automated

aquaponics system were entirely responsible by the researchers. The researchers

primarily used drafting tools, such as a ruler, as a guide for drawing straight

horizontal lines on a drafting board. Cardboard is used to make three-dimensional

architectural or product models. It is simple to cut, fold, and glue together to form

complex shapes and structures. The pencil is the primary drafting tool; it is used

for sketching, drawing, and creating outlines. Painting is used to create dimension

in color. Painting is used to add dimension in color. And other drafting tools that

are considered the fundamental components of creating a 3D model. Drafting tools

are used to create precise and detailed drawings. They are tools for drawing layout

or for improving the consistency and speed of creating standard drawing elements.

These tools will be useful in creating a plan for our research.

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Figure 10. Prototype of AUTOPONICS Right Angle

Figure 10 shows the prototype of the Automated Aquaponics in a right-angled view.

Figure 11. Prototype of AUTOPONICS Left Angle

Figure 11 shows the prototype of the Automated Aquaponics in a left-angled view.

2. The Effectiveness of the Developed Prototype Arduino-Based Automated

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Aquaponics Monitoring System Using the Internet-of-Things.

The second goal of this study is to assess the prototype automated aquaponics

monitoring system using Internet of Things in three areas, namely: (1) monitoring system

efficacy; (2) cost effectiveness in terms of availability; and (3) monitoring system

efficiency. In this section, the goal was achieved by using an assessment form as a tool to

evaluate the caliber of applications. This form provided as a trustworthy, impartial, and

simple tool for locating and assessing the required data. This evaluation form can be

successfully used by researchers to collect data in person or online. In this study, the

automated aquaponics monitoring system prototype was evaluated using an evaluation

sheet form. The results of the study show that success is generally indicated by ratings

between 1.00 and 1.79. Ratings between 2.60 and 3.39 indicate an acceptable or average

strategy, while ratings between 1.80 and 2.59 indicate the potential for improvement.

Notably, grades between 3.40 and 4.19 are considered to be fairly good, while scores of

4.20 and higher signify a high degree of quality.

Table 1
Overall Experts’ Appraisal to the Prototype Arduino Based Automated Aquaponics
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Monitoring System
EXPERT VALIDATORS
MAJOR SCALES
E1 E2 E3
Effectiveness 4.6 3.4 3 2.2 Could be
better
Efficiency 4 3.5 3.75 2.25 Could be
better
Cost Efficiency 4 2.6 2.3 2 Could be better

Overall Mean 2.15 Could be better

Note. E1 = First IT Expert; E2 = Second IT Expert; E3 = Third IT
Expert; and mean

The effectiveness of the prototype Arduino-based automated aquaponics

monitoring system developed utilizing the Internet of Things was calculated and

tabulated based on the three experts' ratings in the three key categories shown on Table 1

above. The prototype may be better, according to the experts' overall evaluation, which

had a mean score of 2.15. The cost-effectiveness in terms of availability is rated 2.45, the

efficiency of the monitoring system has 2, and the grand mean of the effectiveness of the

monitoring system is 2.2.

In the study, the evaluators provided their professional opinions regarding the

prototype in a comment section on the evaluation form. Additionally, efficiency received

the lowest mean score, 2, while cost-effectiveness had the highest mean score, 2.24. The

comments made by the assessors suggest that the automated aquaponics prototype system

could be improved or made more effective, cost-effective, and efficient.

2.1 Effectiveness

This set of criteria determines the effectiveness of the prototype automated

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aquaponics system. Effectiveness is the ability to bring about an objective or achieve a

desired good. When something is stated to be effective, it means that it produces the

desired or expected outcome. This can be evaluated by the 3D model of the prototype

automated aquaponics system in terms of the availability of the materials, the accuracy of

the parameter readings of the monitoring system, the circulation of the water through the

system, the sustainability of the prototype automated aquaponics system, and the detailed

and appropriate design for the proposed area. The experts utilized a five-point Likert

scale to rate each sub-criteria's engagement quality, with the possibilities being Very

Good (5), Quite Good (4), Average (3), Could Be Better (2), and Not Very Successful

(1).
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Table 2

EFFECTIVENESS FREQUENCY OF EXPERT’S DESCRIPTION

OF THE SYSTEM APPRAISAL
VG QG A CB NVC
1.) Availability of 0 3 0 0 0 2.4 Could be
the materials better
(Aquaponics
system)
2.) Availability of 1 0 2 0 0 2.2 Could be
the materials better
(Monitoring
system)
3.) Circulation of 1 0 1 1 0 2 Could be
the water better
through the
system
4.) Sustainability 1 0 2 0 0 2.2 Could be
of the better
prototype
automated
aquaponics
system
5.) Detailed and 0 2 1 0 0 2.2 Could be better
appropriate
design for the
proposed area
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Table 2 shows the data of the ratings to the effectiveness of the system. The findings

indicate the ratings of the evaluators for the effectiveness of prototype automated

aquaponics system with a grand mean of 2.2, could be better or improve. The detailed

and appropriate of the design for the proposed area got the lowest mean of 2.2 and the

availability of the materials and the accurate parameter readings of the monitoring system

got the highest mean of 2.6. The detailed and appropriate of the design for the proposed

area got the lowest mean score this is because the size of the prototype automated

aquaponics system is too small for the area and the evaluators suggested to consider the

area and the number of plants in comparison with the fish tank. On the other hand, both

the availability of the materials and the accurate parameter readings of the monitoring

system got the highest score since all of the materials are readily available in the area and

can be easily bought at hardware stores and local establishments one more thing is that all

materials are affordable and budget friendly, also all of the sensors are appropriate for the

monitoring system.

2.2. Cost-Effectiveness

This criterion is used to determine whether the automated aquaponics monitoring system

built on an Arduino platform is acceptable. Users may see the cost-effectiveness of our

automated aquaponics system, which helps them understand its worth. This was assessed

by scoring the following five sub-criteria: sustainability of the prototype automated

aquaponics system, availability of the materials in the aquaponics system, availability of

the materials in the monitoring system, availability of the tilapia fingerlings and lettuce

seedlings, and strength of the prototype automated aquaponics system. The table below
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illustrates the distribution of the experts’ ratings in the cost-effectiveness in terms of

structure. Additionally, in every sub-criterion, the experts were asked to rate the

efficiency with the utilization of the five-point Likert scale that includes Very Good (5),

Quite Good (4), Average Only (3), Could be Better (2), and Not Very Successful (1).

Table 3
Sample Weighted Mean of the Experts’ Appraisal to the Cost Effectiveness of the
Prototype Arduino Based Automated Aquaponics Monitoring System

FREQUENCY OF EXPERT’S

COST-EFFECTIVNESS OF THE SYSTEM APPRAISAL DESCRIPTION

VG QG A CB NVC
Availability of 1 2 0 0 0 2.6 Average
the materials
(Aquaponics
system)
Availability of 1 2 0 0 0 2.6 Average
the materials
(Monitoring
system)
Availability of 1 1 1 0 0 2.4 Could be
the Tilapia better
Fingerlings
and Lettuce
seedlings
Sustainability 1 0 2 0 0 2.2 Could be
of the better
prototype
automated
aquaponics
system.

Grand Mean 2.45 Could be better

Note. VG = Very Good; QG = Quite Good; A = Average; CB = Could be better;
NVC = Not very successful; and Mean
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The data of the ratings to the four sub-criteria for the cost-effectiveness of

an automated aquaponics monitoring system based on Arduino are shown in Table

4. In order to interpret the data, the researchers divided it into categories.

According to the findings, the sustainability of the prototype automated

aquaponics system has the lowest mean of 2.2, while the materials availability in

the aquaponics system and monitoring system shows a mean of 2.6 that is average

and the availability of lettuce seedlings and tilapia fingerlings had a recorded

mean of 2.4 that could be better. The highest means were found for the materials

availability in the aquaponics system and the monitoring system, which is

understandable given that all of the supplies are easily accessible at hardware

stores and other businesses close to the planned region. Though materials are not

easily accessible close to the planned area, it was noted that the availability of

lettuce seedlings and tilapia fingerlings may be improved. The automated

aquaponics monitoring system based on Arduino received an overall score of 2.45

from the experts, which is considered could be better. This implies that the

prototype should be more cost-effective while yet being pleasing to the eye.

2.3 Efficiency

The efficiency of the Internet of Things-based automated aquaponics monitoring

system will be assessed using this set of criteria. Efficiency is the ability to do a task

while using the fewest (or most appropriate) resources, time, and funds. Conversely, if

resources are used excessively, productivity suffers, making it more difficult to do other
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pressing tasks and depleting the supply of resources. It is determined by productivity,

which is the exchange rate between output and input or the quantity of resources required

to produce an effect. The amount of input needed to produce an output or achieve a goal

can be decreased by improving program efficiency. Resources include things like people,

money, technology, data, buildings, and equipment. Table 4 shows the distribution, mean,

and interpretation of the experts' assessment of the model's effectiveness. The five-point

Likert scale, which comprised Very Good (5), Quite Good (4), Average Only (3), Could

be Better (2), and Not Very Successful (1), was used to ask participants to score the

effectiveness in each sub-criteria.

Table 4
Sample Weighted Mean of the Experts’ Appraisal to the Efficiency of the Prototype
Arduino Based Automated Aquaponics Monitoring System

FREQUENCY OF E PERTS’

Efficiency APPRAISAL DESCRIPTION

VG QG A CB NVC
Sustainability of the
0 2 0 1 0 2 Could be better
prototype automated
aquaponics system in
solving water
shortage, agricultural
land loss, and food
security

Reliability of the 0 1 2 0 0 2 Could be better

prototype management
plan
Appropriateness of the 0 1 0 2 0 1.6 Not very
automated aquaponics successful
system to the proposed
area

Grand Mean 1.86 Could be better

Note. VG = Very Good; QG = Quite Good; A = Average; CB = Could be better; NVC

= Not very successful; and Mean
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The results of the ratings for the prototype automated aquaponics monitoring

system's three sub-criteria about its effectiveness are displayed in the table above. Based

on the findings, it is clear that most expert ratings may be improved, with a grand mean

model efficiency of 2 as a result. Particularly, the prototype management plan's reliability

showed the highest mean and sustainability of the prototype design, which has a rate of 2.

This suggests that the management strategy for the prototype has to be more reliable and

accurate in managing the system. Last but not least, the automated aquaponics system's

suitability for the suggested area had a lowest recorded mean of 1.6. This suggest that the

prototype aquaponics system has a low sustainability rate in solving water shortage,

agricultural land loss, and food insecurity based on the remarks of the evaluators. In

addition, the evaluators suggested to implement the automated aquaponics system in a

farm-setting in order to increase it efficiency.

3. Challenges Encountered by the Researchers

The determined challenges that deciding the Aquaponics design, the researchers

experienced difficulty on which designed will be best to be implemented in school

setting. There are three options that the researchers choose from; the Media Bed, Deep

Water Culture (DWC), and Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). The Media Bed is the first

design that the researchers approved. However, the design will be school-based, thus,

the researchers replaced it into Nutrient Film Technique because of its simple yet

effective design that works well in environments. The availability of the materials that

is used in NFT is low-cost and they are available in local stores and hardware

compared to the other Aquaponics design.

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The researchers also encountered difficulties in the measurement of the designed

system. The researchers experienced certain errors in estimating the accuracy of the

dimensions of the system. To address this challenge, the researchers measured the

garden of the school where the system will be supposed to establish.

In addition to the estimation of the dimension of the system, the size of the materials

used in the system such as the fish tank, sump tank and, plants beds are inexact for the

reason that you have to consider how many Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) that will be implemented to the system. The researcher used

the measurement of the AUTOPONICS system to use it as the basis on how big and

wide the fish tank, sump tank, and plant beds are.

The creation and assembling of the proposed prototype of the AUTOPONICS system

is quite challenging. In creating and designing the parts and materials of the system is

demanding by some means that it has to be recognizable for it to be easily determine.

The assembling of some parts is unstable as a consequence of using low-cost materials.

To solve the problem, the researchers used lightweight materials for the parts to be

stable.

4. Implication of the Study

In determining the implication of this study in the field of aquaculture and

agriculture, the researcher assesses the effectiveness of the developed Arduino-based

automated aquaponics monitoring system using Internet-of-Things in terms of

Effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness & Efficiency. In line with this, the researcher decided

to utilize the tool to look into the elements implicating this study in the field of
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aquaculture and agriculture. The data analysis resulted that the GWA for the

effectiveness of the developed Arduino-based automated aquaponics monitoring system

using Internet-of-Things is computed at a mean of 2.2 in the effectiveness, it has

generated that the respondence agrees about the effectiveness of the developed Arduino-

based automated aquaponics monitoring system using Internet-of-Things could be better

in the future for the field of Aquaculture and Agriculture.

The result of the data analysis implies that the respondents agree that there is a big

possibility that this developed Arduino-based automated aquaponics monitoring system

using Internet-of-Things in terms of effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness & Efficiency is

effective if it is applied in farm or agricultural setting. Furthermore, the results of the data

analysis imply that farmers will be able to easily and safely grow fresh organic vegetables

through the installation of an aquaponics system.

This technique consumes very little of both, so farmers won't need to worry about

buying fertilizers or worrying about their water costs. Additionally, automating the

system's management and monitoring will require less effort and provide precise readings

of key parameters while checking on the system. The daily monitored data provides

strategies for preserving parameter stability and tracking plant and tilapia growth. Also,

the developments applied in the aquaponics system may also serve as a basis for

innovating further projects.