PRICES ON THE RISE: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF INFLATION
EXPERIENCES OF SARI-SARI STORE OWNERS
IN KISANDAL, MAGPET, COTABATO
ANGEL CLAIR BASTATAS
Thesis Outline Submitted to the College of Education, Arts and Sciences,
University of Southern Mindanao-Kidapawan City Campus,
Sudapin, Kidapawan City, in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
BACHELOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
(Social Studies)
APRIL 2023
INTRODUCTION
Sari-sari stores are small retail shops that can be found in almost every
barangay of the Philippines. According to a report by the Philippine Association of
Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), there are approximately 1.42 million
registered sari-sari stores in the country as of 2021 (Saulon, 2021). These stores
are often operated by families or individuals and offer a variety of goods such as
snacks, beverages, toiletries, and household items. Sari-sari stores are essential
in the daily lives of many Filipinos, providing them with easy access to basic
necessities. Filipinos put up Sari-Sari Stores as this can be seen as a good source
of income if managed properly. Yet, as inflation strikes, Sari-Sari Stores are
becoming less reliable as a source of income.
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and
services is increasing, leading to a decrease in the purchasing power of money. In
the Philippines, inflation has been fluctuating but remained elevated. According to
the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippines’ inflation rate in the last quarter
of 2022 increased up to 8.1 percent. Inflation has a significant impact on the cost
of goods and services, affecting both consumers and business owners.
The cost of goods and services offered by Sari-Sari Stores can be
significantly affected by inflation, consequently affecting the Sari-Sari Stores’ profit
margins. In order to retain a good amount of profit, Sari-Sari Store owners may
need to increase their pricing as the cost of goods rises. On the other hand, if store
owners increase prices of products too much, entrepreneurs risk losing clients to
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rivals with lower prices. In addition, inflation can also affect the cost of borrowing
money. If Sari-Sari Store owners need to borrow money to maintain or grow such
business, they may face higher interest rates as a result of inflation. When prices
increase, the purchasing value of money falls. Hence, the buying capacity of
currency and savings shrinks (Smit, 2021).
Most researches focus on the effects of inflation to consumers and only a
few studies its effects on producers. As such, this study aims to understand the
inflation experiences of micro-entrepreneurs particularly Sari-sari store owners,
their coping mechanisms, and their insights on continuixng their business despite
of the high level of inflation in the Philippines.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this phenomenological research is to explain the inflation
experiences of the Sari-Sari Store owners and how they conquered the obstacles
that came into their business when the high level of inflation occurred.
Research Questions
To attain the purpose and goal of the study, which is to know the inflation
experiences of Sari-Sari Store owners in Kisandal, Magpet, Cotabato, the study
provides questions to answer the queries that this study needs to fulfill.
Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:
1. What are the experiences of the Sari-Sari Store owners during the rising
inflation?
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2. What are their coping mechanisms in overcoming the challenges they
encountered?
3. What insights did the Sari-Sari Store owners have to continue their small
business despite the rising inflation?
Theoretical Lens
This study can be analyzed using the Cost-Push Theory of Inflation as
proposed Walter Egle (1961). The cost-push theory is an economic theory that
suggests that inflation is caused by an increase in the cost of production, such as
an increase in the cost of labor or raw materials. The theory argues that when
production costs increase, producers must raise their prices to maintain their profit
margins, leading to an increase in the general price level of goods and services in
the economy. Th cost-push theory can be used to analyze the impact of inflation
on sari-sari store owners, specifically how the rising cost of goods and services
affects their business operations and profitability. It can also help explain the
coping strategies that sari-sari store owners use to navigate inflation, such as
adjusting their prices or finding alternative suppliers with lower costs.
Another theory that this study can be seen is in the Coping Theory that was
developed by Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman (1984). This is also known as
the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping which proposes that individuals use
different coping strategies to deal with stressors or challenging situations. Coping
strategies can be problem-focused (aimed at changing the situation) or emotionfocused (aimed at regulating the emotional response to the situation). The
effectiveness of coping strategies is influenced by factors such as personality
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traits, social support, and coping skills. In the context of sari-sari store owners,
Coping Theory can help us understand the different coping strategies they use to
deal with the challenges of inflation, such as financial management skills, social
networks, and creative business strategies. It can also help us understand how the
effectiveness of these coping strategies is influenced by factors such as the store
owner's personality traits and support systems.
Significance of the Study
The researcher hopes that this study will be beneficial to the Sari-Sari Store
owners, potential Sari-Sari Store owners, consumers, government and future
researchers. On top are Sari-Sari Store owners, this study will benefit them
because they will know what to expect when inflation comes and what to do to
ensure they can still have a profit. Secondly, to the potential Sari-Sari Store owners
as they can have a piece of information on how to manage their business when it
comes to inflation. Furthermore, to the consumers, this study will help the
consumers become educated on how inflation affects the price of the products that
they are buying from a Sari-Sari Store. Additionally, this study will provide the
government with ideas as to programs and projects they can provide to Sari-Sari
Store owners. Lastly, future researchers can use this study as a reference for their
related and in-depth studies. This could lead and guide them in discovering
credible and reliable sources.
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Definition of Terms
In this section, the following terms are defined operationally for easy
understanding by the readers:
Inflation is the rate of the overall increase in prices over a given period of
time. Inflation is typically a broad measure, such as the overall increase in prices
or the increase in the cost of living in a country.
Sari-Sari Store is a small neighborhood retail shop that caters to members
of Kisandal, Magpet, Cotabato. The store usually carries basic goods such as
canned food, instant noodles, coffee, soda, and other things that Filipinos get on
a daily basis.
Sari-Sari Store Owners this pertains to the people who owns Sari-Sari
Store at Kisandal, Magpet, Cotabato.
Delimitations and Limitations
This study focuses only on understanding the inflation experiences of microentrepreneurs particularly Sari-sari store owners. It will also explore their coping
mechanisms, and their insights on continuing their business despite of the high
level of inflation in the Philippines. Moreover, this study will be delimited to the SariSari Store owners of Kisandal, Magpet, Cotabato who are affected by inflation.
Participants must have operated specifically on November 2022 to December
2022. This period was chosen by the researcher as it is during this time when
inflation in the Philippines is at its peak rising to more than eight percent (8%).
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Organization of the Study
The qualitative research using phenomenological approach will be
classified into (3) chapters:
Presented in chapter 1 are the introduction, purpose of the study, research
questions, theoretical lens, significance of the study, and definition of terms.
Presented in chapter 2, there is a review of related literature that will aid in
the interpretation of the findings of this study. This will cover the discussion of facts
and principles to which the present study is related.
Presented in chapter 3 is the methodology of the study, which includes the
research design, role of the researcher, materials, data collection, data analysis,
trustworthiness of the study, and ethical considerations.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This section presents related literature and studies about inflation and the
micro-scale enterprises. It includes the experiences as business owners, coping
mechanism, and their motivation to continue the business.
Inflation
Inflation is the gradual rise in prices of goods and services over time,
resulting in a decline in purchasing power. According to Combarto (2022), as
prices rise, consumers tend to make fewer purchases. Fernando (2022) defines
inflation as the gradual loss of purchasing power due to the average price increase
of a selection of products and services over time. The rate at which buying power
declines can be estimated by tracking the average price increase of these goods
and services.
There are numerous factors that contribute to inflation, but they largely fall
into two categories: cost-push and demand-pull. When there is a rise in demand
for goods and services, producers are compelled to raise prices in order to boost
profits. Cost-push happens when producers raise prices as a result of rising costs.
Over time, inflation can have a substantial impact on your standard of living, and it
impacts everyone from common people to businesses and the stock market. To
safeguard your investments from inflation and to assist you hedge against it, you
might want to see a financial advisor as an investor (Simon 2023)
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We started to see an increase in inflation in March and April of 2021, once
COVID-19 vaccines were readily available to the public (Wheelright, 2022).
Micro-scale enterprises
According to Meyer (1996) cited by Donner (2010) that micro-scale
organizations are small companies with less than 10 employees that frequently
conduct their operations on a very small scale. These companies, which may be
run by an individual or a family, are typically found in either urban or rural locations.
Low levels of capital investment, low productivity, and constrained access to loans
and other resources are frequently traits of micro-scale businesses.
According to Balingit and Lallana (2016) Sari-sari are one of the examples
of micro scale enterprise, this store are small, family-owned retail businesses that
sell a variety of goods to local communities in the Philippines. The authors
conducted interviews with sari-sari store owners and found that these micro-scale
enterprises play a vital role in providing goods and services to local communities,
particularly in rural areas where access to larger retailers is limited. The authors
also discuss the challenges faced by sari-sari store owners, including limited
access to credit and competition from larger retailers. Despite these challenges,
sari-sari stores continue to thrive and are a critical part of the Filipino retail
landscape. The authors conclude that the promotion and support of sari-sari stores
can contribute to the development of local economies and improve the lives of local
communities in the Philippines.
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Cabanda and Melad (2021) asserted that small, family-run retail companies
known as sari-sari stores operate in the Philippines and offer a range of products
to the country's local communities, sari-sari stores were found to significantly
contribute to economic growth by creating employment opportunities, boosting
household income, and offering basic goods and services to nearby communities.
By creating a market for regional goods, these micro-enterprises also aid in the
expansion of other sectors, such as agriculture. Sari-sari shops can also aid in
closing the access gap to formal financial services for marginalized areas since
they frequently offer impromptu credit and savings services. Sari-sari store owners
do, however, face a number of difficulties, such as restricted financing availability,
a lack of business expertise and training, and competition from bigger retailers.
The local sari-sari store is essential to daily life for a typical Filipino. Any
necessary home item that one’s pantry can be missing, from everyday staples like
coffee and margarine to more specialized item like soap and mosquito coils and
matches are mostly easily obtained from the local sari-sari store at reasonable
price portion sizes, occasionally even on credit. The Sari-sari store, which is
prevalent even in the poorest quarter communities, is a consistent feature of
residential neighborhoods in the Philippines both in rural and urban areas aside
from the most affluent once. Approximately 93% of sari-sari stores countrywide are
related in residential settings and are frequently run out of portion of the owner's
home (Bonnin, 2004 cited by Malapit 2012)
Micro and small enterprise (MSEs) are well known for playing a vital role in
emerging nations and acting as catalysts for achieving those nations' growth goals.
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MSEs They have proven to have a strong propellant impact on quick economic
growth in emerging countries due to their scale, capital investment, and ability to
create more jobs. (Lara and Semeon 2012)
Micro and small businesses (MSEs) play an important role and act as
catalysts for economic growth in emerging nations, whereby it is possible for
emerging nations to fulfill their growth goals. The MSE industry has played a crucial
role in bringing about economic change by offering products and services that are
suitable in terms of both quality and price A lot of people can afford it, and a lot of
people's abilities and talents can be used successfully without requiring advanced
skills, significant resources, or cutting-edge technology(Abera and Kebede,2014).
Inflation Experiences to Micro-scale Business Owners
Micro-scale business is disproportionately impacted by inflation since they
have few tools to counteract growing expenses. Small firms must be more
innovative in order to compete in an environment of growing inflation since they
frequently lack the cash reserves necessary to weather tough times (Makenzie
Pohl 2022). Inflation pressures small firms to either increase prices and risk losing
customers or accept loans to pay for some expenses in order to maintain their
profit margin. In an effort to stay in business, over 80% of small firms have raised
their rates since the outbreak, and some have been compelled to make extreme
cost-cutting decisions (Camberato, 2022).
Shaw (2022) stated that everyone is affected by inflation and the efforts to
combat it. Borrowing money, for example, has become more expensive. This is
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because the Federal Reserve has started to raise interest rates and cut its bond
holdings. This has an impact on both consumers and businesses. Business
owners, on the other hand, may feel the effects of inflation on the business
environment sooner than consumers because they face greater supply chain
expenses and lower profit margins first - before raising prices for their customers.
Small-scale firms are in a difficult situation as a result of the sharp rise in
prices for everything. They not only lose consumers, but they also have to pay
significantly more for the raw materials or services than they used to. As a result,
many companies had to close because they couldn't keep up with the rate of
inflation. Although the cost of everything is increasing, this is a phase that any
economic market must go through. The wisest course of action is to fight inflation
rather than trying to avoid its repercussions. You must make sure that as a small
business owner, your company is completely protected from inflation and its effects
(Boyle, 2022).
Small-business owners and consumers have been dealing with inflation and
supply chain crises affecting prices since the pandemic began in 2020. We started
to see an increase in inflation in March and April of 2021, once COVID-19 vaccines
were readily available to the public. With businesses starting to reopen, consumers
and business owners were faced with supply and demand issues exacerbated by
the pandemic and material shortages. Slowly, inflation began to rise as consumers
started to spend while companies had trouble filling orders. According to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation accelerated at a higher rate between March
2021 and September 2021 than it did at any point in 2020. In fact, for at least five
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months straight, 2021’s inflation rates more than doubled 2020's highest increases
Wheelwright (2022).
Producers began purchasing fewer goods and services when prices rise.
Business has struggled to manage the rising expenses of inflation ever since the
pandemic started. Covid-19 merely accelerated in its capable and ongoing supply
chain problem made it more difficult to access products which increase the cost of
goods. The following are some of the major ways that inflation has affected small
businesses: increasing costs, rising prices, reducing overhead costs, and
narrowing profit margins. You always have to deal with the reality of inflation
because it never stops there is no correct response it depends on your priorities
as a business owner as well (Camberato, 2022).
Inflation impacts small businesses in a variety of ways. It drives up the cost
of raw materials and products, which can cut into small business profits and require
price increases and layoffs. The cost of services also rises in an inflationary period,
as do energy costs, shipping costs, and even borrowing costs.
Small business owners may find themselves looking at lower-than-expected profits
and higher expenses. They may be forced to make tough decisions to keep their
businesses afloat. (Kane, 2022)
According to Oyiboke (2022) for small business owners, the past two years
have not been easy. Despite assistance from government grants and loans,
pandemic shutdowns forced many to fail. Those who have survived now face a
new existential threat in the form of sharply using costs as inflation increases
above its regular rate. Inflation raises operating costs, which is its first and most
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evident effect. Businesses must seek out cost-saving measures elsewhere if they
don't want to increase client pricing. This frequently entails lowering overhead
expenses in a number of ways, such as by having a smaller inventory or reducing
the marketing budget. Many people have to accept that their profit margins will
shrink. In order to survive, an increasing number of small enterprises are now
borrowing money. Shwake (2022) stated running a business is much more
expensive than it was a few years ago in any industry due to the growing prices of
labor and shipping. Businesses will have to rise their pricing as a result. The law
of supply and demand predicts that customer demand will eventually decline, even
though it hasn't yet. Despite historically low levels of consumer and corporate
optimism, job rates and consumer expenditure are nevertheless high.
Coping Mechanisms and Motivation in continuing the business despite the
inflation
Owners of sari-sari shops are motivated by a variety of factors, which enables them
to resist obstacles from the economy such as inflation. The motivations that
surfaced include the need for monetary stability, personal fulfillment, and
independence. Financial stability is crucial because many owners of sari-sari
stores regarded their business as a way to support their families and secure their
future (Santillan and Cruz 2017).
Jara and Puno (2018) stated that sari-sari store owners who are highly
driven are more likely to have greater business success, even in the face of
economic obstacles such as inflation. According to them, motivation is crucial to
the resilience and success of sari-sari shops in the Philippines.
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The coping mechanisms employed by proprietors of sari-sari shops to deal
with inflation and other economic difficulties. The authors discovered that in times
of economic instability, sari-sari store owners rely on a variety of financial
management abilities, social networks, and innovative business tactics. These
coping mechanisms include modifying prices, controlling inventory, applying for
credit, enlisting the support of family and friends, and altering their products to
satisfy shifting client expectations. According to the study, the resourcefulness and
adaptability of the proprietors of sari-sari stores in the Philippines is largely
responsible for their survival. (Porto, & Narvaez 2018)
Jara and Puno (2018) also discovered that the level of entrepreneurial
motivation of the store owners influences how much of an impact inflation has on
business performance. Particularly, highly driven sari-sari store owners were
discovered to be more resilient to inflation and more likely to employ solutions to
deal with the difficulties provided by inflation.
Arreola and Del Rosario (2018) look into the impact of entrepreneurial zeal
in sari-sari business owners' persistence in the face of inflation. According to the
study, sari-sari store owners' enthusiasm for their industry aids them in overcoming
inflationary obstacles. According to Arreola and Del Rosario, this passion is
propelled by both intrinsic and extrinsic reasons, such as community service,
financial security, and personal fulfillment. The study also emphasizes the
significance of social networks, innovative business methods, and financial
management abilities in sari-sari store owners' resiliency during unpredictable
economic times.
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Ulep, V. G. and Ulep C. M.(2019), stated that sari-sari store owners are
driven to keep their businesses open despite inflation because they can control
their costs, adjust to shifting market conditions, and uphold positive relationships
with their clients. According to the survey, sari-sari store owners are more likely to
generate higher profitability even in difficult economic times if they can manage
these characteristics well.
Nyamwamu, R and Namwamba, L. (2014). demonstrates that motivational
elements that have a beneficial impact on small-scale firms' success include
company enthusiasm, family support, and community involvement. The survey
also emphasizes the difficulties these businesses confront, such as their limited
access to capital, lack of business expertise, and competition from bigger
businesses.
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research design, role of the researcher, research
participants and materials, data collection, data analysis, trustworthiness of the
study and ethical considerations.
Research Design
In order to get insights into and a knowledge of the problem situation, this
study will employ a qualitative kind of research. It helps us understand how people
think and feel by teaching us more about human experience, behavior, attitudes,
and reasons (Subhuri, 2018). According to Creswell and Poth (2018), qualitative
researchers use a range of techniques, including interviews, observations, and
document analysis, to collect rich, comprehensive data that may be examined
using interpretive methodologies. Researchers want to gain a thorough grasp of
the opinions and experiences of the participants as well as patterns and themes in
the data by using this technique. Exploring subjective phenomena like feelings,
attitudes, and beliefs as well as learning in-depth details about social contexts and
processes are two areas where qualitative research is very helpful.
Thus, through this approach the researcher will able to dig deeper about the
inflation experience of Sari-Sari Store owner to the rising inflation of goods in
Kisandal Magpet Cotabato given that this approach focuses deeply on a certain
phenomenon. Moreover, this design will be a big help on gathering concise and
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coherent information that are necessary to know the underlying experiences of
Sari-Sari Store owners.
Role of Researcher
The researcher will be the one to identify and choose the topic based on
her interest to conduct this study that is relevant to the concerns in modern society.
The researcher will gather information regarding the lived experiences of Sari-Sari
Store owners in Kisandal, Magpet, Cotabato during the high inflation.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to collect reliable information from
her participants. Meanwhile, the researcher will adhere to certain interview
etiquette and ensure that the information provided by the participants is true. The
researcher has a variety of functions in this project. Interviewer, note taker,
encoder, and facilitator are all roles that researcher will do to make it possible. In
addition, researcher is the data gatherer, transcriber, and analyst. The researcher
will conduct the in-depth interviews (IDI) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in
which she will ask open-ended questions that allow the participants to share their
thoughts and feelings. In addition, the researcher will use an audio recorder with
the consent of participants.
Moreover, during the interview the researcher will act as an observer to
watch the participants’ conduct and actions, and facilitator of the discussion. The
researcher will encode the data in an acceptable manner to give relevant analysis
on the acquired data.
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Furthermore, throughout the conduct of the study, the researcher will take
extra careful and is being sensitive to the feelings of his participants so as not to
offend them or make them feel uncomfortable in any way.
Finally, the researcher will serve as the transcriber, the analyst and
primary guardian of securing the data gathered from the participants and will only
presents necessary information for the success of this study, the rest will remain
confidential especially personal backgrounds of the participants.
Research Participants and Materials
The researcher will choose ten Sari-Sari Store owners – five (5) for IDI and
also five (5) for FGD – as participants for this study. They are in legal age, residents
of Kisandal, Magpet Cotabato, Sari-Sari Store owners who have been operating
during the November-December 2022, and are willing to share their experiences.
The selection process will follow the purposive sampling technique. Purposive
sampling allows the researcher to choose participants based on shared
characteristics. In other words, they are chosen "on purpose," and it is also known
as judgmental sampling because it relies on the researcher's judgment when
identifying and selecting individuals, cases, or events that can provide the best
information to achieve the study's objectives (George, 2022). Furthermore, in order
to obtain appropriate participants for the study, the researcher will employ the
homogeneous purposeful sampling method, which aims to reduce variation and
select participants who share similar traits or specific characteristics, such as life
experiences, jobs, and so on.
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An interview guide that is prepared by the researcher will be utilized during
the data collection. This is made up of various questions that will answer the
research topic. Moreover, the researcher will get three (3) experts from the campus
to validate the questionnaires that she will be using for the study before it will be
conducted to the participants.
Data Collection
The researcher will first seek permission from the Office of the Brgy. Captain
of Kisandal where the participants reside via a letter signed. Upon approval
consent from the participants will be obtain. Then the researcher will conduct an
in-depth interviews and a focus group discussions. The researcher will use semistructured open-ended questions that will allow disclosure of the participants’
personal experiences. The interviews are recorded through audio recorder with the
permission of the participants and the researcher will also utilize notes to write
down important information. When the participants have questions and/or
clarifications, the researcher will recognize it and translate the questions for better
understanding. The researcher will also allow the participants to talk about their
experiences in any way or language they are comfortable with provided that there
is no miscommunication and that the researcher understand also. The information
gathered will kept confidential and only shared, if needed, within the involved
research committee.
Data Analysis
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The information that will be gathered from the in-depth interviews and focus
group discussion will be documented. Then, it will be transmitted to begin
highlighting noteworthy lines, remarks, or quotes that are generally stated by the
form using thematic analysis, a method for examining data that is extensively used
in qualitative research. According to Caulfield (2019), thematic analysis is a
qualitative data analysis technique. It is usually used to describe a group of texts,
such as an interview or transcripts. The researcher will closely examine the data
to identify common themes- topics, ideas, and patterns of meaning that come up
repeatedly.
Trustworthiness
Because qualitative researchers do not use instruments with wellestablished metrics for validity and reliability, it is important to consider how
qualitative researchers ensure that the research study's findings are credible,
transferable, confirmable, and dependable. The degree of confidence in data,
interpretation, and methods used to ensure the quality of a study is referred to as
the study's trustworthiness or rigor (Pilot & Beck, 2014). The concept was
proposed by Lincoln and Guba (1985) which is composed of the following criteria:
Credibility. Credibility refers to the qualitative researcher's belief in the
validity of the research study's findings. This all comes down to the question, "How
do you know your findings are true and accurate?" Silverman (2004) emphasizes
the importance of providing a complete account of the context in which a study is
conducted, recommending that this include a detailed explanation of the
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background,
history,
philosophy,
personalities,
cultures,
and
political
circumstances influencing the study, the setting, and those who undertake it. This
is especially important when investigating complex social phenomena in
naturalistic settings, or when the prior knowledge, skills, and expertise of those
involved in its conduct are likely to influence its outcomes.
Transferability. The qualitative researcher clearly shows transferability by
demonstrating that the research study's findings are applicable to other contexts.
In this case, "other contexts" can refer to similar situations, populations, and
phenomena. Qualitative researchers can use extensive description to demonstrate
that the findings of the research study are applicable to other contexts,
circumstances, and situations. Lincoln and Guba (1985) argue that the degree of
transferability is a direct function of the similarity or fit between settings. That is,
the applicability of research results in other settings depends on the degree of
similarity between the research setting in which the phenomenon studied occurs
and the settings in which the results are expected to be transferable.
Confirmability. The degree of neutrality in the research study's findings is
referred to as confirmability. In other words, the findings are based on the
responses of the participants rather than any potential bias or personal motivations
of the researcher. This includes ensuring that researcher bias does not skew the
interpretation of what research participants said in order to fit a specific narrative.
Qualitative researchers can provide an audit trail that highlights every step of data
analysis that was performed in order to provide a rationale for the decisions made
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to establish confirmability. This helps to establish that the findings of the research
study accurately portray the responses of the participants.
Dependability. The degree to which the study could be repeated by other
researchers and the results would be consistent is referred to as dependability. In
other words, if someone wanted to replicate your study, they should be able to do
so using the information in your research report and obtain similar results. In order
to establish dependability, a qualitative researcher can use inquiry audit, which
requires an outside person to review and examine the research process and data
analysis to ensure that the findings are consistent and repeatable (Lincoln & Guba,
1985).
Ethical Considerations
In research, ethical considerations are a set of principles that guide your
research designs and practices. When collecting data from people, scientists and
researchers must always follow a set of rules.
According to Bryman and Bell (2007), the ten points listed below represent
the most important ethical considerations in research:
Participants in research should not be subjected to any form of harm. Along
the research conduction, the researcher should ensure that his participants are
free from any sort of afflictions. Researchers must work to protect research
participants' autonomy while also ensuring full disclosure of study-related factors,
including potential risks and benefits.
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The dignity of research participants must be prioritized. To align with the
principle of beneficence, researchers must implement specific safeguards to
reduce all forms of discomfort and harm. Researchers must also protect
participants from exploitation under the principle of beneficence. Any information
provided by study participants must be kept confidential.
Prior to the study, participants' full consent should be obtained. To ensure
that participants have the autonomous right to self-determination, researchers
must ensure that potential participants understand that they have the right to
choose whether or not to participate in research studies voluntarily, and that
refusing to participate in any research will not affect their access to current or future
care in any way.
Confidentiality of research participants must be protected. Researchers
must keep any shared information strictly confidential. Maintaining the right to
privacy frequently necessitates procedures for anonymity or confidentiality. The
researcher must be able to connect the participant to their data in order for the
data to be completely anonymous.
The confidentiality of the research data should be ensured.
Individuals and organizations participating in the research must maintain
their anonymity. Various methods, such as locking any participant identifying data
and substituting code numbers for names, with a correlation key available only to
a safety or oversight functionary in case of emergency, but not readily available to
researchers themselves, can help researchers ensure confidentiality.
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Any deception or exaggeration about the research's goals and objectives
must be avoided. Having clear objectives will help you achieve your main goal and
gain the most useful insight possible. Most failed research projects are the result
of objectives that were not clearly defined or understood. Uncertain or cursory
objectives can result in irrelevant data or shallow insights.
Affiliations of any kind, funding sources, and potential conflicts of interest
must all be disclosed. Researchers must also ensure that they do not coerce
potential participants into agreeing to participate in studies. Coercion refers to
threats of penalty, whether implied or explicit, if participants decline to participate
or otherwise opt-out of a study.
Any research-related communication should be done with honesty and
transparency. A potential participant cannot make an informed decision without
complete information. Biases related to reactivity have been observed when study
participants are aware of the specific guiding research questions and purposes.
Some researchers may use covert data collection methods or mask key study
information to avoid reactivity biases.
Any misleading information, as well as biased representation of primary
data findings, must be avoided.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO-KIDAPAWAN CITY CAMPUS
Sudapin, Kidapawan City, North Cotabato
PRICES ON THE RISE: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF INFLATION
EXPERIENCES OF SARI-SARI STORE OWNERS
IN KISANDAL, MAGPET, COTABATO
INTERVIEW GUIDE
RQ1. What are the experiences of the Sari-Sari Store owners during the rising
inflation?
1.1 What are the challenges that the sari-sari store owners face during the
inflation?
1.2 How does inflation affect the business of sari-sari store owners?
1.3 How do sari-sari store owners manage their pricing in response to
inflation?
1.4 How does inflation affect the personal lives of sari-sari store owners?
Including their families and households?
RQ2. What are their coping mechanisms in overcoming the challenges they
encountered?
2.1 What strategies do sari-sari store owners use to reduce costs or
increase revenue in the face of inflation?
2.2 What types of financial management strategies do sari-sari store owners
use to cope with inflation, such as saving, borrowing, or investing?
2.3 How do sari-sari store owners adapt their business practices to cope
with inflation?
2.4. How do sari-sari store owners balance the need to maintain profit
margins with the desire to keep prices affordable for their customers?
RQ3. What insights did the Sari-Sari Store owners have to continue their small
business despite the rising inflation?
3.1 What motivates sari-sari store owners to continue their small business
despite the rising inflation?
26
3.2 How do sari-sari store owners view their role in their local communities
and the broader economy, and how does this affect their decision making?
3.3 How do sari-sari store owners envision the future of their business,
particularly in the context of inflation and other economic challenges?
3.4 What can you advise to your fellow sari-sari store owners to continue
the business?
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