This chapter outlines the research design, methodology, and statistical analysis used in the study. The study uses a descriptive research method to assess problems encountered by hardware establishments regarding import products in Legazpi City, Albay. Primary and secondary data sources are used. The population consists of 18 hardware establishments. A survey questionnaire is used to collect data on the establishment profiles, problems faced regarding products, personnel, suppliers and customers, and potential solutions. The data is analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and weighted means to present, analyze, and interpret the results.

1. 1
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
This chapter presented the research design, the sources of the data
population of the study, research instrument and validation of the research
instrument. It also includes the data gathering procedure and statistical tools
used in the study.
Research Design
The design of this study is a descriptive method to assess the problem
may encounter of Hardware Establishments of the import products in Legazpi
City, Albay and to obtain data needed by the researchers. It seeks to know and
describe the problem of import products to the Hardware Establishments, the
partnership between the owners and the suppliers the given variables stated in
Chapter 1 of this study such as problems that may affect in customers, personnel
and even in their business. Furthermore the researcher aim to know the
problems encountered of the Hardware establishments of the import products to
them. For the Purpose of recommending measure for the stated problems,
information was analyzed in order to arrive at concrete and reliable results.
Sources of Data
This study used primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data
from newspapers, books, and other thesis writing. The secondary source of data
is Internet, and any other related sources for this study.

2. 2
Population of the Study
The population of the study is composed of selected Hardware
Establishments in Legazpi City, Albay who are particularly listed according to the
chapter 1 “Scope and Delimitation” of this study.
The population of the study was presented in Table A
Table A
Population of the Study
Respondents Frequency Percentage
Helixel Trading 3 5%
Olympia Marketing 3 5%
Saverite Builders Supply 3 5%
Rawis Enterprises 2 5%
RAY-myr Construction and Supply 2 4%
Unico Trading 2 6%
Morante Hardware 2 4%
Legazpi Tool and Drill Shop 2 5%
Sherwin Marketing 2 5%
Legazpi Ivory Marketing 2 5%
Tomes Hardware 2 3%
Grace Home Builders Supply 3 8%
Brads Hardware and Construction supply 2 5%
YM Lumber and General Merchandise 2 5%
ARAZA General Merchandise and Lumber
Dealer
2 5%
Johnson builder supply 2 5%
Otowe Hardware and construction supply 2 5%
Woodlane Builders and Construction
Supply
2 5%
Asian Marketing 3 5%
Total 45 100%

3. 3
Research Instrument
The main instrument utilized by the study is a survey questionnaire for
data gathering composed of three parts Part 1: the profile of the respondents in
terms of Years of Operation, Products Offered, and Services offered, Number of
Employees, Type of ownership. Part 2: this part determines the problems
determine of what are the problems encountered of Hardware Establishments of
import products in terms of Products, Personnel, Supplier, and Customer. Part 3:
the possible solution that may recommend solving problems encountered of
import products in Hardware Establishments.
Validation of Research Instrument
The researchers conducted to the Hardware Establishments among 20
respondents. The result of the validation necessitated some revision of the items
and formulation of the questions. The respondents chosen for the validation was
selected Hardware Establishments is included in the population of the study.
Data Gathering Procedure
The data gathering process commenced after the approval of the title. The
researchers have started Gathering the secondary source of data, the literatures
and studies both foreign and local. The researchers prepared the validated
survey questioners and were distributed to the respondents. The researchers
also will be conducted interview to the owner of the business with the individual
subject, through face-to-face questions. Likewise reading books, magazines,
newspapers form the libraries and also surfing the internet made valuable
contribution for the data gathering procedures.

4. 4
Statistical Treatment of Data
To present, analyze and interpret the data gathered from the respondents,
the researchers may utilize the frequency counts, percentage and weighted
mean.
Frequency count is the method by which the number of respondents,
responses or occurrences of the subject of the study is determined. It is used to
determined whenever the socio-demographic characteristics and was computed
in the percentage (%)
In this study was used to statement, “overall” that weighted of the
problems mean, on the other hand the value description is a particular valuable.
Weighted men was used to present the level of responses gathered for
determining the problems encountered of hardware establishments when comes
to the import products. Below is the formula on this particular study.2specifically,
this will be applied in determining the problems encountered before employment
by the respondents, possible solutions to the encountered of their business.
WA=∑Fx
N
Where: WA= Weighted Average
N= Number of Correspondents
Fx= Total Frequency
Likert type scale2 used to measure the perception of the respondents on the
various issues that were raised in this study the respondents along the 4 point
scale used the following data below.
Scale Rating Adjectival
Rating
(Problem 3)
Adjectival
Rating
(Problem 4)
Adjectival
Rating
(Problem 5)

5. 5
4 3.88-4.00 Always
Encountered
Strongly
Agree
Very
Satisfied
3 2.53-3.87 Seldom
Encountered
Agree Moderate
Satisfied
2 1.76-2.52 Encountered Disagree Satisfied
1 1.20-1.75 Never Strongly
Agree
Not Satisfied

6. 6
Notes
1” Alex B. Bolanos, “Statistical Concept and Procedures.” Probability and
Statistical Concepts: An Introduction, 2nd Ed, (Manila, Philippines: Quad Alpha
Press 1999, Print.