A Slice of Life in Waiting Sheds Physical Traces in UP Diliman.pdf

2012
LOYOLA, KRISTIANE, 2005-51386
ROGANDO, VIVIAN, 2012-78293
SASTINE, ELAINORE, 2012-78084
Psychology 208 |Dr. Jimenez
December 4, 2012
A Slice of Life in Waiting Sheds

of 24
INTRODUCTION
It is a fact that nothing in this world is useless. Everything has a purpose in its own way.
Just like the ordinary waiting sheds that people see every day. Sheds are strategically placed
near bus and jeep terminals, pedestrian lanes, parking areas, and other places where it is
required most. Its primary function is obviously to provide a place for passengers to wait for
public transportation. Sheds can also provide shelter during bad weather. Aside from its obvious
purpose, advertisements for events, job opportunities, and the like are usually posted here. It is
a common scene for people to read these ads while waiting.It is also a fact that it can be a
social gathering place regardless of the different reasons why people go there.
Being one of the premier universities in the country, the University of the Philippines
provides its students and the community its basic necessities such as waiting sheds. There
arewaiting sheds purposefully placed in the different areas inside the University. Considering
that public transportation such as jeepneys and taxis are allowed inside the university and there
are non-student residents within the school premises, it is but normal to have many waiting
sheds. This study focused on what can be found in the waiting sheds situated around the UP
Academic Oval and what it can possibly reflect of UP students.
PROBLEM OF THE STUDY
For the purpose of this study, the general question the researchers worked with is “What
can be found in the waiting sheds situated around the UP Acad Oval? .“ The study shall also
have specific questions, to wit;
1. Which area do most of UP students converge?
2. Which area is least converged by UP students?
3. Which area do most organizations post their call for applicants?
4. Which area do event organizers post their invitations?
5. Which area do most employee seekers post their job openings?
6. Which area do most entrepreneurs post their advertisements?
THE ACAD OVAL AND ITS WAITING SHEDS
To answer the research questions, the group decided to make a study of the waiting
sheds around the Academic Oval of the University of the Philippines (UP), DilimanCampus, or in

of 24
colloquial terms, more commonly known as the “Acad Oval”. The Acad Oval is an elliptical road
measuring 2.2 kilometers1
at the center of the university and serves as its main road.
Upon entering UP, the Acad Oval introduces one to the “Oblation”, a monument standing
at the Quezon Hall, which is the main symbol of UP. The Acad Oval is surrounded by academic
buildings namely College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), Palma Hall Annex
(PHAN) which houses the Department of Psychology of CSSP, College of Education (Educ),
College of Economics (Econ), College of Engineering (Engg) and College of Music (Music).The
Vargas Museum and Vinzons Hall, the center for student affairs, are also located around the
Acad Oval. As such, it is the busiest road in the university where all jeepney routes pass and
people from different walks of life such as students, faculty, visitors, joggers and photography
enthusiasts walk through to get from one point to another.
Since it is the busiest road, the study of the group concentrated on the fourteen (14)
waiting sheds around the Acad Oval. The waiting sheds are located in the following buildings
namely:
1. Office of the University Registrar (OUR),
2. College of Arts and Letters (CAL),
3. College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP),
4. CSSP Parking Lot,
5. Main Library,
6. Palma Hall Annex (PHAN),
7. Vinzons Building with three (3) waiting sheds,
8. Sunken Garden with two (2) waiting sheds,
9. College of Economics,
10. College of Music and lastly,
11. The Oblation.
The following figure shows the University of the Philippines, the Acad Oval and the focal points
where the 14 waiting sheds are located.
1
Acad Oval. Retrieved December 2, 2012 from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Acad_Oval

of 24
Figure 1. Waiting Sheds around the UP Academic Oval
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research methodology used by the group for the study is unobtrusive or nonreactive
measures which entailed data-gathering on physical traces that could be found in the waiting
sheds.Physical traces have two classes namelyaccretion measures, referring to evidences that
are added to the material of area of study or the deposit of materials, and erosion measures,
referring to evidences that show the selective wear and tear of the materials or area of study.2
From 5:00 in the afternoon to 8:00 in the evening of November 29, 2012, inventory
making of what could be found in the floor, in the bulletin board, and in the ceiling was done by
the group. Data gathered from the floor includes physical accretion measures such as scraps of
paper, cigarette butts, and plastic litter, among others.Cobwebs and presence of lamp posts,
which are also accretion measures, were noted as data from the ceiling. Lastly, an inventory of
the accretion measures, specifically postings in the bulletin board, were classified into
2
Webb et.al. (1966). Chapter 2: Physical Traces: Erosion and Accretion. Unobtrusive Measures: Non-
Reactive Research in the Social Sciences. Rand McNally Publishing. p. 36.

of 24
inventories of (1) call for applicants from organizations, (2) events, (3) job opportunities and (4)
advertisements. Photographs of the waiting sheds were taken to capture the physical looks of
the waiting sheds and postings in the bulletin boards. Since it was difficult to take photographs
of the bulletin board at night, the group prioritized taking pictures of the board first and finalize
the inventory of postings using the photographs. Classifying the postings was difficult the first
time since the group needed to understand what was in the posters first before noting to which
category they fall. But for the succeeding waiting sheds, since most of the postings are recurring,
the inventory-making became easier wherein researchers could easily notice which postings are
‘new’ to their eyes.
On the next day, November 30, 2012, the group went around the Acad Oval again from
5:00 to 8:00 in the evening, to scale paint erosions at posts of the waiting sheds. The simple
scale involved ranking the paint erosion from a range of (1) as the ‘best’, with the paint still
preserved and the posts being clean, to (3) as the ‘worst’, with eroded paint and presence of
rust.Inventory making of lamps and benches that could be found in the waiting sheds as
accretion measures was also finalized. These observations were added to measures that could
describe which areas in the Acad Oval UP students converged the least and the most.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
Due to time constraints, the study limits itself to waiting sheds around the Acad Oval and
was not able to over all waiting sheds inside the UP Diliman Campus. Some of those waiting
sheds not covered are waiting sheds located in the UP Shopping Center, College of Law,
Kalayaan and Yakal dormitories and the one near the Tennis Court. Thus, the study might be
missing valuable information from these data sources.It should be noted that the study could
best describe the dynamics of people and interactions limited to the Acad Oval.
In addition, the time frame of the study makes use of a cross-sectional analysis wherein
the non-reactive measures and inventories of postings were done at a single point in time. As
such, the study describes what could be found in the waiting sheds around the Acad Oval on
November 29-30 2012. The time of the research study could describe the events and activities
of the UP students during the first weeks of the second semester and weeks when Christmas
vacation is approaching. However, the results of the study could not describe the activities and
events of UP students for the whole year which requires measuring physical evidences and
inventories of postings at different months of the academic year. It must also be noted that
some of the postings maybe seasonal (e.g. Lantern Parade during the last day of school for the
year before Christmas Vacation) thus could not reflect what has happened for the whole year.

of 24
From the data gathered through nonreactive measures, it is possible to infer what
previously happened in the waiting sheds and what is presently happening. The postings in the
billboard could best describe the “now” of the UP Acad Oval such as the Lantern Parade fast
approaching, some organizations now open to new members, job opportunities such as tutors
are still on demand at this time of the year or products within reach of the UP community.
However, it could not describe why it happened or the reasons for the present events, demands,
and market advertisements.
More so, the study could not be a basis for future actions. The study could not prove
which waiting sheds are effective for posting call for applicants, events, job opportunities and
advertisements. The presence of postings in the said waiting sheds could describe that most
people post and look at postings at the particular area but this does not necessarily mean that
people react or get affected upon looking at the posters. The physical look of the posters or the
particular part of the bulletin board where the posters could be seen may be an additional
variable for measuring its effects on people.
RESULTS
Utilizing data gathered through nonreactive and unobtrusive measures, the results are
shown in the following tables and charts. The data are classified in the following categories and
the frequencies for each item were tallied.
Area: Bulletin Board
1. floor litter 1. postings of call for applicants by
several university and non-
university organizations
2. facilities- number of benches
and lamps
2. postings of invitations to curricular
and extracurricular events
3. presence of cobwebs 3. postings of job openings by
employers
4. poster remnants 4. postings of advertisements by
entrepreneurs
5. erosion of paint on the lamp
posts (scaled)

of 24
A. Area
The researchers collected data for physical evidence within the area of each waiting
shed. Table 1 shows the tallied items of floor litter in four categories.
Table 1.
Floor litter
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
CSSP Lib PHAN Vinz1 Vinz2 Vinz3 SG 1 SG2 Econ Music Oble
Scraps of
Paper
3 1 3 7 3 4 7 2
Plastic Litter 1 1
Cigarette
Butts
8 3 1
Thumbtacks 1
Bottle 1
The study also wants to find out if there are facilities in the waiting sheds. Table 2 shows
the tallied items of available facilities in each waiting shed.
Table 2.
Facilities
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
CSS
P
Lib PHAN Vinz1 Vinz2 Vinz3 SG 1 SG2 Econ Music Oble
Lamps 3 3 2 2 3 3 6 3 1 2 1 2
Benches 2 1 1 1 2
The researchers included the number of other physical traces in their data collection.
Table 3 presents the frequencies of cobwebs and poster remnants that accumulated in the
ceilings and bulletin boards respectively.
Table 3.
Accumulation
of other traces
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
Cobwebs
1 2
Poster
remnants
3 14 20 15 4 10 18 16 23 5 10 8 22 0

of 24
To measure the wear and tear of the waiting sheds, the researchers measured the
amount of rust and eroded paint on the lamp posts. A scale was used to score the item, with 1
being the least eroded and having the least amount of rust, 2 as average, and 3 as the most
worn out and eroded.
B. Bulletin board
The following table shows the number of postings under each of the four categories. The
frequencies were then totalled to show the overall number of postings in each waiting shed.
Table 5.0 Overall
Bulletin postings
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
Call for
Applicants
5 16 10 26 10 10 7 7 3 7 2 3 8 6
Events 8 12 3 20 6 5 12 9 17 4 6 11 8 3
Job
Opportunities
1 0 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3 0
Advertisements 5 12 12 25 6 4 6 8 8 2 0 2 2 5
TOTAL 19 41 25 76 22 21 26 25 30 13 8 17 24 14
Shown in detail are the different organizations that have postings on the bulletin boards.
These mostly are call for auditions and announcements of applications. The item frequencies
were also totalled.
Table 4. Erosion
of paint on lamp
posts
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
Eroded paint 3 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 2
Table 5.1 Call for Applicants OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
Cineastes 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 2
UP Repertory Company 4 6 1 1
UP Singing Ambassadors 2 4 1 2 1 1 2 1 2
UP Duo 1 2 5 3 1
Students Christian Movement 3 2 2 2
UP DOST 1 2 1 1 3 3 2 2 1 1 2
Tennis UP 2 3 3 1 1 1 1 2

of 24
The following table tallies the number of observed postings for events. These are
invitations to shows, plays, contests, exhibits, performances, and other extracurricular events.
UP Wushu 1
UP Pep Squad 1 1
DZUP Radio Circle 1
UP Tomo Kai 1 1 6
LEZGO 1
TOTAL 5 16 10 26 10 10 7 7 3 7 2 3 8 6
Table 5.2
Events
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
Pitong Sundang 2 1 2 6 6 7 4 4 4
NCCA FilmFest 1 2 3 2 2 3 1 2 2 3
Eating Contest 1 1
Lantern Parade 6 3 1 1 1 1
Public Forum
(Social
Development)
1
Foum (Women) 2 2
Forum (Internet
Freedom)
1 1 1 1 1
Free Film
Showing
1
DZUP
Anniversary
2
Concert Tour
(UP Concert
Chorus)
2 1
Juan (Call for
Donations)
3 3
Logo Design
Contest (UPAA)
2 1 2
Takbo for
Equality
1 1
Likhaang Bata
(Literary and
Visual Contest)
1 1
Kultura Camp 1
Cross Roads
(Fashion Show)
2
Rock Concert 1 3 1
Juanted 2012
(Parade)
2 1 2 1
Concert for a
Cause
1 2
Art Exhibit 1
Bazaar 1
Carstuffing 1
Conference
(Child Protection
Network)
1
TOTAL 8 12 3 20 6 5 12 9 17 4 6 11 8 3

of 24
Table no. 5.3 shows the frequency of postings of announcement for job hiring and open
positions in different organizations, companies, and agencies.
Table 5.3 Job
Opportunities
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
Tutor 1 1 1
Part-time Work 1 1 1
Student
Assistant (UP)
1
Graduate
Assistant (UP)
1
Internship
outside UP
1 1
Work Abroad
(For Engineers)
1
TOTAL 1 0 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 3 0
Different advertisements for services, products, equipment rentals, lessons, and other
types of announcements are shown in detail in the following table. Businesses such as food and
dining, venue, accommodation, and bed space are also included in this category.
Table 5.4
Advertisements
OUR CAL
CSSP
P.Lot
Book Sale 2 2 1 1
Music Lessons 4 2 1 1 1 2 1
Guitar Lessons 2 2
Party Venue /
Swimming Pool
3 1 1 1
TV Series 1
Dining /
Restaurant
1 1
Kindle 1 1 1
Thesis
Consultation
4 1 2 1
Japanese
Lessons
1
Books to PDF 1 1
Massage 1
Rummage Sale 1 1 1
Crosswind for
Rent
1
E-books 1 1
Laptop / Desktop
Repair
1
Bed Space/Room
for Females
1 3 9 7 1 3 3 4
Bed Space/Room
for Males
1 1 1 1
Condo Unit 1 2 1 2 1
Tshirt (Artwork) 2 1
Missing People 1 1
Wanted People 1

of 24
Graffiti 1 1 1
Advocacy Posters 1 1 3
TOTAL 5 12 12 25 6 4 6 8 8 2 0 2 2 5
Presentation of Charts
The following chart illustrates the frequency of each litter item in each waiting shed.
Based on the chart, Vinzons1 waiting shed has the most number of floor litters - consisting of
cigarette butts, plastic litter, and scraps of paper.
Chart 1. Floor litter
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
O
U
R
C
A
L
C
S
S
P
P
a
r
k
i
n
g
L
o
t
C
S
S
P
L
i
b
r
a
r
y
P
H
A
N
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
1
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
2
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
3
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
1
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
2
E
c
o
n
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
o
f
M
u
s
i
c
O
b
l
e
Waiting shed location
No.
of
items
Bottle
Thumbtacks
Cigarette butts
Plastic litter
Scraps of paper

of 24
The next chart displays the frequency of available facilities in each waiting shed. As
shown in Chart 2, the Vinzons3 waiting shed has the most number of lamps, while the CAL and
Music waiting sheds have the most number of benches.
Chart 2. Facilities
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
OUR CAL CSSP
Parking
Lot
CSSP Library PHAN Vinzons
1
Vinzons
2
Vinzons
3
Sunken
Garden
1
Sunken
Garden
2
Econ College
of Music
Oble
No.
of
items
Benches
Lamps

of 24
Data collected for other physical traces are illustrated in Chart 3. Cobwebs have
accumulated only in the waiting sheds near the OUR and CSSP Parking Lot. The frequency of
poster remnants in the form of paper residue on the boards is also shown in the chart. The
waiting shed near PHAN has the most number of poster remnants, closely followed by the
Sunken Garden 1 waiting shed.
Chart 3. Accummulation of other traces
0
5
10
15
20
25
OUR CAL CSSP
Parking
Lot
CSSP Library PHAN Vinzons 1 Vinzons 2 Vinzons 3 Sunken
Garden 1
Sunken
Garden 2
No.
of
items
Poster remnants
Cobwebs

of 24
In the chart below, the total number of postings in each shed is illustrated, with each
colour bar representing the different categories. The CSSP waiting shed has markedly the
highest count with a total of 76 postings. The count of postings for all the other waiting sheds is
40 and below. The Sunken Garden 2 waiting shed has the lowest number of postings.
Chart 5.0 Total no. of postings
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
OUR CAL CSSP
P.Lot
No.
of
items
Advertisements
Job opportunities
Events
Call for applicants

of 24
The next chart displays the number of postings encouraging students to audition and
apply for different university organizations. The CSSP waiting shed has the highest count of 26,
followed by the CAL waiting shed with 16 postings. The Sunken Garden 2 waiting shed has the
least count.
Chart 5.1 Organizations' call for applicants
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
O
U
R
C
A
L
C
S
S
P
P
a
r
k
i
n
g
L
o
t
C
S
S
P
L
i
b
r
a
r
y
P
H
A
N
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
1
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
2
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
3
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
1
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
2
E
c
o
n
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
o
f
M
u
s
i
c
O
b
l
e
No.
of
items

of 24
The frequencies of postings for events are illustrated in the following chart. The highest
count of 20 is found in the CSSP waiting shed, closely followed by the Vinzons 3 waiting shed
with a count of 17. The CSSP Parking Lot and Oblation waiting sheds have the least number of
event postings.
Chart 5.2 Events
0
5
10
15
20
25
O
U
R
C
A
L
C
S
S
P
P
a
r
k
i
n
g
L
o
t
C
S
S
P
L
i
b
r
a
r
y
P
H
A
N
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
1
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
2
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
3
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
1
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
2
E
c
o
n
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
o
f
M
u
s
i
c
O
b
l
e
No.
of
items

of 24
Postings for job opportunities were not present in all the waiting sheds covered in the
study. Only five waiting sheds were noted to have such postings, with the CSSP waiting shed
having the highest count.
Chart 5.3 Job Opportunities
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
O
U
R
C
A
L
C
S
S
P
P
a
r
k
i
n
g
L
o
t
C
S
S
P
L
i
b
r
a
r
y
P
H
A
N
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
1
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
2
V
i
n
z
o
n
s
3
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
1
S
u
n
k
e
n
G
a
r
d
e
n
2
E
c
o
n
C
o
l
l
e
g
e
o
f
M
u
s
i
c
O
b
l
e
No.
of
items

of 24
Most of the advertisement postings were observed in the CSSP waiting shed, with a total
of 25 postings. The lowest counts are in the Sunken Garden 1, Econ, and College of Music
waiting shed. Only the Sunken Garden 2 waiting shed has none.
Chart 3.4 Advertisements
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
OUR CAL CSSP
Parking
Lot
CSSP Library PHAN Vinzons
1
Vinzons
2
Vinzons
3
Sunken
Garden 1
Sunken
Garden 2
Econ College
of Music
Oble
No.
of
items

of 24
CONCLUSION
What can be found in the waiting sheds situated around the UP Acad Oval?
It was found out that bulletin board postings such as call for applicants, invitations, job
openings and advertisements, are the main data that can be found in the waiting sheds around
the Acad Oval. Poster remnants as an accretion measure are also present. Litter such as
cigarette butts, plastic and scraps of paper were also observed in the floor of these waiting
sheds. Cobwebs and lamps in the ceiling were also present in some waiting sheds. More so,
erosion of paint could also be observed in the waiting shed posts.
All of these accretion and erosion measures can describe the current activities on each
waiting shed as compared to the sheds through comparison and contrast of the amount of litter,
bulleting board postings and scale of paint erosions which could be found in the waiting sheds.
From these physical evidences, areas where UP students converge the most and the least were
drawn. In addition, areas where organizations post their invitation for applicants, event posters,
job opportunities and advertisements that are highly visible and accessible to the community
were also pinpointed.
It was also noticeable that the waiting sheds located in different locations at UP have its
similarities and differences. Though they all look the same and though there are common
postings at each waiting shed, some postings could only be found at a particular waiting shed.
In a sense, each waiting shed has its own personality based on the building located near it. A
case in point is the waiting shed near the College of Music and College of Mass Communication
wherein bulletin posts include organizations and events related to media and broadcast
communications. Another example is that of the waiting sheds in Vinzons Hall where missing
and wanted people are posted. Those bulletin posting remind us that the Vinzons Hall is an area
wherein most people, students and lay people come and go. Lastly, most events and call for
applicants from organizations could be found at the waiting shed near the CSSP which shows
its nature where most of the students go.
Which area do most of UP students converge?
Based on the different forms of physical traces, areas where most of the UP students
converge were identified. In terms of accretion in the form of litter, most of the students gather

of 24
together in Vinzons 1, which is likely since jeepney terminals for all routes going outside UP (i.e.
Katipunan, Philcoa and Pantranco) are located in this area. In terms of erosion measures,
poster remnants were observed to be highly visible in PHAN and Sunken Garden 2 while the
OUR, Library and Vinzons 3 have the most eroded post paints. Although one might consider
poster remnants and eroded post paints as measures as to where most people go, it must also
be considered that these measures may also indicate that these sheds are the least taken care
of as compared to the others since they are least passed by, thus the presence of such erosion
measures. It is noticeable that these areas are not jeepney terminals and areas wherein only a
few people ride or get on public transportation since people would only come to these buildings
for specific concerns and or attending classes.
Due to the most number and various kinds of postings present inCSSP, it could be
inferred that many students come together in CSSP. This is highly likely since the waiting shed
is a jeepney stop and general elective courses in the Social Science domain are taken up by UP
students coming from various colleges. In addition, the CSSP waiting shed is close to two (2)
major places of the university that caters to the basic necessities of students namely, (1)
CASAA, a canteen which is accessible to most students from different colleges and(2) the Main
Library, which houses the most number of books and publications of the university. Although the
Main Library has its own waiting shed, the CSSP waiting shed is more accessible to those going
to the library since it is where the jeepney stop is located. Lastly, the waiting shed in CSSP has
a bench, which is an additional reason as to why people stay there.
Which area is least converged by UP students?
The physical traces show that the first and second waiting sheds in Sunken Garden,
College of Music and Oblation has the least number of litters. The second waiting shed in
Sunken Garden also has the least number of postings. Therefore, these areas are least
converged by UP students.
Probably, a few people ride orget off from jeepneys in these areas since these are the
last stops in the counter-clockwise one-way flow of vehicles that controls traffic in the Acad Oval.
It could also be noted that the waiting shed in Sunken Garden 2 is situated very close and
adjacent to the waiting shed of College of Economics thus it is less utilized since the latter
waiting shed is closer to students from Economics and already caters to people who ride
jeepneystravelling along the counter-clockwise route. It must be considered that there are no

of 24
jeepneys passing by the side of the Acad Oval wherein waiting sheds at Sunken Garden are
located due to the one-way traffic scheme of the university.
Which area do most organizations post their call for applicants?
Most university organizations calling for auditions and applicants post their
announcements in the waiting shed located outside the CSSP. Probably, this could be
explained with the same inferences as to the reality that most UP students converge in the
CSSP. Since students coming from various colleges would likely pass through and get on
jeepneys from this point of the Acad Oval, organizations might have thought that this is where
their invitations for applicants could be seen by the majority.
Which area do event organizers post their invitations?
Event organizers wishing to invite guests to socio-cultural events place most of their
announcements in the waiting sheds located outside the CSSP and in front of the Vinzons Hall.
It is interesting to note that the waiting shed in Vinzons Hall has the most number of invitations
for events equal to the waiting shed in CSSP but not in other postings such as job openings and
advertisements.
Which area do most employee seekers post their job openings?
Most of the employers looking for job seekers and those wanting to announce job
openings place their posters in the waiting shed located outside the CSSP.
Which area do most entrepreneurs post their advertisements?
Most of the entrepreneurs marketing their businesses, services, and other commercial
transactions post their ads in the waiting shed located outside the CSSP.
Overall, the waiting shed of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP)
contains the highest number of postings for applicants, event invitations, job opportunities, and
advertisements.

of 24
Evaluation
The use of unobtrusive measures as discussed in the class has its share of good points
and negative points. The group activity, however, made us experience the actual pros and cons
of non-reactive measures. Our group primarily used the physical traces and simple observation
in gathering the data and eventually answering the research questions.
Guided with the general problem of investigating what can be found in the waiting sheds
located around the academic oval, the use of unobtrusive measures seemed to be effective in
seeking out the answer. Access to the research locationwas easy since the area is public and
no permission is required to conduct the study. Having an easy access to the research areas
made the study inexpensive.
Generally the use of unobtrusive measures in the study was harmless and non
disturbing to others. It is a normal thing to see students going to waiting sheds, staying for some
time and reading advertisements. Although it is unusual that a student would go from one
waiting shed to another to observe and take pictures, in general the procedures were done
inconspicuously since nobody will suspect that somebody is doing those. Another good point is
that no ethical violation was committed. The study steered clear of ethical violation because it
utilized physical traces, therefore avoiding physical contact or proximity to other people. The
issue of confidentiality was also not a problem in light of our research problems. Further, the
methods used did not disrupt others, thus the study can be repeated.
The use of other data gathering methods was encouraged when using unobtrusive
measures. However, in our study, the use of unobtrusive measures alone gave us the needed
information. The use of observation and evaluation of physical traces mainly supplied us the
pertinent data for the study. The use of archival data in the form of map of UP also gave a
clearer picture on how to go about the study as well as interpretation of the data.
On the other hand, some negative points came across in the use of unobtrusive
measures. First, researcher bias was evident in data gathering and interpretation. This was
experienced in determining which waiting shed has the most damage in terms of eroded paint
and rust build-up. During the process of evaluatingthe level of damage in each shed, there were
times that we had different ratings for the paint erosion and rust. Although the group
unanimously decided which shed is the most damaged, still subjectivity came along the way.

of 24
This reflects that in the use of unobtrusive measures, even though the researcher tries to be
non-subjective, there will be a certain amount of subjectivity in interpretation. If for instance, we
did not agree on which shed has the most damage, then the results will be different if it was
done independently than by group. This situation also shows that having good observational
skills is a must in the use of unobtrusive measures. However, the level of observational skill and
preference really varies from one person to another. Second, it is difficult to have a
generalization based on the results collected. The data gathered may not be applicable to other
similar research settings. This also does not reflect if the same information can also be found in
waiting sheds in other universities.
As what have been discussed in the class, one thing that distinguishes a true scientist
from a technicianis that the former does not only conduct research for his own satisfaction. A
good research must be able to impart knowledge to the public and better yet, encourage the
public to learn something about themselves through the results of the research. The use of
unobtrusive measures somehow limits this purpose since it tends to focus only on one situation-
in this case, a slice of life of UP students.
Based on the foregoing pros and cons, the use of unobtrusive measures is deemed
effective in seeking out the answers to the research problems. As a descriptive study, the use of
physical traces primarily led the group in gathering data and eventually drawing out conclusions.
The use of unobtrusive measures worked to our advantage in carrying out the study. The good
points discussed earlier may also be applicable, if not to all, to other similar researches. It is a
good thing that invasion of privacy and the issue of confidentiality were not encountered in the
study; but of course this will not always be the case. Thus, it is important to bear in mind that the
effectiveness of unobtrusive measures will greatly depend on what is needed to find out and
how the researcher formulated the research problems.

A Slice of Life in Waiting Sheds Physical Traces in UP Diliman.pdf

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Similar to A Slice of Life in Waiting Sheds Physical Traces in UP Diliman.pdf

Similar to A Slice of Life in Waiting Sheds Physical Traces in UP Diliman.pdf (20)

More from Luisa Polanco

More from Luisa Polanco (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

A Slice of Life in Waiting Sheds Physical Traces in UP Diliman.pdf