Voting Preference of First Time Student Voters

8/13/2019 Voting Preference of First Time Student Voters

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DR. YANGAS COLLEGES, INC.VOTING PREFERENCE OF FIRST-TIME STUDENT VOTERS AT DR. YANGAS COLLEGES INC., S.Y. 2013-2014: AN ASSESSMENT

Chapter I

The Problem and its Background

Introduction

One of the most fundamental aspects of a democracy is that the people hold the

power. Voting is one way in which the people are able to express and use their power.

Therefore voting is a fundamental right

In Philippine politics, the first time voters carry a potential powerful force that

may conclude the future state of the Philippine government. They may or may not dictate

the trend of present political settings in our country.

Today, a few citizens have been more aware of the issues affecting their daily

lives. This heightened awareness is caused, not only by the mass media, but also by

social media that carries uncensored views and opinions of many individuals coming

from diverse backgrounds. This raised consciousness is felt more in the ongoing

campaign period or the election period, where perceptions of the issues surrounding the

candidates are formed, positive and/or negative, by the media that carry these discussions

into our households. The different perspectives framing the contrasting ideas forwarded

to give the listeners or viewers ideas to form a viewpoint or opinion where he/she can call

their own, or to confirm his/her stand shaped by long held biases that are not easy to

discard or discredit. Religion, peer pressure and family also play a deciding factor when it

comes to swaying the masses decision in choosing a candidate by supporting or going


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against certain political hopefuls. Some voters are not even aware of the background or

achievements of some candidates, they simply choose out of convenience or they are lack

of prior knowledge or experience on voting, some are inexperienced at voting know

certain facts about the candidates that they have to vote. For first time voters these factors

play a huge role in determining who they will or will not vote.

First time voters in our country constitute a bulk of numbers of the over-all voting

population in our country. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the

total number of registered Filipino voters for this year has reached 52,014,648, and a total

of 18,053 government positions will be elected in the 2013 midterm elections.

It is the modest purpose of this paper to determine how first time student voters

select their candidates and how educated they are about voting. It is no secret that voters

are strongly swayed by campaign propaganda that is based on name recall, party

affiliation, claims of performance in office whether real or imaginary. We aim to provide

knowledge about election laws, instill voters awareness to first time student voters and

help them to wisely select their candidates.

Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. is a private non-sectarian institution that was

established in 1950. First called as Francisco Balagtas Academy (FBA) and formerly

owned by the Samson Family. After the said institution was purchased by the Yanga

Family and at 1987, its name was changed to Dr. Yangas Francisco Balagtas Colleges

(DYFBC). In 2001, the name was changed again and became Dr. Yangas Colleges,


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Inc. (DYCI). Through the years of its outstanding operation and performance, the

College steadily grew in enrollment and gradually expanded its curricular offerings. At

present, many additional courses are offered by the Institution. These are Education, Arts

and Sciences, Computer Science, Computer Technology, Accountancy, Marine

Transportation, Marine Engineering, Hospitality and Restaurant Management, Tourism

and Caregiver Course.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

The theoretical framework used in this study is the Structural Functionalism

Theory. It concentrates on the positive and negative functions of social structures.

Societal functionalism is a particular type of structural functionalism that aims to explain

the role of social structures and institutions in society, the relationship between these

structures, and the manner in which these structures constrain the actions of individuals. (

Talcott ParsonsStructural Functionalism ) This Structural Functionalism seeks out the

structural aspects of the social system under consideration, and then studies the

processes which function to maintain social structures. In this context, structure primarily

refers to normative patterns of behavior (regularized patterns of action in accordance with

norms), while function explains how such patterns operate as systems.


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INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

----------------------------------- Feedback ------------------------------

Figure 1

Profile of the

respondents-First timestudent votersof DYCI

Determine

how Family,

School,Religious

Groups, MassMedia, Social

Media affector influence

first-time

student voters

Survey

Questionnaire

StatisticalTreatment

Analysis

Enhanced/

improved

voter

awareness/knowledge

Knowledge

about electionlaws and

conduct

seminars onelection /

voters

awareness andrights

Discover its

effects on the

school and

community


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Statement of the Problem

The thrust of the research study is to analyze the voting preference of first time

voters at Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. Academic Year 2013-2014.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the first-time voters in Dr. Yangas

Colleges, Inc in terms of:

a. Gender

b. Age

c. Religion

2. Are the first-time student voters influenced in their voting preference in terms

of:

a. Mass Media (Television, Radio, Newspaper, Magazine)

b. Internet

c. Peer Pressure (Family, Friends, Organizations/Groups)

d. Religious Affiliation

e. Personal Preference/Prior Knowledge

3.

Are the students affected in their decisions on selecting a candidate in terms

of:

a. Mass Media (Television, Radio, Newspaper, Magazine)

b. Internet


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c. Peer Pressure (Family, Friends, Organizations/Groups)

d. Religious Affiliation

e. Personal Preference/Prior Knowledge

4. Is there a significant difference between the profile of the students and the

factors influencing their voting preference?

Hypothesis

There is no significance between the different profile of the students and the

factors influencing their voting preference.

Significance of the Study

The study has a great significance to a number of people who might benefit from

the results.

This study may also be significant to the institution/school for they may be able to

identify the impact of the results of this study and also for the improvement of our

institution in terms of decision-making and voting education.

For the teachers/professors, for they may share a bit of motivational advice and

may possibly help the student to improve some aspects of their lives.


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For the students, especially those who have already reached the age requirement

in order for them to vote will also benefit the said study. The emergence of different and

huge factors greatly affects their decision in choosing a candidate during an election.

Students must have an idea about those factors that may help them to focus and to

develop their own stand on a certain election period. It will help them to stand for their

own will and choice in choosing a good leader.

For the Future Researchers, this study will serve as reference when they conduct

a related study.

For the community, in order to guide and enlighten others on how an individual

must choose a good and worthwhile candidate during an election.

Scope and Limitation

The study focuses on the assessment of the voting preference of first-time voters

of DYCI on the present Academic Year 2013-2014.

The results of this study are limited to our beloved Alma Mater (DYCI)

particularly on the impact of certain factors that influence a first-time voters decision

and its significance on our institution in order to provide an overview in utilizing ones

human rights a far on choosing the countrys leader is concern.


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Definition of Terms

The following terms are hereby operationally defined to establish a common

meaning for the full understanding of this paper.

Ballot- a slip or sheet of paper, cardboard, or the like, on which a voter marks his

or her vote. (http://dictionary.reference.com)

Campaigna series of coordinated activities, such as public speaking and

demonstrating, designed to achieve a social, political, or commercial goal.

(http://www.collinsdictionary.com)

Candidate - a person who is competing to get a job or elected position.

(dictionary.cambridge.com)

Citizen- A person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the

protection of a state or nation; a person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or

naturalization to the protection of a state or nation. (www.thefreedictionary.com)

Constitution- The basic, fundamental law of a state which sets out how that state

will be organized and the powers and authorities of government between different

political units and citizens.(www.duhaime.org)

Election the means by which the people choose their officials for definite and

fixed periods and to whom they entrust, for the time being as their representatives, the

exercise of powers of government. (De Leon, 2011)

Electorate- a body of people entitled to vote. (www.merriam-webster.com)
http://dictionary.reference.com/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/http://www.thefreedictionary.com/http://www.duhaime.org/http://www.duhaime.org/http://www.duhaime.org/http://www.merriam-webster.com/http://www.merriam-webster.com/http://www.duhaime.org/http://www.thefreedictionary.com/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/http://dictionary.reference.com/


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Voter - one that votes or has the legal right to vote. (ibid)

Suffragethe right and obligation to vote of qualified citizens in the election of

certain national or local officers of the government and in the decision of public questions

submitted to the people. (De Leon, Op. cit.)

Law - a binding custom or practice of a community; a rule of conduct or action

prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority. (ibid)

Mass Media diversifiedmediatechnologies that are intended to reach a large

audience bymass communication.(en.wikipedia.org)

PCOS- stands for Precinct Count Optical Scanner. It is a machine that reads votes

based on pencil markings on a special type of paper. Its maker, Smartmatic gives it the

name SAES-1800. (http://www.pinoytechnoguide.com)

Peer Pressuresocial pressureby membersof one's peer group to take a certainaction, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted.

(wiki.answers.com)

Religious Affiliations self-identified association of a person with a religion,

denomination or sub-denominational religiousgroup. (ibid)

Social Mediarefers to the means of interactions among people in which theycreate, share, and/or exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and

networks.(ibid)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_(communication)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_communicationhttp://www.pinoytechnoguide.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_communityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_networkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_networkhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_communityhttp://www.pinoytechnoguide.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_communicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_(communication)


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Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents the related literature and studies both foreign and local and

its relationship and relevance to the present study.

Foreign Literature

Has Television Personalized Voting Behavior

According to Hayes et al (2009), findings showed that that television has

personalizedvoting behavior in American presidential election by encouraging citizens

to cast ballots on the basis of candidate image and personality. Many voters profess to

cast ballots theperson, not the party. Implicit in voting for its person is an emphasis on

personal characteristics- charisma, leadership, empathy and the like. According to him,

candidate personality is taken as substandard criteria for a voters choice. The concern

about the personalization of voting behavior has become acute in recent decades.

Television encourages politicians to become confessional, baring their souls as a way of

connecting with their constituents. And in high-profile races, candidates personal

background, character traits and physical attributes are subjected to study by the political

punditry. Candidate personality is but one of a number of influences on voters choices.

Long-term factors such as ideology, party identification, and social group characteristics

have argued to have a much more substantial effect on voting behavior than a candidates


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traits or physical features. Short-term factors, too, can affect voting behavior, especially

for those citizens who claim for political independence, leaning toward neither party.

Voters see politicians personal characteristics, both inside and out, as relevant.

Perceptions of candidates character traits-whether they believe to be strong leaders,

caring and compassionate, moral and decent, honest and trustworthy-have a strong

influence on voting. Image, in other words, may not be everything, but it matters. The

author used descriptive method to explain his findings.

Party Affiliation, Partisanship and Political Beliefs: A Field Experiment

In the similar study of political behavior, explained that partisanship is strongly

associated with attitudes and behavior of registered voters, but it is uncertain from this

pattern whether partisan identity has a causal effect on political behavior and attitudes.

This research reported the results of a field experiment that investigates the causal effect

of party identification. Prior to the February 2008 Connecticut presidential primary,

researchers sent a mailing to a random sample of unaffiliated registered voters who, in a

pre-treatment survey, leaned toward a political party. The mailing informed the subjects

that only registered voters with a party were able to participate in the upcoming

presidential primary. Subjects were surveyed again in June 2008. Comparing post-

treatment survey responses to subjectsbaseline survey responses, they found that those

informed of the need to register with a party were more likely to identify with a party and

showed stronger partisanship. Further, study finds that the treatment group also

demonstrated greater concordance than the control group between their pre-treatment


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latent partisanship and their post-treatment reported voting behavior and intentions and

evaluations of partisan figures. Thus, our treatment, which caused a strengthening of

partisan identity, also caused a shift in subjectscandidate preferences and evaluations of

salient political figures. This finding is consistent with the claim that partisanship is an

active force changing how citizens behave in and perceive the political world. (Gerber,

2010)

Does the Content of Political Appeals Matter in Motivating Participation? A

Field Experiment on Self Disclosure in Political Appeals

In Hans work entitled, Does the Content of Political Appeals Matter in

Motivating Participation? A Field Experiment on Self Disclosure in Political Appeals

presented his effort work about the content of political appeals in motivating

participation. Robust citizen participation is essential to a healthy democracy. This study

presents the results of the experimental study designed to see if the content of political

appeals matter in motivating participation.

These findings of Han have important implication for how political organizations

can structure motivational appeals to enhance participation. In particular, the results

highlight the importance of relational goals in participation-appeals that cause targets to

feel more affiliation with the requester are more effective than appeals. Insofar as politics

is about the interaction of human beings to achieve a set of collective goals, motivation is


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at the heart of all theories about politics. During an effective political appeal is central to

the work of political parties, campaigns, and other advocacy organizations. Study

ascertained a clear condition under which the content of political appeals matters in

inspiring voting participation. Despite the centrality of political appeals to politics,

previous research on this topic had been limited and the findings that have emerged are

mixed. Some research had found that appeals containing political threats (Miller and

Krosnick, 2004) and then specter of social pressure (Gerber et. Al. 2008) are more likely

to motivate participation. In contrast, other research finds that appeals focusing on civic

duty the closeness of the election, neighborhood solidarity, or national and ethnic

identities have no effect on increasing participation (Gerber and Green 2009 Trivedi

2005). This study argues that the content of political appeals can matter. Central to the

effort to motivate participate is the ability to craft a persuasive appeal.

Hans develop political organization uses multiple methods to motivate support

for their cause, including leaflets, telephone calls, door to door canvassing, television and

radio commercials, and small group meetings. Han showed that successful appeals

encourage greater participation, while unsuccessful appeals do not. The strength of the

appeal can thus be a crucial determinant of the organizations success. Research

examining the differential effect of appeal has found more evidence for the idea that the

mode of interaction matters- interpersonal appeals are more motivating than impersonal

appeals-but only limited evidence that content of the appeal matters. (Han, 2009)


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The Relationship between Cultural Values and Political Ideology, and the Role of

Political Knowledge

It has become an influential explanation of why people choose which potential

hazards to fear and which to ignore. According to De Castella (2009), Cultural theory

maintains the four world views- egalitarianism, individualism, hierarchism, and fatalism;

it can be used to describe people and societies. He enlightened cultural theory as patterns

of social relationships which determined by two variables. The first group is the extent to

which people are incorporated into communities or other social groupings. The greater

the incorporation, the greater the group influence on individual decisions and the lesser

the individuals choice. In strong groups, people interact frequently in a wide range of

activities and are influenced by group norms.

A Theory of Political Choice Behavior

There are factors affecting a voters political preference behavior. Newman and

Sheth (1987) proposed the theory of political science behavior in his published work

entitled, A Theory of Political Choice Behavior.The theory has a broad definition of

independent variables that affect a voters behavior in choosing a candidate. Political

issues according to the author have an effect on a voters behavior. It denotes that the

individual beliefs of a registered voter about the candidates stand on economic social and

foreign policy issues coerce a voters political choice behavior. Aside from political

issues, Newman and Sheth (1987) also expounded that social imagery, as used in the


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theory or socio- demographic characteristics influences voters in picking their

presidential candidates. It means that the candidates socio-demographic qualities, based

on his association with specific demographic, socioeconomic, cultural-ethnic, or political-

ideological segments of society, influence the behavior of voters. Candidate personality

or candidate image also bothers the voting choice of voters. It understands that emotional

feelings like anger, hope, patriotism and pessimism stimulate by the candidates

personality, expect a voters political choice behavior. The author used descriptive

method to present his studies.

Do Political Campaigns Matter? Campaign effects in election and referendum

The issue of voting behavior is certainly relevance to a number of fields in

Political Science. According to him, countless studies in the voting behavior literature on

the ingredient that voters take into account when deciding which party or candidate to

vote for at elections, or which proposal to support at referendums. He tried to explain the

definition of campaigning; he said that campaigning is the core feature of the Political

Parties in contemporary democracy. Election campaign see parties and their candidate

wage battles for votes and political office. It occurs not only in political realm; they are

important in all walks of life. Election campaigns have attracted, and continue to attract,

considerable academic attention.

Media are by no means the only channel through which campaigns reach their

audiences. While inquiries into the effects of Political Campaigns cannot ignore the


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mediating role of mass communication, equally they cannot restrict themselves to looking

only at the media. He has argued that public television is likely to be very central weapon

in election campaigning in many new democracies. A relatively poor supply of campaign

resources for parties and weak party loyalties in electorate on the hand, and likely

governmental control of an unusually important channel of political communication on

the other, make the partisan use and abuse of the media both highly likely and potentially

a major , political issue in itself. (Farrel, 2002)

Voting: A Study of Opinion Formation in a Presidential Campaign

Similarly, Berelson, Lazarsfeld and Mcphee (1954) explained in their research

that the registered voter gets his information about the presidentiables from reading,

listening, and discussion. This is subject to selective gathering information, forgetting of

disturbing elements, reinterpretation of what the candidate really means all mechanism

familiar in social psychology. According to them, political party does not particularly

affect the voters perception of where the candidates stand on the basis. Voters who feel

strongly about their choice are more likely to misperceive the candidatesstands on the

issues as favorable to their own positions. They also indicate that voters who disagree

with both candidates stands, as perceived, support their own candidate more strongly

than those who agree with both.

They examined three new variables: the degree of authoritarian personality, the

degree of intergroup prejudice, and the range of attitudes toward large corporations. Their


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findings proved that socio-demographic characteristics are related to voters political

choice behavior, emphasizing the individual and his or her environment as mutually

influencing systems.

Political Participation: How and Why people do get involved in Politics

Most of the attitudes of the voters will probably be conditioned by their education

or their social class or their party identification- or any other politically relevant but

stable attributes-but it is also true that the voters attitude will reflect changing events on

the political scene. Although a persons educational background or his religion or his

party identification seldom undergo change between different elections, some of his

partisan attitudes towards the affairs of politics do change in response to new events and

new situations.

The vote, in many ways, is a very crude of a mans political hopes and fears, his

aspirations and commitments. A vote is a vote. Each person cast a vote only once and it

cast to more and no less than any others. It will be for one partys candidate and no more

partisan when cast by fanatic partisan identifier than when cast by a man who mentally

flips a coin to decide his vote. (Milbrath, 1965)


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Presidential Election: Strategies of American Electoral Politics

According to Polliby and Wildausky (1980) in their works, .Presidential

Elections: Strategies of American Electoral Politics, the role of political parties in

presidential elections is to compromise and incorporate the wishes of a wide range of

citizens in programs that encompass a multitude of issues and stretch across a greater

span of time than a brief term of office that may or may not renewed. Only political

parties can marshal the resources and develop the strategy to recruit, train, support and

guide a succession of highly qualified individuals to advance those programs during their

terms in office. Only political parties can provide an effective means of holding elected

representatives accountable to the people who elect them on the basis of such programs,

by being ready to deny their resources to unworthy incumbents seeking reelection.

Candidates and their Images, Concepts, Methods and Findings

County researchers found that voters give selective attention to the content of

campaign messages that support their images of candidates. Partisans tended to perceive

their preferred candidates stand on issues as favorable to their own, perceiving their

candidates stand as similar to their own and opponents stand as dissimilar; further, they

often failed to perceive any differences that they have with their own candidate or any

similarity of stands they might share with the opposition. (Nimmo, 1976)


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Local Literature

Previous voting behavior not a reliable guide

Vila (2004) stated in his article in Business World that candidates, specifically

those running for the presidency, therefore do not have reliable information that could

help them in choosing regions or provinces for campaign sorties. We do not have data

on voting behavior that is low enough in the administrative structure of the country to be

able to have a sharp instrument,said Mr. Joel Rocamora, the executive Director of the

Institute of Popular Democracy.

Do Mass Media Influence the Political Behavior of Voters

In an article entitled, Do Mass Media Influence the Political Behavior of Voters

that one should not forget another fascinating fact about the media. Their political

influence extends far beyond newspaper reports and articles of a right away political

nature, or television programs connected with current affairs that bear upon politics. In an

exceedingly abundant more subtle approach, they can influence folks thought patterns by

other means, like "goodwill" stories, pages coping with entertainment and common

culture, movies, TV "soaps", "educational" programs. All these types of information type

human values, ideas of excellent and evil, right and wrong, sense and nonsense, what is

"trendy" and "unfashionable," and what's "acceptable" and "unacceptable". These human


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value systems, in flip, form individuals' angle to political issues, influence how they vote

and therefore confirm who holds political power. (Dish, 2010)

Candidate Images and Vote Intentions in the 1998 Presidential Elections

In the study made by Pedro Laylo (1999) conceptualized image as stimulus-

determined and perceive determined (p. 6). Stimulus determined refers to the image that

the candidate projects while perceived-determined refers to the perception of a voter

relative to a candidates attributes. They also defined candidate whose views are similar

or closer to his own views or homophily.

Pablo (1998) also established a research about voting behavior; he wrote that

Professor Felipe Miranda agreed that ethnic blocs are very crucial in determining the

outcome of the May 11, 1998 elections. A regional or linguistic group who tend to root

for candidates belonging to their group exemplifies ethnic vote. Ethnic vote establishes

the base with extra resources, and it is something you are born with.

Opinion, Polls, and Presidents: 1992 & Beyond (Forces and Issues in Philippine

Elections)


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Gamalinda (1992) said very simply in his book Opinions, Polls, and Presidents,

that presidential campaign strategies have only one objective: to package, market and sell

the candidate as if they were for endorsement. Although a candidate with a relatively

extensive history of achievements is preferable, the success of his campaign will depend

on the credibility (or incredibility) of his made-over image, political machinerya lot of

money. Additionally, he explained that the Americans introduced the concept of

presidential elections. Filipinos were unshakably attuned to the politics of patronage, and

none of the presidents, from Manuel Quezon down to the present line, did anything to

alter that. Centered on personality and only incidentally on issues, presidential elections

have relied on candidatesimage to bring in votes.

The Dilemma of Philippine Campaign: Alternative Campaign Strategies in 2004

National Election

According to Lorenzana (2005), her research seeks to gather information and data

on the day to day conduct of political campaigns of selected political candidates. The

study focused on the practices, symbols and strategies that candidates employed as they

went through campaign trail. Moreover, the study penetrates into the experiences,

thoughts, reflections and decisions of such politicians in the light of running alternative

political campaign. Political Culture has been originally defined by Almond and Verba

(1996) as the set of shared attitudes, beliefs and values within an entire population with

regard to politics. It is thus defined by the value system of that group as well as its


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orientation, towards social and political structures. Political culture includes an individual

or groups knowledge of institutions and processes, evaluations of how well or poor they

work and emotional responses to the political system as a whole. (Mendoza, 1999).

Following the definition of politics as the making of common decisions for a

group of people with the use of power, political culture is then the consolidation of a

groups behavior, attitudes, values and total paradigm with regard to power relations and

various decision-making processes that affect the state. The behavior of a group of people

vis--vis politics can be understood by probing its political culture.

Southern Tagalog Voting, 1946-1963: Political Behavior in the Philippine Region

Relations between candidates and voters are quite weak in the Philippines. These

links become markedly weak because of increase in number of candidates.

Personal alliances between candidates and local political leaders or individual

voters serve as relatively strong links, and are relatively relied upon to mobilize voter

support. Many of these alliances cut across party lines. He also stated that the Socio-

economic variables have relatively low explanatory power with respect to aggregate

political behavior in general and political party preferences in particular. This is the case

especially in local-level politics. Linguistic- regional and local loyalties are among the

major determinants of individual voting decisions in the Philippine in national and sub-

national elections respectively. Language group and local loyalties are most marked in


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the most rural, most isolated and least modern localities. It is most likely to be used to

influence the outcome of elections for sub-national elections. (Lande, 1973)

SWS Surveys on 1998 National Elections by Mangahas,Mahar

Mangahas (1998) mentioned that Religion plays an important role in a voters

political choice behavior. As reflected in the 1998 SWS National Exit Poll, Estrada

attained 81 percent of theIglesia Ni Cristo, 63 percent of the Muslims, and 35 percent of

the Aglipayans. There was no sign of a Catholic vote. In the charismatic groups, Estrada

also got 52 percent of the Jesus is Lord Movement, 39 percent of the El Shaddai, and 43

percent of the Jesus Miracle Crusade. The only data presidential candidates and voters

alike can rely on for strategies and other information is the pre-election surveys. Even if

they can only get pictures out of these surveys, candidates can use these to their

advantage, as survey certainly have bandwagon effects. And as for the voters, it can be a

tool for reflecting if they are choosing the right candidate.


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Chapter III

Methodology

This chapter presents the method in which the research was made. The

respondents were identified, how sources of data were gathered and what instrument was

used and how were they realized.

Research Design

The study utilized the descriptive survey research method. It attempts to explicate

and show the viewpoints, concepts or ideas in relation to the voting preference of first-

time student voters at DYCI, School Year 2013-2014.

Descriptive method of research is designed to gather information about present

conditions. Its main objective is to describe the nature of situation as it exists at the time

of the study and to explore the causal of particular phenomena. (Traverse as cited by

Sevilla, et.al. 2009, 94)

Research Locale

The study will be conducted at Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. It is a private non -

sectarian institution located at Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan.

At present, the tertiary level consists of eight different colleges namely: Business

Administration, Accountancy, Arts & Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, Computer

Studies, Maritime, and Hospitality Management & Tourism.


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Respondents

The study utilizes DYCI students from 8 College Departments who voted for the

first time last May 13, 2013 National Elections. All first-time student voters, each from

the CHMT, COA, CBA, CME, CHS, COED, CCS and CAS departments are made up a

total of 78 respondents.

Data Collection

This study used a parameter for data analysis. Since only 78 respondents comprise

the population of the study, it is the most appropriate method for data collection.

Instrumentation

In order to evaluate the responses of the first time student voters of DYCI

regarding the Voting preference of first-time student voters, the researchers used the

Likert Scale on the questionnaires handed out wherein; 5- strongly agree, 4- agree, 3-

slightly agree, 2- disagree and 1- strongly disagree. The questionnaire was prepared with

simple yet direct questions that the respondents would find easy to answer.


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Data Gathering

The researchers had a decent amount of time in developing the questionnaire so as

to serve its much intended respondents. An informed consent was also presented to the

respondents together with our questionnaires. The researchers conducted a survey to the

first-time student voters of DYCI. The respondents willfully answered the questions

presented.

Statistical Treatment of Data

This section provides and enumerates the appropriate statistical measures and

tests that will be used in data gathering. The data gathered were distributed, tallied and

clarified. Rates were assigned to describe the answer of the respondents.

1. For the profile of first-time student voters: to convert the frequency of

respondents to percentage the formula will be:

% = F/N x 100

Wherein:

% = Percentage

F = Frequency of response

N = Total number of response

2. Weighted Mean

WM = () Fx/N

Wherein:


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WM = Weighted Mean

= Summation

F = Frequency of each class

x = weight

N = Total number of respondents

3. To determine the verbal interpretation of different modes of adaptation that affect

the respondents, the following ratings were used:

Weighted Mean:

X = 4.015.00 Strongly Agree

X = 3.014.00 Agree

X = 2.013.00 Slightly Agree

X = 1.012.00 Disagree

X = 0.011.00 Strongly Disagree

4. To identify if the presented hypothesis have been rejected or accepted, Standard

Deviation and Z-test were utilized, the formulas will be:

SD = ( )

Wherein:

n = frequency of each class

x = mean of grouped data

z =


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Wherein:

x1 & x2= the means of each group

s1 & s2= the standard deviation of each group

n1 & n2= the number of respondents in each group


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Chapter IV

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data

This chapter presents the findings, the analysis and interpretation of the gathered

data during the course of the research.

I. Profile of the RespondentsTable 1

Respondents Profile According to Age (N=78)

AGE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

18-20 66 84.62%

21 and above 12 15.38%

18-20

21 above


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Table 1 presents the distribution of the respondents profile according to age. The

ages of the first-time student voters of Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc.are 18 above. There are

66 (84.62%) respondents who are from the age group of 18-20 or the first time voters

who were qualified to vote last May 2013 national elections. There were 12 (15.38%)

respondents from the 21 and above age group which comprise of those who didnt vote/

werent registered to vote in the 2010 national elections or those who turned 18 after the

2010 elections.

Table 2

Respondents Profile According to Gender (N=78)

GENDER FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

MALE 39 50%

FEMALE 39 50%

Male

Female


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Table 2 presents the first-time student voters of Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. who

responded to the study, comprising the 78 respondents, 39 (50%) were male and 39

(50%) were female. This shows that gender does not affect the factors that influence a

first time voter in selecting or choosing a candidate to vote.

Table 3

Respondents Profile According to Religion (N=78)

RELIGION FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE

Catholic 64 82.05%

Born Again Christian 10 12.82%

Iglesia ni Cristo 4 5.13%

Catholic

Born Again

INC


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Table 3 shows the religion of the respondents, of the first time student voters of Dr.

Yangas Colleges, Inc., 64 (82.05%) are Catholic, 10 (12.82%) are Born-Again

Christians and 4 (5.13%) are from the Iglesia ni Cristo. The majority of the respondents

are Catholic (82.05%) as the results show.

Table 4.1

Responses of First-Time Student Voters of Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc.on the Influence of

Mass Media

ITEMS 5 4 3 2 1 Mean

Mass Media F % F % F % F % F %

1.1.As a medium,was TVinfluential inswaying yourvoterpreference?

21 26.9 26 33.3 27 34.6 0 0 4 5.1 3.77

1.2.Donewspapersand/ormagazinesplay a part indeveloping

your voterdecision inchoosing acandidate toelect?

10 12.9 29 37.2 26 33.3 9 11.5 4 5.1 3.41

1.3.Does radioplay an

7 9 17 21.8 40 51.3 9 11.5 5 6.4 3.15


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influentialrole indeterminingyour choice?

Table 4.1 presents the Mass Media as a factor in influencing voters preference.

Respondents were asked to rate their response to 5- Strongly Agree, 4- Agree, 3- Slightly

Agree, 2- Disagree and 1- Strongly Disagree.

It shows that TV is the most influential form of mass media according to the

respondents (with a mean of 3.77), followed by newspapers/magazines (with a mean of

3.41) and lastly by radio (with a mean of 3.15). It means that the respondents are mostly

influenced by television in choosing a candidate to vote for.

Table 4.2


Social Media


Social Media F % F % F % F % F %

2.1.Do youagree thatFacebook/Twitter isan effectivemedium ina politicalcampaign?

19 24.4 25 32.1 20 25.6 11 14.1 3 3.8 3.60


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2.2.Do youbelieve thatthe internetan effectiveand

influentialas anavenue forpoliticianstocampaign?

22 28.2 24 30.8 21 26.9 11 14.1 0 0 3.73

2.3.Do socialmedia sitesplay animportantrole ininfluencing

you as avoter?

16 20.5 25 32.05 25 32.05 12 15.4 0 0 3.58

Table 4.2 presents the Social Media as a factor in influencing voter preference.



Data shows that the internet is an effective and influential avenue for politicians

to campaign; posting advertisements on the internet has been proven effective as it has

influenced a majority of the respondents (with a mean of 3.73). Followed by campaign

material posted on various Facebook pages and tweets via twitter (with a mean of 3.60)

and a vast majority of the respondents believe that social media played an important role

in helping them choose which candidate to vote for last election period (with a mean of

3.58)


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Table 4.3

Responses of First-Time Student Voters of Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. on the Influence of

Peer Pressure


Peer Pressure F % F % F % F % F %

3.1.Does yourfamily have ahuge influence

in your decisionin selecting acandidate tovote for?

32 41 23 29.5 13 16.7 6 7.7 4 5.1 3.94

3.2.Do you agreethat friends oracquaintancescan alsoinfluence theway you choosewho to vote?

14 17.9 28 35.9 19 24.4 13 16.7 4 5.1 3.45

3.3.Are Social

groups,affiliations, andorganizationsalso responsiblefor influencingyourpreference?

13 16.7 27 34.6 26 33.3 8 10.3 4 5.1 3.47

Table 4.3 presents Peer Pressure as a factor in influencing voter preference.




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Data shows that the respondents believe that among family, friends, social groups,

affiliations and organizations; family is the most influential factor among the group

(achieving a 3.94 mean), followed by social groups (with a mean of 3.47) and lastly by

friends (with a mean of 3.45). This shows that a majority of the respondents are most

likely swayed by their families into voting for a certain candidate or have a shared

preference among family members.

Table 4.4


Religion


Religion F % F % F % F % F %

4.1 Do you agreethat faith /religion alsohas a hugeinfluence inyour decision?

24 30.8 26 33.3 16 20.5 8 10.3 4 5.1 3.74

4.2 Does the

churches

endorsement of

certain politicians

influence you asvoter?

7 9 17 21.8 33 42.3 14 17.9 7 9 3.04

4.3Does having the

same faith or

religion with the

candidate/s

8 10.3 20 25.6 32 41 11 14.1 7 9 3.14


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influence you to

vote for them?

Table 4.4 presents Religion as a factor in influencing voter preference.



Results show that the respondents agree that their religion plays a role in

influencing their preference when it comes to choosing a candidate. They also believe

that having the same religion or sharing the same beliefs with a certain candidate also

affects and influences them to vote for the candidate. A majority of the respondents are

catholic and the respondents who are members of the Iglesia ni Cristo are noticed to be

more influenced by their religion in voting when compared to Catholics.

Table 4.5


Personal Preference


Personal

Preference

F % F % F % F % F %


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5.1 Did you have

prior knowledge

about the

candidate you

voted for?

28 35.9 36 46.2 12 15.4 1 1.3 1 1.3 4.14

5.2 Does the

popularity of the

candidate help

influence you on

whom to vote for?

12 15.4 35 44.9 24 30.8 5 6.4 2 2.6 3.64

5.3 Did you vote

just for the sake of

voting?

9 11.5 9 11.5 18 23.1 20 25.6 22 28.2 2.52

Table 4.5 presents Personal Preference as a factor in influencing voter preference.



Data shows that respondents have prior knowledge about the candidates they

voted for (with a mean of 4.14) and that the popularity of the candidates helped in

determining who the respondents vote for (with a mean of 3.64). Some of the respondents

admit to voting just for the sake of having done so (with a mean of 2.52).


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Results of Z-test on the Difference between the Profile and the Factors affecting the

Voting Preference

4.6.

For Age:

Z-value Level of Significance Critical Value

+ .95 .05 1.96

Based on the results, there is a significant difference between the age of the newly

registered student voters and the factors influencing their voting preference, such as Mass

Media, Social Media, Peer Pressure, Religious Affiliations and Personal Preference

4.7.

For Religion:


- .33 0.05 1.96

Based from the table above, it shows a significant difference between the religion

of newly registered student voters and the factors influencing their voting preference,

such as Mass Media, Social Media, Peer Pressure, Religious Affiliations and Personal

Preference.


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4.8.

For Gender:


- 2 0.05 1.96

From the given results of the table, it shows a significant difference between the

gender of the newly registered student voters and the factors influencing their voting

preference, such as Mass Media, Social Media, Peer Pressure, Religious Affiliations and

Personal Preference.


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Chapter V

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

This chapter contains the presentation of the summary of the study, the

conclusions which the researchers have arrived, and the recommendations formulated

based on the results and the conclusion.

Summary of Findings

After conducting the survey with our respondents, the first-time student

voters, we gathered necessary data for this study. The results are as follows:

For the first-time student voters who provided demographic profile which

includes the following informations: Age, Gender and Religion.

The respondents of this research were the first-time student voters

studying at Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. at the present School Year2013-2014 that were

conveniently available. In eight (8) colleges, we have gathered a total of 78 respondents/

students who voted for the first-time during the last May 13, 2013 Election.

There were an equal number of male and female respondents, 39 male

(50%) and 39 female (50%) respondents.

In terms of age, majority of the respondents were belonging to 18-20 years

old having 66 respondents (84.62%) while those who belong at age 21 and above are

having 12 (15.38%) respondents.


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In terms of religion, most of the respondents were Catholic having 64

(82.05%) respondents. 10 (12.82%) of them were Born Again Christian, while the rest

were Iglesia ni Cristo (5.13%).

The questionnaire that was distributed to the first-time student voters of

Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. will reveal how important are the factors (Mass Media, Social

Media, Peer Pressure, Religious Affiliations and Personal Preference) on influencing a

voters decision. The results are as follows: the respondents agree that Mass Media has

been influential in determining the choice of a voter, gaining an Average Weighted Mean

of 3.44. Respondents also agree that Social Media is an effective medium and plays an

important role in influencing a voter, with an Average Weighted Mean of 3.64. Peer

Pressure also has a huge influence in selecting or the way the voter choose a candidate,

having an Average Weighted Mean of 3.62. The respondents agree Religious Affiliations

has an impact on voters decision which also includes the endorsement of churches or

having the same religion, garnering an Average Weighted Mean of 3.31. Respondents

agree that a first-time voter must have a background or a prior knowledge about the

candidate in addition also of its popularity, gaining an Average Weighted Mean of 3.43.

Conclusions

In lieu of the findings, specific conclusions were drawn based on the study:

The first research question is the demographic profile of the first-time student

voters in terms of age, gender and religion. It is important to know the difference in


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gender because it might affect their decisions in thinking and choosing the candidate that

they are going to vote for. Age, play somehow a significant role in order to show the

level of maturity of the first-time voters because some of them comprise of those who

didnt vote or werent registered to vote in the 2010 national elections or those who

turned 18 after the 2010 elections. The religion of the voter could also make a big impact

on selecting a candidate by having the same religion on certain candidate or via

endorsement of their respective churches.

The second research question asked how the different factors made an influence

on first-time student voters. Television, radio, newspaper and magazine are under Mass

Media. In the emergence of Social Media and technology of different forms, the Internet,

social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and the creation of different websites

became an influential one. Peer Pressure, which includes family members and relatives,

friends and an individuals involvement in a social group or organization are also

responsible in influencing the way we vote. Religious affiliations, on the other hand, also

play a role in influencing their preference when it comes in choosing a candidate through

the support that their church give or having a same faith of belief. Personal Preference

includes a first-time voters prior knowledge, popularity of the candidate and asking if

they only practice their right to vote just for the sake of voting.

From the findings on the second research question, it helps to support the answers

on our third research question. From the results, the respondents agree and it shows that

Social Media is the most influential factor through the utilization of Internet as an avenue

for a campaign, with an Average Weighted Mean of 3.64. Next, the respondents agree

that Peer Pressure affects their decisions in choosing a candidate alongside with their


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family members as their greatest influence, having an Average Weighted Mean of 3.62.

On the other hand, they also agree that Mass Media also influence their choice, with

Television as the main medium of the certain candidate in showing their personal

background, character, physical attributes, platform and political ideology, with an

Average Weighted Mean of 3.44. Personal Preference has also an impact in affecting

their choice in selecting a candidate, with most of the respondents having a prior

knowledge or they know a lot or something about the background of the candidate that

they are going to vote for, gaining an Average Weighted Mean of 3.43. Lastly, the

respondents also agree that Religious Affiliations also play a significant role in voting

and they agree that faith/ religion has a huge influence on their decisions, having an

Average Weighted Mean of 3.31.

Recommendations

In order to supplement the study with effective research materials, the researchers

have come up with proposals deemed useful for concerned institutions and office and for

future study which may be conducted by other researchers.

The following recommendations were based on the aforementioned findings and

conclusions:


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1. Because of the limited time and resources of the authors, we recommend that the

school should conduct a more thorough study on the factors that affects the first

time student voters of DYCI.

2. The school with the cooperation of the College of Arts and Sciences and Student

Council should also conduct a census of the would-be first time student voters

in order to monitor their population.

3. The College of Arts and Sciences should encourage the Political Science students

to coordinate with the Commission on Elections in conducting Voters Education

Campaign within the School.


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Bibliography

Books

Berelson, Bernard R., Paul F. Lazarsfeld, and William N. McPhee. 1954. Voting:

A Study of Opinion Formation in a Presidential Campaign. Chicago: University of

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Campaign effects in election and referendum. USA and Canada by Routledge

Gamalinda, Eric. 1992. Opinion, Polls, and Presidents. 1992 & Beyond:

Forces and Issues in Philippine Elections. Quezon City: Philippine Center for

Investigative Journalism and Ateneo Center for Social Policy and Public Affairs

Lande, Carl. 1973. Southern Tagalog Voting, 1946-1963: Political behavior in

the Philippine Region.Northern Illinois University Center for Southeast Asian Studies

Lazarsfeld, Paul F., Bernard Berelson, and Hazel Gaudet. 1944. Voting: A Study

of Opinion Formation in a Presidential Campaign

Lorenzana, Erika Mae and Margarita Sayo. 2005. The Dilemma of Philippine

Campaign (Alternative Campaign strategies in the 2004 national Election). Philippines:

Patipus Publishing Inc.


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Mangahas, Mahar. SWS Surveys on the 1998 National Elections. Quezon City:

Social Weather Stations, 1998

Milbrath, Lester W. 1965. Political Participation: How and Why do people get

involved in Politics?. USA: State University of New York at Buffalo

Newman, Bruce and JagdishSheth.A Theory of Political Choice Behavior.

Newman:Praeger Publishers, 1987

Nimmo, Dan. 1976. Candidates and their Images, Concepts, Methods and

Findings. Pacific Palisades California: Goodyear Publishing Company, Inc,

Polliby, Nelson and Aaron Wildausky. 1954. Presidential Election: Strategies of

American Electoral Politics. University of Chicago

Journals

De Castella, Krista, McGarty, Craig, Musgrove, Luke. The Relationship

between Cultural Values and Political Ideology , and the Role of Political KnowledgePolitical Psychology, Volume 30, No. 1, 2009

Gerber, Alan S., Gregory A. Huber, Ebonya Washington. 2010. "Party Affiliation,

Partisanship, and Political Beliefs: A Field Experiment."American Political Science

Review 104 (4 November)

Han, Hahrie C. Does the Content of Political Appeals Matter in Motivating

Participation? A field Experiment on Self Disclosure in Political Appeals. Political

Behavior, Volume 31, March 2009


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Hayes, Danny. Has Television Personalized Voting Behavior. Political

Behavior, Volume 31, June 2009

Laylo, Pedro and Carijane Laylo. Candidate Images and Vote Intentions in the

1998 Presidential Elections.QC: Social weather Stations, 1999.

Villa, Larissa. Previous voting behavior not a reliable guide. Business World

26 March 2004

Internet

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http://www.collinsdictionary.com/http://www.duhaime.org/http://www.merriam-webster.com/http://www.pinoytechnoguide.com/http://www.thefreedictionary.com/http://www.thefreedictionary.com/http://www.pinoytechnoguide.com/http://www.merriam-webster.com/http://www.duhaime.org/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/


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APPENDIX A

SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE


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APPENDIX B

LETTER TO THE DEAN


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APPENDIX C

CURICULLUM VITAE


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Acot, Ernesto Jr.

59 Sumapang Bata.,

Malolos City, 3019 Bulacan

Contact Number: 0932-9-3333-81

E-mail Address: [email protected]

Personal Information:

Age: 39

Date of Birth: January 06, 1974

Place of Birth: Mandaluyong, Rizal

Gender: Male

Height: 5 7

Weight: 80 kg.

Citizenship: Filipino

Civil Status: Married

Name of Mother: Gloria Y. Acot

Name of Father: Ernesto T. Rivera Sr.

Educational Background:

Primary:

Commembo Elementary School S.Y. 1983-

1989

Brgy. Commembo, Fort Bonifacio,


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Makati, Metro Manila

Secondary:

Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo High School S.Y. 1994

Cam General Emilio Aguinaldo

Murphy, Cubao, Quezon City

Tertiary:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science S.Y. 1995-Present

Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc.

Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan


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LOPEZ, Trevor B.

603 Lopez Compound, Panginay

Balagtas, Bulacan, 3018 Bulacan

Contact Number: 09164693942

E-mail Address:[email protected]


Age: 26

Date of Birth: April 6, 1987

Place of Birth: Bulacan

Gender: Male

Height: 5 8

Weight: 100 kg.


Civil Status: Single

Name of Mother: Maria Teresita B. Lopez

Name of Father: Pedro C. Lopez III


Primary:

Sto. Nio Academy S.Y. 1992-1994
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Bocaue, Bulacan

St. Paul College of Bocaue S.Y. 1994- 2000

Bocaue, Bulacan

Secondary:

St. Paul College of Bocaue S.Y. 2000-2002

Bocaue, Bulacan

St. Joseph College of Bulacan S.Y. 2002-2005

Patag, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Tertiary:





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MENDOZA, Mark Angelo N.

317 Morales St.,

Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan

Contact Number: 09276238077

E-mail Address: [email protected]


Age: 20

Date of Birth: March 5, 1993

Place of Birth: Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Gender: Male

Height: 5 9

Weight: 58 kg.


Civil Status: Single

Name of Mother: Marilou N. Mendoza

Name of Father: Rizalito M. Mendoza


Primary:

Corinthian School S.Y. 1999-2000


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Azicate Homes, Lolomboy,

Bocaue, Bulacan

Lolomboy Elementary School S.Y. 2000-2006

Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan

Secondary:

Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. S.Y. 2006-2010


Tertiary:





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