FICS Theses and Dissertations
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Theses and dissertations by graduate students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies.
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ItemSpace and Exchanges: Information Grounds of Selected Filipino Migrants in Bangkok, Thailand( 2025-01-17)This study explored the information grounds (IG) of Filipino migrants in Bangkok (FMTs) by examining the characteristics of significant places for information exchange, the types of information sought and shared, and the social dynamics involved in these interactions. Guided by the Information Ground Theory and utilizing Fisher et al.'s (2007) people-place-information trichotomy as an analytical framework, the research employed a quantitative survey with 101 Filipino migrant respondents recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collected via an online survey revealed that FMTs communicated in both physical spaces and increasingly in digital environments as they mentioned social media, workplaces, and churches as their primary IGs. These IGs are frequently visited for information exchange and social interaction, with preferences influenced by convenience and accessibility. The information shared often centers on work-related issues, personal matters, and news from the Philippines. Most FMTs interact in small groups of five or fewer, playing the role of information seekers while fostering moderate familiarity among members. Social interaction remains a primary motivator for engagement in these IGs. In conclusion, IGs are vital lifelines for FMTs in Bangkok, providing not only access to information but also fostering resilience, community ties, and adaptability in a foreign context. Strengthening these IGs through targeted strategies can address the unique challenges faced by Filipino migrants. This highlights the need for policies that enhance communication and support networks, and ensuring that FMTs thrive while preserving their cultural identity and connections.
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ItemThe Science Journalism Praxis of Filipino Online Reporters During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2022)( 2024-04-12)The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented public health emergency which journalists have had to report on amid scientific uncertainties and public confusion, political bickering and disinformation, and socio-economic disruption and privation. It was also the first in which digital media platforms, such as the Philippines’s leading online news outlets, played a key role in the dissemination of science and health information. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the preparedness, resilience, and resoluteness of news outlets as an institution and forced them to suddenly adapt to a new and somehow upended reporting environment. To understand the science journalism praxis of the Philippines’s online news outlets during the COVID-19 pandemic, a grounded theory on their science journalism practice was generated through a triangulation research process that examined their newsroom culture, science news reportage, and role performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, an episodic science news event from 2020-2022.
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ItemA Narrative Inquiry into the Sensemaking on Maharlika Funds Among Educators of a Manila-based University( 2024-10-15)Anchored on narrative inquiry into the sensemaking of nine educators from a Manila-based university, the study analyzed and restoryed their stories about the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) approved under the Marcos administration and how these shaped their thoughts. As a developing country, there is doubt the SWF will flourish since it is suffering from inflation, debt, and trade deficit. While the intents are good, there is little understanding about it. Using restorying, thematic analysis, sequence analysis, and word cloud, teachers’ narratives were gathered that led to the following themes and sequencing: distrust and skepticism; lack of understanding and knowledge; concerns over transparency and accountability; perceived risks and benefits; and a need for public involvement and consultation. Distrust and skepticism point to an apprehension about the MIF that resonates a deeper sentiment about government initiatives. Such skepticism could be attributed to historical contexts where the Philippines faced issues of fund mismanagement in the past. The lack of understanding and knowledge about the MIF shows a gap in communicating and educating the public about it. This implies that there is a need for an effective information dissemination system to increase people’s awareness. Transparency and accountability show that a more strategic framework must be developed for MIF operations. As well, the perceived risks outweigh the benefits for fear of flawed financial management and corruption.
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ItemA Himalayan Trekker's Journey of Self-Discovery, Self-Knowledge and Consciousness through Dialogue towards Embodied Communication within the Phenomenological Framework( 2023-08-11)Self-discovery, self-knowledge and awareness, alertness and consciousness (in a state of Mindfulness) are keys to experiencing the fullness and exuberance of daily living, the very essence of human life and existence. It is through the quality (or non-quality) of human experiences of everyday living are derived or defined, or refined, our respective meanings and purposes in life. The Question of – what brings quality to daily life or our entire lives depends on the answers one provides which concerns fundamentally – how one experiences life on a day-to-day basis, which becomes weeks to months, then into years. The writer is curious as to how this may be explored, that is, to attaining that “quality of life” and “integrating that quality to everyday”, hence the importance of the topic of interest. Fortunately, the discovery of trekking the Himalayas presented itself, as though an answered prayer to pressing questions of the human heart and mind. To problematize such a dilemma, the study sought answers to the following research questions. I. What are the trekking experiences that evolved my perspectives and interpretations of my lived worlds? II. How do such interpretations communicate its expressions that influence my narratives of self-knowledge and consciousness? III. Why is it important to me to recognize the dialogues of such expressions of the self to the self in relation to the interpretations of my lived experiences of trekking? To cast order into such an ambitious inquiry, the research framework consisted of grounding theories such as Phenomenology as a tradition of communication etc. and thematic dimensions which specifically addresses the integration of the five human senses to the lived experiences of the researcher during trekking – which awakened the “intelligence for communication” within the being, thereby improving attention, focus and consciousness (in a state of mindfulness) resulting to meaningful experiences of the self-being and the realities of the outside perceived worlds. The tradition of Qualitative Research was used in the study, particularly the Phenomenological research approach. It provided the techniques to derive or construct a shared meaning of the experiences in trekking, a richer and fuller understanding of the phenomenon of “communication” where it manifested “the whole” (i.e. understanding the meanings of the experiences as it happens through communication within and with others, including the commune with Nature etc). while consisting of consistent assumptions of human nature and society (Evelyn Jacob). The results of the study provided answers to the research questions, as summarized below: 1. The trekking experiences was the game changer - it challenged the body, mind and psychological tenacity – the rough terrain, extreme weather conditions and temperature, high altitudes and eminent dangers of landslides, avalanches and unstable edges of the trail hanging over a cliff etc. It awakened the five human senses and the being within (ie. that which who speaks and truly communicates). It makes the mind to re-examine life and death scenarios, what is truly important in life and the changes that are needed to make life meaningful, and even worthwhile, given that it is indeed short, and for that, it can be taken in any point in time (ie. anywhere, not necessarily in the mountains etc.) 2. The seeking for answers to the dilemma of “what is the quality of life?” impresses the need to understand, which existed in the possibility of communication. In other words, essences of the meaning of life and as to how to improve everyday experiencing in general, were communicated through thoughts, feelings and emotions of the being within – thus the perceptions. Little or no recognition is given to such a happening, a happening of communication, rather to misconstrued illusions by the unconscious mind that over romanticizes the influx of external misgivings of unnecessary information and entertainment of a dulled mind and muted being. 3. It cannot be overemphasized here in the study, the importance of self-knowledge, self-awareness and consciousness (a state of mindfulness) – as it is the key to self-resiliency in many aspects of human everyday life. As a collective, the study is also relevant to Organizational Management level, where it improves the quality of leadership, comradery and communities of practice etc., hence raising the quality of organizational performance, profitability and human resources development. Applicable to the Public & Private Sector organizations, the Development Sector, the Academe etc. The contribution of the above answers to the Communication field is that - attaining self-knowledge, enlightenment (ie. in the context of logical reasoning) and resiliency of human beings - where life could possibly be fully expressed and experienced into existence. Into existence of the experience, manifest the materiality of the lived worlds which can only be experienced in the constituted world of communication. Hence, the study argues that existence can only be experienced through existing in communication – in one’s experience. Thus, the study supports and dares to contribute to the affirmation of other existing literature that - Communication theory as a field, is that of coherence as it exists in all multidisciplinary fields, for without the dialogical-dialectical constitutive nature of communication, no one can know the existence of anything that exists.
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ItemThe Development of a Web-based Membership Tracking Information System for a Karate Martial Arts School in the Philippines( 2025-08-19)A karate martial arts school that has many branches in the Philippines faced challenges in managing its growing membership base and keeping track of important information, which resulted in inefficiencies, errors, and decreased member satisfaction. To address these issues, a karate martial arts school in the Philippines needed an effective membership tracking information system to automate membership management, improve communication, streamline data management, and enhance member engagement. The methodology used to prove the successful implementation of the proposed information system was to utilize the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Socio- Technical Systems Theory (STS), and the Information Processing Theory (IPT). The Web-Based Membership Tracking Information System (WBMTIS) was developed to provide better accessibility, present up-to-date information on karate practitioners, and create a customized platform tailored to a karate martial arts school aimed at utilizing open-source technologies. Throughout the development process of WBMTIS, frameworks such as Scrum and ADDIE, were used with modifications to these frameworks in order to aid in the successful implementation and acceptance of the system based on information system theories included in the research. The research helped in identifying the unique needs of the karate martial arts school and tailor-fitted the system according to the stakeholders wants and needs. The overall result of implementing the WBMTIS affirmed the system’s functional effectiveness and high level of user acceptance due to a yielded mean score of 91.25 based on the usability testing conducted using the System Usability Scale (SUS), therefore classifying the WBMTIS under the usability category of “Excellent”. The information system theories used in the study were grounded in TAM, STS, and IPT, which assisted in the system’s design, human-computer interaction, and adoption strategy. These frameworks supported the evaluation of the system’s ease of use, social and organizational integration, and cognitive efficiency in information processing. The study concludes that the system successfully met its objectives and offers a practical model for digital transformation within martial arts organizations. Recommendations for future enhancement include the integration of an online payment gateway, push notifications, calendar synchronization, an internal messaging module such as chat, an advanced analytics dashboard, and an e-learning component to extend instructional reach and system functionality.