FICS Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collection
Theses and dissertations by graduate students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies.
Browse
Recent Submissions
1 - 5 of 178
-
ItemFrom Facebook to Local Bestsellers: An Autoethnographic Study of the Shift from Textseryes to Novel-Type Books( 2023)This dissertation investigated the transmedia storytelling evolution of "textseryes" and their transformation into commercially successful novels. The study scrutinized three seminal textserye works—"Dear Diary: My BFF's BF," "Dear Diary: Dear Doctor Joey," and "Behind the Clouds"—addressing the core research question: What are the influential factors shaping the transmedia storytelling process of textseryes when transitioning to a commercially viable novel? The researcher, drawing upon her diverse background as a writer, government servant, teacher, and cultural participant, provided a unique autoethnographic perspective to the study. Grounded theory and thematic analysis were employed to reach theoretical saturation, indicating a thorough understanding of the narrative transition process. The Textserye to Novel Narrative Evolution Framework was introduced, serving as a conceptual guide for the systematic transition of narratives. This framework outlined critical adaptation components such as Scene Alterations, Emotional Scene Integration, and Dialogue Adaptation, which were central to the successful adaptation of textserye narratives.
-
ItemCentrality of Online Advocates in the Structure of Critical Communication Movement: Case of Stop a Dam Network in the Philippines( 2025)This study investigates how centrality in social networks, specifically of Facebook accounts advocating for the Stop Kaliwa Dam campaign, shape communication structures and communication flows. Guided by the Cybernetics Tradition of Communication theories, particularly General Systems Theory and Network Theory, the research examined how the format, categories, and engagement patterns of the uploaded posts as well as the ensuing centrality shaped advocacy effectiveness. Data were collected from purposely sampled Facebook accounts active between February 1 to May 1, 2023, covering the event of “Alay-Lakad Laban sa Kaliwa Dam”, held on February 15-23, 2023. The centrality measures of the network based on likes and comments were degree, betweenness, and closeness. Visual content, particularly images, infographics, and videos, and advocacy-themed posts generated the highest levels of engagement, underscoring the role of visual storytelling in mobilization. Likes primarily signaled visibility and affective approval, aligning with degree centrality, while comments facilitated dialogue and bridging functions, corresponding to betweenness and closeness centrality. Frequent posting or more follower counts did not consistently translate to higher centrality; rather, strategic positioning across clusters proved more decisive. Based on the findings, a framework is proposed to enhance centrality: optimizing inputs through visual and narrative formats, balancing throughputs by cultivating both likes and comments; and monitoring outputs through centrality measures. This study contributes to Development Communication by demonstrating how network positioning (like centraility), beyond message sharing (uploading), empowers marginalized advocacy groups to amplify their voices and sustain influence in digital environments.
-
ItemDual-Lens Sensemaking in Higher Education Leadership Transition: Integrating Weick’s Theory and the Cynefin Framework( 2025)This convergent parallel mixed-methods study used dual-lens framework aimed at determining sensemaking engagement, examining contextual sensemaking triggers, exploring the interpretation of leadership transition, and identifying emerging constructs expanding the sensemaking framework. Quantitative surveys and qualitative narratives were collected from 26 middle managers from a Philippine state university. Quantitative results showed strong sensemaking engagement through retrospection, ongoing process, and plausibility that showed respondents’ preference for coherence, dialogue, and trust. Narrative analysis, referenced with the Cynefin framework, revealed shifting domains from Clear or Chaotic toward Complex domain where negation and collaboration were necessary to maintain institutional alignment. Further, using Weick’s sensemaking properties, seven themes were generated by Reflexive Thematic Analysis - Identity as an Adaptive Self, Retrospection as Negotiated Reality, Situated Intentional Action, Collaboration through Dialogue as Core the Core of Sensemaking, Sensemaking as an Ongoing Engagement, Cues as Cornerstone of Meaning Construction, and Plausibility as Pragmatic Truth. The integration of contextual and interpretive dimensional frameworks refined sensemaking scholarship by advancing the idea of adaptative sensemaking and collaborative actions as theoretical enhancements in dealing with uncertainty during leadership transition in an academic context.
-
ItemContent framing of the Tulong Na Tabang Na Tayo Na Project of ABS-CBN’s Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation., Inc. and influence on viewer’s response( 2015)Guided by Goffinan's (1974) Framing Theory and Gerbner and Gross'es Cultivation Theory ( I 976), this descriptive study explored how the framing of Tulong Na Tabang Na Tayo Na project of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. had influenced the responses of I 14 students from three higher education institutions in the Philippines towards it. The project was a call to help the victims ofTyphoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Leyte. Through a survey, data were obtained and analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. Of the 114 (76%) studentrespondents, 89 (78%) are female and 25 (22%) male. Most student-respondents (67 or 58.7%) belonged to the 14-18 years old bracket. The study recorded 78 or 68% of student-respondents were actively watching television and assumed to be capable of deciding whether to support or ignore the project's framed content. Twenty percent of student-respondents shared that the framed content by using emotional appeal (i.e. crying people asking for help) accompanied by emphatic messages (i.e. Kapamilya, magkapit-bisig po tayo sa panahon ng sakuna, bukas po ang aming tanggapan para sa inyong mga donasyon (Members of the ramify in this time of disaster, let us hold hands, our office is open for your donations) had influenced them to support the project because of their experience. While personal experience did not form part of the communication frame as forwarded by Lakoff (2004 ), it surfaced that audiences' decision to support a project is motivated by it. Most student-respondents have experienced floods and strong typhoons, making the situation familiar. Thus, empathizing with the victims would be easy to establish. Moreover, long exposure to television and continuous watching of the project led them, as espoused by the cultivation theory, to support the project. Suffice to say that in developing a communication material, inclusion of a related experience of intended audiences may be considered.
-
ItemInformation and Communication Technology from the Point of View of a Person Afflicted Cerebral Palsy( 2016)Access to information and communication technologies like mobile phones, the Internet, and computers is essential to develop not only the economy of the country but also its people. With the growth of such technologies and the increased number of people using ICTs, the United Nations (UN) will no doubt fulfill one of its development goals - that is, to make the benefits of new technologies available to all, particularly to developing countries. The word "all" in that premise includes persons with disabilities. This study then delves into the use of information and communication technologies by persons with disability and answers how and why they use such technologies. The data generated from the interviews with the subject, a person afflicted cerebral palsy, a sample of a person with disability, and the observations prove that although he is aware of ICTs and use it personally, there are still barriers to their access to such technologies (e.g., lack of awareness, affordability, type of disability). It was also interesting to learn the reasons for significance of using ICT from the perspective of a person who has cerebral palsy. The reasons why and how he utilize ICTs may be simple and different from another person of disability, but they are essential in understanding the needs of persons with disability in general in order to address the issues of accessibility to ICTs and digital divide.