REVEALING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS IN BALANCING ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES AND ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCE: A PHENOMENOLOGY

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A Research Study

Presented to

Lupon National Comprehensive High School

Ilangay, Lupon Davao Oriental

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In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for Practical Research 1

Grade 11 – STEM

____________________

ILISAN

DAGUNAN

DAQUIADO

SEGOVIA

COLASITO

April 2023
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Participation in sports and athletics is a popular extracurricular pastime

among Canadian college students. But, balancing academic duties with the

needs of athletic participation may be a great undertaking for pupil-athletes.

Danylchuk and Doherty (2014) determined that pupil-athletes in Canada may

additionally battle to manage their time efficaciously, that can cause strain,

exhaustion, and burnout. These negative outcomes can have an effect on the

academic performance and standard well-being of student-athletes.

Financial limitations also can be a sizeable challenge for pupil-athletes

in Canada. The cost of gadget, journey, and match costs can be prohibitively

high priced, particularly for pupil-athletes from lower-earnings families. The

Ontario university Athletics (OUA) has diagnosed this problem and has

applied the scholar-Athlete financial trouble application to provide financial

help to eligible scholar-athletes. But, further research is wanted to better

understand the financial challenges faced by using Canadian scholar-athletes

and discover extra techniques to support them (Ontario university Athletics,

2019).

Discrimination and absence of guide also can be a barrier to academic

and athletic achievement for scholar-athletes in Canada. O'Reilly and

Bergeron (2015) conducted a look at on Canadian interuniversity game and

observed that student-athletes with disabilities faced particular challenges,

which include a lack of accommodations and help from their educational

establishments and coaches. Discrimination and lack of help can also affect

pupil-athletes' mental health and nicely-being. Addressing these issues is

critical to making sure that scholar-athletes have the aid they need to succeed

both academically and athletically.

Sports activities and athletics are popular extracurricular sports

amongst Filipino college students, with many aspiring to represent their

college and university. In national and international competitions. But, scholar-

athletes within the Philippines face some of challenges in balancing their

athletic pursuits with instructional responsibilities. Some faculties prioritize

athletic achievements over educational performance, which can make a

contribution to a lifestyle of instructional neglect among student-athletes.

Additionally, pupil-athletes may be required to wait schooling and

competitions at some stage in college hours, that can result in ignored classes

and academic paintings.

Financial limitations also are a substantial undertaking for student-

athletes in the Philippines. Unlike in a few different countries, there may be no

formal gadget of athletic scholarships inside the Philippines. As a end result,

student-athletes may struggle to find the money for the cost of training,

gadget, and competition costs. The shortage of financial guide may be

particularly challenging for student-athletes from low-profits households, who

can be unable to take part in sports activities and athletics due to financial

constraints.

In the end, student-athletes in the Philippines may face discrimination

and limited opportunities. A few schools may also prioritize male pupil-athletes

over woman student-athletes, or positive sports activities over others. This

can bring about restrained possibilities for some scholar-athletes to participate

within the sports activities and sports in their choice. Additionally, student-

athletes with disabilities may also face precise demanding situations in getting

access to athletic programs and facilities.

The increasing pressure on senior high faculty students in Mindanao to

excel academically has brought about a extensive venture in balancing

educational performance with athletic sports. Pupil-athletes, particularly,

struggle to discover a balance among their academic workload and athletic

commitments. That is specially relevant in Mindanao, in which sports are an

quintessential a part of many college students' lives. The problem is

compounded with the aid of the shortage of assets and aid for scholar-

athletes, which could lead to strain and burnout.

To higher apprehend the demanding situations faced by using scholar-

athletes in Mindanao, examine by Canencia and Pascua (2018) examined the

elements that make a contribution to their fulfillment in balancing instructional

and athletic responsibilities. The look at aimed to identify the demanding

situations faced by means of scholar-athletes and the techniques they used to

manipulate their academic workload and athletic commitments correctly. The

study found that the primary challenge faced by student-athletes was the lack
of time to balance their academic and athletic responsibilities. Student-

athletes have to attend regular classes, complete their academic

assignments, attend practice sessions, and participate in competitions, which

can leave them with little time for rest and recreation. Additionally, the study

highlighted the importance of support from parents, coaches, and schools in

helping student-athletes balance their academic and athletic commitments

effectively. The study emphasized the need for schools and sports

organizations to provide student-athletes with the necessary support and

resources, including academic and mental health support, flexible schedules,

and mentorship programs, to help them manage their academic workload and

athletic commitments effectively.

While research on the challenges faced by student-athletes in

balancing athletic activities and academic performance exists, there is a gap

in the literature regarding the specific experiences of senior high school

students in this regard. Most studies have focused on university student-

athletes such as Academic Performance, Psychological Well-Being, and

Physical Health, but there is a need to explore the experiences of younger

athletes who are still in the process of shaping their identities and academic

paths. This study aims to fill this gap by using phenomenology to reveal the

lived experiences of senior high school students in balancing their athletic

activities and academic performance. By understanding these experiences,

educators, coaches, and parents can develop interventions and support

systems that address the unique needs of these young athletes.

 Also, the researcher planned to distribute this study's findings to the

faculty meetings, institutional meetings, institutional research forums, local,

national, and international research forums, and research publications.

Research Question

This study aimed to understand the student-athletes’ lived experiences

balancing athletic activities and academic performance. The researcher

depends on the research question stated below. Specifically, this study

sought answers the following questions:

1. How do senior high school students experience and perceive the balance

between athletic activities and academic performance?

1.1 Are there any factors that affect you to balance athletic activities

and academic performance, such as the type of sport they play or the

academic workload they have?

1.2 How do you prioritize between athletic activities and academic

performance, and what are the potential consequences of prioritizing one over

the other?

2. What are the individual, interpersonal, environmental, and cultural factors

that shape their experiences and perceptions?

2.1 How do different factors (individual, interpersonal, environmental,

and cultural) impact your ability to balance athletics and academics?

2.2 Can schools and communities help address these factors, and if

so, how?

3. How do senior high school students navigate the tension between their

desire to participate in athletic activities and their academic goals?

 3.1 Do you students tend to view athletic activities and academic goals

as conflicting priorities, or do they believe that these goals can be

mutually supportive?

3.2 What are some potential consequences of navigating the tension

between athletic activities and academic goals, and how can you manage

these consequences in a healthy way?

Theoretical Lens

This study was anchored in one theory, namely the Self-Determination

Theory, that structure and guide the researcher in understanding the lived

experiences of senior high school students balancing academic performance

and athletic activities.

Self-dedication theory (SDT) proposes that people have 3 essential

psychological wishes: autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Deci & Ryan,

2008). Whilst those desires are met, individuals are much more likely to revel

in intrinsic motivation. Applying SDT to the context of senior excessive school

students balancing academic and athletic hobbies can help to discover how

assembly or failing to meet those simple mental wishes influences students'

motivation, engagement, and reports in each domain. This could offer insights

into the factors that make a contribution to pupil engagement and

achievement in those domain names, and how schools and educators can aid

college students in attaining their goals.

Preceding research has used SDT to understand motivation and

engagement in bodily education and sports activities contexts, including

through the improvement of the sport Motivation Scale (SMS) to measure

intrinsic, extrinsic, and amotivation in sports activities (Pelletier et al., 1995),

and a model of contextual motivation in bodily education that consists of

constructs from each SDT and fulfillment goal concept (Standage, Duda, &

Ntoumanis, 2005). Through applying SDT to the context of senior high college

students balancing academic and athletic hobbies, this look at can construct

in this preceding work and enlarge the know-how of how primary

psychological wishes effect motivation and engagement in this context.

Research making use of SDT in educational contexts has additionally

shown that autonomy-supportive coaching practices and environments can

beautify motivation and gaining knowledge of outcomes (Vansteenkiste et al.,

2004). By exploring how students revel in autonomy, competence, and

relatedness within the context of balancing educational and athletic pastimes,

this observe can contribute to the improvement of greater powerful and

supportive instructional practices and environments for students in

comparable contexts. By using SDT as a theoretical lens, this study can offer

insights into the factors that impact pupil engagement and achievement in

each educational and athletic domain names, and how schools and educators

can higher aid students in achieving their dreams (Deci & Ryan, 2008).

Importance of the study

The take a look at on the lived reports of senior excessive school

college students balancing instructional overall performance and athletic

sports is essential for numerous motives. Firstly, it sheds mild at the

demanding situations that scholars face in accomplishing balance between

lecturers and sports activities. By means of knowledge the factors that make

contributions to educational and athletic fulfillment, educators and coaches

can expand strategies to assist students gain their goals.

Secondly, the have a look at highlights the importance of assisting

pupil athletes in their academic hobbies. Student athletes often face unique

challenges inclusive of long exercise hours and competitions that do away

with from look at time. Expertise those challenges and developing aid

structures can help ensure that scholar athletes are capable of perform nicely

each on the sector and in the classroom.

Finally, the study contributes to the developing frame of research on

self-dedication principle, which posits that individuals are stimulated to gain

desires based totally on their inherent psychological desires for autonomy,

competence, and relatedness. By way of expertise how self-determination

concept applies to scholar athletes, educators and coaches can broaden

interventions that promote intrinsic motivation, leading to increased academic

and athletic fulfillment.

Overall, the look at on the lived studies of senior high college students

balancing educational performance and athletic activities is essential for

promoting the achievement and nicely-being of student athletes inside the

Philippines, as well as for advancing our information of self-dedication theory

within the context of sports and training.

Delimitation and Limitation of the Study

 The delimitations of this take a look at encompass its focus entirely on

senior excessive faculty students within the Philippines who are worried in

athletic activities even as also seeking to preserve their instructional overall

performance. Additionally, the look at concentrates on the students' studies

and does not take into account the angle in their father and mother, coaches,

or teachers. Subsequently, it's far a qualitative study and does now not goal to

provide generalizable outcomes.

The restrictions of the examined consist of the possibility of selection

bias, as individuals have been decided on primarily based on their availability

and willingness to participate. Social desirability bias is also a opportunity, as

individuals can also offer responses which can be deemed socially perfect in

preference to their real reports. Subsequently, the take a look at became

conducted for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may also have

encouraged the students' studies and perceptions of balancing instructional

and athletic activities.

While the delimitations and barriers offer a few restrictions to the

observe, they serve to provide a clearer knowledge of the boundaries inside

which the studies are conducted. Knowledge these restrictions can help to

contextualize the findings and can help manual destiny studies in this vicinity.

Definition of terms
 Lived experiences. Refers to the unique and personal experiences of

an individual, shaped by their interactions with the world around them.

Senior high school students. Refers to students in the final two years

of high school education in the Philippines.

Academic performance. Refers to a student's level of achievement in

their academic pursuits, as measured by grades, test scores, or other

indicators of success.

Athletic activities. Refers to any form of physical activity or sport that

requires skill, coordination, and physical exertion.

Phenomenology. A qualitative research approach that aims to

understand the essence of a phenomenon as it is experienced by individuals.

It focuses on the subjective experiences and perspectives of participants.

Self-determination theory. A theory of human motivation that

proposes that people have three basic psychological needs: autonomy,

competence, and relatedness, and that these needs must be fulfilled in order

to promote well-being and optimal functioning.

Review of Related Literature

Athletic Performance

Athletic performance is a crucial aspect of the lives of many young

people. Lupo et al. (2019) conducted a scientific assessment of the literature

on the connection between bodily hobby and academic achievement in teens.

The authors discovered that ordinary bodily pastime become related to higher
academic fulfillment, especially in phrases of cognitive features which include

attention and reminiscence. This locating suggests that there may be a nice

dating between athletic overall performance and academic success.

The variety of participants in excessive faculty athletic programs is

likewise an applicable component in know-how the significance of athletic

performance. Consistent with Statista (2021), the variety of excessive college

students participating in athletic programs in the united states has remained

tremendously stable over the past decade. This shows that athletic overall

performance is a commonplace revel in amongst high faculty students, and

that its potential effect on academic overall performance must be carefully

taken into consideration.

The countrywide Federation of country high college associations

(2021) gives information on the participation quotes of various sports in the

U.S.A. The survey observed that the 3 maximum popular sports for boys had

been football, song and area, and basketball, even as the three maximum

famous sports for ladies had been tune and discipline, volleyball, and

basketball. Those findings recommend that the impact of athletic performance

on instructional achievement can be unique depending at the specific

recreation and gender of the scholar.

The significance of athletic overall performance is also contemplated in

global policy initiatives. The United countries (2018) covered "pleasant

training" and "desirable fitness and nicely-being" as two of the seventeen

Sustainable development dreams (SDGs). Those desires highlight the

interdependence of various factors of human development, which includes

academic success and physical health. The world fitness corporation (2018)

also launched an international action Plan on physical hobby, which

emphasizes the importance of bodily activity for basic health and well-being.

Those coverage initiatives advise that athletic overall performance should be

considered as a multidimensional issue of youngsters’ development, with

potential implications for academic success

Overall, the literature indicates that athletic overall performance can be

associated with higher instructional fulfillment, especially in phrases of

cognitive functions consisting of attention and reminiscence. The range of

students collaborating in high college athletic packages, the popularity of

particular sports activities, and international coverage tasks additionally

highlight the importance of athletic overall performance as a multidimensional

issue of adolescent development.

Academic Performance

Academic performance is an essential aspect of an excessive faculty

scholar's life, as it's far a major determinant of their destiny achievement in

better training and workforce. Numerous studies were performed to analyze

the factors that influence academic performance in high school students. One

such study by Du and Xu (2013) tested the connection among self-efficacy

and academic overall performance in a pattern of Chinese excessive school

college students. The authors determined that self-efficacy changed into

definitely associated with educational performance, indicating that students

who believed in their capacity to perform well academically were much more

likely to reap higher grades.

 Any other component that has been located to steer educational

performance in high college students is parental involvement. In a study

conducted by way of Fan and Chen (2011), parental involvement was

positively correlated with academic overall performance in a pattern of

Chinese high college students. The authors recommend that parental

involvement can offer college students with emotional help, motivation, and an

experience of accountability, that could lead to higher educational

consequences.

In addition to self-efficacy and parental involvement, the connection

between academic overall performance and sleep has additionally been

explored. A take a look at by Gruber et al. (2013) investigated the association

among sleep length and educational performance in a pattern of Canadian

high faculty college students. The authors determined that scholars who

suggested shorter sleep durations had decrease grades, suggesting that

insufficient sleep may also impair cognitive functioning and negatively impact

educational overall performance.

A study by Kusurkar et al. (2011) tested the relationship among study

techniques and educational performance in a pattern of Dutch excessive

college students. The authors discovered that students who employed deep

processing techniques, such as summarizing and paraphrasing, had better

educational success in comparison to those who used floor-stage processing

techniques, inclusive of memorization. This shows that teaching students

powerful look at techniques might also enhance their educational overall

performance.
 Eventually, a examine by Reyes and Brackett (2012) investigated the

connection between emotional intelligence and academic performance in a

sample of yank high college students. The authors observed that emotional

intelligence become definitely correlated with educational performance,

indicating that students who have been able to alter their emotions and

construct wonderful relationships with others have been much more likely to

be successful academically.

Average, these researches highlight the significance of different factors

in influencing educational overall performance in high faculty college students.

With the aid of knowledge those elements, educators and mother and father

can better guide students in their instructional pursuits and assist them gain

their complete potential.

Time Management

Time management is a critical skill that enables individuals to use their

time effectively to achieve their goals. According to Gokcen and Sahin (2018),

time management is defined as the process of organizing and planning how

much time to spend on specific activities to achieve a desired outcome.

Effective time management can help individuals increase their productivity,

reduce stress, and achieve their academic and personal goals. However, poor

time management skills can lead to procrastination, missed deadlines, and

increased stress levels (Gokcen & Sahin, 2018).

Several studies have explored the relationship between time

management and academic performance among college students. For

example, a study conducted by Gakhar, Singh, and Kaur (2014) found that
effective time management skills were positively correlated with academic

achievement. Another study by Yilmaz and Inan (2018) reported that students

who used effective time management strategies had higher GPAs compared

to students who did not. These findings suggest that time management is an

important predictor of academic success among students.

Moreover, time management is not only important for academic

success but also for athletes' performance. A study by Christakou et al. (2019)

found that athletes who effectively managed their time reported less stress

and better performance. The study highlighted the importance of time

management skills in achieving optimal performance in sports.

Despite the importance of time management, many students struggle

to manage their time effectively. A study by Tariq and Naseer (2018) reported

that poor time management skills were a significant predictor of academic

stress among university students. This highlights the need for interventions to

improve time management skills among students. In recent years, several

interventions, such as time management training programs and mobile

applications, have been developed to help students improve their time

management skills (Gokcen & Sahin, 2018). However, further research is

needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in improving time

management skills and academic performance among students.

Overall, time management is a critical skill that can impact both

academic and athletic performance. The literature suggests that effective time

management skills are positively correlated with academic and athletic

performance, while poor time management skills can lead to negative

outcomes such as procrastination and increased stress levels. Therefore, it is

essential for educators, coaches, and students to prioritize time management

skills and to develop interventions that can help students improve their time

management abilities.

Motivation

Motivation is a critical factor in determining an individual's success in

academic and professional settings. According to Vallerand and Ratelle

(2013), motivation can be defined as "the process whereby goal-directed

activity is instigated and sustained" (p. 63). There are several theories that

attempt to explain motivation, such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-

determination theory, and achievement goal theory.

One study by Hwang and Lim (2011) examined the relationship

between motivation and academic achievement among Korean students. The

study found that intrinsic motivation, which is driven by internal factors such

as interest and enjoyment, was positively correlated with academic

achievement. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation, which is driven by

external factors such as rewards and punishment, was negatively correlated

with academic achievement.

Another study by Hu and Adey (2002) investigated the impact of

motivation on learning outcomes in science education. The study found that

students who were highly motivated had better learning outcomes, including a

greater understanding of scientific concepts and improved problem-solving

skills. The study also found that motivation was positively related to students'

self-efficacy, or their belief in their ability to succeed.

 In a more recent study, Gao et al. (2021) examined the role of

motivation in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found

that students' motivation was positively correlated with their engagement in

online learning activities and their satisfaction with the online learning

experience. The study also found that students who were more intrinsically

motivated were better able to adapt to the online learning environment.

Overall, these studies suggest that motivation is a critical factor in

determining academic and professional success. Intrinsic motivation appears

to be more effective than extrinsic motivation, and motivation is positively

related to learning outcomes and self-efficacy. With the increasing importance

of online learning and remote work, understanding the role of motivation in

these settings is becoming more crucial.

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation refers to the process of monitoring, controlling, and

directing one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to achieve a desired

goal. It is an essential skill that can impact various aspects of life, including

academic performance, career success, and mental health (Hofmann,

Schmeichel, & Baddeley, 2012). Recent research has shed light on the

importance of self-regulation in achieving success in various domains.

According to a study by Duckworth and Seligman (2005), self-

regulation is a crucial factor in determining academic success. They found

that students who were better at self-regulating their thoughts and behaviors

had higher GPAs and were more likely to graduate from college. Additionally,

a recent study by Miyake and colleagues (2021) demonstrated that self-

regulation skills predict academic achievement above and beyond IQ and

other cognitive abilities.

In addition to academic success, self-regulation is also critical for

career success. A study by Kremenitzer and colleagues (2010) found that

self-regulation skills were positively related to job performance in a sample of

police officers. Similarly, a study by Hou and colleagues (2019) demonstrated

that self-regulation positively predicted job satisfaction and work engagement

in a sample of Chinese employees.

Self-regulation also plays a vital role in mental health. Research has

shown that individuals with poor self-regulation skills are more likely to

experience symptoms of depression and anxiety (Aldao et al., 2010). In

contrast, individuals who are better at regulating their emotions are less likely

to experience psychological distress (Gross & John, 2003). Furthermore, a

recent study by Teo and colleagues (2022) demonstrated that self-regulation

interventions can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and

anxiety among college students.

Despite the importance of self-regulation, it is a skill that many

individuals struggle with. A recent meta-analysis by De Ridder and colleagues

(2020) found that self-regulation interventions can be effective in improving

self-regulation skills, but the effects are often small. However, the authors

note that interventions that target specific components of self-regulation (such

as goal-setting or emotion regulation) may be more effective than

interventions that target self-regulation as a broad construct.

 Overall, self-regulation is a critical skill that can impact various aspects

of life, including academic performance, career success, and mental health

(Hofmann et al., 2012). The latest research emphasizes the importance of

self-regulation in achieving success in these domains and highlights the

potential benefits of interventions aimed at improving self-regulation skills.

Organization of the Study

In the first chapter of this research, we discussed the background of

the study, its purpose, the research questions, theoretical lens, importance of

the study, limitation, delimitation, definition of terms, and the review of related

literature.

In the second chapter, we provided details about the research design,

approaches, methods used, method of selecting the participants, data

sources, the procedures for gathering data, interview procedure, data

analysis, the trustworthiness of the study, and ethical considerations.

In the third chapter, the results and transcript were carefully presented

and analyzed with codes and pseudonyms to maintain the anonymity of the

participants.

In the fourth chapter, we laid down the interpretations, implications of

the findings, as well as the concluding remarks.

 CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

The relevant techniques and methodologies employed in this

qualitative investigation are covered in this chapter. The research design,

research participants, data sources, collection, analysis, the validity of the

study, and ethical consideration were all given important attention before

drafting the research plan, which is also detailed in this chapter.

Research Design

The objective of this study is to delve into the encounters of high school

seniors who juggle their academic excellence with athletic engagements. In

order to attain this feat, our team will employ a phenomenological method. As

described by Creswell (2014), phenomenology is a qualitative research

system that endeavors to grasp the perceptions of individuals concerning an

occurrence. This particular approach suits our study because it empowers us

to gain insight into every student's individuality and diverse encounters as

they attempt to manage both academics and athletics in a harmonious

fashion.

This academic investigation intends to enlist senior high school

students who have demonstrated prowess in athletics while upholding

commendable academic achievement. In the pursuit of data, there will be a

semi-structured interview that aims at understanding the experiences of these

students as they strive to balance their athletic engagements and scholarly

commitments. Beyond this, the questionnaire will queries on the techniques

used by each participant in time management and how engaging in athletic

activities has affected their academics positively or negatively. Subsequently,

a careful analysis of gathered responses using Van Manen's

phenomenological reduction approach espoused in his 1990 work shall

ensue.

The employment of a phenomenological approach is most fitting for

this investigation considering its power to offer an enhanced perception of

how the phenomena being studied are experienced by students. With

individual experiences as a focal point, we can pinpoint common themes and

patterns that emerge. Moreover, Strauss and Corbin (1998) state that

phenomenology presents us with a basis for comprehension when it comes to

how individuals make sense out of their own personal occurrences.

To culminate, the present research endeavor will be conducted using a

phenomenological perspective to examine the everyday realities of high

school students at vocational level who are managing their school-related

duties while engaging in sports activities. In an attempt to gather relevant

data, customized interviews featuring more open-ended questions will be

administered, and employing phenomenological reduction methods, this

information will be inspected thoroughly. Through unraveling how these

students navigate their academic efforts amidst participating in athletic

programs simultaneously with inherent challenges that accompany it; insights

obtained from this study may profoundly impact schemes targeted toward

facilitating and elevating academic excellence alongside cultivation of sporting

interests.
Research Participants

The research participants for this study will be senior high school

students from various schools in the Philippines who are actively participating

in sports activities while maintaining their academic performance. The

participants will be recruited through purposive sampling, and the inclusion

criteria will be students who are in their senior year, currently participating in a

sports team or activity, and have maintained at least a satisfactory academic

performance in their previous school year.

Participants will be informed about the study's purpose, confidentiality,

and voluntary nature. They will also be asked to sign an informed consent

form before participating in the study. The participants will be assured that

their anonymity will be protected, and all data collected will be used for

research purposes only.

Moreover, to ensure that the participants' rights and welfare are

protected, ethical considerations will be taken into account. Confidentiality and

privacy will be ensured by using pseudonyms for the participants and storing

all collected data in a secure location accessible only to the research team.

Furthermore, the research team will adhere to the ethical principles of

informed consent, voluntary participation, and confidentiality throughout the

entire research process.

Data Sources

The data sources for this study include semi-structured interviews,

focus group discussions, and relevant documents such as academic and

athletic records of the participants. Semi-structured interviews will be

conducted with senior high school students who have experience in balancing

their academic performance and athletic activities. Focus group discussions

will be organized with coaches, teachers, and parents of the participants to

gain insights on their perspectives and experiences in supporting and guiding

the students in achieving balance. Relevant documents such as academic

and athletic records will be used to supplement and triangulate the data

gathered from interviews and focus group discussions. The use of multiple

data sources will help ensure the credibility and dependability of the findings

of this study. All data will be collected with the necessary ethical

considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality.

Data Collection

In order to gather and analyze data for this study, the researchers

chose to use a mixed-methods approach. Initially, they conducted a survey of

senior high school students, focusing on quantitative information related to

their educational achievements as well as physical prowess. To achieve this

goal, the researchers utilized the High School Athletics Participation Survey

designed by the National Federation of State High School Associations

(2021), which was distributed amongst top-tier schools in Metro Manila,

Philippines. The resulting questionnaire responses were analyzed through

various descriptive methods to produce statistics that would aid in further

analysis.
 Utilizing an innovative methodology, this study incorporated individual

interviews to glean qualitative insights into the demanding lives of high school

seniors juggling academic commitments alongside athletic engagements.

Specifically targeting a cohort of successful student-athletes via purposive

sampling, the semi-structured interviews were guided by a bespoke protocol

designed for that very purpose. Notably, comprehensive audio recordings

were meticulously transcribed and subsequently processed through thematic

analysis (as delineated by Braun and Clarke [2006]), streamlining data

analysis efforts.

Through the utilization of assorted research methodologies, the inquiry

delved into procuring all-inclusive qualitative data regarding the difficulties that

arise for upperclassmen in managing their scholarly responsibilities while

simultaneously participating in sports activities. One such methodology

employed was focus group discussions (FGDs), which involved engaging a

deliberate sample of gifted high school athletes who consistently met

commendable academic standards. During these FGDs, interrogators utilized

customized yet methodically-arranged prompts derived from initial research

queries. A recorded transcription was produced and subsequently scrutinized

utilizing thematic analysis procedures outlined by Braun & Clarke (2006).

Our research involved incorporating both qualitative and quantitative

approaches in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of high school

seniors' encounters with the challenge of managing their educational goals

along with athletic undertakings. From the numeric data collected through

surveys, insightful interpretation on these pupils' academic endeavors as well

sporting accomplishments was gleaned; while from the interviews conducted

individually and group conversations held, we were privy to hear accounts rich

in subjectivity that added depth to our analyses. Incorporating different

methods allowed for comparative evaluation of information resulting in

increased reliability and legitimacy, which Creswell (2014) acknowledges as

vital criteria for robust research outcomes.

Data Analysis

The data collected from the IDI and FGD were transcribed verbatim

and analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis is a method for

identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns within data that is commonly

used in qualitative research (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The analysis process

began with the research team reading through the transcripts to gain a

general understanding of the data. The researchers then identified initial

codes that represented important aspects of the data related to the research

questions. These codes were reviewed and refined to identify themes, which

were then organized into a coherent framework that reflected the participants'

experiences. The research team ensured that the themes were consistent

with the data by reviewing the transcripts multiple times.

To enhance the trustworthiness and rigor of the analysis, the

researchers employed several techniques. First, member checking was

conducted by providing participants with summaries of the themes identified in

the data and asking them to provide feedback on the accuracy of the themes.

Second, peer debriefing was used, where the researchers presented their
findings to other researchers to obtain feedback and validation of the analysis.

Finally, an audit trail was maintained, which documented the analysis process

and decision-making throughout the study.

The use of thematic analysis in this study allowed for the identification

of key themes related to the lived experiences of senior high school students

balancing academic performance and athletic activities. The themes provide

insight into the challenges and strategies used by students in managing their

academic and athletic commitments. The findings of this study contribute to

the existing literature on the experiences of student-athletes and can inform

the development of interventions and policies to support their well-being and

success.

Trustworthiness of the Study

Gunawan (2020) explained that a research study is considered

trustworthy based on the judgment of its audience. He further categorized

trustworthiness into four aspects, namely: credibility, dependability,

transferability, and confirmability.

Credibility. The researcher took into account the viewpoints of the ten

key informants and seven focus group participants through their interviews,

which demonstrated the reliability of their experiences in describing the

phenomenon under investigation. The informants were also given the chance

to review the interview results to verify the data obtained. Moreover, the

researcher employed various measures to prevent bias and maintain the

quality, honesty, and proper organization of data, including self-monitoring,

rigorous record-keeping, and timely transcribing and coding of data. Korstjens

& Moser (2018) describe credibility as the establishment of research results

that present reliable information from the participants.

Transferability was established by applying the results and findings to

other resources to strengthen reading and serve as references. The

experiences of the instructors were used to appreciate the context of the

research, which could guide readers in applying the findings in other contexts.

Transferability, which refers to external validity, was ensured by examining the

degree to which the phenomena described in the study could be useful in

practice, theory, and future research. Future researchers can replicate this

work because the details are well-explained and presented comprehensively,

as highlighted by Morrow (2005). The study's conclusions can be applied to

related situations.

Confirmability refers to the degree to which the researcher's

interpretations and results are objective and supported by the data. To ensure

confirmability in this study, the researcher utilized an audit trail to document

the research process, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

The researcher also ensured the confidentiality of the participants by keeping

their records secure and verifying their pseudonyms through their signatures.

An auditor then reviewed the audit trail with the original transcripts and

documents to verify the accuracy of the findings. The researcher signed a

verification letter to confirm the dependability and confirmability of the

research. The use of an audit trail and an external auditor enhances the

confirmability of the study by providing an objective review of the research

process and results. (Nowel et al., 2017).

Role of the Researcher

According to Creswell (2014), the role of the researcher in qualitative

research involves an interactive and dynamic process with the participants,

with the aim of discovering and interpreting their lived experiences. The

researcher is considered a data collection instrument, as they collect and

analyze data based on their observations, experiences, and biases. The

researcher's role in this study was to ensure that the data collected was

comprehensive, accurate, and reliable, as well as to analyze and interpret the

data to answer the research questions. The researcher used their

experiences, skills, and knowledge to explore the participants' perspectives

and provide a rich description of their lived experiences. The researcher's role

was also to establish trust and rapport with the participants, provide an ethical

framework for the study, and ensure that the research process was rigorous

and systematic.

In this study, the researcher played a crucial role in establishing rapport

and trust with the participants. This was done by introducing themselves,

explaining the purpose of the study, and obtaining informed consent. The

researcher ensured that the participants understood the nature of the study

and their roles in it. The researcher also made efforts to establish a non-

threatening environment for the participants to share their experiences freely.

According to Merriam and Tisdell (2016), establishing trust with participants is

essential in qualitative research because it promotes openness, honesty, and

depth of responses.
 Furthermore, the researcher was responsible for ensuring that ethical

principles were followed throughout the study. The researcher obtained

ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and ensured that

the participants' confidentiality was maintained. The researcher also obtained

written consent from the participants before the study began. The researcher

provided the participants with the option to withdraw from the study at any

time if they felt uncomfortable or if they did not wish to continue. According to

Denzin and Lincoln (2017), ethics are fundamental in qualitative research

because it promotes respect for participants and ensures that the research

process is conducted in a fair and just manner.

Ethical Consideration

The ethical aspects of the study were taken care of by submitting it to

the UIC-REC for review and following their standardized protocol. Prior to the

study, I obtained complete consent from the participants and ensured that

their privacy was protected through confidentiality measures.

Informed Consent: Informed consent is the cornerstone of ethical

research practice. The study ensured that participants provided voluntary

informed consent after they were fully informed about the study's nature,

purpose, and procedures. The consent form contained all necessary

information, such as the researcher's contact information, the study's purpose

and objectives, the data collection process, confidentiality, and participants'

right to withdraw from the study at any time.

Confidentiality. The study protected participants' confidentiality by not

disclosing their identities in the report. Instead, participants were assigned

pseudonyms to maintain their anonymity. The researcher ensured that any

data collected would not be made public or disclosed to any third party,

except for the study's purposes.

Anonymity. The study ensured that participants remained anonymous

throughout the research process. The researcher assigned pseudonyms to

participants and avoided using any personal identifiers that could reveal their

identities. The use of pseudonyms ensured that participants' identities were

kept confidential, and their privacy was respected.

Respect for participants. The study showed respect for participants

by recognizing their autonomy and providing them with a safe and

comfortable environment to share their experiences. The researcher

established trust and rapport with the participants, ensuring that they felt

valued and appreciated.

Beneficence. The study aimed to benefit the participants and the wider

society by contributing to the knowledge base on the challenges that students

face in balancing academic performance and athletic activities. The

researcher ensured that participants' experiences were accurately

represented in the report and that their voices were heard.

Non-maleficence. The study ensured that participants were not

harmed physically or psychologically in any way. The researcher avoided

asking sensitive or invasive questions that could cause distress to the

participants. The researcher also provided participants with the option to

withdraw from the study at any time if they felt uncomfortable or distressed.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval. The study obtained

ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before the study

began. The IRB ensured that the study's ethical standards were met, and

participants' rights were protected. The IRB also monitored the study to

ensure that it complied with ethical standards throughout the research

process.