Chapter 3 - Methodology

Chapter 3

Methodology

                This chapter includes the research methodology and design, the source of data, instrument used for gathering the needed data, the data gathering procedure, flowchart of the procedures, and statistical treatment used to analyze and interpret findings of the water analysis.

Research Methodology

                The present water analysis employed the pre-experimental design. The independent variable was the type of water, either salt water or fresh water. The dependent variables were the different parameters, namely: coliform, turbidity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and salinity. 

Source of Data

                There was only one source of data used, the primary source, which were the results of the experiments done with the different samples. Coliform was tested by sending the samples to the lab is the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Legazpi City since it is only there that coliform can be tested. To know the turbidity, a secchi disk, which was a disk with four alternating black and white quadrants of 20cm diameter, was lowered until it disappears then that measurement was marked. Then, it is risen until it reappears then it is again marked. These measurements are averaged to get the turbidity. The temperature was gotten by placing the thermometer on the surface of the water. The pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity were gotten using a water sensor device where the sensor was placed in the sample and the reading was recorded. The salinity was tested by means of a hydrometer placed in a graduated cylinder with the sample. The specific gravity is then recorded. Then, the temperature is measured and the results are compared to the scale, the scale which shows the salinity. The salinity is then recorded.

Data Gathering Procedure

                The data was gathered by gathering materials and then following the directions on measuring a) Coliform, b) Turbidity, c) Temperature, d) pH, e) Dissolved Oxygen, f) Conductivity and, g) Salinity.

                Gathering the Materials

1.       Thirty 500 ml bottles

2.       Secchi Disk

3.       Thermometer

4.       Fishing Rod

5.       Water Sensor Device for pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity

6.       Graduated Cylinder

7.       Hydrometer

8.       Scale for Salinity

                Steps in Measuring Coliform

1.       Gather 500 mL bottles and sterilize them.

2.       Gather the sample from the water and place in 500 mL bottles.

3.       Place the bottles with the samples in the ice box to prevent them from expiring.

4.       Send the samples to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Legazpi City so that they can count the coliform.

5.       Record the results once given by DOST.

Steps in Measuring Turbidity

1.       Ride a boat going to a place in the body of water.

2.       Lower the secchi disk in the water until it is not visible anymore. Record this measurement.

3.       Lower the secchi disk 10cm more in the water.

4.       Raise the secchi disk until it is visible again. Record this measurement.

5.       Average the two recorded measurements.

6.       The average will be the turbidity.

Steps in Measuring Temperature

1.       Place the fishing rod connected to the thermometer to the surface of the water.

2.       After 3 minutes, record the temperature.

Steps in Measuring pH

1.       Gather 500 ml bottles and sterilize them.

2.       Gather the sample from the water and place in 500 mL bottles.

3.       Place the bottles with the samples in the ice box to prevent them from expiring.

4.       Place the water sensor device for pH in the sample.

5.       Record the reading on the device when the result is stable already.

Steps in Measuring Dissolved Oxygen

1.       Gather 500 ml bottles and sterilize them.

2.       Gather the sample from the water and place in 500 mL bottles.

3.       Place the bottles with the samples in the ice box to prevent them from expiring.

4.       Place the water sensor device for dissolved oxygen in the sample.

5.       Record the reading on the device when the result is stable already.

Steps in Measuring Conductivity

1.       Gather 500 ml bottles and sterilize them.

2.       Gather the sample from the water and place in 500 mL bottles.

3.       Place the bottles with the samples in the ice box to prevent them from expiring.

4.       Place the water sensor device for conductivity in the sample.

5.       Record the reading on the device when the result is stable already.

Steps in Measuring Salinity

1.       Gather 500 ml bottles and sterilize them.

2.       Gather the sample from the water and place in 500 mL bottles.

3.       Place the samples in a graduated cylinder and place hydrometer on top of the water.

4.       Allow the hydrometer to stabilize.

5.       Record the specific gravity from the hydrometer and remove the hydrometer.

6.       Place thermometer in graduated cylinder and record the temperature.

7.       Compare the specific gravity and temperature to the scale.

8.       Record the salinity.