Research Design

This study makes use of qualitative research strategy in the sense that there will be no numeric
data produced. The research design is Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
According to Creswell (2013), this form of research approach focuses on the commonality of a
lived experience within a particular group.
The aim of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is to explore in detail how
respondents are making sense of their personal and social world; it attempts to understand
personal lived experiences through collaboration with the participant in a meaning-making
process as opposed to an attempt to produce an objective statement of the event itself. The study
will then be conducted through the use of interviews, which are then transcribed and explored for
themes.

Research Locale and Repondents

IPA involves a detailed interpretative account of the participants’ stories, and the aim is
to be able to say something in detail about the perception and understandings of this particular
group (Smith and Osborn, 2008). This process is demanding and time consuming, thus a small
sample size is recommended; generally five or six participants. Given this small sample size, IPA
usually involves purposive sampling through finding means of closely defined group for whom
the research questions will be significant. Hence this study focuses on LGBTQ members of any
profession in Southern Leyte.

Research Instrument
This study requires a flexible data collection method. Most IPA studies involve a semi-
structure interview and so one will be used in this study. A semi-structured interview will allow
the researchers and the participants to engage in a dialogue. This dialogue will be guided by the
research questions but will not be limited to them. There will be two sets of research questions.
The first questionnaire is researcher-made about Sexual Orientation Formation. The second is an
adapted interview questionnaire about Professionalism Identity Development.

There will be two sets of research questions: Part 1 which will be then by a researcher-made
interview questions based upon Sexual Orientation Formation. Part 2 will then be an adapted
research questions about Professionalism Identity Development.