thesis

How can you say the online reviews you used are reliable?

We know that some reviews online can be fake, but we looked at signs like “verified purchase” and repeated patterns in the comments. These helped us check which reviews were more trustworthy, so the data still worked for the study.

Why did you choose Taytay, Rizal for your research?

Taytay is growing fast in online selling. Many small businesses there use platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook Marketplace. That makes it a great place to study how online reviews affect buyers.

What is the main focus or problem your study wanted to answer?

The study looked at how online reviews affect what customers think. We focused on how both good and bad reviews influence trust, decision-making, and satisfaction when buying online.

Why did you choose to use a qualitative method?

We used qualitative research because we wanted to understand the deeper thoughts and experiences of buyers and sellers. Numbers are helpful, but real stories and opinions gave us richer insights.

How did you select the people you interviewed?

We chose people on purpose — those who were really active in buying or selling online in Taytay. This way, we got responses from people who had real experience, not just guesses.

How did you reduce bias in the answers?

We asked neutral questions and used triangulation — comparing answers from different people to check if they matched. If someone gave a very strong opinion, we checked if others said the same.

What is the most important result you found?

We found that online reviews have a big effect. Good reviews help increase trust and sales, while bad reviews make buyers think twice. Reviews really matter in online shopping.

What do your findings mean for business owners?

Sellers should pay attention to their reviews. If there’s a bad one, they should fix the issue quickly. If it’s good, they can use it to attract more buyers and build trust.

What’s the benefit of this study for consumers?

Buyers can learn to be smarter when reading reviews. Don’t believe everything right away — check if the reviews are verified and if many people say the same thing before deciding.

How can online selling platforms learn from your study?

Platforms can improve how they check for fake reviews. They can also give tools for sellers to reply to feedback properly, so buyers can see honest communication.

What’s one limitation of your study?

The study only covered Taytay, so the results might not apply to other places. Also, since it’s qualitative, there are no exact numbers — just in-depth insights.

What made your data trustworthy?

We used multiple sources and looked for common themes in the answers. We also checked if the reviews were verified. These steps helped us make sure the data was solid.

How does your study help in academics or research?

It adds a local perspective to e-commerce research. Most studies are international, so this gives future researchers a local example, especially from a growing area like Taytay.

What’s your suggestion for government or policymakers?

They should create rules against fake or misleading reviews. For example, punish sellers who post fake reviews and set clear guidelines to protect online shoppers.

What ethical rule did you follow in your research?

We protected the privacy of those who joined. We got their consent and only included people who were willing to share. No one was forced to answer anything.

What was the most challenging part of doing the study?

The hardest part was getting honest answers. Some people didn’t trust us at first. We had to build trust so they would feel safe to share their real experiences.

What’s one practical use of your research for businesses?

Businesses should treat online reviews as part of their marketing. Managing them properly can help increase sales and improve their brand image.

What is your top recommendation?

Sellers should focus on good customer service and handle feedback carefully. If reviews are managed well, customers will trust and support the business more.

If you could improve your study, what would you change?

I would add quantitative data like numbers and statistics. Combining that with the interviews would make the study even stronger and more complete.

What’s the biggest lesson from your research?

Online reviews have a strong impact. If used properly, they can help a business grow. But if ignored, they can damage trust and hurt sales.