Polytechnic University of The Philippines: The Problem and Its Background

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 1
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
In the past few years, secretarial tasks involved word processing evolved
from being manual to automatic. In today’s technological age, computers are the
only way to maintain, develop and secure growing and established business.
The computer is trying to change education and tasks dramatically. Currently,
with the help of technology, not only computer itself but also its programs were
persistently continuing to develop from time to time.
Secretaries, especially on education institutions, handled more complex
duties, such as conducting research, preparing reports, creating spreadsheets,
composing correspondence documents, and organizing other secretarial
assignments. Nowadays, secretaries definitely required extensive expertise on
their task performance using word processing, spreadsheet and presentation
program, which are the most frequently used computer programs in every
workplace. They also need the development in their character and attitudes. A
career in business is typically fast-paces, challenging and rewarding. As a result,
offices as well as secretaries have led to assume wider range of technology,
know-how for new responsibilities, and decorous attitude and manner to deal
with the fast-changing office environment.
The goals and objectives of the study, is to transmit knowledge, skills and
competencies through relevant and quality, to discover new knowledge and

technology that is appropriate to the needs in the developing of society, to
produce adequately well trained and equipped graduates with knowledge, skills
and competencies, values, attitude that will satisfy the demand of a constantly
evolving global market in office world.
The reason why this study is being conducted because the students who
conducted this research would also be requiring the same knowledge and skills
as they accomplish this study. It would also help them to familiarize the said skills
and information.
Background of the Study
At present, the technology primarily exists to help secretaries in their daily
tasks, mainly, on works associated with computers. Computers are one of the
greatest inventions of man that aids in almost all activities. It speeds up our labor
and helps to get our work done with a neat and presentable output. Through
computer technology, rapid access of data in almost all aspects, have been
made possible. Various programs and applications can certainly ease their work,
through typing, formatting, editing, encoding, computing, and sorting.
Word processing is the use of document manipulation software in
creating, editing, and printing. Of all computer applications, word processing is
the most common. A special program called a word processor enables you to
create a document, store it electronically on a disk, display it on a screen, modify
it by entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it on a

printer. A spreadsheet is an interactive computer application program for
organization, analysis and storage of data in tabular form. Spreadsheet
developed as computerized simulations of paper accounting worksheets.
A presentation program is a software package used to display information in the
form of a slide show. It has three major functions such as an editor that allows
text to be inserted and formatted, a method for inserting and manipulating
graphic images, and a slide-show system to display the content.
Also secretarial attitude and values is also vital and relevant with the
association on their daily work in the office. Attitudes and job performance also
bond with the changes that occur in the workplace. Proper changes and
development in secretarial attitudes could lead to effective interpersonal
communication and relationship.
This research study aims to measure the secretaries’ job performance
along with the attitude in workplace, literacy and performance with the usage of
the said computer programs on Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main
Campus. Also, this study will distinguish the secretaries’ particular skills,
interests, and goals. The purpose of the study is to investigate dimensions of
secretarial anxiety, eagerness, and curiosity with respect to basic computer
programs. It also aims the future secretaries to keep abreast with technological
changes affecting their workplace.
The Polytechnic University (PUP) is located in Sta. Mesa, Manila, the
city’s business school, and it was founded on October 19, 1904. PUP operates
on three campuses in Manila, along with 21 satellite branches and
campuses/extensions located all over the country. The PUP system is the
largest university in the Philippines by enrollment with 68,249 students in 2013.
PUP is notable for charging the lowest tuition fee among all universities in the
Philippines at 12 pesos per academic unit. The university confers diploma,
bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees, and is broadly organized into its
Graduate School, Open University, 14 colleges, the Laboratory High School and
the Institute of Technology.
All corporations, companies, even institutions highly required employees
with wide expertise, capability and familiarity with technology, generally, those
who buy for the secretarial position. Having broad knowledge and adequate
education in this type of technology, gives advantage to an aspiring corporate
executive in their future career. Secretarial degrees are offered in the
universities, polytechnics and colleges. Secretarial studies programs offered in
universities and colleges gives opportunity to graduates to teach in secondary
schools or source for employment in offices as secretaries. These are especially
from the universities can also function as administrative officers.
In this study, the researchers want to identify the attitude in the workplace
and job performance, and measure the proficiency of selected PUP Main
Campus administrative aide III in word processing, spreadsheet, and
presentation program. This research also wants to lend a hand to the

secretaries, administrative aide, employees, employers, students, and teachers
to distinguish the skills to be emphasized and improve by the secretaries.
Theoretical Framework
The following description is based from the Laws of Learning of Edward
L. Thorndike. This study will bear the expectations of companies’ requirement in
the administrative world by the learning behaviors to the skills needed in the
workplace. These laws ought to discuss the conditions to be encountered in the
actual learning process, namely:
The first law to be considered is the Law of Requirement, states that "we
must have something to obtain or do something." It can be ability, skill,
instrument or anything that may help us to learn or gain something. A starting
point or a “root” is needed. Secretaries need to have actual objects like
computers, photocopying machines or fax machines to do actual work for word
processing, spreadsheet and presentation.
The second is the Law of Primacy. The state of being first often creates
a strong, almost unshakable, impression. Alongside with the arising number of
competition among the applicants in a specific position in a field of work, the first
ones on the list of companies “wants” will be those applicants who belong in the
most youthful ones among them. This is because older ones are, as stated in
the definition above, may have ways of doing work that are sometimes reluctant
to the eyes of the administrative. These are almost in the person’s nature, which
is why their trainings with their instructor should be precise the first time, because
in this law, it states that it is the most impactful.
And lastly, the Law of Exercise that states that those things most often
repeated are best remembered. It is the basis of drill and practice. It has been
proven that people learn best and retain information longer when they have
profound practice and repetition. Every time practice occurs, learning prolongs.
As employees continue to exercise the skills, the more likely these will be
used in their daily tasks and duties. As they are practicing and working on it, it
will be comfortable for them to utilize those skills because these have become
their habit.
Conceptual Framework
The researchers indicate the perceived attitude and proficiency of selected
administrative aide III in PUP Main Campus in word processing, spreadsheet and
presentation.
On the input, researchers include the profile of the respondents such as
age and gender, the secretaries’ attitude toward their workplace and their job
performance along with the level of proficiency of administrative aide III in word
processing, spreadsheet and presentation along with
Along the research, researchers made questionnaires in a survey form, to
know their capabilities in acquiring the office tasks.

The paradigm distinctly shows that we seek to distinguish and measure
and evaluate the abilities and potentials of selected PUP administrative aide III in
the corporate world. Perceptively, secretaries are proven to have wide expertise
in operating those frequently used computer programs. Still, we search for added
and adequate figure to provide the evidence for the proficiency and attitude of
skills required on administrative aide III in Polytechnic University of the
Philippines.
.
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
Profile of respondents:
a. Age
b. Gender Descriptive Research
Assessment of secretarial
attitude towards their job
Administrative aide III attitude performance and their
towards their workplace and Survey questionnaires, workplace.
their job performance data collection, analysis
and interpretation of data.
Use of statistical tools Description of assessed

Proficiency of administrative
level of proficiency of
aide III in: selected administrative
 Frequency
Distribution aide III towards word
a. Word Processing processing, spreadsheet
 Percentage
and presentation.
b. Spreadsheet  Weighted mean
 Anova formula
c. Presentation
program
FEEDBACK
Figure 1
Conceptual Paradigm of the Study

Statement of the Problem
The study is concerned about the secretarial attitude and proficiency
towards word processing, spreadsheet and presentation. This study aims to
answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
1.1 . Age;
1.2 . Gender;
2. What are the secretarial attitude of the respondents towards:
2.1. Workplace;
2.2. Job Performance?
3. What is the level of proficiency of the respondents in:
3.1. Word Processing;
3.2. Spreadsheet;
3.3. Presentation Program?
4. Is there a significant difference between the age of the secretaries
and their attitude and level of proficiency?
5. Is there a significant difference between the gender of the secretaries
and their attitude and level of proficiency?

P O L Y T E C H N I C U N I V E R S I T Y O F T H E P H I L I P P I N E S 10
Hypothesis
There is no significant difference between the age of the respondents and
their attitude and level of proficiency towards word processing, spreadsheet, and
presentation.
There is no significant difference between the gender of the respondents
and their attitude and level of proficiency towards word processing, spreadsheet,
and presentation.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study, namely, “Secretarial Attitude and Proficiency in Word
Processing, Spreadsheet and Presentation Program of the Selected Employees
of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main Campus”, mainly focus on
selected administrative aide III in each department on Polytechnic University of
the Philippines Main Campus. The scope of this research includes the attitude of
administrative aide III in their workplace and job performance and their
proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation.
This research study will not be accommodating administrative aide in
companies which are not mentioned above, other fields/applications other than
the ones cited in the scope, and problems encountered that is not associated in
the field mentioned above.

Significance of the Study
The study is focused on knowing the attitude and proficiency of selected
administrative aide III in Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main Campus
and aims to help them and the future secretaries to improve their skills in
computer programs.
For the administrative aide, it will help them to identify their proficiency in
word processing, spreadsheet and presentation correspondingly in their work
style. Also, encourages them to their work.
For the administration, this will present them ideas to identify the skills
they should obtain for them to become productive in the administrative world.
For the students, they should improve and become familiarized with the
computer programs and also be more optimistic in throwing new information. It
will be an eye opener for them to know how important to learn this programs. And
also, it will be a great help for them in their future career.
For the teachers, it encourages them to improve their teaching skills in
computer programs. Searching and finding new information about computer
programs that is useful for the learning of the students, especially for secretarial
courses.
For the researchers, this may be able to know how the best attitude and
proficiency in computer programs helps the secretaries and the students,
because it is one of the most important skills to acquire in the workplace.

Definition of Terms
The researchers provided some of the important key terms in this
research to help the readers to easily understand the study. The following
definitions were obtained from dictionaries and some were self-defined by the
researchers. These self-defined terminologies were correlated and based on how
it can be used in this study.
Administrative Aide. A person employed to aid an executive, as in a corporate
department, by coordinating such office services and procedures as the
supervision, maintenance, and control of the flow of work and programs,
personnel, budgeting, records, etc., for the entire department.
Attitude. The way the administrative aide thinks and feels about their work
towards their workplace and job performance.
Job Performance. It is defined as the overall expected value from the
secretaries’ behaviors carried out over the given situations and settings.
Presentation program. A software use to display information in the form of slide
show. It is use by the administrative aide in reporting or presenting information
for the company.

Proficiency. It is the advancement in knowledge or skills on a specified work or
job.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines. (PUP) is a coeducational, research
state university located in Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines that was founded on
October 19, 1904.
Spreadsheet. It is use by administrative aide for computation, organizing,
analysis, and storage of data in tabular form. It is an all-purpose problem-solving
tool having built-in functions for calculating relationships and analyzing
information. It consists of grids made up of rows and columns with thousands of
cells or individual boxes formed by the intersections.
Work place. This is the office environment where administrative aides or
secretaries do their required work or tasks.
Word Processing. It is the production of typewritten documents which is usually
automated and computerized with typing and editing equipment. It is the most
frequently used computer program for making documents for administrative aide
and students to do their job easily.

Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter presents foreign literature and local literature as well as local
studies and literature to the study that the researchers would conduct.
Foreign Literature
The (MDC) Michigan Department of Civil Service’ (2008) description of the
job states that employees in this job coordinate office activities and perform
secretarial assignments for professional or management staff in support of the
on-going operations of the office. Secretarial assignments include such duties as
office coordination, scheduling meetings, preparing and maintaining office
records, reports, and correspondence pertaining to the professional(s)'s and/or
management staff's area of responsibility.
Position Code Title – Secretary-E Secretary 7 This is the intermediate
level. The employee performs a range of secretarial assignments in a developing
capacity. Secretary E8 This is the experienced level. The employee performs a
full range of secretarial assignments and uses judgment in making decisions
where alternatives are determined by established policies and procedures, MDC
(2008).
The MDC (2008), says, on the other hand, the Position Code Title o–
Secretary-A Secretary 9 This is the advanced level. The employee performs
advanced secretarial assignments, functioning as a management assistant. At

this level, the employee has increased responsibility in such areas as interpreting
policies and procedures, interpreting the supervisor's point of view, serving as
liaison to staff and higher level management, researching and preparing
materials for managerial decisions, and participating in other management
assistant activities as identified in the Additional Job Duties.
Sharma and Kunar (1998) defined a secretary as a highly qualified person
who possesses not only “master of office skills” but also personality requisites of
the highest order. A secretary must know the scope of authority given and must
discharge the responsibilities that are within that sphere.
According to The Administrative Management Society classifies
secretaries into four categories: Secretary B, Secretary A, Executive
Secretary/Administrative Assistant, and Legal Secretary.
Secretary B performs a limited range of secretarial duties in a small
company or for a supervisor in a large firm. Take dictations and transcribe,
screen calls, make appointments, answers routine correspondence and maintain
filing system. Secretary A performs an unlimited range of secretarial duties for
middle management personnel or more than one individual. Position requires the
knowledge of company policy, procedures, and above average secretarial and
administrative skills. Executive Secretaries/Administrative Assistants performs
full range of secretarial and administrative duties for a high-level member of
executive staff. Position requires an in-depth knowledge of company practice,
structure, and a high degree of technical skills. (p.5)

Many secretaries work in small organizations where the volume of work
may never justify the purchase of expensive word processing equipment.
Secretaries in these offices will at best enjoy typewriters with self-correcting
ribbons, which are helpful in producing neat, original copies.
According to Rorbak (2012), secretaries must possess certain qualities in
order to be successful in their field. These attributes are crucial and will be put to
the test repeatedly in the workplace. Exhibiting some, if not all, of the following
traits will propel a secretary to greatness: approachable, astute, dependable,
detail-oriented, discreet, ethical, hard-working, honest, intelligent, loyal,
knowledge, respectful, and trustworthy.
Word processing, because it has been so widely adopted, has been
perceived as the corner stone or the driving force of the automated office. Wider
text and information processing can evolve from a microcomputer used as a
word processor. For example, it can be linked to an electronic network permitting
documents to be shared within and between school offices or, by using
specialized software; it can carry out complex data processing and informational-
retrieval tasks. By acquiring a spelling checker, documents can be checked for
typing and spelling errors. With the use of a mail merge program, personalized
letters can be prepared for mass mailings such as to the student body
concerning school opening or to parents of graduating seniors informing them
about commencement activities. Integrated software combining word processing

and a data-base program permits the direct transfer of data from the database to
the word processing program.
Wright and Noe (1996) define attitude as a combination of beliefs and
feelings that predispose a person to a certain way. They also wrote that attitude
is a component of three elements the cognitive component (beliefs), the affective
(feelings) and the international component.
Individuals continually form and reshape their attitudes and response to
their experiences with different people, ideas and situations. Attitudes change
because the person holding the attitude learns new information or because the
object of attitude changes.
In having presentation skills of the workers, they should possess the skills
in creating or using the presentation program to the best of their abilities, and
Kyle W. Bell (2015) states the different advantages in using the presentation
program, mainly aiding the presentation skills of the workers by a significant
amount. The benefit of the presentation program does not solely revolve around
the premises of the presentation because it is flexible in the work field, and that is
why workers of the modern era are required to have presentation skills.
Age and gender doesn’t matter in having the same attitude in the
working environment, because as Beth Rifkin’s (2015) article, she lays down the
process of having the right attitude in the office. Having it said, the office etiquette
should now be in mind when it comes to the attitudes in the office, having one set
of standards that all the employees should have, making the age just a number
and the gender just a figure in this case.
OECD (2013), stated that the older individuals have less prior knowledge
when it comes to computer skills, that they only use it with their basic knowledge
like sorting e-mails.
Boys and girls are the same in nature that is what the Psychologist, John
M. Grohol, (2009) argument in his article says. It is emphasized that it is only the
onlooker’s fault in classifying the male from the female that the problem lays on
the eyes of the person. He argues that boys and girls are the same, having the
same feelings and emotions. The findings of this study are supported by the
argument of Grohol (2009) because it shows that there is no significant
difference in the gender of the respondents in accordance with their level of
proficiency.
Local Literature
Sherrie Scott’s (2015) argument about says that technology in the
workplace allows businesses to expand quickly and efficiently. Business
technology such as video conferencing, social networks and virtual office
technology has removed workplace boundaries that previously limited business
expansion. With business technology, companies can target a wider customer
base and grow to higher levels.
“It improves communication,” as Scott (2015) mentions about how

Business technology is important because it improves communication in the
workplace, office workers are not limited to phone calls or inter-office mail to
interact with one another anymore. Electronic mail allows workers to send
messages instantly without interrupting the recipient. Business technology also
improves communication with clients and business partners because information
can be passed through multiple channels almost instantly.
Scott (2015) also talks about how technology improves human capital.
Technology in the workplace improves the efficiency of screening, recruiting and
hiring potential candidates. Businesses utilize the Internet to spread the word
about the organization and advertise job openings. Hiring managers can target
candidates by using digital advertising technology that tracks the websites they
visit. Technology like personality assessments and screening tools allow
businesses to determine whether a potential candidate is an appropriate fit for
the organization.
Office technology saves times by speeding up the work flow process.
Digital filing systems save space, paper and printing costs. The use of computer
systems allows corrections to be made instantly. Resources like electronic files
and access to information technology are available with the click of a button.
Scott (2015) on efficiency lead by technology in the office.
The International Business Machine (IBM) is a forerunner of office
equipment. The micro-computers were originally designed for hobbyists, but later
on, they were designed for big business operations requiring a lot of data. On the
other hand, the mini-computers come in handy for small offices and businesses.
An office professional should always exert so much effort or energy to be
efficient and effective office worker. Effectiveness means producing a desire or
definite result. Efficiency, on the other hand, means producing a desired result
with a minimum of effort, expense, and waste. It is possible to be effective
without being efficient, but the cost may be so great that profit making
organizations must couple effectiveness and efficiency.
It was discussed, by Alegre, et al, on the book Administrative Professional
in the Global Offices (2005, p. 33-34) that efficient workers are productive
workers. He needs to plan and organize his work activities by learning the
effective use of the resources which support his work activities, his time, his work
station, and the office supplies, forms and equipment in the office. Develop a
system which includes organizing the work into logical sequences, scheduling it
to be done and follow up to make sure that it is done properly and on time.
Organizing work actually means organizing time.
Mayhew (2002) stated that secretaries wear a number of hats in the
workplace. They are the executives’ gatekeepers, the first responders for job
seekers looking for open jobs and the employees who have to interact with
practically every worker, regardless of position, title or role. Therefore, in addition
to their computer proficiency, they need core competencies and professional
traits that enable them to perform their job duties. Evaluating a secretary’s job
performance requires fair and objective rating for functional expertise and
balanced feedback concerning core competencies and professional traits.
Foreign Studies
The AOM, or the Administrative Office Management’s, (2005) description
of the job says that it is related to the word administration, which describes the
performance of, or carrying out of, assigned duties.
Administration is also used to refer to a group of persons who execute
those duties, such as the governing board of our school or the top-level
executives of a corporation. Administration is essential to every aspect of
business operations, AOM (2005).
Through computers and telecommunications devices, the AOM says that
the society and businesses have access to networked information from all
around the globe. Instantaneously, you can find local and national news, weather
reports, stock prices and countless forms of educational materials. With a click of
your finger or with a voice command, you can send messages to others or take a
course online.
AOM’s article states that the virtual workplace offers benefits to
organizations such as the opportunity to reduce costs, increase productivity, and
attract and retain employees. These benefits are att5ractive in the face of keen
global business competition. The geographical and time flexibility factors are3
attractive in that employee may no longer need to commute daily to a
conventional office; thanks to technology they are able to send their work along
electronic highways. However, companies are aware3 that there are concerns,
issues, problems and costs to virtual workplace.
In the work of Nathaniel Reade (2013), he said that there is more benefit
in hiring older employees, and in line with the findings of having the bigger
percentage in the age bracket of 41-50, Reade argues that older employees are
ought to have more competence to their work. Being in the empirical state for the
work performance, older employees do, in fact, have more meaningful
experiences in what they should do or not do.
Female employees dominate the office environment in this study, and the
findings are supported by Margot Peppers (2013). In her study, she states that
female workers are more hard-working than those of male workers, because
female workers are more productive than men.
Having the overall findings in the moderately proficient, Adit Ruparel’s
(2014) article supports the findings with his article stating the key uses of the
spreadsheet in the working environment. He argues that workers should be good
at using the advantages of the spreadsheet to its maximum potential, because it
can greatly benefit their working performance because the decision in the office
base upon the data given by the spreadsheet.
Local Studies
According to the study of Vergara, majority of the respondents possess
average computer literacy (77.272%). Both males and females have average
computer literacy (81.25% of the males and 75% of the females)
School administrators were rated “highly satisfactory” by the teachers in
each of the 5 areas of administrative functions and when all administrative
functions were taken as a whole (Gemotra, 2002, p. 93-94). School
administrators were rated “very highly satisfactory” by themselves in planning,
directing, and “highly satisfactory” in organizing, staffing and controlling and
when all functions were taken as a whole. This means that the administrators
performed better at least in one of the five areas of administrative functions.
Educational attainment, area of specialization, present position, and length of
service of teachers were not related to their rating of their rating of their
administrators’ competence.
According to the study of Condat, Euste, et al., (2009, p. 52) The Bachelor
of Office Administration junior students agreed that the most required office skill
in the administrative world is the business correspondence. It also shows that
majority of the students are very good in terms of their effectiveness and
efficiency in the office skills and that they can type at the speed of 45-50+ gwam
accurately.
Therefore, the results shown in this study, is that the Bachelor of Office
Administration junior students can already be employed in the administrative
world since they can encode data accurately at the speed of 45 to 50+ gwam
which is one factor in producing a business correspondence that is required for
office professional to be qualified.

Based on Galera’s study (2002), female coworkers and subordinates were
more efficient than males. Survey shows that the primeval reason why the
respondents were selected in their job was “Educational Qualifications and
Training”. The ability to exercise ones profession or use ones knowledge, made
them happy in their government service.
In the study of Vergara (2005), male respondents have higher computer
proficiency from the computed mean of 4.17 from the 5 areas of proficiency, than
females with 3.90 computed mean of computer proficiency. Majority of male and
female respondents have average level of computer literacy.
The study of Besana shows that most of employees in Jose R. Reyes
Memorial Medical Center are college graduate and belonged to younger and
middle age groups. Respondents’ career satisfaction was generally stated as
very satisfactory. It also shows that facilities, equipment, supply and materials
necessary for the conducts of an effective performance should be provided by
the management.
Synthesis and Relevance of the Reviewed Literature and Studies
Different literature and studies are compiled by the researchers, related to
this study, these literatures and studies support the idea of the study, Secretarial
attitude and proficiency towards word processing, spreadsheet and presentation
skills of the selected employees of PUP Main Campus.

MDC (2008) presented the classifications of the secretaries, that based on
the tasks that they are performing, they can be classified. Thus, giving the study
a perspective to look on, what type of secretaries resides in the Polytechnic
University of the Philippines.
In accordance with the statement of MDC (2015), Sharma and Kunar
(1998), supports his case regarding the classification of secretaries, and adds
that secretaries possess not only “master of office skills” but also personality
requisites of the highest order. A secretary must know the scope of authority
given and must discharge the responsibilities that are within that sphere.
the test repeatedly in the workplace.
Sherrie Scott’s (2015) argument agrees to the statement of Rorbak (2012)
regarding success in secretaries’ work life, and adds that technology in the
expansion. With business technology, companies can target a wider customer
base and grow to higher levels.
The work of Wright and Noe (1996) is about the secretaries’ changing
attitude, that they have a dynamic attitude that changes depending on the person
in front of them. Moreover, their attitude is empirical, mainly stating that it is
based on experiences, that it can also change based on new experiences.
According to the study of Vergara (2005), male workers got a higher mean
when it comes to computer proficiency than of those female workers, but as
Galera’s (2002) study implies, female workers have a higher satisfaction rate
than men, because women find it satisfying that they can put their knowledge
and skills in use, making them happier even in government services.

Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research design, research locale, population
frame scheme, sampling techniques, description of respondents, the research
instrumentation, data gathering procedures, and the statistical treatment of data.
Research Method Used
This study is about the required secretarial computer skills basically used
in the corporate world as perceived by the administrative aide III themselves of
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Main Campus. The researchers used
descriptive method in this research study. According to Glass & Hopkins,
descriptive research involves gathering data that describe events and then
organizes, tabulates, depicts, and describes the data collection. According to the
Oklahoma State University, descriptive method involved range from the survey
which describes the status quo, the correlation study which determines changes
over time. The use of descriptive method enabled the researchers to understand
the nature, characteristics and the thoughts of their respondents together with
their comments and suggestions.
Population and Sample Size
The respondents associated to the study were the employees of
Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main Campus with secretarial position.

The survey was conducted on Main Building; Polytechnic University of the
Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
With regards to the survey information, together with the number of
respondents, there were 8 offices in PUP Main Campus wherein the total number
of administrative aide III was 199. Respondents were chosen based on their
existence on the date when the survey took place.
The researcher choose administrative aide III because they are ranked as
the highest position of administrative aide and they are the most experienced in
their work.
Sampling Technique
The researchers used quota sampling under non-probability sampling.
Based on its definition by Dodge, in quota sampling, the sample is chosen in
such a way that it reproduces an image that is as close as possible to the
population. From the total number of population of the respondents, the
researchers conducted the data gathering procedure on a specific period of time
and the selected administrative aide III who only responded to our survey
questionnaires are considered the actual respondents that became the sources
of primary data.
Also, the researchers utilized quota sampling due to the following reasons:
some of the respondents were not available during the data gathering period; the
employees’ works were confidential, some were not allowed to respond in any
survey questionnaires; and other personal reasons.
Description of Respondents
The respondents of this study are the employees of Polytechnic University
of the Philippines Main Campus. Their position was supposed to be in the
secretarial field. The respondents will be answering the researchers-made
questionnaire that is to be given to them; this will suffice the information needed
for this study.
Instrumentation
The researchers will use survey questionnaire consists of three parts; the
respondents’ profile, the work attitudes of secretaries and the skills involving the
basic computer programs that are commonly used by administrative aides. The
Part I consists of respondents’ profile such as name, age and gender. Part II is a
five point checklist (Strongly Agree, Moderately Agree, Agree, Disagree and
Strongly Disagree) which the secretaries were requested to check the response
to each item that comes closest to their attitude in their workplace and job
performance. Strongly Agree is the highest rate and Strongly Disagree being the
lowest rate. Part III was the proficiency rating questionnaire. The respondents will
rate their skills in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation according to
their agreement. Also, the respondents will rate their proficiency skills according
to their agreement (Highly Proficient, Moderately Proficient, Proficient, Fairly
Proficient, and Poorly Proficient) wherein, Highly Proficient is the highest rate and
Poorly Proficient is the lowest rate.
For Attitudes:
The Verbal Interpretation
Scale Arbitrary Scale Verbal interpretation

1 1.00 1.79 Strongly Disagree (SD)
2 1.80 2.59 Moderately Disagree (MD)
3 2.60 3.39 Agree (A)
4 3.40 4.19 Moderately Agree (MA)
5 4.20 5.00 Strongly Agree (SA)
For Level of Proficiency:
The Verbal Interpretation
Scale Arbitrary Scale Verbal interpretation

1 1.00 1.79 Poorly Proficient (PP)
2 1.80 2.59 Fairly Proficient (FP)
3 2.60 3.39 Proficient (P)
4 3.40 4.19 Moderately Proficient (MP)
5 4.20 5.00 Highly Proficient (HP)
Data Gathering Procedures
This part narrates how the researchers gathered the needed data. The
topic focuses on the attitude and literacy of selected administrative aide III in
PUP Main Campus. To be able to determine the effects on this study the
researchers considered the availability of sources from the library, web pages,
and some relevant studies and literature, which used as a guide.
Then, the researchers-made questionnaire was validated and was later
pre-tested to a small group of sample respondents to examine if it would be able
to give accurate results before it was finally distributed among the actual
respondents of this study. The survey questionnaire was distributed last
September 21-29, 2015, that took place in offices at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor of
the main building, NALLRC building, and on some academic offices in
Polytechnic University of the Philippines. After all data were gathered, it was then
tallied and tabulated for interpretation and analysis using the statistical tools as
identified.
Statistical Treatment of Data
The data gathered were concerned to statistical treatment in order to
answer the questions stated in the study. To analyze the results, the researchers
used descriptive method of research. The instruments used are frequency
distribution, percentage and weighted mean.
1. Frequency Distribution – this is a tabular arrangement of data grouped
in order to determine the number of observations in each interval. Data
are summarized as frequency distribution to make the presentation easy
to understand and to facilitate the analysis.

2. Percentage – it was used by assessing selected secretaries in higher
education institution’s demographic profile. The formula used was:
𝑓
P = 𝑁 x 100
Where: P= percentage
𝑓= frequency
𝑁= number of cases or total sample
3. Weighted mean – an average in which each quantity to be averaged is
assigned a weight. These weightings determine the relative importance of
each quantity on the average. Weightings are the equivalent of having that
many like items with the same value involved in the average.
𝑓
X = 𝑛 x scaled value
Where:
X= weighted mean
𝑓= frequency of respondents
𝑛 = number of respondents
4. In determining the significant differences between the Gender and Age of
the Admin Aide III in terms of their Attitudes and Level of Proficiency.
Anova Formula was used for computing the significance.

Anova Formula:
 y  yj 
2
ij
SSW G
y2 = ij
  MS W G
 nj
j  1 df W G
CHAPTER 4
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This data chapter discussed the presentation, analysis, and interpretation
of data obtained from the respondents.
The first part explained the profile of the respondents. It contained the
Departments of the respondents, age and the gender. The second part is the
secretarial attitude of the respondents.
I. Profile of the Respondents.
TABLE 1
Frequency Distribution and Percentage of the Respondents by Age
AGE FREQUENCY (F) PERCENTAGE (%)

20-30 13 24%
31-40 14 26%
41-50 19 35%
51-ABOVE 8 15%
TOTAL 54 100%
The Data showed that the largest percentage of respondents belong to the
age-bracket of 41-50 years old having 35%, followed by 26% belonging to 31-40
age bracket, 24% belonging to 20-30 age-bracket, 15% for the 51 years old and
above.
In the work of Nathaniel Reade (2013), he said that there is more benefit
in hiring older employees, and in line with the findings of having the bigger
percentage in the age bracket of 41-50, Reade argues that older employees are
ought to have more competence to their work. Being in the empirical state for the
work performance, older employees do, in fact, have more meaningful
experiences in what they should do or not do.
TABLE 2
Frequency Distribution and Percentage of the Respondents by Gender
GENDER FREQUENCY (F) PERCENTAGE (%)

MALE 19 35%
FEMALE 35 65%
TOTAL 54 100%
Table 2 presents the gender distribution of the respondents. Females has
the largest number of respondents with a total number of 35 0r 65% of the
population size; whereas the male respondents were only 19 or 35%.
Female employees dominate the office environment in this study, and the
findings are supported by Margot Peppers (2013). In her study, she states that
female workers are more hard-working than those of male workers, because
female workers are more productive than men.

Table 3
Mean Distribution of the Respondent’s in Workplace
VERBAL
WORKPLACE MEAN
INTERPRETATION
1. I prefer to work in an organized place and
4.84 Strongly Agree
manner.
2. I can easily adapt with the fast changing
4.55 Strongly Agree
workplace
3. I am comfortable working in a crowded
3.54 Moderately Agree
office
4. I am familiar with the structure of the
4.31 Strongly Agree
building
5. I am satisfied with the number of
resources (office equipment, machines, 4.06 Moderately Agree
etc.) found in my office.
6. I like to work in a company with a
competitive environment.
7. I can say that the way the office is built has
an effect on my work.
8. I can properly use all the machines in the
office
9. There is personal enjoyment in the work I
am currently in.
10. I like to keep my desk clean and
4.31 Strongly Agree
organized.
OVERALL MEAN 4.14 Moderately Agree
Table 3 represents the respondents answer on the questions provided
about workplace. The respondents believe that they prefer to work in an
organized place and manner, garnered a mean of 4.84 in which, the verbal
interpretation is strongly agree. Employees tend to be more productive if they are
working in an organized place and manner, employees said that they can easily
adapt with the fast changing workplace accrued a mean of 4.55 with a verbal
interpretation of strongly agree. Employees said that they are familiar enough
with the structure of the building which acquired a mean of 4.31 and an
interpretation of strongly agree, as well as respondents like to keep their desk
clean and organized. A mean of 4.06 that indicates an interpretation of
moderately agree, employees said that they were satisfied in the resources that
are found in their office like office equipment and machines. Employees like to
work in a company with a competitive environment got a mean of 4.03 which is
moderately agree, also, there is personal enjoyment in the work they are
currently in. as They can properly use all the machines in the office amassed a
mean of 3.87 with a verbal interpretation of moderately agree. A mean of 3.85
with an interpretation of moderately agree, the respondents said that the way the
office was built has an effect on their work, employees are comfortable working in
a crowded office which gathered a mean of 3.54 with an interpretation of
moderately agree.
the test repeatedly in the workplace.
Sherrie Scott’s (2015) argument agrees to the statement of Rorbak (2012)
regarding success in secretaries’ work life, and adds that technology in the
expansion.
Table 4
Mean Distribution of the Respondent’s in Job Performance
VERBAL
JOB PERFORMANCE MEAN
INTERPRETATION
1. I prefer to do any work by myself rather than
ask for help.
2 I get irritated when I’m interrupted while
3.32 Agree
working.
3. I can work smoothly even with immense
pressure.
4. I typically feel tensed or stressed out during
3.38 Agree
work hours.
5. I set my standards upon the accomplishment
4.20 Strongly Agree
of tasks.
6. My skills and knowledge fits my position in
this institution.
7. I can set my personality depending on the
position I am currently in
8. I think I perform a seemingly endless range
of secretarial duties.
9. I have the confidence that the quality of
my work is great.
10. I possess in-depth knowledge about the
company’s practices.
OVERALL MEAN 3.90 Moderately Agree
Table 4 signifies the answers on the questions provided about the Job
Performance of the respondents. Respondents set their accomplishment of
tasks, garnered a mean of 4.20 with an interpretation of strongly agree. The
employees said that they need to establish a success about the tasks that they
have. The respondents said that they have confidence in the quality of their work
is great, gathered a mean of 4.13 with a verbal interpretation of moderately
agree. Employees are very confident about the work that they are doing. The
respondents can set their personality depending on the position they were in,
acquired a mean of 4.11 with an interpretation of moderately agree. My skills and
knowledge fits my work on the institution garnered a 4.10 with an interpretation of
moderately agree. The respondents believe that they were very appropriate in
the work in the institution. A mean of 4.03 with a verbal interpretation of
moderately agree the respondents has a thorough knowledge about the
company’s practices. A mean of 3.97 with a verbal interpretation of moderately
agree, the employees think they performed a seemingly endless range of
secretarial duties. The respondents said that they prefer to work by themselves
rather than ask for help garnered a mean of 3.85 with an interpretation of
moderately agree, the employees believe that they can do their work by their
own. A mean of 3.82 with a verbal interpretation of moderately agree, the
respondents can work smoothly even in the immense of pressure. Employees
are typically feel tensed or stressed out during work hours got 3.38 mean which
is agree. The respondents get irritated when they were interrupted while working
acquired a mean of 3.37 with an interpretation of agree, employees were
annoyed when they were disturbed.
According to MDC (2008), presented the classifications of the
secretaries, that based on the tasks that they are performing, they can be
classified. Thus, giving the study a perspective to look on, what type of
secretaries resides in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Table 5
Mean Distribution on Respondent’s Level of Proficiency
in Word Processing
VERBAL
WORD PROCESSING MEAN
INTERPRETATION
1. Creating a document (create new blank,
4.32 Highly Proficient
import files, open non-native files)
2. Navigating through a document (search text, Moderately
4.08
hyperlinks, bookmarks) Proficient
3. Formatting a document (modify page setup,
Moderately
theme, styles, header/footer, watermark, page 4.13
Proficient
number)
4. Customize options and views for documents
(document vies, zoom, quick access toolbar, Moderately
3.82
ribbon, window split, show/hide, assign Proficient
shortcut keys)
5. Configure document to print or save (print
Moderately
setup, file format, saving to remote location, 3.71
Proficient
protecting with passwords)
6. Insert text and paragraphs (attach text to
Moderately
documents, find and replace text, copy and 3.95
Proficient
paste text etc.)
7. Format text paragraphs (font attributes,
Moderately
format painter, paragraph spacing, wordart 3.90
Proficient
etc.)
8. Create a table (table dimension, quick tables, Moderately
3.83
table title) Proficient
9. Create endnotes, footnotes, and citations Moderately
3.21
(location, format, numbering etc.) Proficient
10. Prepare documents for review (tracking, limit Moderately
3.20
authors, restrict editing, mark as final etc.) Proficient
Moderately
OVERALL MEAN 3.81
Proficient
Table 5 shows the answers of the respondents regarding the question
about how proficient they are when using word processing. A mean of 4.32 with
a verbal interpretation of highly proficient, the respondents believe that they were
very capable when creating a document such as creating a new blank, importing
files and opening non-native file. The respondents believe that they were
competent in formatting a document (modify page setup, theme, styles,
header/footer, watermark, page number) which got a mean of 4.13, with a verbal
interpretation of moderately proficient. A mean of 4.08 with an interpretation of
moderately proficient, the employees were skillful when navigating through a
document like searching a text, hyperlinks and bookmarks. The respondents
were competent in inserting text and paragraphs (attach text to documents, find
and replace text, copy and paste text etc.) with a mean of 3.95 which was
interpreted as moderately proficient. A mean of 3.90 with an interpretation of
moderately proficient, the respondents believe that they were capable of in
formatting text paragraphs (font attributes, format painter, paragraph spacing,
wordart etc.). They were skilled in creating a table (table dimension, quick tables,
table title) with a mean of 3.83 which is moderately proficient. A mean of 3.82
with an interpretation of proficient, the respondents believe that they were able to
customize options and views for document (document vies, zoom, quick access
toolbar, ribbon, window split, show/hide, assign shortcut keys). A mean of 3.71
with a verbal interpretation of moderately proficient, the respondents believe that
they were skilled in configuring document to print or save (print setup, file format,
saving to remote location, protecting with passwords). A mean of 3.21 with an
interpretation of moderately proficient, the employees were able to create
endnotes, footnotes and citation (location, format, numbering etc.). The
respondents were able to prepare documents for review (tracking, limit authors,
restrict editing, mark as final etc.) with a mean of 3.20 which was interpreted as
moderately proficient.
TABLE 6
Mean Distribution on Respondent’s Level of Proficiency in Spreadsheet
VERBAL
SPREADSHEET MEAN
INTERPRETATION
Moderately
1. Create worksheets and workbooks 4.14
Proficient
2. Navigate through worksheets and Moderately
4.00
workbooks Proficient
Moderately
3. Format worksheets and workbooks 3.83
Proficient
4. Customize options and views for Moderately
3.61
worksheets and workbooks Proficient
5. Configure worksheets and workbooks to Moderately
3.74
print or save Proficient
Moderately
6. Insert data in cells and ranges 3.65
Proficient
Moderately
7. Format cells and ranges 3.43
Proficient
Moderately
8. Create a table 3.71
Proficient
9. Summarize data with functions (sum,
2.76 Proficient
min/max, count, average functions)
10. Create advanced formulas (if, and/or,
2.67 Proficient
nested functions)
Moderately
OVERALL MEAN 3.56
Proficient
Table 6 indicates the answers to the questions regarding the proficiency of
the respondents when using spreadsheet. Gathered the highest mean of 4.14
and an interpretation of moderately proficient shows that the respondents were
skilled in creating worksheets and workbooks whereas accrued the mean of 4.00
which has the verbal interpretation of moderately proficient appears that the
respondents are capable of navigating through worksheets and workbooks.
Accumulated the mean of 3.83 and an interpretation of moderately proficient
appears that the respondents were able to format worksheets and workbooks.
Accrued the mean of 3.74 with an interpretation of moderately proficient indicates
that the respondents are moderately skilled in configuring worksheets and
workbooks to print or save. Accumulated a mean of 3.71 which was interpreted
as moderately proficient it shows that the respondents were able in creating a
table in spreadsheet. Accrued a mean of 3.65 with a verbal interpretation of
moderately proficient implies that the respondents were skillful in inserting data in
cells and ranges. Gathered a mean of 3.61 with an interpretation of moderately
proficient indicates that the respondents customize options and views for
worksheets and workbooks. Respondents that were able to format cells and
ranges got a mean of 3.43 which is moderately proficient. Accumulated a mean
of 2.76 with an interpretation of proficient implies that the respondents were
capable to summarize data with functions (sum, min/max, count, average
functions). Gathered a mean of 2.67 which was interpreted as proficient, it
indicates that the respondents were skillful in creating advance formulas (if,
and/or, nested functions).
Having the overall findings in the moderately proficient, Adit Ruparel’s
(2014) article supports the findings with his article stating the key uses of the
spreadsheet in the working environment. He argues that workers should be good

at using the advantages of the spreadsheet to its maximum potential, because it
can greatly benefit their working performance because the decision in the office
base upon the data given by the spreadsheet.
TABLE 7
Mean Distribution on Respondent’s Level of Proficiency
in Presentation Program
VERBAL
PRESENTATION MEAN
INTERPRETATION
1. Create a presentation 3.99 Moderately Proficient
2. Format a presentation using slide masters 3.61 Moderately Proficient
3. Customize presentation options and views
(page setup, view in color/gray scale, 3.39 Proficient
presentation properties)
4. Configure presentations to print or save 3.57 Moderately Proficient
5. Insert and format slides (add, duplicate,
3.50 Moderately Proficient
hide, delete slides)
6. Insert and format shapes (modify shape
backgrounds, borders, resize/insert 3.31 Proficient
shape)
7. Insert and format tables/charts (create,
2.72 Proficient
modify, and import)
8. Apply transitions and animations 2.88 Proficient
9. Merge content from multiple presentations
(merge presentation, reuse slides from
2.75 Proficient
other presentation, view multiple
presentation)
10. Protect and share presentations
(password, proof, compress, restrict 2.14 Fairly Proficient
presentations)
OVERALL MEAN 3.19 Proficient
Table 7 specifies the answers to the question about the proficiency of the
respondents when using presentation. Accumulated a mean of 3.99 with a verbal

interpretation of moderately proficient, it shows that the respondents were skillful
in creating a presentation. Accrued a mean of 3.61 with an interpretation of
moderately proficient, it implies that the employees were able to format a
presentation using slide masters. Employees can configure presentation to print
and save amassed a mean of 3.57, moderately proficient. Accumulated a mean
of 3.50 which was interpreted as moderately proficient, it shows that the
respondents was skilled in inserting and formatting slides (add, duplicate, hide,
delete slides). Proficient with a mean of 3.39, respondents were able to
customize presentation options and views (page setup, view in color/gray scale,
presentation properties). Accumulated a mean of 3.31 with an interpretation of
proficient, it indicates that the respondents were able to insert and format shapes
(modify shape backgrounds, borders, resize/insert shape). With a mean of 2.88,
proficient, indicates that respondents capable in applying transitions and
animations. Accrued a mean of 2.75 with a verbal interpretation of proficient, it
shows that the employees were able to merge content from multiple
presentations (merge presentation, reuse slides from other presentation, view
multiple presentation). Gathered a mean of 2.72 with an interpretation of
moderately proficient, implies that the respondents were skilled in inserting and
formatting tables and charts (create, modify, and import). Gathered a mean of
2.14 which was interpreted as proficient, implies that the respondents was skillful
in protecting and sharing presentations (password, proof, compress, restrict
presentations).
In having presentation skills of the workers, they should possess the skills
in creating or using the presentation program to the best of their abilities, and
Kyle W. Bell (2015) states the different advantages in using the presentation
program, mainly aiding the presentation skills of the workers by a significant
amount. The benefit of the presentation program does not solely revolve around
the premises of the presentation because it is flexible in the work field, and that is
why workers of the modern era are required to have presentation skills.
Table 8
Comparison between the Profile of the Respondents
by Age and their Secretarial Attitudes
Secretarial
Age Mean F-value P-value Decision Remarks
Attitudes
20 - 30 4.413
31 - 40 4.210
Workplace 3.709 0.018
41 - 50 3.936
50 above 3.434 Not
Accept
20 - 30 4.196 Significant
Job 31 - 40 3.714
2.009 0.125
Performance 41 - 50 3.728
50 above 3.523
In this section, the table shows the comparison between the profile of the
respondents by age and their secretarial attitudes. Shown on the above table,
workplace and job performance have a p-value greater than .05 so the
hypothesis have been accepted and conclude that there is no significant
difference between the profile of the respondents by age and their attitude
towards workplace and job performance.

Table 9
Comparison between the Profile of the Respondents
by Gender and their Secretarial Attitudes
Secretarial
Gender Mean T-value P-value Decision Remarks
Attitudes
Male 4.081
Workplace 0.000 0.188
Female 4.118 Not
Accept
Male 3.998 significant
Job
0.844 0.363
Performance Female 3.828
Table 9 shows the comparison between the profile of the respondents by
gender and their secretarial attitudes. Rejecting the null hypothesis happens if
the p-value is less than 0.05 otherwise we retain the null hypothesis. As shown
on the above table, all secretarial attitudes have a p-value greater than .05 so we
failed to reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there is no sufficient
evidence to say that there is a significant difference between the profile of the
secretary by gender and secretarial attitudes, workplace and job performance.
Age and gender doesn’t matter in having the same attitude in the working
environment, because as Beth Rifkin’s (2015) article, she lays down the process
of having the right attitude in the office. Having it said, the office etiquette should
now be in mind when it comes to the attitudes in the office, having one set of
standards that all the employees should have, making the age just a number and
the gender just a figure in this case.

Table 10
Comparison between Respondents’ Level of Proficiency
according to their Profile by Age
Level of
Age Mean F-value P-value Decision Remarks
Proficiency
20 - 30 4.709
Word 31 - 40 3.613
7.798 0.000
Processing 41 - 50 3.340
50 above 2.882
20 - 30 4.328
31 - 40 3.545
Spreadsheet 4.181 0.010 Reject Significant
41 - 50 3.045
50 above 2.844
20 - 30 4.326
Presentation 31 - 40 3.129
5.698 0.002
Program 41 - 50 3.327
50 above 2.370
Table 10 shows comparison between respondents level of proficiency
according to their profile by age. Rejecting the hypothesis happens if the p-value
is less than 0.05. As shown on the above table, all level of proficiency have a p-
value less than .05. Rejecting the hypothesis and conclude that there is a
significant difference between the profile of the secretary by age and all level of
proficiency, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation program.
In the table above, It shows that older employees have more trouble in
computer skills, that older respondents have lesser skills than those who are
younger. This is supported by the study of OECD (2013), in which it is stated the
older individuals have less prior knowledge when it comes to computer skills, that
they only use it with their basic knowledge like sorting e-mails.
Table 11
Comparison between Respondents’ Level of Proficiency
according to their Profile by gender
Level of
Gender Mean t-value P-value Decision Remarks
Proficiency
Male 3.517
Word
2.187 0.415
Processing
Female 3.938
Male 3.240
Not
Spreadsheet 2.334 0.133 Accept
significant
Female 3.735
Male 3.194
Presentation
0.578 0.451
Program
Female 3.456
Table 11 shows the comparison between respondents level of proficiency
according to their profile by gender. As shown on the above table, all areas of
proficiency have a p-value greater than .05 so we failed to reject the hypothesis
and conclude that there is no sufficient evidence to say that there is a significant
difference between the profile of the secretary by gender and secretarial
attitudes, workplace and job performance.
Boys and girls are the same in nature that is what the Psychologist, John
M. Grohol, (2009) argument in his article says. It is emphasized that it is only the
onlooker’s fault in classifying the male from the female that the problem lays on
the eyes of the person. He argues that boys and girls are the same, having the
same feelings and emotions. The findings of this study are supported by the
argument of Grohol (2009) because it shows that there is no significant

difference in the gender of the respondents in accordance with their level of
proficiency.
Chapter 5
SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents a brief overview of the summary of findings, the
findings of the study, the conclusions that were drawn and the recommendations
forwarded in the light of the conclusions that were arrived at.
SUMMARY
The purpose of the study is to know the attitude and proficiency that must
be acquired by the employees with secretarial positions. The study aims to
convey knowledge, skills and attitudes that will satisfy the demand of a constantly
evolving global market in office world. In this case, we evaluate the attitude
satisfaction of selected administrative aide III towards their respective workplace
and their job performance. Also, we measure their proficiency in following
computer software that is commonly used in the office, the word processing,
spreadsheet and presentation program.
The attitudes and proficiencies of the administrative aide are tackled and
the respondents are asked to evaluate their attitude and proficiency given the
researchers’ made questionnaire. By evaluating the details the respondent gave,
the study shows the significance difference between the profile of the
administrative aide and their attitude and proficiency.

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
Below are the findings found from the data gathered based on the
problems stated from the earlier chapter.
1. The respondents that are used in this survey that are 41-50 years old got
the highest percentage with 35%. Most of the administrative aide III
employed in PUP Main Campus is 41-50 years old. In terms of gender,
majority of administrative aide III are females with 65% percentage, while
males that gathered are 35%.
2. In their attitude regarding their workplace, I prefer to work in an organized
workplace or manner gathered the highest mean of 4.84, strongly agree,
administrative aide will be more comfortable in a well-manage workplace.
In the respondent’s attitude towards job performance, I set my standards
upon the accomplishment of tasks, amassed a highest mean of 4.20
which is strongly agree, administrative aide establish a success about the
tasks that they have.
3. In terms of their level of proficiency, on word processing, creating a
document garnered the highest mean of 4.32, which means highly
proficient. Under spreadsheet, creating worksheet and workbooks
mustered a highest mean of 4.14 interpreted as moderately proficient.
Regarding the presentation program, create a presentation got a highest
mean 3.99 and moderately proficient. The administrative aide III has a
high knowledge in generating the said computer software.

4. In terms of age and attitude, workplace produced a P-value of 0.018
interpreted that there is no significance value between the age and
attitude towards workplace, on the other hand, job performance gathered
a P-value of 0.115 concluded that there is no significance difference
between the age and the respondents’ attitude towards job performance.
In terms of gender, attitude towards workplace garnered a P-value 0.188,
while job performance amassed a P-value of 0.363, and comes up in an
interpretation that there is no significance difference between the
administrative aide’s gender and attitude towards workplace and job
performance.
5. In terms of age and level of proficiency, word processing got a P-value
0.000, a P-value of 0.010 for spreadsheet and 0.002 P-value for
presentation program resulting that there is a significance difference
between the age of respondents and their proficiency on the
abovementioned computer software. In terms of gender and level of
proficiency, word processing got a P-value 0.415, spreadsheet gathered a
P-value 0.133, while presentation program produced a P-value 0.451,
concluded that there is no significance difference between the gender and
level of proficiency of the respondents towards word processing,
spreadsheet and presentation program.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this research, the following conclusions were
established:
1. The total population of administrative aide III in PUP Main Campus
according to age is mostly 41-50 years old, they are the one who’s
promoted as administrative aide III and it took time for them to get the
position since rank III is the highest rank in administrative aide position,
also they are the one who are well-experience that fits the position, in
terms of gender majority of respondents is female because most
applicants applying in secretarial positions are female.
2. Researchers concluded that respondents moderately agree in the attitude
towards their workplace stated in the questionnaire. On the other hand,
administrative aide III moderately agree to the provided attitude towards
their job performance, respondents are comfortable in their workplace and
confident in their performances.
3. It is now concluded that administrative aide III in PUP Main Campus are
moderately proficient in operating word processing and spreadsheet while
in presentation program respondents are proficient, administrative aide III
expertise the skills they need to acquire in the office.
4. The Hypothesis of this study, “There is no significant difference between
the age of the secretaries and their attitudes and level of proficiency
towards word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation”, is rejected,

since the software are being updated, older administrative aide are having
hard time to cope up in fast changing trends.
5. The Hypothesis of this study which is, “There is no significant difference
between the gender of the secretaries and their attitude and level of
proficiency towards word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation” is
accepted, gender would not affect the attitude and level of proficiency
because the manner and ability of administrative aide III would not depend
on their gender.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of the study and from the conclusions derived at,
the researchers have come up with the following recommendations:
1. The administration must, whenever possible, point out the adverse effects
of the non-normal work style pattern on job performance of the
administrative aide.
2. They should continuously develop their word processing skill, spreadsheet
and presentation skills to meet the increasing standards required by the
organization.
3. Skills in IT related software must be practiced with the updated office
trends.
4. PUP should implement more trainings and/or seminars for the
improvement of new office skills and knowledge in the workplace to
develop the employees’ job performance.
5. The administrators should also review and monitor the administrative aide
regularly to meet the needs and competency standards of offices.

REFERENCES
BOOKS AND PUBLISHED MATERIALS
Arun Kumar and Rachana Sharma, Secretarial Practices and Company Law,
1998
Harry P. Bluhm, Administrative Uses of Computers in the Schools, 1987
Estelle Popham, Rita Sloan Tilton, J. Howard Jackson, Secretarial Procedures

and Administration (8th Edition), 1983
Gregorio S. Miranda et al, Office Management Principles and Practices

(4th Edition), 1999
Sandra C. Rorbak, The Elite Secretary, 2012
Lilia A. Alegre, et al, Administrative Professionals in the Global Offices, 2005
Wright, Patrick M. and Noe, Raymond A., Management of Organizations, 1996
Kohn, Mervin, Dynamic Managing, 1980\
Glueck, William F., Personnel: A Diagnostic Approach, 1978
UNPUBLISHED MATERIALS/THESES
Louis Harris and Associates, The Scope of Secretarial Work, Reference:

The Steelcase National Study of Office Environments: Do They Work?,
1978
Elena Artazona Gemotra, Selected Variables of Administrative Competence

of Administrators of Public Elementary Schools, 2002
April May Condat, The Required Office Skills of Bachelor of Office

Administration Junior Students in the Administrative World as Perceived
by the Students Themselves, 2009
Lydia R. Galera, Career Pattern of Women in Selected Corporations and

Agencies of the Department of Agriculture, Quezon City: Assessment,
March 2002
Danilo L. Asuncion, The Relationship of P.V.A.O’s Employees’ Work Attitude

and Level of Motivation to Job Satisfaction for Fiscal Year 2001-2002
Jerry S. Vergara, Computer Literacy and Computer Proficiency of Senior

Students of Dasma NHS and their Relationship of Scholastic
Achievement, February 2005
Ericka Denice F. Besana, et. al., Factors Affecting the Job Performance of
Employees of Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center;
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principles_of_learning
work.chron.com/evaluate_Media_Secretarial_Job_performance_9729.html;
Demand; Ruth Mayhew
http://www.aect.org/edtech/ed1/firstedition.asp
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Secretary_13143_7.pdf
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=pqSM48-
hGTkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=secretary&hl=en&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CBoQ6A
EwAGoVChMIjIbroKjGyAIVouamCh0ItA9a#v=onepage&q=secretary&f=false
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-technology-workplace-10607.html
Reade, Nataniel,“The Surprising truth about older workers”

.<http://www.aarp.org/work/job-hunting/info-07-2013/older-workers-more-
valuable.html>. AARP, August 2013. Web, October 2015
Peppers, Margot. “Women DO work harder than men: How female employees
are less prone to distraction and more likely to get a job done.”
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2285378/Women-DO-work-
harder-men-How-female-employees-prone-distraction-likely-job-
done.html>. Mail Online, February 2013. Web, October 2015
Ruparel, Adit. “5 Key Uses of Excel in the Work Place.”

<http://learn.filtered.com/blog/5-key-uses-of-excel-in-the-work-place>.
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<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/benefits-powerpoint-55958.html>.
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Polytechnic University of The Philippines: The Problem and Its Background

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POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

The computer is trying to change education and tasks dramatically. Currently,

persistently continuing to develop from time to time.

Secretaries, especially on education institutions, handled more complex

duties, such as conducting research, preparing reports, creating spreadsheets,

composing correspondence documents, and organizing other secretarial

assignments. Nowadays, secretaries definitely required extensive expertise on

their task performance using word processing, spreadsheet and presentation

career in business is typically fast-paces, challenging and rewarding. As a result,

offices as well as secretaries have led to assume wider range of technology,

with the fast-changing office environment.

competencies through relevant and quality, to discover new knowledge and

technology that is appropriate to the needs in the developing of society, to

evolving global market in office world.

Background of the Study

At present, the technology primarily exists to help secretaries in their daily

through typing, formatting, editing, encoding, computing, and sorting.

Word processing is the use of document manipulation software in

creating, editing, and printing. Of all computer applications, word processing is

create a document, store it electronically on a disk, display it on a screen, modify

it by entering commands and characters from the keyboard, and print it on a

printer. A spreadsheet is an interactive computer application program for

organization, analysis and storage of data in tabular form. Spreadsheet

developed as computerized simulations of paper accounting worksheets.

A presentation program is a software package used to display information in the

text to be inserted and formatted, a method for inserting and manipulating

graphic images, and a slide-show system to display the content.

development in secretarial attitudes could lead to effective interpersonal

communication and relationship.

This research study aims to measure the secretaries’ job performance

the said computer programs on Polytechnic University of the Philippines Main

interests, and goals. The purpose of the study is to investigate dimensions of

secretarial anxiety, eagerness, and curiosity with respect to basic computer

changes affecting their workplace.

The Polytechnic University (PUP) is located in Sta. Mesa, Manila, the

on three campuses in Manila, along with 21 satellite branches and

largest university in the Philippines by enrollment with 68,249 students in 2013.

Philippines at 12 pesos per academic unit. The university confers diploma,

the Institute of Technology.

All corporations, companies, even institutions highly required employees

education in this type of technology, gives advantage to an aspiring corporate

executive in their future career. Secretarial degrees are offered in the

universities, polytechnics and colleges. Secretarial studies programs offered in

universities and colleges gives opportunity to graduates to teach in secondary

schools or source for employment in offices as secretaries. These are especially

from the universities can also function as administrative officers.

Campus administrative aide III in word processing, spreadsheet, and

presentation program. This research also wants to lend a hand to the

secretaries, administrative aide, employees, employers, students, and teachers

to distinguish the skills to be emphasized and improve by the secretaries.

The following description is based from the Laws of Learning of Edward

L. Thorndike. This study will bear the expectations of companies’ requirement in

workplace. These laws ought to discuss the conditions to be encountered in the

actual learning process, namely:

must have something to obtain or do something." It can be ability, skill,

instrument or anything that may help us to learn or gain something. A starting

point or a “root” is needed. Secretaries need to have actual objects like

computers, photocopying machines or fax machines to do actual work for word