On July 25, the brave Filipinas faced cohosts New Zealand in an intense match at the Fifa Women’s World Cup. Despite being considered beginners compared to the more experienced Global North teams, our team defied all odds. Their previous game against Switzerland had showcased their lack of possession and control on the field. But to everyone’s surprise, striker Sarina Bolden scored a sensational goal in the first half, securing our victory with the only valid goal of the match. Despite New Zealand’s better possession, goal attempts, and shots on target, we emerged as the winners.
For years, our obsession with possession, domination, and majorities has plagued us. Government agencies and bureaus use statistics to illustrate growth, lower market prices, and improvements. However, these numbers lack the essential element of storytelling. Where are the stories of fresh graduates struggling to find jobs, workers barely making ends meet, and farmers losing their harvest to storms? Numbers alone cannot capture these realities.
In research, we often strive for a “representative sample” that accurately represents the group we are studying. For quantitative researchers, this means a sample size large enough to reflect the population without being overwhelming. Qualitative researchers focus on finding groups or studying unique cases that offer valuable insights into the human condition. In fact, a single story or a few key points can reveal profound truths. Even a sample size of one (n=1) can be powerful.
Elections serve as another example. While millions of people cast their votes, these numbers only indicate their preferences at a particular moment. They do not reflect a candidate’s qualities as a public servant or their actual impact on the country. The stories behind the votes matter more—the reasons voters believed a certain candidate would improve their lives and lift them out of hardship.
Education researcher Sharan Merriam argues that even a sample size of one can reveal deep and nuanced truths. She likens it to a magic trick—should we trust the 1,000 spectators who witnessed it or the magician who performed it? Sometimes, winning a game doesn’t require possession and dominance. And telling a complete story about people’s struggles and dreams doesn’t always rely on numbers alone.
Despite our painful defeat against Norway, where they scored six goals against us, there is hope. It took six goals to silence our team, which fought valiantly until the end. This loss may just be the beginning of a long and exciting journey for our team. They have inspired young girls to take up football, and perhaps one World Cup appearance is not enough. Our sample size of one (n=1) continues to grow, and with it, our potential and determination.
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