Embracing the Culture of Research: A Glance to the Research Engagement of Teachers in Conducting School-Based Research

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Researching is a part of the professional development of teachers. Embracing the culture of research is a trend teacher must follow. The research engagement of teachers in conducting school-based researches. Apparently, there are barriers that hinder teachers to embrace research, as a professional practice must. As one of the researches engaged professions, teachers must overcome barriers that hinder their research engagement. Awareness and readiness of teachers about research are essential, teacher's direct involvement through research and be part of the development of the school.

METHODS

Descriptive-Purposive research was used. The study was participated by 35 English teachers. Survey questionnaires and open-ended questions were used to obtain information while frequency distribution, simple percentages, weighted mean and ranking were utilized to analyze data.

RESULTS

Results showed that the respondents regarded school-based research as a way to identify and resolve existing problems of the school. The respondents' willingness and preparedness to conduct school-based researches showed a very acceptable range. However, there are barriers that hinder the teachers to totally engage themselves to conduct school-based researches such as teachers' schedule, workloads, lack of resources, financial constraints, stress from work and lack of knowledge on the procedures of conducting research. Motivating teachers to do school-based research, capacitating and training them to improve skills in the conduct of research, pairing them with experienced researchers with knowledge about statistics and having a specific time frame or a year-round schedule will help teachers to embrace the culture of research.

DISCUSSIONS

The results and recommendations from this study will be the basis of capacity development programs to orient and train teachers so they can embrace the culture of research resulting to their professional development as well as fostering positive changes in education. Doing research is a process and must follow a time frame. A specific schedule for the parts or the time frame of the parts of research is suggested.