Research Competencies of Teachers in Buhaynasapa National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The recent adoption of Department of Education to Basic Education Research Agenda underscores the need for teachers to conduct school-based action researches. Given the fact that research greatly influences education in terms of improving its current state and practices, quality outputs are expected to teacher-researchers. However, teachers find it hard to conduct researches due to constraints in time and lack of interest. Although it is beneficial since it will provide relevant intervention and remedies based on empirical evidence, growing numbers of teachers are still hesitant in doing it. As such, this study was conducted to assess the research competencies of teachers that will serve as bases for drafting a contextualized research manual for them.

METHODS

The study used the descriptive method with a validated questionnaire as a research instrument. The respondents were the 67 teachers of BNHS, School Year 2018-2019, obtained through purposive sampling. The researcher sought the approval of the authorities before personally administering the research instrument used.

RESULTS

As revealed in the study, 56.7% of the teachers' population is in age ranging from 22 to 34, 79.1% are female, and 53.7% are married. In addition, 47.8% are Teacher I, 49.3% are in the service for not more than 5 years, and 43.3% are with units leading to a Master's Degree. On the other hand, teachers are slightly competent in conducting research as evident in the obtained average composite mean of 1.83. However, teachers are not competent in skills pertinent to organizing the methodology and presenting, analyzing and interpreting the data. It is evident in the obtained composite means of 1.41 and 1.36, respectively. Using paired sample t-Test, the study proved that there are significant differences in the competencies of teachers in conducting research when group according to profile variables. It is evident on the obtained p-values lower than 0.05 level of significance.

DISCUSSIONS

The study revealed that majority of the teachers are in age ranging from 22 to 34, female, married, Teacher I, in the service for not more than 5 years, and are with units leading to a Master's Degree. Teachers are slightly competent in conducting research; however, they are not competent in skills pertinent to organizing the methodology and presenting, analyzing and interpreting the data. These skills must be emphasized in drafting a contextualized research manual for teachers while considering their diverse profile variables.