A Survey on the Capability and Willingness of the Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel to Conduct Research

Abstract

Educators play an important role in the holistic educational development of every individual. The school where the educators hone students must be equipped with relevant and effective tools for educational developments. School workers employ varied and meaningful learning opportunities to ensure that learners are acquiring relevant skills and abilities necessary for their physical, mental, and psychological development. Educators as innovators and researchers ensure that effective strategies are employed in order to attain the educational goals and expectations. Educational research as an effective tool to initiate teaching and learning innovations and development help educators provide quality learning experiences. Educators' ability to produce quality research output depends on their capacity and willingness to initiate the study. Hence, the researchers sought to determine the extent of capability and willingness of the teaching and non-teaching personnel to conduct research in St. Mary's College, Quezon City. It specifically identified their research capability as evidenced by their research experience, willingness to do research, and the perceived constraints in doing research. Results of the study are used as a basis in providing relevant research training and development for the teaching and non-teaching force of the institution.The researcher employed a Quantitative Descriptive Survey Design to determine the capability and willingness of the teaching and non-teaching personnel. A total of 10 College Faculty, 94 Basic Education Faculty, and 56 Non-Teaching Personnel were purposively selected using the total population sampling. A three-partsurvey tool composed of items on demographics, research capability skills, expressed willingness to conduct research, and research training needs was utilized as the main instrument of the study. Frequency and percentage distribution, and mean were employed to treat, analyze and interpret the data. The survey on the extent of capability and willingness of the teaching and non-teaching personnel to conduct research in St. Mary's College, Quezon City, unravels the current disposition of these educators in pursuing educational research and innovation. The study exposed that despite their capability to conduct research as evidenced by the number of previously conducted researches, a greater number of the Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel expressed unwillingness to conduct research. On the other hand, when grouped according to educational qualifications, those Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel with MA/ EdD/ PhD units and MA/ EdD PhD Graduates are the only ones willing to undertake research work. Furthermore, the study reveals that workload and lack of time are the most common reasons for the Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel not being able to commit themselves to the conduct of research. The researchers offered the following recommendations to address the arising research concerns: (1) The Center for Research and Professional Development, in partnership with the different department/ unit administrators, should employ creative strategies to motivate the teaching and non-teaching personnel to engage/ initiate department/ unit/ area/ institutional research. (2) The school administration may consider creating a group of researchers composed of Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel with MA/ EdD/ PhD degree who will serve as mentors/ inspirers of other personnel to engage/ participate in various research undertakings of the institution. (3) The school administration may revisit its research policies and consider the identified research constraints as a basis in providing relevant development program for the Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel.