SPUP Research Digest

Development of OBE-based teaching guides for the teacher education courses

Agripina B. Maribbay — 2019-08-01

With its end of facilitating the implementation of OBE in teacher
education institutions (TEIs), the project aimed at developing outcomesbased
education (OBE) teaching guides for teacher education courses.
This paper specifically provides frameworks, specifically the Project
Proposal Framework and the SPUP-OBE Framework which served as
guides in coming up with the desired output. The Project Proposal
Framework particularly details the processes to be undertaken in the
development of the teaching guides while the SPUP-OBE Framework
provides the content for the teaching guides. Furthermore, it presents
the specific methods for the teachers’ training on the principles and
standards of OBE, the development of OBE-based teaching guides,
the logical framework of the proposed teaching guide, the monitoring
and evaluation plan, and the dissemination plan. This method includes
the design, scope, tools, and analytical procedures for the specific
processes involved.

Grammar proficiency and first language interference in learning English among SASTE students of St. Paul University Philippines

Darrel Joy C. Cabaruan — 2019-08-01

First language interference is seen as a major factor affecting English language proficiency. This study aimed at determining the
participants’ grammar proficiency and the extent of first language
(L1) interference with pronunciation and intonation of American
English. The participants consisted of purposively selected 120 college
students. They were asked to answer a grammar proficiency test,
read 10 sentences for intonation proficiency, and a paragraph for
pronunciation proficiency. Data consisted of the results generated
by the grammar, intonation, and pronunciation tests. A contrastive
analysis was conducted examining the extent of interference caused
by L1 such as Iloco, Ibanag, Itawes, and Tagalog in learning English.
Results revealed that first language greatly interfered with the
pronunciation of the participants. Meanwhile, there is no significant
difference in the extent of first language interference among students
according to profile variables. Furthermore, the research found out
that whatever first language the students speak, this has no effect on
grammar proficiency level. There is a significant relationship between
proficiency and intonation, while there is no significant difference
between proficiency level and pronunciation. To raise the level of
proficiency of the students on grammar, the researchers recommended
that English teachers may provide activities to enhance students'
abilities on subject-verb agreement. Activities such as identifying
errors, editing erroneous texts, and other activities that could help
the students become more knowledgeable regarding subject-verb
agreement are also recommended.

Extent of engagement in risk-taking behaviors of senior high school students of Tuguegarao City

Teresita T. Lasam — 2019-08-01

This descriptive study assessed and correlated senior students’
extent of engagement in risk-taking behaviors and their mental health.
Participants were randomly selected senior high school students
(N=1145) from selected schools in the city. Results showed that most
of the participants were females, 17 years old, first-born children,
Catholics and enrolled in public schools. Results also revealed that the
participants had a low extent of engagement in risk-taking behaviors
either in non-self and self-harm risk-taking behaviors. A marked
difference was observed in the participants’ extent of engagement in
risk-taking behaviors when they were grouped according to sex and
age. In support of this result, male participants scored higher in nonself-
harm risk behaviors than the females while the female participants
scored higher in self-harm risk behaviors than males. Among age
groups, participants who are 17 years old showed high extent of
engagement in risk-taking behaviors. Along with mental health,
participants manifested increasing mental health symptoms derived
from stress, starting from moderate anxiety to moderate depression.
t-Test results revealed that female participants experienced more
stress, anxiety, and depression than males. Test of correlation revealed
that risk-taking behaviors significantly relates to mental health.

Paulinian employees’ perspectives on human resource outsourcing

Rufo B. Tuddao — 2019-08-01

Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) has become popular in
business firms today as it is considered effective in reducing overhead
costs, gaining expertise from outside agencies, minimizing the regular
workload of HR staff and improving quality and efficiency of the
organization. Utilizing mixed method, this study aimed to examine
the views of Paulinian employees on the contribution of Human
Resource Outsourcing on the delivery of services as well as problems
and challenges encountered by the department. Participants involved
administrators, faculty members, support staff and maintenance
personnel. A validated questionnaire and interview were the
main data gathering tools. Data were treated using descriptive,
inferential statistical tools and thematic analysis. Results reveal that
participants perceived that Human Resource Outsourcing scheme in
hiring employees reduces operating expenses on manpower services;
frees employees from laborious duties; saves time for training and
development of employees; shares risk with human resource provider.
Among the perceived challenges in Human Resource Outsourcing were
as follows: employees do not share the vision of the school; employees
feel like an outsider from the organization; employees are dependent
on their agency; employees show lack of motivation. As an offshoot
of the study, it is recommended that St. Paul University Philippines
and the Management of the Human Resource Outsource Agency must
clarify terms and conditions that employees should adhere to attain
higher level of customer satisfaction.

Financial management practices of SPUP employees and related factors

Charito M. Guillermo — 2019-08-01

The study aimed to assess the financial management practices
of SPUP employees. Furthermore, it investigated the related
factors affecting these practices, problems encountered in financial
management, and initiatives to address them. This study employed
the quantitative descriptive method to assess the participants’
spending, borrowing, saving, and investing practices. Ninety-three (93)
employees were obtained through stratified sampling to include office
staff, faculty, and lay administrators. Data were obtained through a
survey questionnaire. Survey responses were further validated through
a follow up interview. Data were treated using frequency counts,
percentages, weighted mean, and rank. Results show that employees
are cautious in their spending, have a positive attitude towards
savings; however, they have little interest in investing. Participants
consider spending as a means of rewarding themselves and this is
only appropriate when buying items on discounted prices. For them,
borrowing is appropriate for emergency needs. In addition, a major
consideration for saving is to think of unexpected expenses in the future.
A common reason for investing is to elevate living standards in the
future. Among the problems they encounter in financial management
is their lack of control in spending, not having the time to manage and
plan finances, and not being able to differentiate wants from needs.

Health information system of St. Paul University Philippines

James G. Maguire — 2019-08-01

This research and development project aimed to examine
current processes and transactions made in the health services of St.
Paul University Philippines in order to gather pertinent data for the
development of a proposed record management system. This proposed
system aimed at improving the efficiency of the services of the clinic
particularly in the creation, organization, retrieval, and updating of
health information of its clientele. Ten (10) experts in Information
Technology and five (5) clinic staff were the study participants. The
interview with the clinic staff revealed that the existing manual
system performed poorly with regards to records management in the
clinic. With this, they proposed for an automated system to improve
the efficiency of managing clinic records to facilitate the creation,
organization, retrieval, and updating of information in the clinic
transactions. Based on these results, the Health Information System
for St. Paul University Philippines was developed. The proposed system
was pilot tested and was evaluated by the clinic staff and IT experts
in terms of its functionality. Furthermore, the participants offered
suggestions to enhance the system further. From the evaluation
results, it can be deduced that the proposed system is effective as this
improved the recording system of the clinic.

Students’ knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases in relation to their sexual attitudes and behaviors

Francis Villanueva — 2019-08-01

This descriptive-correlation study assessed the level of knowledge
on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of college students and its
influence on their sexual attitudes and behaviors. The participants
comprised 700 students from different colleges and universities in
Tuguegarao and boarding within the City. The Sexual Attitude and
Behavior Inventory (de Jose, 2013) and Sexually Transmitted Disease
Knowledge Questionnaire (Jaworski & Carey, 2007) were used. The
participants used a 5-point Likert scale to reflect the option in assessing
their sexual attitude and behavior. In measuring the level of knowledge
on STDs, each participant’s answer was scored with 0 or 1 depending
on wether the answer is correct. Data were treated using SPSS version
17, the weighted mean, independent t-test, Analysis of Variance and
Pearson-r correlation. Results show that participants possess a "neutral
sexual attitude" and practice "moderately negative sexual behavior."
Majority of the participants have a low level of knowledge on STDs. A
significant difference exists in participants’ sexual attitude according
to gender, age, sexual preference, school, course, living arrangement
and type of boarding house. Also, a significant difference exists in the
participants' sexual behaviors relative to their gender, age, school,
course, living arrangement and type of boarding house. Furthermore,
there is a significant difference in participants’ level of knowledge on
STDs when they are grouped according to age, school, course and living
arrangement. There is a significant relationship between the sexual
attitude and sexual behavior of the participants which implies that
sexual attitude affects the sexual practices of an individual.

Laboratory pre-requisites and internship performances of pharmacy students

Sheryl C. Cagurangan — 2019-08-01

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether a
relationship exists between the academic performance of students
in pre-requisite laboratory subjects and their internship in hospital
pharmacy and manufacturing setting. The quantitative research
approach for this study employed a correlational design. The
population of interest was the BS Pharmacy students of St. Paul
University Philippines, Tuguegarao City under the following academic
years: 2012-2013 (Caritas Mariae), 2013-2014 (L’archange Raphael),
and 2014-2015 (St. Therese of the Child Jesus). Grading and evaluation
sheets were the main sources of data. Performances were presented
in percentage and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient
was utilized to determine the relationships. Results show a moderate
relationship (r=0.310, p<0.01) between the academic performance of
students in pre-requisite subjects and internship in hospital pharmacy
setting. While there is a strong positive correlation (r=0.485, p=0.000)
between manufacturing internship and the prerequisite laboratory
subject. In conclusion, this study found that the level of performance
of BS Pharmacy Students in the pre-requisite subjects is positively
associated with their performance in the field internship.

In-vitro anticoagulant property of sargassum confusum f. Validum

Victoria Bianca B. Acorda — 2019-08-01

The study sought to determine the in-vitro anticoagulant
property of Sargassum confusum f. validum extract compared to EDTA
and Heparin. The study used experimental laboratory based research
design. The algae were air dried, milled and treated with 85% ethanol.
A 100% extract was used. A blood to anticoagulant ratio of 1:1 until
1:9 was utilized. EDTA was used as a positive control for hematologic
studies and Heparin was also used as positive control for chemistry
analyses. Test for hematologic studies was limited to Complete
Blood Count (CBC) only. For chemistry analyses, it was limited only
to Blood Uric Acid, Creatinine, Cholesterol, AST, and ALT. For CBC
results, all ratios gave increased values for White blood cell count,
and a decreased amount for hematocrit, hemoglobin and platelet
parameters. For chemistry analyses only the creatinine values have no
significant difference compared to the positive control, for Blood Uric
Acid, Creatinine, AST, and ALT all ratios gave an increased value, and
for cholesterol all ratios gave normal values but still incomparable to
the positive control.