Challenges of General Academic Strand Learners in Conducting

Practical Research: A Basis for Intervention

A Thesis

Presented to

School of Teacher Education

The National Teachers College

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Subject

GED 105- Thesis Seminar

Mariecel T. Baculi

August 2021
 ABSTRACT

Practical research is a research directed towards problems which has practical

day-to day nature (Augusto, 2017). This subject helps to develop student’s critical

thinking and problem solving skills through qualitative and quantitative research.

However, it is sad to note that many of the students are having difficulties in the conduct

of practical research. This study investigates on the problems encountered by senior

interventions to address these problems. Triangulation method involving survey

questionnaires, interviews and group discussions were used in data gathering.

Findings of the study shows that the problems encountered by senior high school

GAS 12 learners in the making of practical research were as follows; difficulty in

grammar construction, low perception on the conduct of research and problems on

reading comprehension skills. In dealing with these identified problems, the researcher

was able to determine the following interventions: detailed checking of their researches

specifically on grammar corrections, constant monitoring on the chapters made by the

learners, slow paced discussion on the parts of research and revisiting of the rules on

grammar and diction and creating consultation hours for students with difficulty in the

conduct of research were the measures made by the researcher in the process of

helping learners with difficulties in practical research. The aforementioned interventions

brought significant impact to the student-respondents in accomplishing their practical

research outputs.

Keywords: practical research, perception, interventions, grammar, reading comprehension

INTRODUCTION

One of the challenges faced by the Senior High School Student in Kinawe

National High School is conducting practical research. In this demand, there are

problems that affect students throughout the process in conducting credible and

authentic statements and information out from the study. These aforementioned
problems needed emphasis in order to create teaching interventions to help the

students in producing quality researches.

In undertaking research, it follows technicalities since it is an academic writing

and formal at the same time. Student researchers must be cautious and should allocate

plenty of time to complete each stage of the research. If none of these aforementioned

problems are addressed, there will be unexpected difficulties which may lead to failures.

The researcher conducted this study since along the way of undertaking

research, students still have problems they encountered which blocks them of

completing it on time. Along the stages, most of the students still have problems

regarding with grammar and reading comprehension and even have problems regarding

with their attitudes and behaviour depicted on their perception. These aforementioned

difficulties are vitals in making a research and also, it can help to easily impart data

along with the interpretation for the readers to also understand is easily. Prior to these

problems, the researchers aim is to know what is the most common problem they

confronted for the teachers to know the extent of the intervention toward the said

problem.

The result of this study shall guide teachers on how to better help student-

researchers to cope with the problems encountered in conducting research and to come

up with a solution or strategy to help the students in producing a quality research.

RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
 RATIONALE

One of the challenges faced by the Senior High School Student in Kinawe

National High School is conducting practical research. In this demand, there are
problems that affect students throughout the process in conducting credible and

authentic statements and information out from the study. These aforementioned

problems needed emphasis in order to create teaching interventions to help the

students in producing quality researches. In undertaking research, it follows

technicalities since it is an academic writing and formal at the same time. Student

researchers must be cautious and should allocate plenty of time to complete each stage

of the research. If none of these aforementioned problems are addressed, there will be

unexpected difficulties which may lead to failures.

Research is conducted to address a particular issue (Bocar, 2013). This is to be

done by the researchers in a precise and systematic manner to look for new knowledge,

skills, attitudes and values. Researchers portray crucial task in order to make use of

existing data, to investigate, find result and analyse whether newly gathered facts are

true to resolve a particular issue in the society.

Practical research is a research directed towards problems which has practical

day-to day nature (Augusto, 2017). This course helps to develop student’s critical

thinking and problem solving skills through qualitative and quantitative research. This

helps researchers to solve practical problem in everyday life and would answer certain

questions out from curiosity.

In conducting academic activities, grammatical mistakes are common to

students (Barnhill, 2010). This is vital in conducting research for without this

consideration, formality will be neglected since the grammar of the study itself is

confusing and there is also a possibility that reader will not understand the content

because of some errors in terms of grammar. By considering so, it will help to

discussions toward readers.

Other students experience poor comprehension due to their failure to read

strategically and understand while reading (Graham et. al, 2009). Reading without

comprehension is a problem indeed since by not having this kind of capability, student

cannot share knowledge and information to other for they know it themselves that they

cannot even comprehend. In conducting a research, students should comprehend every

single journal article, books and any other research sources for them to make the life of

readers easier for them to easily understand the content. After reading a certain article

to support the research paraphrasing is next to apply to help readers to easily

understand every single statement. It is another thing to be en chanced for the

betterment and for the success of the research.

Studies show that student perceptions is an important determinant of student

behavior and an understanding of this perception can be more useful in explaining

attitudes and behavior (Hazari, 2014). By determining the perception of the students in

conducting Practical Research is essential to be able to determine if students have

difficulties during the process of undertaking research. Understanding student's

behavior can be a determinant to deduce uncertainties and attitudes when conducting

such. Thus, by collecting student's perception, it can be helpful whether the problem is

on the students and on the behavior and attitudes being showed.

The researcher conducted this study since along the way of undertaking

research, students still encounter problems which blocks them of completing it on time.

Along the stages, most of the students still have problems regarding grammar and
reading comprehension and even have problems with their attitude and behaviour

depicted on their perception. These aforementioned difficulties are vital in making a

research and also, it can help to easily impart data along with the interpretation for the

readers to also understand is easily. Prior to these problems, the researchers aim is to

know what is the most common problem they confronted for the teachers to know the

extent of the intervention toward the said problem.

The result of this study will guide teachers on how to better help student-

researchers to cope with the problems encountered in conducting research and to come

up with a solution or strategy to help the students in producing a quality researches.

RESEARCH DESIGN

A mixed-method research design was primarily used to carry out the study.

The said study was a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research

designs. It was considered to be the most appropriate one because it dealt basically

with the gathering of information needed for evaluating and analyzing the problems

encountered by General Academic Strand (GAS) 12 students in conducting Practical

Research. Grammar, reading comprehension and perception on practical research

were used as quantitative research instruments meanwhile the interviews were used

relates to qualitative research design respectively. By evaluating and analyzing

these variables of the study, the researchers’ can determine the problem confronted

by student researchers in General Academic Strand (GAS) 12.

Mixed Methods research design involves collecting, analyzing and interpreting

quantitative and qualitative data in a single study or in a series of studies that

investigate the same underlying phenomenon (Leech & Onwuegbuzie, 2008). Both
 results were used in this study to know the problems encountered by General

Academic Strand Students in Kinawe National High School in conducting practical

research. This study delved deeper into the problems encountered by Senior High

School learners and look for better intervention in solving these difficulties faced by

student respondents.

POPULATION AND SAMPLING

The respondents of the research were Grade 12 students enrolled for the first

semester of S.Y 2019-2020. The researcher focused the study to one section of Grade

12 GAS Mapagkumbaba under the advisory of Mrs. Maria Cecilia Geotoro with the

population of 22 students.

The researchers used a focused group in which the members were chosen from an

entire class/section. They were selected purposively since this class is personally

handled by the researcher. The entire class were given specific topics as subject for

their research done through groups of 2 to 3 members and ensured that the learners

were monitored from the giving of the survey questionnaires down to the face to face

and in-depth interviews.