Extent of the Manifestation of Skills Related to Research Among

Faculty and Staff of LUDICSA Schools

Dr. Joy D. Talens
Former Director, Research and Development
Sacred Heart College
Lucena City
Quezon Province
This study was aimed to assess the extent to of the manifestation of skills rela
ted to research among faculty members of LUDICSA schools. Using the descriptiv
e - survey method with application of the Provus Discrepancy Evaluation Model of
research, this study involved 564 faculty members and staff of 20 member school
s of Lucena Diocese Catholic Schools Association (LUDICSA) during the School Yea
r 2008 â 2009. Data and other information needed in this study were gathered mainl
y through questionnaires. The mean for each item was computed along with the ave
rage mean for the given component. The discrepancy between obtained mean for ea
ch item for a given component and the standard which was set at four was obtaine
d. Research components and their indicators which were assessed with a compute
d mean rating of less than 4 were considered the weaknesses of the program. Th
is is in accordance with the principles of quality assurance, i.e., programâ s compon
ents that are rated highly by stakeholders are considered acceptable or indicato
rs of programâ s effectiveness (Daft, 1998).
The following components of skills related to research were assessed by the part
icipants of the study as â manifested to a moderate extentâ . Based on ranking, the fol
owing were the results: team working and networking, personal effectiveness, car
eer management; research skills and techniques; research environment; communicat
ion skills; and research management. When TQM or TQA was applied, all the compo
nents of research skills were considered as weak. These are: team working and
networking; career management; research skills and techniques; research environm
ent; communication skills; and research management. There are no significant re
lationships existing between and among the extent of manifestation of each compo
nent of skills related to research among faculty members and staff of LUDICSA sc
hools.
Based on the findings of this study, it is safe to conclude that the fac
ulty members and staff of LUDICSA schools have already manifested the various co
mponents of research skills, which have been shown to have been â manifested to a mod
erate extentâ . Moreover, since the findings also show that there have been gaps id
entified in the assessment when compared to the standards of the Total Quality A
ssurance (TQA), it can also be concluded that research skills can still be furth
er enhanced.