Competence and Challenges Encountered by Teacher-Researchers: Basis for Research Capacity Building

Abstract

Conducting action research requires some skills and abilities and extra time to plan and complete it. As a result, few teachers engage in action research. To dive into this issue, this paper attempted to conduct a research investigation with a focus on the competence and challenges encountered by the teacher-researchers in conducting action research in Infanta District in Philippines during the school year 2022-2023. The aim of this research was also to propose a research capacity building. The researcher used purposive sampling, employing descriptive-quantitative method. 39 teacher-researchers were involved in the study. Data collecting instrument used was a researcher-made survey questionnaire. The results revealed that the teacher-researchers assessed their competence as “slightly competent” as reflected by the overall mean of 2.14. Meanwhile, one item was evaluated where the teacher-researchers was “not competent” which this is about making an introduction using CARS Model. On the other hand, the challenges encountered by the teacher-researchers were interpreted as “slightly serious” with an overall weighted mean of 2.53. While, four problems were identified as “serious” such as they do not know the difference between an action research and basic research, they need individuals who can guide them in making their research paper, someone who can give them technical assistance and they do not have a background in the process of making action research. Moreover, two “very serious” challenges were found such as they do not have training in Action Research and due to this lack of training, it made them reluctant in doing one. In the meantime, the computed coefficient or r value was .56 which signified a considerable moderate correlation. Therefore, the teacher-researchers’ competence registered a relationship with the challenges they encountered. To address the serious and very serious problems encountered, the teacher-researchers may find the research capacity building proposed in this paper. The capacity building is purposely designed to resolve and overcome the challenges encountered by the teacher-researchers in implementing action research.