Research Capability Program: Readiness and Challenges of BAELS Students in Conducting Language Research

This study was conducted to determine the readiness and challenges of Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies (BAELS) students in doing language research. This was deemed important, as language research requires students to apply their knowledge in language and to develop other skills. The descriptive-comparative-correlational research design was used in the study to answer the following questions: (1) what is the level of students’ readiness, (2) what are the challenges they encountered, (3) what is the relationship between students’ readiness and challenges, and (4) are these variables similar among students with different demographic profiles? Open-ended questions were added to the descriptive-comparative-correlational design to get students’ responses on their perceptions and suggestions on research difficulties and interventions to address these.
Fifty-eight (58) Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies (BAELS) students participated in the study. Quantitative results showed that the students have good understanding of language research as regards ethical considerations and language research principles, but they have limited preparedness in practical aspects of research such as writing major sections of a research paper, synthesis of literature, designing methodologies, and analysis of data. Challenges were moderate. The two most challenging tasks were time management and literature review. Descriptive answers also showed that BAELS students need structured and hands-on interventions through workshops, writing clinics, and guided consultations to enhance their research competencies.
Hence, it revealed that there were no significant differences in readiness and challenges of the students with regard to gender, age, type of senior high school, and parents’ educational attainment. There was negatively correlated between readiness and challenges, it indicates that students who feels more ready do not experience many difficulties in doing their research. Therefore, the answer to the research question based on the result of statistical analysis was, BAELS students’ understanding of the concept of language research is good, but they need to be guided in terms of practical skill. Research writing, methodology, data analysis and time management intervention at program level will improve them to be more confident and competent in doing language research.

Language research, research readiness

1. Bhandari, P. (2022). Correlational research: Definition, methods, and examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/correlational-research/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. de Guzman, M. C., & Tan, R. P. (2023). Research writing readiness of graduate students in a Philippine state college. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(4), 134–147. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.4.9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Pura, R. L., & Janer, S. S. (2024). Readiness towards research of Alternative Learning System students. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR24605065939 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Pangket, W. F., Pangesfan, S. K. K., Cayabas, J. P., & Madjaco, G. L. (2023). Research writing readiness of graduate students in a Philippine state college. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(4), 141-159. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.4.9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Dantic, M. J. P. (2024). Challenges experienced in conducting research in the time of online and blended learning. European Journal of Contemporary Education and Educational Leadership, 2(1). https://ejceel.com/index.php/journal/article/view/33 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Igpit, R. L. G., & Alpuerto, R. C., Jr. (2022). Competence and attitude as predictors of teachers’ readiness for digitized instruction. Sapienza: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 3(7). https://journals.sapienzaeditorial.com/index.php/SIJIS/article/view/497 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Knowledge in Manuscript Writing and Readiness to Conduct Research. (2023). Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/fjmr/article/view/2922 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Pangket, W. F., Pangesfan, S. K. K., Cayabas, J. P., & Madjaco, G. L. (2023). Research writing readiness of graduate students in a Philippine state college. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 22(4), 141–159. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.4.9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Students’ readiness in conducting research: A descriptive-correlational study. (2025). CANA Journal of Education and Social Sciences. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. https://internationalpubls.com/index.php/cana/article/download/4915/2721/8598 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Mandernach, B. J., Zafonte, M., & Taylor, C. (2016). Instructional strategies to improve college students’ APA style writing. International Journal of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, 27(3), 407 412. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Alghamdi, A. K. Hamdan, & Deraney, P. (2018). Teaching research skills to undergraduate students using an active learning approach: A proposed model for preparatory year students in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education, 30(2), 184 194. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Alghamdi, A. K. H., & Deraney, P. (2018). Teaching research skills to undergraduate students using an active learning approach: A proposed model for preparatory-year students in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 30(2), 184–194. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1185082.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Crane, S., Broome, M. E., Doutrich, D., Cross, R., & Mathews, L. R. (2017). Understanding ethical issues of research participation from the perspective of participating community members. Nursing Ethics, 24(8), 921–932. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733015623091 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Mandernach, B. J., Zafonte, M., & Taylor, C. (2016). Instructional strategies to improve college students’ APA style writing. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 27(3), 407–412. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1093747.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study