ASSESSING THE RESEARCH CAPABILITY OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSOF A GOVERNMENT LABORATORY HIGH SCHOOL

Abstract

The main objectives of this research are to assess the research capability of the first
batch of Senior High School graduates and identify the strengths and areas for improvement of
the curriculum being offered in the Laboratory High School to best prepare them to higher level
researches. The study used methodological triangulation of the samples’ self-assessment,
experts’ and researcher’s assessment on the research paper output to compare if similar results
are found so that validity is established. Descriptive method was used in the analysis of the
research wherein the mean from variables were utilized to compare and identify the strengths
and areas for improvement of the curriculum. A questionnaire was devised and used to measure
the students’ capability in writing a research paper. The samples of this research were 149
students who were available during the conduct of the study. They were among the 170
graduates of Senior High School from the academic year 2017-2018. It was very evident from
the three sets of assessment made that choosing appropriate sample of the study is a strong
capability while presenting reviews of related literature (8-10 pages) is an area the requires
improvement. A one-way ANOVA supported and strengthened the validity and reliability of the
assessments made on the research capability of the respondents. A follow-up study on the
performance of the students in their undergraduate research is recommended to further
strengthen the result and use of the present study.