The Dilemma in Conducting an Action Research as a Tool for Professional Development of the Senior High School Teachers

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to identify the dilemmas in conducting an action research of the Senior High School Teachers in E.0 189 Schools in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. It also described the actual involvement of the SHS Teachers on action research and identified the factors that can help teachers to undertake an action research. The research method employed in this study was mixed method approaches which is embedded in concurrent type of mixed method. The questionnaires administered to 39 SHS Teachers. All of the questionnaires were properly filled and returned. In addition to this, interview and document analysis were made to collect the necessary information. Results obtained were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and narratives. The results of the study revealed that (1) half of the total respondents were female and very young by profession. But despite of being new in the field, most of them were licensed teacher and unit earners in graduate studies which implies that the SHS Teachers in E.0 189 Schools were very qualified in the Senior High Schools. (2) Since most of the SHS Teachers in E.O 189 were new, their status in undertaking an action research was very low. They do not have any background in conducting AR because they have not been/yet attended any related seminars and material references on action research. However, (3) the perception of SHS Teachers in the contribution of action research was positive. According to them it improves their knowledge and skills in research thus, can help them to develop their teaching and social skills with their learners. (4) Despite of the positive perceptions made by the SHS Teachers, their actual involvement was still very low because of the factors that unable them to undertake AR. Such as the, existence of inadequate trainings and seminars, insufficient reference materials and budget of school. But then, (5) the motivating factors that enable teacher to undertake an action research were conducting a seminar-workshop annually intended for the teachers, sufficient material references and fund for the study.