BICOL UNIVERSITY

BICOL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

East Campus, Barangay 1, Em’s Barrio Legazpi City

RESEARCH EVALUATION
PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
Evaluating the parts of a research paper

NAME:
Tristin Karmel F. De Mesa
Faith Monforte
Aiscelle Marie Barcellano
Jun Balderama
Joshua Andrei Dela Cruz

SECTION:
BTVTEd Drafting Technology 1-A

Mrs. Mercy C. Catolico

Professor
 PRELIMINARY PARTS

The research paper is entitled "The Difficulties Faced by ABM Students in

Their Specialized Subjects." The researchers listed on the title page are Kenneth
Alvarado, Elaijah Enriquez, Arsenio James Noel, Hazelyn Rogado, and Jacob Unciano,
as well as their research adviser, Mr. Raffy D. Quines. They also provided the month
and the year in which the researcher/s receive their degree. The submission statement
includes the title and name of the researchers, as well as a statement "in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the subject Practical Research 1 (Qualitative
Research), has been examined and recommended for acceptance and approval for
ORAL EXAMINATION".

People who volunteered their time and effort to make the study possible were
mentioned by the researchers. One of them is their parents, who have shown them
unending love and support, as well as financial support for the research. Their
professors, Mr. Raffy D. Quines and Ms. Irianne Labangon, who guided, encouraged,
and trained them. Respondents who gave up their valuable time to participate in the
interview. Last but not the least, there is God who serves as their primary source of
guidance.

The researchers dedicated the research paper to the following individuals who
contributed to its success: God Almighty, who provided the researchers with physical,
emotional, and spiritual strength. San Beda University and Mr. Raffy Quines, their
practical research adviser who never gets tired to drive students to strive for the best.
Finally, there are future generations. Future generations are likely to benefit from this
study because it seeks to create and disseminate new knowledge and learnings.

The abstract is written in such a way that can be easily understood by the reader
and does not exceed 350 words. It also communicates thoughts and concepts clearly
through concise writing, avoiding repetition and wordiness. It establishes the
significance of research, identifies primary end points/outcomes, maximizes internal and
external validity, uses design-appropriate raw data to characterize the primary and
secondary outcomes, and does not extrapolate beyond the study's results.
 CHAPTER I

Introduction

The research paper is about "The Difficulties Faced by ABM Students in Their
Specialized Subject," according to the content and title created by the researchers of
this study. The researchers intend to focus on currently studying and officially enrolled
Grade 11 and 12 students in an Accountancy Business and Management strand of San
Beda University-Manila who were purposefully chosen in the 2018-2019 academic year.
The upcoming ABM students, grade 10, were not included in the selection of
respondents, but they will be affected in this study because this research is all about the
difficulties that the students will face in the ABM strand. The researchers mentioned the
word "Difficulty" in the first chapter of the paper, or the topic is just all revolving around
factors that affect the overall education experience of every student in an ABM Strand.

The researchers' goal is to find an answer, identify obstacles, and develop a

solution to help students become more aware of the growing problems and difficulties
concerning various factors that affect ABM students' education in their specialized
subject. It was also stated that the researchers' thesis wished to assist, contribute, and
that their thesis will serve as a guide for students as they prepare for the course that
they will choose and pursue in their college course. As future businessmen and women,
this thesis paper will undoubtedly be of great assistance to them in becoming successful
in their field.

The study's scope is limited to 20 officially enrolled Grade 11 and 12 students in

Accountancy, Business, and Management at San Beda University-Manila who were
purposefully chosen in the academic years 2018 and 2019. In addition, no students
from outside the school were included in the study. Because of the Data Privacy Act
and ethical considerations in research, the researchers will not reveal the names of all
respondents during their formal interview.

This research is very important for upcoming and current students in the
Accountancy, Business, and Management strand (ABM), because it will give them an
idea about the course that they will take in college, as well as in their future professions
and careers. For example, students will be able to understand the challenges that they
will face how to deal with them, and the best solution to their problems, by providing
them with ideas, possible solutions, and actions to the various problems that exist in the
ABM strands and future problems that await them in their chosen degree. Some ideas
for coping with problems such as the teachers and students’ relationship, and some
social and interpersonal roles in his/her community that are mentioned in the first
chapter of the researcher paper are giving students advice to think before taking or
choosing a strand, identification of their strengths and weaknesses, consequences and
benefits to them, preparation through in-depth study, and so on. This research paper is
also significant in terms of employment trends, job market information, and overall
economic conditions, because ABM students will focus on and have a responsibility in a
business and industry where their contributions as future accountants, entrepreneurs,
and business leaders are critical to the economy's progress and development.

CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This Chapter contains the detailed explanation of previous researches that

supports the problem of the study. The research study is entitled “The difficulties faced
by ABM students in their specialized subjects”. Series of references that serves as a
foundation to support the claim of the present study were presented such as books,
journals, and articles that are both foreign and local. The summarized articles and
studies below are subjected to the enhancement of the present research study:

For the first reference indicated in this chapter, an article entitled “The
Introduction of the K12 Curriculum in The Philippines: Accountancy, Business, and
Management Strand as an enrichment for the future businessman” Acosta and Acosta
(2016), discussed about K-12 program being the enhancement of the basic education
program that is also known as the Republic Act No. 10533 or "An Act of Enhancing the
Basic Education in the Philippines". The article pointed out that there is a law that
proposed a new program that covers 12 years of basic education which the additional
two years in Senior High School was targeted to prepare students for tertiary education,
middle level skills development, entrepreneurship, and global employment. This article
clearly supports the problem of the study directly focused on the K-12 program
specifically the Senior High School and the corresponding strands offered to students.
In this case, the main purpose of the study which is to aid and to raise awareness on
the rising difficulties faced by ABM students of Senior High School Students of San
Beda University Manila on their specialized subjects is somehow given validation of
what the law has to offer to student. The problem of the study greatly involves ABM
students who are under the Academic Strand. This article proves that the ABM strand
exists and the underlying problems faced by students who took this strand also exist.

Another reference that was used in this chapter is journals. The journals were
conducted by the following: Porter and Umbach (2006); Baired (1988); Montmarquette,
Cannings, &Mahseredjian, 2001) had similar objectives and topics regarding The Role
of Career Planning in Choosing ABM as a Strand in Senior High School. The studies
explained that choosing a field is being affected by different factors. Academic majors
on students often produce different influences on the development of students’ interest
and abilities. It is also stated that people who differ in their socioeconomic and ascriptive
characteristics as well as cognitive capabilities also differ in their willing-ness to choose
riskier areas of concentration. Self-concept are the factual attributes of a person that
includes a person's skill, strengths, weaknesses, and the like. And in choosing a career,
one must assess his capabilities and cognitive level. All three journals presented their
ideas similarly and accordingly to support the previous study in terms of the career
decision making of students and the factors they consider in choosing it.

In a Journal by Mooney, Knox, &Schacht 2000, the topic was about the
Education as a social issue and stated that Educational institutions serve important
tasks for society, including instruction, organization, socialization, the provision of
custodial care, and the sorting of individuals into various statuses. Many social
problems, such as employment, crime, delinquency, and poverty, may be linked to the
failure of the educational institution to fulfill these basic functions. An educational
institution is responsible to teach the students the skills which are an essential for the
future occupational roles, self-development, and social functioning. It is also important
to include the teaching of socializing skills to the students. The socialization function of
education involves teaching students to respect authority-behavior that is essential for
social organization (Merton, 1968). Another Journal by Banks and Banks (1995, as cited
in in Mooney et al., 2000) explained that further multicultural education is a necessary
element in the battle against race, class, gender, and ethnic inequalities. All these
important information supports the problem of the study particularly in relation onto how
education is a social Issue.

The Researchers also used books as reference to support their study. According
to the book of Shertzer (1981), study habits are an important ingredient in the life of the
successful college student and would like to improve their study habits or skills. It was
stated that research has reported many students worrying about their study habits and
about their reading, notetaking, and test-taking skills. However, few students do much
about it, particularly on any kind of systematic, continuous basis. Shertzer also added
that many authorities have proved that certain habits can definitely improve academic
performance. But there is no magic in these study methods, unfortunately. Those who
try to use the methods until they become habits are usually well rewarded, however,
because they learn more with less effort, they enjoy their studies more, and they get
higher grades. This reference focused on the Importance of the Student's Study Habits
in Learning that greatly supports the problem of the study.

Lastly, from all the given references, books, journals, and articles, the study also
included the Role of Teachers to The Student's Performance in the Classroom Setting.
Although students may believe that their own internal views are the most important
factor in decision making (Darling,& Glendinning, 1996), external views such as those of
their teachers have also been shown to be an important source of information for
students (Vidal, 2007). The researchers stated that the teachers are likely to have their
own perceptions of subject difficulty. From the book of Mooney et al.,(2000) It states
that in terms of the relationship of the teacher and student, there is a symbolic
interactionist perspective where it is concerned with the institutional influences and
power relations from a micro perspective.

The researchers have chosen these references as main source to support their
study and summarized them into five parts using Topics to narrow down studies and
articles from different sources. Studies and articles were categorized based on the
similarity of their topics. The five parts were (1) The Introduction of the K12 Curriculum
in The Philippines: Accountancy, Business, and Management Strand as an enrichment
for the future businessman, (2) The Role of Career Planning in Choosing ABM as a
Strand in Senior High School, (3) The Importance of the Student's Study Habits in
Learning, (4) Education as a Social Issue, and (5) The Role of Teachers to The
Student's Performance in the Classroom Setting.

Research Framework

First is the social-exchange theory which is an act of helping that is motivated by

a desire for a reward; second is the reciprocity norm which is also known by Filipinos as
the "utang na loob" where people help others who helped them in the past; and third is
the social-responsibility norm where it is an expectation to help others without
something in return (Perez, 2016).

The theories used in presenting and interpreting the data that the Researchers
gathered were discussed to support the concepts of the study. One of it is the Social
Exchange theory by George Homans that explained one of the questions in the
qualitative data gathered that became the bases of knowing the difficulties faced by
ABM students in their specialized subjects. In the survey under “How do the
respondents deal with these hindrances as they enter their degree programs?.”
Students who answered “Asking for help with peers” were supported by George
Homans Social Exchange Theory which is an act of helping that is motivated by a
desire for a reward; people make decisions by consciously or unconsciously weighing
the costs and benefits of a relationship or action, with the goal of maximizing their
reward. Everyone wants to get more out of a conversation or relationship than they give.
Second of the related theories is the reciprocity norm which is also known by Filipinos
as the "utang na loob" where people help others who helped them in the past; and third
is the social-responsibility norm where it is an expectation to help others without
something in return.

Research Model

The conceptual framework presented a process to obtain required information as well

as presenting the final output of the study. The Researchers used the Input-Process-
Output Model wherein the inputs in the study are the conditions that exist prior to their
study, whereas the processes are the interactions between group members, and
results of group activity that are valued by the team or the organization are referred to
as outputs.

The Input of the study contains the gathering of opinions from 6 respondents specifically
3 each grade 11 and 12 students in the Senior High School Department of San Beda
University, the Process covers the interview (Research Questions) that the researchers
will conduct in order to obtain variety of answers that will satisfy the set of questions
proposed during the study. After that, the researchers are to analyze and to interpret the
data using thematic analysis. Lastly, the conceptual framework contains the Output
where they can construct a conclusion regarding the difficulties faced by ABM students
in their specialized subjects.

The concept and whole process were clearly presented in a comprehendible manner
using the Input-Process-Output model.

Definition of Terms

The relevant terms used in the study were operationally defined based on connotation.
Operational definition was used in the study because it allows the researchers to
describe each of their terms in a specific way and for the readers to know exactly what
the researchers are talking about when they are referring to something. Operational
definition is easier to apply and comprehend both for the researchers and the readers.

Sources of the Study

The main source that was used to complete the study were the six purposively selected
grade 11 and grade 12 students of San Beda University who are students/taking up the
Accountancy, Business, and Management Strand. There were three respondents for
grade 11 and three respondents for grade 12. Data was gathered using the
unstructured interview which is a non-directive interview is one in which the questions
are not prearranged to spontaneity and the development of questions based on the
responses of the interviewees during the course of the interview. Other sources that
were used in the study are books, journals, articles, and dissertations.

CHAPTER III

Research Design and Methodology

This is a qualitative type research that focuses on gaining insight and

understanding about an individual's perception of events and circumstances. For the
instrument used in the study, the main tool used by the researchers of this study is the
process of interviewing respondents to accumulate and create an in-depth or non-
numerical data that are needed to the study. The researchers of this study were used
purposively sampling techniques, they use it because of a reason that there are specific
characteristics that the research needed. It is non-probability sample that is selected
base on characteristic of a population.

Non-probability sampling is defined as a sampling technique in which the

researcher selects samples based on the subjective judgment of the researcher rather
than random selection. For example, the researchers purposively select a respondents
based on their subjective judgment. The researchers chose this process of interview
because it will generate more comprehensive understanding that can help the research
paper better since qualitative interview are based on words that can clearly explain how,
what, and why the phenomenon happened. After the data were gathered, based on the
chapter 3, the researchers will summarize, analyze, and interpret the gathered answer.

CHAPTER IV

Results and Discussion

This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of the data gathered by the
researchers.

The qualitative data gathered became the bases of knowing the difficulties faced
by ABM students in their specialized subjects.

Results

1. What difficulties do the respondents have and encounter as they take up the
Accounting, Business and Management strand?
Four themes were identified to answer the first research question. They are as follows:

Theme 1: It showed up that, two respondents agreed that the specialized subjects are
an adjustment for them coming from junior high school.

Theme 2: It showed up that, four respondents claimed that they have difficulties in
specialized subjects.

Theme 3: From the data gathered, it showed that two participants are having difficulty in
understanding their lessons due to their teacher.

Theme 4: Two participants are struggling in finding the time to study their specialized
subjects.

2. How do the respondents deal with these hindrances as they enter their degree
programs?

Four themes were identified to answer the second research question. They are as
follows:
Theme 1: Two respondents agreed that self-studying can boost self-learning

Theme 2: The respondent’s experiences help with their classmates who are
knowledgeable with the lesson.

Theme 3: The respondents agreed that, building self-motivation can affect the mood in
your academics.

Theme 4: Two respondents agreed that establishing a study habit to make studying
more efficient.

3. How do the specialized subjects in ABM affect a student's thinking on why the
Accountancy, Business and Management strand, unstable and unfit for them?

One theme was identified to answer the third research question. The theme follows:

Theme 1: There are respondents who only choose the ABM strand because of their
family businesses, as well as their parent's preference of accountancy as a pre-law
program for their children. There are respondents who even prefer the HUMMS strand
because they see themselves as an expressive person as well as it is really their
preference.

In summary, the difficulties faced by ABM students in their specialized subjects are: The
subjects require a lot of skills, difficulties in specialized subjects in terms of the cognitive
demands, difficulty in understanding their lessons due to their teacher, struggling in
finding the time to study their specialized subjects, and the proximity of a student's
home from his/her school plays a big role especially in terms of transportation wherein it
takes up a lot of time for the students.
The Researchers were able to answer the questions with the help of the questionnaires
that they conducted and as well as the respondents who participated.

CHAPTER V

Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations

The study's summary of findings, conclusion, and recommendations are all

appropriate. The researchers encapsulated the responses they gathered for the study in
the summary of findings. For each question, these were enumerated in a summarized
and categorized format. They were able to elicit the respondents' difficulties in
completing their specialized subjects in the ABM strand, as well as their coping
mechanisms and thoughts and feelings of belonging in their chosen strand. These
responses aided the researchers in reaching their study's conclusion. The most
common issues that ABM students face in their strand are a lack of intellectual and
numerical skills, as well as a lack of background in their specialized subjects. In addition
to these, unsuitable instructors for specialized subjects and a lack of study time are
barriers to students' effective learning. Finally, based on the findings and conclusions
presented in this study, they were able to make recommendations regarding the
difficulties of ABM students on their specialized subjects. These are: to parents to
assure the likes and skills of their child, to teachers to improve teaching methods, to
students to be responsible in choosing their strand, and for the future researchers to
utilize the study being evaluated. All in all, the chapter V of the study is proper and
consistently aligned to the problem.
 OTHER PARTS OF THE RESEARCH STUDY

The research paper being evaluated includes the following back matters:

Parenthetical citations

In-text citations allows the readers to see immediately where the information that
appeared in the paper came from. These parenthetical citations appeared as the
author’s last name and followed by the date of publication. These matched the
corresponding entries in the bibliography.

Bibliography

Listed in the bibliography, are the sources used in the process of researching the
work. It includes, mainly, the authors’ names, date of publication, and the title if the
materials.

Appendices

This part contains the materials that were too detailed to include in the body of
the study. There are three appendices in this paper and are referred by letters A, B, and
C. (1) Appendix A contains the letter of approval from the researchers. (2) Appendix B
consists of the questionnaire used in the study. (3) Appendix C includes the raw data
with the complete transcript of reviews.

Curriculum vitae

This part is composed of the detailed profile of the researchers of the study. This
mainly highlights their credentials such as awards and workshop/seminar experiences.
It also appears with the researchers’ photographs.

Only the parenthetical notes appeared in the body of the text, specifically, at the
end of each cited portion of the paper. While the rest – the bibliography, appendices
and curriculum vitae – are all located by the end the of the research paper.

In this research study, the style used in writing was the American Psychological
Association (APA) Format.
  The title page is not common for Modern Language Association (MLA) Format,
however it is required when writing in APA style.
 Another indicator in categorizing this study as APA format is the reference page.
In MLA format, “Works Cited” is used as the reference list title. Whereas in the
APA format, either “References” or “Bibliography” is used to indicate the
source/reference list.
 Citing a work in APA format only write out the last name of the author followed by
the first and middle initial.
APA format gives the paper a better flow and helps to keep the focus on the content
of the paper. APA style also helped the researchers to better organize their research
and help the reader easily find the information that is important for evaluating the study.