THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF GRADE 11 STEM STUDENTS

WHILE UNDERTAKING A QUALITATIVE STUDY

A Research

Presented to

Mrs. Marichu T. Archival

Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Subject

Practical Research 1

Group Number 5

Jessa Mae G. Rebalde

Giovanni Vargas

Harold C. Bunaos

Henry James M. Godinez

Christian Peter T. Cagampang

March 2023
Rationale of the study

Practical Research is really quite a hard, challenging, and interesting subject

in Senior High School. Students who were new to the field of researches having a

hard time to adjust into such environment as because doing research requires time,

patience, and struggle (Kalman M, 2019). In conducting a research students need

time. Because Research is a long process of systematic inquiry that entails collection

of data that makes it more hard and challenging for students as it will take time to

conduct the survey that is needed to gather the data that you need in your study.

Thus, the chosen topic should always fall under your interest to avoid

misconceptions in the topic. A study by Kelly Bielefeld (2019) says that researching

can be a very hard skill for students—they have to preserve through it in order to

actually do it well. Even those intelligent and advantageous students must have an

in-depth knowledge in regards to their topic and to be a good critical thinker to

establish a good quality of work. In coherence with the findings of previously

discussed studies Kalman (2019) concluded that almost all the students felt

overwhelmed, confused and uncertain in the beginning and during the entire

process. Most students take a lot of struggles and obstacles in overcoming their

study to be more familiar with their chosen topic. Students have to think about what

interests them, the methodology and methods that suit the discovery process of the

topic and available research subjects and literature. Conducting a qualitative

research is crucial to Senior High School (SHS) as it allows to pursue their interest

and discover new things which they can use in the near future. Learning research

skills in group has significantly improved students’ understanding of underlying

philosophical foundations and is likely to boost students’ confidence in their own

research skills. (Hernàndez-Hernàndez et al., 2015). Thus, knowing the lived

experiences will help to understand the faced challenges of students in the modern

world and engage them to learn and discover more about themselves and develop

their skills that is needed in the near future.

As argued by Philips (2019), 'learning is a phenomenal that involves real

people who live in real life, complex social contexts from which they cannot be

abstracted in any meaningful way.' It has been observed in Don Sergio Osmeña Sr

Memorial National High School (DSOSMNHS) that Grade 11 STEM Students have a

hard time in formulating their ideas in conducting their research study. Most

students have difficulties in understanding the concept of the research and applying

their own knowledge on the subject matter. Hence, the research will be conduct due

to the researcher’s Lived Experiences in conducting qualitative research.

Learning new things that can enrich our lives can expand our knowledge, sharpen

our thoughts, and foster our growth. The main reason why students now fail classes

is because they don't do their research well. In addition, students frequently struggle

to grasp and pinpoint the actual issue that needs to be resolved in their studies,

which has an impact on their academic performance. Even before the COVID-19

pandemic, students were having trouble with similar issues, which made them

wonder what exactly about qualitative research was so tough for them in terms of

their procedures and abilities to conduct a high-quality study. Thus, the purpose of

this study is to explore the faced challenges of students in conducting a qualitative

research and give them insights on how to improve their skills and interest. Practical
Research is really a subject for brave students, those who overcome the catastrophe

will be brave enough to survive.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to explore the Lived Experiences and Challenges of Grade 11 STEM

students in conducting qualitative research.

Most specifically, it seeks to answer the following:

1.) What makes qualitative research difficult?

2.) What are the challenges faced by students in conducting qualitative research?

3.) What process in conducting a qualitative research most STEM students found

challenging?

4.) What are the factors that interest Grade 11 STEM Students in conducting

qualitative research?

5.) What are the positive and negative effects of their experiences in studying

qualitative research in terms of:

a. critical thinking skills development

b. attitude towards learning research

c. comprehension
Significance of the Study

The result of this study would be a great help to the following:

STUDENTS. This study will benefit students. It will help students to develop their

skills in conducting a study and also their issues in regards to the subject practical

research will be addressed.

TEACHERS. The findings of this study will be helpful to the teachers since they are

the one that will shape students’ ability in school and guide them to be a better

individual. Through this study, teachers will know the students’ capacity in regards

to conducting a research and will identify who among their students having a hard

time understanding some lessons discussed.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS. This study will assist parents and guardians in

understanding the status of their child's academic performance. For them to be able

to appropriately guide their child and provide quick and effective assistance and

guidance when their child faces difficulties.

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. This will be a fulfillment to school administrator to

have students’ who are improving their skills and doing good in research class. That

it is really great help to have teachers who taught students well.

FUTURE RESEARCHERS. Future researchers will be able to use this study as a

resource and as a paradigm for additional learning enhancements. As a result, it will

inspire them to conduct studies that are similar with this one.
Definition of Terms

Undertaking. The act of a person who undertakes any task or responsibility.

(dictionary.com/browse/undertaking)

Grade 11. Eleventh grade, 11th grade, junior year, or grade 11 (called Year 12 in

Wales and England and fifth form in Jamaica) is the eleventh, and for some

countries final, grade of secondary schools. (en.wikipedia.org)

Practical Research. is a form of academic research which incorporates practice in

the methodology or research output (en.wikipedia.org)?

Qualitative Research. Qualitative research is the naturalistic study of social

meanings and processes, using interviews, observations, and the analysis of texts

and images. (guides.library.stanford.edu/qualitative research)

Difficulty. something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the

attainment of a goal (merriam-webster.com)

STEM. STEM, in full science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, field and

curriculum centered on education in the disciplines of science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics (STEM). (britannica.com/topic/STEM-education)

Interesting. something that will keep your attention (dictionary.cambridge.org)