Self-Pacing Research (SPaRe) Kit: A Modular Tool in Increasing the Students’ Level of Academic Motivation and Research Skills in Practical Research 2

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a self-pacing research kit and evaluate its effect in increasing the level of academic motivation and research skills of the Grade 12 students despite COVID-19 crisis. The study utilized Mixed Method – Sequential Research Design. The teacher-researcher selected participants from Grade 12 students who were taking-up Practical Research 2 for the First Semester of the School Year 2020 – 2021. The population of the study were from, Santa Ignacia South District, Division of Tarlac Province, Philippines. As a result, it has been found that grade 12 students’ level of academic motivation before the use of the SPaRe Kit is “fairly motivatedâ€. After the use of the SPaRe Kit, students’ motivation shifted to “highly motivated†at the end of the semester. Somehow, it has been found that before the use of the SPaRe Kit, Grade 12 students were found to be weak in critical thinking, ability to work with numbers, writing the hypothesis, writing the review of related literatures, deciding and writing on proper research designs, deciding and writing proper sampling technique, deciding, writing and carrying out statistical techniques, and analyzing data. Findings also reveal that there is a significant difference in the level of academic motivation and research skills of the Grade 12 students before and after the use of the SPaRe Kit. Thus, it is concluded that the SPaRe Kit contributed positively in increasing the academic motivation and research skills of the students during COVID-19 pandemic crisis.