UNVEILING FACTORS INFLUENCING RESEARCH HESITANCY AND LIMITED RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT AMONG FILIPINO BEGINNING TEACHERS

This descriptive qualitative study explores factors contributing to research hesitancy and limited research engagement experienced by Filipino beginning teachers. By employing in-depth individual interviews and a virtual focus group discussion, the study gathered insights from 21 purposively selected beginning teachers. Participants were required to meet all inclusion criteria to be part of the study. Template analysis was used to interpret the data gathered. The participants highlighted poor research foundations, demanding work conditions, lack of mentoring, perceived lack of professional competence, and preoccupation with personal issues as factors contributing to their research hesitance and limited research engagement. A significant finding revealed that many beginning teachers are preoccupied with personal issues, which often hinder their ability to balance personal and professional responsibilities. This highlights the complex interplay between personal struggles and professional challenges that novice educators face, an underexplored area in research. Studying the topic qualitatively allowed for a deeper understanding of these various challenges, bringing to light personal and professional struggles that may not have been fully captured through quantitative methods alone, providing a more complete picture of the issue. Findings also suggest a need for targeted interventions, such as enhanced research instruction, structured mentoring systems, manageable teaching responsibilities, and in-service training, to empower and support beginning teachers in their research journey. This study has significant implications for teacher preparation programs and school administrators, aiming to foster a research-oriented culture and enhance research engagement among early-career educators. Further investigation into how personal issues affect research skills development could help design more effective support strategies.