Principal Support and Research Competence of TLE Teachers: The Mediating Role of Teacher's Attitudes Towards Research

The primary goal of this study was to use a quantitative non-experimental descriptive-correlational research design to determine the mediating role of teachers' attitudes toward research in the relationship between principal support and research competence of TLE teachers in the selected municipalities of Davao Occidental, namely: Malita, Santa Maria, and Don Marcelino. The study included 239 TLE teacher respondents using a complete enumeration sampling technique. Adapted survey questionnaires were used during the study. The mean, Pearson correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to analyze the data gathered in the study. The findings demonstrated high principal assistance, including emotional, environmental, instructional, and technological support. TLE teachers demonstrated a high research competency, including knowledge and skills. On the other hand, the findings for TLE teachers' research attitudes were similarly high. Furthermore, a significant relationship was found between principal support and TLE teachers’ research competence. Similarly, there was a significant relationship between principal support and teachers' attitudes toward research. A significant relationship was also observed between TLE teachers' attitudes toward research and their research competence. Furthermore, a partial mediation was found between the relationship of principal support and TLE teachers' research competence when mediated by teachers' attitudes toward research. Furthermore, it was discovered that principals’ support and teachers' research competence increased after being mediated by TLE teachers’ attitudes toward research. As a result, the findings imply partial mediation because the effect was determined to be significant. The findings of the study may serve as a basis for developing policies, programs, and activities that strengthen principal support, leading to improvements in teachers’ research competence and attitudes.