University-based Systematic Review of Prevailing Trends and Information Gaps in Sarangani Research Using PRISMA: Pilot Testing for Feasibility

This paper discusses results of a pilot test applying PRISMA 2020 methodologies on research (inclusive years 1995- 2023) carried out by the Science Department of the Mindanao State University – General Santos (MSU – GenSan) to identify information gaps and research needs of Sarangani Province in Southern Philippines. Included in this study were undergraduate theses, peer-reviewed publications, conference proceedings, and terminal reports, and retrieved 153 studies on various topics surrounding Sarangani Province. Among these, biodiversity assessment and natural and agroecosystem studies predominated in undergraduate theses and published articles, respectively. Study representation across municipalities in the province was fairly adequate, except for Malungon which had notably fewer studies. Unfortunately, a good number of undergraduate theses had been irretrievably lost (years 1997, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2020, and 2021), along with the valuable information that they contained, resulting in significant data gaps. Spatio-temporal analyses of conducted studies were done to determine trends and gaps for the crafting of evidence-based policy and interventions as well as for future research directions. On the part of the Science Department of MSU – GenSan, this study recommends improved safekeeping and archival systems for undergraduate theses at the Science Department. Furthermore, it is envisaged that this pilot study will galvanize other researchers to carry out work along this line. This way, conducted studies that otherwise languish in neglect in academia will be used as bases for evidence-based planning and programming by local government units, thereby highlighting the important role of academic research in Southern Philippines.