A methodological investigation on the level of research skills of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration students in a state college in the Philippines / Viclyn D. Bacho, Bernard Baduria, and Rosa May T. Bagasala.

Undergraduate Thesis (BSOA) - Office Administration. Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, 2025.

Includes bibliographical references.

This study investigates the level of research skills of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA) students in a state college in the Philippines, with particular emphasis on their competencies in problem identification, literature review, research design, data analysis, and academic writing. Employing a descriptive-evaluative research design, the study utilized validated survey questionnaires administered to 153 third and fourth-year students to determine their level of proficiency and to identify the challenges they encounter in fulfilling research requirements. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied to interpret the data, while appropriate statistical tests were used to examine the relationship between students' demographic profiles and their research skill levels. The findings indicate that although students generally demonstrate a moderate understanding of basic research concepts, many experience significant difficultly in more technical aspects of research, including synthesizing related literature, constructing sound methodologies, interpreting and analyzing data, and adhering to academic writing conventions. These challenges are further compounded by limited access to scholarly resources, lack of familiarity with research tools and software, inadequate mentoring and guidance from faculty, and time constraints brought about by academic and personal responsibilities. The study also reveals that support mechanisms such as consistent faculty supervision, availability of reference materials, and access to technical assistance play a crucial role in influencing students' performance in research writing and completion. Based on these findings, the study underscores the need for strengthened research instruction, enhanced mentoring systems, and improved institutional support to effectively address existing skill gaps. An action plan is proposed to improve research training initiatives and foster a more supportive and research-oriented academic culture within the BSOA program. Overall, the results aim to inform curriculum refinement and contribute to better preparation of students for research-related academic and administrative tasks.