Abstract:
The role of teachers is significant in making sure that education serves its purpose. As such, teachers should possess high degree of competence specifically in conducting researches to transcend learning into scientific, evidence-based, and factual (Polit & Tatano, 2010). Hence, this study determined the research competencies of Senior High School teachers in the Schools Division of Ilocos Sur for the School Year 2019-2020. The descriptive-correlational design was used to investigate the demographic profile, the level of research competencies of the respondents, and the significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and their level of research competencies. It involved 225 Senior High School teachers utilizing a questionnaire to determine their level of research competency. Frequency, percentage, mean and Pearson correlation were employed to analyze data. Research findings showed that majority of the respondents are young, mostly females and married, have obtained master’s degree units but with less than 5 years teaching experiences, and have not attended any training in research nor have conducted research studies. Moreover, respondents possess the competency to conduct research studies given their high level of research competencies. Furthermore, the position and number of research training attended by teachers manifest significant relationship to the level of their research competency. The researcher recommends the conduct of trainings in research to improve research competencies of teachers, and for school heads and research coordinators to guide teachers pursue research advocacies. As an output, the study formulated a research upgrading program of senior high school teachers of SDO Ilocos Sur.

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Keywords: Research Competency, Senior High School Teachers, Research, Upgrading Program