Gestation to maturation: A framework for transforming Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) into a sustainable research culture in basic education

Abstract

Developing a culture of research is becoming a need for basic education schools. To provide a concrete and actual case for this, the study surveys the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in research of the academic personnel of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC), a Jesuit basic education school in Cebu, Philippines. The study shows that the academic personnel’s knowledge of research falls under the satisfactory level, while their attitude towards it reflects a positive perception of its usefulness, with mild anxiety and a neutral predisposition towards it, and their research practices are described as very good. A Mann-Whitney U-test revealed that academic personnel’s graduate studies engagement significantly affects their knowledge in research (p = 0.006), but not their attitudes (p = 0.172) or practices (p = 0.08), although the latter nearly approached statistical significance. A separate Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test indicated relatively uniform KAP levels across department or employment category (p = 0.114) and employment status (p = 0.591).

The study recommends the refinement and adaptation of the proposed strategic initiatives to support the continuous development of a strong research culture within the institution, and to address the identified needs in the academic personnel’s knowledge, attitude, and practices in research.