Research is life: The lived experiences of pre-service teachers on their research course

Abstract

Research is one of the trifocal functions of higher education in the Philippines. It is further cascaded to undergraduate research to ensure that undergraduates in collaboration with their mentor contribute intellectual discoveries or creative output relative to their discipline through research. This phenomenological research was undertaken to highlight the lived experiences of preservice teachers on their research course. To achieve this purpose, twenty-four preservice teachers enrolled in the course Research in Elementary Education A.Y. 2020-2021 were interviewed through online video conferencing. Based on the accounts of the participants, partnership, interaction, guidance, and fulfillment were among the four significant experiences in the course. It was further highlighted that challenges encompassed internet connection, writing the literature review, gathering data, and time constraints. Resources, hardware, support system, and time management were found to be the best practices of the participants in terms of addressing the identified challenges in the course. In terms of the necessary skills and attitude to be successful in the course, participants emphasized the need for communication, teaming and collaboration, information, media, and technology literacy, flexibility and adaptability, critical thinking, and time management skills. Also, motivation and perseverance were among the significant attitudes to be developed in taking the course.