Faculty Research Competence and Institutional Support: Basis For Developing a Research Manual

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among faculty research competence, institutional support, and research productivity in five private diocesan higher education institutions situated in an underserved province in the Philippines. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), the study underscores the role of research capacity in improving educational quality and institutional performance. A descriptive-correlational design was used, involving 244 faculty respondents selected through stratified random sampling from a population of 338. Data were collected using a structured, researcher-adapted questionnaire measuring research competence (problem identification, research design, methodology, academic writing, and dissemination), institutional support, and research productivity. Descriptive statistics summarized levels of competence, support, and productivity, while Pearson correlation tested relationships among variables. Findings indicated moderate competence in problem identification but low competence in research design selection, methodology, academic writing, and dissemination. All dimensions of institutional support were rated low, including funding, policies, mentorship, training, incentives, and infrastructure. Research productivity was low to very low, with particularly limited publication and conference participation. Correlation results showed a moderate positive relationship between research competence and research productivity (r = .34, p < .001) and a weak but significant positive relationship between institutional support and research productivity (r = .19, p = .003). Based on these results, a contextualized Faculty Research Manual was developed to strengthen research competencies and institutional support mechanisms and to promote sustainable research engagement in resource-constrained private HEIs, thereby contributing to the advancement of inclusive and equitable quality education.