Spring Onions

Chapter 67. Practical Research

Nagpatuloy ang kanilang mga klase katulad ng dati. Panibagong lessons sa mga subjects, homeworks, at minememorize; lalo na sa ESP.

Sa English naman, para silang binagsakan ng bloke ng yelo noong magflash ang powerpoint sa screen...

"Today our lesson will be all about: Practical Research."

Napataas siya ng hintuturo, lalo na noong makita ang mga estudyante niya na parang paiyak na.

"I know, I know... You've already heard of it, especially from senior high school students." simula niya. "It sounds intimidating, but only if you're unfamiliar with it. So! I'm teaching you in advance for you to be ready during those years."

"In this lesson, I will be familiarizing you with the concept of writing a research paper," nilipat niya ang slide. "Its parts, how to properly use and cite sources, and how to ethically collect and analyze data."

"Lastly, when the time comes, I will also teach you how to be prepared during a chapter defense."

Mayroong napasinghap sa gilid ng room na parang nilagutan ng hininga,

"Oh my mother and father, chapter defense..."

Tumikhim naman si Sir. Marcelino at nagpatuloy nang istrikto.

"As I was saying... I will share the common difficult questions I often used as a panelist for senior high school research studies. This can help you come up with your own answers and better understand your research paper. Are we clear?"

"Yes po, sir!"

"Okay. Moving on..."

Mabusising pinaliwanag ni Sir. Marcelino ang mga parte ng practical research, at tutok namang nakinig ang mga estudyante sa kaniya. Tanging ang pagkaskas ng kanilang bolpen o lapis sa papel ang ingay na nilikha nila.

Mayroong Chapter I hanggang Chapter V ang practical research. Lahat sila ay may kani-kanilang layunin sa pagpapatibay ng kahalagahan ng isang research paper na pinag-aaralan, at para masagot ang poblemang gustong lutasin o sagutin ng research paper.

"The hardest part about writing a research paper is deciding on a topic, since it is the core of your research. In order to decide what your topic will be... Mag-isip kayo ng bagay na gusto niyong pag-aralan. Like a problem na gusto niyong hanapan ng solusyon or i-explore. Something that you are passionate about and can be helpful to other people." pahayag niya. "The thing with research topic, is you have to commit to it and stay interested to it, even if you have to research, write, and talk about it over and over again from the start of your research paper journey-- to the finish. Remember, you will be making your research paper for three months. And it will serve as your project in this third quarter and fourth quarter."

Nanahimik ang kanilang klase roon. Napatitig kay Sir. Marcelino.

Dahil doon, nag-ka existential crisis silang lahat. Biglang napatanong: Bakit ba kasi uso ang research paper sa Pilipinas?

"I'll give you an example on how we can turn your idea into a research topic." wika ni Sir. Marcelino at binuksan ang kaniyang marker upang magsulat. "For example, you want to research about the students' mental health. Basically, a simple and broad idea or general topic as a start. Now, what we should do is narrow it down to be specific."

"First, the students. What students? Are they elementary? High school? From what school?" binilugan niya ang salita at nilagyan ito ng mga nakakonekta na linya na parang branches sa isang tree diagram para sa category nito. "Then, mental health. What kind of mental health? Anxiety? Stress levels? Confidence? In what? School performance in a specific subject? Academic pressure from family? Specific social media app?"