UNDERSTANDING THE BARRIERS AND FACILITATOR OF FINISHING

RESEARCH AMONG CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS

A Thesis Proposal
Presented to the Faculty of the College of Criminal Justice Education
UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

_______________

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree in
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY

_______________

MARLON A. NAMANGCAYAO
ARA GRACE B. BANAGBANAG
LUSSEL M. MAE SOLIS

March 2024
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title

TITLE PAGE i

APPROVAL SHEET ii

ABSTRACT iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

INTRODUCTION 1

METHODS 5

Study Participants 5

Design and Procedure 6

Material and Instruments 6

Ethical Considerations 6

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 9

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

A. Turn-it in/Plagiarism Result

B. Title Proposal

C. Title Approval Signed by the Research Coordinator and Dean

D. Title Approval Forms

E. Undergraduate Research Agreement

F. Assignment of Research Personnel

G. Edorsement for Outline Defense

H. Edorsement for Final Defense

I. Consultation Form/Routing Slip

J. Letter of permission to Conduct Study

K. Certificate of Appearance

L. Validation Results (From Panels)

M. Letter and Certificate of Data Analyst

N. Sample Questionnaire
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ABSTRACT

This study endeavors to achieve Understanding the Barriers and Facilitator of

Finishing Research Among Criminology Students. The criminology students

who experience, challenges, barriers and facilitator of finishing research while

taking a thesis subject. Specifically, student having their experiences when

creating a writing thesis. The students challenge research faced when

attempting to accomplish the research project. Students things that influence

the capacity to successfully complete a research project. Among students

coping strategies that help deal with the difficulties they faced. Those students

that insight we can learn from their experiences. The researcher used

qualitative phenomenological approach, the study seeks to provide an in-

depth understanding of the unique perspectives, challenges, and successes

of criminology students in their research journey. The participants of this

study are third year criminology students selected 10 participants conducting

in the University of Mindanao Campus, Barangay Maa, Davao City.

Keywords: Understanding, Barriers, Facilitator, finishing, Criminology,

Students
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AKNOWLEDGEMENT

We express our appreciation to Dr. Joner V. Vilaluz, PhD.,our

research adviser, for his guidance and assistance in the completion of this

research study based on your expertise.

We appreciate the knowledge and guidance provided by Prof.

Teburcio P. Ybanez Jr., MSCJ and Prof. Agnes R. Capili, MSCRIM, who

were our validators and panelist for the completion of our research study.

Prof. Irish P. Bandolos, MSCJ, our research coordinator, we want to

express our gratitude for being such a kind and approachable person.

To Dr. Carmelita B. Chaves, Dean of the College of Criminal Justice

Education, we highly thank you for your approval of this research title.

Last but not least, we would like to foremost thank Almighty God for

providing knowledge, strength, and peace of mind both physically and

mentally to complete this research study.

DIDICATION

Our thesis paper is dedicated to the loving family of our parents who

provide us with financial, mental, and physical support. Additionally, we want

to thank our friends and classmates for aiding us in completing this research

study. The group member of this research is extremely thankful and proud of

their accomplishment in completing this research. Despite the difficulties they

encountered while processing this research, we persevered until we achieved

our goal.
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INTRODUCTION

Completing research projects is a critical component of academic

development for criminology students and some of criminology students did not

finish their research on time. However, these students often face various barriers

that hinder their progress, impacting their ability to effectively finish their research

(Bayona-Ore & Bazan, 2020). Understanding the specific challenges and

facilitators of research completion among criminology students is essential for

developing targeted interventions to support their academic success and

research productivity ( Brown & Williams, 2019). According to Semma et al.,

(2023). Many of the students struggle with thesis writing, which can cause

tremendous stress to finish their research study in the given time because

research study is one of the requirments to finish the degree of each student.

Furthermore,research study in one of the obstacles to the student delay of their

graduation. Those that follow included the students’ lack of academic writing

abilities and their restricted understanding of research and thesis writing,

whereas some of the students confronting difficulties included inadequate

academic preparation, a lack of family and direction support, and the research

sample’s lack of cooperation (Bakhou & Bouhania, 2020). As stated by Al Izza

and Lailiyah, (2024) Writing a thesis is typically viewed as a scary task because

students often encounter difficulties. A majority of private universities require their

final projects to be written as part of their graduation requirements, and final-year

students often feel anxious and even depressed because they fear they won’t be

able to complete their thesis.

Numerous research studies have shed light on the challenges that

students experience when doing research assignments. For example, studies

have a task to finish an assignment on the day given the teacher, but some of the

student frequently failed to finish the task because of lack of time management.

(Hensley et al., 2018) the better time management of student they often success

to finish their college. The significance of time management is to help you how to

fix your time in different task, manage your time it helps you work smarter and

done your task on time. Similarly, Johnson (2018) underlined the importance of

mentorship and faculty support in assisting students in overcoming research-

related challenges. Research mentor can lead and assist students to simplify the

significance learning on what the best strategy that give positive learning student

outcomes to accomplish the task of the student. Hence, (Brown and Williams,

2019) investigated the intricate relationship between self-efficacy, motivation, and

successful completion of research assignments among undergraduate students.

As to their findings provided important insights into the psychological aspects that

influence students' productivity and performance in research projects.

Collectively, these works add to a better understanding of the multiple problems

inherent in student research projects, thereby providing a foundation for

developing more effective strategies to support students in their academic

pursuits.

As to the study made by (Ferdoush et al., 2021) focusing on barriers to

undergraduate research experiences in the social sciences, providing valuable

insights into the specific challenges encountered by criminology students.

Additionally, Lestari (2020) the manifesting challenges facing by students when

writing a thesis. In a systematic manner , these challenges are associated with

the issues with students such as time management, English proficiency, research

methodology, attitude, and research topic . The main obstacles of students are

associated with their limited and low ability in English grammar and lack of

knowledge to do the task. Lack of knowledge means limited information and low

intellectual of student in terms of creating a thesis.

Understanding the barriers and enablers to completing research projects

among criminology students provides valuable information for educators and

administrators (Smith, 2016; Johnson, 2018). By identifying these elements,

educational institutions can develop particular initiatives to improve criminology

students' research capacity and academic performance (Brown & Williams,

2019). Furthermore, this study aims to expand on its immediate setting and

contribute to a better understanding of how educational interventions can

effectively assist research-focused fields. This greater understanding can lead to

the development of more nuanced and effective techniques for supporting

research excellence in academic contexts, which will benefit both students and

the advancement of criminology knowledge.

According to Bandura (1986) the social cognitive theory, which holds that

individuals' actions and academic achievement are influenced by a complex

interplay of personal characteristics, contextual effects, and behavioral patterns.

According to this view, people are not passive recipients of external stimuli;

rather, they actively participate in cognitive processes that impact their behavior
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and learning outcomes. Self-efficacy, learning experiences, and environmental

influences are the fundamental components of social cognitive theory that apply

to this study. Further added self-efficacy define as individuals' beliefs in their

ability to plan and carry out the steps required to achieve specific goals (Literal,

Salamanca, Santos & Tajonda, 2024, p. 9).

The objectives of this study is to determined the challenges and barriers of

finishing research among criminology students. Specifically it will answer the

following objectives. Student having their experiences when creating a writing

thesis. The students challenges research faced when attempting to accomplish

the research project. Students things that influence the capacity to successfully

complete a research project. Among students coping strategies that help deal

with the difficulties they faced. Those students that insight we can learn from their

experiences. Additionally, the study aims to contribute to the broader

understanding of effective educational interventions in research-oriented

disciplines.

This study is significant, specifically in criminology students who

experience struggling and hindering the completion of research studies. Further

this study was carried out to evaluate undergraduate research students

knowledge, attitudes, and impediments towards complete research student study

(Soe et al., 2018). The scrutiny will help those students who experience difficulty

in creating research studies. And also, this study will help criminology students

improve their skills and capability to conduct a study. The aim of this study is to

assist students in enhancing their knowledge, ability, and research strategies.

Additionally, this study will provide the right path for criminology students.

Successful completion of research requires an understanding of the obstacles

and enablers. Researchers can improve their preparation for difficulties, modify

their methods, and devise tactics that increase the likelihood of success by

identifying barriers. Effective advancement can be achieved by recognizing and

utilizing supportive factors.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Design and Procedure

The study intends to investigate the lived encounter of criminology

students in their research endeavors, with a focus on understanding the barriers

and facilitators that influence their research completion. Through a qualitative

interview, the study seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the unique

perspectives, challenges, and successes of criminology students in their

research journey. Phenomenological research aims to understand and describe

individuals' lived experiences of a particular phenomenon. These studies focus

on uncovering the essence of the experience as described by the participants,

emphasizing the exploration of subjective perceptions and meanings (Chaves,

Paña, Patalinhog, & Salamanca, 2024, pp. 87-96).

This study will follow the appropriate stages for conducting the study.

Following confirmation of the validity and reliability of the interview guide

questions, the first stage is to draft a letter addressed to the participant,

requesting permission to perform the study and their participation. Purposive

sampling will be utilized to select potential participants who have engaged in

research activities. Participants will be selected from diverse academic

backgrounds and levels to capture a comprehensive range of experiences. In-

depth, semi-structured interviews will be conducted to elicit rich narratives from

the participants. The interviews will be audio-recorded with participant consent

and transcribed for analysis.

Study Participants
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The participant of this research is a criminology student enrolled in the

research course for third year students. Purposive sampling, where researchers

will select participants based on specific characteristics or attributes that are

relevant to the research question (Campbell et al., 2020) will be utilized to select

criminology students who have engaged in research activities. Participants will

be selected from diverse academic backgrounds and levels to capture a

comprehensive range of experiences. The researchers identified criminology

students and select ten (10) participants to better understand their lived

experiences of conducting a research study. The study was conducted at a

variety of places around of University of Mindanao campus.

Material/Instrument

The researchers will acquire data utilizing interview guide questionnaires

and a voice recorder. The researchers will create interview guide questions for

participants. They will be validated by a panel of experts before requesting

assistance with necessary revisions and more information. The researchers will

create the surveys firsthand.

Ethical Considerations

The researchers ensured that the study was conducted in full compliance

with ethical standards by adhering to the study protocol assessments and

standardized criteria, particularly while managing the population and data. This

dedication to ethical behavior is critical for maintaining the integrity and

dependability of the study findings.

Voluntary participation. All research participants and responses are free to

participate. The research respondents and participants will be given an

orientation about the nature of the study. They will be given time to determine

whether or not they want to participate.

Privacy and confidentiality. The personal and/or professional information of the

participants required for the study will be kept private, and utmost confidentiality

of the respondents' data will be maintained.

Informed consent process. The researcher questionnaire will be devoid of

technical jargon and presented in a clear, understandable manner for the study

participants. The questionnaire will be administered with the consent and support

of the relevant authorities, and no questionnaire will be given to any respondent

without permission from the authorized channels, ensuring that informed consent

is provided to protect the participants' identity.

Risk. In the study, there were no high-risk situations that could potentially impact

the participants' physical, psychological, or socio-economic well-being.

Biosafety. The study will not involve medical or scientific experiments that

jeopardize biological or environmental subjects. Furthermore, it will address

various ethical concerns, including plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, conflict of

interest, identification of focus group participants, deceit, observation of people in

public, technology-related issues, and concerns related to authorship. These

ethical considerations are essential for maintaining the integrity and credibility of

the research process.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This study presented is the result and discussion, from our ten (10)

participants of this study is the third year criminology students in University of

Mindanao campus who taking a research course or subject and also known as a

thesis to their experience and challenges they faced during conducting and

writing a research study. The researcher conduct interview of the participants

face to face and used voice recording using our mobile phone to duplicate the

statement each participant and to maintain their individual confidentiality and

personal privacy. The researcher using coding letter and numbers P1, P2, P3,

P4, P5, and so on.

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