Guidelines for Developing the Research Ability of Undergraduate Students in the Bachelor of Education Program, Faculty of Education, Uttaradit Rajabhat University

Abstract

          The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the current problems and the needs for developing the research ability of undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education program, Faculty of Education, Uttaradit Rajabhat University, 2) to develop guidelines for enhancing the research ability and3) to examine the results of implementing these guidelines for developing the research ability. The methodology in this research was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 involved the sample group comprising 211 third-year undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education at Uttaradit Rajabhat University in the academic year 2024. The samples were selected through stratified random sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire designed to assess the current problems and needs for developing the research ability. Phase 2 involved the sample group comprising seven experts. The research instrument was the guidelines for developing the research ability of undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Education program, Faculty of Education, Uttaradit Rajabhat University. Phase 3 involved the sample group for the trial implementation of the guidelines comprising twenty-three third-year undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education at Uttaradit Rajabhat University in the academic year 2024, selected through cluster random sampling. The research instruments included 1) a questionnaire on participants’ opinions regarding the guidelines, 2) a pre-test and post-test of research ability, and 3) a satisfaction assessment form for the guidelines. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, the Priority Needs Index (PNI), enter multiple regression analysis and paired-sample t-test. The results of the study can be summarized as follows:

1. Regarding the needs for developing the research ability of undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Education program, data analysis and interpretation exhibited the highest priority need. 2. The overall evaluation of quality of the guidelines for developing the research ability was found to be at a high level. and 3. The results of implementing guidelines for developing the research ability revealed that undergraduate students’ research ability after participating in the trial was significantly higher than before the trial, with statistical significance at 0.05 level. Participants expressed high overall satisfaction with the workshop. The overall evaluation of quality of the guidelines for developing the research ability was found to be at a high level.