Research Competence and Training Needs of Third-Year BSBA Human Resource Management Students at Colegio de Montalban: Basis for a Seminar-Training Program

Abstract

This study assessed the research competence and training needs of third-year BSBA Human Resource Management students at Colegio de Montalban, Rizal, as basis for a proposed seminar-training program. A quantitative evaluative research design was used among 183 respondents from the target population of third-year BSBA-HRM students during the Second Semester of School Year 2025–2026. Data were gathered using a validated researcher-made structured questionnaire with excellent reliability coefficients for research competence (Cronbach's alpha = 0.942) and training needs (Cronbach's alpha = 0.952). Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, ranking, and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that the respondents generally had low research competence across all dimensions, with composite means ranging from 2.260 to 2.326. Data analysis and interpretation obtained the lowest mean, indicating the weakest competence area, while research writing and presentation obtained the highest but still low mean. Conversely, the respondents reported very high training needs across all 24 research training areas, with means ranging from 3.443 to 3.546. The highest training priorities were choosing the appropriate research design, organizing and encoding survey data, interpreting quantitative results, preparing clear questionnaires, and computing descriptive statistics. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences in research competence across demographic groups, indicating that the identified research deficiencies were broadly shared. The study concludes that a structured seminar-training program is necessary to strengthen students' research concepts, methodology, statistical literacy, citation practices, and research writing skills.