IMPROVING THE REFERENCING SKILLS OF GRADE 12 HUMSS-ARCHIMEDES THROUGH

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY WRITING AT WESTERN BICUTAN NATIONAL

HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2019-2020

An Action Research Proposal Presented to the

Schools Division Office of Taguig City and Pateros

Christian T. Fruto
Teacher II- English
Western Bicutan National High School
Schools Division Office of Taguig City and Pateros

June, 2019
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
National Capital Region
Division of Taguig City and Pateros
WESTERN BICUTAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
EP Housing, Phase 1, Barangay Pinagsama, Taguig City

FOR : REA MILANA-CRUZ, Ed. D.

Secondary School Principal IV

FROM : CHRISTIAN T. FRUTO

Teacher II- English

RE : Seeking an approval to conduct an Action Research

I would like to seek for an approval to conduct an action research titled: “Improving the
Referencing Skills of Grade 12 HUMSS-Archimedes through Annotated Bibliography Writing at Western
Bicutan National High School for the School Year 2019-2010”.

The main objective of the study is to aid Grade 12 HUMSS-Archimedes students in improving
their referencing skills in their research class considering that one of the major problems to novice
research students is plagiarism due to poor referencing and citation skills. As such, this study can foster
solutions to alleviate the cases of plagiarism among students.

Attached herewith is the research proposal for your perusal.

CHRISTIAN T. FRUTO
Teacher II- English

Enclosure: As mentioned above

Cc: Monaliza T. Mesa, Department Head, III
 IMPROVING THE REFERENCING SKILLS OF GRADE 12 HUMSS-ARCHIMEDES THROUGH
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY WRITING AT WESTERN BICUTAN NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2019-2020

I. Context and Rationale

Plagiarism has been a widespread writing malpractice among students and professionals alike
ranging from their simple essays to scientific and technical reports. Moreover, the Oxford University
(2019) defines plagiarism as an act of "presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or
without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement". Additionally,
many experts have stated that students commit plagiarism for several reasons like sheer laziness, fear of
failing, poor time management skills, and sloppiness (Council of Writing Program Administrators, 2014;
Cleary, 2017; & Rotcher Institute of Technology, n.d.). Interestingly, on the other hand, poor referencing
skills were highlighted as the most dominant factor leading students to inadequately cite or not even
acknowledge the source of the information. As a result, students produce weak papers and are punished
for plagiarism as it is an academic offense.

Referencing, according to Skillsyouneed.com (n.d.), entails properly citing the sources of ideas
when incorporated in writing because it provides not only the location of the original source but also duly
credits its authors. Especially when drafting a research paper, the authors’ ideas, theories, and research
findings can be related to the current study making it more valid and reliable (Massey University, 2018).
However, many senior high school students continue improperly cite the sources of information. In fact,
it has been observed that even after finishing a research class, students still have less mastery on
referencing which is crucial in writing reports and documents. This, in turn, poses a great burden on the
part of the research teacher.

Thus, this study attempts to improve the referencing skills of Grade 12 HUMSS-Archimedes
students through Annotated Bibliography writing at Western Bicutan National High School for the School
Year 2019-2020. In this way, the researcher hopes to aid in alleviating the cases of plagiarism in writing
papers.

II. Proposed innovation, intervention and strategies

An annotated bibliography consists of citations to sources such as books, documents, and

journals, and a brief descriptive and evaluative paragraph regarding the cited source, typically about 150
words, known as the annotation (Engle, 2019). Consequently, the researcher hopes that by incorporating
this teaching strategy, Grade 12 HUMSS-Archimedes students may improve their referencing skills.

III. Action Research Question

1. How can Annotated Bibliography writing improve the referencing skills of Grade 12-HUMSS
Archimedes students?
 IV. Action Research Methods
A. Research design and Population
The research is a qualitative study that will attempt to collect data through multiple
sources. In addition, Grade 12 HUMSS-Archimedes will be the target participants since they are
currently undertaking the Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion which is a research class under
the tutelage of the proponent for the First Semester, for the S.Y. 2019-2020.

B. Data Gathering Method

Data triangulation will be employed in this study through Focused Group Discussion
(FGD), participant observation, and accomplished Annotated bibliography writeups for
validation and verification of results.

C. Data Analysis Plan

Focused group discussion will be interpreted using thematic analysis whereas participant
observation will be analyzed through narrative analysis. Similarly, accomplished annotated
bibliography writeups will be interpreted using content analysis.

D. Potential Ethical Issues

To ensure the adequate conduct of the study, several considerations will be observed.
First, the proponent will seek for the approval of the school principal to conduct the research.
Then, the researcher will ask for the voluntary participation of the respondents obtaining their
informed consent while parental consent for those who are below 18 years of age. Moreover,
the respondents will be properly informed of the nature and purpose of the research and will
be assured of the privacy of their identity (anonymity) and confidentiality of their responses.
Finally, the instruments will be pilot tested to ensure its validity.

E. Action Research Work Plan & Timeline

Activities Timeline
Pre-implementation
1. Identify participants through early screening. End of June
2. Secure approval of the School Principal/ School Research Committee. First week of July
3. Secure Consent letters. Second week of July
4. Orient Identified participants. Second week of July
5. Develop Instructional Materials. Third week of July
6. Validate research instruments through pilot testing. Fourth week of July
7. Incorporate comments & suggestions in the instruments. First week of August
 Implementation Proper
8. Lecture & Discuss Annotated Bibliography Writing. Second to Fourth week of August
9. Observe participants during class hours. Second to Fourth week of August
10. Submit accomplished Annotated bibliography writeups. Fourth week of August
11. Administer Focused Group Discussion. Fourth Week of August
Post-implementation
12. Organize & interpret data via thematic, narrative, & content analyses. First to Third week of September
Fourth week of September to
13. Write the complete Action Research Manuscript/Report.
Second week of October
14. Submit Action Research Manuscript to School Research Committee. Third week of October
Fourth week of October to
15. Disseminate Results through SLAC & In-Service Trainings.
First week of November

F. Cost Estimates
Item Cost per Unit Number Total Cost
Reproduction of IM 150 30 4500
USB 500 1 500
Printing of Manuscript 500 1 500

G. Plans for Dissemination and Utilization

The findings of the study can be utilized in respective Practical Research classes and applied
subjects in the senior high school requiring extensive referencing and citations. Thus, dissemination of
results can be during School Learning Action Cells (SLACs) and In-Service trainings for the incorporation of
a new strategy in teaching.

H. References

Council of Writing Program Administrators. (2014). Causes of Plagiarism. Retrieved from

https://www.kent.edu/writingcommons/causes-plagiarism

Cleary, M.N. (2017). Top 10 reasons students plagiarize & what teachers can do about it (with apologies
to David Letterman). Retrieved from https://www.kappanonline.org/cleary-top-10-reasons-
students-plagiarize/

Engle, M. (2019). How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography: The Annotated

Bibliography. Retrieved from https://guides.library.cornell.edu/annotatedbibliography
Massey University. (2018). What is referencing? Retrieved from
http://owll.massey.ac.nz/referencing/what-is-referencing.php

Oxford University. (2019). Plagiarism. Retrieved from

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/plagiarism?wssl=1

Rochester Institute of Technology. (n.d.). PLAGIARISM AND COPYRIGHT: Reasons Students Plagiarize or
Cheat. Retrieved from https://www.rit.edu/twc/academicintegrity/reasons-students-plagiarize-
or-cheat
SKILLSYOUNEED. (n.d.). How to Reference or Cite. Retrieved from
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/general/referencing.html