E-Saliksik: Advancing Evidence-Based Education Through DepEd’s Research Portal

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has taken a significant step towards promoting evidence-based decision-making and fostering a culture of research within the basic education sector. Through the establishment of E-Saliksik: The DepEd Research Portal, as mandated by DepEd Order No. 14, s. 2022, the department aims to create a centralized repository for completed research studies, making them readily accessible to educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders. This article examines the development, implementation, and potential impact of E-Saliksik on the Philippine education system.

What is E-Saliksik?

E-Saliksik, short for “Edukasyon Saliksik,” is the official repository for research in the Department of Education (DepEd). The Portal was designed to contribute to the culture of research in the Department by providing easy access to completed and quality-assured research produced by its employees, as well as its partner organizations and institutions.

E-Saliksik is powered by a WordPress-based content management system (CMS), which allows content creators to compose their work and make it accessible to their target audiences online. The portal organizes content into two technical categories: Posts (for timely content such as uploaded research and periodic research-related content) and Pages (for non-time-sensitive content such as static “About” and “Contact Us” pages).

Background and Rationale

In recent years, DepEd has implemented several policies to strengthen research initiatives within the department, including:

• The adoption of the Basic Education Research Agenda (DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2016)
• The establishment of Research Management Guidelines (DepEd Order No. 16, s. 2017, amended by DepEd Order No. 26, s. 2021)
• The creation of the Basic Education Research Fund (BERF)

The Basic Education Research Agenda outlines priority research areas across four themes: Teaching and Learning, Child Protection, Human Resource Development, and Governance. It also addresses three cross-cutting themes: Gender and Development, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and Inclusive Education. This agenda guides research priorities and ensures that studies align with DepEd’s strategic goals.

Basic Education Research Fund (BERF)

BERF is a grant facility established to support education research initiatives in the Department. Key features of BERF include:

• Allocation: 75% of the fund is used exclusively for research proposals, while 25% can be used for research-related activities.
• Eligibility: Regular or permanent DepEd personnel with no pending administrative cases are eligible to apply.
• Grant amounts: Vary based on research scope, ranging from ₱30,000 for school-level studies to ₱500,000 for nationwide research.

Objectives and Features of E-Saliksik

E-Saliksik serves as the central repository for:

1. Research funded by the Basic Education Research Fund (BERF)
2. Studies conducted by DepEd offices, personnel, and teachers
3. Research carried out in partnership with DepEd
4. Relevant studies by external institutions and independent researchers (with permission from authors/owners)

The portal aims to:

• Improve access to education research
• Encourage the conduct and use of research from school to national level
• Support evidence-based policy and program development
• Foster knowledge sharing among education stakeholders

Access and User Roles

E-Saliksik implements a tiered access system with three primary user roles:

1. Subscriber: End users of the site with no uploading or administrative privileges. Newly created accounts are given this role by default.
2. Uploader: Assigned staff who can contribute content to E-Saliksik and modify it. They can create new posts, submit them to the Portal Workflow, modify the visibility of their posts, and assign existing categories and tags.
3. Administrator: Managers of E-Saliksik who maintain control over the design, user experience, functionality, and setting of the overall requirements of the system. They have full access to user account management, content management, plugin management, and theme management.

Obtaining Access

Users can obtain access to E-Saliksik through two main methods:

1. Normal Registration: Users can register for an account by clicking the “Register” button on the E-Saliksik login page and following the prompts.
2. Provision by PS-PRDD: The Planning Service-Policy, Research and Development Division (PS-PRDD) manages the creation of accounts for specific roles. They issue memoranda informing DepEd personnel about registration procedures and create accounts in batches.

DepEd is implementing a phased approach to providing subscriber accounts, as outlined in the DepEd Order, to ensure a smooth rollout and effective user onboarding.

Content Management and Organization

E-Saliksik hosts a diverse range of content types, each serving a specific purpose in advancing education research and policy-making. The content is carefully organized using a robust classification system to ensure easy access and searchability.

Types of Content

1. Basic Education Research Studies: These form the core of E-Saliksik’s repository. They include comprehensive research reports on various aspects of basic education in the Philippines, ranging from classroom-level studies to system-wide analyses.
2. Education Statistics and Data: This category includes quantitative information such as enrollment rates, student performance metrics, teacher-to-student ratios, and other key educational indicators. These data sets provide valuable context for research and policy decisions.
3. Research Bulletins: These are concise, two-page documents that summarize the results of research projects in a manner accessible to the general public. They serve as quick reference tools for policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders who need rapid access to research findings.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation Reports: These documents provide insights into the effectiveness of various DepEd programs and policies, offering valuable feedback for continuous improvement.

Organization and Classification

The content in E-Saliksik is organized using a dual classification system of Categories and Tags, implemented through WordPress’s taxonomy feature. This system allows for both broad and specific categorization, enhancing the searchability and usability of the portal.

Categories

Categories in E-Saliksik are organized into four main groups:

1. Main Research Agenda Themes:

• Teaching and Learning: This category covers strategies, best practices, and factors related to instruction, curriculum, learners, assessment, and learning outcomes.
• Child Protection: Addresses issues such as bullying, teenage pregnancy, addictive behaviors, and child labor, as well as interventions to protect learners.
• Human Resource Development: Focuses on teaching and non-teaching qualifications, hiring, career development, and employee welfare.
• Governance: Examines DepEd’s structures, systems, and processes, covering planning, finance, program management, transparency, accountability, and evaluation.

2. Cross-cutting Themes:

• Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM): Covers research on prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation in the context of education.
• Inclusive Education: Examines the provision of meaningful education across barriers that limit learner participation and achievement.
• Gender and Development: Looks into gender mainstreaming and responsiveness in DepEd structures, policies, programs, and projects.
• Learning Continuity Supports: Focuses on research related to the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Geographical Scope:

• National: Includes research that covers at least two or more regions.
• Regional: Covers research specific to one region, including studies on its divisions and schools. (Regions I to XII, MIMAROPA, CARAGA, NCR, CAR, and BARMM)

4. Additional Content Types:

• Research Bulletins: Category for the two-page research summaries.
• Education Data: For various datasets outputted by DepEd’s information systems.

Tags

Tags in E-Saliksik provide more specific identifiers for research content. Key tag groups include:

• Completion Year: Indicates the year the research was completed (e.g., 2016, 2017, 2018).
• Learning Stage: Specifies the educational level (e.g., Elementary School, Junior High School, Senior High School, Adult Learning).
• Target Group: Identifies specific groups with special needs or concerns (e.g., LGBT youth, IP children, Muslim learners, students with learning disabilities).
• Research Design / Methodology: Highlights notable research approaches (e.g., Regression Discontinuity Design, Difference-in-Difference, Ethnography, Process Tracing).
• Theoretical Framework: Names theories, learning designs, or specific researchers whose work is being tested or applied.
• Programs, Projects, and Policies: Tags specific national government initiatives examined in the research (e.g., School-Based Feeding Program, Alternative Learning System).

Tiers of Disclosure

To balance accessibility with data privacy concerns, E-Saliksik implements two tiers of disclosure:

1. General Public Disclosure: Full versions of research reports are accessible to all users. This applies to most studies that do not contain sensitive information.
2. Limited Public Disclosure: Only abstracts are publicly available, with full reports requiring special permission for access. This tier is used for research involving sensitive topics or vulnerable populations.

Research Bulletins

Research Bulletins play a crucial role in making research findings more accessible. They are structured in four parts:

1. Introduction: Provides context and background for the research.
2. Discussion of Results/Findings: Presents key outcomes and discoveries.
3. Conclusion and Recommendations: Summarizes main points and suggests actionable steps.
4. References: Lists key sources for further reading.

These bulletins serve as a bridge between comprehensive research reports and the needs of busy policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders who require quick access to research insights.

By implementing this comprehensive content management and organization system, E-Saliksik ensures that valuable research is not only preserved but also made easily accessible and usable for a wide range of educational stakeholders. This organization supports the portal’s goal of fostering evidence-based decision-making in Philippine basic education.

Quality Control Process

To ensure the quality of archived research, DepEd has implemented a quality control process that includes:

• Adoption of minimum quality standards for research
• Integration of quality control in the acceptance of BERF-funded completed research
• A growth and development approach to help researchers improve their work

It’s important to note that E-Saliksik is an archival facility and does not count as a publication. For BERF-funded research starting FY2022, an archived research is equivalent to the accepted research by research committees.

Implementation Roles and Responsibilities

The successful implementation of E-Saliksik requires collaboration across various DepEd offices:

Central Office

• PS-PRDD: Oversees policy development, content management, and national-level implementation
• Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS):
• Solutions Development Division (ICTS-SDD): Handles technical development and maintenance
• User Support Division (ICTS-USD): Provides technical support to users
• Public Affairs Service – Publications Division (PAS-PD): Prepares layout and graphic design, designs publicity materials, and assists in promoting the Research Portal

Regional Office

• Policy, Planning and Research Division (PPRD): Manages regional-level content submission and implementation

Schools Division Office

• School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) – Planning and Research Section: Supports quality control and local dissemination efforts

Research Committees

DepEd has established research committees at various levels to manage research initiatives:

1. National Research Committee (NRC)
2. Regional Research Committee (RRC)
3. Schools Division Research Committee (SDRC)

These committees play crucial roles in evaluating research proposals, approving studies, and ensuring the quality of research output before archiving in E-Saliksik.

Research Ethics

E-Saliksik emphasizes the importance of research ethics, especially for studies involving Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Cultural Communities, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices, and Indigenous Learning Systems. The portal ensures that uploaded research adheres to ethical guidelines and respects the rights and cultural sensitivities of these communities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

PS-PRDD leads the monitoring and evaluation of E-Saliksik, working with field counterparts to:

• Prepare an M&E plan and define performance indicators
• Conduct an annual implementation/process review
• Lead a comprehensive policy evaluation at the third year of implementation

These efforts aim to continuously improve the portal’s usefulness to its target stakeholders.

Integration with DepEd Systems

E-Saliksik is designed to complement existing DepEd digital systems and data management strategies. The portal will be integrated with other DepEd platforms to ensure seamless data sharing and improve overall efficiency in research management and utilization.

System Requirements and Navigation

E-Saliksik can be accessed through any computer with a broadband internet connection and a compatible browser. The portal has been tested to work with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. While mobile access is possible, it is not currently optimized for mobile devices.

The portal’s homepage and navigation bar functionality vary depending on the user’s account type and login status, providing a tailored experience for different user roles.

Data Privacy and Security

E-Saliksik implements strict access controls to address data privacy concerns, especially for research classified under Limited Public Disclosure. Researchers must file a request stating the objective/purpose for accessing such studies, and release of full versions is subject to approval by the concerned Regional Director or the Director of Planning Service.

Capacity Building and User Support

DepEd recognizes the need for training and support to ensure effective utilization of E-Saliksik. The department plans to:

• Develop user guides and instructional materials
• Conduct orientation sessions for different user groups
• Provide ongoing technical support through ICTS-USD
• Integrate E-Saliksik training into broader research capacity-building initiatives

Potential Impact on Philippine Education

The implementation of E-Saliksik has the potential to significantly impact the Philippine education system in several ways:

1. Enhanced evidence-based decision-making: With easy access to a wide range of research studies, policymakers and educators can make more informed decisions. This could lead to the development of more effective educational policies and programs tailored to the specific needs of Filipino students.
2. Improved research quality: The quality control processes implemented through E-Saliksik can help raise the standard of education research conducted within DepEd. By providing clear guidelines and examples of high-quality research, the portal can inspire researchers to improve their methodologies and reporting standards.
3. Increased research utilization: Greater accessibility to research findings may encourage more educators and administrators to apply research-based practices in their work. Teachers might be more inclined to experiment with innovative teaching strategies backed by evidence, while school administrators could use research to inform school improvement plans.
4. Collaboration and knowledge sharing: E-Saliksik can facilitate collaboration among researchers, educators, and policymakers across different regions of the Philippines. This could lead to more comprehensive studies that address national educational challenges while considering local contexts.
5. Identification of research gaps: As the repository grows, it will become easier to identify areas where further research is needed. This could guide future research priorities and ensure that resources are directed towards the most pressing educational issues.

Challenges and Considerations

While E-Saliksik presents numerous opportunities, several challenges and considerations must be addressed:

1. Digital divide: Not all educators and researchers in the Philippines have equal access to reliable internet connections or digital devices. This digital divide could limit the reach and effectiveness of E-Saliksik, particularly in remote or economically disadvantaged areas.
2. Capacity building: Many educators and school administrators may lack the skills to effectively interpret and apply research findings. Comprehensive training programs will be necessary to build capacity in research literacy, data interpretation, and evidence-based practice implementation.
3. Data privacy and security: With the increasing amount of research data being stored and shared, ensuring the privacy and security of sensitive information is crucial. This is particularly important for studies involving vulnerable populations or sensitive topics.
4. Sustainability: Maintaining and updating a comprehensive research portal requires ongoing financial and human resources. DepEd will need to secure long-term funding and staffing to ensure the continued development and relevance of E-Saliksik.
5. Maintaining research quality standards: As the volume of research increases, maintaining high standards for quality could become challenging. There’s a risk that the pressure to produce and publish research could lead to a decrease in quality.
6. Balancing accessibility and academic rigor: While making research accessible to a wide audience is important, there’s a risk of oversimplifying complex findings. E-Saliksik will need to strike a balance between providing user-friendly summaries and maintaining the depth and nuance of original research.
7. Encouraging practical application: There’s often a gap between research findings and classroom practice. E-Saliksik will need to develop strategies to bridge this gap, possibly by including practical implementation guides alongside research studies or by facilitating direct connections between researchers and practitioners.

Future Developments

DepEd has outlined plans for the continued development of E-Saliksik, including:

• Expanding the range of research types and formats available on the portal
• Enhancing search and filtering capabilities to improve user experience
• Developing analytics tools to track research trends and impact
• Exploring partnerships with other educational institutions and research organizations to broaden the scope of available studies

Conclusion

E-Saliksik represents a significant advancement in DepEd’s efforts to promote evidence-based decision-making and foster a culture of research within the Philippine education system. By providing a centralized platform for accessing and sharing research, the portal has the potential to transform how education policies and practices are developed and implemented.

The success of E-Saliksik will depend on the continued collaboration among various DepEd offices, the commitment to maintaining high research standards, and the active participation of educators and researchers across the country. As the portal grows and evolves, it has the potential to become an invaluable resource for improving the quality of basic education in the Philippines, ultimately benefiting students, educators, and the broader educational community.

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This article, “E-Saliksik: Advancing Evidence-Based Education Through DepEd’s Research Portal,” was authored by Mark Anthony Llego and published on August 10, 2024.