Grade 10 Research Proposals: Absenteeism, Social Loafing, and Socioeconomic Status

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering quantitative research methodologies, variables, and concepts from three Grade 10 research proposals at Pulong Santa Cruz National High School.

Absenteeism

A pattern of being away from a place where someone is expected to be—most commonly a job or school—that implies frequent, ongoing, or unexplained absences rather than a single occurrence.

"Impact" (in non-experimental research)

A term chosen instead of "effect" to describe observing the real-world, long-term consequences of a condition (such as missing school) without conducting a strict science experiment with immediate results.

Non-experimental Research

A type of research in which investigators observe real-world phenomena exactly as they are from existing records or occurrences without manipulating variables or forcing behaviors.

Quantitative Research

A mode of inquiry focused on collecting and counting exact numerical data, percentages, and scores, distinct from qualitative research which gathers spoken interviews, stories, and personal feelings.

Survey Questionnaire (vs. Poll)

A structured instrument using closed-ended questions and checkboxes that allows researchers to gather detailed, countable numerical data, unlike a simple poll that only provides a quick "Yes" or "No" vote.

Bar Graph (in data presentation)

A primary visual tool used to display quantitative findings, allowing observers to see connections between variables such as high absence rates and low academic grades.

Social Loafing

The tendency of an individual to exert less effort or contribute less when working collaboratively in a group than when working individually.

Group Work Satisfaction

The degree to which students feel satisfied with their collaborative experiences during group activities, encompassing cooperation, participation, fairness, and overall experience.

Fairness (in collaborative work)

The perception that responsibilities and contributions are distributed appropriately among group members.

Quantitative Correlational Research

A research design aimed at collecting numerical survey data to determine whether a statistically significant relationship exists between two or more variables without experimental intervention.

Five-point Likert Scale

A rating scale used to quantify survey responses with numerical scores: $5$ (Strongly Agree), $4$ (Agree), $3$ (Neutral), $2$ (Disagree), and $1$ (Strongly Disagree).

Aggarwal and O’Brien (2008)

A study titled "Social loafing on group projects: Structural antecedents and effect on student satisfaction" (Journal of Marketing Education) that provides foundational empirical literature on social loafing and student satisfaction.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A family's social and economic position in society, defined by indicators such as family income, parents' education, and occupation.

Perceived Quality of Education

The way students view, evaluate, and experience the quality of the schooling they receive, based on their learning experiences and available educational resources.

Cognitive Development (Grade 10 Research Rationale)

The developmental stage at which Grade 10 students are more equipped to recognize and evaluate abstract concepts—such as the quality of education—compared to learners in lower grade levels.

Independent Variable (Absenteeism Study)

Frequent Absenteeism among Grade 10 students at Pulong Santa Cruz National High School.

Dependent Variable (Absenteeism Study)

The Academic Performance of Grade 10 students at Pulong Santa Cruz National High School (PSCNHS).

Independent Variable (Social Loafing Study)

Social Loafing, defined as students' tendency to exert less effort or contribute less during collaborative group tasks.

Dependent Variable (Social Loafing Study)

Group Work Satisfaction, defined as the outcome level of satisfaction students experience regarding cooperation, fairness, and participation.

Independent Variable (Socioeconomic Status Study)

Socioeconomic Status, measured through family income, parents' educational attainment, and occupational background.

Dependent Variable (Socioeconomic Status Study)

Perceived Quality of Education received by students at Pulong Sta. Cruz National High School.