Preface

<p><strong>Preface</strong></p> <p>This <strong>UIC Research Journal</strong> showcases eleven multi-disciplinary research outputs completed in 2010 by scholarly faculty members of the university. The various topics of the studies manifest the range of the intellectual interests of these teachers who, in their desire to help establish the research culture of the academe, have unselfishly shared their generosity, patience and discipline.</p> <p>The first section, <strong><em>Science and Mathematics</em></strong>, prides itself on the authoritativeness of the empirical and creative notes from the studies of<strong><em> Dr. Adorico M. Aya-ay, Professor Avee Joy B. Dayaganon, and Dr. Renan P. Limjuco.</em></strong> The biodiversity indexing done by Dr. Aya-ay at HOLCIM Philippines Limestone Quarrying Site in Bunawan District reveals the vegetation analysis and faunal inventories of the area as measures of rehabilitation efforts to preserve the ecosystem of the place while Prof. Dayaganon’s informative report about the infection rate of intestinal parasitosis among the food handlers of the UIC canteens in the three campuses discusses various factors that usually interplay in any health-risk assessment effort. These two studies speak of environmental and health issues which are the concerns of contemporary relevant sciences. On the other hand, Dr. Limjuco’s creative use of Platonic solids to enhance probability concepts is exposed as an alternative instructional technology in mathematics teaching.</p> <p>The second section, <strong><em>Social Sciences</em></strong>, juxtaposes the meritorious endeavors of <strong><em>Professor Emma V. Sagarino et. al, Professor Reynaldo O. Cuizon, Professor Emma N. Ramos, Professor Arnulfo B. Ramos and Dr. Alvin O. Cayogyog,</em></strong> pertaining to social issues involving college students and research writers working with indigenous people (IP). A descriptive survey report of Prof. Sagarino and her collaborators succeeds in describing the present living conditions of student renters in Davao City boarding houses and dormitories. The comprehensive profile about the features of these shelters and the honest documentation of the lifestyles of the lodgers have provided a vivid picture of the safety status of college students living independently away from the comforts of their own home. In the other story, also involving some college students is the phenomenological inquiry essayed by Prof. Cuizon and Prof. E. Ramos. With the goal to provide an experiential learning approach, the duo required their Sociology classes to go through field studies and immersion activities to internalize conscientization--- change of social orientation and intensification of personal and collective conviction. This report summarizes the reflections and realizations of the students regarding prevalent social ills at certain micro societies when viewed at a closer range. Meanwhile, the impact of research in our society is becoming more evident. However there are many aspects of research processes that are not handled well. Along this line, Prof. Cuizon and Prof. A. Ramos ventured on a qualitative study which delves on the sensitivity and ethical issues when doing research involving IPs. This autoethnography records the experiences of the researchers who worked with indigenous respondents and derives a prognostic review to guide future writers. As regards the issue of research utilization, Dr. Cayogyog’s investigation which centers on the viability of research commercialization to contribute to economic sustainability of HEIs and economic development of Region XI is critical. This report highlights the dynamic relationship between research commercialization and economic sustainability of the academic institution.</p> <p>The third section, <strong><em>Philosophy and Languages</em></strong>, underscores the research papers completed by <strong><em>Prof. Armando B. Parantar, Dr. Rhodora S. Ranalan, Prof. Ariel E. San Jose, Dr. Judith D. Dalagan, Dr. Ma. Elena C. Morales, and Prof. Fe Monique F. Musni</em></strong>. As an authentic philosophical work, Prof. Parantar’s piece attempts to unravel the ultimate realities using European perceptions, Oriental traditions, and Christian contemplations. This discourse probes the possible blend of the three philosophies using the writer’s personal insights amidst the emerging similarities found in the three subjects. Indeed, the University of the Immaculate Conception being one of the irrefutable HEIs to offer a linguistics program is fast becoming a domain for researches concerned with reading, speaking, and writing in English. Thus, the three remaining studies being highlighted by this section revolve around the said areas of English language teaching. For reading, Dr. Ranalan’s effort to establish the significant correlation between certain learning strategies and literary response provides interesting notes regarding the interplay of variables including sex, literature course, and undergraduate program to literary responses to the given reading material. For speaking, Prof. San Jose’s study on the possible effect of dialectical variations to speaking proficiency of the students ignites further the controversy in second language acquisition pertaining to the innate link of mother tongue or of lingua franca to the native dialect. A noteworthy finding of this study is the significant correlation between the delivery of speaking English and the level of dialect use. Finally for writing, Dr. Dalagan, Dr. Morales, and Prof. Musni collaborated to establish the relationships between cooperative learning activities and the merits of student’s research output. This investigation validates the use of collaborative and write-shop activities to motivate and inspire writing students to produce a good research output. Furthermore, student’s final grades in writing have been found to be significantly associated to both the cooperative learning activities and teaching strategies.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Editor-in-Chief</strong></p>