Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

23 Jan 2026

Most students recognize the relevance of learning competencies in chemistry to sustainable development

Chemistry is deeply interconnected with various aspects of sustainability. However, enabling students to analyze these interconnections requires adequate support in...

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22 Jan 2026

Researchers develop a method for creating maps that show how national cultures have evolved over time

Culture is understood as a shared and negotiated system of meaning that people learn and practice by interpreting their experience...

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21 Jan 2026

Researchers design a potential mRNA vaccine against African swine fever using advanced computer-based methods

African swine fever (ASF) is a deadly disease that has severely impacted pig farming worldwide. In the Philippines, ASFV outbreaks...

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20 Jan 2026

A foreign-funded farm-to-market road project in Quezon worsened inequality by strengthening the power of rural elites

This study rigorously explored the multifaceted impacts of the Japanese-funded farm-to-market road (FMR) project in Agdangan, Quezon, focusing on its...

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19 Jan 2026

Filipina domestic workers in Singapore share some experiences with other overseas mothers but also face unique challenges

In this study, I looked at how single Filipina mothers working as domestic workers in Singapore maintain their familial ties,...

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16 Jan 2026

Close government–business relationships helped deliver major infrastructure projects in Iloilo City

This article examines Iloilo City as an alternative model of government–business relations, built on a stable local political system and...

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15 Jan 2026

Researchers develop a novel non-flooded time-series approach for improved global near-real-time flood mapping

Mapping flood events with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data is becoming increasingly important due to its spatiotemporal coverage and independence...

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14 Jan 2026

Ultramafic forests can help mitigate greenhouse gas accumulation by acting as “carbon sinks” that absorb and store atmospheric carbon

Plants that naturally thrive in ultramafic forests are known as “metallophytes” due to their ability to adapt to soils rich...

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13 Jan 2026

Thirteen species of the microscopic algae Pinnularia are recorded for the first time in the Philippines

This study explored the tiny algae called Pinnularia—a group of microscopic organisms known as diatoms—in the Marikina River, which flows through...

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12 Jan 2026

Farmers are willing to stop straw burning if given financial incentives

Producing rice generates straw, which is often conveniently burned, causing substantial atmospheric pollution. Increasing straw utilization efficiency and reducing straw...

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09 Jan 2026

A venomous box jellyfish previously known from Japan is now documented in Philippine waters and may represent a new species

Box jellyfish stings pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly since some species are known to cause severe injuries...

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08 Jan 2026

Study finds previously unreported height use and increased social behavior in Philippine tarsiers, suggesting behavioral flexibility in fragmented habitats

Sleep and sleep-related behaviors are integral components of primate behavior and ecology, linked to various habitat-specific factors and often modified...

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Research

In today’s world, solving big problems like climate change, global health, and social inequality requires thinking that extends beyond a single subject area. This is known as transdisciplinary thinking, where individuals connect ideas from various fields, pose questions, and collaborate to find solutions. In an era where solving real-world problems requires integrative and collaborative approaches, transdisciplinary thinking has become essential. However, there has been a lack of standardized tools to measure this skill among younger learners. While this kind of thinking is important, schools haven’t had a good way to measure it in high school students—until now.

This study developed a new tool called the Transdisciplinary Thinking Scale (TTS) to help teachers and schools understand how well students think in this integrated way. The researchers worked with experts to create a 20-question survey and tested it with over 400 senior high school students. The results showed the scale is very reliable and measures three key areas: combining ideas from different subjects (integrative thinking), asking meaningful questions (inquiry skills), and working with others to solve problems (collaborative problem-solving). The study confirms that transdisciplinary thinking is a multidimensional skill.

This new tool gives educators a better way to assess and encourage these valuable thinking skills in their students, particularly in high school settings. Educators can use interdisciplinary projects, problem-based activities, and group work to help students develop transdisciplinary skills. The scale’s multidimensional structure also allows teachers to design targeted interventions that strengthen specific aspects of transdisciplinary thinking, leading to more focused and effective teaching strategies.

The study shows that transdisciplinary thinking is a real, measurable skill that can and should be taught and nurtured in classrooms. It not only advances educational assessment but also strengthens efforts to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century through more holistic and future-ready teaching practices.

Authors: Joelash R. Honra (College of Arts, Sciences, and Education, AMA University, Quezon City | College of Education, University of the Philippines Diliman) and Sheryl Lyn C. Monterola (College of Education, University of the Philippines Diliman | National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i3.22792

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