Research

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

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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07 Jan 2026

Senior high school students demonstrate low levels of environmental awareness, particularly in their knowledge of environmental topics

The Philippines, like other countries, is facing environmental challenges. One perpetuating problem is deforestation, which has a severe impact on...

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06 Jan 2026

Low-intensity physical activity through Sheng Zhen Gong supports physical and mental well-being during pregnancy

Maintaining some level of physical activity during normal pregnancy is widely recommended by healthcare providers. However, in many Asian cultures,...

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05 Jan 2026

A functional ingredient using pomace, a byproduct of pineapple processing, was developed as a sustainable approach to waste management

The study aimed to develop a functional ingredient using pomace, a byproduct of pineapple juice processing from selected varieties in...

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30 Dec 2025

UP Diliman, UP Los Baños

Advanced machine learning models now enable reliable prediction of maximum temperatures in Manila and Dagupan City

The extreme rise in temperature and accelerating climate change present significant challenges to sustainability, particularly in urban areas. Climate change...

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29 Dec 2025

UP Diliman, UP Manila

Remote sites benefit the most from primary care interventions with the highest increase in outpatient consultations and the largest decrease in out-of-pocket expenses

Unequal access to health services remains a major problem in the Philippines. Social, economic, and geographic barriers limit people’s access...

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26 Dec 2025

UP Los Baños

To preserve the Ifugao Rice Terraces, it is essential to integrate traditional knowledge with modern techniques

The Ifugao Rice Terraces in the Philippines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a living testament to centuries of indigenous...

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23 Dec 2025

UP Diliman

Logistic regression is a reliable model for predicting licensure exam performance of future math teachers

In the Philippines, passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) is a crucial step in becoming a professional teacher, but...

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22 Dec 2025

UP Los Baños

Socio-structural explanations can support, rather than undermine, vice epistemology

Epistemic structuralism is a school of thought that says society greatly affects how we gain knowledge and understanding. This can...

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19 Dec 2025

UP Diliman, UP Los Baños

Newly developed algorithms make it easier to predict the long-term behavior of complex biological systems

Understanding how complex biological systems work—like how our bodies process nutrients or how the environment balances carbon—requires accurate models. Biochemical...

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18 Dec 2025

UP Diliman

In a small island community, government shortcomings in post-disaster housing reconstruction and flood adaptation projects have resulted in continued vulnerability

The article examines the material realities of housing reconstruction in Isla Sasa, an island community located in an estuary of...

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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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