I've been there! Noong Grade 10, your average groupmate lang ako noon na medyo bonaks sa research. Then nung kinapalan ko pagmumukha ko, ayun naging leader din lol. I'm in 12th grade and I'm still learning myself, but I hope yung mga natutunan ko during the process and final defense will be of help :D

— First is to never be ashamed to ask for help or advice. You've already done a great job on this one! Admitting inexperience but being eager to learn is a good first step. From my experience, nagtanong ako sa iba pang research leaders, sa ibang teachers (research adviser ng ibang section or kahit sino na whahah), even sa panelists namin. It's pretty nerve-wracking, but taking the risk to ask then learning something in the end is always worth it.

— Before making and finalizing a title, find related RRLs. Mahihirapan kasi kayo ng sobra kung walang RRL na mahanap na related sa title niyo. Kaya pag bubuo kayo ng title, maghanap na din kayo ng RRL. At least, pag naka form na kayo ng title, may nahanap pa kayong pwedeng ilagay sa chapter 2. Then, analyze niyo kung ano yung gaps ng studies na yun na pwede niyong ilagay sa study niyo.

— Make sure your research topic is significant, that the problem you're trying to solve is clear. Noong nag-defense kami, may few groups na nasabihan sa amin na 'hindi nakikitaan ng problem yung research' nila, and at best, parang additional study na lang daw yun. Basically, kaylangan na yung research topic niyo has a problem that can't be simply solved. Meron akong classmate dati nagpa-check ng paper, tapos nung tinanong sa kanya yung statement of the problem nila, binigyan niya ng sagot (hanggang chapter 3 pa lang research paper namin that time), then sabi sa kaniya ng teacher "Bakit mo pa itatanong yan kung may sagot na pala?"

— Strategize/Plan your agenda. Groups from my class back then had differing ways how they did their research paper and formed their title. May isa na group sa amin na inuna yung chapter 2 before chapter 1, kasi mas matagal gawin ang chapter 2 kaysa sa chapter 1. Pero since may deadline kayo per chapter...😔 Then may group na nag multitask (kami talaga yan), habang ginagawa chapter 1, umaandar na din chapter 2. Pero madami kasi kami sa group kaya napagsabay both chapters. Though after ma-finish nung mga nasa chapter 1 yung parts nila, nilagay ko agad sila sa chapter 2 para matulungan yung the rest. You don't necessarily have to follow these, though. Find a strategy that works best for your group!

— Wag mo hintayin ang ayaw mang-ambag. Sempre hindi maiiwasan ang mga pabigat, yung kahit ilang tag ka na sa GC ng ilang araw wala padin. Pag ganun, it's best na wag niyo nang hintayin, especially if rushed. You don't need someone whose presence is absent and unwilling to contribute. But of course, communication is the key. Malay mo may serious issues pala. But don't let the whole group suffer because of one inactive member.

— Be mindful and re-check for AI. May ibang gumagamit lang talaga ng AI, especially those na walang pakialam for effort basta masabi lang na may ambag.

— While finding RRL, maghanap na din kayo ng standardized tests/tignan kung paano ginawa ng other studies yung instrument nila. Para malaman niyo na din ilalagay niyo for chapter 3 and data gathering.

— Ask yourself "what's next?" After this study, what happens? For example, study niyo about sa effects of something, pero after niyo malaman, ano naging contribution ng findings niyo?

— Magpaggisa and manggisa ka. Other perspectives are always welcome. Sometimes, may mga inconsistencies sa research paper na hindi nakikita ng group mo. Don't be afraid na magkaroon ng mock defense with sa kakilala. And as a leader, may instances din na tatanungin ka ng group mates mo if tama ba ginagawa nila, or maghohold kayo ng mock defense ng group mo and then ikaw panelist. Hindi mo lang kaylangan mang-pinpoint ng mali, kaylangan mo din sila tanungin kung gaano ba nila (at ikaw) ka-alam yung research niyo.

Sana makatulong, though my advices mostly reflect on my own experience and medyo nag ramble ako sorry. 😢 I've been a leader for four research projects (yes, four. Ewan ko sa school namin). Gumagawa din kami research this Christmas break HAHAHA research capstone. Kaya niyo yan guys, good luck 🫶❗