Student's research skills in middle school of Kuningan district

Abstract

This exploratory study aimed to analyze the research skills and to explore the authentic research abilities that can support students' research skills. The study engaged sixty-eight students of science class from two schools in Kuningan district. The data was collected through research skills tests, consist of 11 items of essay questions including seven components of research skills: 1) Understanding phenomena and identifying problems, 2) formulating problems, 3) composing hypotheses, 4) making research designs, 5) implementing experiments and collecting data, 6) analysing data, and 7) making conclusions. The results revealed that the authentic research abilities of students based on, the seven components of research skills were very lacking. The average score of the rubric was 1, it meant that the students were less skilled. The largest percentage of the average test score in both of schools showed that they were in very less category, 72% (first school) and 79% (second school). The analysis on seven components of student research skills was still in the range of the score 0-1.