Influences of Religious Affiliation on Student's Academic Performances

Final Research Output

In Practical Research I

By:

Marylle Jaye Asis

Eleadia Cabia

Francis Dale Doguiles

Charles Kevin Cagara

May 2024
 Table of Contents

Chapter I. Introduction
Background of the Study......................................................................................1
Statement of the Problem.....................................................................................3
Significance of the Study......................................................................................3
Scope and Delimitation........................................................................................4

Chapter II. Review of Related Literature

Related Literature.................................................................................................5

Chapter III. Methodology

Research Design...................................................................................................8
Research Sampling...............................................................................................8
Research Instrument.............................................................................................8
Data Gathering Procedure....................................................................................9
Data Analysis........................................................................................................9
Interview Schedule...............................................................................................9

Chapter IV. Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Analysis and Interpretation........................................................................12

Chapter V. Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusion and Recommendation......................................................................19

References...................................................................................................................20
 Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Religion has always played a significant role in shaping education systems

around the world. In the past, education was closely tied to religious institutions, with
religious leaders often serving as the primary educators. This research project will
focus on religion’s ability to influence student’s education. The association between
religion, academic performances of students has been extensively researched. Several
research studies have been undertaken that demonstrate both positive and negative
correlations between the subjects. In America, the demographic circumstances of a
child’s birth substantially shape academic success. Sociologists have spent decades
studying how factors beyond students’ control including the race, wealth and ZIP
code of their parents affect their educational opportunities a cc nd Achievement. But
one often overlooked demographic factor is religion. So, does a religious upbringing
influence teens’ academic outcomes?

Over the past 30 years, sociologists and economists have conducted several
studies that consistently show a positive relationship between religiosity and academic
success. These studies show that more religious students earn better grades and
complete more schooling than less religious peers. The influence of religious
affiliation on students’ academic performance has been a topic of interest for quite
some time, with studies and discussions dating back several decades. Historically, the
relationship between religion and education has been complex. In the past, many
educational institutions were closely tied to religious organizations, such as schools
run by churches or religious orders. These institutions often emphasized religious
teachings alongside academic subjects, and the impact of this integration on students’
academic performance was a subject of interest. Throughout the history, researchers
have explored whether students from certain religious backgrounds tend to perform
better or worse academically compared to their peers from different religious
affiliations. Some

studies have suggested that religious values, beliefs, and practices can positively
impact academic motivation, discipline, and overall achievement.

Religion has a significant impact on the educational context in the Philippines.

The growing plural condition in the educational system has not been adequately
addressed, leading to a lack of integration and dialogue within religious education .
The Catholic Church and the educational system, as important institutions in the
country, exhibit behaviors of hyper-vigilance and institutional panic in response to
stress-related situations . However, the effectiveness of education in resolving ethnic
and religious tensions is often based on faith rather than evidence, leading to missed
opportunities for rethinking educational policies . The expansion of public education
as a tool for promoting national identity and mitigating ethno-religious tensions may
fail without careful consideration of the biases inherent in its content . Overall,
religion plays a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape in the Philippines,
influencing policies and practices in addressing pluralism and interfaith dialogue.

According to Neel Govil (2023), religion has played a significant role in

shaping education systems worldwide. He presents a research project focusing on
religion’s ability to influence a student’s education. The research includes a study on
the correlation between the religious beliefs of students and their educational
achievements. It also takes into account students’ extracurricular activities and course
complexity in educational achievements. Although, a qualitative phenomenological
research gap in the literature is identified in the article, where the majority of research
conducted on this topic has been among college students, leaving a gap in the
literature for senior high school students. The purpose of the study presented in the
article is to investigate the influences of students’ religion on their educational levels
among senior high school students. However, there wasn’t a clear association between
any of the disciplines, leading to a range of perspectives included in the literature
that’s why the article suggests that further research is needed to investigate the impact
of religious affiliations on students’ academic performance, particularly among senior
high school students.

2
Statement of the Problem

This study attempts to identify the influences of religious affiliation on

students’ academic performances.

Specifically, this study intends to answer the following questions:

1. What is the connection of religion and the student’s academic outcome?

2. How does religious affiliation benefits the student’s academic performances?

3. What is the entailment of religion on student’s academic performances?

Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the students, teachers, and future researchers.

Students: This study aims to serve as a knowledge for students in knowing the
influences of religious affiliation on their academic performances. With the help of
this study, the students will be aware with this type of influence.

Teacher: This study aims to provide insights to teachers for possible reasons of their
student’s academic results. This study can help them be aware for possible religious
influences on their student’s academic outcome.
Future Researchers: This study aims to serve as basis for background informations
for future research purposes. This study can contribute a big help for future
researchers with the same or connected research topics.

Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on the influences of religious affiliation on student’s

academic performances of Grade 11 Senior High School Students in Dulag National
High School. This study covers the academic outcome of being connected with
religion. And through this study, the researchers will be able to find out on why does
religion contributes in shaping student’s academic performances.

The study does not cover the specific religion each respondents have. The
researchers limits the research to investigate the numerical grade the respondents have
as an outcome of religious affiliation. And this study is limited to the influences of
religious affiliation on student’s academic performances of student on other schools.
 4
Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the review of related literature from various studies and
articles linked to the influences of religious affiliation on student’s academic
performances. The following publications cover a wide range of topics related to the
lived-experiences of students who are affiliated with their religion.

Enhancing the academic achievement of students in Senior High School is

crucial within any educational framework. Despite extensive research into the various
factors impacting student performance, persistent challenges remain. Conducting a
literature review in this domain can pinpoint gaps, directing further research efforts to
address these issues effectively. This paper utilizes a narrative review approach to
examine literature concerning students’ academic performance in Senior High Schools
and the diverse factors influencing it. It highlights how these factors detrimentally
affect academic outcomes and underscores the importance of mitigating them to
enhance student performance.

According to Horwitz (2021), profound socio-economic disparities that exist

among American religious groups are largely driven by the quantity and quality of
education they receive. Furthermore, given the U.S. schooling system is rooted in
Protestant ideals, it is possible that students with Protestant commitments have an
academic advantage. This article synthesizes literature on how adolescents’ religious
commitment and background are associated with their short- and long-term academic
outcomes. These studies were reviewed to identify: (1) the mechanisms through
which religion affects educational outcomes—moral, social, and cultural; (2) the main
operationalized measures of religion—religious tradition and individual religiosity;
and (3) the most frequent academic outcomes studied—secondary school grades,
truancy, test scores, educational aspirations, and educational attainment. There were
three major

findings. The research has advanced from correlational studies to methodologically

rigorous designs suggesting religion can play a causal role in academic success, the
research also reveals a religiosity-religious tradition paradox which adolescents with
stronger religiosity earn better grades, are less truant in secondary school, and
complete more years of higher education, and lastly, it is unclear if religious
adolescents only fare better on academic outcomes that reward their personality, such
as grades, or whether they also perform better on more objective measures, such as
standardized tests.

According to Aldhafeeri (2022), religiosity and acculturation influence student’s

performance. However, there is a scarcity of studies that assessed the relationships
among acculturation, religious practices, and the academic performances. The results
show that there was a statistically significant, weak positive relationship between
religious practices and academic performance, and a significant, weak negative
relationships between acculturation heritage and religious practices and beliefs. The
study findings also indicate that religious practice and gender were significant
predictor of academic performance. Other factors, such as religious beliefs and
acculturation were not predictors of academic performance.

In educational studies, the effect of religious identity on academic outcomes is

becoming more and more important. The present level of knowledge on this subject is
examined in this review, with an emphasis on how minority religious identification
affects students’ experiences, sense of association, and academic achievement in the
learning environment. The intersection of minority religious identity and educational
outcomes is a complex and multifaceted area of study, gaining increasing attention in
academic research.

In summary, the literature underscores the adolescents’ religious commitment

and background are associated with their short and long-term academic outcome. The
literature shows that there were statistically significant, weak positive relationship
between religious practices and academic performance, and a significant, weak

negative relationships between acculturation heritage and religious practices and

beliefs. The literatures also shows that religious beliefs and acculturation were not
predictors of academic performance. And lastly, the literature shows how minority
religious identification affects students’ experiences, sense of association, and
academic achievement in the learning environment. However, gaps were identified
between the literatures regarding the influences of religious affiliation on student’s
academic performances. Future researchers are given opportunities to explore about
the connection of being affiliated with religion and the senior high school student’s
academic outcome, whether it influences their academic engagement or not. Also, it
encourages the present researchers to find the benefits of religious affiliation towards
the students academic performances, whether positively or negatively benefited. And
lastly, the gap persuades the researchers to study about the entailment of religious
connection on senior high school student’s academic performances, either it leads to
academic success or failure.
 7

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

I. Research Design

This research is a phenomenological qualitative research design that delves

deep into the lived experiences of senior high school students from various religious
backgrounds. It would aim to understand how religious beliefs, practices, and values
shape students’ attitudes towards student’s drive for learning, study routines, time
organization, involvement in their education, and overall academic results. With this
research design, the researchers will be able to investigate the influences of religious
affiliation on students’ academic performances.

II. Sampling Method

 The sampling method used by the researchers in order to select respondents is
purposive sampling method. In this sampling method, researchers will be able to
gather respondents who will fulfill the objective and purpose of this study which is to
explore the influences of religious affiliation on students’ on their academic
performances. This sampling method will serve as a big help to achieve the goal or
objective of this research.

III. Research Instrument

The data gathering instrument that used by the researchers is semi-structured

interview which has flexible and open-ended questions. This method enables the
researchers to gain broader information and perform follow-up questions from the
respondents who are religious affiliated.

IV. Data Gathering Procedure

In order for the researchers to collect the significant information regarding with
the lived-experiences of religious affiliated students and its influences on their
academic performances, the researchers of this study provides a consent form or letter
to get their permission to participate with the interview. The provided consent form
focuses on stating the objectives of the research study. Lastly, the researchers will
begin interviewing respondents who’ll fulfill our goal and collect all significant data
or information.

V. Data Analysis

The researchers of this study will use thematic analysis in analyzing data or
information from the respondents. With this chosen analysis, the researchers will be
able to group the data according to its similarities or themes that will help the
researchers to organize the data in an easier method. This method provides a flexible
analysis to study the lived-experiences of the influences of religious affiliation of
students’ on their academic performances.

VI. Interview Schedule

I. Opening
a. Establish Rapport: Good morning/afternoon. We are the Group 3
researchers from Grade 11 Harmony and our objective is to explore the
influences of religious affiliation on student’s academic performances
and to delve deep into the lived experiences of senior high school
students from various religious backgrounds.

b. State Purpose: We will be asking about the connection, benefits, and

entailment of your religious affiliation on your academic
performances.
c. Motivation: We hope to gather data that will help obtain the objective
of this research.
d. Timeline: The interview would last 5-10 minutes.

II. Body

1. (Topic) Connection (What is the connection of religion and the

student’s academic outcome?)

a. Do you believe religious involvement or affiliation might influence your

academic engagement such as study routines, time organization,
involvement in your education, and overall academic results? Why?
 b. What are your insights about the connection between your religious
beliefs and practices and your academic performances?

c. What are your personal experiences that might support your insights
about whether there is or there’s no connection of religious affiliation and
academic performances?

2. (Topic) Benefits (How does religious affiliation benefits the

student’s academic performances?)

a. Do you believe religious values or practices benefits your ability to

perform academically? Why?

b. How does the aspects of religious affiliation directly influences your

academic results?

c. How does your performance in school gets benefited when you’re linked
with your religious beliefs?

10

3. (Topic) Entailment (What is the entailment of religion on student’s

academic performances?)

a. How does religious affiliation contributes to your academic success or

failure?

b. With your religious involvement, did it influenced your academic

performances in positive or negative way? How?

c. While you’re affiliated with your religion, do you think your academic
requirements or classroom dynamics results successfully or conflictingly
Why?

III. Closing
 A. Main Rapport: (Thank them for spending their time and show an
appreciation for their contribution) Thank you for lending your time to
participate in our research’s interview. Your participation contributes a
big help in our study and serves as a big puzzle piece in completing our
research.

B. Action to be taken: If possible, would it be alright if we call you for

additional questions? We highly appreciate your cooperation. Thank
you.

11

Chapter IV

Analysis and Interpretation

Table 1. Connection of religion and the students’ academic outcome.

Significant Formulated
Research Questions Emergent Themes
Statement Meanings
[Link] is the Religion doesn’t Doesn’t hinder Religion and
connection of hinder my academic outcome
religion and the academic. provides a positive
students’ academic connection which is
outcome? supportive integrity.
Religion does not
hinder our academic
performance.

Religion is not
really connected to
your academic
performance.

Despite our
different beliefs, our
performance in
class is still
excellent and we
don’t encounter any
other problems.

12

Religion provides Good moral

discipline and
support towards
my school
activities.

Encourages a
positive
connection.
 Lord is our
inspiration

It’s like a relief

when I’m
struggling.

Helped me in Helpful
terms of religion
lessons.

Religion helps me
in terms of school
religious topics

13

The first theme states that religion and academic outcome provides a positive
connection which is supportive integral. Some respondents think there were no
negative connection between both, instead, it didn’t hinder their academic
performances such as study routines, time organization, and more. Religious
affiliation also serves as a good moral in school which pushes them to apply good
behaviour inside school premises. The religious beliefs and practices also serves as a
prior knowledge especially in religious subjects which helped their academic
performances a lot.
Table 2. Benefits of religious affiliation on student’s academic performances.

[Link] does Helped me to be Motivation Religious affiliation

religious affiliation used in managing benefits the
benefits the my time, academic students’, academic
student’s academic and in doing performances by
performances? church. providing
empowerment
Promotes discipline through community.
and focus in school.

It can provide
motivation.

Inspired to pursue
your goals and work
hard in school.

In my successes, I
am happy because
all sacrifices are
rewarded.

14

Motivated to Confidence
pursue
consistency.

Pushes me to
achieve my goal
Religious practices
really equips you
or help you to be
confident or to be
more efficient and
answering
questions.

Since our belief is

also in God, it
enhances our
confidence in
ourselves in our
studies.

We attend church Support

every Sunday,
which of course
also helps us in our
moral, emotional,
.

15

and spiritual
support.

I have my faith to
support me every
single time and
 that’s one thing
that keeps me
pushing me up that
faith

The second theme indicates that religious affiliation benefits the students’,
academic performances by providing empowerment through community. With their
religion, it motivates them to continue striving hard for good grades. By the help of
praying freely in church, it also helps their confidence in expressing their knowledge
in school. And lastly, religion serves as their supporting tower in all aspects of their
humanity which helps their academic performances.

Table 3. Entailment of religion on student’s academic performances.

[Link] is the I accepted my Acceptance The entailment of

entailment of success and failures religion on students’
religion on student’s because I believe all academic
academic sacrifices are performances is it
performances? rewarded. leads to acceptance
in prioritization in
school.

16

If you make a
mistake or fail,
you don’t see it as
a defeat. Instead,
you see it as a
 challenge or a
lesson sent by the
Lord.

God purposely
allows us to grow,
I guess, which
benefits us
whether in success
or failure.

Enlighten yourself
that you were not
alone, you’re able
to a uplift to
yourself because
of the bible verse.

I usually finish my Prioritization

task before going
to church, which
leads me to
finishing my
schoolworks.

17

The respondent’s response demonstrates that the entailment of religion on

students’ academic performances is it leads to acceptance in prioritization in school.
When you’re facing failures or mistakes in school performances, you accept your
faith with the help of God’s purpose and lesson. You’re encourage to prioritize the
things you need to prioritize in school just like how you prioritize your faith with the
God.

18

Chapter V

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter contains findings that the researchers observed after gathering data from
the respondents and suggested were added as recommendations.

This study concludes that:

1. Religion and academic outcome provides a positive connection which is supportive

integrity.

2. Religious affiliation benefits the students’, academic performances by providing

empowerment through community.

3. The entailment of religion on students’ academic performances is it leads to

acceptance in prioritization in school

Based on the findings and conclusion presented, the following recommendations are
suggested:

1. The school should promote religious organization to spread awareness about the
influences religious affiliation can entail.

2. The school shall take a look at the perceptions of students who have a lot of
religious restrictions and on how they balance their school and religious life.

3. Future researchers should focus on the academic influences of students’ who aren’t
affiliated with their religion.

19

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[Link]
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Typeset. (n.d.). The influence of religious beliefs and practices.

[Link]
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Institute for Family Studies. (n.d.). Effects of religious practice on education.

[Link]

Yale University Department of History. (n.d.). Religion in context.

[Link]
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Krick, E. N. (2024). The influence of religion on education and college students.
[Link]
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Govil, N. (n.d.). Influence of religious affiliation on students’ academic performance

[Link]
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