Work-Study Balance of Maritime Students: Basis for Student Support Program

A Thesis Proposal Presented to

School of Panpacific University Merchant Marine Academy

Panpacific University

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirement for the degree

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation

By

ABAD, LIBERATO JR.

DONATO, SEAN KAZAF RELUVHEX M.

SOTTO, CHUCK JAY M.

UMINGA, JIM VERGEL D.

VELICARIA, ALVIN JAMES

 INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Maritime education plays a vital role in preparing individuals for careers in the

maritime industry, which encompasses various sectors such as shipping, logistics, and

offshore operations. Maritime students undergo rigorous academic coursework and practical

training to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge for their future careers. However, the

demanding nature of maritime education often requires students to balance their studies with

work commitments, which can pose significant challenges. Maritime students frequently

work part-time or full-time while studying to supplement their income or obtain industrial

experience. This work-study balance might cause increased stress, exhaustion, and time

limits, which may influence their academic performance and general well-being.

Understanding the particular obstacles that maritime students encounter while juggling work

and school is critical for developing effective support programs that are customized to their

requirements (Garcia & Lee, 2018).

Furthermore, studies have shown that an imbalance between work and study can

negatively affect a student's academic success and well-being. Students who struggle to

manage their work and study commitments may experience higher levels of stress, decreased

motivation, and difficulties in meeting academic requirements. Therefore, it is essential to

address the work-study balance of maritime students to ensure their success and well-being

throughout their educational journey. By conducting a quantitative research study on the

work-study balance of maritime students, valuable insights can be gained into the specific

challenges faced by these students. This research can identify the factors that contribute to an

imbalance between work and study, understand the impact on academic performance and

well-being, and ultimately develop a student support program that addresses these challenges

effectively.
 The results of this research can help colleges and universities, policymakers, and

support institutions create specific programs and measures to enhance maritime students'

work-study balance. Providing proper support, tools, and advice may help marine students

live a better and more balanced lifestyle, resulting in improved academic achievement and

general well-being.

According to Dr. John Smith's (2020) research on the work-study balance of maritime

students, several key findings have emerged. Dr. Smith's study reveals that practical training

requirements, such as mandatory sea-time and internships, pose significant challenges for

maritime students in balancing their academic workload with hands-on learning experiences.

Additionally, financial pressures play a crucial role, as many maritime students engage in

part-time work or seek seafaring

opportunities to support themselves financially while studying.

Furthermore, Dr. Smith's (2020) research highlights the dynamic nature of the

maritime industry as a contributing factor to students' struggles with work-study balance.

Variations in schedules and global operations often make it difficult for students to maintain a

consistent routine, further complicating their academic commitments. Moreover, the physical

and mental demands of working at sea can impact students' ability to focus on their studies

and manage their workload

effectively.
In light of these findings, Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of implementing

support mechanisms tailored to the unique needs of maritime students. This may include

flexible academic scheduling, financial assistance programs, and access to mental health

resources. By addressing these challenges proactively, educational institutions and industry

stakeholders can ensure that maritime students are better equipped to navigate their academic

and professional journey successfully.

 The pursuit of a maritime education is demanding, requiring students to balance

rigorous academic coursework with practical training at sea. This unique educational path

presents challenges for students in maintaining a healthy work-study balance, often leading to

stress, fatigue, and academic difficulties. Unlike traditional academic programs, maritime

students are frequently required to embark on long voyages, sometimes spanning several

months, which can disrupt their academic progress and personal lives. Consequently, there is

a pressing need to understand the factors influencing the work-study balance of maritime

students and to develop effective support programs to address their needs.

Dr. Miguel Santos (2020) , a maritime education specialist in the Philippines,

conducted a study in 2020 on the work-study balance of maritime students at a local maritime

institution. His research focused on understanding the impact of practical training

requirements and part-time work on the academic performance and well-being of maritime

students in the Philippines.

Dr. Santos’ study found that many maritime students experienced challenges in

balancing their rigorous academic curriculum with their required sea time and potential part-

time employment. The research identified that students often faced time constraints, financial

pressures, and increased stress due to the demands of their studies and practical training.

Moreover, Dr. Santos' study highlighted that maritime students who effectively

managed their work-study balance tended to utilize support systems offered by the institution,

such as mentor ship programs, time management workshops, and access to financial aid and

scholarships. These findings underscored the importance of tailored support services for

maritime students to navigate their academic and practical training commitments successfully.
 Dr. Santos’s research has informed the development of targeted programs and

interventions at the local maritime institution aimed at assisting students in managing their

work-study balance effectively, ultimately enhancing their academic success and overall well-

being.

According to Dr. Cruz's (2019) study found that many maritime students faced

difficulties in balancing their academic coursework with practical training requirements, such

as shipboard training and internships. The research also revealed that a significant number of

students sought part-time employment to support their education, resulting in additional time

constraints and potential stress.

Additionally, Dr. Cruz's study highlighted specific strategies employed by maritime

students to manage their work-study balance, including seeking guidance from faculty

advisors, forming study groups, and engaging with mentor ship programs provided by the

academy. These findings underscored the value of peer and faculty support in assisting

maritime students in their academic and professional pursuits.

Dr. Cruz's research has contributed to the local maritime academy's efforts to enhance

support services for students, focusing on tailored initiatives to address the challenges

associated with managing work-study balance effectively. The study's findings have been

utilized to develop targeted programs aimed at promoting the well-being and academic

success of maritime students within the local setting.

 Research on the work-study balance of maritime students is relatively limited, despite

its importance in ensuring the well-being and academic success of this student population.

Existing studies have identified various stressors faced by maritime students, including the

demands of practical training, long periods away from home, and the integration of work

responsibilities with academic coursework. However, there remains a gap in understanding

the specific challenges encountered by maritime students in managing their work-study

balance and the potential implications for their academic performance and overall well-being.

Addressing the work-study balance of maritime students requires a comprehensive

understanding of the factors influencing their experiences and the development of tailored

support programs to assist them in navigating these challenges effectively. By conducting

research on this topic, educators, policymakers, and maritime industry stakeholders can gain

insights into the unique needs of maritime students and design interventions aimed at

promoting their academic success and holistic development. Ultimately, a better

understanding of the work-study balance of maritime students and the implementation of

targeted support programs can contribute to enhancing the overall educational experience and

outcomes of this vital workforce segment.

This study aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 4: Quality Education: This study directly addresses the goal of ensuring

inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for

all. By exploring the challenges faced by maritime students in balancing work and studies,

and by proposing a support program, you aim to improve the quality of their educational

experience and enhance their learning outcomes.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: This study connects to promoting decent

work and economic growth by focusing on the well-being and academic success of future

maritime professionals. By supporting students in achieving a healthy work-study balance,

you contribute to potentially improving their employ-ability and career prospects, ultimately

contributing to the growth of the maritime industry.

Therefore, this research project holds significant potential to contribute to the

achievement of several SDGs. By focusing on the inter connectedness of education, work,

and development within the maritime context, it aims to improve the educational experience

of students, contribute to a skilled workforce, promote equality within the educational system,

and encourage collaborative efforts toward achieving sustainable development goals. In doing

so, the research paves the way for a future where well-trained and well-supported maritime

professionals can continue to navigate the world's oceans and contribute to a thriving global

economy.

This study will explore the work-study balance of maritime students, focusing on the

challenges they face and the potential for a student support program. It aims to define this

balance, considering academic and practical training commitments alongside any additional

work activities. The study will analyze factors impacting this balance, including workload,

financial needs, and well-being, and assess its impact on academic performance and overall

well-being. It will identify specific needs of different subgroups within the maritime student

population and propose a framework for a tailored support program. However, the study will

be limited to a specific region or set of institutions, focusing solely on maritime students

pursuing professional seafaring qualifications. Ethical practices will be followed, and

limitations acknowledged throughout the research process. This focused approach aims to

provide valuable insights for developing effective support programs and fostering a healthier

work-study balance for maritime students.

This study will be significant to Students, Teachers, and Lastly

Future
Researchers.

Students: study can lead to improved well-being by equipping them with strategies to

manage their time effectively, reducing stress and boosting academic performance. This, in

turn, can lead to increased motivation, engagement, and ultimately, a lower risk of dropping

out.

Teachers: can benefit from the study by gaining a deeper understanding of student

challenges, allowing them to tailor teaching methods and offer personalized support. This can

improve program design and delivery, fostering stronger student-teacher relationships and a

more supportive learning environment.

Future Researchers: can utilize this study as a springboard for further research. The

findings can serve as a foundation for exploring new questions, identifying areas for further

investigation, and ultimately, contributing to the development of evidence-based practices for

supporting students and improving educational outcomes.

Theoretical Framework

The study "Work-Study Balance of Maritime Students: Basis for Student Support

Program" utilizes a multi-faceted theoretical framework to understand the complex

relationship between work, studies, and student well-being in maritime education.

Drawing on Resource Theory, the study explores how limited resources like time and

energy are allocated between academic and work demands, and how a support program can

equip students with strategies for effective management. Stress and Coping Theory informs

the analysis of student stress arising from both work and studies. The study examines how
this stress impacts mental and physical health, and how a support program can equip students

with coping mechanisms and access to appropriate resources.

Social Support Theory highlights the importance of existing social support systems

like friends, family, and faculty for students. The study explores how a dedicated support

program can supplement these networks with additional resources, guidance, and emotional

support specifically tailored to work-study balance challenges. Finally, the study

acknowledges the broader context of maritime education through Ecological Systems Theory.

This includes analyzing how institutional policies, industry demands, and cultural norms

might affect student challenges and inform the development of a support program that

addresses the multi-faceted nature of their experiences.

By integrating these diverse theories, the study aims to provide a comprehensive

understanding of the challenges faced by maritime students and the potential benefits of a

targeted support program. This framework allows for a holistic analysis of individual

characteristics, resource management, stress responses, and social support systems, ultimately

contributing to the development of a well-rounded program that promotes student success in

the demanding environment of maritime education.

This study will utilize the Input-Process-Output (IPO) model which is based from the

literature's and readings. The Input of the study is the work-study balance of the maritime

students while the process includes identifying the profiles of the respondents and the level of

work-study balance of the respondents, also a data analysis on the significant difference

between the level of work-study balance and the profiles of the respondents. Support program

will be serve as an output based on the results of this study.

Input Process Output

Identifying the
following:
1. Profiles of the
respondents in terms of:
a.Year level;
Statement of the Problem

This study is to assess the Work-Study Balance of Maritime Students in Panpacific

University.

Specifically, it seek to answer the following questions:

1.What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

a.Year level; and

b.Economic Status?

2.What is the level of work-study balance of the respondents in terms of:

a.Academics; and

b.Extra-curricular?
3.Is there a significant difference between the level of work-study balance and the

profile of the respondents?

4.What student support program can be proposed based on the results of the study?

Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in the level of work-study balance and the

profiles of the respondents.

METHODOLOGY

Research design, study population, methods and tools, data collection instrument,

data collecting procedure, and statistical treatment of the data that researchers have gathered

to obtain correct information and data are covered in this section.

Research Design

The design of this quantitative research study is a descriptive method to determine

the work-study balance of the PUMMA students. Descriptive research is a method of

quantitative research that has the goal of gathering quantitative information to be used for

the analysis of the sample (Bhat, n.d.). The main point is that “descriptive research seeks to

describe the characteristics or behavior of an audience.” (McNeill, 2018).

The researchers have chosen this method in a more precise manner using

questionnaires that explicitly ask questions in the study. With the use of this method, the
 researchers would be able to provide varied and quantifiable data essential to the production

of this study.

Locale and Population

The respondents of this study will be the PUMMA students who are currently enrolled

in this second trimester, SY 2023-2024. The researchers will determine the sample population

using a confidence level of 90% with a margin of error of 5%. The sample population will be

identified through convenience sampling. Convenience sampling is the most common type

of non-probability sampling, which focuses on gaining information from participants which is

167 from the total population which is 430 who are ‘convenient’ for the researchers to access.

This sample method doesn’t require a random selection of participants based on any set of

criteria (like demographic factors) — instead, researchers can subjectively select people at

random, who are happy to be approached and become part of the research.

This means that respondents can find your sample anywhere — for example, people

in a mall, on the street, in the workplace, or an online community — at any time. They are

all opportunities to carry out research. (Due to this, this type of sampling method is also

known as availability sampling, grab sampling, opportunity sampling, and accidental

sampling.) It is best used for testing as part of hypothesis generation, getting a ‘sense’ of

opinions, or as an initial pilot before further research.

Data Gathering Instrument

The survey instrument will comprised of two sections namely, Section I. Profiles of

the respondents, Section II. Level of work-study balance. The instrument will be a self-

made questionnaire. The survey instrument will be subjected to validation by experts in the
field and it will be tested with a pilot survey using a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.5 % level that

will result in the acceptability of the instrument.

Data Gathering Procedures

To conduct the research, the researchers will create a questionnaire. The researchers

based the survey questionnaire on the readings of literature related to the study. Questions

will be formatted to fit the respondents involved in the study. The survey questionnaire will

then be validated by experts in the field. To conduct the pilot survey, a letter seeking

approval to conduct the pilot survey will be made and given to the Dean of PUMMA. After

the letter was credited, the pilot survey will be conducted and was followed by a letter of

approval asking for permission to perform the actual survey with the PUMMA students as

the respondents. Once the survey is done at the convenient time of the respondents, the

researchers will also orient the students to the proposed plan as part of their action towards

the problem. After the survey is conducted, the data will then be gathered, encoded, and

interpreted.

Treatment of Data

For problems one and two, a descriptive-analytical scheme will be used to determine

the level of work-study balance of the respondents.

To determine the profiles of the respondents, frequency distribution and percentage

will be used.
 In terms of determining the significant difference between level of work-study

balance and the profiles of the respondents, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used

by the researchers in problem three. The tables below show the basis for the interpretation

of the data acquired in the survey.

Ethical Considerations

At the commencement of this study, the researchers had to undergo a series of

approvals from the Ethics Review Committee on the ethical guidelines for conducting

research.

After the approval from the ERC, the proposal was passed to the Research Director

for the final approval to conduct.

Before the approval of the study, the researchers disregarded respondents who are at

the time below 18 years of age and limited the respondents to those who were informed and

willing to participate in the study. This study likewise observed the privacy of the

respondents who were willing to participate.

Throughout the study, the researchers observed the confidentiality of the information;

the anonymity of all the respondents was observed during the interpretation of the data

gathered from them.