Research Trends, Methodological Patterns, and Gaps in Faculty Publications at a Center of Excellence in Teacher Education in Northern Philippines

This study examines research trends, methodological patterns, and systematic gaps in faculty publications from a designated Center of Excellence (COE) in Teacher Education in the Philippines, employing systematic content analysis across multiple analytical dimensions. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding institutional research portfolios within the context of COE designation criteria and national research productivity challenges. Analysis revealed concentration in Science Education and Language Education, with predominant use of quantitative and mixed-methods approaches. Significant methodological gaps included limited sample sizes, heavy geographic concentration in just one province, overwhelming reliance on cross-sectional designs, and absence of true experimental studies with randomized control groups. These patterns align with documented national challenges where Philippine research productivity ranks below ASEAN neighbors with faculty facing heavy teaching loads, insufficient incentives, and limited research skills. Thematic analysis identified ten distinct research clusters, with Digital Transformation and Laboratory-Based Science Education as dominant themes. Gap analysis categorized eight types of systematic limitations, including sample constraints, temporal limitations, geographic restrictions, and underexploration of emerging technologies. Findings have direct implications for COE sustainability, faculty development programming, and institutional research policy. The study contributes methodologically rigorous, context-specific analysis to the limited literature on teacher education research patterns in Southeast Asian contexts, providing evidence-based recommendations for strengthening research portfolios through longitudinal designs, multi-site collaborations, enhanced faculty capacity building, and strategic focus on emerging educational technologies including artificial intelligence.