Information Gaps and Research Needs of Sarangani Province: Systematic Analyses of Conducted Studies by the Science Department - Mindanao State University, General Santos (1995-2023)

This research, which takes into account all studies about Sarangani Province, conducted by the Science Department (1995-2023), serves as a microcosm of the state of affairs of the whole province. It aimed to address the problem on the paucity of information about many aspects of Sarangani Province by identifying information gaps and research needs based on a thorough review of previously conducted studies. A total of 153 studies were examined and were found to consist of undergraduate theses, published articles, conference proceedings, conference presentations, and terminal reports. Undergraduate theses were mostly on biodiversity assessment, while peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings focused primarily on natural and agroecosystem studies. Furthermore, apart from Malungon which only had a handful of studies conducted, spatial coverage for the rest of the municipalities was more or less fair. Mangrove-related studies conducted mostly in Maasim in 2019, made up a significant portion of the research, while agroecosystem studies were mostly about Sarangani upland rice. Unfortunately, a good number of undergraduate theses had been irretrievably lost (years 1997, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2020, and 2021), along with the valuable information that they contained. Based on obtained data, subjected to in-depth analysis, recommendations for possible policy formulation and for future studies were proposed. Recommendations were also made for better safekeeping and storage of undergraduate thesis at the Science Department. Finally, this pilot study will hopefully galvanize other researchers to carry out work along this line. This way, conducted studies that otherwise languish in neglect in the academe, will be used as bases for evidence-based planning and programming by the local government units. Sustainable, relevant, appropriate, and community-friendly interventions will then be institutionalized by the province for its constituents.