Effectiveness of the integrated research skills development model (IRSDM) in higher education: a quasi-experimental study in Ukraine

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.1856-7576/2026.20.02.4

Keywords:

digital educational technologies, integrated learning model, Project-Based Learning, quasi-experiment, research competence

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the impact of the author's integrative model, combining Project-Based Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, Research-Based Learning, and Digital Research Labs, on learners' research competence development. The study was implemented as a quasi-experiment, with control and experimental groups formed in a pre-test/post-test design. The total sample consisted of 248 students, divided into an experimental (n = 124) and a control (n = 124) group. The intervention lasted one semester (14 weeks) and included four consecutive modules aimed at developing skills in formulating a scientific problem, working with sources, and methodological literacy. The author's scale of research skills was used to assess the results. The results showed greater improvement in research skills in the experimental group than in the control group, confirming the effectiveness of the IRSDM model. The greatest positive changes were recorded in the components of research problem formulation, analytical thinking, and working with academic sources. The conclusions emphasize that the study's scientific novelty lies in the development and empirical testing of an integrative model. From a practical perspective, the proposed model can be adopted by higher education institutions seeking to modernize research training and enhance students’ readiness for academic and professional challenges.

Author Biographies

Volodymyr Yatsenko, Institute of Pedagogy of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Senior Researcher, Senior Researcher of the Department of Geography and Economics, Department of Geography and Economics, Institute of Pedagogy of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Oksana Protas, Vasyl Stefanyk Сarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. 

Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work, Faculty of Education, Vasyl Stefanyk Сarpathian National University, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. 

Olena Striliuk, T. H. Shevchenko National University “Chernihiv Colehium”, Chernihiv, Ukraine. 

PhD in History, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of World History and International Relations, T. H. Shevchenko National University “Chernihiv Colehium”, Chernihiv, Ukraine. 

Anna Chepeliuk, Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University of Drohobych, Drohobych, Ukraine.

Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Education and Sports Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, Faculty of Human Health and Natural Sciences, Drohobych, Ukraine. 

Andrii Rybalko, National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Rivne, Ukraine. 

Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Educational and Scientific Institute of Agroecology and Land Management, National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Rivne, Ukraine. 

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Yatsenko, V., Protas, O., Striliuk, O., Chepeliuk, A., & Rybalko, A. (2026). Effectiveness of the integrated research skills development model (IRSDM) in higher education: a quasi-experimental study in Ukraine. Eduweb, 20(2), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.1856-7576/2026.20.02.4

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