From teachers to researchers: A phenomenological study of Indonesian EFL teachers' research experiences.

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Title: From teachers to researchers: A phenomenological study of Indonesian EFL teachers' research experiences.
Authors: Mistar, Junaidi1 j.mistar@unisma.ac.id, Ahmadi, Rulam1 rulam_ahamdi@unisma.ac.id, Hamiddin1 hamiddin@unisma.ac.id, Ubaidillah, M. Faruq1 mfubaidillah@unisma.ac.id
Source: Issues in Educational Research. 2026, Vol. 36 Issue 1, p204-220. 17p.
Subject Terms: *Language teachers, *Science education, *Reflective learning, *Teacher development, *Academic discourse, Professional identity, University research
Abstract: While research has the potential to improve teaching practices and instructional decisionmaking, the shift from classroom practitioner to researcher remains underexplored in academia, particularly within secondary school contexts. Guided by Schön's (1983) reflective practice and Yazan's (2024) language teacher identity frameworks, this study addresses the gap by examining the personal and contextual experiences of Indonesian EFL teachers involved in research activities. The data were obtained through in-depth interviews with three Indonesian EFL teachers who are currently enrolled in a Masters program in English language education at a local university. The findings indicate that teachers, especially those with a literature-oriented background, underwent substantial conceptual and practical adjustments when moving from teaching roles to educational research. Many participants initially faced challenges stemming from limited familiarity with research methodologies, academic reading, and scholarly writing. Major constraints included time pressures, insufficient institutional support, and difficulties in adhering to academic writing conventions. Nevertheless, participation in research activities contributed to a more profound understanding of classroom practices, enhanced critical reflection, and sustained professional development. Moreover, research engagement allowed teachers to remain up to date with contemporary pedagogical developments, facilitating a transformation in professional identity from routine instructors to reflective, research-engaged educators. The findings suggest the transformative role of research in reshaping EFL teachers' professional identities and self-understandings within educational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Issues in Educational Research is the property of Australia's Institutes for Educational Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: From teachers to researchers: A phenomenological study of Indonesian EFL teachers' research experiences.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mistar%2C+Junaidi%22">Mistar, Junaidi</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> j.mistar@unisma.ac.id</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ahmadi%2C+Rulam%22">Ahmadi, Rulam</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> rulam_ahamdi@unisma.ac.id</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hamiddin%22">Hamiddin</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> hamiddin@unisma.ac.id</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ubaidillah%2C+M%2E+Faruq%22">Ubaidillah, M. Faruq</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> mfubaidillah@unisma.ac.id</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Issues+in+Educational+Research%22">Issues in Educational Research</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 36 Issue 1, p204-220. 17p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+teachers%22">Language teachers</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+education%22">Science education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reflective+learning%22">Reflective learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+development%22">Teacher development</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+discourse%22">Academic discourse</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+identity%22">Professional identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22University+research%22">University research</searchLink>
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  Data: While research has the potential to improve teaching practices and instructional decisionmaking, the shift from classroom practitioner to researcher remains underexplored in academia, particularly within secondary school contexts. Guided by Schön's (1983) reflective practice and Yazan's (2024) language teacher identity frameworks, this study addresses the gap by examining the personal and contextual experiences of Indonesian EFL teachers involved in research activities. The data were obtained through in-depth interviews with three Indonesian EFL teachers who are currently enrolled in a Masters program in English language education at a local university. The findings indicate that teachers, especially those with a literature-oriented background, underwent substantial conceptual and practical adjustments when moving from teaching roles to educational research. Many participants initially faced challenges stemming from limited familiarity with research methodologies, academic reading, and scholarly writing. Major constraints included time pressures, insufficient institutional support, and difficulties in adhering to academic writing conventions. Nevertheless, participation in research activities contributed to a more profound understanding of classroom practices, enhanced critical reflection, and sustained professional development. Moreover, research engagement allowed teachers to remain up to date with contemporary pedagogical developments, facilitating a transformation in professional identity from routine instructors to reflective, research-engaged educators. The findings suggest the transformative role of research in reshaping EFL teachers' professional identities and self-understandings within educational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Issues in Educational Research is the property of Australia's Institutes for Educational Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 17
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      – SubjectFull: Language teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science education
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      – SubjectFull: Reflective learning
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher development
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      – SubjectFull: Academic discourse
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      – SubjectFull: Professional identity
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      – TitleFull: From teachers to researchers: A phenomenological study of Indonesian EFL teachers' research experiences.
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            NameFull: Mistar, Junaidi
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            NameFull: Ahmadi, Rulam
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            – D: 01
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              Text: 2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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