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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
Language: English
Authors: Junaidi Mistar (ORCID 0000-0002-4421-6474), Rulam Ahmadi (ORCID 0009-0002-7356-0669), Hamiddin (ORCID 0000-0003-4742-0275), M. Faruq Ubaidillah (ORCID 0000-0002-0275-8283)
Source: Issues in Educational Research. 2026 36(1):204-220.
Availability: Western Australian Institute for Educational Research Inc. 5/202 Coode Street, Como, Western Australia 6152, Australia. e-mail: editor@iier.org.au; Web site: http://www.iier.org.au/iier.html
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Teacher Researchers, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Language Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Graduate Students, Masters Programs, Private Colleges, Faculty Development, Professional Identity, Educational Research, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers
Geographic Terms: Indonesia
ISSN: 0313-7155
1837-6290
Abstract: While research has the potential to improve teaching practices and instructional decision-making, 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 private university in Indonesia. 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.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Access URL: https://www.iier.org.au/iier36/mistar-abs.html
Accession Number: EJ1505610
Database: ERIC
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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="%22Junaidi+Mistar%22">Junaidi Mistar</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4421-6474">0000-0002-4421-6474</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rulam+Ahmadi%22">Rulam Ahmadi</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7356-0669">0009-0002-7356-0669</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hamiddin%22">Hamiddin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4742-0275">0000-0003-4742-0275</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22M%2E+Faruq+Ubaidillah%22">M. Faruq Ubaidillah</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0275-8283">0000-0002-0275-8283</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Issues+in+Educational+Research%22"><i>Issues in Educational Research</i></searchLink>. 2026 36(1):204-220.
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  Data: Western Australian Institute for Educational Research Inc. 5/202 Coode Street, Como, Western Australia 6152, Australia. e-mail: editor@iier.org.au; Web site: http://www.iier.org.au/iier.html
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Researchers%22">Teacher Researchers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Teachers%22">Language Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Masters+Programs%22">Masters Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Private+Colleges%22">Private Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Faculty+Development%22">Faculty Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Identity%22">Professional Identity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Teachers%22">Secondary School Teachers</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Indonesia%22">Indonesia</searchLink>
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  Data: While research has the potential to improve teaching practices and instructional decision-making, 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 private university in Indonesia. 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.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 17
        StartPage: 204
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Researchers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Language Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Masters Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Private Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Faculty Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional Identity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Indonesia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: From Teachers to Researchers: A Phenomenological Study of Indonesian EFL Teachers' Research Experiences
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              Y: 2026
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