Scientific research activity of students pre-service teachers of social sciences at university: aspects of understanding, interest, promoting and limiting factors

• Pedagogical University of Krakow: knygos tekstas

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Kokybiniai tyrimai; Mokslinių tyrimų veikla; Mokslinė tiriamoji veikla; Mokytojų rengimas; Mokytojų ugdymas; Universiteto studentai; Qualitative research; Scientific research activity; Teacher education; University students.

ENThe development of the abilities of scientific research activity (SRA) in the course of university studies is an undoubtedly important area still requiring serious attention. SRA should be universally stimulated and developed. Scientific research activity becomes the reality of teacher’s educational practice, allowing the analysis of specific learning situations, creating preconditions for reflecting individual actions and educational interaction with students and making available to ascertain the efficiency of the lately applied teaching methods. Moreover, it is important to engage students in research projects, because it is an effective way to link faculty (staff) research and undergraduate teaching (Prince, Felder, Brent, 2007), and also to remember that teaching in reality is a researchbased profession (Rose, 2002). The conducted qualitative research involved graduated students – pre-service teachers of social sciences studying at Lithuanian universities. The research was conducted in January-February 2016. This examination is based on the previously conducted expert research (Lamanauskas, Augienė, 2014; Lamanauskas, Augienė, 2015). The research object is scientific research activity conducted by the students pre-service teachers of social sciences at the university. The questionnaire (answer sheet) prepared by the authors was used in the research and included 10 major open questions/tasks. Some results related to SRA understanding, interest, promoting and limiting factors are presented here.Fourth year BA students pre-service teachers of social sciences (90 students in total) from two Lithuanian universities – Siauliai University (59 students) and Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences (31 students) participated in the research. For the formation of sample, non - probability purposive research group formation method was chosen, when the people included into a research group are the most typical in respect to the researched quality. Referring to Morse (Morse, 1994), the sample of 30-50 participants is suitable for such kind of research. Research data were expressed in writing. Data on qualitative research were processed using content analysis when essential characteristics were distinguished in the information array. The results show that most scientific research activity is associated with a bachelor's thesis preparation (20%). Approximately 14% of the answers were negative – students are not interested in SRA. The major limiting factors are as follows: ignorance, what is it and how to begin to be engaged in such activity (12.8 %), a lack of information and time (9.6%), and also lack of any interest (8.5%). Support (encouragement) from lecturers (16.3%) and an opportunity to acquire new knowledge (11.0%) are the main motivating factors of an involvement into SRA. It is obvious, that lecturer’s experience and attention to student’s scientific activity often has a decisive influence on student. [From the publication]