Towards Understanding EFL Teachers’ Conceptions of Research: Findings From Argentina

Published

2018-01-01

Hacia la comprensión de las concepciones de investigación de los docentes de inglés: resultados desde Argentina

Keywords:

Agency, research engagement, teacher development, teacher research (en)
agencia, desarrollo docente, investigación docente, participación en investigación (es)

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Authors

Darío Luis Banegas Ministry of Education in Chubut

Abstract (en)
Abstract (es)

This paper investigates the conceptions of research held by English as a foreign language teachers in Argentina. Quantitative data from 622 participants from an online questionnaire were followed by qualitative data from online interviews with 40 of those participants. Results show that the teachers conceptualised research through conventional notions closer to a quantitative paradigm. They felt research was not part of their job, and a lack of time was the main reason for not engaging in/with research. Teacher development, agency, empowerment, and autonomy could be sought by engaging teachers with forms of research which are meaningful to them, such as action research.

El presente artículo investiga las concepciones de investigación sostenidas por docentes de inglés como lengua extranjera en Argentina. Los datos cuantitativos de 622 participantes obtenidos a través de un cuestionario fueron seguidos por datos cualitativos de entrevistas en línea a 40 participantes. Los resultados muestran que los docentes conceptualizaron a la investigación a través de nociones convencionales cercanas a un paradigma cuantitativo. Los participantes reflejan una posición marginal para con la investigación. La falta de tiempo es la razón principal para no involucrarse en investigación docente. El desarrollo profesional, la agencia, el empoderamiento y la autonomía pueden ser explorados para involucrar a los docentes en formas de investigación, tales como la investigación-acción que les resulten significativas.

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