The nexus of teaching, research and practice: perceptions and expectations of undergraduate education students in Southeast Turkey

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the perceptions and expectations of the undergraduate students toward the teaching-research-practice nexus (TRPN) and propose a framework for the integration of nexus components at each undergraduate level. It also intends to identify whether students' views differ depending on their specialization, year of study, academic performance and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative analysis was employed to evaluate the views of 460 undergraduate students from faculties of education in the Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey. The data were collected through the survey with a five-point Likert scale. A t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for the analysis of data.

Findings

Significant differences in the perceptions and expectations of the undergraduate students in relation to the TRPN suggest a gap in their satisfaction with the present teaching approach. The factors influencing students' perceptions include specialization, year of study and academic performance. Student expectations of the TRPN are affected by their specialization and GPA. The influence of gender was not confirmed.

Research limitations/implications

The lack of previous research on the TRPN creates a need for further development in this area of study. The sample limited to education faculty in one region precludes generalization of the findings beyond the study setting.

Practical implications

The present study provides preliminary information for education faculties on how to meet students' learning expectations through proportional integration of the TRPN components into the undergraduate curriculum.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the ongoing debate and scarce literature on the TRPN at the undergraduate level and proposes an original framework for linking teaching, research, and practice.

Citation

Smirnova, Y. and Dos, B. (2021), "The nexus of teaching, research and practice: perceptions and expectations of undergraduate education students in Southeast Turkey", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 961-979. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-06-2020-0164