나는 어떻게 연구자가 되는가?

How to become a researcher: an auto-enthnographic research of graduate students working towards Ph.D in Education

본 연구의 목적은 교육학 전공 대학원생의 교육경험과 그들의 삶을 통해 어떻게 연구자가 되는지를 내부자적인 시선으로 살펴보는데 있다. 이를 위해 연구자이자 연구참여자인 나의 경험에 대한 자기성찰과 또 다른 내부자 2인을 2019년 4월, 5월인 약 2개월간 참여관찰 및 심층면담을 하여 자문화기술지(auto-enthnography) 방법으로 탐색하였다. 연구결과, 전일제 대학원생은 ‘대학원으로 발 들이기’, ‘연구경험 쌓기’, ‘부족한 대학원 시스템’을 경험하면서 연구자가 되어가는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 이들의 삶은 공부하는 곳이자 일터이기도 한 학교가 큰 비중을 차지하고 있었으며, 졸업 후 진로 문제 등 여러 가지 견뎌야 하는 것들로 드러났다. 본 연구결과는 교육학 전공을 비롯한 인문사회 계열 전일제 대학원생의 경험과 의미에 대한 이해를 도울 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 그 속에서 드러나는 문제점이나 개선점들을 발견하여, 이를 개선하고 발전할 수 있는 방향을 제시하는데 시사하는 바가 있다.

The purpose of this study is to examine how graduate students working towards their Ph.D in Education transform into researchers by closely studying their experiences in education and life. Participatory observations, depth interviews and self-examination were administered between April and May of 2019 as ways of auto-enthnography on 3 participants: the researcher of the study and 2 other graduate students in Ph.D program in Education. Furthermore, all 3 participants are full-time graduate students who fulfills the purpose of establishment of graduate school and its programs. The results of the study showed that the students entered the Ph.D program in hopes to become researchers; and accumulate research experiences by participating in various research programs. It was also discovered that the students were struggling within a school system with almost non-existing resources for them and their colleagues. In addition, It was found that the participants were working part-time jobs at research center and laboratories on campus in order to pay for their tuition. They were also found to be fighting fears and anxiety stemming from the thoughts of uncertain future after the program. The current study is meaningful for the following reasons. First, the results may help decision-makers such as policy administrator, principles, professors, as well as pre-graduate students who are considering joining the program. Two, it may be helpful for future study searching for ways to make improvements in experience and life of graduate students working towards their Ph.D in Education.