Narrative Self-Reflection on Practical and Applied Teaching of Research Methods, Thesis Writing, and Advanced Article Writing

The aim of this research is to examine and analyze the experiences of teaching the course on research methods, thesis writing, and advanced article writing in the doctoral program of educational management at Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah branch. This study was conducted using a narrative self-reflective method and is categorized as a qualitative and phenomenological research, falling under ethnographic studies. The data sources for this research include lived experiences, memories, efforts, and the author's teaching background in research methods and article writing, organized in a narrative format. The qualitative participants consist of faculty members from Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah branch, who have years of experience teaching this course. The data analysis method in this study involves qualitative content analysis of the data collected through self-narration. The data analysis was carried out in stages, where the data were first coded and then classified to identify common patterns and key themes. This process allowed the researcher to extract profound and meaningful experiences, leading to a better understanding of the impact of teaching methods on student learning. The findings of the research indicated that teaching the courses on research methods, thesis writing, and advanced article writing in a practical and applied manner has significant advantages. These advantages include improved knowledge, insights, and skills of doctoral students, as well as the creation of positive and constructive interactions between students and professors. Furthermore, the findings suggest that this teaching approach can effectively address existing limitations in education and enhance teaching quality. The research points to challenges such as the need for more time for teaching and learning activities, which may increase the workload of professors and students. Strengthening a culture of teamwork and research in academic environments is essential to enhance motivation and enthusiasm for collaborative projects. It is also recommended that professors and faculty members in master's and doctoral programs utilize practical teaching methods and organize workshops to improve teaching and learning quality.