Journal of Education & Social Policy

Exploring Malaysian University Language Teachers’ Experiences with Research Publications: a Phenomenological Inquiry
Sarala Thulasi Palpanadan, PhD; Nurulisyazila Binti Othaman; Iqbal Ahmad, PhD

Abstract
The contemporary university educators work in a competitive environment and are under pressure for several reasons including having to expand their own research and publication capacities. Few studies have addressed the language teachers’ research publications issues in the context of Malaysian universities. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent of research involvement and its impact towards the experience of research publication among the Malaysian university language teachers. Thus, a qualitative phenomenological inquiry approach was employed where semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 language teachers at a university in Malaysia. A thematic analysis was carried out which revealed five themes related to the research publication issues: improving practice, funding, motivation, collaboration, and recognition. This study recommended that the university language teachers needed practical orientation, financial support and encouragement to better address the arising matters and facilitate the delivery of high quality research publications.

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