Analysis of Research Trends in Elementary Practical Arts Education

This study identifies trends in practical education research and outlines directions for research development by analyzing papers published in academic journals affiliated with academic societies related to practical education. The study analyzed 1,349 papers, comprising 674 papers from the Journal of Korean Practical Arts Education and 675 papers from the Journal of Korean Practical Arts Education Research, published between 2007 and 2022. Papers were analyzed based on frequency and percentage, using a framework that considered publication year, research field, research area, research method, main statistical method, comparison across variables according to research field, research subject, researchers, and language. The study found that the number of research papers published in the academic journals “The Korean Association of Practical Arts Education” and “The Society of Korean Practical Arts Education Research” from 2006 to 2022 exhibited almost identical trends. Regarding the year, publications peaked in 2008 and then exhibited a downward trend from 2011 onward. In the field of practical education research, home science emerged as the largest area of focus, while textbooks and educational materials were most popular across most research fields. In terms of the research method, most papers employed survey research, primarily utilizing the questionnaire method. Quantitative studies primarily employed the t-test. Concerning the variables related to the research field, when compared to research areas, the field of textbooks and educational materials had the highest number of papers across almost all fields. Similarly, when comparing research methods, the majority of papers used research methods involving literature research and questionnaires. Regarding major statistical methods, the t-test was the most frequently used statistical method in all research fields. In addition, the majority of papers related to practical education were aimed at elementary school students, and nearly half of the studies were conducted as independent research by the research team. The predominant language used in most papers was Korean. Therefore, the development of domestic practical education research requires a discernible need for heightened interest and academic engagement, efforts on academic aspects of practical education, promotion of research on educational facilities and philosophical and ideological aspects, utilization of diverse research methods and analysis techniques, and collaborative research undertakings in producing papers and writing in foreign languages.