This paper aims to use the methodological characteristics of ego-centred networks in studying teachers’ reflective thinking. This qualitative research illustrates how structured unstandardised network cards, including text corpora and visual elements, can be used in exploring the reflective thinking of a long-serving, experienced teacher. Structured unstandardised network cards ensured the openness of analysis through three factors: the undefined number of circles, the free association of topics concerning teachers’ activities, and comments on these topics. The basis of the analysis was a data-driven, inductive analysis of many concentric circles containing concepts and sectors and the text corpus of the commentary made during the creation of the network card. The reflections concerned the teacher’s career, position, and tasks in the institution. The results discovered the content nodes of reflective thinking, disclosed individual beliefs, and indicated the diversity of pedagogical knowledge. The concepts of ‘human’, ‘teacher’, ‘communication–cooperation’, and ‘renewal’ were included in a complex system by the network card sectors of ‘exercise’, ‘health’, ‘hobby’, ‘free time’, ‘soul’, and ‘family, friends, and colleagues’. Structured unstandardised network cards can explore teachers’ reflective thinking and broaden the research methodology of the topic.

Childlessness in marriage is still socially defined as otherness. It is a deviation from the current cultural standard and – as a consequence – it requires explanation and legitimization, especially when the otherness is deliberate. The aim of the conducted qualitative research was to establish personal definitions of the situation of childlessness in marriage applied by persons aged 50 and older. The study focused on cultural patterns of experiencing and validating this non-standard lifestyle. 21 interviews centered on this issue were conducted. The analysis of the obtained data showed that the most important variables determining the model of experiencing childlessness in marriage by the subjects were the causes of childlessness and the significance of having children in their individual hierarchy of values. In each individual case, the way of experiencing childlessness results from the configuration of the recognized order of motivation and evaluation. It also seems that the order of evaluation is significant to the entire functioning of these persons. It is relatively independent from the objective cause of childlessness.

This paper focuses on the issue of integrating innovative methods into the teaching of literature in lower-secondary schools. It aims to highlight the factors that influence these methods’ use and thus fill a gap in the existing research in the field. The research inquiry is based on a qualitative approach; the group of respondents consists of male and female teachers working in lower-secondary schools at the time of the research. The structured interview method was chosen for data collection, and the data obtained was evaluated using grounded theory. We present the results obtained from 24 interviews. Due to the research’s qualitative nature, it is impossible to generalise from the findings. The so-called time and teacher factors and the classroom factors are associated with not using these methods, and developing competencies and applying them to life factors are associated with using them. The paper also comments on the influence of school support, the influence of inspiration from university teachers, and the positive experiences of the respondents. The influence of the age of the teachers was found to be insignificant.

The article describes qualitative research into the interpretation of the “life” phenomenon in 12 selected pre-school children. These are children with special educational needs from the Special Nursery School for children with more defects. Their individual disorders and handicaps may affect their comprehension of the life phenomenon. The research techniques applied were as follows: an analysis of children’s drawings, a non-structured interview and selection of pictures specially prepared in advance. The results achieved are presented in general, showing also several exemplary case studies of specific pupils with the specification of their handicap. The article discusses possible effects of children’s handicaps on the process of their forming comprehension of the common life phenomenon.

Current library instructions, textbooks do not adequately address children, because they do not consider children’s (pre)conceptions about information literacy. Using qualitative methods this research tries to describe conceptual frameworks, distinctions to support a more efficient and constructivist library instruction. In our opinion research does not result in adaptive information about conceptions, if the research subject does not investigate relationships from the point of view of information and information literacy generally and in terms of some preferred resources. This study emphasizes a relationship between libraries and learning in children’s conceptions. Four types of conceptions were revealed in this specific sub-field, which influence preparing for autonomous learning and lifelong learning.

„CAS is the hardest and easiest subject in school” – teachers’ experiences in the IB DP program. An interactive perspective

In the article, the focus is on the International Baccalaureate Program (IB DP), which places great emphasis on the comprehensive development of students by providing the necessary knowledge and practical skills while taking into account the student’s interests. Special attention is paid to the subject of CAS (i.e. creativity, activity, service) because when analysing the selected literature on the subject, we noticed that the topic of CAS, implemented as part of the international IB curriculum, is overlooked and not explored in pedagogical research. The issues discussed in the article are part of broader considerations devoted to the reconstruction of the social world of schools implementing the international baccalaureate program. The empirical material comes from 19 unstructured interviews with teachers of international schools in Poland and participant observations carried out in these institutions. Reaching for a qualitative research strategy and grounded methodology procedures, we reconstructed the methods of defining CAS by the surveyed teachers, as well as strategies for managing this subject. It turns out that CAS is perceived by the respondents as a distinguishing feature (showcase) of the international program, and the strategies (mentor and administrative) for managing this subject implemented by the coordinators are not permanent and absolute.

The objective of this study is to identify the socio-educational needs in childhood with congenital heart disease. Our study was carried out using a multi-method, it combines quantitative and qualitative data collected in Catalonia (Spain). The results obtained from the questionnaires and interviews with education professionals, children with congenital heart disease and their families have enabled us to establish categories. Analysis of these has provided knowledge of their socioeducational needs. This article highlights the need to consider this impact as well as its psychosocial and educational effect, and the need to focus school education on improving their quality of life.

This paper summarizes the results of qualitative research concerning the process of becoming a teacher based on the concept of professional identification (Rymeš, Štikar et al., 2003). A semi-structured in-depth interview combined with the “lifeline“ method (Schütze, 1991) were used. The research was carried out on 13 teachers (male/female), having experience ranging from 1 to 6 years at the 2nd stage of primary schools, and its results show that the success rate among beginning teachers in forming a relationship with their profession, which later leads to their identification with the profession and assuming the resulting professional obligations, is connected with both internal and external factors. Connecting one’s own future with the teaching profession is preceded by self-affirmation, telling oneself that the work satisfies one’s internal needs and enables one to assert one’s abilities. On the basis of this research, we identified significant internal variables which are part of beginning teachers’ professional orientation.

This study aimed to determine student opinions before and after the Critical Thinking course included in the curriculum of a school of nursing in Turkey. The study employed a descriptive phenomenological qualitative method and purposeful sampling. The study population consisted of a total of seven students attending the Critical Thinking course. Research data were collected through the Individual In-depth Interview technique and analyzed with the use of a descriptive analysis method. The findings revealed that the critical thinking course had a positive effect on students’ opinions about critical thinking. To sum up, critical thinking should be offered as a separate course within curriculum, its efficiency should be subject to continuous assessment and the course should be continuously improved.