A Study of Research Assistants’ Perceptions about Academic Adviser and Academic Life through Metaphors

Abstract

In current study research assistants’ perceptions about the concepts of ‘Academic adviser’ and ‘Academic life’ via metaphors were aimed which is conducted with qualitative research method. Participants of study consist of 82 research assistant (45 of them women) work in Educational Faculties in Turkey. In data collection, for academic advisers each participant is asked to complete the prompt “An academic adviser is like . . . because . . .” or “An academic adviser is analogous to . . . because . . .” For academic life each of them is asked to complete the promt “An academic life is like . . . because . . .” or “An academic life is analogous to . . . because . . .”. In analyzing data content analysis was used. Perceptions of research assistant for their academic advisers 7 categories is determined such that supervisor as loadstar/enlightening, supporter/protector, productive, director, neutral, colonist and changeable respectively. In academic life theme, seven categories were created as well as academic advisor theme. Considering academic life metaphor, hopeless period, rocky road, a period of development, fund of knowledge process, Deadweight, labor process and uncertainty process categories were created. Results were discussed and suggestions were given in line with findings.

Keywords: Research assistant, metaphor, advisor, academic life