Disposition Development of International Students in Graduate School when Facing and Coping with the Difficulties of Writing Research Papers : A Case Study

研究論文
This study discussed the difficulties encountered by an international student in graduate school when writing research papers in Japanese for the first time and her disposition development. The analysis of interview data revealed that the international graduate student with a performance-oriented goal showed increased anxiety and decreased self-efficacy when writing papers. The student coped with her anxiety in a way that helped her feel relieved and secure, and she changed her goal through self-reflection. Furthermore, the student responded to a decrease in self-efficacy by reflecting on her learning environment, and consequently adopting a sense of responsibility helped her to control her own efficacy. The student developed the dispositions of engagement and openness through writing papers. Thus, to elicit engagement, it is important to build confidence and self-esteem, and the key to achieving these aims is to experience each step of the research process, including mid-term and final presentations, and recognize that she has the approval of those she holds in respect. In addition, the sense of achievement on completing a paper develops a sense of openness, leading to independent study.