Professors’ views regarding their professional careers, identities, and educational work –Comparative research between Japan and Finland.

Abstract : It has been revealed that there are various approaches to educational research in different
communities and counties. Particularly, the relationship with classroom practice, teacher education and social
service could influence the research to a great extent. It is important to understand various contexts of research
in order to promote more international exchange and comparative studies. The purpose of this research was to
examine the diverse disciplinary, social, cultural, institutional, and historical contexts underpinning educational
research. This research included a comparison of data collected from interviews with educational researchers
working in different communities and countries. This research focused on characteristics and differences in
educational researchers in Japan and Finland. This research’s methodology was a “Life Story Method” in which
semi-structured interviews were conducted. The research subjects were four professors, two from Japan and
two from Finland. Professors’ professions contists of many different aspects; their background, studying,
subjects and their academic interests and researches. It depends also on universities, which have given them
their positions. Usually professors are independent and they can create their own research area and specialities.
Societies and cultures are different and so this is also one part, which has influence and affects for citizens’
lives and careers.
Keywords: Identity, comparative research, qualitative, teacher's responsibility.