Analysis of Trends in Autoethnography Research in the Field of Special Education in Korea

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the trends in autoethnographic research in special education, provide necessary information to researchers who intend to conduct autoethnographic research in the future, and explore the directions and applications of autoethnographic research in special education. Methods 54 autoethnography studies in the field of special education in Korea from 2000 to February 2024 were analyzed. The analysis criteria were established based on previous studies, and trends were analyzed according to ‘research type and publication year, researcher, research topic, data collection method, data analysis method, writing method, research validity, and research ethics’. Results As a result of the analysis, The most common type of research was journal articles, with 40 out of 54 (74.1%), followed by master's theses with 11(20.4%) and doctoral dissertations with 4(5.5%). The number of publications increased from 1(1.8%) in 2011 to 12(16.6%) after 2023, indicating a growing trend in autoethnography research. The most researcher type was special education teachers, accounting for 42(63.6%). The most research topic was instruction for students with disabilities, appearing in 23(42.6%) studies. Self-recall materials and cultural artifacts were primarily used for data collection. Holistic-category analysis, in vivo coding, emotional coding were the main data analysis methods. The most common writing method was confessional-emotional writing(35 studies, 33.7%), with imaginative-creative writing appearing in 2(2.9%) studies. Peer check was the most commonly used method for research validity(38 studies, 25.2%), with more than two analysis criteria employed. In terms of research ethics, privacy protection was the most common consideration(32 studies, 42.7%), while 16 studies(21.3%) did not mention research ethics. Conclusions Based on these results, implications for the direction and application of autoethnography research in the field of special education in Korea were discussed.