Transforming ELT Undergraduate Research Approaches During and Beyond Covid-19: Lessons from an Islamic University in Indonesia

Azizah Maulina Erzad; Rudi Hartono; Puji Astuti; Widhiyanto Widhiyanto

doi:10.37680/qalamuna.v18i1.9451

Authors

Azizah Maulina Erzad Universitas Negeri Semarang
Rudi Hartono Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9331-8744
Puji Astuti Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8305-8141
Widhiyanto Widhiyanto Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7351-8976

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37680/qalamuna.v18i1.9451

Keywords:

Digital Research Practices, Islamic University, Research Supervision, Undergraduate ELT Research

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed undergraduate ELT research practices in higher education. This study investigates shifts in research topics, methodologies, technology use, and ethical considerations in undergraduate ELT research at an Islamic university in Indonesia during and beyond the pandemic. This study employed a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through open-ended online questionnaires involving seven student researchers and five lecturer supervisors, as well as document analysis of 41 undergraduate thesis abstracts selected purposively from 2020–2022, and were analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Findings indicate a notable rise in discourse-based and technology-mediated research topics, with qualitative approaches dominating methodological choices. Digital tools, such as online questionnaires, virtual interviews, and electronic academic databases, played a central role in data collection. However, students also encountered challenges, including access constraints, ethical requirements, and technological and communication limitations. The study highlights how crisis-driven adaptations, particularly digital research literacy, flexible methodological decision-making, and strengthened ethical awareness, constitute valuable lessons for sustaining and improving undergraduate research supervision in post-pandemic contexts. Recommendations are offered for integrating blended research training, ethical digital research competencies, and culturally grounded supervision strategies within Islamic higher-education ELT programs.

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