Cultivating Professional Identity: The Vital Role of Practical Teaching Experience for Future Educators

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The topic is of relevance to the current debate on initial teacher training. However, the use of English impacts on the quality of the introduction, analysis and conclusions.  

Greater detail on the substance of the questionnaire, delivery and analysis is needed.

Further references are required to describe the research context in respect to work-based (technician) approaches to teacher training compared with university (academic) approaches.

The stages of development relating to professional identity may also be expanded in respect to the findings.

The use of English requires further development.  Try to avoid over-complex statements and long sentences.

Author Response

Attached is a file with reference to comments

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

• The abstract should provide a concise overview of the research, including the research questions, methodology (sample, data collection, analysis), and key findings. Aim for a clear and informative summary that entices readers to learn more.
• The introduction should introduce the research topic, highlight its significance, and explain the existing knowledge gap. Clearly state your research questions and how your study contributes to the field. 
• In the the literature review organize your arguments thematically and ensure a clear connection to your research context. Explain how the existing literature informs your study and how your research builds upon it.
• Strengthen the methodology section by elaborating on the chosen approach. Explain why this specific methodology is suitable for your research questions, highlighting its benefits and potential limitations. 
• Enhancing the findings section with well-designed tables can significantly improve clarity. Use extra tables (or figures) to present key findings from your questionnaire items. 
• Expand on the implications section by discussing the potential impact of your findings on the educational field. How can your research inform practices or future research?

Eliminate unnecessary words or phrases that repeat the same idea. For example (in page 1)

Remarkably, the unanticipated discovery that surfaced during this research underscores the heightened importance of active engagement in teaching experience as an indispensable element in the formulation and refinement of a future graduate poised to spear-head the trajectory of education in the forthcoming generations.

Author Response

Attached is a file with reference to comments

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Author(s),

Thank you for conducting this research. I would request you to consider the following points from my views to improve the article.

(1) The abstract section needs to be rewritten as it does not depict a clear understanding of the work. Methodology should be briefed here though the Methodology section is referred here. Findings and conclusions are also to be briefed, which are vague at this current state.

(2) Lines 23-31: The introduction section did not define any of the terms: 'identity', 'professional identity' and 'professional identity in education'. This section needs clear understanding of 'identity' in general supported by adequate references.

(3) Lines 81-91: 'According to the professional literature, ...' is not an authentic style of writing when it has not backed by a reference. The appropriate section title has not been justified with the gradual establishments of the terminologies. Sufficient references needed to support.

(4)  Over the whole: The (Fisherman, 2016) article is overly referred throughout the whole article. This may create an assumption of a biased work. Other similar supportive references may help the situation.

(5) 2.3 Stages of professional development: How this section is supporting this research? Are the stages somehow relevant or comparable to the 3 years of study of the STs? The whole section might be a good literature resource only when its connection is established.

(6) 3.4 Research tool and procedure: The section needs to be elaborated with more details and latent variables as applied.

(7) 5. Discussion: This section will be improved in connection with the previous changes made. Especially, '... the more positive practicum experience ...' used in line 360 needs to be justified with finding support and in more details.

Finally, I wish all the best to the author(s) and their research efforts. 

Author Response

Attached is a file with reference to comments

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

All suggested areas of development have been addressed.

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Author(s),

Thanks for addressing the review comments and updating accordingly.