Research Article

Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students

Number: 26 August 31, 2025
TR EN

Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students

Abstract

Aim: This study examines the experiences of child development students who had done fieldwork at various rehabilitation centers through a qualitative approach. The aim of the research was to reveal the experiences and problems encountered by the students in the institutions. Method: To collect data, a set of questions were prepared and asked using a semi-structured face-to-face interview method. The study was conducted with 15 child development students who interned at special education and rehabilitation centers. The data was later analyzed using MAXQDA. Results: Five main themes emerged in the data; theory-practice discrepancy, suggestions, insufficiencies, diversity, and experience. It was observed that special education and rehabilitation centers were generally perceived as inadequate by the fieldwork participants, but the fieldwork process itself is deemed valuable due to the opportunity to use theoretical knowledge in practice. Conclusion: Universities should clarify fieldwork guidelines and create effective feedback mechanisms to align student experiences with learning goals

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The study has been supported and funded by TUBITAK as a part of the 2209-A Research Project Support Program for Undergraduate Students (2023/2 Term Call)

Ethical Statement

Istanbul Gelişim University Ethical Review Board approved the research protocol (Date: 29.02.2024, Decision Number: 2024-03).

Thanks

The researchers extend their sincere gratitude to TÜBİTAK for their invaluable support in facilitating this study.

References

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  2. 2. Keskin AD, Baykoç N. Türkiye’de bulunan üniversitelerin lisans programlarının çocuk gelişimi açısından incelenmesi. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, Uluslararası Katılımlı 3 Çocuk Gelişimi ve Eğitimi Kongre Kitabı. Published online 2015.
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  5. 5. Berk LE. Child Development. (Edn 9Th, ed.). Pearson; 2017.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

People With Disability, Medical Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

August 30, 2025

Publication Date

August 31, 2025

Submission Date

January 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 7, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Number: 26

APA
Çelepi, E. H., Bozacıoğlu, R. N., & Altınal, B. E. (2025). Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences, 26, 512-524. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1599776
AMA
1.Çelepi EH, Bozacıoğlu RN, Altınal BE. Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students. IGUSABDER. 2025;(26):512-524. doi:10.38079/igusabder.1599776
Chicago
Çelepi, Esra Hazal, Rabia Nazikar Bozacıoğlu, and Berk Efe Altınal. 2025. “Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences, nos. 26: 512-24. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1599776.
EndNote
Çelepi EH, Bozacıoğlu RN, Altınal BE (August 1, 2025) Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences 26 512–524.
IEEE
[1]E. H. Çelepi, R. N. Bozacıoğlu, and B. E. Altınal, “Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students”, IGUSABDER, no. 26, pp. 512–524, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.38079/igusabder.1599776.
ISNAD
Çelepi, Esra Hazal - Bozacıoğlu, Rabia Nazikar - Altınal, Berk Efe. “Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences. 26 (August 1, 2025): 512-524. https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1599776.
JAMA
1.Çelepi EH, Bozacıoğlu RN, Altınal BE. Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students. IGUSABDER. 2025;:512–524.
MLA
Çelepi, Esra Hazal, et al. “Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences, no. 26, Aug. 2025, pp. 512-24, doi:10.38079/igusabder.1599776.
Vancouver
1.Esra Hazal Çelepi, Rabia Nazikar Bozacıoğlu, Berk Efe Altınal. Fieldwork Experiences in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers: A Qualitative Approach to the Perspective of Child Development Students. IGUSABDER. 2025 Aug. 1;(26):512-24. doi:10.38079/igusabder.1599776

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