A Framework for Empirical Analysis of “Learning and Growth” through Internship and Work Integrated Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to summarize the current framework for empirical analysis of “learning and growth” through internship and work integrated learning to present future issues. Specifically, we reviewed previous studies from the perspectives of (1) the learning outcomes obtained through internship and work integrated learning, (2) how mechanisms their outcomes are produced, and attempted to systematize the framework for empirical analysis. From the perspective of the learning outcomes obtained through internship and work integrated learning, we organized the positioning of competency, basic social skills, and employability as the learning outcomes obtained through internship and work integrated learning based on the matrix of learning outcome indicators, occupational competency, and level presented by Yoshimoto (2020). The hierarchy of competencies (generic competencies and domain-specific competencies) was presented, and basic social skills and employability were positioned as concepts that are included in the hierarchy. In addition, the accumulation of empirical analysis on domain-specific competencies and employability was presented as a future issue. In addition, from the viewpoint of the mechanism of producing learning outcomes through internship, a hypothesis-generating approach based on academic results and a hypothesis-generating approach based on qualitative methodology were discussed and specific examples were given. In order to systematize and synthesize research perspectives on internship, we pointed out the future challenge of establishing a methodology for empirical analysis of internship research based on both approaches.