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Mixed Methods Research on the Characteristics and Factors of Faith in Early Childhood

유아기 신앙 특성 및 요인에 관한 혼합연구

  • Received : 2022.05.29
  • Accepted : 2022.06.29
  • Published : 2022.06.30

Abstract

In this study, a mixed research method that collects and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data together was used to broaden the understanding of young children's faith. First of all, the contents of interviews with 18 research participants were divided into categories, and the frequency of each category was calculated. From 75 statements made in the interview, the importance of each was evaluated with a 5-point Likert scale. The means and standard deviations of the evaluation score were calculated, and sub-factors were identified through exploratory factor analysis. The frequency of categories mentioned in the qualitative interview was in the following order: faith manifested in difficulties, religious activities, Christian education at home, Christian education in the church, love and faith in God, and the formation of a Christian worldview (identity). The statement on the perception of God, theological concepts, religious activities, and Christian education at home and in the church received high scores. On the other hand, statements on developmentally difficult or abstract content, value judgment or conflict resolution based on the Word, and evangelism showed low scores. The sub-factors extracted through factor analysis were faith education through home and church, awareness of God and religious activities, identity based on the gospel, character based on the gospel, and overcoming a crisis through faith. In conclusion, the results of each of the mixed methods of looking at young children's faith were very similar-relationships with God, religious activities, Christian worldview (identity), Christian education at home and church were highlighted, even though various methods were used. This study is meaningful in that it suggests what and how to teach in early childhood Christian education.

본 연구에서는 유아 신앙에 관한 이해를 확장하기 위해 질적, 양적자료를 함께 수집하고 분석하는 혼합연구 방법을 사용하였다. 우선 18명의 연구참여자와 면담한 내용을 범주로 나누고 범주가 도출된 빈도를 계산하였다. 면담에서 언급된 내용을 75개 서술문으로 만들어 중요도를 5점 평정척도로 평가받음으로 유아기 신앙에서 더 중요하거나 덜 중요한 개념을 발견하였으며, 탐색적 요인분석을 통해 하위요인을 발견하였다. 면담에서 빈번하게 언급된 범주는 어려움 가운데 발현되는 믿음, 종교적 행위, 가정에서의 신앙교육, 교회에서의 신앙교육, 하나님을 향한 사랑과 믿음, 기독교 세계관(정체성) 확립 순이었다. 높은 점수를 받은 서술문은 하나님에 대한 인식, 신학적 개념, 종교적 행위, 가정의 신앙교육, 교회의 신앙교육에 포함되는 내용이었다. 반면 발달상 나타나기 어렵거나 추상적인 내용, 말씀에 기초한 가치 판단과 갈등 해결, 복음 전도에 관한 서술문은 낮은 점수를 받았다. 요인분석을 통해 추출된 하위요인은 가정과 교회를 통한 신앙교육, 하나님에 대한 인식과 종교적 행위, 복음에 기초한 정체성, 복음에 기초한 성품, 신앙에 기초한 위기 극복이었다. 결론적으로, 유아기 신앙에 관한 혼합연구의 결과는 다양한 방법을 활용했음에도 하나님과의 관계, 종교적 행위, 기독교 세계관(정체성), 가정의 신앙교육, 교회의 신앙교육, 믿음을 통한 위기 극복 등으로 거의 유사하게 나타났다. 본 연구의 결과는 유아기 신앙교육에서 무엇을 어떻게 가르칠 것인가에 관한 아이디어를 제시하였다는데 의의가 있다.

Keywords

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