Explaining the components of professional learning Communities based on a research synthesis approach

Explaining the components of professional learning Communities based on a research synthesis approach

Subject Areas : Learning

samira safari ¹ , Jahangir Yari Haj Ataloo ^{2 *} , Sadegh Maleki Avarsin ³

1 - Ph.D. student in Educational Management, Department of Educational Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.

Received: 2025-04-05 Accepted : 2025-07-29 Published : 2025-09-24

Keywords: professional learning, learning communities, teaching communities professional, research synthesis, professional Development,

Abstract :

The present research aims to explain the components of professional learning communities. In terms of purpose, it is an applied research, and methodologically, it follows a qualitative approach based on research synthesis. The research population consisted of domestic and international sources published within the past 15 years. A purposive sampling method was employed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in the selection of 33 reputable scientific sources. The research process was carried out using the seven-step model proposed by Sandelowski and Barroso, and the data were analyzed though using qualitative content analysis using thematic coding. The findings indicated that the components of professional learning communities, consists of 5 overall elements, including: Participation and collective cooperation (including 4 subthemes), collective guidance (including 3 subthemes), collective support (including 4 subthemes), deep and continuous participatory Learning (including 2 subthemes), and collective empowerment (including 5 subthemes).

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