Butterflies and black swans: metaphors that provide new perspectives to understand quantitative models in educational research

Edited book (chapter)


Trimmer, Karen. 2013. "Butterflies and black swans: metaphors that provide new perspectives to understand quantitative models in educational research." Midgley, Warren, Trimmer, Karen and Davies, Andy (ed.) Metaphors for, in and of education research. Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 173-188
Chapter Title

Butterflies and black swans: metaphors that provide new perspectives to understand quantitative models in educational research

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID1417
Book TitleMetaphors for, in and of education research
Authors
AuthorTrimmer, Karen
EditorsMidgley, Warren, Trimmer, Karen and Davies, Andy
Page Range173-188
Chapter Number12
Number of Pages16
Year2013
PublisherCambridge Scholars Publishing
Place of PublicationNewcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
ISBN9781443843980
Abstract

Metaphor has been used throughout this book as a way of constructing meaning to illustrate and communicate concepts. This is most often utilised in relation to qualitative methodology in education research. This chapter utilises two metaphors, butterflies and black swans as a conceptual tool to explain the quantitative approaches of complexity theory and probability theory respectively, in order to communicate how these approaches were used to develop a quantitative model of risk-taking in decision-making by school principals. The chapter aims to illustrate the use of a traditionally qualitative tool, the use of metaphor, in a wider context in educational research to bridge the gap in understanding of research methods and provide an interpretative aspect to quantitative modelling. The use of metaphor to explain probability theory and complexity theory may assist in making the results of education research on risk-taking in decision-making more relevant to qualitative researchers and encourage broader use of these approaches.

Keywordscomplexity; probability; quantitative models; risk-taking; decision-making
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390303. Higher education
490506. Probability theory
500107. Professional ethics
Public Notes

© 2013 by Warren Midgley, Karen Trimmer and Andy Davies and contributors. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
Chapter 12.

Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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