Principals' voices via modelling? Issues of voice in quantitative studies and the use of complexity theory

Edited book (chapter)

Trimmer, Karen. 2014. "Principals' voices via modelling? Issues of voice in quantitative studies and the use of complexity theory." Midgley, Warren, Davies, Andy, Oliver, Mark E. and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Echoes: ethics and issues of voice in education research. Rotterdam, Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 197-209
Chapter Title

Principals' voices via modelling? Issues of voice in quantitative studies and the use of complexity theory

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID3228
Book TitleEchoes: ethics and issues of voice in education research
Authors
AuthorTrimmer, Karen
EditorsMidgley, Warren, Davies, Andy, Oliver, Mark E. and Danaher, Patrick Alan
Page Range197-209
Chapter Number14
Number of Pages13
Year2014
PublisherSense Publishers
Place of PublicationRotterdam, Netherlands
ISBN9789462094895
9789462094918
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6209-491-8_14
Web Address (URL)http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-6209-491-8_14
Abstract

Voice of participants in education research is most often heard through qualitative research studies. However, voice of participants is also a critical issue in quantitative studies. This chapter discusses the use of complexity theory as a lens to enable issues of voice to be considered in studies utilising quantitative methods. The approach taken in the study discussed was to listen to the voice of government school principals through qualitative interviews and to amplify their voice of through a quantitative approach and the use of complexity theory. The dynamic nature of schools requires principals to cope with complex dilemmas in their daily decision-making. Complexity theory was used in to assist in understanding decision-making by school principals in a complex environment within an organisational hierarchy with a mandatory regulatory framework.

Keywordscomplexity; decision-making; quantitative; voice
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390201. Education policy
350799. Strategy, management and organisational behaviour not elsewhere classified
390403. Educational administration, management and leadership
Public Notes

Copyright 2014 Sense Publishers. Permanent restricted access to published version due to publisher copyright policy.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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