Measurement and modeling: sequential use of analytical techniques in a study of risk-taking in decision-making by school principals

Article

Trimmer, Karen. 2016. "Measurement and modeling: sequential use of analytical techniques in a study of risk-taking in decision-making by school principals." Teacher Development. 20 (3), pp. 398-416. https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2016.1155477
Article Title

Measurement and modeling: sequential use of analytical techniques in a study of risk-taking in decision-making by school principals

ERA Journal ID20757
Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorTrimmer, Karen
Journal TitleTeacher Development
Journal Citation20 (3), pp. 398-416
Number of Pages19
Year2016
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN1366-4530
1747-5120
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/13664530.2016.1155477
Web Address (URL)http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13664530.2016.1155477#.V4L3_E1f0dk
Abstract

This paper investigates reasoned risk-taking in decision-making by school principals using a methodology that combines sequential use of psychometric and traditional measurement techniques. Risk-taking is defined as when decisions are made that are not compliant with the regulatory framework, the primary governance mechanism for public schools in Western Australia. This creates a dilemma for principals who need to be able to respond to the locally identified needs within a school, and simultaneously comply with all State and Commonwealth departmental requirements. A theoretical model was developed and data collected through the survey of a stratified random sample of principals in 253 Western Australian government schools. Rasch measurement was used to create a measurement scale. The hypotheses were tested used Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modeling. This analysis provides evidence of the effect of governance structures, characteristics of schools and principals that influence decision-making in schools.

Keywordsmeasurement; structural equation modeling; decision-making; risk-taking; governance
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390403. Educational administration, management and leadership
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Byline AffiliationsSchool of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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