Educational leadership: roles, practices, and organizational impact

Educational Leadership

Select five empirical articles from peer-reviewed journals that you consider critical to your understanding of your specialization

In the last several years, educational leadership has become an integral part of helping schools to outperform their peers. This is because the techniques which are utilized will have a dramatic impact on the teacher's ability to connect with stakeholders. To achieve these objectives, they will often turn to those who can inspire others and offer guidance for reaching key benchmarks.

There are a number of theories which are used to influence the practices educators are using. For instance, Darling (2009) found that leadership is essential in helping to inspire others around them. In this study, she is seeking to understand which leadership techniques are most effective in comprehending what motivates stakeholders. The research was conducted through utilizing the qualitative method. This is when different studies are examined to understand various trends and support issues for further clarification. (Darling, 2009)

Once this occurred, is when comparative analysis was conducted. This is where the various responses were contrasted with each other to understand the basic patterns. Any kind of anomalies were disregarded as statistically insignificant. The threats to the validity of the study; were to have different researchers present their findings. This ensured that everyone remains objective throughout the entire project. (Darling, 2009)

Evidence of this can be seen with Darling saying, "The content of professional development can make the difference between enhancing teachers' competence and simply providing a forum for teachers to talk. The most useful professional development emphasizes active teaching, assessment, observation, and reflection rather than abstract discussions. Professional development that focuses on student learning and helps teachers develop the pedagogical skills to teach specific kinds of content has strong positive effects on practice. In a recent national survey teachers reported that their knowledge and skills grew and their practice changed when they received professional development that was coherent, focused on content knowledge, and involved active learning. Hands-on work that enhanced teachers' knowledge of the content and how to teach it produced a sense of efficacy -- especially when that content was aligned with local curriculum and policies." (Darling, 2009)

These findings are showing how educational leadership is vital in transforming how everyone is interacting with each other. This is taking place through opening channels of communication and working with staff members to reach key objectives using the transformational approach. The result is that those institutions, which are embracing these practices, will be more successful over the long-term. As various stakeholders are working together to reach key objectives. In this case, the article presents compelling evidence showing the importance of leadership inside any educational environment. (Darling, 2009)

Moreover, Rosen (2011) found that technology can be used to improve educational leadership. This is taking place in areas where individuals could be weak by providing them with added tips and insights sent to various mobile devices (such as: smart phones and tablets). These areas will enable the person to remember these ideas and have them readily available. (Rosen, 2011)

At the same time, students could use these solutions to enhance their ability to remember and retain key ideas. This is different from many traditional classrooms with students expected to shut off their mobile applications. If there is a concentrated effort on these areas, it will offer them with effective tools for remembering and improving their ability to recall important concepts. (Rosen, 2011)

The research problem is focusing on how electronic solutions can be utilized without creating added disruptions. The design is concentrating on using qualitative method. This is when there is an emphasis on other studies and their findings. These conclusions are a detailed understanding of the problem and it is introducing ways of addressing them. The threats to the validity of the study are the information is from different time periods. This is challenging, as select ideas could be out of date and may not fully address the problem. To deal with these issues, there is a focus on corroborating the various results with each other. This will determine the underlying trends and any long-term effects on different stakeholders. (Rosen, 2011)

These findings are showing that an all encompassing approach must be used. This means that technology needs to be implemented inside an educational environment to improve everyone's ability to remember key ideas. These changes are occurring through communicating with educators about the best techniques and how they can more effectively reach out to students. (Rosen, 2011)

While at the same time, students can use these solutions to retain key concepts and more effectively prepare them for the various assignments. This will be achieved by having them use applications which are only focusing on select solutions and it ignores others (such as the use of cell phones or sending texts). Once the class is over, is when the individual will be able to access these applications again. (Rosen, 2011)

Moreover, Gandara (2010) determined that there must be continuing support for different stakeholders. This is because there are key ideas that have to be repeated consistently in order to make a difference. If this does not occur, there is the possibility of everyone going back to their old routines. (Gandara, 2010)

The study that was conducted by Gandara (2010) is focused on understanding how various groups of stakeholders respond to continuing leadership. The purpose is to see the way this shapes the reactions of stakeholders and their ability to respond to a host of issues in the process. The design of the study is to look at various pieces of data. The information is offering insights about these shifting techniques and its influence on a variety of stakeholders in the process. (Gandara, 2010)

The threats to validity is that there is an over reliance on a single source for the data. To address these issues, other figures were collected from a second study. This was used an independent variable to understand what is occurring and confirm these shifts. The findings are showing, that all groups of stakeholders respond positively to these changes. This is because they are providing specific insights about which tactics are most effective and their long-term impact on others. (Gandara, 2010)

As a result, when there is consistent leadership and follow up, more people are connected to the process. Evidence of this can be seen with Gandara saying, "The evidence suggests that a continuing net of support for disadvantaged students -- rather than isolated interventions -- is likely to significantly improve students' academic outcomes and reduce achievement gaps. This helps them to have a sense of vision and clear understanding about themselves. Supports need to begin in early childhood, with access to high-quality preschools, and continue throughout high school through programs that focus on dropout prevention and promote college attendance. At the same time, educators need to learn the best techniques and how to effectively reach out to various stakeholders. Creating magnet schools that appeal to middle-class parents, working with health and social service agencies, and reaching out to parents in culturally appropriate ways can make a significant difference for many students." (Gandara, 2010)

This is showing how effective leadership must be applied consistently inside any educational environment. Otherwise, there is the possibility that something will be overlooked. When this happens, everyone will begin to revert back to their old ways prior to these changes. (Gandara, 2010)

Furthermore, Merrill (2010) concluded that a lack of leadership in education is contributing to higher rates of turnover. This is because most people feel frustrated with the current system and the challenges they are expected to deal with. The result is that an increasing number are retiring early or going into other career fields with more promise. (Merrill, 2010)

The research problem is concentrating on how these trends can be reversed over the long-term. Its purpose is to identify how leadership is influencing an educational environment and the practices that are utilized. The design of the study was to collect a sample from different teachers, parents and administrators. The basic idea is to comprehend what variables are impacting individual thoughts and beliefs. (Merrill, 2010)

The biggest threat to the validity of the study is some results could overly rely on a single respondent. To deal with these challenges, an anonymous survey was conducted. It only asked for, select pieces of ethnographic information from respondents. The findings are showing how teachers, students, parents and administrators must be motivated to do more. Otherwise, the educational environment will succumb to attitudes of complacency. This is the point, when these changes could have negative implications on a variety of stakeholders in the process. As a result, the article is underscoring the importance of creating enthusiasm and excitement. When this happens, everyone will be motivated to do more and go the extra mile to enhance quality. (Merrill, 2010)

Evidence of this can be seen with Merrill saying, "After analyzing long-term demographic data from the Schools and Staffing Survey, we found a number of intriguing trends in the teaching force that they say 'appear to have been little noticed by researchers, policymakers, and the public.' The number of teachers, they write, is growing at a rate that far outpaces increases in student enrollments. Both the proportion of teachers who are nearing retirement age and the proportion of teachers who have just 1-2 years of experience are rising. The proportion of teachers who are female, already high, is growing. Teacher turnover is also increasing, and turnover rates are higher in high-poverty, high-minority, urban, and rural schools. The academic ability of teachers remains lower than that of other professions. The authors discuss some of the possible reasons for and implications of these trends." (Merrill, 2010)

This is showing how a lack of leadership is hurting the ability of teachers to reach out to students and other stakeholders. These issues are problematic, as they will often lead to burn out and frustration. Once this occurs, is the point more people will leave the industry and seek out better opportunities elsewhere. (Merrill, 2010)

To avoid these challenges requires that a new approach is utilized. It will focus on those techniques which can more effectively inspire and motivate everyone to help each other. In many ways, one could argue that this is the key for ensuring critical issues are effectively dealt with over the long-term. (Merrill, 2010)

The best form of educational leadership is the transformational style. This is because it seeks to understand what is important to the individual and it is using avenues that will bring them into the discussion. When this happens, everyone is more interested in the material and has an open mind to the concepts that are presented. (Pieterse, 2010)

A study that was conducted by Pieterse (2010) is supporting these conclusions. This is because the research problem is seeking to understand which style is most effective and the long-term effects it will have on everybody. The purpose of the research is concentrating on which approach will help educators the most. The design is focusing on using data analysis and comparing the results from other research projects in these areas. (Pieterse, 2010)

The threats to validity were addressed by using multiple resources and having researchers maintaining objectivity. This was achieved through them only having access to these results and nothing more. These elements will prevent them from overly relying on specific sources. The findings are illustrating how the transformational style is the most effective. This is because an all encompassing approach is taken when it comes to dealing with these issues. Over the course of time, educators and other stakeholders feel more respected during the process. Once this occurs, is the point they will have favorable attitudes about their experiences and can start working with others in reaching a host of educational goals. (Pieterse, 2010)

Evidence of this can be seen with Pieterse saying, "Innovative behavior is increasingly important for organizations' survival. Transformational leadership, in contrast to transactional leadership, has been argued to be particularly effective in engendering follower innovative behavior. However, empirical evidence for this relationship is scarce and inconsistent. Addressing this issue, we propose that follower psychological empowerment moderates the relationship of transformational and transactional leadership with follower innovative behavior. In a field study with 230 employees of a government agency in the Netherlands combining multisource ratings, we show that transformational leadership is positively related to innovative behavior only when psychological empowerment is high, whereas transactional leadership has a negative relationship with innovative behavior only under these conditions." As a result, the article is making a compelling case for understanding the importance and meaning of educational leadership. The most successful institutions will utilize the transformational strategy to effectively connect with stakeholders and motivate them to do more. (Pieterse, 2010)

Select one of the five articles above. Using that article, assess how you might conduct the research study differently.

The article written by Pieterse was selected for further analysis. This is because its findings have a profound impact by showing the way transformational leadership is more effective. However, many of the conclusions and methods are taking a more general approach. This is occurring by not corroborating the findings with each other. (Pieterse, 2010)

Moreover, there is a lack of research questions. Instead, there are a series of aims and objectives for the study. This makes it difficult to focus on other variables which may have an outcome on the final result. Once this occurs, it will be more challenging to understand how other factors will have an influence on the data. The purpose of the research is to corroborate the findings with each other. This will be achieved through conducting an independent study of our own. The design is to collect a sample of different educators and their views about the impact of leadership. This will be achieved through comparing the previous findings with each other to establish the overall trends. (Pieterse, 2010)

Once this has been completed, is when the subjects will be recruited and they will be provided with an anonymous survey. Inside, it will ask respondents which type of leadership is utilized at their school. They will then, answer a series of questions about the impact, the levels of motivation and if this is making a difference. (Pieterse, 2010)

One sample will be a pool of educators. While a second will be collected among: administrators, parents and community leaders. This will serve as the independent variable by seeing the attitudes of other stakeholders when it comes to educational leadership. The strengths of conducting this kind of study; are it will corroborate the findings from other research with its own. This will enable actuaries to compare these results and more accurately see which approach is most effective in reaching out to a variety of stakeholders. The underlying trends can be compared with previous research. This will offer insights about those tactics which can make a difference in the lives of stakeholders over the long-term. (Pieterse, 2010)

The weaknesses are the population sample could be so small (with 100 respondents). This could identify anomalies. When this happens, there is a realistic probability of the results becoming inconclusive. This will make it more difficult to understand which leadership style is most effective and the long-term impacts it is having on a variety of stakeholders. (Pieterse, 2010)

The biggest quantitative threats to validity; are one group of subjects will be overemphasized in contrast to the others. To deal with these challenges, it is recommended that a large sample is collected and everyone can only identify themselves based upon their occupation, gender, age and ethnic group. This will ensure that different views are taken into account in order to provide the most accurate results. Moreover, subjects will be separated from each other and will not be asked any questions about the information they provided. This will prevent researchers from overly influencing the process. (Pieterse, 2010)

To ensure the findings are accurate, the various trends will be contrasted with others that were identified from previous studies. Anything that is an isolated event will be disregarded as an anomaly. This will improve the quality of the findings by ensuring that the responses can confirm and build off of the previous trends. (Pieterse, 2010)

These methods were selected, as they will rely on each other to improve the accuracy of results and ensure objectivity. This will enhance researchers' ability to understand what is happening and the long-term results it will have stakeholders. These findings will occur, through having the sample that mirror previous studies and is contrasting the problems in real time. (Pieterse, 2010)

The data will be analyzed through conducting a comparative analysis. This is when the results will be correlated with each other and different studies to improve the accuracy of the results. The way it is collected will help to answer the research questions by surveying a variety of stakeholders in the process. They can provide insights about what styles of leadership is most important and the impact it is having on everyone. These conclusions can be used to comprehend the scope of these transformations and the best way to connect with different segments in the process. (Pieterse, 2010)

Question 4: Ethics

Write a paper in which you discuss how doctoral research, from literature review to conducting research, to writing a dissertation manuscript should be done with care and integrity to meet the ethical standards of scientific research.

In any kind of research and writing, integrity is the foundation of someone supporting their ideas and receiving credit for them. This means that whatever they have created, the individual has the right to receive recognition and compensation for what they developed. However, many individuals will often try to take these views and will copy them as their own. This is designed to reduce the amounts of time involved and it is mirroring the results from previous studies. (Pennycock, 1996)

These issues are problematic, as plagiarism will undercut the moral position of the individuals who did it. As they cannot prove, how it is their original work or that they were able to complete the project. When this happens, these individuals will be subject to sanctions and other negative reactions based upon what occurred. (Pennycock, 1996)

In order to avoid these challenges, integrity is the heart of all academic research and writing. This means that every source must be cited for the information that was used and quotations in place for the actual text and words from the author. Once this takes place, is the point the information can be used to support the views of the author. As they are providing a foundation of research for them to work off of and can see how these findings were reached during the study. In the future, others can mirror and expand upon these results to make positive transformations from the research that was completed. (Pennycock, 1996)

The process of conducting the study will require focusing on the highest ethical standards. This will be achieved through ensuring that all sources are properly cited and quoted for any information which is used. For instance, Pennycock (1996) concluded that as long as the source is listed, its information and facts can be used. This will provide better insights about what is happening and the long-term impacts of these changes on others. (Pennycock, 1996)

However, the author must be sure to support their facts, by having some kind of designation stating where the information came from. This will ensure that there are no issues of confusion surrounding it. When this happens, these facts can be used to help support the study. This is the point, where these factors will positively influence the readers by working off an established foundation. (Pennycock, 1996)

Evidence of this can be seen with Pennycock saying, "I attempt to deal with some of the complexities of text, ownership, memorization, and plagiarism. Arguing that plagiarism can be cast as a simple black-and-white issue, the prevention of which can be achieved via threats, warnings, and admonitions, I suggest that it needs to be understood in terms of complex relationships between text, memory, and learning. This is part of an attempt to explore more generally different relationships between learning, literacy, and cultural difference. I look first at the background to the notion of authorship and ownership of text, arguing that the way ownership and creativity are understood within European and U.S. contexts needs to be seen as a very particular cultural and historical development. By looking at shifting premodern, modern, and postmodern understandings of text and authorship, I show how the dominant modernist paradigm has always been filled with confirmation of key ideas. Then I discuss how the issues around plagiarism lead to difficulties in how textual borrowing is understood. I follow this examination of the development of the Western notion of textual ownership with a consideration of what it means to impose this view in a context where understandings of texts, ownership, and learning may be very different. By looking at learning in a Chinese context and also at the particularities of studying in Hong Kong, I show how we have more subtle appreciations of the relationships between different approaches to texts. Finally, I discuss some general implications for understanding text, ownership, and learning." This is showing how citing other studies will improve the accuracy and validity of the research. When this happens, the findings will be more reliable and can discuss what is occurring from a larger perspective. (Pennycock, 1996)

To determine the different risks, there will be a focus on factors which could influence the outcome. This is because leadership styles are constantly shifting and adjusting. When conducting any kind of research, it is important to understand the various limitations and the impact it is having on respondents. (May, 1997)

For instance, May (1997) concluded that there are many factors which can impact the quality of education students are receiving and the attitudes of teachers. The most notable include: their ability to communicate / connect with stakeholders, different categories for determining risks and shifting techniques in reaching key objectives. These variables can cause a study's findings to be inaccurate by failing to take into account other factors which are influencing their results. It is at this point, when the study will be unable to effectively achieve these goals. This is because there were reduced amounts of objectivity and analysis in deciding how the results were reported. Once this occurs, is the point the results will be unable to support or refute the hypothesis that was introduced. (May, 1997)

Evidence of this can be seen with May (1997) saying, "Conceptual problems with the ways that 'readiness' and 'at risk' are defined are examined. The research on school readiness practices, including screening and testing, delayed school entrance, and extra year programs, for children at risk is reviewed; methodological problems with this research are also noted. Particular emphasis is placed on research studies that have examined future school retention rates, later use of special education services, and drop-out rates for students who have used school readiness practices to reduce school failure. Suggestions for best practices are offered, considering the issues of 'readiness' and 'at risk' from a constructivist perspective that recognizes the ongoing interactions between students and the intervention programs they receive." (May, 1997)

This is showing how the risk assessment strategies will be different from one study to the next. To avoid these challenges, requires not overly relying on a single study. Instead, a series of information and data should be utilized in the process. This will ensure that the risks are effectively accounted for and it will enhance the validity of the results. In doctoral research, this is something that must always be considered in order to prevent possible issues from impacting the quality of the results. (May, 1997)

Informed consent is an important part of all doctoral research. This is because the subjects have to be aware of the study and must understand that they can drop out of the process at any time. In any kind of scientific research project, these disclosures must be made to ensure that all participation is voluntary. Once this takes place, is the point the subjects are willing to provide more honest answers and will help to support the aims of the project. This is when the findings will be more accurate and the validity can be used to address a host of challenges impacting others. (Paris, 2010)

A good example of this can be seen with a study that was conducted by Paris (2010). He determined that informed consent is important for letting individuals know what the study is about and their rights during the process. However, many researchers have gone too far and will try to explain everything to them. When this happens, the subject is confused and will feel discouraged. In this case, they will be less supportive and may not provide as detailed answers. (Paris, 2010)

To avoid these challenges, Paris recommends limited disclosures. This is when they will explain everything of importance to the subject. Yet, they will not focus on the minute details to confuse them. Evidence of this can be seen with Paris saying, "Before enrolment, an informed consent (IC) document must be given to all participants by the investigator. Most IC documents are long, contain much information and are difficult to understand. Some methods to improve comprehension were tested, but they had limited effects. International guidelines on ethics in biomedical research require that the informed consent of all enrolled participants is obtained. A written document describing the research, the informed consent (IC) document, must be given to all participants by the investigator. Most IC documents are long, containing much information. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the modification of the IC document by a working group or systematic improvement in its lexicosyntactic readability can improve comprehension of the written information given to patients participating in biomedical research. One hundred and fifty-nine patients were randomized to read one of the three versions of the IC document: unchanged document, document modified using systematic improvement of lexicosyntactic readability and document modified by a working group. Neither the improvement in the lexicosyntactic readability, nor the intervention of the working group significantly improved the score of objective comprehension for the subjects included in this study: it was 66.6 (95% confidence interval 64.0, 69.2) for the control group, 68.8 (66.2, 71.4) for the group with the document improved for lexicosyntactic readability and 69.2 (66.0, 72.4) for the group who read the document improved by the working group (P= 0.38). We failed to show that improving IC document comprehension through a lexicosyntactic approach or by a working group leads to better comprehension." (Paris, 2010)

These insights are showing how informed consent must be obtained at all times. The process is often very confusing and does not help to improve the results of the study. When this happens, it makes it more difficult to let respondents know their rights. This leads to worse results with these issues creating negative emotions and feelings. To avoid these challenges, it is recommended that actuaries discuss the most relevant information and skip over the long details. This will ensure that respondents receive the information they need without adding to their levels of confusion. (Paris, 2010)

Privacy and confidentiality are important, as all personal information about the subjects and the information they provide must be kept confidential. This is accomplished through keeping everything securely stored and limiting the times of access to this data. These objectives can be achieved through storing the information in location with a lock and key.

Moreover, no personal information will be asked of respondents (such as their name, date of birth or Social Security Number). Instead, the results of the study will divide them based upon the ethnic group, age, gender, experience and position. These variables will ensure that all data is objectively evaluated through restricting access to data about the subjects of the study.

This process is often utilized in any kind of research to ensure that subjects will provide the most accurate results and honest answers. However, there will be times when this information must be revealed to other sources such as law enforcement. In this case, the data will be provided on a need to know basis. This will make certain that all personal information is protected and only accessed when it is absolutely necessary. (Resnik, 2010)