Constructing early childhood leadership models in China: a mixed-methods study
Journal of Educational Administration
ISSN: 0957-8234
Article publication date: 1 September 2020
Issue publication date: 31 October 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to construct a scale that is contextually suitable for measuring early childhood leadership in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a standard scale development procedure, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were addressed. Qualitative data was collected from 21 semistructured interviews with formal and informal teacher leaders in Xiamen City, China. Using survey data of 120 respondents and 305 respondents, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted twice to determine the underlying factorial structure of the scale. A further sample of 317 respondents were used to test the latent structure and validity of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
Based on the results from reliability and validity tests, this study indicates that the scale demonstrates sound psychometric properties. A three-factor model was determined, including staff management and development, peer learning and support and communication with parents.
Originality/value
The scale is the first of its kind for measuring early childhood leadership in China.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This work as part of the National Education Research Project [DHA180444] and the Philosophy and Social Science Project [16JZD050] is supported by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. It is also supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China [EdUHK 18611519].
Citation
Wang, M., Ho, D., Lu, J. and Yang, D. (2020), "Constructing early childhood leadership models in China: a mixed-methods study", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 58 No. 6, pp. 729-748. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-09-2019-0149
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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