Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. AIi Ibrahim

Second Advisor

Dr. Ali Al Kaabi

Third Advisor

Dr. Shaikha AI Taneiji

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the principals' behaviors in government secondary schools in Al Ain City which is in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi - the United Arab Emirates. In addition, it aimed to study the effect of the principals' gender and years of experience on their leadership behaviors. In order to do that, the principals' behaviors were categorized into five domains: behaviors in human relations, trust and decision making, instructional leadership, control, and finally conflict resolution. The study used quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data were collected through a questionnaire divided into two main sections. The first section included demographic data of participants. The second section was composed of 48 behaviors of school principals on the five domains. The behaviors were assessed on a five-point Likert scale. Following each of the five domains, participants were asked to write their perspectives on the five domains using open-ended questions. The questionnaires were sent to 20 secondary government schools in Al Ain City and were completed by 349 male and female teachers (222 male, 127 female). To describe the principals' behaviors, the means and percentages were used. Then, T-test was used to find out whether the principals' behaviors differed by the gender or the years of experience of the principal. The results of the quantitative part of the study showed that school principals mostly lead a set of Positive behaviors regarding the five domains; while on the other hand, the qualitative part pinpointed some of the negative behaviors practiced by some school principals.

Download
COinS