ERIC Number: EJ1211695
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1207-7798
EISSN: N/A
British Columbia School Trustees' Use of Research and Information Seeking in Decision Making
Laitsch, Daniel; Younghusband, Christine Ho
Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, n188 p2-14 2019
This replication-extension study (Earley & Galluzzo, 2015) examined the information seeking activities of British Columbia (BC) school trustees in an effort to understand the transmission of research. Trustees were asked to identify the sources they used for acquiring research and information in the process of decision-making. The frequency of use, believed most useful, and characteristics of information sources were examined as well as the influence of demographic and school district variables. One hundred and forty school trustees participated in this study. The most frequently used sources of information were briefing materials from the secretary treasurer, briefing materials from the superintendent, and members of the local school board. The source of information believed most useful was briefing materials from the superintendent. There were no differences between genders on most items, although females were more likely to consult with the community than their male colleagues. Trustees in smaller districts were more likely to turn to materials from provincial organizations and the Ministry of Education website whereas trustees in larger districts tended to turn to local and provincial newspapers. Research reports from university researchers or think tanks were not primary sources of information for BC school trustees who generally sought information that was in close proximity from their school board and community.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Trustees, Research Utilization, Information Seeking, Decision Making, Information Sources, Educational Policy, Gender Differences, Research Reports, School Districts
Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration. Available from: College of Education, University of Saskatchewan. Tel: 306-966-7619; Web site: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cjeap/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A