Qualitative analysis of the contexts and conditions of negative competition among high school students in Quchan

The aim of this study was to investigate the contexts and conditions for the formation of competition among high school students in Quchan. Approach was qualitative and technique was narrative inquiry. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data. The field of research in the academic year 2019-20 was two boys' high schools in Quchan. Twenty-two people were interviewed, including 17 students and 5 teachers. The participating students were selected using the snowball method and based on the criterion of having competitive characteristics. To validate the research findings, triangulation technique and rich description and review of texts rewritten by the interviewees were used. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the findings. Data analysis was performed through open and axial coding. The report of this research was compiled in the form of poetry. Based on the results of this study; factors such as gaining popularity, avoiding humiliation, the ability to compete with parental comparisons, attracting the teacher's attention, and the fear of falling behind competitors were among the factors that intensified negative competition among students. Active and continuous evaluation of teachers in order to improve the quality of teaching, creating a need for learning in students due to creating an inner desire and lack of attention from others, educating and informing parents about the harms of competition; were of the suggestions to face negative competition in this study.