Principles and Standards of Professional Ethics of Educational Managers: A Mixed-Method Study

This study seeks to investigate and discover the principles and standards of professional ethics for educational managers along with the related challenges. The research approach was quantitative-qualitative (mixed method). The statistical population in the qualitative phase included the principals of boys' high schools in one district of Sanandaj (Iran). Consequently, 8 individuals were selected as the study sample using the purposeful sampling method and phenomenological strategy. The study data were collected through conducting interviews including open-ended questions. The findings revealed: a) the concepts of professional ethics that educational managers adhere to with regard to the specific regulations of a profession, religious principles and values, and social norms; b) principles such as self-management, having a vision, professional capabilities, respect, commitment, and responsibility in the job; c) challenges such as structural challenges (lack of comprehensive standard, contradiction between administrative regulations, centralized management, ambiguity of goals) and individual challenges (passivity, limited visions). In order to collect the data, interviews were conducted with managers to obtain their views toward principles and standards of professional ethics, and they were asked if they adhere to these principles. Next, the data obtained from interviews were compiled and implemented in the form of a researcher-made questionnaire which was divided into two aspects: occupational principles and the other pedagogical principles. In the quantitative phase, the community (n=283) included all the teachers, assistants, and principals of boys' high schools in one district of Sanandaj. Using convenience sampling method, 163 individuals were selected as the study sample. Confirmatory factor analysis, one-sample t-test, and Friedman's test were used for data analysis. Finally, according to the results of the one-sample t-test, higher than average level of commitment was reported for managers. Also, the researcher-made questionnaire. Additionally, the results obtained through the questionnaire confirmed the results of the interviews.