scholarly journals A Multi-Case Study of Instructional Decision-Making Processes of Teachers in Kindergarten Classrooms in the Cape Coast Metropolis

2019 ◽  
pp. 91-98
Author(s):  
Mumuni Thompson ◽  
Winston Kwame Abroampa

The study contributes to the on-going debate regarding the significance of early childhood teachers’ instructional decision-making that take into consideration their theoretical knowledge (explicit theories) and practical experiences (implicit theories) and how they impact their instructional decision-making processes in diverse socio-cultural contexts of children. To address this gap in the literature, a qualitative multi-case study into the perceptions and classroom practices of four kindergarten teachers in two Ghanaian schools, Tata and Kariba, was carried out over a six-month period. One research question that sought to explore factors and beliefs influencing teachers’ instructional decision-making in a kindergarten classroom guided the study. Data sources used were semi-structured individual interviews and pair-based interviews and fieldnotes of classroom observations. Both within and across case interpretative analysis, as outlined. The study’s findings revealed that these teachers’ explicit theories and implicit theories of teaching influenced their instructional decision-making processes in kinder garten classrooms.

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 27-40
Author(s):  
Mumuni Thompson

The study contributes to the ongoing debate with respect to the significance of early childhood teachers' instructional decision-making that take in consideration their theoretical knowledge (explicit theories) and practical experiences (implicit theories) and how they impact their instructional decision-making processes in diverse socio-cultural contexts of children. To address this gap in the literature, a qualitative multi-case study into the perceptions and classroom practices of four kindergarten teachers in two Ghanaian schools, Tata and Kariba, was carried out from May to November 2015. One research questions guided the study, namely: What factors and beliefs influence teachers' instructional decision-making in a kindergarten classroom? Data sources used were semi-structured individual interviews and pair-based interviews and field notes of classroom observations. Both within and across case interpretative analysis was used. The study's findings revealed that these teachers' explicit theories and implicit theories of teaching influenced their instructional decision-making processes in kindergarten classrooms. It was recommended that future researchers should explore early childhood teachers' explicit and implicit theories of teaching. It was also recommended kindergarten teachers to appreciate their roles as effective instructional decisions makers towards quality teaching and learning.


Author(s):  
Heidi Lauckner ◽  
Margo Paterson ◽  
Terry Krupa

Often, research projects are presented as final products with the methodologies cleanly outlined and little attention paid to the decision-making processes that led to the chosen approach. Limited attention paid to these decision-making processes perpetuates a sense of mystery about qualitative approaches, particularly for new researchers who will likely encounter dilemmas and uncertainties in their research. This paper presents a series of questions that assisted one Ph.D. student in making key methodological choices during her research journey. In this study, a collective case study design informed by constructivist grounded theory data analysis methods was used to develop a framework of community development from an occupational therapy perspective. Ten methodological questions are proposed regarding research question development, research paradigm, design and analysis, and trustworthiness. Drawing on examples from this research project, these questions are used to explicate the decisions made “behind the scenes”, with the intention of providing both theoretical and practical guidance to others embarking on similar research journeys.


Author(s):  
Fabio De Matteis ◽  
Daniela Preite

Accountability in the social economy sector is very important because it is inherent in the nature of the organizations of this sector. The literature on the topic of social accounting and accountability is abundant and highlights the benefits and the criticisms of social reporting. The objective of the chapter arises from the literature review that highlights how more in-depth studies are needed on the characters and role of social accountability in decision-making processes. In order to answer the research question (How is social reporting performed and how does social information influence the decision making of the management in a cooperative?), the single case study methodology has been adopted, considering embedded units of analysis and focusing on the social report of an Italian retail cooperative (COOP Lombardia). Thanks to the analyzed case study, it is possible to conclude that the social report can represent a tool of accountability that also informs future decisions, realizing a circular relationship between results achieved and decisions to be taken.


2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-242
Author(s):  
Christine A. Espin ◽  
Natalie Förster ◽  
Suzanne E. Mol

This article serves as an introduction to the special series, Data-Based Instruction and Decision-Making: An International Perspective. In this series, we bring together international researchers from both special and general education to address teachers’ use (or non-use) of data for instructional decision making. Via this special series, we aim to increase understanding of the challenges involved in teachers’ data-based instructional decision making for students with or at-risk for learning disabilities, and to further the development of approaches for improving teachers’ ability to plan, adjust, and adapt instruction in response to data.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Salcedo ◽  
Alejandra Rasse

This paper addresses the scholarly debate on cultural homogeneity or heterogeneity of urban poor families. While authors such as Lewis (1959) or Wacquant (2000 ; 2001) claim that structural disadvantages are linked to a particular type of identity or culture, others such as Hannerz (1969) , Anderson (1999 ; 2002) , or Portes ( Portes and Manning, 1986 ; Portes and Jensen, 1989 ) believe that it is possible to find different behaviors, expectations, decision–making processes, and outcomes among people living in seemingly identical structural conditions ( Small et al., 2010 ). Using Santiago, Chile, as a case study, we differentiate five different cultures or identities among the poor. Those identities seem to be the product of different historical and political circumstances, as well as of different types of public policies. The paper ends with a discussion of the need for poverty reduction policies to consider these differences among the poor.


Author(s):  
Yangji Doma Sherpa ◽  
A. John Sinclair ◽  
Thomas Henley

The Himalayan region of India is experiencing rapid development in tourism, agriculture, highway construction and hydroelectric dam construction. This research considered the role of the public both within and outside of development decision-making processes in these high mountain environments using the proposed Himalayan Ski Village (HSV) in Manali as a case study. The qualitative data revealed that there has been an extensive array of public participation activity related to the HSV project over approximately 10 years. Very little of this activity has evolved, however, through the formal decision-making process. Rather, most participation activities, such as general house meetings, objection letters, public rallies, court cases against the proposed project, and a religious congregation were instigated by the public to protest the proposed development. The findings also show that involvement in the participatory activities undertaken by the public and project proponent fostered instrumental and communicative learning outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rena Haftlmeier-Seiffert ◽  
Sven Cravotta

Zusammenfassung Offensichtlich sind es die Unternehmerfamilien, die ihrem Familienunternehmen eine besondere wirtschaftliche Stabilität verleihen. Dies ist allerdings nur möglich, wenn sie sicherstellen, dass sie stets handlungs- und entscheidungsfähig sind. Die hier verfolgte Forschungsfrage lautet deshalb: Wie organisieren Unternehmerfamilien ihre Entscheidungsfähigkeit? Das Chamäleon-Modell zeigt, dass bei Unternehmerfamilien verschiedene Organisationsformen latent vorhanden sind. Diese werden flexibel eingesetzt, je nachdem, was zielführend ist, um schnell zu tragfähigen Entscheidungen zu gelangen. D.h. die Unternehmerfamilienorganisation wechselt also ihre explizite Organisationsform wie ein Chamäleon die Farbe. Das Chamäleon-Modell wurde aus einer multiplen Fallstudie entwickelt, bei der vier traditionsreiche Unternehmerfamilien intensiv untersucht wurden. Abstract Apparently, it is the family that grants outstanding economic stability to the family business. However, this is only possible, if the family ensures to be always capable of acting and of making decisions. This leads us to the following research question: How do entrepreneurial families organize their decision-making ability? The Chameleon Model shows, that there are different types of organization latent available for entrepreneurial families. These are used flexibly, depending on what is leading to quick and stable decisions. That is to say, the entrepreneurial family organization changes the explicit organization form like a chameleon the colour. The Chameleon Model was developed from a multiple case study, analyzing four traditional entrepreneurial families in depth.


Author(s):  
Danita Catherine Burke

Abstract The Arctic Council is frequently called a unique forum but, as this article argues, clubs are common in international politics and in many respects the Arctic Council is a club. This article explores the questions: Why are the Arctic states acting like a club in Arctic politics, and how do internal hierarchies influence how clubs make decisions? As the article illustrates, clubs are the stage for club diplomacy and, in club diplomacy, hierarchies play an important role. Using the Arctic Council as an illustrative case study, this article argues that clubs have internal hierarchies that inform their decision-making processes and their responses to challenges to their status. When clubs try to deal with subjects that extend beyond the boundaries of the sovereignty of club members and the parameters of club membership, club members may suffer from a lack of status and legitimacy to unilaterally deal with the subject.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document