THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF PRINCIPALS FOR MANAGING CHANGE IN THEIR SCHOOLS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Abstract

The aim of the study is to reveal the experiences of school principals in the process of change. Thus, this study employed a qualitative research approach through data collection and analysis procedure incorporating a descriptive phenomenological design. Participants of this research consisted of 15 volunteer school principals working in state schools in İstanbul. Criterion sampling as one of the purposeful sampling methods was preferred to determine the participants of the research. The researchers conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews with semi-structured interview questions. The content analysis technique was used to reveal codes, categories and themes from the transcribed interview records. The researchers discovered three themes so as to define the experiences of school principals in managing change as follows: ‘procedure’, ‘barriers to change’ and ‘opportunities’. The conclusion of the study showed that principals define change management as a process in the school. Teacher resistance, organizational structure and parental expectation turn into barriers for managing change. Also, school principals define the outcomes of the change as an opportunity in their schools.