Purpose: We apply diffusion of innovations theory to examine two key research questions designed to inform efforts to improve the research--practice gap in education: (1) Are there distinct types of educators that differ in their prioritization of the compatibility, observability, complexity, relative advantage, and trialability of research? and…

A persistent limitation of school administration research results from the use of myriad unrelated concepts, making research outcomes hard to generalize or synthesize. Reconsideration of superintendent vulnerability and efficiency suggests that these concepts can be replaced with others (such as emulation) to integrate at least some research…

Examines two research orientations for departments of education--the craft-based model using generalists and former practitioners and the discipline-based model using specialists grounded in the humanities or social sciences. Criticizes weaknesses of both approaches and proposes a third model--the disciplined study of problems of practice.…

Both the 1988 and 1999 editions of "Handbook of Research on Educational Administration" suggest that continuing dialogue about educational administration scholarship is warranted as conditions in schooling and society change. Handbook and "EAQ" editors asked several expert researchers to write articles about one or more…

Advocates a critical constructivist approach to educational administration. Establishes the need for research accounts exploring the administrator's legitimation role. Describes a mediation model providing access to the invisible ways that dominant social constructions are accomplished and sustained through management of meaning. Discusses…

Discusses an exploratory study of administrators' potential for generating knowledge out of their own practice settings. Describes various topics studied, the methods used, and the practical, epistemological, and political dilemmas encountered. Insider research could be a powerful lever for personal, professional, and organizational…

Three "Handbook" chapters on school leadership responsibilities conclude that educational administration is a field where people can make a difference. Research provides firm indications of what administrators should or should not do. Constructivist teaching, teacher development, and school improvement are part of the larger challenge of…

Explains fundamental shifts dominating education's transition at technical, managerial, and institutional levels. Since the first edition of the "Handbook of Research on Educational Administration," school administration has been reconfigured and recultured. Social justice, democratic community, and school improvement comprise major…

Educational administration research is frequently criticized for overlooking issues of learning and teaching in schools. This special issue features four articles suggesting steps to establish a larger research agenda on learning, teaching, and educational administration. Topics include common schooling problems, school-based management,…

Presents a naturalistic perspective on inquiry as a compelling philosophy for educational administration. Naturalistic inquiry is ethical, open, growing, self-corrective, fallible, and resembles scientific inquiry. Subjectivism, neo-Marxist critical theory, postmodernism, and identity politics are all creatures of the times. Thriving on relativism…

Explored differences between a sample of highly productive scholars and a random sample of more typical scholars. Few demographic or institutional-responsibility differences emerged. Productive scholars were more oriented toward theory and research; more typical scholars focused on issues in the field. Research challenges were discussed. (Contains…