Decision-Making by School Principals and Education Researchers - The Dilemma of Reverse Coding in Structural Equation Modeling and its Resolution in a Study of Risk-Taking in Decision-Making for School Principals

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi

Explores a theoretical dilemma encountered while studying reasoned risk-taking in decision-making by public school principals in Western Australia, including extremely remote Indigenous-serving schools governed by mandatory policy procedures. Principals may face criticism when decisions are non-compliant yet necessary to address local community needs and educational outcomes. Develops a theoretical model of factors influencing reasoned risk-taking, using survey data from 253 principals and combined psychometric and traditional measurement methods, focusing on cause and resolution of a reverse coding problem in structural equation modeling.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Research Model

Decision-Making by School Principals and Education Researchers: The Dilemma of Reverse Coding in Structural Equation Modeling and its Resolution in a Study of Risk-Taking in DecisionMaking for School Principals By Karen Trimmer 􀀍 This paper explores a theoretical dilemma that arose during a study of risk-taking in decision-making for public school principals in Western Australia. Western Australia is one of six Australian States. It is geographically diverse, including extremely remote schools serving Indigenous communities. The governance mechanism for public schools in Western Australia mandates policy and procedures for decision-making by principals. Principals take risks when they make decisions that are not compliant with established policy, as they may be exposed to criticism should negative outcomes arise. This creates a dilemma for principals who need to be able to respond to locally identified school and community needs, and simultaneously comply with all State and Commonwealth departmental requirements. A theoretical model offactors impacting on reasoned risk-taking in decision-making was developed and data collected through survey of a stratified random sample of principalsin 253 Western Australian public schools. The analysis used methodology that combined sequential use of psychometric and traditional measurement techniques. This paper focuses on the cause and solution of a reverse coding problem that arose in structural equation modeling. The dilemma posed by this methodological issue had not been previously considered in the literature. It is reflected in the dilemmas posed to principals who are making decisions in their schools based on universal policy that does not necessarily account for the unique circumstances of their communities, schools and locations. Introduction This paper refers to a study that investigated whether reasoned risk-taking in decision-making by Western Australian public school principals is a consequence of their perceptions ofthe governance mechanism of policies and 􀀍Associate Professor and Assistant Dean Staffing, University of Southern Queensland, Australia. [https://doi.org/10.30958/aje.1-1-6](https://doi.org/10.30958/aje.1-1-6) doi=10.30958/aje.1-1-6 procedures, the experience of individual principals and the characteristics of key stakeholders within the school community (Trimmer, 2011) . Public schools in Western Australia fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, a state government agency responsible for the provision of education at government funded schools throughout Western Australia. The responsibility for schools includes the provision of pre-primary, primary, and secondary schooling to students across over 800 school sites. Western Australia is geographically diverse covering an area of 2,529,875 square kilometres and accounting for 33 percent of the continent of Australia. The location and characteristics of its public schools reflect this diversity, including metropolitan schools in cities, regional schools in towns, and extremely remote schools serving Indigenous communities. Principals of public schools are provided with guidance for their decisionmaking by centrally developed policy and procedures included on the regulatory framework. The regulatory framework provides a mechanism for assuring regulatory compliance across all government funded schools. It consists of the Acts, Regulations, delegations, policies and procedures that together establish the mandatory rules of governance for all officers of the Department of Education and is used by principals in decision-making within the school environment (Department of Education and Training, 2004) . This type of governance mechanism is consistent with many organisations where policies and procedures are developed to be followed and complied with by all managers and staff in each branch, geographical location and circumstance. The compliance approach to decision-making assumes t

FAQs

What dilemma does the study address in principals’ decision-making?

The study addresses the conflict between responding to locally identified school and community needs and complying with mandatory state and commonwealth policy procedures.

How was the data for the research model collected?

Data were collected through a survey of a stratified random sample of principals in 253 Western Australian public schools.

What methodological issue is the paper focused on?

The paper focuses on the cause and resolution of a reverse coding problem that arose in structural equation modeling.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi