Ethical Blind Spots of Canadian School Principals

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine the ethical blind spots of school principals in Canada. To achieve this aim, the study was designed using a phenomenological design which is a qualitative research method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven school principals working in schools with diverse characteristics in the city of Toronto, located in the Ontario province of Canada. As a result of the online interviews, a total of 280 minutes and 54 pages of data were collected. The data, analyzed through content analysis, revealed that school principals faced ethical dilemmas in two main areas: (i) inclusion or exclusion, and (ii) human relationships. The school principals defined the concept of ethical blind spots in two ways: (i) lack of awareness, and (ii) biases. According to the findings, the reasons of ethical blind spots were grouped under two themes: (i) individual-related factors and (ii) societal factors. Finally, to minimize ethical blind spots, the following strategies were suggested by principals: (i) collaboration, (ii) continuous self-development, (iii) changing the lense, and (iv) considering issues from the standpoint of external authorities.

Keywords

• Canadian Schools
• School Principals
• Ethical Dilemmas
• Ethical Blind Spots

Thanks

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my academic advisor, Prof. Dr. Sarah Barrett, at York University, for her unwavering support throughout the research process in Canada, from obtaining ethical approval at York University to reaching out to the participants.

Kanada Okul Müdürlerinin Ahlaki Kör Noktaları

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı Kanada okul müdürlerinin etik kör noktalarının incelenmesidir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda araştırma nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenomenoloji deseninde tasarlanmıştır. Kanada’nın Ontario eyaletinde yer alan Toronto şehrinde farklı okul özelliklerine sahip okullarda görev yapmakta olan yedi okul müdürüyle görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Toplam 280 dakika süren online görüşmeler yapılmıştır ve bu görüşmelerden 54 sayfa veri elde edilmiştir. İçerik analizi ile analiz edilen veriler sonucunda okul müdürlerinin (i) dahil etme veya çıkarma ve (ii) insan ilişkileri olmak üzere iki temel konuda etik ikilem yaşadıkları görülmüştür. Okul müdürlerinin etik kör noktalar kavramını (i) farkında olmama ve (ii) ön yargılar olmak üzere iki şekilde tanımladıkları ortaya çıkmıştır. Bulgulara göre etik kör noktaların sebepleri (i) kişinin kendisinden kaynaklı ve (ii) toplumdan kaynaklı olmak üzere iki tema altında toplanmıştır. Son olarak etik kör noktaların minimuma indirilmesi için müdürler tarafından (i) iş birliği yapma, (ii) kendini geliştirme, (iii) bakış açısını değiştirme ve (iv) dış otoriteler bağlamında düşünme yöntemleri önerilmiştir.

Keywords

• Kanada Okulları
• Okul müdürleri
• Etik İkilemler
• Etik Kör Noktalar

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Thanks

Araştırmanın Kanada'da sağlıklı bir şekilde yürütülebilmesi için, York Üniversitesi'nden etik kurul izni alınmasından katılımcılara ulaşabilmeye kadar, araştırmanın pek çok adımında desteklerini esirgemeyen York Üniversitesi öğretim üyesi danışmanım Prof. Dr. Sarah Barrett'a teşekkürlerimi sunarım.

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