Research Article

The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis

Volume: 9 Number: 3 November 30, 2025
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The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine how primary and middle school students perceive the image of their school principal through metaphors. The study group consisted of 673 students selected from primary and middle schools using criterion sampling. However, 307 participants were excluded from the analysis as they did not meet the study criteria, resulting in a final sample of 366 students. Data were collected by asking participants to complete the sentence: "The school principal is like … because …". The collected data were analyzed through content analysis, and the metaphors were categorized to systematically examine students' perceptions. The findings revealed that primary school students generated 69 metaphors, while middle school students produced 112 metaphors. These metaphors were grouped under two main themes and five categories. The results demonstrated developmental differences in the perception of principals across grade levels. Primary school students predominantly viewed the principal as a protective and supportive figure, whereas middle school students emphasized authority and control, showing more pronounced negative attributes. According to the findings, student perceptions were primarily concentrated in the categories of “Leadership” and “Emotional Support,” while fewer metaphors were associated with the categories of “Communication” and “Ethics.” Although primary school students frequently likened the principal to a “teacher” or “president,” middle school students more often used metaphors such as “father” and “president.” Overall, the results indicate that the school principal is perceived primarily as both a leader and a protective figure.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study entitled "Perceptions of Primary and Secondary School Students Regarding the School Principal: A Metaphorical Analysis" was conducted in strict compliance with scientific ethical standards and citation principles. No alterations were made to the research data, and this study has not been previously published nor submitted for evaluation elsewhere. The necessary ethical approval was obtained from the Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee of Balıkesir University, with the decision numbered 2024/11-1, dated November 29, 2024.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Primary Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

December 2, 2025

Publication Date

November 30, 2025

Submission Date

September 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 3

APA
Er, B., & Güneş, A. M. (2025). The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis. International Primary Education Research Journal, 9(3), 377-391. https://izlik.org/JA52FD64BH
AMA
1.Er B, Güneş AM. The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis. IPERJ. 2025;9(3):377-391. https://izlik.org/JA52FD64BH
Chicago
Er, Burak, and Ahmet Melih Güneş. 2025. “The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis”. International Primary Education Research Journal 9 (3): 377-91. https://izlik.org/JA52FD64BH.
EndNote
Er B, Güneş AM (November 1, 2025) The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis. International Primary Education Research Journal 9 3 377–391.
IEEE
[1]B. Er and A. M. Güneş, “The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis”, IPERJ, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 377–391, Nov. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA52FD64BH
ISNAD
Er, Burak - Güneş, Ahmet Melih. “The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis”. International Primary Education Research Journal 9/3 (November 1, 2025): 377-391. https://izlik.org/JA52FD64BH.
JAMA
1.Er B, Güneş AM. The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis. IPERJ. 2025;9:377–391.
MLA
Er, Burak, and Ahmet Melih Güneş. “The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis”. International Primary Education Research Journal, vol. 9, no. 3, Nov. 2025, pp. 377-91, https://izlik.org/JA52FD64BH.
Vancouver
1.Burak Er, Ahmet Melih Güneş. The School Principal According to the Perceptions of Primary and Middle School Students: A Metaphorical Analysis. IPERJ [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 1;9(3):377-91. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA52FD64BH