The Field of Educational Administration as an Arena of Knowledge Production: Some Implications for Turkish Field Members

Year 2016, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 161 - 186, 15.12.2016

İzhar Oplatka , Khalid Arar

https://doi.org/10.30828/real/2016.2.1

Cited By: 10

Abstract

In this article, the authors argue for the foundation
of the field of educational administration that is specifically oriented
towards the Turkish (and oriental) educational contexts, and is critical about
the adoption of 'alien,' imported theories and concepts 'blindly.' Underpinned
by literatures from sociology of knowledge, educational research and
epistemology of sciences, the development of educational administration as an
Anglo-American field of study is briefly analysed, followed by an attention given
to the major distinctions between Turkish educational systems and school
leadership and those in Anglo-American nations. The paper concludes by
suggesting four challenges for Turkish scholars and researchers whose main
focus is on educational administration and leadership, such as the generation
of applied knowledge from and for the Turkish educational system, as well as
the exploration of new areas of study that are unique to the Turkish contexts. 

Keywords

field of study, educational administration, Turkey, principals, leadership, transitional societies

References

• Beycioglu, K., Sincar, M., Ozer , N., Uğurlu, C. T., & Yıldırım, M.C. (2014). Mapping the terrain of superintendence in Turkey: Structural, institutional and normative features. In: Nir, A. (ed.). The Educational Superintendent: Between Trust and Regulation: An International Perspective (pp. 131-144). New York, N.Y: Nova Science.