Perceived barriers and benefits to research participation among school administrators.
BACKGROUND
Gaining access to conduct research in schools can be challenging, but little has been done to directly assess school administrators' perceptions of research. The purpose of this qualitative study was to increase understanding of barriers and benefits of research participation as perceived by superintendents and principals in elementary, middle, and high school settings.


METHODS
Administrators (14 elementary, 14 middle, and 15 high school principals and 14 superintendents; total n = 57) were randomly selected from across a Midwestern state and were interviewed by phone following a semistructured guide of questions.


RESULTS
Six major themes were consistent across principals and superintendents and reached saturation. Themes indicated that administrators were interested in research projects that (1) provide tangible benefits to their school, (2) are consistent with their academic mission, (3) are not burdensome, (4) do not take place during state assessment time or other busy times, and (5) are credible and noncontroversial. Previous research experiences leave a lasting impression on administrators and influenced their future decisions.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate that researchers should carefully frame their research in terms of how it will directly benefit the school, keeping in mind that academic performance is the top priority for school administrators. Researchers should be very clear and realistic about the time commitments, how the research results will be provided, and how the study may be used to improve the school's academic mission.
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. cbefort@kumc.edu
Christie
C
Befort
Rachel
R
Lynch
Rochelle L
RL
James
Shawna L
SL
Carroll
Nicole
N
Nollen
Ann
A
Davis
D000288:Administrative Personnel; D003256:Community Participation; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015146:Midwestern United States; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012574:Schools