The Director's Emotional Intelligence and Skills for Leading Effectively - Research Proposal Example

1) Please provide a clear statement of the topic, issue, and/or questions you intend to investigate in the research. Minimum 200 words

In Saudi Arabia, schools are administered under the regulatory authority of regional school supervisor offices. The supervisors’ role involves supporting the day-to-day running of schools, carrying out inspections, and providing leadership to teachers. Each supervisor’s office is led by a Director of Supervisors, who oversees the work of the supervisors (Cordesman 2008).

Questions:
To what extent does the Director use emotional intelligence to lead her team?
Identify how the Director uses emotional intelligence when is she leads her team?
Whether specific elements of emotional intelligence employed by the Director are linked to certain behaviors associated with leadership effectiveness.

1) Please give a short description of the research methods you intend to adopt in the research and the data you wish to gather. Minimum [200 words]

This study will use a mixed-methods approach to research by incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. This is mainly because a mixed-methods approach is likely to produce richer and more accurate results than a singular research method (Borkan 2004).

The first part of the research will involve the use of a qualitative method of data collection. In this case, an interview will be conducted with the Director. During the interview, she will be asked the following questions:

1. As a School supervisor Director, to what extent do you believe that you use emotional intelligence to lead your team? Why?
2. Can you provide some examples of the extent to which you use emotional intelligence to lead your team? Please explain through the use of the following five skills:
Self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills?
3. How do you think your leadership skills could be developed further using the following: Self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and social skills?

The questions will focus on eliciting responses about the connection between the Director's leadership skills and the five aspects of emotional intelligence; self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills.

For the second part of the research, data will be obtained through a quantitative method of data collection. In this case, questionnaires will be distributed to 20 Supervisors in a single office.

The results obtained from the research will be analyzed using a triangulation method which will enable confirmation or corroboration of the results produced (Borkan 2004).

2) Are ethical issues involved in this research? If so, how will these be addressed? minimum [200 words]

When conducting any research, a number of ethical issues are bound to arise. Hence, it is essential to take necessary steps to ensure that all ethical factors are taken into consideration. This research will adhere to the guidelines of educational research outlined in BERA’s guidelines for educational research. These include seeking informed consent of all participants as well as the organization in which the research is to take place, maintaining the anonymity of research participants and the organization. If required, I will also seek permission from relevant authorities such as a Government Ministry in SA since it is a highly culturally sensitive location. Furthermore, maintaining the confidentially of participants is essential thus any personal information revealed during the research will be kept confidential since participants are likely to be harmed as a consequence of their identity being divulged. Moreover, I have to take steps to ensure accurate interpretation of results so as to ensure that as a consequence of the research, the reputation of individuals and the organization involved in the study as a whole does not suffer in any way due to misinterpretation. I will also be aware of plagiarism by ensuring that all sources of information are adequately referenced to avoid malpractice (BERA 2011).

3) How will this research be professionally relevant and useful to you? minimum [200 words]

This research will be professionally relevant to me as I currently

hold the position of School Supervisor in a Government School Supervisors’ Office. This research will help me to improve my own department in its dealings with school teachers and supervisors as well as help to contribute to research in this field in SA. Currently, in S.A there is an absence of research that focuses on the application of emotional intelligence by leaders in the Saudi Arabian educational system.

Furthermore, this study aims to provide information about how emotional intelligence can be used to produce desirable outcomes for pupils and schools.   Most importantly, this research will illustrate the connection between the Director's leadership skills and the five aspects of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills.

It is my aim to implement the ideas elicited from the research in the Saudi education system to help educational practitioners at different levels of hierarchy to lead their subordinates more effectively using emotional intelligence. The findings of the research could be imparted to colleagues through workshops and CPD sessions. Furthermore, as it is my target to seek promotion to become a Director of supervisors, the research will be helpful if I assume this role as it will provide me with invaluable insight and support when assuming my duties thus bringing about positive change in the Saudi education system.