A Proposed Methodology for Empirical Research Concerning Issues of Professional Stress among Teachers: The Case of Greece

Abstract

This paper presents the proposed methodology for an empirical research that relates the professional stress of secondary education teachers to the factor of school performance, as well as practical procedures for recording this phenomenon. The applicability of qualitative research as the proper relevant methodology is documented. The sampling, tools and reliability criteria of the proposed survey are also specified. Although this survey has been designed focusing on the stress factors that affect the teachers of secondary education in Greece, the authors believe that the proposed methodology can be generally applicable for conducting relevant surveys.

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“…Therefore, the purpose of the presented research herein was to identify, analyze and interpret the relation between the school performance of pupils of senior secondary education and the professional stress of teachers, as well as to identify effective strategies for limiting it, according to a recently proposed methodology (Foulidi et al, 2018). The purpose was specifically formulated in the four following queries (see Appendix: Q1-Q4):…”

“…This goal cannot be achieved by other qualitative research techniques such as questionnaires. Namely, a semi-structured discussion guide was used (Foulidi et al, 2018) where the researcher added appropriate clarifying questions that had not been determined in advance but were derived from the subjects' responses, in order to extract additional information. In this way, the clarity and breadth of data were ensured.…”

“…The main advantage of this method is its immediacy. During the observation for recording the findings, several techniques, such as note-keeping, were used, along with the completion of an observation form (Foulidi et al, 2018). No videotaping or video recording was conducted (Croll, 1986;Cohen and Manion, 1997;Altrichter et al, 2001) because there was no time to get the relevant permission that is required by the educational authorities.…”

“…For this survey an "interview guide" was designed (Foulidi et al, 2018). At the beginning, there was a brief introductory note, through which the subjects understood the main topic of the interview and the main ethical rules.…”