ABSTRACT

This chapter outlines a research proposal to illustrate how a symbolic interactionist theoretical position within the interpretivist paradigm can also be utilised to underpin research of the 'problem-focused' variety. The terms 'post-conflict' and 'post-new war' are used interchangeably in the research proposal. A review of the literature on educational leadership in post-conflict settings indicates that very little empirical research has been undertaken at an international level into how school leaders in such contexts conceptualise their work. Most of the educational leadership research has been conducted in highly and/or relatively stable societies and has provided insights into school culture and change management. The nature of the research questions requires a method of inquiry that enables interpretation of social phenomena. The proposed study falls within the interpretivist paradigm because it seeks to reveal the meanings people assign to situations and behaviour, and which they use to understand their world.