Swedish Principals’ Understanding of the Concept: Education Based on Research and Proven Experience

Abstract

This study aims generate new knowledge concerning how principals in primary and secondary
education in Sweden conceive of and experience the concepts of ‘research basis’ and ‘proven
experience’. The study included in-depth interviews with eight principals. The interviews were
analysed, and the results are theoretically founded in the phenomenographic life-world.
The results indicate that Swedish principals in primary and secondary schools are poorly
prepared for managing schools where the education must be based on research and proven
experience. The principals have no education in this area, nor do they have any co-workers
who can take the responsibility to implement and/or generate research-based knowledge. An
interesting question is: Does education require a specific research concept that differs from
the academies definition?