Researching Peer Relations in a Boys' Middle School: A presentation of research design

This paper addresses the research design of a research undertaken towards the completion of an EdD at the University of New England. The main objective of this research is to improve my practice of intervening in and investigating incidents of poor peer relations between Year 8 boys. Investigating and intervening in incidents of poor peer relations is a significant component of my role as Head of Middle School in a large urban, independent boys' school. Working with boys, parents and staff on matters concerning student peer relations takes a great deal of time and effort. Quality of outcome and efficiency of management in dealing with incidents of poor peer relations are important to the boys, parents and teachers because of the level of distress these incidents can cause for the boys and detract from their opportunities to learn at school. A justification of the constructivist research paradigm, action research multi-method and data analysis will be presented.