The Greek Elementary "What Is Happening in This Class?" (G-EWIHIC): A Three-Stage Multisample Mixed-Methods Study

• In Event: 26.060 - Learning Environments Designed to Improve Schooling: A Collection of Mixed-Methods Studies

Abstract

The conceptualization of the classroom psycho-social climate (CPSC) has been emphasized in international literature. However, problems with CPSC’s examination in elementary classrooms have remained vastly unattended. We sought to adapt the “What Ιs Happening Ιn this Class?” to measure the CPSP in Greek elementary classrooms, with a mixed-methods multi-sample design. Research interviews with students and teachers were undertaken initially, the results of which were further examined with two large-scale administration of the WIHIC to random samples of 504 and 984 students, respectively. Results indicated the presence of all seven WIHIC subscales, with minor deviations in the exact manifestation of respective behaviors. This led to a psychometrically robust G-EWIHIC for which the full second-order factor structure resembled the theoretically proposed scheme.

Authors

• Kyriakos S. Charalampous, University of Cyprus

• Constantinos M. Kokkinos, Democritus University of Thrace