Lost in Terminology Jungle: Uncovering Jingle-Jangle Fallacies in Educational Leadership Research Literature

• In Event: Conceptual and Empirical Examination of Educational Leadership Development

Abstract

This study investigates jingle fallacy (same label, different meanings) and jangle fallacy (different labels, same meaning) in educational leadership research. Using topic modeling and network analysis on articles published in top-tier journals, it was found that many constructs in educational leadership, such as distributed leadership, ethical leadership, social justice leadership, and school culture, suffer from these fallacies. Their prevalence threatens construct validity and theoretical coherence. The findings highlight the need for theoretical precision and empirical clarity.

Author

• Yinying Wang, Georgia State University