JOB SATISFACTION: A SYNTHESIS OF RESEARCH IN THE EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION QUARTERLY

To maximize knowledge from existing studies and to determine how job satisfaction constructs have been operationalized in the field of educational administration over the last quarter. century, -eliable and valid procedures must be developed to synthesize findings from the studies empirically. This study synthesizes empirical findings on job satisfaction in the first 26 volumes (1965 to 1990) of the "Educational Administration Quarterly" (EAQ). Six sequential research objectives and 31 research questions were pursued through a model designed to classify, record, and analyz( study characteristics in EAQ articles. Of the 474 articles in the EAQ in the period, 41 addressed constructs of job satisfaction according to article authors. Of these, 34 gave empirical findings, but only 22 had sufficient information for the synthesis. Drawing on the analysis of these articles, recommendations are made for editorial policies and data reporting in the EAQ in the following areas: (1) construct operationalization, (2) statistical power, (3) data-reporting standards, (4) unit of analysis, (5) indicators of explained variance, and (6) study of administrators. Suggestions are given for future research based on the review of topics addressed to date. (Contains 60 references.) (SLD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** A Synthesis of Job Satisfaction Research