Abstract:
This paper reports on a preliminary study which examined the social values of a Christian high school with a diverse student intake. Ninety final-year students, 45 parents, and 17 teachers were involved in the investigation.
To permit comparison with other research findings, the survey instruments administered to each participant included an internationally established Values Questionnaire (Schwartz, 1992), and a brief socio-demographic survey. Responses were processed using Cluster, Dimensional, Factor and Smallest Space analysis, as well as more commonplace statistical techniques.
The results suggest that the usage of quite complex statistical procedures can provide valuable insights into otherwise incomprehensible data, without the researcher needing high levels of knowledge of the underlying mathematical theory to enable understanding.
To permit comparison with other research findings, the survey instruments administered to each participant included an internationally established Values Questionnaire (Schwartz, 1992), and a brief socio-demographic survey. Responses were processed using Cluster, Dimensional, Factor and Smallest Space analysis, as well as more commonplace statistical techniques.
The results suggest that the usage of quite complex statistical procedures can provide valuable insights into otherwise incomprehensible data, without the researcher needing high levels of knowledge of the underlying mathematical theory to enable understanding.