Published articles on deputy principals from 1980 to 2020: a systematic literature review

Abstract

This article reports on the process and findings on a systematic review of published articles related to deputy principals on the area of educational leadership and management (EDLM). In achieving this purpose, quantitative and bibliometric content analysis methods were employed which studied 61 articles published in 24 international EDLM and educational-based journals. This review effort had examined general patterns of knowledge production, as well as research topics, production volumes, and methods employed by researchers in their deputy principals’ studies. Findings indicates that researchers from the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong have numbers of highest publication of articles on DPs’ knowledge production. Almost half of the topical foci covered on deputy principals are much related to roles and responsibilities, leadership and their professional and leadership development programs. Based on their methodological approach, qualitative case study with interviews, documents analysis and observation are the frequently used when studying deputy principals’ leadership, roles, and responsibilities and their career aspirations. Recommendations are forwarded for knowledge production development related to deputy principals.