Research in Educational Administration and Leadership (REAL) is a non-commercial, open-access, peer-reviewed international journal that aims to provide a platform for researchers to publish up-to-date research articles on educational administration and leadership at all levels of education – from pre-primary to higher education. The journal of REAL accepts submissions using any research methodology, including case studies, reviews, mixed-methods studies, quantitative and qualitative research, and innovative research methodologies. Only a limited number of original and, thus, pioneering scale development studies are intended for publication provided that that they are primarily concerned with new issues in the field of educational administration and leadership.

The scope of the journal involves education policy, educational administration and leadership theories, and methodology-informed research in educational administration, management, and leadership that may have a direct or indirect effect on educational stakeholders and decision-makers. Submissions that are not explicitly linked to educational administration and leadership scholarship will not be considered for publication.

Prospective authors should note that only original and previously unpublished manuscripts will be considered for publication. REAL publishes scale development studies only on a rare basis, and only if they are innovative, need-driven, and address new and emerging issues in the field of educational leadership. Additionally, please be aware that our journal has recently made an editorial decision to gradually reduce the acceptance and publication of core Higher Education papers, effective from 2024. This shift in our editorial focus is part of a broader strategy to better align with our core areas of interest that lies in the K-12 level.

The research articles may draw from primary or secondary data sources, such as surveys, observations, knowledge and practice of education policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in order to form a global topic of discussion for all those engaged in the field of educational administration and leadership. Researchers from all types of educational institutions, including K–12 schools, colleges and universities, adult education centers, non–governmental educational groups are encouraged to submit their papers addressing timely topics and critical issues in the field.

Period Months