Declaration of Ownership 3
Table of Contents 4
Acknowledgements 9
List of Figures 10
List of Abbreviations 11
Abstract 12
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background 13
1.2 Research area 15
1.3 Research questions and objectives 16
1.4 Suitability of the researcher 16
1.5 Contribution of the study 17
1.6 Scope and limitations of the research 17
1.7 Recipients of the research 18
Chapter Two: Literature Review
2.1 Mentoring in Schools 19
2.2 Motivation Theories 25
2.3 Benefits for the Mentee 27
2.4 Benefits for the Schools 28
2.5 Benefits for the Mentor 30
Chapter Three: Research Methodology and Methods
3.1 Research Questions 34
3.2 Research Methodology 36
3.2.1 Research Philosophy 36
3.2.2 Research Approach 38
3.2.3 Research Strategy 39
3.2.4 Research Choice 40
3.2.5 Time Horizon 41
3.2.6 Data Collection 41
3.2.7 Population and Sample 42
3.2.8 Data Analysis 43
3.3 Research Ethics 45
Chapter Four: Research Findings Analysis
4.1 Research Objective One: Explore best practice in mentoring. 47
4.1.1 Learning Styles 47
4.1.2 The Relationship 50
4.1.3 The Mentor 51
4.1.4 Learning Culture 54
4.2 Research Objective Two: Investigate the source of motivation of the main stakeholders, with particular reference to the current NIPT programme. 56
4.2.1 Motivation: The Views of the Stakeholders 56
4.2.2 Intrinsic Motivation 58
4.3 Research Objective Three: Identify the principal benefits of the NIPT mentoring programme for the main stakeholders. 61
4.3.1 Benefits for the Mentee 63
4.3.2 Benefits for the Mentor 64
4.3.3 Benefits for the School 65
4.4 Research Objective Four: Evaluate the effectiveness of the NIPT school-based mentoring programme in Irish primary schools. 68
4.4.1 Aims of the NIPT 69
4.4.2 Objectives of the NIPT 70
4.4.3 The Experience of the Mentee 70
4.4.4 Mentees becoming Mentors 71
4.4.5 Mentors in Every School 72
4.5 Research Objective Five: Identify any significant obstacles to an expansion of the NIPT school-based mentoring programme. 75
4.5.1 Time 75
4.5.2 Mentor Training 78
4.5.3 Rewards 78
4.5.4 Mentoring in Smaller Schools 80
4.5.5 Droichead Programme 81
4.5.6 Other Obstacles 82
Chapter Five: Conclusions 85
Chapter Six: Recommendations 88
Self-Reflection on Own Learning and Performance 89
Bibliography 95
Appendices 110
Appendix 1 – Mentee Interview Guide 110
Appendix 2 – Mentor Interview Guide 113
Appendix 3 – Principal Interview Guide (Mentoring School) 116
Appendix 4 – Principal Interview Guide (Non-mentoring School) 120
Appendix 5 – NQT Interview Guide 124
Appendix 6 – NIPT Objectives 125
Appendix 7 – The Index of Learning Styles 127
