Research Design
An overview of the research design is presented in Table 2. The sequential mixed methods
research design was conducted over three phases, with multiple layers for data collection. Each
phase consisted of a unique focus intended to inform the emergent nature of the research. In
phase one, the focus was on the exploration and description of the case study environment from
the perspectives of school leaders, middle school educators and students, in order to identify and
define areas for participatory design. In phase two, the focus of the research design was to
explore and confirm aspects of the data collected in phase one with participating educators and
students, and to establish collaborative conditions for participants to create their own classroom
approaches towards the collaborative design of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. In phase
three, the focus was to evaluate and reflect on the changes made within the classroom
environment from both educator and student perspectives, to ascertain and explain any effects on
student engagement and learning outcomes (Cohen, Manion, and Morrison 2013; Creswell and
Tashakkori 2007; Hagen et al. 2012; Yin 2012).