Attitudes toward Physical Education in Fourth Graders

Title: The title includes the precise identification of the problem; it contains the independent and dependent variables and target population. It must be clear, concise, and fully descriptive of the study. The recommended length is 12 words. The Difference Between Fourth Grade Boys and Girls Attitudes Toward Physical Education Abstract/Overview: The abstract summarizes the contents of the manuscript. The abstract should begin by broadly summarizing the problem and importance of the study in 2-3 sentences. The abstract should then clearly and concisely state the purpose of the study.

Next, the abstract should contain a brief description of the target population, sampling methodology, description of the sample, and sample size. The abstract should also identify the research design and methodology. Finally, the abstract should name the instrument and explain the procedures for data collection and statistical analysis. The abstract should not contain any in-text citations. The recommended length is 200–250 words. Physical education is an essential and necessary component of every child’s life.

In order for maximum effect to be realized, children must have a healthy, positive attitude towards physical activity. However, with evidence to suggest that physical activity is on the decline and childhood obesity on the rise, investigating the attitudes of children towards physical education is important to understanding this phenomenon. This study will research the overall attitudes of boys and girls in the fourth grade toward physical education from three different elementary schools within one school district.

Since boys typically enjoy physical activity more than girls after the age of nine years-old, the study will determine how boys and girls view physical education. Also, the study will be important because children need to obtain physical activity to remain healthy and promote appropriate development. The boys and girls will complete a questionnaire about their attitudes toward physical education. A one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used because there will be a comparison of attitudes of boys and girls.

Research Question: The proposed research question needs to be derived from the problem and purpose statements. A well-formulated research question does the following: (a) clearly identifies (but does not label) least one dependent and one independent variables, (b) is stated clearly and in the form of a question, (c) is testable (i.e.

identifies the sample and implies the research design and statistical analysis), (d) does not pose an ethical or moral problem for implementation, and (e) is specific and restricted in scope (i.e., the aim is not to solve the world's problems). List only one focused, testable research question. RQ1: Is there a statistically significant difference between fourth grade boys and girls overall attitudes toward physical education? Hypothesis: The null hypothesis needs to be written with words, not symbols.

Every research question should have at least one corresponding null hypothesis; however, sometimes more than one is needed. The number of hypotheses should be based upon the number of variables under study and planned analysis. Well-formulated hypotheses are based on the following criteria: (a) the hypothesis stated the expected relationship/differences between variables, (b) the hypothesis is testable, (c) the hypothesis is stated simply and concisely as possible, and (d) the hypothesis is founded in the problem statement and supported by research.

Like the research questions, the hypotheses in null form directly influence the statistical procedures used. H01: There is no statistically significant difference between fourth grade boys’ and girls’ overall attitudes toward physical education. Introduction: The introduction should catch the audience’s attention by using a “hook” and convince the reader that the topic or issue is important using at least 3-4 scholarly journal articles published within the last 5 years.

It provides a general overview of the topic and prepares the reader for the background section of the manuscript. The recommended length is 200–300 words. The relevance of physical education amongst children cannot be overstated when it comes to not only the development of reflexes, but also the further enhancement of motor skills, and as Donovan, Mercier, and Philips (2015) point out, promotion of healthy lifestyles.

It should, however, be noted that past studies have indicated that the attitudes of fourth grade boys and girls towards physical education vary due to a myriad of factors. In basic terms, attitude has got to do with the perception or outlook towards experiences, items, or activities. Towards this end, a person’s attitude towards something could determine his or her feelings and interests towards the subject matter.

Therefore, one of the key elements influencing fourth grade children’s participation to physical education is their attitudes towards the same. In the words of Phillips and Silverman (2015), “multiple studies have suggested a more pronounced decrease in attitude, starting in middle school, for girls than boys as they get older” (463). This is a finding collaborated by Donovan, Mercier, and Philips (2015). Wells, Galloway, and Booker (2017) point out that obesity has been on the rise amongst children in recent years.

In their research seeking to assess physical activity between boys and girls in elementary school, the authors conclude that “there were significant differences between genders”, with boys being more likely to engage in physical activities than girls. Participants and Setting: Begin by describing your target population. This may include the description of a large geographical area or a school district from which the sample was drawn. Real names should never be used. Next, describe your sample.

The sample size, the type of sample, and the sampling procedures (e.g., convenience sampling, cluster sampling, etc.) must be explained. In other words, the sample selection procedures (who, what, when, where, how) need to be explained in enough detail for the study to be replicated. Include basic demographic information (number of participants, sample size, age, ethnicity, gender, etc.) described in narrative form. Since this is a proposal, plug in “place holders” (e.g., the sample consisted of 00 males and 00 females…).

Quantitative literature citations must be provided for the adequate sample size (e.g. For this study, the number of participants required for an adequate sample size will be 66 students which according to Gall et al. (2007, p. 145) will the required minimum for a medium effect size with statistical power of .7 at the .05 alpha level). Next, discuss the setting (e.g., specific course, program, online/offline environment, semester-term, and/or treatment/control group testing location, etc.). Real names for people and schools should never be used.

Use pseudonyms for descriptors when necessary (e.g. high school #1, biology lab # 2). The setting, especially the treatment setting needs to be described in sufficient details so that the study could be replicated. The setting is often intertwined with the description of the sample. After you have described the sample and setting, you need to identify and describe each group (e.g. treatment, control, etc.).

Remember: correlational studies involve two or more variables and only “one group.” Explain the groups’ formations (e.g., random assignment, naturally occurring groups, etc.) and demographic information (e.g., age, ethnicity, gender, grade level, etc.) for each group. Since this is a proposal, plug in “place holders” (e.g., the treatment group will consist of 00 males and 00 females, etc.). Groups must be explained in enough detail for the study to be replicated.

Instrumentation: In the instrumentation section, the instrument(s) that are used to measure each variable need to be identified. The instruments may be tests, surveys, questionnaires, or other measurements. Only validated instruments may be used and it is not acceptable to propose to develop an instrument for the purposes of this study. A description of each instrument, its content, its appropriateness needs to be included. The exact procedures for the development for the instrument (i.e. studies to establish validity and reliability, as well as reliability statistics) must be cited.

State other peer reviewed studies where the instrument was used. Scoring information for the composite and subscales must to be included. For example “… the instrument consisted of 30 questions and used a five-point Likert scale that ranged from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree. Responses were as follows: Strongly Agree = 5, Agree = 4, Neutral = 3, Disagree = 2, and Strongly Disagree = 1.” Include scoring information regarding the instrument for example, “… the combined possible score on the ATSF range from 20 to 200 points.

A high score of 200 means that the student is… etc.” A brief overview of how the instrument should be administered should be discussed and the approximate time to complete the instrument should be reported. Recommended length is 200 words. In seeking to gain access to information regarding the preferences, interests, as well as activities of fourth grade children in relation to physical education, a number of questionnaires (3 to be specific) were developed and administered.

The first questionnaire was for completion in the home setting by the children and their parents; the second questionnaire was completed by the physical education teacher; and the third questionnaire was completed by the children themselves in a supervised setting. In essence, while the first questionnaire sought to assess the behaviors, preferences, values, as well as skills of the child and his or her parents, the second questionnaire was tailored to permit an evaluation of the athletic competencies of the child.

On the other hand, the third questionnaire sought to highlight how children perceived their own preferences as well as skills in reference to physical education. Each questionnaire had a total of 34 items which were all tailored to properly evaluate the variables of interest, and 8 subscales which enabled an assessment of the model’s components. Previous studies were used as a reference point for potential items. A 5-point likert scale was the response for the various items with the range being strongly disagree (1) to strongly disagree (4).

It is also important to note that counterbalancing of all statements was done so as to positively weigh some and negatively weigh others. Research Design: In the design section, the research design(s) is identified. The research design needs to be specific. For example, it is not sufficient to state that a quasi-experimental study will be conducted; instead, it is better to state that a pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design will be conducted. Immediately after identifying the design, identify the independent and dependent variables and any covariates.

In addition, give a rationale for why the design is most appropriate for the study. This rationale for the design needs to be supported by research literature (what is the purpose of the design? When is it used? Why is it the most appropriate choice for the present study?). Refer to educational research texts for the proper design description and use them to support your rationales. The chosen research design(s) must be consistent with the research question and hypothesis proposed as well as the procedures described.

The recommended length is 100 words. The present study assumed a descriptive research design. Towards this end, the relationship between the sex and attitude variables was identified with an aim of assessing as well as evaluating the attitudes of students towards physical education. In the words of Erickson (2017), “descriptive research is designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs” (22). Thanks to this kind of design, in-depth information can be gathered.

It is also important to note that given that the variables to be tested have been clearly identified, this kind of research design will effectively be a pre-cursor to future research. Procedures: The procedure section is similar to a “cookbook.” It should contain enough detail that a reasonable person can read your procedure and conduct your study and produce the same results.

This includes but is not limited to information about securing IRB approval, eliciting participants for the study, conducting a pilot study, training individuals to implement treatment, administration of the procedures, gathering the data, and recording procedures. If the study involves the training individuals to implement a treatment and/or administration of the procedures. This should include fidelity measures of the treatment. These should measure the extent to which delivery of an intervention stays true to the original model.

For example, if the study calls for the implementation of a school-wide intervention, there should be periodic assessments of teachers in the school to ensure that the intervention is being implemented appropriately. This process should be explained in detail. A detailed description on how the data will be collected and recorded must be provided. The procedures should be described in a chronological, step-by-step format. Remember; describe the procedures clearly and with enough detail so that the study can be replicated. The recommended length is 200 words.

The third questionnaire’s initial draft was piloted with a group of fourth grade children. In this case, the students’ understanding of the questions was assessed after the questions were read out aloud. The input from this exercise was used to further refine the items. Prior to the questionnaire administration, informed consent was sought from all those who were to participate in the study. Regarding the third questionnaire, parental consent was sought. While the first.