The general purpose of the research study is to determine whether or not archery and fencing should be included in the youth’s sports program. Creswell (2007) is of the opinion that research questions and hypotheses are employed in a study to shape and specifically focus the general objective of the study through the use of cause and effect questions as well as predictions that a particular researcher may hold about the relationship or association among variables.
As such, the research questions were created based on what the two sports (archery and fencing) can contribute towards the attainment of the mission set by the youth’s sports program
Many youth sports programs, according to Berlin et al (2007), use sports to provide the “…youth with opportunities to play, learn, and grow, inspiring them to recognize their potential and realize their dreams” (p. 85-86).
Youth sports programs, more than anything else, should ideally assist the youth to develop character, respect for society, inspire values, and nurture positive self image through reinforced behavior change (Beedy, 2007). Youth sports programs should also serve a basic role of developing the youth’s physical health and wellbeing, psycho-social enhancement, and the attainment of desired motor skills (Fraser-Thomas & Cote, 2006).
As such, any sporting activities introduced into the youth sports program must first and foremost assist the youth in attaining the above named goals before they can then be used for competitive purposes.
This implies that it would serve no purpose at all to introduce archery and fencing sports in the youth sports program if they will not assist the youth in the development and articulation of their physical, psychosocial and motor wellbeing, and the actualization of discipline, character, respect, and positive self image, among others (Le Menestrel & Perkins, 2007). The two research questions were formulated based on this rationale.
According to Creswell (2003), hypotheses are formulated predictions also used to shape and streamline the purpose of the study, in addition to forecasting about possible relationships among variables. Hypothesis 1 and hypothesis 2, aimed at predicting possible relationships between the two sports and the factors mentioned above, were arrived at after reviewing various studies related to youth sports programs and their potential (Fraser-Thomas & Cote, 2006; Berlin et al, 2006; Beedy, 2007).
The two null hypotheses were formulated to predict that there is no relationship between archery and fencing on the one hand and the development of youth’s physical health and well-being, psycho-social enhancement, character, self-image, acquisition of motor skills, value development, confidence, and positive behavior change on the other hand.
The viability of the null hypothesis in the study will be tested to determine if they provide viable possibilities towards evaluating whether or not to include archery and fencing in the youth’s sports program, or if they will be rejected by the data collected.
Reference List
Beedy, J.P. (2007). Sports-based youth development: A global perspective. Independent School, 66(4), 40-48. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database
Berlin, R.A., Dworkin, A., Eames, N., Menconi, A., & Perkins, D.F. (2007). Examples of sports-based youth development programs. New Directions for Youth Development, 27(115), 85-106. Retrieved from Academic Source Premier Database
Creswell, J.W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches, 2nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc
Fraser-Thomas, J., & Cote, J. (2006). Youth sports: Implementing findings and moving forward with research. The Online Journal of Sports. Web.
Le-Menestrel, S., & Perkins, D.F. (2007). An overview of how sports, out-of-school time, and youth well-being can and do intersect. New Directions for Youth Development, 27(115), 13-25. Retrieved from Academic Source Premier Database