SOCIAL RESEARCH

Data Analysis for Social Research



Data Analysis for Social Research

Introduction

There is no denying the overwhelming importance of sports and good sports facility in British culture. Along with architecture, food, and language, sport and good sports facility help define the character of regions and places. However, participation in sports is equally important, though often less visible and less glamorous, as one of the ways that sports features directly in people's everyday lives and in their social interactions.

The obvious place to start a discussion about sporting participation is with schools and education. As in other countries throughout the world, in United Kingdom sports are considered an important feature of educational contexts, from primary schools to universities. In fact, pupils and students all across this educational spectrum are expected to participate in daily calisthenics. Sometimes as early as six o'clock in the morning, schools across the country resonate to the often crackly sound of energetic marches and other music to accompany sleepy children's morning exercises. In this sense, United Kingdom's schools and universities, perpetuate the links between physical and mental fitness and between physical exercise and discipline.

Problem Statement

Thomas and Chickering (1984) argued that higher education plays an important role in individual development. Good sports facility centres provide developmental opportunities in the physical and interpersonal domains (Hall, 2006). According to Chickering's seven vector theory of identity, the first vector focuses on competency beyond academics to include both social and physical competence. Haines (2001) further stated that student personal development is facilitated through involvement in extracurricular activities in the university experience in addition to the academic aspects. In keeping with Chickering's seven vector theory that would include developing competence, emotional management, interdependence, and interpersonal maturation and ultimately the establishment of identity (Saunders et al., 2003). The last two vectors in Chickering's seven vector theory are developing purpose and integrity and they appear to emerge after graduation (Hall, 2006).

Consequently, good sports facility centres can play an important role not only in recruitment and retention but also in the total development of students (Thomas et al., 2005). Leaders in higher education need to include good sports facility centres and the programs that are offered within the centres as they think about overall student development, campus community, recruitment and retention (Fleming & Jordan, 2006; Tomlinson & Fleming, 1997).

According to McNamee et al. (2006), today's student culture and students' lifestyles have made them accustomed to elaborate workout facilities and demand that their college or university of choice provide that space. The renovation or new construction of good sports facility centres by colleges and universities has increased and will continue to increase (Thomas et al., 2005). Many institutions are building multi-million dollar good sports facility facilities that challenge any private fitness centre (Fleming & Jordan, 2006). Consequently, resources are used on the construction of good sports facility centres rather than other campus structures (Andrews et al., 2005). Most of the present research literature discusses the advantages of good sports facility centres; however, there is limited research on ...