Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Does The Design And Personalization Of Mailed Invitations Influence Online Survey Response Rates?, Brock Ternes

The SUNY Journal of the Scholarship of Engagement: JoSE

Nonresponse to online surveys has been a notable concern of survey methodologists, who continue to implement strategies and incentives to boost returns. Don Dillman’s methods emphasize tailored designs to maximize response rates, and this paper assesses how mailed notification designs and requested deadlines for completion influence online survey response rates. Using a target population of rural Kansans, this paper assesses how minor changes in printed notifications are connected to participation in an online survey. Postcards were mailed to private water well owners inviting recipients to complete a 40-item online questionnaire about their water usage; notifications varied in their personalization of …

A Multidisciplinary Collaboration Between Graphic Design And Physics Classes Responding To Covid-19, Szilvia Kadas, Eric M. Edlund

The SUNY Journal of the Scholarship of Engagement: JoSE

Students from graphic design and physics classes at SUNY Cortland collaborated during the spring semester of 2020 on a multidisciplinary project related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In these collaborations, the students’ individual contributions were part of a larger project that required a diverse skill set, through which students learned how different skills can complement their own disciplines. The graphic design and physics instructors applied a project-based learning philosophy applying the Common Problem Pedagogy (CPP) framework to construct student-teams composed of both disciplines. This project explored how coordinated social actions can allow the public to exercise control in uncertain times. Students …

Determinants Of The Carbon Footprint Of German Swimmers 2020., Ann-Marie Muehlbauer

Master's Theses

The current climate situation is placing our planet and future generations at risk, which demonstrates the urgency to combat climate change and conduct research to support this effort. Calculating the carbon footprint of active sport participation represents an important opportunity to conduct additional research. This study examined the environmental attitudes and practices of swim club members in Germany. The study had three goals: First, to calculate the total and partial carbon footprint of German swimmers; second, to understand how sport organizations induce participants to engage in pro-environmental behavior; and third, to analyze various factors associated with carbon footprint, such as …

Foreword, Tim O'Connell, Garrett Hutson, Cody Lahaie

Research in Outdoor Education

The article offers information related to papers that were published in the publication "Research in Outdoor Education" Volume 17, as well as how others might contribute to the publication in the future.

The Unnecessary Prescription Of Transcription: The Promise Of Audio-Coding In Interview Research, Paul Stonehouse

Research in Outdoor Education

Interviewing is a ubiquitous, although time-consuming, method in Outdoor Education research. Typical analysis requires a transcript of the entire recorded interview, on which a researcher creates and attaches codes to substantive sections. Qualitative software technology now allows the researcher to code directly on an audio-file (i.e. audio-coding), thus saving significant time. This article explains the differences between whole-interview transcription and audio-coding, while also comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each. The topic is examined via a detailed analysis of the available audio-coding literature and the author's own experience with Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) and audio-coding specifically. Although slow …

Front Matter, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors (Ceo)

Research in Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

This article includes the Editors and Research Committee for Volume 17 as well as the Table of Contents.

Exploring Motivations And Constraints Of Minority Participation: College Outdoor Adventure Programs, Ryan K. Hines, Curt Davidson, Ryan Zwart, Alan Ewert

Research in Outdoor Education

While national demographics in the United States are steadily becoming more racially diverse, participation in outdoor and adventure recreation programs is still dominated by individuals identifying as White and Caucasian. College outdoor adventure programs aiming to provide opportunities for diverse recreational and educational experiences to the student body at large generally struggle to attract minority students. While much research has discussed the disparity, little literature exists to help understand and guide recruitment, and increase participation. This study explored factors contributing to leisure choice in outdoor recreation, awareness of university outdoor programming, and the motivations or constraints that influenced individual participation. …

Resource Review, Timothy S. O'Connell, Garrett Hutson

Research in Outdoor Education

Dynamic Horizons: A Research and Conceptual Summary of Outdoor Education. Written by Chloe Humphreys, Kingston, ON, Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario, 2018, 77 pp., CDN $20.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-1- 988127- 01- 9

Adolescent Sense Of Belonging In Outdoor Adventure Education: The Influence Of Conflict And Instructors, Jeremy Jostad, Jim Sibthorp, Jonathan E. Butner, Shannon Rochelle

Research in Outdoor Education

Outdoor adventure education programs are strategically positioned to provide a multitude of positive social outcomes for youth. The social connections adolescents develop with their peers are critically important for positive youth development. This study sought to understand how sense of belonging develops within a wilderness-based outdoor adventure education program while using a dynamical systems theory (DST) framework and analysis. The findings showed that group-based components, such as process conflict influenced the rate of change while instructor support increased the level of sense of belonging students felt. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

The Relationship Between Leadership Style And Group Cohesion In Outdoor Education, Matthew B. Albert

Research in Outdoor Education

This article reports results of a study that investigated the relationship between leadership style and group cohesion in outdoor education. Two surveys were used with 359 participants, aged 13-15, who participated in a 4-day canoe trip on the Lower Colorado River. Results showed a statistically significant correlation between leadership and group cohesion, suggesting that (a) an understanding of a variety of leadership styles gives leaders the ability to shift their style according to each situation, (b) it is important for leaders to think about when to use different leadership styles, (c) awareness will make for more effective leaders, (d) leaders …

The Relationship Between Stryd Power And Running Economy In Well-Trained Distance Runners 2018, Casey Austin

Master's Theses

A novel running wearable called the Stryd Summit footpod attaches to a runner’s right or left shoe and measures running power output. The developers of the product purport that the footpod’s power and form power measures may correlate with metabolic data gathered in a lab. PURPOSE: Explore the relationship between power output and running economy at threshold pace. METHODS: Seventeen well-trained distance runners, 9 males and 8 females, completed a running protocol at threshold pace. Participants ran two discontinuous four-minute stages: one with their self-selected cadence (SS), and one with cadence lowered by 10% (LC). Metabolic data, power, and form …

Foreword, Tim O'Connell, Garrett Hutson

Research in Outdoor Education

The article offers information related to papers that were published in the publication "Research in Outdoor Education" Volume 16, as well as how others might contribute to the publication in the future.

Health And Outdoor Settings: A Summary Of The Coalition For Education In The Outdoors Pre-Symposium Workshop, 2018, Kristina R. Anderson, Alan Ewert

Research in Outdoor Education

At the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) 14th Biennial Research Symposium, researchers and practitioners explored the intersection between outdoor education settings and practices and human health during a pre-symposium workshop. Guided by a supposition that outdoor education experiences impact one or more dimensions of health, participants first aligned around a collective foundation of 1) definitions of nature and health and 2) formative scholarship in outdoor exposure and natural elements.

With this foundation, existing paradigms were questioned: Are mainstay methodologies used in outdoor education efficacious, particularly if researchers are to engage with cross-disciplinary research teams or seek new funding …

Healthy Eating And Physical Activity Programming At Overnight Summer Camps, Ellen King, Kendra Liddicoat, Rebecca L. Franzen, Annie Wetter

Research in Outdoor Education

Overnight summer camps have previously been overlooked as settings for healthy eating and physical activity programming; however, recent summer camp research has begun to examine how summer camp programming can help fight childhood obesity. The purpose of this research was to identify and examine the efforts that Wisconsin overnight summer camps are taking to support campers in meeting national dietary and physical activity guidelines. Data were collected through in-person or phone interviews with 13 directors and owners of American Camp Association (ACA) accredited camps and were analyzed using a conventional content analysis and inductive thematic analysis approach. Results indicated that …

Front Matter, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors (Ceo)

Research in Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

This article includes the Editors and Research Committee for Volume 16 as well as the Table of Contents.

Resource Review, Timothy S. O'Connell

Research in Outdoor Education

Daughters of the forest: Saving the forest one girl at a time [DVD]. Directed by Samantha Grant, Oley, PA, Bullfrog Films, Inc., 2017, 56 minutes, $295.00, ISBN 1-941545-79-3

When Outdoor Orientation Program Idioculture Changes: Understanding Student Resistance, Brent J. Bell, Christa Ricker

Research in Outdoor Education

Colleges with outdoor orientation programs often encourage student involvement through leadership experiences, including the directing of these programs. The student directors (SDs) assume significant responsibilities, including managing budgets, logistics, and the training of peer leaders. SDs also manage the program's idioculture, creating a desirable group for student peer leaders to join. Sometimes SDs have ideological conflicts with administrators leading to resistance. Administrators depend upon the free labor of SDs for the programs to run and hope to minimize conflict. We report on the experiences of three college outdoor orientation programs with change and resistance. Our findings suggest SDs in this …

Quantifying The Human-Nature Relationship: A User's Guide, Kelly S. Cartwright, Denise Mitten

Research in Outdoor Education

A growing trend in environmental research is the quantification of the human-nature relationship. This review of human-nature psychometric instruments should be used as a reference for individuals seeking to incorporate these tools into their outdoor and environmental education research. Extensive literature review and autoethnographic techniques were employed to identify and evaluate thirty-four instruments. Instruments were evaluated on structure, ease of use, and concepts represented. Diversity exists amongst the instruments in terms of length, concepts reflected, and structure. The majority of tools reflect environmental attitudes/views (16) or relationship/connection with nature (13). Fewer instruments reflect concern, identity, or environmental behavior. Twenty-eight instruments …

Effects Of Ankle Weights On Metabolic Response And Muscle Activity On A Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill 2017, Saige Hupman

Master's Theses

Lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmills are growing in popularity for rehabilitative use, as the benefits of exercising at partially supported body weight may induce faster recovery. It is unknown if there are certain practices that increase exercise intensity while maintaining positive effects of LBPP. Adding ankle weights when walking or running could increase intensity of rehabilitation programs while maintaining the comfort of supported body weight. PURPOSE: To measure metabolic response (VO2, RER, HR, Caloric expenditure), RPE, and lower limb electromyography (EMG) amplitudes of LBPP treadmill walking and running with and without ankle weights. METHODS: Sixteen participants (Age: 21.94 ± …

Philosophers On The Fringe: Albert Schweitzer, Liberty Hyde Bailey, Aldo Leopold, And The Wrongful Polarization Of Environmentalist History 2017, Minnie A.M. Lauzon

Master's Theses

This thesis includes three articles (chapters) intending to encourage clarification of an area of environmental history that has not received adequate attention since the publication of Roderick Nash’s Wilderness and the American Mind. Since its publication in 1967, little research has been dedicated to understanding the scholarly or philosophical influence Albert Schweitzer and Liberty Hyde Bailey had on Aldo Leopold. Since my undertaking of this topic, I have established two primary goals. First, I want to provide clarification to environmentalists, academics, and the populace at large that environmentalism does not have to be bound by rules and convention, but can …

Foreword: International Perspectives In Outdoor Education Research, Patrick T. Maher

Research in Outdoor Education

The article offers information related to papers that were published in the publication "Research in Outdoor Education" Volume 15. This special issue of ROE contains four articles presented at the 7th International Outdoor Education Research Conference (IOERC), plus an additional two that speak to an international audience. The 7th IOERC was hosted from July 4 – 8, 2016 at Cape Breton University (CBU), on Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island) in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The foreword also acknowledges the efforts of all who contributed to the publication.

Exploring Course Outcomes Utilizing A New Outward Bound Outcomes Instrument, Andrew J. Bobilya, W. Brad Faircloth

Research in Outdoor Education

This study implemented the new North Carolina Outward Bound School Course Impression Survey (NCOBSCIS) using a mixed method, retrospective pre-post design. The NCOBSCIS measures character development, leadership, and environmental service. Previous analysis has found the NCOBSCIS to be a valid and reliable survey tool. The purpose of this study was to investigate program outcomes using this new instrument, including potential moderators (e.g., age, gender, and course length). Paired sample t-tests and a series of ANCOVA models were generated along with thematic qualitative analyses. The results suggest that there is change evident among the participants following program participation and that …

Women And Girls In Outdoor Education: Scoping The Research Literature And Exploring Prospects For Future Body Image Enquiry, Joelle Breault-Hood, Tonia Gray, Son Truong, Jacqueline Ullman

Research in Outdoor Education

Research into women's and girls' outdoor programs and their influence on perceived body image has gained scholarly attention in recent decades. A systematic review of research from 1980 – 2017 identifies key trends and themes revealing opportunities to advance understandings in the field. In particular, while there has been extensive research conducted on women's and girls' outdoor education programs from various perspectives, there is a shortage of robust research examining the impact of outdoor education on body image. While identifying some trends, the broad scope of the enquiry highlights the scarcity of this empirical data, and calls for heightened emphasis …

Defining Moments: An Examination Of The Gender Divide In Women's Contribution To Outdoor Education, Tonia Gray, Denise Mitten, Ta Loeffler, Sandy Allen-Craig, Cathryn Carpenter

Research in Outdoor Education

Throughout our collective experiences in the outdoors, defining moments have helped ignite innovation and provided inspiration for women and men in the outdoor profession. Women's representation among the ranks of the senior leaders and researchers in the outdoor field is disproportionately low. As such, women in outdoor education today still face challenges being recognized and accessing the upper echelons of the profession and academy. An incident at the 6th International Outdoor Education Research Conference in 2013, where women donned an invisibility cloak provided the impetus for our paper. Significant progress has been made in the past three decades; however an …

Perceived Life Significance Of A University Winter Outdoor Education Course: A Qualitative Study, Jennifer Wigglesworth, Paul Heintzman

Research in Outdoor Education

This qualitative study explored the life significance of a winter, bilingual (French/English), outdoor education (OE) course offered by a Canadian university. The current investigation involved 16 in-depth interviews with alumni who had taken one of the university's winter OE courses more than 20 years earlier. Interpretive analysis of interview data found the following significant life impacts: development of interpersonal/social skills; self-discovery; environmental awareness; leisure style change; transfer to others; and increased outdoor knowledge/skills. The researcher used “how and why” questions to probe for processes that linked the course experiences and activities with significant life impacts. The processes identified included: personal …

Front Matter, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors (Ceo)

Research in Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share a mission the support and furtherance of outdoor education and its goals.

This article includes the Editors and Research Committee for Volume 15 as well as the Table of Contents.

Playing Naturally: A Case Study Of Schoolyard Naturalization In Cape Breton, Emily Root, Kathy Snow, Catalina Belalcazar, Bettina Callary

Research in Outdoor Education

Transforming schoolyards into naturalized areas enhances play and nature connection (Dyment, 2005), increases repertoires of outdoor activities, and promotes resilience (Chawla, Keena, Pevec & Stanley, 2014). Employing photovoice and conversational interviews, this study examines children’s perceptions pre-and post-playground naturalization at an elementary school in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. Themes from data analysis include: engagement with nature, and desire for more nature; physicality and movement; built and natural play features; and risk, rules, and well-being. Drawing on existing literature in the fields of schoolyard greening and naturalization, the study discusses benefits and complexities for future consideration in similar contexts.

Using Dynamical Systems Theory In Outdoor Adventure Education Research, Jeremy Jostad, Jim Sibthorp, Jonathan E. Butner, Shannon Rochelle, John Gookin

Research in Outdoor Education

No abstract provided.

Increasing Middle School Students' Energy Literacy, Justin St. Onge, Karla Eitel

Research in Outdoor Education

The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of outdoor education on middle school students' energy literacy. An energy literacy curriculum was developed and taught in both outdoor and traditional, indoor classroom settings. Energy literacy constructs of knowledge, attitude, and behavior were evaluated and measured using a survey distributed pre, post, and 1–month after the curriculum was taught. The population (n=130) of this study was 6th grade students attending a five-day residential education program at an outdoor science school. Results showed greater increases in middle school students' energy literacy knowledge, attitude, and behavior when taught in …

Foreword, Tim O'Connell, Garrett Hutson

Research in Outdoor Education

The article offers information related to papers that were published in the publication "Research in Outdoor Education" Volume 14, as well as acknowledging the efforts of all who contributed to the publication.