The research project conducted by Niven et al. (2014) was a qualitative study which explored adolescent girls’ experiences and perceptions of Physical education (PE) classes. The 38 participants aged between 13 and 18 came from two Scottish schools with similar curriculums and facilities and were audio recorded as part of organized focus groups. The results of the study discovered several physical and environmental factors that are most important to the schoolgirls. These include issues surrounding times and lengths of lessons, equipment, activity choices, changing facilities, weather, and clothing. These different influences highlight not only issues that involve providing effective PE but also how these results will provide useful and significant information when designing a dissemination strategy to many varied and potential audiences.
Niven et al. (2014) consider teachers and exercise leaders as the main benefactors from this research. Clearly, they would take an interest in the physical activity levels of the girls and look at ways at how this can be improved within the school. They would be interested in issues surrounding the lack of enthusiasm and mixed responses from the girls when it comes to their involvement in PE lessons and look at ways this research would assist in addressing these problems. Lesson duration and the time of day they take place could be an indication that teachers need to re-evaluate the school timetable. PE teachers can look at ways of making the lessons more appealing and providing more options regarding the choice of sporting activities available.
Policymakers would be another benefactor interested in these findings. They have the influence and opportunity to use research evidence to alter or develop current policies. MP’s, City Councils, School Boards, etc. would view these results in a wider, political context paying close attention to policies that have been made and are not being adhered to. Issues surrounding resources, curriculum, and teaching would be of concern here. This information could also be passed onto the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED) who are responsible for inspecting and regulating schools who will be interested in issues surrounding the school facilities and effectiveness of PE within the school curriculum.
Practitioners ranging from Social Workers to School Psychologists and Physiologists would certainly be interested in elements of this research. The schoolgirls comment that they sometimes “do not feel good enough” if they don’t have the right clothing highlights the effect of PE on the mental health of adolescents. Considerations for further research regarding child welfare within school could also be on the agenda.
Children and parents, including the girls who took part in the research project, would also benefit from the results. They may be interested in discovering how their involvement in the project affected the review and how their concerns surrounding PE are similar to that of children in other schools. Parents would also take an interest in being informed about children’s opinions of schools and how the curriculum is affecting their performance whilst discovering ways in which they can contribute to improving their education.
Businesses and manufacturers who provide to schools would be piqued by the research findings here. The opportunity to secure lucrative contracts would certainly be appealing. The poor quality of PE kits would engage PE kit designers who are looking to make kits that are more appealing and more comfortable. Similarly, the lack of adequate sports equipment would be of interest to PE equipment manufactures. School washroom suppliers along with re-design architects looking to provide refurbishment proposals would be interested to know about the substandard changing areas. Also, the schoolgirls reference to unhygienic facilities and general lack of cleanliness would be useful information to pass on to cleaning companies who could consider providing a better service to the one currently on offer.
One of the key aims of this research is to uncover new knowledge about the behaviour and perceptions of PE. Academic researchers in a similar field would certainly take an interest in this. The information can be used to influence their own research and discussions. Academics would also want to find out more about the developmental stages of the project, the methodology used and any challenges to their own theoretical ideas that may have been uncovered. With the potential audiences identified the next stage of design is to consider the most effective way of communicating the research findings to these beneficiaries. It is imperative to use different dissemination strategies for the research results to be fully impactful.
Conferences and seminars are an ideal way to feed new research findings. They provide an early opportunity for researchers to present their results and the chance to gain feedback from the audience. Policymakers, practitioners, and academics are all beneficiaries that could be attracted to conferences as it allows for insightful debate and discussion within a short period of time. As the Niven et.al. research was small-scale, a presentation within a conference would be the most cost effective and achievable to explore. The type of events to present at range from National Teachers and Advisers Conference to Women in Sport, PE & School Sports Conference and Suppliers & Services Conference. Issues surrounding budgeting, organisation and location of this type of event would need to be considered to ensure beneficiaries could all attend. Whilst appealing to many potential audiences, seminars generally attract limited audiences indicating that further areas of communication should be considered which would attract a wider catchment. The production of a final report of the results would already have been made to use as part of a presentation and this written documentation will be useful when forming other dissemination methods.
Academic journal articles are highly respected publications as they have gone through the peer review process of being critically reviewed by independent experts, guaranteeing that the work is valid, original, and significant to the area of research. By attaining publishing can lead to citation in books and other articles giving the research a level of distinction. This would also be a useful method to disseminate the research findings to policymakers interested in improving school curriculums and practitioners working within the education mental health area seeking evidence-based approaches to inform their practice. It would also influence wider debate and interaction with other researchers which may ,in turn,lead to further research opportunities. However, as Hammersley (2005) states academic journals can generate complex information that is often too detailed for practical purposes because the journal is predominantly focused on attracting academics with the style of writing proving difficult for other potential benefactors to understand. This, along with time constraints of policymakers and practitioners should lead to consideration of the research being also produced in the form of a short report which could provide a summary of the findings to attract non-academic audiences with a passing interest in the topic to ascertain if there is information relevant to them before reading longer reports. These could be circulated to potential beneficiaries via newsletter or email.
The ever-growing influence of the internet has brought social media as a dissemination method to the forefront. It’s potential to reach diverse audiences worldwide with immediacy sees it surpassing the use of radio and television as a form of communication for researchers.
Blogs can be written online and published much quicker than journal articles or book chapters and importantly can be made relevant at a time to suit current events. Timing is a key component in disseminating as potential audiences, particularly policymakers, are interested in research that is relevant to current and upcoming events otherwise there is a tendency for any research results that may have been useful become outdated and ultimately ignored. The general public, parents, and importantly adolescent girls (who are central to this research) are attracted to the format of blogs; the non-specialist, informal style of writing would make the information more appealing to these potential audiences. However, one of the difficulties of blogging, as Robb (2014, p.244) discovered whilst disseminating his research on gender identities is “creating an audience for your postings”. The problem of getting the information discovered is difficult and other areas of communication may need to be considered where blogs can be signposted.
Twitter is a more accessible social networking site which would present the opportunity to engage and “follow” and be “followed” by people or organisations with similar interests. Contact can be made with fellow researchers, practitioners and members of the public which allows for debate and discussion with a wide and diverse audience. As children are generally found to have greater confidence, knowledge, and interest in social media there is an opportunity here to involve the schoolgirl participants of the research. They could be involved in constructing an online Twitter poll based around the research results.
Figure 1. Example of Twitter Poll
This would engage users, particularly younger audiences and the general public and provide a good source of feedback. A limit of 140 characters can be restrictive in delivering research findings but polls along with links to articles, reports, blogs and journals can be used effectively.
“Development Matters”, (Open University, 2014) based on John Oates research findings on child development shows how the making of a short film can reach wide audiences effectively. Niven et.al’s schoolgirls could be given the role of presenters discussing their opinions of PE. This could be distributed to educational practitioners, Sure Start centres, schools and policymakers. Evidence of other dissemination methods that have been carried out (booklets, journals, posters etc.) and signposting to relevant social media platforms could be included in the film. By self-producing, this method would not only be more cost effective than approaching TV channels but would also diminish any agendas that TV producers may have in how the film is represented. Potential disadvantages would be the involvement of the schoolgirls who may want to remain anonymous and feel uncomfortable about being filmed. There would also be issues surrounding the films viewing. Would beneficiaries find time to watch it and if it was viewed how would feedback be given?
The use of visuals can also prove effective in the form of an infographic poster, a graphic representation of information and data from the research could be created presenting the findings in a quick and clear yet informative way. It could be entitled “What Kids Want From PE” and include the schoolgirl’s opinions as part of a fact list i.e. Better Facilities, More Variation, Decent Kit,etc. The poster would be circulated to practitioners, schools and parents. There is also the opportunity to publish the posters in journals, newspapers, trade magazines as well as posting on social media sites.
In the context of impacting schools, parents and children research findings could be unveiled by way of a presentation or play. The children could be involved in creating a dramatic re-enactment that reflects the research. A scene that depicts a lack of PE equipment or the small changing rooms could be acted out. Small discussion groups between students, teachers and school authorities could also be organized debating the research results and considering ways of improvement. The use of a social environment would also engage audiences who could otherwise be oblivious to the research that has been undertaken. However, this does raise concerns that dissemination in a social setting could be perceived as too informal to convey important information, the audience’s attentiveness and the purpose of the event could be lost. A further issue that would need to be addressed could be the reluctance of the school to be involved in helping to project any negative issues surrounding the school and the teachers.
Whilst the inclusion of children as participants in dissemination has featured in several methods, concerns could be raised that having children at the forefront of these methods makes the results less effective, unethical and could be disregarded as a token gesture. However, the importance of hearing the children’s voice should not be overlooked. As Robb (2014, p.246) states “young research participants cease to be merely the recipients of new knowledge about themselves, and to some extent become part of the research team, helping to define that knowledge and how it is communicated to a wider audience.”
As with all research, there are ethical considerations to be adhered to. The possible impact on research participants and their families must be contemplated particularly where anonymity may be at risk or where there is potential for discrimination, or misuse or misrepresentations of research findings (e.g. to suit political agendas). This is a responsibility of the researchers to ensure participants will not be hurt, damaged or disadvantaged in any way. These provisions should be made when initial research proposals are put in place and throughout the research process and subsequent dissemination.
To conclude, we have designed a successful dissemination strategy considered the key issues involved in its creation. Suitable audiences who would be interested in the findings of this research have been identified and different dissemination methods have been discussed and how the involvement of the research participants can have a positive impact on engaging potential audiences. We have discovered how the importance of using the right strategy is essential to in making the research findings impactful to reaching beneficiaries. Both strengths and potential barriers that could occur throughout dissemination have also been highlighted along with the responsibility of the researcher to make ethical considerations throughout the process.
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References
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Interview
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