Physical Activity - Case Study Example

Does Physical Activity Enhances Numeracy Development in Early Years (2-5) Table of Contents Introduction 3 Research Methodology or Methods and Analysis of Data 3 Timetabling and Resources 5 References 8 Introduction Physical activity is important for the growth as well as the development of children. In this regard, physical education in included in curriculum as it plays a decisive role in developing fitness as well as understanding the abilities of the children to conduct certain activities in their early years. The study in relation to the enhancement of numeracy development in early years i.e. 2-5 by physical activity is quite noteworthy, relevant and worthwhile due to the reason that physical education assists in developing confidence, knowledge, skills along with motivational aspects of the children. This eventually results in advancing their numeric abilities at large (Sutherland, 2012, pp. 49-51). Research Methodology or Methods and Analysis of Data A qualitative approach of research methodology would be taken into concern in order to conduct the research. In this regard, qualitative approach assists in obtaining a better idea of certain important factors relating to the subject matter of the study (Hancock, 2002). This particular approach has been chosen for the proposed research study owing to the reason that the findings of the research study can be analysed in an effective as well as in a better manner. Respectively, data for the proposed study will be collected from primary as well as secondary sources (SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 2014). The research design process has been illustrated in the following. A research design will be formulated with the intention of conducting the proposed study in an appropriate manner. Moreover, the research design will depict the steps as well as the procedures on the basis of which the proposed study will be executed (SAGE Publications, 2009; Creswell, 2003, pp. 18-21). With regard to determine the research methodology for the proposed study, primary data will be collected through conducting structured the interview with a pre-framed questionnaire. In this regard, the sample size for the interview will be taken as 100 respondents, out of which 50 respondents will be the parents and the rest would be the school authorities. On the other hand, secondary data will also be collected from secondary sources that include books, journals, articles and online websites among others. It is worth mentioning that the data to be collected from the primary along with the secondary sources will be analysed through the assistance of interpretative strategy or analysis. Interpretative analysis will assist in obtaining a better knowledge about personal as well as social understanding of the respondents regarding the subject matter of the proposed research study (Biggerstaff & Thompson, 2008; Smith & Osborn, 2007). Additionally, an inductive research approach will be taken into concern with the intention of having an in-depth knowledge about the collected data. With the assistance of this approach, data pattern would be identified for better explanation of the study (Engel & Schutt, 2012, pp. 45-46). Apart from this, thematic analysis will also be used in this proposed research study with the objective of having a better understanding concerning the qualitative data collected (Boyatzis, 1998, pp. 4-5). Specially mentioning, reliability along with a validity test will be undertaken with the aim of ensuring that the proposed research study is conducted appropriately and systematically. It can be affirmed that the tests would be considered as reliable if a researcher obtain similar sort of outcomes repeatedly relating to data analysis. In this similar context, validity comprises two important aspects i.e. internal as well as external. Internal validity determines whether the outcomes of the study are justifiable or not. On the other hand, external validity signifies whether the outcomes derived from the study are transferable to other interest groups and can be utilised for future references (Litwin, 1995, pp. 5-44). Timetabling and Resources Timetable The proposed research study will be conducted in accordance with the above depicted timetable. In this context, the population and sample size of this proposed study will comprise 100 respondents. These respondents will be segregated into two parts constituting 50 parents and 50 school authorities. In this proposed research study, the questionnaire will comprise both open-ended as well as close-ended questions with the aim of obtaining valuable data from the respondents relating to the proposed research study. Additionally, a pilot testing will be conducted in order to ensure that the interview is conducted appropriately. Adequate measures will be undertaken to confirm that the questionnaire is appropriate for the proposed research study. The next step for this proposed research study will be to conduct interview in a systematic along with suitable manner. Review of various literatures will also be conducted with the aim of having an in-depth understanding about the research topic. From the conduct of various literatures, it can be apparently observed that physical activity is an important aspect for making healthy growth of the children in their early years and aiding them towards improving their respective academic results (Pound, 2013, pp. 1901). As stated by Welton (2013), parents and educational institutions must prioritise physical education so that the children in early years (2-5) might develop their numeracy abilities by introducing different terminologies as well as movement context. Conceptually, numeracy is regarded as the capability of applying easy numerical conceptions and also using mathematical skills appropriately (Welton, 2013, pp. 42). In this regard, according to Cornish (2008) implied that physical activity assists children in improving their literacy as well as numeracy skills. For this particular reason, the educational institutions as well as the parents prioritise physical activity to be included in curriculum in an aligned manner so that the children in their early age are able to develop counting, measuring and problem-solving skills. Subsequently, these skills will certainly assist in developing the mathematical knowledge of the children by a certain degree (Cornish, 2008, pp. 59-60). The next and imperative step in relation to the proposed research study will be to analyse the collected data. In this regard, the collected data will be analysed with the execution of different research approaches that include inductive along with interpretative approach and thematic analysis. In the final stage, the research study will be summarised and adequate steps will be undertaken in order to make any sort of necessary modifications. After proper evaluation, the final dissertation will be submitted. Resources Required One of the primary resources, which will be required for the proposed research study, is finance. This particular resource will be necessary especially for printing the questionnaire for 100 respondents including parents and school authorities and other relevant aspects. References Biggerstaff, D. & Thompson, A. R., 2008. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA): A Qualitative Methodology of Choice in Healthcare Research. Qualitative Research in Psychology, Vol. 5, pp. 173-183. Boyatzis, R. E., 1998. Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis and Code Development. SAGE, pp. 4-5. Cornish, M. M., 2008. Promising Practices for Partnering with Families in the Early Years. IAP, pp. 59-60. Creswell, J. W., 2003. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE, pp. 18-21. Engel, R. J. & Schutt, R. K., 2012. The Practice of Research in Social Work. SAGE Publications, pp. 45-46. Hancock, B., 2002. An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Trent Focus Group, pp. 1-27. Litwin, M. S., 1995. How to Measure Survey Reliability and Validity. SAGE, pp. 5-44. Pound, L., 2013. Quick Guides for Early Years: Physical Development. Hachette UK, pp. 1901. SAGE Publications, 2009. Research Design. Chapter 2, pp. 19-42. SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd., 2014. Qualitative Research. Chapter 1, pp. 1-40. Smith, J. A. & Osborn, M., 2007. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Qualitative Psychology, pp. 53-80. Sutherland, M., 2012. Gifted and Talented in the Early Years: Practical Activities for Children aged 3 to 6. SAGE, pp. 49-51. Welton, P., 2013. Physical Education in the Early Years. Routledge, pp. 42. Read More