Athletics and Social Life: Examining the Impact of College Athletics - Essay Sample

Introduction

The primary objective of the study was to determine and analyze the effects of college athletics on the social life of both student-athletes and non-student athletes. Campus athletics covers a wide range of activities, making it hard to study and analyze the whole scenario. Therefore, two main research questions were essential to narrow down the scope of the research. The study mainly focused on answering the question of how being a student-athlete at a University influence ones social life. The study examined the relationship between student-athletes and non-student athletes to expound on this. It used the research question of what similarities exist between student-athletes and non-student athletes in their lives. The primary method of data collection used in the research was obstructive data collection using questionnaires and interviewing. The data collected was then analyzed leading to the conclusion that the student-athletes have less time to socialize compared to the no-student athletes. The student-athletes spend most of their extra time catching up with their academic work thus do not have time to socialize with others. However, non-student athletes have substantially more free time, which they use with their families and friends.

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Limitations in the Research

The primary method of data collection used in the study in obstructive data collection. The technique is used where the samples under study are aware that they are being analyzed. The method is ineffective in most cases since the sample under study might respond biasedly to influence the findings of the research. For example, the sample might use the research opportunity to give biased information so that the issues and challenges they face can be taken seriously. The method is the primary source of limitations in the findings of the research. The participants in the study are aware they are being studied and would like to give the information that they think will favor their part.

The study used a sample of six participants, two males and four females. The sample size was not sufficient for this kind of research. The research is examining a university population as well as the non-student athletes. It would be necessary to have a sample of at least ten participants. Although the example strikes a balance between student-athletes and non-student athletes, there is an aspect of gender imbalance on the specimen. The sample needs to balance all parts not just the two sides of the studies. Nevertheless, the example used is not a true reflection of the university setting. The specimen does not reflect on the course and year of study of the students. These two factors play an essential role in the free time of a student. For example, an engineering student will have a fixed schedule compared to art students. A first-year student will also have more time in comparison to a finalist who is working on many final year projects. There, the study would have picked a sample that cut across all these factors.

The interviews were conducted in one setting or meeting where the interviewees were asked to respond to various questions and to give them time to reflect on the issue. The environment provided an opportunity for the interviewees to influence the response of one another. The method was somewhat subjective and biased since the answer provided by the subjects seemed to take a typical course. They did not think critically and reflect on the questions the way they would do if the items were asked privately or individually. For example, Isabel and Rico tend to provide a standard answer when they are asked about their free time. The structure of the interview puts the subject in a plain box and limit there thinking capacity.

Lack of quantitative data present in the research is a limitation of the study. It leads to the conclusion that the design of the questionnaires was not sufficient to capture time in a quantitative aspect. For instance, the study would have used questions that ask the interviews to respond to their daily schedule of time in terms of hours. This gives the interviewer time to think and reflect on their daily routine. Therefore, the research can obtain refined data that can be analyzed mathematically. The use of quantitative data reduces chances of biasness and ambiguity in the study.

Expanding on the Scope of the Project

Although the research focused on time in terms of the free time available for the athletes, there are other factors which are of great importance that affect the free time and socialization of athletes. Financial capacity, for example, is a factor that affects time which in turn affects the socialization of both the student-athletes and non-student athletes. Non-student athletes have to work hard to serve their families and still create time to practice. The situation would be different for athletes with diverse financial background or social status. Thus, this kind of study builds on the project by examining the effect of social status and financial capacity of both the student-athletes and non-student athletes.

Students study different courses that have unique demands in terms of time spent on classwork. A study on the effect of various classes on the social life of a student will help build on the research. It provides credible information that is useful when determining the rate at which students in a particular course participate in co-curriculum activities. The study will help in examining the effect of different classes on the ability of students to participate in activities like athletics.