The importance of an organic process in ethnographic research: Working with children in a physical activity setting

Background: In comparison to adult-centred research in physical activity, there are far fewer studies which concentrate on hearing children’s voices in physical activity research (Noonan et al. 2016). Additionally, despite a number of studies which utilise a child-centred approach, the number of papers which concentrate on the complexities when conducting research with young people are extremely limited. Purpose: To consider power relationships between adult researchers and young participants. Also, to provide empirical examples of considerations related to an organic research process and the complexities that may arise in research with children. Data Collection and Analysis: An ethnographic approach is deemed useful when conducting research with children (Davis and Watson 2017), but particular considerations need to be taken into account as an adult conducting research with young people. The data for this paper was drawn from a year-long ethnographic study with junior korfball players (aged 11-13 years of age). The study involved participant observation where the researcher’s role was ‘coaches’ help’. Nine semi-structured interviews took place 10-months into the study, and numerous informal conversations occurred throughout the research. Some of Foucault’s ideas related power were utilised to discuss the way relationships were negotiated with children to maintain a child-centred approach to the research. Final Thoughts: Adopting an organic approach to research may help reduce young participants’ perceptions of adult power. Adopting a Foucauldian lens can also heighten awareness of power divisions and aid the researcher’s sensitivity to their own use of techniques of power whilst in the field. Additionally, an organic approach can also help facilitate child-centred research which empowers participants and supports their voices being heard

The impact of wellbeing on the physical activities of occupational therapy (OT) for a child with dyspraxia

Background and purpose. Structured and supervised physical activities (such as OT) that a child engages within their day are included within the domain of Physical Education according to Bailey (2005). The research considers such OT physical activities and presents a case study of one child with dyspraxia who has daily OT over the period three school terms. The purpose of the study was to consider the impact of wellbeing on the physical activities involved in the OT. This research questions how the child’s wellbeing (linked to parental attachment, friendships and feelings) impacts the physical activities of her OT sessions. For the case study child, she had poor: coordination; body awareness; organisation skills and her OT programme focused on the inhibition of reflexes (resisted crawl and cat). Methods A case study design was used, as Jupp (2006) reports this is a way in which researchers can collect multidimensional data through observations within the OT sessions, (her ability to complete cat and resisted crawl), observations within her playtimes, and wellbeing questionnaires. Structured observations were completed and data analysis was completed through coding, sorting and trend analysis. Results The biggest impact for the case study child was the holiday break. Each time she returned to boarding school and was separated from her mother her wellbeing levels had dropped dramatically to the lowest points within the school year. Conclusions and recommendations For the case study child the separation from her mother, particularly at the start of terms, was key. Within the OT sessions, the child would need to have repeated instructions, to ensure she was not distracted by her feelings of neglect. It is recommended that an innovative programme of OT is continued within the school holiday period to help prevent the drop in both wellbeing and her ability to complete the physical activities