Suggestions for Data Collection at Outdoor Recreation Sites

Survey research relies on sampling techniques that require data collectors to ask potential respondents to participate in their studies. This type of data collection occurs primarily through the mediums of mailed cover letters, telephone solicitation, email requests, Web sites, and face-to-face encounters. The purpose of this data collection guide is to provide direct, practical ideas for collecting survey data at recreation sites. A theoretical background provides a framework that is followed by specific suggestions for gaining the cooperation of respondents and collecting survey data

The Importance of Trust in Outdoor Education: Exploring the Relationship between Trust in Outdoor Leaders and Developmental Outcomes

Recent studies have acknowledged the influence of the leader in the outdoor education process and have illuminated the need for strong interpersonal relationships between participants and leaders. Developing interpersonal trust is one among many ways that leaders can promote such positive interpersonal relationships between themselves and participants. Transdisciplinary literature suggests that trust in a leader can predict outcomes that are important to outdoor education. This study found a positive relationship between trust in outdoor leaders and the course outcomes of leadership development and outdoor skills development among students of National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) courses. Implications for program implementation and theory development are discussed

Factors Influencing Particpants\u27 Trust in Outdoor Organizations and Outdoor Leaders

Trust plays a critical role in the field of outdoor education. The building of trust among participants is a common goal of outdoor educators (Honchalk, 1982; Smith, Roland, Hanes, & Hoyt, 1992; Fox & Mick, 1996) and 1s believed to influence learning outcomes (Rotter, 1967). The absence of trust in one\u27s leader may result in unrealized goals and lack of productivity (Kramer & Cook, 2004 ). The purpose of the current study was to explore, through action research, how trust is established between consumers and outdoor organizations and between participants in outdoor programs and their outdoor leaders. The identification of possible determinants of trust benefits both practitioner and organization by providing a list of positive and negative behaviors that may influence both interpersonal and organizational trust development and retention

Factors That Affect The Faith Identity Development Of Evangelical Christian College Students

There is a decided lack of research regarding the faith identity development of evangelical Christian college students within the secular, four-year, public institution. Knowledge of significant events that influence faith identity development is critical to direct practice within the field of student development. In the fall of 2003, 10 college seniors participated in open-ended interviews. This qualitative study identifies key areas of the challenge and support of student' s evangelical Christian faith identitydevelopment. Various subcategories emerged within the broader areas of challenge and support as experienced by evangelical Christian students at one southeastern, comprehensive, public institution. Careful examination and interpretation of the interview responses revealed the liberal atmosphere, exposure to new and diverse ways of thinking, and peer relationships as some of the most salient issues affecting evangelical Christian faith identity development. The findings of this study generate practical applications for practitioners and a number of implications for future research

Editor\u27s Introduction and Acknowledgments

An introduction to the journal Research in Outdoor Education, volume 8 is presented by the authors on behalf of the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Committee

Skateboard Park Participation: A Means-End Analysis

Skateboarding has become a highly visible and popular activity. However, many negative stereotypes remain associated with the activity and its participants (Jones & Graves, 2000). In contrast to the negative stereotypes, skateboarding seems to provide many individuals, and youth in particular, with an important outlet for physical activity, leisure, and personal development. The purpose of this study was to investigate why skateboarders chose to visit skateboard parks, to identify outcomes of participating in skateboarding at skateboard parks, and to identify the underlying values that guide skateboarders’ choice of this specific setting. The conceptual framework for the reported study was provided by a means-end model, which views values as the key force influencing an individual’s decision to engage in a particular behavior (Gutman, 1982; Manyiwa & Crawford, 2002). The results indicate that this sample of skateboarders received a number of important benefits and, despite stereotypical views, may seek positive outcomes through skateboarding at skateboard parks. A socio-ecological model and a positive youth development framework provide a platform for interpreting the results and implications

Contextualizing Recent Judgment and Decision-Making Concepts for Outdoor Leadership Research

At present, the literature on judgment and decision-making in outdoor leadership is either limited to (a) empirical studies that explore a particular aspect of judgment and decision-making, (b) discussions in textbooks that are designed to inform undergraduates and novices, and (c) somewhat outdated theoretical explanations of judgment and decision-making as they relate to outdoor recreation education. Collectively, these individual facets of a large and complex body of work inadequately surmise the gestalt of the present knowledge regarding judgment and decision-making. This article addresses this gap by integrating recent findings from parent disciplines to outdoor leadership and outdoor leisure pursuit contexts, primarily by adopting a “dual-process” framework. Three major themes emerge in the outdoor leadership literature, one that focuses on heuristics and biases, one that focuses on naturalistic decision-making (NDM), and one that explores differences among novice and expert outdoor leaders. These themes are considered in relation to trans-disciplinary judgment and decision-making literature. Conclusions suggest an integrated approach to understanding decision-making in outdoor leadership that focuses on the decision-making environment, the decision-maker, the type of decisions being made, and the decision-making process itself

Environmental factors affecting the predicted decisions of backcountry skiers: An examination of the obvious clues method decision aid

Avalanche accidents injure and kill outdoor winter recreationists despite widespread educational programming and effective snowpack analysis techniques. To better understand how skiers make decisions based on environmental clues, this study focused on the Obvious Clues Method (OCM) as a framework for avalanche decision-making. The OCM is a decision-making tool developed to ease the burden of decision-making in hazardous avalanche terrain. Research participants—all enrolled in an avalanche education program—indicated the likelihood that they would ski a slope based on a variety of avalanche conditions, as recommended by the OCM. Results suggest that some clues were perceived as more important in decision-making than others, that slope angle significantly influenced decision-making, and that avalanche education courses can change how people evaluate environmental factors