Research Study: Parents and Underage Sport (2020)
Surpass Sport Systems have commissioned a study with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology into “Parent attitudes in relation to Underage Sport in Ireland” and is now inviting responses from every parent with children aged 4 to 18 years.
Purpose of the study
This study seeks to understand how parental attitudes and perceptions shape the physical training and athletic development of children in sport. This project is part of the final year requirements for my Bachelor of Science degree.
The questionnaire linked below will be used within a mixed methodology study where quantitative research helps to assess prevalence and frequencies of sporting engagement and the level of involvement of both children and parents.
Qualitative research helps to interpret behaviours concerning coaches, education, barriers to participation, specialisation and drop out. I will see if the prevailing attitudes align with current best practice recommendations within the Sport Science literature.
Do I have to take part?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, you are asked to confirm your Consent below. If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. A decision to withdraw at any time, or a decision not to take part, will not affect your rights in any way.
What do I have to do?
The survey is encoded on a secure web-page (https://sur.ie/7ySJyA) and is expected to take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Complete the survey using your own opinions. If you wish, your spouse or partner can also undertake the survey.
What are the possible benefits in taking part?
To the best of our knowledge, there are no published studies which address this specific topic using these methods. The survey is being rolled out to a wide cross section of modern Irish society and analysis of the resulting data will be beneficial to children, schools, clubs, and the scientific community. The survey will open up a discussion in the home and amongst parents which will, at the very least, draw attention of the significance of their attitudes. Comparisons may be made in future studies to different age groups, nationalities, or socioeconomic backgrounds.
What are the possible risks of taking part?
Participation will pose no risk to the responder. The participants can fill out this online survey in their own time using their own computer or other location of their choosing. Every effort has been made to ensure that the questions are not of a sensitive nature.
What happens if I change my mind during the study?
You are free to withdraw your participation at any stage, without the requirement to provide reasons for your withdrawal.
What happens at the end of the study?
At the end of the study the information will be used to present results, but the information will be completely anonymised. All data gathered from the research will be held by the principal investigator for up to 3 years in a password‐protected computer at G.M.I.T. The results of the final year project will be available to participants on written request to the Principal Investigator.
After my degree has been conferred, plans for the dissemination of the final research product include conferences, publications, and teaching use.
Whom do I contact for more information or if I have further concerns?
Enda Butler
Sport & Exercise Science, Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Computing,
Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland.
Phone: +353-83-3108988 Email: g00352161@gmit.ie
If you have any concerns about this study and wish to contact someone independent and in confidence, you may contact:
Dr. Lisa Ryan, Head of Department of Natural Sciences, GMIT.