Reading Habits and Attitudes of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services Professionals

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Reading Habits and Attitudes of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services Professionals
Language: English
Authors: Choi, Hong Suk, Liang, Yating, Jordan, Deb
Source: Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education. 2011 26(1):49-62.
Availability: Sagamore Publishing LLC. 1807 North Federal Drive, Urbana, IL 61801. Tel: 800-327-5557; Tel: 217-359-5940; Fax: 217-359-5975; e-mail: journals@sagamorepub.com; Web site: http://js.sagamorepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2011
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Reading Habits, Recreation, Reading Attitudes, Parks, Leisure Time, Leisure Education, Periodicals, Citation Analysis, Recreational Reading
ISSN: 1937-156X
Abstract: This study examined recent reading practices and beliefs of parks, recreation, and leisure services professionals. For many years, faculty members have engaged in informal discussions at professional meetings and in journals about the need to bridge the gap between academicians and practitioners in terms of moving research findings into practice. At present, the primary methods for disseminating research results are through publication (in journals) and conferences (research symposia). While direct assessments have not occurred, academicians often wonder who is reading the research journals. The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine how often respondents read which periodicals, (2) ascertain reading frequencies of specific journal content, and (3) examine respondents' attitudes toward the publication and dissemination of research. After sending electronic surveys to 2000 NRPA members, 850 practitioners and academicians supplied usable data. A large majority of respondents rarely or never read research-based periodicals; the most frequently read journal among all respondents was "Parks & Recreation Magazine." The most common types of information read by respondents were professional issues, full-length articles, and legal issues columns. The majority of respondents agreed that research articles should include a section about implications for practice, and that practitioners should read research to stay current in the field. (Contains 4 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 23
Entry Date: 2012
Access URL: https://js.sagamorepub.com/schole/article/view/2090
Accession Number: EJ958902
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study examined recent reading practices and beliefs of parks, recreation, and leisure services professionals. For many years, faculty members have engaged in informal discussions at professional meetings and in journals about the need to bridge the gap between academicians and practitioners in terms of moving research findings into practice. At present, the primary methods for disseminating research results are through publication (in journals) and conferences (research symposia). While direct assessments have not occurred, academicians often wonder who is reading the research journals. The purposes of this study were to: (1) determine how often respondents read which periodicals, (2) ascertain reading frequencies of specific journal content, and (3) examine respondents' attitudes toward the publication and dissemination of research. After sending electronic surveys to 2000 NRPA members, 850 practitioners and academicians supplied usable data. A large majority of respondents rarely or never read research-based periodicals; the most frequently read journal among all respondents was "Parks & Recreation Magazine." The most common types of information read by respondents were professional issues, full-length articles, and legal issues columns. The majority of respondents agreed that research articles should include a section about implications for practice, and that practitioners should read research to stay current in the field. (Contains 4 tables.)
ISSN:1937-156X