ERIC Number: EJ1077365
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1947-380X
EISSN: N/A
The Nature of Coupling with Intercollegiate Athletic Departments: Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program Directors' Perceptions
Roiger, Trevor C.; Card, Karen A.
Athletic Training Education Journal, v7 n3 p115-128 Jul-Sep 2012
Context: Coupling theory, based on a tight-loose continuum, describes the nature of a connection, relationship, or interaction between entities. Understanding the nature of an ATEP's relationship with intercollegiate athletic departments is important to their growth and responsiveness to environmental change. Objective: To determine program directors' general perceptions of coupling, as well as perceptions of coupling relative to personnel, physical resources, and financial resources. Design: Descriptive, exploratory. Setting: CAATE accredited undergraduate ATEPs. Participants: The participants were 151 program directors from CAATE accredited undergraduate ATEPs. Data Collection and Analysis: Program directors were queried regarding their perceptions of coupling between the ATEP and the host institution's athletic department relative to 5 subscales: general perceptions, personnel, equipment, facilities, and financial resources.Descriptive statistics were used to provide institutional and program director profiles. Composite means were used to determine the perceived degree of coupling relative to the 5 subscales. ANOVA (post-hoc analysis, p < 0.05) and independent paired samples t tests determined differences in program directors' perceptions of coupling based on individual and institutional characteristics. Results: Program directors perceived moderate generalized, equipment, and personnel coupling, and slight coupling relative to facilities and financial resources. Significant differences were related to years of program direction experience, role orientation, institutional athletic affiliation, school or college affiliation, and funding source. Conclusions: Program directors perceive a tighter degree of generalized coupling than coupling specific to equipment, facilities, personnel, or financial resources. Institutional and program director characteristics may influence perceptions of coupling.
Descriptors: Allied Health Occupations Education, Athletics, College Athletics, Intercollegiate Cooperation, Administrators, Undergraduate Study, Administrator Attitudes, Employees, Equipment, Facilities, Financial Support, Mixed Methods Research, Administrator Surveys
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A