Research Trends in Physical Education in Small Schools

Abstract

PURPOSE This study aimed to analyze research trends in physical education within small schools from 1992 to the present, offering insights and directions for future research in this domain.METHODS To achieve this objective, we gathered data from 22 domestic journals utilizing keywords such as “small school,” “combined class,” “farming and fishing village,” “physical education,” and “sports.” Subsequently, the collected data encompassing topics, keywords, methods, subjects, and research areas, were organized using Excel. We employed the Word-Cloud program for the analysis of frequency by period and subject words by period.RESULTS Trends in physical education within small schools were categorized into three primary aspects: subject, method, and research area. Firstly, concerning research topics, the predominant focus centered on the application of teaching and learning as well as the curriculum management, with less emphasis on pre-service and incumbent teachers. Secondly, research methods shifted from quantitative to qualitative approaches starting in the 2000s. However, the utilization of qualitative research methods displayed limited diversity. Lastly, we analyzed the research area by classifying it into the region where the research subject is situated and the region to which the researcher belongs. The Gyeongsang and Gangwon regions constituted the majority in both categories, with over half of the researchers hailing from Gyeongbuk.CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the growing necessity for research into physical activity within small schools, given the increasing proportion of such institutions. It offers valuable insights for future research endeavors in the realm of physical activity within small schools.