An Exploratory Study of Selected Social Media Perceptions Among Current and Former Student-Athletes, Coaches and Athletic Department Personnel

Derrick Bullard, Fayetteville State University

Abstract

The mixed methods study was an exploratory study of selected social media perceptions among current and former student-athletes, coaches, and athletic department personnel. With social media's colossal attention and growth, athletic departments now use social media as an identity. With this new identity comes an understanding of what perceptions are associated with social media. The study used a mixed methodology survey research approach with a qualitative narrative design that involved recorded interviews with student-athletes, coaches, and athletic directors. In addition, a web-based survey was launched to analyze social media perceptions of student-athletes, coaches, and athletic department personnel. The study included 40 participants from the quantitative analysis ranging from current and former athletes, coaches, and other athletic personnel. The data from the study was triangulated to see what correlations lie with the social media perceptions among athletes, coaches, and athletic department personnel. The researcher's data analyses showed overlapping themes and similarities between participant groups. From the responses of the selected participants, the coded themes regarding social media usage included themes of Problematic and Accountability. As a result of the selected findings and limitations, future research may provide valid and reliable evidence of how social media has changed the makeup of college athletics.

Subject Area

Educational leadership|Kinesiology|Education|Physical education

Recommended Citation

Bullard, Derrick, "An Exploratory Study of Selected Social Media Perceptions Among Current and Former Student-Athletes, Coaches and Athletic Department Personnel" (2023). ETD Collection for Fayetteville State University. AAI30487317.
https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/dissertations/AAI30487317

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