Update on the "Name Game": Investigating the Names of Canadian Academic Units of Physical Education/Kinesiology

• In Event: 49.088 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 49.088-16 - Researching "Name Games," Digital Data, and Pedagogies of Improvisation in Physical Education

Abstract

There is no consensus on a name for academic units in the discipline of physical education/kinesiology, but rather there are various names in use. This ‘name game’ sends unfavorable messages to outsiders about the coherence of the discipline. This research investigated the name game in Canada and draws comparisons to the United States and Europe. Descriptive statistical analysis of full title and key word frequency was conducted. The results reveal a Canadian trend towards the term ‘Kinesiology’ and away from ‘Physical Education,’ and also that a variety of titles are employed inconsistently. These results suggest that the name game is still alive in Canada, and also that there is little consistency between Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Authors

• Jenna Rebecca Lorusso, The University of Western Ontario

• Nancy R. Francis, Brock University

• Anna Lathrop