An Investigation of the Relationship Between Leadership Styles of Physical Education and Sports Academy Students and Different Variables (The Case of Ordu University)

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between gender, major and class level of students and their views on leadership styles. The study was carried out on students of Physical Education and Sports Academy (PESA) of Ordu University, between 2015 and 2016. PESA graduates work for schools, sports clubs and in different areas of sports as teachers, coaches, managers and sports writers. They exhibit various features of leadership in order to enable students, athletes or other individuals engaging in sports to achieve set goals and teach them to develop necessary behavioral patterns to sustain their success.The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between gender, major and class level of PESA students and their views on leadership styles. The study was carried out with a total of 251 participants; 116 (46.2%) women and 125 (53.8%) men. The Leadership Style test scale developed by Frew et al. (1977) and adapted to Turkish by Konter (1996) was used to assess this relationship. Data were analyzed using the SPSS, version 20. Frequency distributions were used to determine the demographic characteristics of the students. A chi-square analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the independent variables and leadership styles. The results indicate that there is no statistically significant relationship between students’ gender and class levels and their views on leadership styles.The results show that there is a statistically significant relationship between students’ majors and their views on leadership styles. Management students show features of moderately democratic leadership and features of very democratic leadership while teaching students do not. Another noteworthy finding is that students mainly display mixed features of leadership. It is suggested that courses on leadership be included in the curriculum of physical education and sports departments. Seminars, panels, congresses, etc. should be held to inform students on leadership and, moreover, they should be encouraged to participate in scientific studies.This study was orally presented at the 9th International Education Research Congress held at Ordu University between 11 and 14 May, 2017.

Keywords: Leadership, Physical Education, Teacher, Sports Manager, Leadership Style