Date of Graduation

Spring 2010

Degree

Master of Science in Early Childhood and Family Development

Department

Early Childhood and Family Development

Committee Chair

Joanna Cemore Brigden

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant relationship between television viewing and perception of academic achievement for children. The hypothesis that guided this study was that there would be a significant relationship between children's amount of television viewing and the perception of their academic achievement. Forty participants from after-school programs in Southwest Missouri completed this study. The participants ranged from grades fourth through twelve. The researcher-constructed survey was given out at after-school programs for the participants to complete. The questions included both structured (e.g. sex , grade level, when watching television how do you feel); and unstructured items (e.g. what is your favorite show on television, when you have free time what is your favorite thing to do). Descriptive analysis of the data is reported in addition to chi square analysis that examined the relationship of television viewing and perception of academic achievement. The relationship was not found to be significant at a p = 0.05 level. Recommendations for future research include: allowing the participants to write in the amount of television hours viewed, adding a qualitative research component, using agencies and organizations that have differing hours of operation, allowing parents and children to complete surveys, and use an academic tool in the study (i.e. grade card, GPA).

Keywords

television, media, academics, children, after-school organizations

Subject Categories

Child Psychology

Copyright

© Dollie Amanda Lynette Davis

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