Kinesiology, Sport, Etc.: International Diversity of Department and College Names

Background/Purpose: Department names and college affiliations reflect many things (e.g., mission, politics, purpose). In the United States, the field of exercise, sport, and physical activity has accumulated numerous department names and college affiliations. This study’s purpose was to gain an international perspective on the organizational structure of the field.

Method: Corresponding authors from one of seven English speaking countries (i.e., Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States) were identified using a stratified-random sample of journal articles (n = 139) published in 10 different kinesiology-focused journals between 2008-2012. Their department and college names were recorded. Where multiple names in the title occurred (e.g., Exercise and Sport Science), only the first name was used. Chi-square tests of independence, with Bonferroni correction, were used to assess associations. For variables with low expected values (n≤ 5), Monte Carlo simulation was applied.

Analysis/Results: Of the seven different types of department names, the most frequently used were Kinesiology (27%) and Sport (27%). However, the United States accounted for 73% of Kinesiology (χ² = 116.43, p < 0.001), while the United Kingdom accounted for 78% of Sport (χ²  = 125.89, p < 0.001), with neither country utilizing the other name. Across all countries, Sport was also the most popular department name, used in every country except Canada and the United States. With five each, the dispersion of department names within Australia and the US was the largest, followed by Canada and South Africa with four each.  There were nine different names of colleges represented, the most popular being Health/Medical (35%) followed by Education (18%). Colleges of Educations were most prevalent in the United States (χ² = 106.00, p< 0.001), accounting for 82%. Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States had six different college affiliations, followed by Australia with five.

Conclusions: Names significantly differ depending on the country or region, reflecting both historical roots and future ambitions. However, this has created some unique arrangements. For example, within North America, the department names reflect a “scientific” approach, but the departments are primarily located in colleges of Education, especially in the United States. In addition, the United Kingdom’s strong association with Sport, at both the department and college level, shows the word’s inclusivity, which is not reflected in other countries. These results provide faculty, administrators, and professional organizations an international scope of the field’s organizational structure and lack of consensus/unity.