Enhancing pay quality: Development of a physical environment rating scale for children's folk games in chinese neighborhoods

Zhao, Xin1 ; Hussain, Norhuzailin1 ; Abdul Shukor, Shureen Faris1

Published Aug 27, 2024 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2547d7x14

Data files

Aug 27, 2024 version files 14.84 KB

Large_sample_data_434.sav

9.56 KB
README.md

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale for evaluating the physical environment of children’s folk games in Chinese neighborhoods, emphasizing that modern residential environments should be designed to accommodate folk games, thereby ensuring their sustainable development. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with parents, and thematic analysis was used to identify folk games’ names and environmental characteristics. This was followed by an assessment of content validity and a pilot study to refine the scale’s items and dimensions. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to validate the scale’s reliability and validity by data collected from 434 urban parents with children aged 3 to 12 to establish the scale’s structure. The analysis identified a three-factor scale consisting of Usable Natural Elements, Flexible Planar Arrangements, and Usable Boundaries, each with three to five measurement items. The scale demonstrated robust fit indices (χ²/df = 1.823, RMSEA = 0.044, SRMR = 0.034, CFI = 0.979, IFI = 0.979, NFI = 0.954). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for these factors were 0.844, 0.837, and 0.854, respectively. The Children’s Folk Games Physical Environment Rating Scale (CFGS) provides an effective tool for understanding perceptions of folk game environments. It offers practical guidance for designing more engaging play folk game spaces. Future research should explore the scale’s applicability across different cultural contexts and deal with the diversified adaptability of children’s folk game behaviors.

README: Enhancing pay quality: Development of a physical environment rating scale for children's folk games in chinese neighborhoods

https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2547d7x14

Description of transcription_of_an_interview_en

This dataset comprises interview results related to the physical environment of children's folk games, originally conducted in Chinese and translated here into English. A total of 21 participants were interviewed using the same semi-structured format. Researchers manually coded the interview content, annotating it to provide initial conceptual information for the development of items and dimensions in subsequent scale research.

Description of large_sample_data_434

This dataset pertains to the measurement items and dimensions of a physical environment scale for children's folk games, encompassing data from four representative residential neighborhoods in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China. A valid sample of 434 parents, whose children range from 3 to 12 years old, was collected for this study. Researchers conducted basic descriptive statistical analyses and multivariate linear regression analyses using the acquired data, successfully identifying three characteristic dimensions of the physical environment for children's folk games: Usable natural elements (UN), Flexible planar arrangements (FP), Usable boundaries (UB).

The structured questionnaire was then developed using a nominal continuous scale and incorporated a 5-point Likert scale for conceptual measurements. Participants were asked to rate the quality of your outdoor play environment for folk games, with 1 representing "not met", 2 representing "slightly met", 3 representing "moderately met", 4 representing "met", and 5 representing "totally met".

Note: The dataset also includes some extraneous variables that are not directly related to this study. Although these variables are not immediately relevant, researchers plan to conduct further studies to refine the relationships among variables related to children's folk games. Therefore, the following content will only explain the data names and variables that are pertinent to this study.

Table 1 Dimensional Variable Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Full Term	Items
UN	Usable natural elements	UN1, UN2, UN3, UN4, UN5
FP	Flexible Planar Arrangements	FP1, FP2, FP3
UB	Usable boundaries	UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4, UB5

Table 2 Measurement item content

Items	Item content
UN1	The environment here offers a variety of plants to pick from (e.g., flowers, branch, leaves, etc.).
UN2	The outdoor environment features soft ground or sand that is suitable for children's play.
UN3	Insects that can be captured are occasionally found in the outdoor environment.
UN4	The outdoor environment naturally features scattered small pebbles or gravel.
UN5	The environment can utilize natural phenomena such as fallen leaves, rain puddles, accumulated snow, and icy surfaces.
FP1	The environment here includes road spaces suitable for outdoor activities.
FP2	The environment here features loop spaces that are available for outdoor activities.
FP3	The environment here includes open spaces available for outdoor activities.
UB1	The pedestrian pathways on both sides allow children to cross without obstruction.
UB2	The floors of the outdoor public spaces are designed with accessible boundaries and can be easily traversed by children.
UB3	The environment here includes accessible vertical interfaces such as wall surfaces and structures.
UB4	Artificial structures, such as architectural walls and other constructions, are strategically placed to provide cover or concealment during gaming activities.
UB5	Natural landscapes, such as shrubbery, trees, and uneven terrain, can obstruct sight or provide hiding spots during gaming activities.