Examination of middle school students' attitudes towards volleyball

Aim: This study aimed to examine middle school students' attitudes toward volleyball. Material and Method: The research was designed using a descriptive survey model, a quantitative research method. The research population consisted of 29838 students enrolled in middle schools in Elazığ province during the 2024-2025 academic year, while the sample consisted of 500 middle school students. The volleyball attitude scale for middle school students, developed by Böke and Güllü, was used as the data collection tool. Data obtained from the scale were analyzed using the SPSS 25.00 package program. Normality analysis of the data was performed using skewness-kurtosis and the Kolmogorov-Smirnova test, and parametric tests demonstrating normal distribution were used. Participant characteristics were interpreted using frequency, mean, and standard deviation values. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted on the obtained data. According to the results of the exploratory factor analysis conducted on the usability of the scale, the scale's usability KMO value was found to be (0.946), and the sphericity value (Bartlett's Test X2: 4945.349; p<0.000). The Essence of the scale (8.632) was determined to explain (variance) 53.94%. Result: Based on the responses of middle school students to the volleyball attitude scale, significant differences were found based on variables such as gender, grade, grade point average, availability of a gym at school, sports participation, sports club membership, licensed athlete status, and duration of sports participation. However, no significant differences were found in variables such as father and mother's education level and family income level. Conclusion: It was concluded that the students generally exhibited positive attitudes towards volleyball. Further improving the physical conditions of volleyball and encouraging students' regular participation in volleyball would contribute to the maintenance of these positive attitudes. Keywords: Sports, Volleyball, Students' attitudes towards volleyball