Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism

Jim Sibthorp, Ph.D.

Jim Sibthorp, Ph.D.

View Abridged Vitae  

Faculty Position

Associate Professor, (Adventure and Outdoor Programs, Research Methods)
Associate Director of Graduate Studies

Contact Information

Office: ANNEX 1068
Phone: (801) 581-5940
E-mail: jim.sibthorp@health.utah.edu

Degrees

Ph. D., 2000, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Major: Human Performance (Leisure Behavior). Minor: Business
Dissertation: "Instrument Validation and Multivariate Assessment of Life Skill Development in Adolescents through the Adventure Education Process."

MBA, 1994, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Major: Business

BSE, 1990, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Major: Electrical Engineering

Research Activities/Interests

Jim is primarily interested in the processes and variable interactions that make recreation programs developmental. His research focuses on theory testing and model building in adventure and outdoor education programs.

Select Publications

Shooter, W., Sibthorp, J., Paisley, K. (2009) Outdoor Leadership Skills: A Program Perspective.  Journal of Experiential Education 32 (1), 1-13.

Sibthorp, J., Paisley, K., Furman, N., & Gookin, J. (2008) Long-term impacts attributed to participation in adventure education: Preliminary findings from NOLS. Research in Outdoor Education, 9, 86-102.

Sibthorp, J., Paisley, K., Gookin, J., & Furman, N. (2008). The pedagogic value of student autonomy in adventure education.  Journal of Experiential Education 31(2), 136-151.

Ramsing, R., & Sibthorp, J. (2008). The role of autonomy support in summer camp programs: Preparing youth for productive behaviors. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 26(2), 61-77.

Sibthorp, J., Paisley, K., & Gookin, J. (2007). Exploring participant development through adventure-based recreation programming: A model from the National Outdoor Leadership School. Leisure Sciences 29(1).

Sibthorp, J. & Arthur-banning, S. (2004). Developing life effectiveness through adventure education: The roles of participant expectations, perceptions of empowerment, and learning relevance. Journal of Experiential Education 27(1), 32-50.

Sibthorp, J., Witter, E., Wells, M., Ellis, G., & Voelkl, J. (2004). Hierarchical Linear Modeling in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Research. Journal of Leisure Research 36(1), 89-100.

Sibthorp, J., Paisley, K., & Hill, E. (2003). Intentional programming in wilderness education: Revisiting its roots. Leisure Today: Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance 74(8). 21-24.

Sibthorp, J. (2003). An empirical look at Walsh and Golins' adventure education process model: Relationships between antecedent factors, perceptions of characteristics of an adventure education experience, and changes in self-efficacy. Journal of Leisure Research 35(2), 80-106.

Sibthorp, J. (2000). Measuring weather and adventure education: Exploring the instruments of adventure education research. Journal of Experiential Education 23(2). 99-107.

Ewert, A., & Sibthorp, J. (2000). Multivariate analysis in experiential education: Exploring the possibilities. Journal of Experiential Education, 23(2). 108-117.

Sibthorp, J., & Knapp, D. (1998). Evaluating short term and long term retention of experiences associated with an interpretive school field trip. Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Fourth Research Symposium Proceedings. (pp. 92-103). Bradford Woods, IN.

Courses

PRT 5735/6735, Programing for Positive Youth Development

PRT 6710, Foundations of Experiential Education

PRT 7040, Facilitation of the Recreation Experience

PRT 7101, Measurement in PRT

PRT 7104, Design and Analysis II