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Sport Books Publisher 1
Introduction to Research Methods
Chapter 22
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Outline
Research Defined The Scientific Method Validity of Research Types of Research Characteristics of the Researcher Ethics in Human Participant Research Preparing a Research Project Writing the Research Report Poster Presentation
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Research Defined
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Logical, methodological procedure for solving problems and discovering
knowledge
Means by which information is gathered to develop new knowledge (e.g., better ways to treat disease) and to enhance our abilities to make sensible decisions
(e.g., which university to attend)
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Misconceptions About Research
More far reaching than the narrow-minded vision of scientists in lab coats conducting complex and dangerous experiments
Need not be technical or require sophisticated apparatus
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How is Research Useful to Me? Understanding what makes research legitimate
and identifying limitations of a study can allow one to:– Recognize misleading claims– Distinguish between fact and fiction– Increase the ability to utilize appropriate facts
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The Scientific Method
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Involves logical organization in answering questions and interpreting data
Steps involved in scientific method using Dynavision as an example:
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State the problem
State the testable hypothesis
Plan the methods
Carry out the study
Analyze data using statistics
State the conclusionsState a new research
question
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The Scientific Method
Is based on logical organization and clearly defined measurement techniques
Makes results more accurate Other, less scientific methods:
– Trial and error– Tradition– Emotion
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Validity of Research
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Internal Validity
The overall quality and design of the research including:– The accuracy of measurements made– Proper statistics being used– Whether limitations were minimized
Reliable measurements, tight controls, etc. make a study more valid
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External Validity
A study’s generalizability, or potential application to general population
The degree do which the results of the study can be used in other conditions
No statistical value give to quantify it
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Types of Research
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Laboratory Research• Highly controlled environment
• Higher internal validity
• Lower external validity
Field Research• Outside of tight controls
• Lower internal validity
• Higher external validity
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Basic Research• Without a specific purpose
• Conducted for gaining knowledge alone
Degree of specificity of research question
Low
Hig
h
Applied Research• With a specific purpose
• Conducted for answering a specific question
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Characteristics of the Researcher
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Open-mindedness
Knowledge
Intellectual curiosityPerseverance
Honesty
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Ethics in Human Participant Research
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Every university and hospital has a panel of experts called Institutional review board (IRB)
This board ensures that human participants do not face any undue risk during a study
i.e., that the study is ethical
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Rights to the Participants
Informed consent– Provision of sufficient information and
comprehension of a study Confidentiality
– Anonymity of participation and results Safe treatment
– Potential risks and discomforts are minimized Knowledge of results
– Investigator provides feedback of results
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Preparing a Research Project
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Obtaining References Primary references:
– Original book, article, or report– Provide more precise and detailed information
Secondary references: – Original work is mentioned by someone else– Bias transferred from author to reader– Use only when primary sources not available
Library research– Can be quick and efficient due to
• Bibliographies, indexes, and reviews• Computer database indexes (Sport Discus, Medline)
and journals
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Selected Journals in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER)
Adapted Physical Activity QuarterlyInternational Journal of Sport SociologyInternational Journal of Sport BiomechanicsJournal of Health PromotionJournal of Philosophy of SportJournal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Journal of Sport PsychologyJournal of Sports Medicine and Physical FitnessMedicine and Science in Sports and ExercisePerceptual and Motor SkillsQuestResearch Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
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The Art of Research Writing Good writing should be clear, simple, concise,
unambiguous, and make reading enjoyable Writing should involve:
– Planning ahead– Outline– Keeping dictionary and
thesaurus handy– Reviewing several times– Avoiding plagiarism– Using grammar and spell check– Choice of words (simple and correct)
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Writing the Research Report
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Title
Should convey the precise intent of the study– potential readers will be
able to determine whether or not the study is related to their interests
– computer search for related information is easier
Should be 10 to 15 words long
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Abstract Short, concisely worded
summary of – What the study is about– Intended purpose– Participants involved– Methods– Results– Conclusions
Generally limited to 100 to 150 words
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Introduction Should present the problem under
consideration and reveal the value of the study
Its main purpose is to justify the need for the study and to describe how it will highlight the research question under examination
1. Start with a brief outline of the existing relevant literature
2. Narrow the discussion to a specific aspect being examined
3. The last part: “The purpose of this study is to…”
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Statement of Research Hypothesis Research hypothesis:
– General statement that summarizes, in one or more sentences, the overall purpose of the study or what the expected outcome is
It does not require the word “hypothesis” being mentioned because it is often implied by the purpose of the study itself
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Review of Literature
Written in past tense Provides background highlighting what has
already been done and what is known Lays the groundwork for the hypothesis Should be primarily on recent articles and
ideas Should NOT summarize one study per
paragraph Instead it should be organized around
concepts or themes
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Methods
Information regarding how the study was conducted
Provides enough detail necessary to replicate the experiment
Precise and complete yet compact Includes:
– Subjects– How measurements are made– Apparatus– Procedure followed (chronological)– Statistical analyses
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Results
Begins with summarized data in table or figure form in order to simplify large amount of data
States whether the hypothesis was accepted or rejected based on the appropriate statistics
The data stands on its own, no interpretation is given here
Brief and concise
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Discussion
1. Interprets the results and links them to the general problem outlined in the introduction– Attempts to explain the findings and to put them
in perspective with respect to other studies
2. Limitations– Extraneous variables, duration, participants, etc.
3. Implications – Applying the results to real world experiences– Careful about applying the findings of a single
study
4. Recommendations– Improvements to the current study (variations in
the participants, alternative methods, etc.)
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Summary
Concludes the research report Provides:
– Brief overview of the need for the study– Statement of the problem– Methods– Main findings
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References
Sources used in the preparation of a research paper
Referencing in the text:– Using one referencing style– APA style: Magill (1979) or (Magill, 1979)– Keep citation close to the point
Reference section:– End of the paper– Listed alphabetically (APA) or in order of
appearance
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Poster Presentation
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Alternative way of presenting research Contains same major sections as research
paper Benefits:
– Allows for more creativity and imagination– Easier to complete– More visually appealing– Makes viewing and discussing simpler
Points to keep in mind:– Title that catches attention– Large and dark print for clarity– Simple and uncluttered tables and
figures– Strong visual contrast– Use your imagination
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