Research Methods in Physical Activity

by Thomas, Jerry R.

• ISBN13: 9780736056205
• ISBN10: 0736056203
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-26
• Publisher: Human Kinetics

Summary

Many students fear and loathe research methods classes, which conjure up images of musty, dusty books, boredom, and confusion. Students have a welcome surprise waiting for them with Research Methods in Physical Activity, Fifth Edition,as the text effortlessly guides them through the research process.This latest edition of this internationally recognized textbook does not rest on its laurels as the leading research methods text. The authors have updated the resource in order to provide the following benefits:-Shed new light on the research process, particularly regarding use of library facilities-Enhance students'understanding of basic statistical calculations and the relevance of their uses-Present a major revision to the chapter on qualitative research and contributions from eminent scholars to the chapters on historical, epidemiology, and philosophic research-Increase students'understanding of how to write research reports-Carry the readers through the book by introducing three graduate students studying research methods, one of whom brings a special comical spin to the material In addition, the text presents a new chapter on using power to plan and interpret research and provides information on traditional perspectives and alternative approaches to the research process. As a result, readers-understand the essentials of the research process;-appreciate statistical analyses common to research studies;-learn the basics of planning research and linking appropriate statistical packages with specific research designs;-discover how to bring together all the components of the research process and lay them out, in appropriate formats, for dissemination to user groups; and-gain access to a variety of tools to present or reinforce concepts presented in the book. Research Methods in Physical Activity, Fifth Edition,retains its strengths from the previous edition. The text is arranged in four parts that systematically guide the reader through the research process. It introduces readers to statistical and measurement issues in research and presents various types of, and approaches to, research. The new edition helps readers understand the complete research process, and it thoroughly arms them with practical research tools. For instructors teaching a research methods course, an instructor guide, test package, and presentation package specific to the textbook are available.Research Methods in Physical Activity, Fifth Edition, demonstrates that research processes are not to be feared. To the contrary, they are useful tools to be used by students and professionals. This point is emphasized as authors regularly use humorous anecdotes, sketches, and corollaries to enliven the reading and drive home key points. This text removes the fear and confusion often associated with the research process and shines a light on all the aspects of research that readers need to knowwhether it's reading, understanding, planning, carrying out, writing, or presenting research.

Author Biography

Jerry R. Thomas, EdD, has taught elementary physical education methods and children's motor development for more than 30 years. Currently, he is professor and chair of the department of health and human performance at Iowa State University. Jack K. Nelson, EdD, is professor emeritus at Louisiana State University. For 18 years, he was the director of graduate studies in the department of health, physical education, recreation, and dance at Louisiana State University.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
Part I Overview of the Research Process	1	(94)
Introduction to Research in Physical Activity	3	(22)
The Nature of Research	3	(7)
Unscientific Versus Scientific Methods of Problem Solving	10	(4)
Alternative Models of Research	14	(3)
Types of Research	17	(3)
Overview of the Research Process	20	(2)
Summary	22	(3)
Developing the Problem and Using the Literature	25	(26)
Identifying the Research Problem	25	(4)
Purpose of the Literature Review	29	(2)
Basic Literature Search Strategies	31	(1)
Steps in the Literature Search	32	(17)
Summary	49	(2)
Presenting the Problem	51	(12)
Choosing the Title	51	(1)
Writing the Introduction	52	(2)
Stating the Research Problem	54	(2)
Presenting the Research Hypothesis	56	(1)
Operationally Defining Your Terms	57	(1)
Basic Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations	58	(1)
Justifying the Significance of the Study	59	(2)
The Differences Between the Thesis and the Research Article	61	(1)
Summary	61	(2)
Formulating the Method	63	(14)
How to Present Methodological Details	64	(1)
Why Planning the Method Is Important	64	(1)
Two Principles for Planning Experiments	64	(1)
Describing Participants	65	(2)
Describing Instruments	67	(1)
Describing Procedures	68	(4)
Describing Design and Analysis	72	(1)
Establishing Cause and Effect	73	(1)
Interaction of Participants, Measurements, and Treatments	74	(1)
Summary	75	(2)
Ethical Issues in Research and Scholarship	77	(18)
Seven Areas of Scientific Dishonesty	77	(6)
Ethical Issues Regarding Copyright	83	(2)
Model for Considering Scientific Misconduct	85	(1)
Working With Faculty	86	(2)
Protecting Human Participants	88	(2)
Protecting Animal Subjects	90	(1)
Summary	91	(4)
Part II Statistical and Measurement Concepts in Research	95	(118)
Becoming Acquainted With Statistical Concepts	97	(16)
Why We Need Statistics	97	(2)
Use of Computers in Statistical Analysis	99	(1)
Description and Inference Are Not Statistical Techniques	99	(1)
Ways to Select a Sample	99	(2)
Justifying Post Hoc Explanations	101	(1)
Difficulty of Random Sampling and Assignment: How Good Does It Have to Be?	101	(1)
Unit of Analysis	102	(1)
Measures of Central Tendency and Variability	103	(4)
Basic Concepts of Statistical Techniques	107	(3)
Summary	110	(3)
Statistical Issues in Research Planning and Evaluation	113	(12)
Probability	113	(2)
Meaningfulness (Effect Size)	115	(1)
Power	116	(3)
Using Information in the Context of the Study	119	(3)
Reporting Statistical Data	122	(1)
Summary	123	(2)
Relationships Among Variables	125	(22)
What Correlational Research Investigates	125	(1)
Understanding the Nature of Correlation	126	(6)
What the Coefficient of Correlation Means	132	(3)
Using Correlation for Prediction	135	(3)
Partial Correlation	138	(1)
Uses of Semipartial Correlation	139	(1)
Procedures for Multiple Regression	139	(2)
Multivariate Forms of Correlation	141	(3)
Summary	144	(3)
Differences Among Groups	147	(32)
How Statistics Test Differences	147	(2)
Types of t Tests	149	(5)
Interpreting t	154	(3)
Relationship of t and r	157	(1)
Analysis of Variance	157	(14)
Analysis of Covariance	171	(1)
Experimentwise Error Rate	171	(1)
Understanding Multivariate Techniques	172	(4)
Summary	176	(3)
Nonparametric Techniques	179	(14)
Chi Square: Testing the Observed Versus the Expected	181	(4)
Procedures for Rank-Order Data	185	(1)
Correlation	186	(2)
Differences Among Groups	188	(3)
Summary	191	(2)
Measuring Research Variables	193	(20)
Validity	193	(4)
Reliability	197	(3)
Methods of Establishing Reliability	200	(2)
Intertester Reliability (Objectivity)	202	(1)
Standard Error of Measurement	202	(2)
Using Standard Scores to Compare Performance	204	(1)
Measuring Movement	205	(1)
Measuring Written Responses	205	(1)
Measuring Affective Behavior	205	(2)
Scales for Measuring Affective Behavior	207	(2)
Measuring Knowledge	209	(1)
Item Response Theory	210	(1)
Summary	211	(2)
Part III Types of Research	213	(152)
Historical Research in Physical Activity	215	(16)
Research Paradigms	215	(2)
Lines of Inquiry and Topics	217	(3)
Designing the Research	220	(1)
Working With the Evidence	220	(8)
Summary	228	(3)
Philosophic Research in Physical Activity	231	(16)
Identifying the Purposes of Philosophic Research	232	(3)
Locating a Research Problem	235	(1)
Analyzing a Research Problem	236	(7)
Summary	243	(4)
Research Synthesis (Meta-Analysis)	247	(22)
Using Meta-Analysis to Synthesize Research	248	(8)
Presenting Effect Size Data	256	(1)
Summary	257	(12)
The Survey	269	(18)
The Questionnaire	269	(11)
The Delphi Method	280	(1)
The Personal Interview	281	(3)
The Normative Survey	284	(1)
Summary	284	(3)
Other Descriptive Research Methods	287	(14)
Developmental Research	287	(3)
The Case Study	290	(3)
Job Analysis	293	(1)
Observational Research	293	(4)
Unobtrusive Research Techniques	297	(1)
Correlational Research	298	(1)
Summary	299	(2)
Physical Activity Epidemiology Research	301	(20)
Observational Versus Experimental Research	303	(1)
What Is Epidemiology?	303	(2)
Physical Activity Measurement Definitions	305	(1)
Assessment of Physical Activity	306	(3)
Epidemiologic Study Designs	309	(9)
Reading and Interpreting a Physical Activity Epidemiologic Study	318	(2)
Summary	320	(1)
Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research	321	(24)
Sources of Invalidity	322	(1)
Threats to Internal Validity	323	(3)
Threats to External Validity	326	(1)
Controlling Threats to Internal Validity	327	(2)
Controlling Threats to External Validity	329	(1)
Types of Designs	330	(13)
Summary	343	(2)
Qualitative Research	345	(20)
Contrasting Characteristics of Qualitative and Quantitative Research	346	(1)
Procedures in Qualitative Research	347	(5)
Analysis of the Data	352	(10)
Concluding Remarks	362	(1)
Summary	363	(2)
Part IV Writing the Research Report	365	(40)
Completing the Research Process	367	(22)
Research Proposal	367	(1)
Developing a Good Introduction	367	(1)
Describing the Method	368	(1)
The Proposal Process	369	(3)
Preparing and Presenting Qualitative Research Proposals	372	(1)
Writing Proposals for Granting Agencies	373	(1)
Submitting Internal Proposals	374	(1)
Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation	374	(1)
Results and Discussion	374	(4)
How to Handle Multiple Experiments in a Single Report	378	(1)
How to Use Tables and Figures	379	(7)
Summary	386	(3)
Ways of Reporting Research	389	(16)
Basic Writing Guidelines	389	(1)
A Brief Word About Acknowledgments	390	(1)
Thesis and Dissertation Format: Traditional Versus Journal	390	(7)
Helpful Hints for Successful Journal Writing	397	(1)
Writing Abstracts	398	(3)
Making Oral and Poster Presentations	401	(3)
Summary	404	(1)
Appendixes	405	(27)
A Statistical Tables	405	(13)
B A Brief Historical Overview of Research in Physical Activity in the United States	418	(4)
C Sample Consent Forms	422	(10)
References	432	(16)
Author Index	448	(2)
Subject Index	450	(5)
About the Authors	455