Introduction to Research Chapter 1

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Introduction to ResearchChapter 1

• KNES 510
• Research Methods in Kinesiology

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Research and Truth

• There is no truth!
• Separation of science, philosophy and religion
• Aristotle, Plato, Socrates
• Einstein-dice

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Nature of Research

• Systematic plan, identify, design, collect
  data, evaluate
• Logical examine procedures to evaluate
  conclusions
• Empirical decisions are based on data
  (observation)
• Reductive general relationships are established
  from data
• Replicable actions are recorded

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Unscientific Methods of Problem Solving

• Tenacity
• Intuition
• Authority
• The rationalistic method
• The empirical method

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Scientific Method of Problem Solving

• Step 1 develop the problem (define and delimit
  it)
• identify independent and dependent variables
• Step 2 formulate the hypotheses
• the anticipated outcome
• Step 3 gather data
• maximize internal and external validity
• Step 4(5) analyze and interpret results

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Applied Research

• Montoya BS, Brown LE, Coburn JW, Zinder SM.
  Effect of warm-up with different weighted bats on
  normal baseball bat velocity. Journal of Strength
  and Conditioning Research. 23(5)1566-1569, 2009.
• Step 1 develop the problem
• identify independent and dependent variables
• Step 2 formulate the hypotheses
• the anticipated outcome
• Step 3 gather data
• maximize internal and external validity
• Step 4(5) analyze and interpret results

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Basic vs. Applied Research

• Basic research type of research that may have
  limited direct application but in which the
  researcher has careful control of the conditions
• Applied research type of research that has
  direct value to practitioners but in which the
  researcher has limited control over the research
  setting

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Continuum of Basic vs. Applied Research

• Level IBasic research
• Goal Theory-driven
• Approach Laboratory
• Level IIModerate relevance
• Goal Theory-based using relevant movements
• Approach Similar to real-world task or setting
• Level IIIApplied research
• Goal Immediate solutions
• Approach Real-world settings

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Experimental vs. Nonexperimental Research

• Experimental research
• Treatments are given to subjects
• Cause-and-effect questions
• Nonexperimental research
• Treatments are not given to subjects
• Participants are observed as they naturally exist

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Experimental vs. Causal-Comparative Studies

• Researchers may not be able to conduct
  experimental research due to ethical or legal
  concerns, etc.
• Examples
• physical activity and heart disease
• anabolic-androgenic steroids and liver cancer

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Experimental vs. Causal-Comparative Studies,
contd

• Steps in causal-comparative (ex post facto)
  studies
• Observe and describe some current condition
• Look to the past to determine cause(s)

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Types of Nonexperimental Research

• Causal-comparative
• Survey (poll)
• Sample vs. census
• Case study
• Longitudinal
• Correlational
• Historical

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Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

• Quantitative data are gathered such that they
  can be quantified and subjected to statistical
  analysis
• Qualitative data are gathered such that they
  can be analyzed through informed judgment

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Quan vs. Qual
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Variables in Experimental Studies

• Independent variable
• Variable that is manipulated (treatment is
  administered)
• Dependent variable
• Effect of the independent variable
• Simplest study has one independent variable and
  one dependent variable

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Variables in Experimental Studies, contd

• Effect of Isocaloric CHO vs. CHO-Pro Supplements
  on Time-to-Exhaustion (Kristy L. Richardson,
  Masters thesis, CSUF)
• A 2 x 2, time (first test to exhaustion, second
  test to exhaustion) x supplement (CHO vs.
  CHO-Pro), repeated measures ANOVA was used to
  compare the difference in time-to-exhaustion

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Thesis

• Thesis written product of a systematic study of
  a significant problemThe finished product
  evidences originality, critical and independent
  thinking, appropriate organization and format,
  and thorough documentation
• Creates new knowledge, extends existing knowledge

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Thesis

• Format of thesis
• Five-chapter format
• Introduction
• Review of Literature
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• References
• Tables and figures

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Thesis

• Journal format
• Similar to traditional format with some
  differences (i.e., the review of literature is
  part of the appendices)
• Thesis committee one chairperson and two
  members
• Use of human subjects requires submission of
  application to the CSUF Institutional Review
  Board (IRB) prior to collecting data

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Project

• Project disseminates theoretical material for
  the practitioner or layperson in a given field
• Project committee project chairperson and one
  committee member
• Typically in the form of a manual, brochure,
  videotape, handbook, etc.
• In addition to the project, a written review of
  literature is required

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Thesis and Project

• Proposal-intro, summary of lit review, methods
  and stats (slides)
• Defense-same as above with results, discussion,
  tables and figures

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Comp Exam

• Comprehensive exam provides the student with
  the opportunity to synthesize and articulate the
  knowledge acquired throughout the graduate
  education and helps in preparing the student for
  his or her chosen profession

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Comp Exam

• The student is required to complete the written
  comprehensive examination in the major area of
  academic concentration and minor
• The examination will be 3 hours in length for the
  major and 1 ½ hours for the minor
• The faculty member responsible for the specific
  section determines the number of questions
• One question examining research design and/or
  statistics is included in the major area

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of
Comp Exam

• If all committee members are satisfied with
  written portion, a 90 minute oral exam is
  scheduled at least two weeks after written
• Further questioning on major/minor areas and
  statistics research design

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Next Class

• Chapter 2
• Get an article for your lit review
• Print out entire article
• Write (one page)
• Abstract
• Problem
• Hypothesis