Research Methods in Physical Activity

790 Pages·2015·8.002 MB·English

by  Jerry R. Thomas

2
Research Methods in Physical Activity
Seventh Edition
Jerry R. Thomas, EdD
Jack K. Nelson, EdD
Stephen J. Silverman, EdD
Human Kinetics
3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thomas, Jerry R., author.
Research methods in physical activity / Jerry R. Thomas, Jack K. Nelson, Stephen J. Silverman. -- Seventh edition.
p. ; cm.
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
I. Nelson, Jack K., author. II. Silverman, Stephen J., author. III. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Motor Activity. 2. Kinesiology, Applied. 3. Physical Education and Training. 4. Research Design. 5. Sports Medicine--methods. WE 103]
GV361
613.7'1072--dc23
2014028466
ISBN: 978-1-4504-7044-5 (print)
Copyright © 2015, 2011, 2005 by Jerry R. Thomas, Jack K. Nelson, and Stephen J. Silverman
Copyright © 2001, 1996, 1990, 1985 by Jerry R. Thomas and Jack K. Nelson
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden
without the written permission of the publisher.
The web addresses cited in this text were current as of February 2015, unless otherwise noted.
Acquisitions Editor: Amy N. Tocco
Developmental Editor: Melissa J. Zavala
Managing Editor: Carly S. O’Connor
Copyeditor: Patsy Fortney
Indexer: Nancy Ball
Permissions Manager: Dalene Reeder
Senior Graphic Designer: Keri Evans
Cover Designer: Keith Blomberg
Photo Asset Manager: Laura Fitch
Visual Production Assistant: Joyce Brumfield
Photo Production Manager: Jason Allen
Art Manager: Kelly Hendren
Associate Art Manager: Alan L. Wilborn
Illustrations: © Human Kinetics, unless otherwise noted
Printer: Walsworth Print
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Human Kinetics
Website: www.HumanKinetics.com
United States: Human Kinetics
P.O. Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61825-5076
800-747-4457
e-mail: [email protected]
Canada: Human Kinetics
475 Devonshire Road Unit 100
Windsor, ON N8Y 2L5
800-465-7301 (in Canada only)
e-mail: [email protected]
Europe: Human Kinetics
107 Bradford Road
Stanningley
Leeds LS28 6AT, United Kingdom
[phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
4
Australia: Human Kinetics
57A Price Avenue
Lower Mitcham, South Australia 5062
08 8372 0999
e-mail: [email protected]
New Zealand: Human Kinetics
P.O. Box 80
Mitcham Shopping Centre, South Australia 5062
0800 222 062
e-mail: [email protected]
E6201
5
Contents
Preface
Study Tips
Acknowledgments
Part I: Overview of the Research Process
Chapter 1: Introduction to Research in Physical Activity
The Nature of Research
Unscientific Versus Scientific Methods of Problem Solving
Alternative Models of Research
Types of Research
Overview of the Research Process
Parts of a Thesis: A Reflection on the Steps in the Research Process
Summary
Chapter 2: Developing the Problem and Using the Literature
Identifying the Research Problem
Purpose of the Literature Review
Basic Literature Search Strategies
Steps in the Literature Search
Summary
Chapter 3: Presenting the Problem
Choosing the Title
Writing the Introduction
Stating the Research Problem
Presenting the Research Hypothesis
Operationally Defining Terms
Basic Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations
Justifying the Significance of the Study
Differences Between the Thesis and the Research Article
Summary
Chapter 4: Formulating the Method
How to Present Methodological Details
Why Planning the Methods Is Important
Two Principles for Planning Experiments
Describing Participants
Describing Instruments
Describing Procedures
6
Describing Design and Analysis
Establishing Cause and Effect
Interaction of Participants, Measurements, and Treatments
Summary
Chapter 5: Ethical Issues in Research and Scholarship
Seven Areas of Scientific Dishonesty
Ethical Issues Regarding Copyright
Model for Considering Scientific Misconduct
Working With Faculty
Protecting Human Participants
Protecting Animal Subjects
Summary
Part II: Statistical and Measurement Concepts in Research
Chapter 6: Becoming Acquainted With Statistical Concepts
Why We Need Statistics
Use of Computers in Statistical Analysis
Description and Inference Are Not Statistical Techniques
Ways to Select a Sample
Justifying Post Hoc Explanations
Difficulty of Random Sampling and Assignment: How Good Does It Have to Be?
Unit of Analysis
Measures of Central Tendency and Variability
Basic Concepts of Statistical Techniques
Data for Use in the Remaining Statistical Chapters
Summary
Chapter 7: Statistical Issues in Research Planning and Evaluation
Probability
Meaningfulness (Effect Size)
Power
Using Information in the Context of the Study
Summary
Chapter 8: Relationships Among Variables
What Correlational Research Investigates
Understanding the Nature of Correlation
What the Coefficient of Correlation Means
Using Correlation for Prediction
Partial Correlation
Semipartial Correlation
Procedures for Multiple Regression
Logistic Regression
Discriminant Function Analysis
7
Multivariate Forms of Correlation
Summary
Chapter 9: Differences Among Groups
How Statistics Test Differences
Types of t Tests
Interpreting t
Relationship of t and r
Analysis of Variance
Analysis of Covariance
Experimentwise Error Rate
Understanding Multivariate Techniques
Summary
Chapter 10: Nonparametric Techniques
Chi Square: Testing the Observed Versus the Expected
Procedures for Rank-Order Data
Correlation
Differences Among Groups
Summary
Chapter 11: Measuring Research Variables
Validity
Reliability
Methods of Establishing Reliability
Intertester Reliability (Objectivity)
Standard Error of Measurement
Using Standard Scores to Compare Performance
Measuring Movement
Measuring Written Responses
Measuring Affective Behavior
Scales for Measuring Affective Behavior
Measuring Knowledge
Item Response Theory
Summary
Part III: Types of Research
Chapter 12: Sociohistorical Process in Sport Studies
David K. Wiggins
Daniel S. Mason
Development of the Discipline
Theory and Sport History
Relationship Between Theory and Method
8
Research Sources
Research Topics
Research Design
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Research Findings
Exemplary Studies in Sport History
Summary
Chapter 13: Philosophical Research in Physical Activity
R. Scott Kretchmar
Tim Elcombe
Identifying the Purposes of Philosophical Research
Identifying the Range of Philosophical Research
Locating a Research Problem
Analyzing a Research Problem
Summary
Chapter 14: Research Synthesis (Meta-Analysis)
Using Meta-Analysis to Synthesize Research
Presenting Effect Size Data
Summary
Chapter 15: Surveys
Questionnaires
Electronic Surveys
Delphi Method
Personal Interviews
Normative Surveys
Summary
Chapter 16: Other Descriptive Research Methods
Developmental Research
Case Studies
Job Analysis
Observational Research
Unobtrusive Research Techniques
Correlational Research
Summary
Chapter 17: Physical Activity Epidemiology Research
Barbara E. Ainsworth
Charles E. Matthews
Observational Versus Experimental Research
9
What Is Epidemiology?
Physical Activity Measurement Definitions
Assessment of Physical Activity
Epidemiological Study Designs
Reading and Interpreting a Physical Activity Epidemiological Study
Summary
Chapter 18: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research
Sources of Invalidity
Threats to Internal Validity
Threats to External Validity
Controlling Threats to Internal Validity
Controlling Threats to External Validity
Types of Designs
Summary
Chapter 19: Qualitative Research
Procedures in Qualitative Research
Data Analysis
Concluding Remarks
Summary
Chapter 20: Mixed-Methods Research
Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
Designing Mixed-Methods Research
Issues in Mixed-Methods Research
Examples of Mixed-Methods Research
Summary
Part IV: Writing the Research Report
Chapter 21: Completing the Research Process
Research Proposal
Thesis and Dissertation Proposal
Advisor and Dissertation Committee
The Good Scholar Must Research and Write
Scientific Writing
First Things Are Sometimes Best Done Last
Developing a Good Introduction
Describing the Methods
The Proposal Process
Preparing and Presenting Qualitative Research Proposals
Writing Proposals for Granting Agencies
Submitting Internal Proposals
Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation
Results and Discussion
10