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Introduction to ResearchIntroduction to ResearchChapter 1Chapter 1

KNES 510KNES 510Research Methods in Research Methods in

KinesiologyKinesiology

Research and TruthResearch and Truth

There is no There is no truthtruth!-Plato's cave!-Plato's cave– No proof eitherNo proof either

Separation of science, philosophy and Separation of science, philosophy and religionreligion– Religion>science?Religion>science?– Science>religion?Science>religion?

Aristotle, Plato, SocratesAristotle, Plato, Socrates

Einstein-dice

Basic

Applied

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Nature of ResearchNature of Research

SystematicSystematic – – plan, identify, design, collect plan, identify, design, collect data, evaluatedata, evaluateLogicalLogical – – examine procedures to evaluate examine procedures to evaluate conclusionsconclusionsEmpiricalEmpirical – – decisions are based on data decisions are based on data (observation)(observation)ReductiveReductive – – general relationships are general relationships are established from dataestablished from dataReplicableReplicable – – actions are recorded actions are recorded

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Unscientific Methods of Problem Unscientific Methods of Problem SolvingSolving

TenacityTenacity

IntuitionIntuition

AuthorityAuthority

The rationalistic methodThe rationalistic method

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Scientific Method of Problem Scientific Method of Problem SolvingSolving

Step 1Step 1: develop the problem (define and : develop the problem (define and delimit it)delimit it)– identify identify independentindependent and and dependentdependent variables variables

Step 2Step 2: formulate the hypotheses: formulate the hypotheses– the anticipated outcomethe anticipated outcome

Step 3Step 3: gather data: gather data– maximize internal and external validitymaximize internal and external validity

Step 4(5)Step 4(5): analyze and interpret results: analyze and interpret results

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Variables in Experimental StudiesVariables in Experimental Studies

Independent variableIndependent variable– Variable that is manipulated (treatment is Variable that is manipulated (treatment is

administered; has levels)administered; has levels)

Dependent variableDependent variable– What you measure. (effect of the independent What you measure. (effect of the independent

variable)variable)

SimplestSimplest study has one independent study has one independent variable and one dependent variablevariable and one dependent variable

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Applied ResearchApplied ResearchMontoyaMontoya BSBS, Brown LE, Coburn JW, Zinder SM. , Brown LE, Coburn JW, Zinder SM. Effect of Effect of warm-up with different weighted bats on normal baseball bat warm-up with different weighted bats on normal baseball bat velocityvelocity. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. . Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 23(5):1566-1569, 2009.23(5):1566-1569, 2009.

Step 1Step 1: develop the problem: develop the problem– identify independent and dependent variablesidentify independent and dependent variables

Step 2Step 2: formulate the hypotheses: formulate the hypotheses– the anticipated outcomethe anticipated outcome

Step 3Step 3: gather data: gather data– maximize internal and external validitymaximize internal and external validity

Step 4(5)Step 4(5): analyze and interpret results: analyze and interpret results

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Basic vs. Applied ResearchBasic vs. Applied Research

Basic research Basic research –– type of research that type of research that may have limited direct application but in may have limited direct application but in which the researcher has which the researcher has careful control careful control of of the conditionsthe conditions

Applied research Applied research –– type of research that type of research that has direct value to practitioners but in has direct value to practitioners but in which the researcher has which the researcher has limited control limited control over the research settingover the research setting

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Continuum of Continuum of Basic vs. Applied ResearchBasic vs. Applied Research

• Level ILevel I—Basic research—Basic research– Goal: Theory-drivenGoal: Theory-driven– Approach: LaboratoryApproach: Laboratory

• Level IILevel II—Moderate relevance—Moderate relevance– Goal: Theory-based using relevant movementsGoal: Theory-based using relevant movements– Approach: Similar to real-world task or settingApproach: Similar to real-world task or setting

• Level IIILevel III—Applied research—Applied research– Goal: Immediate solutionsGoal: Immediate solutions– Approach: Real-world settingsApproach: Real-world settings

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Experimental vs. Non-experimental Experimental vs. Non-experimental ResearchResearch

Experimental researchExperimental research– Treatments are given to subjectsTreatments are given to subjects– Cause-and-effect questionsCause-and-effect questions

Non-experimental researchNon-experimental research– Treatments are not given to subjectsTreatments are not given to subjects– Participants are observed as they naturally Participants are observed as they naturally

existexist

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Experimental vs. Causal-Experimental vs. Causal-Comparative StudiesComparative Studies

Researchers may not be able to conduct Researchers may not be able to conduct experimental research due to ethical or experimental research due to ethical or legal concerns, etc.legal concerns, etc.

ExamplesExamples– physical activity and heart diseasephysical activity and heart disease– anabolic-androgenic steroids and liver canceranabolic-androgenic steroids and liver cancer

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Experimental vs. Causal-Experimental vs. Causal-Comparative Studies, contComparative Studies, cont’’dd

Steps in causal-Steps in causal-comparative (ex post facto) comparative (ex post facto) studiesstudies

1.1. Observe and describe some Observe and describe some current conditioncurrent condition

2.2. Look to the past to Look to the past to determine cause(s)determine cause(s)

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Types of Nonexperimental Types of Nonexperimental ResearchResearch

Causal-comparativeCausal-comparative

Survey (poll)Survey (poll)– Sample vs. censusSample vs. census

Case studyCase study

LongitudinalLongitudinal

CorrelationalCorrelational

HistoricalHistorical

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Quantitative vs. Qualitative ResearchQuantitative vs. Qualitative Research

QuantitativeQuantitative – data are gathered such that – data are gathered such that they can be quantified and subjected to they can be quantified and subjected to statistical analysesstatistical analyses

QualitativeQualitative – data are gathered such that – data are gathered such that they can be analyzed through informed they can be analyzed through informed judgmentjudgment

Quantitative vs. QualitativeQuantitative vs. Qualitative

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CSUF Department of KinesiologyCSUF Department of KinesiologyDescription of ThesisDescription of Thesis

ThesisThesis – written product of a systematic – written product of a systematic study of a significant problem…The study of a significant problem…The finished product evidences originality, finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentationthorough documentationCreates new knowledgeCreates new knowledge, extends , extends existing knowledgeexisting knowledge