Rent 9780736056205 | Research Methods in Physical Activity

Summary Table of Contents Author Biography

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 proce... MOREss, 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.

The latest edition of Research Methods in Physical Activityis updated the resource in order to shed new light on the research process and enhance students' understanding of basic statistical calculations and the relevance of their uses.

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Preface

Acknowledgments

Part I Overview of the Research Process

(94)

Introduction to Research in Physical Activity

(22)

The Nature of Research

(7)

Unscientific Versus Scientific Methods of Problem Solving

(4)

Alternative Models of Research

(3)

Types of Research

(3)

Overview of the Research Process

(2)

Summary

(3)

Developing the Problem and Using the Literature

(26)

Identifying the Research Problem

(4)

Purpose of the Literature Review

(2)

Basic Literature Search Strategies

(1)

Steps in the Literature Search

(17)

Summary

(2)

Presenting the Problem

(12)

Choosing the Title

(1)

Writing the Introduction

(2)

Stating the Research Problem

(2)

Presenting the Research Hypothesis

(1)

Operationally Defining Your Terms

(1)

Basic Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations

(1)

Justifying the Significance of the Study

(2)

The Differences Between the Thesis and the Research Article

(1)

Summary

(2)

Formulating the Method

(14)

How to Present Methodological Details

(1)

Why Planning the Method Is Important

(1)

Two Principles for Planning Experiments

(1)

Describing Participants

(2)

Describing Instruments

(1)

Describing Procedures

(4)

Describing Design and Analysis

(1)

Establishing Cause and Effect

(1)

Interaction of Participants, Measurements, and Treatments

(1)

Summary

(2)

Ethical Issues in Research and Scholarship

(18)

Seven Areas of Scientific Dishonesty

(6)

Ethical Issues Regarding Copyright

(2)

Model for Considering Scientific Misconduct

(1)

Working With Faculty

(2)

Protecting Human Participants

(2)

Protecting Animal Subjects

(1)

Summary

(4)

Part II Statistical and Measurement Concepts in Research

(118)

Becoming Acquainted With Statistical Concepts

(16)

Why We Need Statistics

(2)

Use of Computers in Statistical Analysis

(1)

Description and Inference Are Not Statistical Techniques

(1)

Ways to Select a Sample

(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

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.

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