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Presenting the Research Presenting the Research ProblemProblem

KNES 510KNES 510Research Methods in KinesiologyResearch Methods in Kinesiology

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Components of Chapter 1Components of Chapter 1

TitleTitle IntroductionIntroduction Problem StatementProblem Statement HypothesisHypothesis DefinitionsDefinitions Assumptions and limitationsAssumptions and limitations SignificanceSignificance

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Considerations Considerations When Choosing the TitleWhen Choosing the Title

Written last, not firstWritten last, not first Must have a title for proposal (may be Must have a title for proposal (may be

provisional)provisional) Purpose of the titlePurpose of the title

Conveys focus of the studyConveys focus of the study Problems with titlesProblems with titles

Too long or too shortToo long or too short Useless wordsUseless words

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Example of a Poor TitleExample of a Poor Title

““An Investigation of a Survey and Analysis An Investigation of a Survey and Analysis of the Influence of PL 94-142 on the of the Influence of PL 94-142 on the Attitudes, Teaching Methodology, and Attitudes, Teaching Methodology, and Evaluative Techniques of Randomly Evaluative Techniques of Randomly Selected Male and Female Physical Selected Male and Female Physical Education Teachers in Public High Education Teachers in Public High Schools in Cornfield County, State of Schools in Cornfield County, State of Confusion”Confusion”

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Better TitleBetter Title

PL 94-142’s Influence on Physical PL 94-142’s Influence on Physical Education Teachers’ Attitudes, Education Teachers’ Attitudes, Methodology, and Evaluations”Methodology, and Evaluations”

Effect of X on YEffect of X on Y

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Questions to ask When Questions to ask When Contemplating a TitleContemplating a Title

1.1. Does the title precisely identify the area Does the title precisely identify the area of the problem?of the problem?

2.2. Is the title clear, concise, free from Is the title clear, concise, free from jargon, and adequately descriptive to jargon, and adequately descriptive to permit indexing the study in its proper permit indexing the study in its proper category?category?

3.3. Does the title identify the key variables Does the title identify the key variables and provide some information about the and provide some information about the scope of the study?scope of the study?

Baumgartner and Hensley, 2006

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Questions to ask When Questions to ask When Contemplating a Title, cont’dContemplating a Title, cont’d

4.4. Are unnecessary words, such as “a study Are unnecessary words, such as “a study of,” “an investigation of,” and “an analysis of,” “an investigation of,” and “an analysis of” avoided?of” avoided?

5.5. Do nouns, as opposed to adjectives, Do nouns, as opposed to adjectives, serve as the key words in the title?serve as the key words in the title?

6.6. Have words been selected that will aid Have words been selected that will aid computerized retrieval systems?computerized retrieval systems?

7.7. Are the most important words at the Are the most important words at the beginning of the title?beginning of the title?

Baumgartner and Hensley, 2006

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Writing the IntroductionWriting the Introduction How to write a good introductionHow to write a good introduction

Demonstrate the point of the studyDemonstrate the point of the study Omit technical jargon and productsOmit technical jargon and products Know who you are writing forKnow who you are writing for Write introduction after the problem and Write introduction after the problem and

hypotheseshypotheses Lead the reader on a journey (3 paragraphs)Lead the reader on a journey (3 paragraphs)

1.1. Broad introBroad intro

2.2. Prior researchPrior research

3.3. What is missing and your purposeWhat is missing and your purpose

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Example of a Good IntroductionExample of a Good Introduction General Introduction (paragraph 1)General Introduction (paragraph 1) Cardiorespiratory fitness is generally recognized as a Cardiorespiratory fitness is generally recognized as a

major component of physical fitness. Indeed, major component of physical fitness. Indeed, cardiorespiratory fitness is the most significant cardiorespiratory fitness is the most significant component of physical fitness in the relationship to component of physical fitness in the relationship to health. Direct measurement of maximal oxygen uptake health. Direct measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO(VO22 max) is the single best measure of max) is the single best measure of cardiorespiratory fitness or aerobic capacity (Åstrand & cardiorespiratory fitness or aerobic capacity (Åstrand & Rodahl, 1986; Mitchell, Sproule, & Chapman, 1958; Rodahl, 1986; Mitchell, Sproule, & Chapman, 1958; Taylor, Buskirk & Henschel, 1955). Taylor, Buskirk & Henschel, 1955). However,However, direct direct measurement is time-consuming, requires extensive measurement is time-consuming, requires extensive laboratory equipment, and does not lend itself to testing laboratory equipment, and does not lend itself to testing large number of subjects in field settings. Because of the large number of subjects in field settings. Because of the limitations of direct measures, numerous field tests have limitations of direct measures, numerous field tests have been developed to estimate VObeen developed to estimate VO22 max max

Dolgener et al. (1994)

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Example of a Good Introduction, Example of a Good Introduction, cont’dcont’d

Background Information (paragraph 2)Background Information (paragraph 2) Prediction of VOPrediction of VO22 max from field tests requires performing at max from field tests requires performing at

either a maximal or submaximal effort, commonly running, either a maximal or submaximal effort, commonly running, stepping, or bicycling. Recently, Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister stepping, or bicycling. Recently, Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister et al. (1987) developed a submaximal field test for predicting et al. (1987) developed a submaximal field test for predicting VOVO22 max using a 1-mile walk protocol. This test, which has max using a 1-mile walk protocol. This test, which has become known as the Rockport Fitness Walking Test become known as the Rockport Fitness Walking Test ((RFWTRFWT), was developed on a broad age range (30-69 years) ), was developed on a broad age range (30-69 years) of males and females who were heterogeneous in terms of of males and females who were heterogeneous in terms of aerobic capacity. These data indicate that the regression aerobic capacity. These data indicate that the regression equations developed by Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister et al. are equations developed by Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister et al. are valid for adults between the ages of 30 and 69 years. The valid for adults between the ages of 30 and 69 years. The RFWT has been cross-validated in samples of subjects 65 to RFWT has been cross-validated in samples of subjects 65 to 79 years old (Fenstermaker, Plowman, & Looney, 1992; 79 years old (Fenstermaker, Plowman, & Looney, 1992; O’Hanley et al., 1987) and 30 to 39 years old (Zwiren, O’Hanley et al., 1987) and 30 to 39 years old (Zwiren, Freedson, Ward, Wilke, & Rippe, 1991).Freedson, Ward, Wilke, & Rippe, 1991).

Dolgener et al. (1994)

1111

Example of a Good Introduction, Example of a Good Introduction, cont’dcont’d

Lead-In to purpose (paragraph 3)Lead-In to purpose (paragraph 3) However, However, the Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister et the Kline, Porcari, Hintermeister et

al. (1987) equations have not been validated al. (1987) equations have not been validated for use with groups younger than those in the for use with groups younger than those in the original sample. original sample. ThereforeTherefore, the purpose of , the purpose of this study is to…this study is to…

Dolgener et al. (1994)

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Writing the StatementWriting the Statementof the Problemof the Problem

Problem statement Problem statement – a specific, definitive – a specific, definitive statement that specifies the question or statement that specifies the question or issue to be investigated in a research issue to be investigated in a research study (Baumgartner & Hensley, 2006)study (Baumgartner & Hensley, 2006)

The problem statement should be a single The problem statement should be a single sentence that describes the problemsentence that describes the problem

What is the problem statement for the What is the problem statement for the previous slidesprevious slides??

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Examples of Problem (purpose) Examples of Problem (purpose) StatementsStatements

The purpose of this study The purpose of this study is is to investigate the to investigate the psychological factors related to indicators of eating psychological factors related to indicators of eating disorders among college female cheerleaders in Iowa.disorders among college female cheerleaders in Iowa.

The purpose of this study is to identify the general The purpose of this study is to identify the general patterns of leisure participation of selected urban patterns of leisure participation of selected urban Chinese youth.Chinese youth.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect The purpose of the present study is to examine the effect of color (green, blue, red, and white) on the performance of color (green, blue, red, and white) on the performance of a controlled target accuracy task.of a controlled target accuracy task.

The primary purpose of this study is to test the The primary purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of the Fire PALS program on fire and life effectiveness of the Fire PALS program on fire and life safety knowledge and behavioral intent of elementary safety knowledge and behavioral intent of elementary school teachers.school teachers.

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Identifying VariablesIdentifying Variables

Define independent, categorical Define independent, categorical (moderator), dependent, control, and (moderator), dependent, control, and extraneous variablesextraneous variables

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Developing the Research Developing the Research HypothesesHypotheses

Research hypothesesResearch hypotheses Expected results based on theory or Expected results based on theory or

experienceexperience Stated as outcomesStated as outcomes

Null hypotheses (assumed)Null hypotheses (assumed) No significant differences or relationshipsNo significant differences or relationships

What for previous intro?What for previous intro?

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Making Your ProblemMaking Your Problemand Hypotheses Clearand Hypotheses Clear

Operational definitionsOperational definitions Key terms with specific meaningKey terms with specific meaning

Examples of terms needing operational Examples of terms needing operational definitions:definitions: StrengthStrength ExperiencedExperienced FatigueFatigue LearningLearning ObesityObesity

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Making Your ProblemMaking Your Problemand Hypotheses Clear, cont’dand Hypotheses Clear, cont’d

AssumptionsAssumptions Participants will adhere to instructions (refrain Participants will adhere to instructions (refrain

from exercise; follow prescribed diet, etc.)from exercise; follow prescribed diet, etc.) LimitationsLimitations

Possible shortcomingsPossible shortcomings Weaknesses of the studyWeaknesses of the study Aspects the investigator cannot controlAspects the investigator cannot control

1818

Making Your ProblemMaking Your Problemand Hypotheses Clear, cont’dand Hypotheses Clear, cont’d

DelimitationsDelimitations Characteristics imposed by the researcherCharacteristics imposed by the researcher Scope of the studyScope of the study

• Type of research participantType of research participant• Number of participantsNumber of participants• Measures to be collectedMeasures to be collected• Instruments utilized for testingInstruments utilized for testing• Time and duration of the studyTime and duration of the study• SettingSetting• Type of intervention or treatmentType of intervention or treatment

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Making Your ProblemMaking Your Problemand Hypotheses Clear, cont’dand Hypotheses Clear, cont’d

Significance of the study?Significance of the study? Basic and applied researchBasic and applied research Seeking gaps in the researchSeeking gaps in the research What has What has NOTNOT been done? been done?

Thesis vs. Journal ArticleThesis vs. Journal Article

Thesis assumes a novice researcherThesis assumes a novice researcher Purpose, hypotheses, limitations, etc. are Purpose, hypotheses, limitations, etc. are

explicitly statedexplicitly stated Publishers must printing contain costs; Publishers must printing contain costs;

only essential information appears in printonly essential information appears in print No hypothesisNo hypothesis No limitationsNo limitations No delimitationsNo delimitations

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Chapter 4Chapter 4

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