Post on 24-Feb-2016
description
Introduction to Research Methods
Research Defined Systematic process of collecting and logically analyzing
data for a purpose.
Research methods – the methodology, how we do it.
Levels of Research Basic
Test theories Often in a lab setting May have limited direct applicability Not designed to solve social problems
Theory – predicts & explains generalizable findings
Levels of Research Applied
Field & application oriented Less controlled setting Relies on a theoretical foundation, but not designed to test
theory
Evaluation Focused on a particular setting or practice Merit & worth of something
Research vs. EvaluationRESEARCH EVALUATION
Systematic
Undertaken to establish facts & principles that contribute to a knowledge base
Systematic
Undertaken to address some criteria to make judgments about the worth of something
Research vs. EvaluationRESEARCH EVALUATION
Prove disprove hypothesis…
Improvement in areas (ie. Personnel, programs, policies)
Hypothesis Educated guess about the outcomes of a study
SM= A Heisman trophy winner will positively impact ticket sales and donor contributions the following season.
PE= The self-perception of female physical education pre-service teachers will include strong willed behavior, positive presentation and appearance, and aggressive and dominant behavior.
RM= The more serious a triathlete is about the sport, the more likely they are to use negotiation strategies in order to participate as much as desired.
Research vs. EvaluationRESEARCH EVALUATION
New knowledge, may not be immediately applicable
Theory building
Problem solving & decision making
Problem based
Research vs. EvaluationRESEARCH EVALUATION
Generalizability
Published
Not generalizable
Used by the organization
Variables Variables
Any entity that can take on different values/varies IV = Manipulated, treatment DV = Effect of the IV, measured Cause (IV) & effect (DV)
VariablesINDEPENDENT (MANIPULATED) DEPENDENT (MEASURED)
Physical activity levels Televised games Management style Game day experiences Daily PE
Weight In game attendance Use of ee rewards Attendance BMI
Types of Studies (3) Descriptive
Describes what is going on & what exists
Relational Relationship between 2 variables
Causal Cause/effect a variable has on another
Qual vs QuanQUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE Analysis of numeric data
Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or equipment to collect numerical data.
Analysis of words, actions, objects
Researcher is the data gathering instrument thru interviews, observations, documents
Scientific Method 1. Developing the problem
Topic of study, issue Variables
SM: Use of social media=increase ticket sales
PE: Increased time in daily PE=decreased obesity rates
RM: Increased presence in parks=decreased criminal activity
Scientific Method 2. Formulating the hypothesis
Expected results Rely on experience & the literature Study either supports or refutes hypothesis
3. Gathering the data Process/methodology Instruments Data gathering process
Scientific Method 4. Analyzing & interpreting the results
Statistics Comparisons Dissemination of results
Content of a Research Article (7)
Abstract Short summary paragraph @ 150 words
Content of a Research Article (7)
Introduction Put study into context Overview of topic Significance to profession/relevance Research ?’s at end of intro… find them in your article
Review of literature Summarizes & analyzes previous research Theoretical framework
Content of a Research Article (7)
Research hypothesis or question (if applicable to journal)
Results Stats, tables, analysis
Content of a Research Article (7)
Discussions, implications & conclusions What was learned How results relate to previous research Impact on profession Any unusual results Future research… find them in your article Generalizability
References
What is a Research Problem? Research Problem
Issue, controversy, or concern that initiates the study
What level of tickets are most impacted by a winning football season?
How does social media impact athletic event attendance?
What is a Research Problem? Examples…
What percentage of the daily threshold (12,000 steps) PE class and recess contribute to 6th grade students overall daily PA.
What are the biggest motivations and/or reasons why students attend home athletic contests?
To determine if a certain Myers-Briggs personality type is more successful selling tickets in Major League Baseball
I Need a Problem! Personal experience & supervisor
Talk with your advisor
Look at the literature
I Need a Problem! Choose something…
Of interest Feasible Not too broad Not too technical Impacts the profession Online list…
I Need a Problem! 3 criteria for a good problem
Problem can be researched
Requires more than a yes/no answer
Information can be gathered for some type of analysis
Purpose of the Study Purpose statement
One sentence stating what the study is investigating
Allows reader to quickly identify what the study is about
Usually found at the end of the introduction or the first paragraph
Examples…
Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to explore luxury suite ownership in
professional sports and to provide suite sales and facility management professionals an increased understanding of luxury suite ownership
The purpose of this study was to determine an overall competency framework that can be used for parks and recreation boards regardless of whether they are independent, semi-independent, or advisory in nature.
The purpose of the study was to examine first year physical education teachers’ perceptions of levels of support provided by their trained mentors.
Research Question(s) More clearly define the research problem
Focus the study
Relationship to the hypothesis…
The purpose of this study is to determine if personality type of sport sales professionals impacts job success.
RQ #1: What personality type is most successful among sport sales professionals?
RQ #2: What personality type is least successful among sport sales professionals?
RQ #3: What aspects of a personality type enhances the success of a sport sales professional?
Hy. #1: X personality type is most successful among sport sales professionals
Hy. #2: Y personality type is least successful among sport sales professionals?
Hy. #3: XYZ aspects of a personality type enhance the success of a sport sales professional
The purpose of this study is to determine if personality type of sport sales professionals impacts job success.
Null Hypothesis There is no difference in personality types among
successful sports sales professionals.
No one personality type determines success in sport sales professionals.