Developing the
Research Problem
KNES 510
Research Methods in Kinesiology
1
Finding a Topic

Be aware of research being done in your
department by the research faculty (website)
 Be alert for controversial issues in your area of
interest
 Read a review paper


primary source – firsthand source of data in research;
the original study
secondary source – source of data in research in
which an author has evaluated and summarized
previous research
2
Criteria in Selecting a
Research Problem







Is the problem in the realm of research?
Does it interest you?
Is it worthwhile?
Is it feasible?
Is it timely?
Can you attack the problem without prejudice?
Are you prepared in the techniques to address
the problem?
3
What’s the Difference?
Purposes of the Literature Review
 Identify
the problem
 Develop the hypotheses
 Develop the methods
5
Steps in the Literature Search
Write the problem statement
Consult secondary sources
1.
2.
–
–
Determine descriptors (CV)
Find primary sources using
3.
4.
–
–
5.
6.
Encyclopedias
Research reviews
Indexes and bibliographies
Computer searches
Read and record the literature
Write the literature review
6
Step 1 – The Problem Statement
 Specify
the research question you are
asking
 Be complete but concise
7
Step 2 – Consult Secondary Sources
 This
step is necessary only if you have
very limited knowledge of your subject


Encyclopedias – Dated info but provides basic
terms, appropriate journals, etc.
Research reviews – written by experts,
summarizes current research, provides
suggestions for future research
8
Step 3 – Determine Descriptors
 Critical
Variables
 Terms to help locate sources
 Too broad – too many results
 Too narrow – too few results
9
Where do I Look?





Textbook
Recent articles are best (search reference lists)
Internet
PubMed (Medline)
CSUF Library




Research and information services
Online databases
CINAHL
SPORTDiscus
How do I Look?
 Peer
reviewed journals
 No popular magazines
 Keywords (and, or, “”)
 Authors
 Ideas
 Professional meetings

Posters, orals and
symposia
Step 4 – Find Primary Sources
 See
example using CSUF library website
via portal
12
Search the Lit cont…
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f
cgi
Step 5 – Read and Record
the Literature
(what they did, found & meaning)
Dalton, P. A. and M. J.
Stokes. Acoustic
myography reflects force
changes during dynamic
concentric and eccentric
contractions of the human
biceps brachii muscle.
Eur J Appl Physiol Occup
Physiol. 63:412-416,
1991.
Biceps brachii
EMG and
PMG
amplitude
Lifted different wall
pulley weights, 0 to 8.5
kg
iAMG and iEMG both increased
linearly with force during concentric
and eccentric contractions, with
slopes of concentric regression
lines significantly different than
eccentric regression lines
Dalton, P. A. and M. J.
Stokes. Frequency of
acoustic myography
during isometric
contraction of fresh and
fatigued muscle and
during dynamic
contractions. Muscle
Nerve. 16:255-261. 1993.
Isometric:
Rectus femoris
AMG MPF
Isometric muscle
actions of rectus
femoris at 10, 25, 50,
60, 75, and 100% MVC;
rectus femoris was
measured under both
“fresh” and “fatigued”
conditions.
For rectus femoris, AMG MPF
increased quadratically under both
fresh and fatigued conditions, with
no significant difference between
conditions. During concentric
contractions of biceps brachii the
MPF increased with force, but
decreased at the heavier loads.
The MPF of eccentric contractions
of biceps brachii did not
significantly alter with force.
Concentric and
Eccentric:
Biceps brachii
Concentric and
eccentric muscle
actions of biceps brachii
with 0.0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5,
4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, and
8.5 kg
14
Methods
Instruments
Step 6 – Write the
Literature Review
Three components:

1.
2.
3.
Introduction (1-2 pages)
Body (10-15 pages)
Summary and Conclusion (1 page)
17
Citing Your References


For this class, use either American
Psychological Association (APA) 5th
edition guidelines or AMA journal style
(talk to your chair)
Example:
Khamoui AV, Brown LE, Nguyen D, Uribe BP, Coburn
JW, Noffal, GJ, Tran TT. Relationship between forcetime and velocity-time characteristics of dynamic and
isometric muscle actions. Journal of Strength and
Conditioning Research. 25(1):198-204, 2011.
18
Reference List

Entries should be arranged in alphabetical order by
authors' last names.
 Write out the last name and initials for all authors of
a particular work.
 Capitalize only the first word of a title or subtitle,
and any proper names that are part of a title.
1. Celes R, Brown LE, Pereira MCC, Schwartz FP, Junior VAR, Bottaro M. Gender muscle
recovery during isokinetic exercise. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 31(12):886889, 2010.
2. Khamoui AV, Brown LE, Nguyen D, Uribe BP, Coburn JW, Noffal, GJ, Tran TT.
Relationship between force-time and velocity-time characteristics of dynamic and
isometric muscle actions. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 25(1):198-204,
2011.
19
Information for Authors
 http://journals.lww.com/nsca-
jscr/Pages/InstructionsforAuthors.aspx
20
Next Class
 Chapter
18
 No abstract due
21