Introduction to Research
Chapter 1
KNES 510
Research Methods in
Kinesiology
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Research and Truth
There is no truth!-Plato's cave
– No proof either
Separation of science, philosophy and
religion
– Religion>science?
– Science>religion?
Aristotle, Plato, Socrates
Einstein-dice
Basic
Applied
Nature of Research
Systematic – plan, identify, design, collect
data, evaluate
Logical – examine procedures to evaluate
conclusions
Empirical – decisions are based on data
(observation)
Reductive – general relationships are
established from data
Replicable – actions are recorded
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Unscientific Methods of Problem
Solving
Tenacity
Intuition
Authority
The rationalistic method
The empirical method
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Scientific Method of Problem
Solving
Step 1: develop the problem (define and
delimit it)
– identify independent and dependent variables
Step 2: formulate the hypotheses
– the anticipated outcome
Step 3: gather data
– maximize internal and external validity
Step 4(5): analyze and interpret results
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Variables in Experimental Studies
Independent variable
– Variable that is manipulated (treatment is
administered; has levels)
Dependent variable
– What you measure. (effect of the independent
variable)
Simplest study has one independent
variable and one dependent variable
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Variables in Experimental Studies, cont’d
Effect of Isocaloric CHO
vs. CHO-Pro
Supplements on Time-toExhaustion (Kristy L.
Richardson, Master’s thesis,
CSUF)
A 2 x 2, time (first test to
exhaustion, second test
to exhaustion) x
supplement (CHO vs.
CHO-Pro), repeated
measures ANOVA was
used to compare the
difference in time-toexhaustion
Condition 1
Pre
and
CHO
Time 2
Post
and
CHO
Condition 2
Pre
and
CHO-Pro
Time 2
Post
and
CHO-Pro
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Applied Research
Montoya BS, Brown LE, Coburn JW, Zinder SM. Effect of
warm-up with different weighted bats on normal baseball bat
velocity. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
23(5):1566-1569, 2009.
Step 1: develop the problem
– identify independent and dependent variables
Step 2: formulate the hypotheses
– the anticipated outcome
Step 3: gather data
– maximize internal and external validity
Step 4(5): analyze and interpret results
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Basic vs. Applied Research
Basic research – type of research that
may have limited direct application but in
which the researcher has careful control of
the conditions
Applied research – type of research that
has direct value to practitioners but in
which the researcher has limited control
over the research setting
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Continuum of
Basic vs. Applied Research
• Level I—Basic research
– Goal: Theory-driven
– Approach: Laboratory
• Level II—Moderate relevance
– Goal: Theory-based using relevant movements
– Approach: Similar to real-world task or setting
• Level III—Applied research
– Goal: Immediate solutions
– Approach: Real-world settings
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Experimental vs. Non-experimental
Research
Experimental research
– Treatments are given to subjects
– Cause-and-effect questions
Non-experimental research
– Treatments are not given to subjects
– Participants are observed as they naturally
exist
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Experimental vs. CausalComparative Studies
Researchers may not be able to conduct
experimental research due to ethical or
legal concerns, etc.
Examples
– physical activity and heart disease
– anabolic-androgenic steroids and liver cancer
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Experimental vs. CausalComparative Studies, cont’d
Steps in causalcomparative (ex post facto)
studies
1. Observe and describe some
current condition
2. Look to the past to
determine cause(s)
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Types of Nonexperimental
Research
Causal-comparative
Survey (poll)
– Sample vs. census
Case study
Longitudinal
Correlational
Historical
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Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
Quantitative – data are gathered such that
they can be quantified and subjected to
statistical analyses
Qualitative – data are gathered such that
they can be analyzed through informed
judgment
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Quantitative vs. Qualitative
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Thesis
Thesis – written product of a systematic
study of a significant problem…The
finished product evidences originality,
critical and independent thinking,
appropriate organization and format, and
thorough documentation
Creates new knowledge, extends
existing knowledge
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Thesis
Format of thesis
– Five-chapter format
1. Introduction
2. Review of Literature
3. Methods
4. Results
5. Discussion
1. References
2. Tables and figures
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Thesis
–
Journal format
1.
Similar to traditional format with some differences (i.e., the
review of literature is part of the appendices)
Thesis committee – one chairperson and two
members
Use of human subjects – requires submission
of application to the CSUF Institutional Review
Board (IRB) prior to collecting data
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Project
Project – disseminates theoretical material for
the practitioner or layperson in a given field
Project committee – project chairperson and one
committee member
Typically in the form of a manual, brochure,
videotape, handbook, etc.
In addition to the project, a written review of
literature is required
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Thesis and Project
Proposal-intro, summary of lit review,
methods and stats (slides)
Defense-same as above with results,
discussion, tables and figures
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Comp Exam
Comprehensive exam – provides the
student with the opportunity to synthesize
and articulate the knowledge acquired
throughout the graduate education and
helps in preparing the student for his or
her chosen profession
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Comp Exam
The student is required to complete the written
comprehensive examination in the major area of
academic concentration and minor
The examination will be 3 hours in length for the
major and 1 ½ hours for the minor
The faculty member responsible for the specific
section determines the number of questions
One question examining research design and/or
statistics is included in the major area
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CSUF Department of Kinesiology
Description of Comp Exam
If all committee members are satisfied with
written portion, a 90 minute oral exam is
scheduled at least two weeks after the
written exams
Further questioning on major/minor areas
and statistics/research design
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Next Class
Chapter 2
Get a peer reviewed journal article for your
lit review
– Print out entire article and attach to synopsis
Write synopsis (one page):
– What did they do?
– What did they find?
– What does it mean?
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