Research Methods in Physical Activity

Research Methods in Physical Activity, Seventh Edition, systematically guides students through the research process, introducing methods and tools specifically for kinesiology and exercise science disciplines, including the subdisciplines of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and occupational therapy. The seventh edition leads students and novice researchers to research competency with the distinctive humor that has become a trademark of this internationally recognized text.

This text provides step-by-step information for every aspect of the research process, from identifying and devising research questions to analyzing data and compiling results for presentation. Methods for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research approaches are addressed, and real-world research questions—including historical, experimental, epidemiological, and philosophical—are presented by scholarly contributors who give suggestions for approaches to follow. Photos, anecdotes, and humorous stories are used throughout the text to put students at ease and emphasize key points through practical applications. Enhancements to the seventh edition include the following:

• Updated information and techniques for electronic searches to ensure students use best research practices
• New information on meta-analysis and the benefits of journal-style writing that teach readers to evaluate and prepare data for scholarly journals and publication 
• Special attention to ethical issues to help readers understand the regulations involved in using human and animal subjects
• New information on logistic regression that aids in the understanding of complex ideas
• Further explanation of qualitative and mixed-methods research approaches, in addition to quantitative approaches, to ensure readers use the most appropriate methodology for their research

The content of the seventh edition maintains and expands upon the logical content progression that has made Research Methods in Physical Activity the leading text in the field. Part I presents an overview of the research process, including problem development, preparation of the research plan, and understanding ethical issues in research and writing. Part II introduces statistical and measurement issues in research, and part III presents various types of or approaches to research and methodology from expert researchers in the field. Part IV includes a writing guide for result findings and details how to develop and organize research papers and presentations. Statistical tables and guides are available in the appendix.

To aid instructors, Research Methods in Physical Activity, Seventh Edition, includes a suite of ancillary materials featuring an instructor guide, test package, an extra data set for instructors who wish to create specialized learning activities, and presentation package plus image bank. 

Research Methods in Physical Activity, Seventh Edition, instills in students the confidence to devise, collect, analyze, and present their research in a competent manner by systematically guiding them through the research process. It is an essential text for all emerging researchers in physical activity.

Preface
Study Tips
Acknowledgments

Part I: Overview of the Research Process

Chapter 1. Introduction to Research in Physical Activity

The Nature of Research

Unscientific Versus Scientific Methods of Problem Solving

Alternative Models of Research

Types of Research

Overview of the Research Process

Parts of a Thesis: A Reflection on the Steps in the Research Process

Summary

Chapter 2. Developing the Problem and Using the Literature

Identifying the Research Problem

Purpose of the Literature Review

Basic Literature Search Strategies

Steps in the Literature Search

Summary

Chapter 3. Presenting the Problem

Choosing the Title

Writing the Introduction

Stating the Research Problem

Presenting the Research Hypothesis

Operationally Defining Terms

Basic Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations

Justifying the Significance of the Study

Differences Between the Thesis and the Research Article

Summary

Chapter 4. Formulating the Method

How to Present Methodological Details

Why Planning the Methods Is Important

Two Principles for Planning Experiments

Describing Participants

Describing Instruments

Describing Procedures

Describing Design and Analysis

Establishing Cause and Effect

Interaction of Participants, Measurements, and Treatments

Summary

Chapter 5. Ethical Issues in Research and Scholarship

Seven Areas of Scientific Dishonesty

Ethical Issues Regarding Copyright

Model for Considering Scientific Misconduct

Working With Faculty

Protecting Human Participants

Protecting Animal Subjects

Summary

Part II: Statistical and Measurement Concepts in Research

Chapter 6. Becoming Acquainted With Statistical Concepts

Why We Need Statistics

Use of Computers in Statistical Analysis

Description and Inference Are Not Statistical Techniques

Ways to Select a Sample

Justifying Post Hoc Explanations

Difficulty of Random Sampling and Assignment: How Good Does It Have to Be?

Unit of Analysis

Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

Basic Concepts of Statistical Techniques

Data for Use in the Remaining Statistical Chapters

Summary

Chapter 7. Statistical Issues in Research Planning and Evaluation

Probability

Meaningfulness (Effect Size)

Power

Using Information in the Context of the Study

Summary

Chapter 8. Relationships Among Variables

What Correlational Research Investigates

Understanding the Nature of Correlation

What the Coefficient of Correlation Means

Using Correlation for Prediction

Partial Correlation

Semipartial Correlation

Procedures for Multiple Regression

Logistic Regression

Discriminant Function Analysis

Multivariate Forms of Correlation

Summary

Chapter 9. Differences Among Groups

How Statistics Test Differences

Types of t Tests

Interpreting t

Relationship of t and r

Analysis of Variance

Analysis of Covariance

Experimentwise Error Rate

Understanding Multivariate Techniques

Summary

Chapter 10. Nonparametric Techniques

Chi Square: Testing the Observed Versus the Expected

Procedures for Rank-Order Data

Correlation

Differences Among Groups

Summary

Chapter 11. Measuring Research Variables

Validity

Reliability

Methods of Establishing Reliability

Intertester Reliability (Objectivity)

Standard Error of Measurement

Using Standard Scores to Compare Performance

Measuring Movement

Measuring Written Responses

Measuring Affective Behavior

Scales for Measuring Affective Behavior

Measuring Knowledge

Item Response Theory

Summary

Part III: Types of Research

Chapter 12. Sociohistorical Process in Sport Studies

David K. Wiggins and Daniel S. Mason

Development of the Discipline Theory and Sport History

Relationship Between Theory and Method

Research Sources 

Research Topics 

Research Design 

Data Analysis and Interpretation 

Research Findings 

Exemplary Studies in Sport History

Summary

Chapter 13. Philosophical Research in Physical Activity

R. Scott Kretchmar and Tim Elcombe

Identifying the Purposes of Philosophical Research

Identifying the Range of Philosophical Research

Locating a Research Problem

Analyzing a Research Problem

Summary

Chapter 14. Research Synthesis (Meta-Analysis)

Using Meta-Analysis to Synthesize Research

Presenting Effect Size Data

Summary

Chapter 15. Surveys

Questionnaires

Electronic Surveys

Delphi Method

Personal Interviews

Normative Surveys

Summary

Chapter 16. Other Descriptive Research Methods

Developmental Research

Case Studies

Job Analysis

Observational Research

Unobtrusive Research Techniques

Correlational Research

Summary

Chapter 17. Physical Activity Epidemiology Research

Barbara E. Ainsworth and Charles E. Matthews

Observational Versus Experimental Research

What Is Epidemiology?

Physical Activity Measurement Definitions

Assessment of Physical Activity

Epidemiological Study Designs

Reading and Interpreting a Physical Activity Epidemiological Study

Summary

Chapter 18. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research

Sources of Invalidity

Threats to Internal Validity

Threats to External Validity

Controlling Threats to Internal Validity

Controlling Threats to External Validity

Types of Designs

Summary

Chapter 19. Qualitative Research

Procedures in Qualitative Research

Data Analysis

Concluding Remarks

Summary

Chapter 20. Mixed-Methods Research

Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Designing Mixed-Methods Research

Issues in Mixed-Methods Research

Examples of Mixed-Methods Research

Summary

Part IV: Writing the Research Report

Chapter 21. Completing the Research Process

Research Proposal

Thesis and Dissertation Proposal

Advisor and Dissertation Committee 

The Good Scholar Must Research and Write 

Scientific Writing 

First Things Are Sometimes Best Done Last 

Developing a Good Introduction

Describing the Method

The Proposal Process

Preparing and Presenting Qualitative Research Proposals

Writing Proposals for Granting Agencies

Submitting Internal Proposals

Completing Your Thesis or Dissertation

Results and Discussion

Handling Multiple Experiments in a Single Report

Using Tables and Figures

Summary

Chapter 22. Ways of Reporting Research

Basic Writing Guidelines

A Brief Word About Acknowledgments

Thesis and Dissertation Format: Traditional Versus Journal

Helpful Hints for Successful Journal Writing

Revising Research Papers

Writing Abstracts

Making Oral and Poster Presentations

Summary

Appendix: Statistical Tables
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Authors