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.