Research Methods in Physical Activity 8th Edition by Jerry Thomas, Philip Martin, Jennifer Etnier, Stephen Silverman ISBN 1718201036 9781718201033

Part I: Overview of the Research Process

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

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

3. Presenting the Problem

Choosing the Title

Developing the Introduction: Background and Justification

Stating the Research Purpose

Presenting the Research Hypothesis

Operationally Defining Terms

Basic Assumptions, Delimitations, and Limitations

Presenting the Significance of the Study in a Thesis or Dissertation

Differences Between the Thesis and the Journal Article

Summary

4. Formulating the Method

How to Present Methods

Why Planning the Methods Is Important

Two Principles for Planning Experiments

Describing Participants

Selecting and Describing Instruments

Describing Procedures

Describing Design and Analysis

Establishing Cause and Effect

Interaction of Participants, Measurements, and Treatments

Summary

5. Ethical Issues in Research and Scholarship

Seven Areas of Research Misconduct

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

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

Ways to Assign Participants to Groups

Post Hoc Justifications

Difficulty of Random Sampling and Assignment: Good Enough?

Measures of Central Tendency and Variability

Basic Concepts of Statistical Techniques

Data for Use in the Remaining Statistical Chapters

Summary

7. Statistical Issues in Research Planning and Evaluation

Probability

Hypothesis Testing

Meaningfulness (Effect Size)

Power

Using Information in the Context of the Study

Summary

8. Relationships of 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

Moderators and Mediators

Multivariate Forms of Correlation

Summary

9. Differences Between Groups

How Statistics Test Differences

Types of t Tests

Interpreting t

Relationship of t and r

Analysis of Variance

Analysis of Covariance

Experiment-Wise Error Rate

Understanding Multivariate Techniques

Summary

10. Nonparametric Techniques

Chi Square: Testing the Observed Versus the Expected

Procedures for Rank-Order Data

Correlation

Differences Between Groups

Summary

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 Measurement

Measuring Knowledge

Item Response Theory

Summary

Part III: Types of Research

12. Sociohistorical Process in Sport Studies

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

13. Philosophical Research in Physical Activity

Identifying the Purposes of Philosophical Research

Philosophical Inquiry Continuum

Locating a Research Problem

Analyzing a Research Problem

Summary

14. Research Synthesis

Purpose of Research Synthesis

Using Systematic Review for Research Synthesis

Summary

15. Surveys

Questionnaires

Additional Considerations for Online Surveys

Delphi Method

Personal Interviews

Normative Surveys

Summary

16. Other Descriptive Research Methods

Developmental Research

Case Studies

Observational Research

Unobtrusive Research Techniques

Correlational Research

Summary

17. Physical Activity Epidemiology Research

U.S. National Physical Activity Guidelines and Plan

Observational Versus Experimental Research

What Is Physical Activity Epidemiology?

Definitions of Physical Activity and Its Components

Assessment of Physical Activity

Epidemiological Study Designs

Reading and Interpreting a Physical Activity Epidemiological Study

Summary

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

19. Qualitative Research

Procedures in Qualitative Research

Data Analysis

Concluding Remarks

Summary

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

21. Completing the Research Process

Research Proposal

Thesis and Dissertation Proposals

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 Methods

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

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

References

Author Index

Subject Index

About the Authors