ResearchResearch

PHE 498PHE 498

Define ResearchDefine Research

• Research can be considered as systematic inquiry: A process that needs to be followed systematically to derive conclusions.

• In our case, research could be defined as the application of the scientific method to answer a question or problem.

Approaches to ResearchApproaches to Research

Research is often broadly categorized as qualitative or quantitative.

• Both quantitative and qualitative researchers collect and analyze data.

• Both quantitative and qualitative researchers derive conclusions and interpretations.

Approaches to ResearchApproaches to Research

Approaches to ResearchApproaches to Research

Quantitative

• Numerical data• Describes, predicts or

controls variables of interest

• The world is relatively uniform, stable, and predictable.

Qualitative

• Narrative and visual data• Gains insights into

phenomenon of interest• Knowledge is situated

and contextual. There are different perspectives.

Quantitative

• Researchers state hypothesis, specify research procedures, and control context.

• Researchers identify large samples.

• Researchers are interested in statistical significance.

Qualitative

• Researchers form foreshadowed problems. They don’t control but explain context.

• A large amount of data is collected over an extended time in a natural setting.

• Data are categorized and organized into patterns.

ExamplesExamples

Quantitative

• Are there differences in the amount of calories consumed by high school males and females?

Qualitative

• What are the social experiences of high school female athletes?

ExamplesExamples

Quantitative

• What variable best predicts the incidence of heart attacks among middle aged males?

Qualitative

• What challenges do middle aged males face in a cardiac rehabilitation program?

Classification of Research by Classification of Research by PurposePurpose

• Basic Research: obtaining empirical data that can be used to formulate, expand, or evaluate theory. The aim of basic research is to expand the frontiers of knowledge without regard to practical application.

• Applied Research: obtaining empirical data that has practical application. Applied research is performed in relation to actual problems and under the conditions in which they are found in practice.

• Evaluative Research: obtaining empirical data in order to make decisions. For example, a fitness administrator needs information on the adequacy of fitness equipment within a fitness center.

• Action Research: obtaining empirical data to determine a solution in a particular setting without regard to making inferences to other settings.

Research by MethodResearch by Method

• Survey (Descriptive)

• Correlational

• Causal Comparative (ex post facto)

• Experimental

• Survey research deals with conducting surveys, e.g., questionnaires and focus groups, to study the present status on a topic. In essence, survey research is conducted to answer the question dealing with what is the present view, perception, or attitude on a topic. For example, what is the satisfaction of NKU students to Campus Recreation programs.

• Correlational research is conducted to answer the question of what is the degree of relationship between two variables. For example, what is the relationship of salt intake and diastolic blood pressure?

• Causal Comparative research deals with causal relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable. The independent variable has already occurred, i.e., the independent variable cannot be manipulated by the researcher. For example, what is the effect of athletic participation on GPA among ninth grade females?

• Experimental research deals with the causal relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable. The researcher is able to manipulate the independent variable. For example, do ninth grade students who receive physical education instruction three times a week have higher levels of CV performance than students who receive physical education instruction two times a week.

Common CharacteristicsCommon Characteristics

• Definition of problem

• Literature Review

• Hypothesis Development

• Some form of data collection

• Analysis of data

• Conclusion

Ethics of Conducting ResearchEthics of Conducting Research

• Researchers must be aware of and attend to ethical considerations.

• Ethical considerations are an important part of research.

• Two main overarching ethical rules guide researchers.– Participants should not be harmed.– Researchers obtain participants’ informed

consent.

• Most societies for behavioral researchers have similar codes for ethical research largely due to the National Research Act of 1974 which Created a code for the protection of human subjects.

• Most institutions have review groups that assure participant protections.– IRB (Institutional Review Board) or HSRC

(Human Subjects Review Committee)

• Researchers must submit their proposal for review and approval.

• Informed consent and protection from harm– Research participants must not be harmed in

any way• Physically, mentally, socially

– Research participants freely agree to participate

• Informed consent: Researchers provide information about the study and any potential dangers

• Researchers ensure freedom from harm– No undue risks– Personal privacy and confidentiality– Limit access of data to those who ‘need to

know’

– Participants’ involvement should not be reported

The Buckley Amendment (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974)– Data that identifies a student is not available

without written permission – Must describe what data, for what purposes,

and to whom