Research Methods Learning Aim C

Research Methods Learning Aim C

Unit 9

How this is going to work.

• There are going to be interactive parts for you to do throughout this session.

• You will need to take notes/photos/Screenshots of information I am going to give.

• Be prepared to answer questions throughout and speak.

• I will get your results at the end of the lesson.

Lesson Aim

• Apply appropriate research methods to a selected research problem in sport

  P5 State the appropriate research methods for a sport-based research problem.

  P6 Demonstrate skills in appropriate research methods to address a selected research problem.

  M3 Assess the research methods for a sport-based research problem.

  D3 Justify the choice of research methods for a selected sport-based research problem.

  Lesson objectives:

  •C1 Research designs

  •C2 Data collection methods

  •C3 Quantitative data analysis methods

  •C4 Qualitative research designs

  •C5 Qualitative data collection methods

  •C6 Qualitative data analysis methods

Open Ended

Can you name the 5 types of research?

Quantitative Research Design

• You can use a number of different research designs within sport and exercise sciences. A research design is the overall structure of your research. The main quantitative designs are experimental, cross-sectional or survey based, and longitudinal.

  ‘’Sport research is designed to explain the underlying mechanisms about how athletes function. It gives coaches and athletes a way to gain solid information and apply it to sport performance. It helps coaches form beliefs about how to develop programs and coaching techniques.’’

  https://www.sports-training-adviser.com/sportresearch.html

Multiple Select

What are the three types of Quantitative Research Design I just mentioned?

• Experimental research design

• Cross-Section or Survey based Design

• Longitudinal Design

• Research Research Design

Experimental Research Design

•The aim of the experiment is to explore the effects something has on something else that depends on it.

•Independent variable- a variable whose variation does not depends on that of another

•Dependent variable- a variable whose variation depends on that of another

•E.g. An athletics coach might wants to find out whether her lower back flexibility training is benefiting the athlete’s high jump performance. As the coach wants to find out if flexibility affects the performance, in this example

ØThe independent variable= flexibility

ØThe dependent variable= high-jump performance- i.e it depends on the flexibility

•In this type of design, having treatment and control groups is important so that you can isolate any treatment effects- you need to know for sure that it is the independent variable affecting any changes, not something else.

Cross- Sectional or Survey-Based Design

•Cross-sectional research involves using a range of participants with different backgrounds, ages and gender from the overall population

•E.g. If you wanted to know if individuals preferred individuals or team sports, then using cross-section would be useful as you would be able to obtain opinions from people with different backgrounds.

•Often a questionnaire or survey based

•Using the case study previously mentioned the participants would answer which sport they prefer, from the data collected you can produce descriptive statistics E.g. 73% of men preferred team sports, 20% of men preferred individual sports and 7% had no preference

•This type of research can identify trends or relationships within or between different groups of people

Open Ended

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cross-sectional and survey based research designs?

Previous video can be found if you search "cross sectional vs longitudinal research" into youtube.

You can use your own opinions. You also have time to research this. We will discuss in 15 minutes.

Longitudinal Design

•Longitudinal design research involves measuring the same variables over a long period of time , it does require a large amount of resources though.

•Measurements are taken at multiple points over a period of weeks, months, years to then see how and when they change.

•Useful if you want to see examine developmental characteristics of a group e.g. if you were investigating factors associated with talent development in a particular sport, allowing you to focus on a developmental issues over an extended period of time.

Longitudinal designs can be used in either quantitative or qualitative research, but the application is slightly different.

Quantitative Data Collection Methods

Laboratory-Based Data Collection

• Involves collecting data in an environment where al conditions and potential extraneous variables are controlled, so that you are only measuring the variables that your research is focusing on

  •Advantage- high levels of internal validity

  •Disadvantage-  Low levels of ecological validity

  •Disadvantage- requires the use of expensive or technical equipment

Field-Based Data Collection

Collected in an environment that simulates the ones in which the sport is played- claims ecological validity

•Advantage- Cheaper than laboratory – based collection, making it more accessible

•Disadvantage-  Do not control all of the extraneous variables, difficult to claim internal validity

Survey-Based Data Collection

Surveys are used when trying to collect a large amount of data from large groups and when the data you want to collect is not in-depth.

Surveys predominatley use closed questions. If you need to obtain more in depth information, surveys would not be suitable alone.

However, they could be effective if used alongside other qualitative methods of data collection (such as interviews).

Multiple Select

Which of the following are advatages of surveys. Choose as many as you like.

• they are people friendly if the form is designed correctly.

• they provide an opportunity to reduce participant bias.

• the participant can be anonymous

• the data is structured so you can analyse the results more easily

• they are usually accessible to most people

Multiple Select

ok so now can you choose the disadvantages?

• Questions can be too complex if the form is designed incorrectly

• there are control issues (eg. potential issues with controlling the return rate; clarity and understanding of the questions).

• There is no opportunity for probing questions.

• There is potential for a low response rate

Survey Design

- consider what you want to find out

- consider the sample

- consider the length and appearance of your survey

- decide how and when you are going to distribute your survey

consider the best way to analyse the data.

Open Ended

You want to find out about the physical activity habits of learners at your college. Which quantitive data method would you use? Laboratory- Based Data, Field Based Data collection, Survey Based data collection?

Help - create a list of all three methods. What would you use each method for and which method would be most suitable for this case?

Additional question - justify your choice of collection method, explaining how it would allow you to answer the question.

Break