Lecture Conducting and reading research in health and human performance (4/e): Chapter 1 - Ted A. Baumgartner, Larry D. Hensley

Chapter1 - The nature and purpose of research. After reading Chapter 1, you should be able to: Explain the relationship between research and a profession, describe the nature of research, explain the scientific method, understand the various types of research classifi cations and how they are applied.

Conducting and Reading Research

in Health and Human Performance

Chapter 1 The Nature and Purpose of

Research

Consumer of Research Information

Advil

– “Nothing is proven more effective or longer lasting

than Advil.”

Oral-B Toothbrush

– “You can buy a fancier toothbrush But you can’t buy

a more effective one.”

Duracell Battery

– “No other battery lasts longer.”

Revlon Skin Cream

– “In just one week, fine dry lines and wrinkles are

reduced by over 38%.”

Essence of a Profession

The pursuit of knowledge

and its dissemination is a

unique characteristic of a

“profession”

Research is the basis for

advancing the body of

knowledge of a

profession

What is your vision of a researcher????????

Research Defined

Not really a universal definition

– A structured way of answering questions, a

systematic method of inquiry

– Research is nothing more or less than finding answers to a question in a logical, orderly, and systematic fashion

Two key components

– Systematic in nature

– Focuses on a question of interest

Sources of Knowledge

Myth or tradition

Authority

Observation or personal experience

Logic or deductive reasoning

Scientific inquiry

– Objective

– Data Gathering

– Controlled Nature

– Every rabbit that has been observed has lungs

Therefore, every rabbit has lungs

Imperfect vs Perfect Induction

The Scientific Method

A way of solving problems and acquiring

knowledge that involves both deductive and

inductive reasoning in a systematic approach to obtaining information

Stages of the Scientific Method

Question Identified Hypothesis Formed Research Plan Data Collected Results Analyzed Conclusions

New Questions  Arise

Stages of the Research Process

precisely defining the problem

study and basis for anticipated solution or predicted outcome

permit examination of stated problem and to test hypothesis

researcher will test, measure, or observe the phenomena in

question in order to gather data

the collected data in order to base a decision to confirm or refute

Research and Theory

Through scientific inquiry (research), facts are discovered

– The interpretation or explanation of these facts is the basis for theory, which is a belief about how things relate to each other

– Theory is not law, but could become law through

additional research and experimentation

– A theory establishes a cause and effect relationship between variables for the purpose of explaining and

Theory in Research

Ultimate goal of science is the formation of theory based upon the synthesis and interpretation of

facts and information

HHP research has often neglected theory

Greater attention should be given to the

theoretical basis of research in HHP and the

explanation of facts and relationships

Basic Research

Purpose is to discover new or fundamental knowledge

Practical application is NOT a goal

Usually in highly controlled laboratory settings

Quantitative Research

Positivist paradigm

Traditional model of research

Hypothesis directed

Based on empirical evidence

Measured with numbers

Analyzed statistically

Seeking generalizations

Experimental Research

The purpose of experimental research is to

investigate cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating certain variables to determine

their effect on another variable

– attempts to establish causality

– manipulation of independent variable

– control of extraneous variables is vital

– often uses a control group

– often uses randomization procedures

Non-Experimental Research

Tends to observe, analyze, and describe what exists rather than manipulating the variable

under study

Lack of control is often cited as a limitation

Various types common in HHP

– Causal-comparative

– Descriptive

– Correlational

– Historical

Casual-Comparative Research

Seeks to investigate cause-and-effect

relationships similar to experimental researchHowever, researcher cannot manipulate the independent variable because it is something the subject already has

– Attribute or organismic variable

Gender Ethnicity Medical condition

Descriptive Research

Seeks to describe specific phenomena or

characteristics of a particular group of subjects– Answers the question “what is”

– No manipulation of an independent variable

Wide range of methodologies

– Surveys

– Direct measurement

– Observation

– Interviews

Correlational Research

Seeks to determine whether, and to what extent,

a relationship exists between two or more

variables

– No manipulation of an independent variable

– May be descriptive or predictive in nature

Cannot establish causality

Historical Research

Seeks to explore events and information from the past in order to provide a better understanding of the present with implications for the future

– Answers the question “what was”

Limited to synthesis and interpretation of data

that already exists

– Primary sources

– Secondary sources