Literature Reviews and Research Overview
Chapter objectives Explain the different purposes that literature reviews serve in Exercise Science Describe strategies for reviewing and critiquing the quality of published literature. Describe the importance of statistics when engaged in a research project Discuss the steps to the scientific method. Compare and contrast the different statistical research models (correlational, t-test, ANOVA) Define independent and dependent variables Explain the impact of ‘statistical significance’ and probability
“Impact of Parental Influence on Athlete Burnout” Literature Reviews A body of writing that provides a comprehensive overview of the state of research on a current topic. Usually an introductory explanation to the reader In peer reviewed journals, LRs are concentrated and concise In student projects, LRs are detailed and extensive Views of the topic can be neutral or directional Literature USUALLY dictates Controversial topics require a more complete LR “Impact of Parental Influence on Athlete Burnout”
Literature Reviews Why, where and how to search. What constitutes ‘good’ research that we should include in our review? Why? Summarizing the current literature presents the ‘window’ for your research Where? Professional, Peer-reviewed journals (http://huntingdoncollege.worldcat.org) How? Slowly delimit a search Physical limits Publication date limits Topic or subtopic limits
Literature Reviews Critiquing literature involves: Source: newspaper article, magazine article, journal article (journal impact factor), editorial, ‘brief communication’. Abstract Methodology Results Impact of the study
Scientific Method Research should adhere to a few essential steps:
Scientific Method Quantitative vs qualitative research Is the data gained through direct measurement of variables?... or through descriptive methods? Inductive vs deductive reasoning Do inferences to a population or a phenomenon arise from logic or from observation? Basic vs applied research Does the research desire new knowledge or the application of knowledge?
Ex Sci Research “Good” research Reliable Credible Trusted Ethical
Ex Sci Research Descriptive Measures of central tendency Measures of variability Distribution of scores Correlational Relationships, not causality PPM correlation Coefficient of determination Experimental and quasi-experimental Student’s t-test: Independent vs Dependent (paired) ANOVA
Ex Sci Research Variables – an element, feature or factor that is likely to change or vary Independent Variable that stands alone and isn’t affected by other variables Dependent Variable whose value depends upon that of another Control An experimental element that is constant throughout the investigation Extraneous (confounding) Variables that influence the outcome, even though they are not the variables of interest
Scientific Method Identification of the problem Feasible Interesting Time Equipment Cost Subjects Interesting Variables Background Research
Scientific Method Construct hypotheses Null hypothesis Alternative (research) hypothesis Directional hypotheses One tailed vs two tailed analysis Research design and data collection Cohort Studies, cross sectional, ecological (population-based), randomized controlled trial Procedures Equipment
Scientific Method Analyze data/hypothesis testing Probability NOT ‘proof’ Reject or “fail to reject” Draw conclusions and report results Significance for population Inference