Department of Health and Sport Science

Winter Semester – January 3 – May 3, 2001

Instructor: L. L. Laubach

Office: TJF Center Room 40F

Phone: 937/229-4205

E-mail: laubach@udayton.edu

Home Page: http://homepages.udayton.edu/~laubach

Course Time: 4:30-7:00 p.m., Monday

Office Hours: By Appointment

This course is designed to develop an understanding of the nature of the general field of sport science research. It emphasizes the application of various research processes and design, learning by doing, and learning through example. It is intended for use by individuals who have minimal knowledge of statistics

Knowledge: To assist the practitioner to gain an updated general knowledge of selected research topics pertinent of sport science.

To assist the student in recognizing various research processes and designs.

To acquaint the student with basic sources of sport science resource information.

Skills: To acquire an improved facility for critical reading, interpretation, and evaluation of research.

To familiarize the student with various sport science researchers in his/her area through an appropriate review of the literature.

Attitudes: To appreciate the scholar’s time, dedication and commitment to the profession.

To revise one’s thinking in light of what research reveals and to refute disproved or outdated notions.

Values: To judge research based on scientific principles and format and to value the scholar’s responsibility to constantly add to one’s knowledge base.

Course Topics:

Overview of the Research Process

Introduction to Research in Physical Activity

Developing the Problem and Using the Literature

Presenting the Problem

Formulating the Method

Ethical issues in Research and Scholarship

Statistical and Measurement Concepts in Research

Becoming Acquainted with Statistical Concepts

Relationships Among Variables

Differences Among Groups

Types of Research

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research

Writing the Research Report

The Research Proposal

Results and Discussion

Ways of Reporting Research

Methodology: lecture, discussion and student reporting of various research papers. One-on-one interaction with the course instructor.

A. You are to write three (3) research papers that are brief reviews of the literature on topics of your choice. I will need to approve these topics. These papers are to be no more than two to three pages in length, word-processed, double spaced, 12 point font and must have a minimum of ten references. One of these references may come from a book citation, one may be a website citation, and the remainder must come from peer-reviewed journal articles. These papers are due February 12, March 19, and April 9.

B. You are to select a sports, exercise, or health-related topic and complete a thorough and comprehensive review of the literature on this topic. The topic should be selected after consulting with your course instructor no later than January 29. Your review of the literature will probably entail your using the libraries at the University of Dayton, Wright State Medical School, Miami Valley Hospital, etc. so be prepared to spend many hours in the libraries researching and writing. Use at least twenty-five (25) reference citations and write between 15 and 20 pages of text to cover your topic. This is meant to be a guideline to help you in writing your paper. You will be given the opportunity to review papers that have been previously submitted in this class and also published papers that pertain to reviews of the literature.

C. After the paper is written and submitted, your instructor will edit the paper and return it to you for your final corrections and rewriting. The intent is to make your paper as ready for publication as possible. (Due April 2)

D. You will then present this paper to the class in an oral presentation complete with an outline, overheads or PowerPoint, graphs, key references, etc. (Due April 16)

E. Once the review of the literature paper is completed, I will ask you to develop an "original" research design to answer one or more of the questions that you have discovered from your library research. (Due April 23)

ALL papers, reference citations must be submitted using the format recommended by Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

Textbook (Recommended): Thomas, J.R. and J. K. Nelson, Research Methods in Physical Activity (3^rd Edition), Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1996.

ISBN: 0-88011-481-9

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, The Physician and Sportsmedicine, Journal of Applied Physiology, International Journal of Sports Medicine, Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews (Vol. 28), etc.

Books in the sport science field such as: Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews -Vol 1, 1973 – Vol 27, 1999.