Research Methods in Physical Activity, Eighth Edition, offers step-by-step information for every aspect of the research process, providing guidelines for research methods so that students feel capable and confident using research techniques in kinesiology and exercise science disciplines.

Part I. Overview of the Research ProcessChapter 1. Introduction to Research in Physical ActivityThe Nature of ResearchUnscientific Versus Scientific Methods of Problem-SolvingAlternative Models of ResearchTypes of ResearchOverview of the Research ProcessParts of a Thesis: A Reflection on the Steps in the Research ProcessSummaryChapter 2. Developing the Problem and Using the LiteratureIdentifying the Research ProblemPurpose of the Literature ReviewBasic Literature Search StrategiesSteps in the Literature SearchSummaryChapter 3. Presenting the ProblemChoosing the TitleDeveloping the Introduction: Background and JustificationStating the Research PurposePresenting the Research HypothesisOperationally Defining TermsBasic Assumptions, Delimitations, and LimitationsJustifying the Significance of the StudyDifferences Between the Thesis and the Research ArticleSummaryChapter 4. Formulating the MethodHow to Present Methodological DetailsWhy Planning the Methods Is ImportantTwo Principles for Planning ExperimentsDescribing ParticipantsSelecting and Describing InstrumentsDescribing ProceduresDescribing Design and AnalysisEstablishing Cause and EffectInteraction of Participants, Measurements, and TreatmentsSummaryChapter 5. Ethical Issues in Research and ScholarshipSeven Areas of Research MisconductEthical Issues Regarding CopyrightModel for Considering Scientific MisconductWorking With FacultyProtecting Human ParticipantsProtecting Animal SubjectsSummaryPart II. Statistical and Measurement Concepts in ResearchChapter 6. Becoming Acquainted With Statistical ConceptsWhy We Need StatisticsUse of Computers in Statistical AnalysisDescription and Inference Are Not Statistical TechniquesWays to Select a SampleWays to Assign Participants to GroupsPost Hoc JustificationsDifficulty of Random Sampling and Assignment: How Good Must It Be?Measures of Central Tendency and VariabilityBasic Concepts of Statistical TechniquesData for Use in the Remaining Statistical ChaptersSummaryChapter 7. Statistical Issues in Research Planning and EvaluationProbabilityHypothesis TestingMeaningfulness (Effect Size)PowerUsing Information in the Context of the StudySummaryChapter 8. Relationships of VariablesWhat Correlational Research InvestigatesUnderstanding the Nature of CorrelationWhat the Coefficient of Correlation MeansUsing Correlation for PredictionPartial CorrelationSemipartial CorrelationProcedures for Multiple RegressionLogistic RegressionDiscriminant Function AnalysisModerators and MediatorsMultivariate Forms of CorrelationSummaryChapter 9. Differences Between GroupsHow Statistics Test DifferencesTypes of t TestsInterpreting tRelationship of t and rAnalysis of VarianceAnalysis of CovarianceExperiment-Wise Error RateUnderstanding Multivariate TechniquesSummaryChapter 10. Nonparametric TechniquesChi Square: Testing the Observed Versus the ExpectedProcedures for Rank-Order DataCorrelationDifferences Between GroupsSummaryChapter 11. Measuring Research VariablesValidityReliabilityMethods of Establishing ReliabilityIntertester Reliability (Objectivity)Standard Error of MeasurementUsing Standard Scores to Compare PerformanceMeasuring MovementMeasuring Written ResponsesMeasuring Affective BehaviorScales for MeasurementMeasuring KnowledgeItem Response TheorySummaryPart III. Types of ResearchChapter 12. Sociohistorical Process in Sport StudiesDevelopment of the DisciplineTheory and Sport HistoryRelationship Between Theory and MethodResearch SourcesResearch TopicsResearch DesignData Analysis and InterpretationResearch FindingsExemplary Studies in Sport HistorySummaryChapter 13. Philosophical Research in Physical ActivityIdentifying the Purposes of Philosophical ResearchPhilosophical Inquiry ContinuumLocating a Research ProblemAnalyzing a Research ProblemSummaryAppendixChapter 14. Research Synthesis (Meta-Analysis and Systematic Reviews)Purpose of Research SynthesisPresenting Effect Size DataSummaryChapter 15. SurveysQuestionnairesAdditional Considerations for Online SurveysDelphi MethodPersonal InterviewsNormative SurveysSummaryChapter 16. Other Descriptive Research MethodsDevelopmental ResearchCase StudiesObservational ResearchUnobtrusive Research TechniquesCorrelational ResearchSummaryChapter 17. Physical Activity Epidemiology ResearchU.S. National Physical Activity Guidelines and PlanObservational Versus Experimental ResearchWhat Is Physical Activity Epidemiology?Definitions of Physical Activity and Its ComponentsAssessment of Physical ActivityEpidemiological Study DesignsReading and Interpreting a Physical Activity Epidemiological StudySummaryChapter 18. Experimental and Quasi-Experimental ResearchSources of InvalidityThreats to Internal ValidityThreats to External ValidityControlling Threats to Internal ValidityControlling Threats to External ValidityTypes of DesignsSummaryChapter 19. Qualitative ResearchProcedures in Qualitative ResearchData AnalysisConcluding RemarksSummaryChapter 20. Mixed-Methods ResearchCombining Quantitative and Qualitative MethodsDesigning Mixed-Methods ResearchIssues in Mixed-Methods ResearchExamples of Mixed-Methods ResearchSummaryPart IV. Writing the Research ReportChapter 21. Completing the Research ProcessResearch ProposalThesis and Dissertation ProposalsAdvisor and Dissertation CommitteeThe Good Scholar Must Research and WriteScientific WritingFirst Things Are Sometimes Best Done LastDeveloping a Good IntroductionDescribing the MethodsThe Proposal ProcessPreparing and Presenting Qualitative Research ProposalsWriting Proposals for Granting AgenciesSubmitting Internal ProposalsCompleting Your Thesis or DissertationResults and DiscussionHandling Multiple Experiments in a Single ReportUsing Tables and FiguresSummaryChapter 22. Ways of Reporting ResearchBasic Writing GuidelinesA Brief Word About AcknowledgmentsThesis and Dissertation Format: Traditional Versus JournalHelpful Hints for Successful Journal WritingRevising Research PapersWriting AbstractsMaking Oral and Poster PresentationsSummaryAppendix. Statistical Tables