Researching the Coaching Process

CSC202 Week Three

Learning Outcomes
Aim

To introduce key concepts and terminology in research methods To develop knowledge in experimental research design Objectives
To familiarise in the standard terms used in experimental design To promote learning in the use of terms and concepts To apply this knowledge to a specific research question

Asking a Question
Refining your research question What makes a good question? A good question is one that can be answered It is also important that once it is answered you know that it is answered

Answering a Question
Two methods

Match an answer to your question

Largely qualitative in nature Opinion based

Pre-define your answers and choose between them

Largely quantitative in nature Experimentally based

Hypotheses 1
Definition
A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation

Null Hypothesis
H0

Example
There will be no significant difference between x and y. Any differences will be due to random variations.

Hypotheses 2
Experimental (or Research) Hypothesis
H1 (H2), etc

Example
There will be a significant difference between x and y due to z

Hypotheses 3
Tails
One- or two-tailed hypotheses

One-Tailed Hypothesis
Unidirectional x will increase due to y

Two-Tailed Hypothesis
Bidirectional x will change due to y

Practice
In pairs, for each of your research ideas, come up with a
Null hypothesis Experimental hypothesis One-tailed hypothesis Two-tailed hypotheses

Sample
Distinct from a Population Definition
Selection made from the population, either randomly or otherwise, which is representative of the population as a whole A population is a whole set of people, things, or events which have a given characteristic in common

Sample Types
Example
Within a population of premiership footballers we can use
Random Stratified Systematic

Researcher Effects
Type of confounding variable Minimise effects Embraced by qualitative Controlled by quantitative

Practice
You are investigating the effects of sports drink consumption on performance Come up with several examples of how the experimenter could influence the findings of this study Think of ways in which the experimenter could minimise the influence this might have on the results

Variables
Independent variable
The thing you are going to manipulate The x

Dependent variable
The think you are going to measure The y

Research Factors 1
Reliability
Consistency with which a variable may be repeatedly measured Similar to the fitness testing procedures from last week Under the same conditions a reliable test will produce the same result The more reliable the test, the more detail can be measured

Research Factors 2
Validity
Construct validity
Face validity Measurement has a direct relationship with object

Homework
Using the concepts from this session and your homework from last week
Produce a 500 word (maximum) research proposal using the work you have completed in class and the homework from the previous session Include your hypotheses or research question Reference your work appropriately
References are not included in your word count

Submit your proposal for formative assessment by this session next week at the latest