Research Methods

GCF
Degree B
 Discussion
Gym in Ocho Rios
Tennis Club in your high school
Trophy and awards business in Montego Bay
Community football league in Angels
Building a multi purpose court in your community
Assessment of sports performance at GCF

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 Nature of Research
[Scientific Approach]
Research is a systematic process of collecting and
analyzing data.
Observation of the scientific method when doing
research gives the results authenticity
Scientific approach prescribe methods of collecting,
analyzing and presenting data
Research contributes to the body of knowledge and is
passed down for other researchers to improve upon.
It is therefore important that methods are authentic and
sound

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 Purpose of Research
 To provide objective, systematic and logical foundation for
planning and decision making
 Research is about finding a solution to a problem
Typical research process steps
 Identify a problem
 Review of related research
 Form a hypothesis
 Selection of research design
 Selection of data collection technique
 Selection of subjects (sampling)
 Data processing and analysis of findings

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 Classification of Research
Classification of Educational research

Research conducted to determine behavioral pattern in a

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 Nature of Research [cont’d]
Basic: Also called pure research.
 Intention is to expand the body of knowledge about a specific subject
area
 In many case purely theoretical
 Basic research lays down the foundation for future action
 Not necessarily done to solve a particular problem
 Sometimes does not lead to a practical conclusion until some time in
the future
 Most cases will not lead to immediate commercial benefits
 Eg: Michael Faraday [1831]
 Discovered the principle of electromagnetic induction [relationship
between electricity and magnetism]
 Subsequently led to development of radios, generators, alternators

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 Applied Research
 Applied research utilizes historical input from members of the research
community in an effort to solve a problem
 May arise from accumulated technique and methods
 Applied research is usually done for a commercial or state driven
purpose
 JTB research on visitor arrival

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 Method
Deductive vs Inductive
Deductive: General to specific
Start with a broad theory and try to prove it correct by
information gathering
 All GCF students participate in sports
 Male students are more interested than female students
 Only 30% of the female student population represent
GCF in competitive sports.

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 Inductive Research
From the specific to the general
Specific facts are used to create a theory that explains the
relationship between the facts. Helps to make predictions
Develop a hypothesis
Test it to see if accurate
Eg : Carol attended Holmwood Technical (premise)
Most girls at Holmwood Tech participate in Sports
(premise)
Conclusion : Carol represented Holmwood Tech in Sports

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 Validity
 Validity speaks to the dependability of your research results
 Do I have confidence that the research was conducted in a way
to produce credible results?
 Will it address the stated problem?
 Did the researcher measure what he intended to measure
 Validity tries to establish a relationship between an independent
variable and a dependent variable
Internal Validity
 Speaks to how the research study was designed
 Concerns about selection of sample
 Is there any other reason for the relationship between variables?
Eg Research to measure performance in sports but there is a
bias to track and field.

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 Internal Validity
Internal validity refers to the extent to which we can accurately
state that the independent variable produced the observed
effect.
If
 effect on dependant variable only due to variation in the
independent variable(s)
then
 internal validity achieved

Variable
 PS: Concept that can vary or have more than one value eg:
gender, weight, height, zip code.

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 Internal Validity
Example of the Issue
 Investigating effects of extra lessons (independent) on
GSAT results
 Compare those who receive Extra lessons with
those who do not
 Results {Extra lessons students do better}
Other variables
 don’t stay out late
 Have more parental supervision

Internal validity is questionable

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 External Validity
Speaks to the ability to generalize based on findings
Are you confident enough that the results will hold true
in another setting. (another sample, place and time)
If sampling was done using blacks can it be applied to
whites?
Important to:
Ensure that your sampling method is correct
Respondents compliance level is high
Provide as much details about variation in population
tested.

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 Reliability
Speaks to the consistency and repeatability of your
measure
Would you get the same results over and over if you
could repeat the process?
Need to ensure that research questions are consistent in
meaning across all areas of the targeted group and
delivered objectively
Reliability differs from validity which seeks to
determine the extent to which the research is
measuring what it says it is.

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 Randomization [ random sampling]
Gives each subject an equal chance of being selected
from a group to be studied in an effort to achieve an
unbiased results
Random sampling takes the selection of the sample out
of the researchers hands
Every individual have the same probability of being
selected
It is the best way to obtain a representative sample
If samples are not randomly selected inference made
from the research can be suspect

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 Quantitative vs Qualitative Research
Quantitative features
Data numerical and precise
Objective is to classify features, tabulate them and
develop statistical output in an effort to explain what is
observed
Researcher uses tools such as a questionnaire to collect
numerical data
All elements of the study are usually pre-planned before
collection of the data
Usually done at the latter stages of research process
Researcher tend to remain objective and not in a position
to influence the subject

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 Quantitative vs Qualitative
Qualitative features
 Results tend to be presented in a descriptive form
 Can be subjective since researcher will have to interpret
opinions of subject
 Researcher is the data collecting instrument
 Usually done at the early phase of research to assist in the
determination of the issue/problem
 Researcher can delve deeper to get insight into the issue
 Qualitative approach is time consuming and usually case
specific [ hard to generalize]
 Researcher can become too involved resulting in biases and
incorrect inferences [subjective]

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 Research Methodology
Description of :
The subjects
Instruments
Procedure to be followed
Design of the study

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 Subjects
Persons from whom information will be gathered
Describe the sample appropriate for your research
Look at definition of the population from which your
sample is drawn
What is the procedure for drawing the sample?
Indicate the sample size. (will you use the whole pop)
Are there any special reasons for selecting a group of
subjects
(eg Netball team has representatives from 4th and 5th
form and you want samples from both levels)

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 Instruments
 Means by which data is collected
 Questionnaires and interviews most popular
 Questionnaires have open and closed ended questions
{open: opportunity to express oneself}
 Typically 3 sets of questions
1. First set put the subject [sample] into perspective] age,
gender etc : abt 3-4 questions
2. Next set gives more background on the subject eg How
long have you been playing netball?
3. Next set of ques are generated by the research question.
 Should help you to come to a reasonable conclusion

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 Interviews
Usually face to face where the interviewer ask a series
of questions
Normally open ended to assess feelings and opinions
Prepare well thought out questions beforehand
Begin with general questions before asking sensitive
ones
Allows for flexibility and interviewer can judge body
language
Guarantee confidentiality

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 Some typical questions
What age group are you in :
How long have you been playing netball?
How many meals do you eat per day?
Do you take supplements
What motivates you to play? Friends, family, coach
What kind of encouragement do you get from your
parents?
Is the school facility adequate to support your training
programme
Are they properly maintained
What can be done to improve the performance of the team

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