HPA 1031 Research in Sport Science I. Introductory Information A. Instructor - Elizabeth Nagle Stilley, Ph.D. B. Office - 107 Trees Hall C. Telephone (412) 648-8268 C. Email - nagle@pitt.edu D. Class Meetings - Mondays & Wednesdays Room 130 Trees Hall 10:30-12 pm; 12:30-2 pm E. Required Text Measurement for Evaluation in Kinesiology 9 th Edition, Jones & Bartlett Publishing Baumgartner, T.A. and Jackson, A.S. Research in Sport Science, http://courseweb.pitt.edu F. Office Hours- For any appointment, call or see Donna Farrell (648-8251) in the main office. II. Course Description This class will provide an introduction to the research process through discussion and exploration of the scientific method demonstrated in research involving healthfitness, clinical exercise physiology, and sport performance. Our goals are threefold! They are to: 1) Gain knowledge on valid and objective methodologies in our industry; 2) Understand the initial steps in searching, reading, and analyzing research papers; and 3) Experience basic level statistical software packages and begin to interpret data analyses. Bottom Line- Research allows us to learn new things about the world each day. Separate yourself from others, and begin to establish your professional credential by exposing yourself to the investigation process with this class! Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought ~Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (Hungarian Biochemist, 1937 Nobel Prize for Medicine 1893-1986. III. Expected Outcomes After Completion of this course, you should be able to A. Describe the role and methods of measurement and evaluation as it relates to a topic of your interest in health-fitness and/or health sciences. B. Examine and evaluate validity, reliability, and objectivity of research methodology and design using examples on the areas of body
composition, fitness assessment and measuring physical activity in children and adults. C. Identify appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques used in the data analysis process given the research question(s) proposed D. Identify, evaluate, and provide examples of steps of the scientific method from individual, group, and examples discussed in class IV. Course Grading Exam 1^^ 15% Exam 2^^ 15% Exam 3^^ 15% Homeworks#/Quizzes 15% Literature Review Part 1 & 2 20% Group Presentation 20% 100% ^^ Exams 1 and 2 are multiple choice, T/F, and short answer format. Exam 3 is short answer/essay. There are No Makeups on Exams. In the event of severe illness (hospitalization) or family emergency, Dr. Nagle must be contacted prior to the exam date. Failure to contact prior to the exam will result in a Zero grade. # Homework assignments will complement class lectures and lay the groundwork for Literature Review Part 1 and 2. 5 pts per day deduction for any homework submitted late. There will be a minimum of 3-5 quizzes (format to be discussed). Student will not be eligible for quiz grade if they come to class late. In the event of tardiness (more than 1 occasion) on a non-quiz day, 25% will be deducted from a single quiz grade. No makeups on quizzes The literature review will prepare each student individually on how to develop a research topic (including an electronic search), and practice initial steps in the research writing process. 5 pts per day deduction for any portion submitted late.
The Group Presentation will consist of an in-depth review of an experimental research paper of the group s choice in Power point format where each member will present individually. Failure to participate in group presentation will result in zero individual and zero group grade. Cell Phone Ringers (including texting) must be turned off for class! If you are using your phone during class, you will be asked to leave. Also, Surfing the web on your laptop during lecture and class time is not permitted and you will be asked to leave. In all instances, percentage points will be deducted from end of term quiz grade. If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services, 140 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890 [(412) 383-7355 for TTY], as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
HPA 1031 RESEARCH IN SPORT SCIENCE Class Date Topic Reading 1 Mon Aug 31 Introduction to Measurement & Eval Ch 1 Nature & Purpose of Research Types of Research Article for Class discussion will be posted 2 Wed Sept 2 Practical Aspects of Testing Ch 2 Ethical Concerns Composition of a Research Article 3 Monday Sept 7 Labor Day No class 4 Wed Sept 9 Medline Literature Review Search (bring your laptop if you have one) References assignment 5 Mon Sept 14 How to Read a Research Article Article/ Review assignment Null Hypothesis Assignment Page 80-84 Internal/External Validity Limitations of a research Study 6 Wed Sept 16 Sampling Techniques Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria Physical Activity & Sedentary Behavior Ch 6 7 Mon Sept 21 Homework #1 Literature Review references due Evaluation and Research on Aerobic Fitness Ch 7 8 Wed Sept 23 Homework #2 Research Topic/Null Hypothesis due Evaluation and Research on Body Composition Ch 8 9 Mon Sept 28 Homework #3 Article Questions Due Evaluation & Research on Musculoskeletal Fitness Ch 9 Youth Fitness Ch 10 10 Wed Sept 30 Evaluation and Research on Youth Fitness Cont d Adult Fitness and Aging/Step test orientation Ch 10 11 Mon Oct 5 How to Review a Research Article/Article Review Step test orientation 12 Wed Oct 7 TBA
13 Mon Oct 12 Data Collection 14 Wed Oct 14 Exam 1 15 Mon Oct 19 Fall Break- No class 14 Tues Oct 20 Reliability, Objectivity, and Validity Ch 4/5 (Read content related to lecture notes only) Intro/Background- What is a literature review? SPSS assignment 15 Wed Oct 21 What are methods/implications? Research Design/Lit Review Assignment Statistical Tools in Evaluation Ch 3 16 Mon Oct 26 Statistical Tools in Evaluation Ch 3 17 Wed Oct 28 Statistical Tools in Evaluation Ch 3 18 Mon Nov 2 Research Presentations (?) Homework #4 Output/Analyses Due Ch 3 19 Wed Nov 4 Statistical Tools in Evaluation Ch 3 Stats Quiz #1 Literature Review Part 1 Due 20 Mon Nov 9 Statistical Tools in Evaluation Ch 3 Wed Nov 11 Exam 2 ** Possibility of one or two statistics-help classes 21 Mon Nov 16 Need for Statistics/Probability Sampling/Hypothesis Ch 2 Group presentation assignment 22 Wed Nov 18 Need for Statistics/Probability Sampling/Hypothesis One-Sample T-Tests 23 Monday Nov 23 Homework #5 Partner Article Review Literature Review Part #2 Due Deadline for Group Presentation Articles to be approved
Wed Nov 25 No Class Happy Thanksgiving 24 Mon Nov 30 One-Sample T-Tests Hypothesis Testing/Research Design 25 Wed Dec 2 Hypothesis Testing/Research Design 26 Mon Dec 7 Exam 3 Interpreting a Research publication (date subject to change) Tues Dec 8 Wed Dec 9 Thurs Dec 10 Fri Dec 11 Mon Dec 14 ** Due dates of class assignments are subject to change!