27155 Research for Human Movement

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject introduces a variety of research design and statistics procedures to reflect the human movement and sport and exercise management fields. Research methods include both quantitative and qualitative procedures. Computer software packages are used to enter, analyse and report data. Students become familiar with statistical procedures relating specifically to the sport and exercise industry.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. understand the role of research in human movement and sport and exercise management
2. utilise a range of statistical analysis techniques employed in human movement research
3. assess the validity and reliability of research findings published in the human movement literature
4. possess the ability to conduct research with a scientific approach to the study of human motion.

Contribution to graduate profile

This core subject in the BA Human Movement Studies and BA Sport and Exercise Management programs provides the opportunity for students to critically analyse research findings within the human movement and sport and exercise area. A range of research methods and statistical procedures will be introduced. These skills are integral to the problem solving nature of human movement science.

Teaching and learning strategies

Lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions will be used to provide a variety of learning experiences. The laboratory sessions will be based on Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). A basic understanding of Windows based software will be assumed. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Introductory concepts - the nature of research, methods of problem solving, types of research, ethical considerations
• Sources of information - purpose of the literature review, searching and utilising the literature, writing the literature review, reporting research, questionnaire design
• Experimental research - research hypotheses, delimitations, limitations, significance, scope, research design, discussion of findings
• Measurement procedures - validity and reliability, standard error, scale of measurement
• Statistical Techniques - percentiles, central tendency and variability, normal curve and sampling error, levels of confidence, correlation and bi-variate regression, t test and z test, type I and type II errors, analysis of variance, nonparametric techniques, assumptions, homogeneity of variance
• Computer techniques - Microsoft excel, SPSS, stem and leaf plots, boxplots, post-hoc tests, statistical procedures

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Class Exam (Individual)

Assessment item 2: Lab Manual (Individual)

Assessment item 3: Final Exam (Individual)

Required text(s)

Vincent, W. (2005), Statistics in Kinesiology (3rd Ed.), Champaign IL: Human Kinetics.

Indicative references

Argyrous, G. (2005), Statistics for Research: with a Guide to SPSS, Sage, London.

Coakes, S. and Steed, J. (2007), SPSS without Anguish: Version 14.0 for Windows, Wiley, Brisbane.

Pallant, J. (2007), SPSS Survival Manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS for Windows (Version 15), Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW.

Thomas, J.R. & Nelson, J.M. (2005), Research Methods in Physical Activity (5th ed), Champaign Il: Human Kinetics.

Wagner, W. (2007), Using SPSS for Social Statistics and Research Methods, Thousand Oaks, California: Pine Forge Press.

Williams, C. and Wragg, C. (2004), Data Analysis and Research for Sport and Exercise Science, Routledge, New York, London.