Fall 2007
Class Meets: M, W, F 9.05-9.55am, 3 credits.

Course Description

The purpose of this course is introduce the student to the basic and necessary research and data collection skills required in the field of exercise and sport science. The course will allow you to more fully understand research practies, research design, planning and interpretation of data. The course will focus in particular on study design, data collection, data analysis, test design and appropriateness. Content will include basic statistics such as standard scores, t-tests, ANOVA, regression and correlation; study design; data-base searching; criterion for validity, reliability and assessment; and the appropriateness of selected tests used in exercise science research. It is the intent that upon completion of the course the student will be able to comprehend basic research design and analysis while also being able to critically evaluate the assessment or measuring techniques used to answer a particular research question. This should be most evident by the student's increased understanding of research publications and ability to produce a research report document.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course the student will:
- Understand the basic methods of data analysis involving standard scores, frequency distributions, T-tests, Correlations, ANOVA and regression.
- Understand random sampling and subject selection.
- Understand the basics of simple research design and control groups.
- Understand issues of reliability, sensitivity and reproducibility as they relate to test selcetion and administration.
- Have a basic enough understanding to read and comprehend and simple research article.
 
 

Instructional Methods:
The classroom lectures are delivered through powerpoint presentations. As a guiding tool the discussion questions will compliment your learning of this material. This approach allows for interactive conversation throughout the lectures. Additional time is allocated following each topic for group discussions on problem questions and practical application. Non-graded homework assignments are given on a regular basis to allow you continual practice at the mathematical problems.
Laboratory experiences are practically based and allow you to participate in various levels of data collection and personal measurement. This data is thenused to create a research question for you to answer.

Reading material: 

Measurement by the Physical Educator. David K. Miller. Mc Graw Hill Pubs, 5th edition, 2006.

Grading Format: 
1. 2 quizzes = 40%. Wednesday Sept 26th, Frday October 26th
2. 1 final exam worth 50%. Friday December 14th @ 8.00am.
3. Research Assessment Exercise worth 10%. Due November 30th.
 

Course Topics
1. Introduction to statistics. Reasons for measurement and evaluation. Read pages 1-4.
2. Distribution & presentation of data, statistical nomenclature. Read 5-22.
3. Descriptive statistics; measures of central tendency, frequency distribution; normal distribution curve, standard scores. Read 22-32.
4. Differences in means, relationships between variables, hypothesis testing, type 1 & 2 errors. Read 35-43.
5. Analysis of Variance and regression (not in textbook).
6. Validity, reliability, norm referencing. Read 63-72.
7. Test construction and grading. Designing an appropriate test. Read pages 75-88.
8. Construction of Psychomotor tests. Read 105-111
9. Measurement of specific fitness variables: 113-198
9. Putting skills into practice, the art of asking critical questions and analyzing data. Not in text.
9. Writing the methods section. Not in text.
10. What is Human Subjects Approval? Not in text.

Please Note: 
There is no class Sept 4, Sept 24th, Oct 8th, Nov 16th, 19-23rd!

           Last updated August 18th, 2007