chapter 16 Other Descriptive Research Methods

Chapter Outline Developmental research The case study Job analysis Observational research Unobstrusive research techniques Correlational research

Developmental Research Longitudinal designs –Strengths –Weaknesses Cross-sectional designs –Strengths –Weaknesses Combinations (overlapping) (continued)

Developmental Research (continued) Methodological problems –Unrepresentative scores –Unclear semantics –Lack of reliability –Statistical problems Protecting participants

Case Studies Types –Descriptive: develops a detailed picture –Interpretive: uses data to classify or conceptualize –Evaluative: determines merits of practices or events Selecting participants Gathering and analyzing data

Job Analysis Used in sport management Used in fitness leadership Methods –Surveys –Interviews –Shadowing

Observational Research What behaviors to observe Who to observe Where to observe How many observations When to observe (continued)

Observational Research (continued) How to score observations –Narrative (continual recording) –Tallying (frequency counting) –Interval method –Duration method Using videotape

Unobstrusive Research Collecting data when people don’t know –Nature of cities –Who watches television –Records of people and events Birth certificates Magazines Newspapers Nature of graffiti

Correlational Research Explores relationships Makes predictions Characteristics –Nature of participants –Spread of scores –Shrinkage in prediction Does not establish cause and effect