Unit 1 - Introduction to Research and Statistics PDF

UNIT 1 Introduction to Research and Statistics Danny M. Pincivero, Ph.D. 1 What is research? Research “The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions” (English Oxford Dictionary). Obtaining information. Uncovering the truth....

UNIT 1 Introduction to Research and Statistics Danny M. Pincivero, Ph.D. 1 What is research? Research “The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions” (English Oxford Dictionary). Obtaining information. Uncovering the truth. Clinical research “Clinical research is the comprehensive study of the safety and effectiveness of the most promising advances in patient care. ” Clinical conditions. Improving methods of practice…….Knowledge translation. Clinical Research What is It (hopkinsmedicine.org) 2 The Research Trinity Design, measurement and analysis DESIGN MEASUREMENT ANALYSIS 3 Research question DO PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY? 4 Research question PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY Likert scale 1 2 3 4 5 Strongly Agree Agree Neutral/ Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree 5 Research question HOW MUCH MONEY DO PRO ATHLETES MAKE? Where can you get this information? Wikipedia?...... Research journals?...... News?..... Depends on the sport www.sportscity.com 6 Pro athletes’ salaries (2014/15) MLB AL (N=439) Mean = $ 4,145,300 Median = $ 1,490,000 SD = $ 5,495,626 High = $28,000,000 Low: = $ 465,901 MLB NL (N=429) $ 4,142,384 $ 1,650,000 $ 5,400,091 $32,571,428 $ 443,715 NFL AFC (N=1,242) Mean = $ 1,720,487 Median = $ 645,000 SD = $ 2,382,116 High = $18,895,000 Low: = $ 416,667 NFL NFC (N=1,275) $ 1,729,018 $ 642,278 $ 2,578,288 $ 22,412,500 $ 420,000 7 Pro athletes’ salaries (2014/15) NBA (N=410) Mean = $ 5,193,066 Median = $ 3,089,060 SD = $ 5,204,165 High = $25,000,000 Low: = $ 525,093 NHL Eastern (N=403) Mean = $ 2,692,463 Median = $ 2,000,000 SD = $ 2,225,233 High = $12,000,000 Low: = $ 550,000 NHL Western (N=337) $ 2,583,315 $ 1,600,000 $ 2,189,482 $ 14,000,000 $ 550,000 8 Pro athletes’ salaries (2014/15) $11,000,000.00 $10,000,000.00 $9,000,000.00 $8,000,000.00 Salary $7,000,000.00 $6,000,000.00 $5,000,000.00 $4,000,000.00 $3,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $1,000,000.00 NBA MLB ALMLB NL NFL AFC SPORT NFL NFC NHL East NHL West 9 Sources of Knowledge 1. Tradition 2. Authority 3. Trial & error 4. Deductive & inductive reasoning 5. Scientific research Sources of knowledge Anecdotal vs scientific-based evidence Anecdote A short story about an interesting or funny event or occurrence. Problem? Law of Small Numbers Extreme outcomes are more likely when considering a small number of cases….. Outlier Is a case that is distinct from the majority of other cases….. 11 Tradition Skills and knowledge handed down over time – Advantage: Each subsequent generation starts with a more advanced state of knowledge Greater component of training than ongoing education. BUT: Traditional practice is: 12 Authority Specialist in the area Licensed psychologist, accountant. Will have more detailed knowledge within their realm. BUT: Only advantageous if specialist is well-informed on current best evidence. 13 Trial and Error Altering practice based on trying something new.... BUT: Not systematic, haphazard approach. Difficult to determine why or why not a solution has worked. Often, results....... 14 Deductive & Inductive Reasoning Application of logical reasoning to come up with a solution. General Observation Specific Observation Deductive Inductive Specific Conclusion General Conclusion 15 The Scientific Method Incorporating inductive and deductive reasoning Systematic and controlled process Involves a sequence of events Empirical approach. Control Method: 16 The Scientific Method Make an observation Formulate a question & hypothesis Design an experiment….. Execute the experiment Analyze the results…... Draw conclusion 17 The Scientific Method Key elements Skepticism Open-mindedness Objectivity Empirical vs. non-empirical research Creativity Communication…..replication. “A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth.” Albert Einstein, 1901 18 Title Page Identifies title of the work, names of the authors, and their institutional affiliations Abstract A short summary of the entire report Introduction Provides background information from previous research on the topic under investigation and the theoretical and empirical basis for the study’s hypotheses Method Describes how the researcher carried out the study, including descriptions of the participants, materials (e.g., measurement tools), the design of the study, and how the data was collected Results Outlines the study’s findings using a combination of statistical analyses and a narrative that explains the tests the researcher used, and what the statistical results mean in plain language Discussion An analysis and interpretation of the study’s findings, including strengths and weaknesses, suggestions for future research, and ideas for practical applications of the findings References Provides information for any sources used within the paper 19 Types of Research Quantitative Measurement of outcomes using numerical data under standardized conditions.. Qualitative Deriving conclusions from open-ended questionnaires, surveys, interviews and observations. Not applying numerical descriptions to observations. 20 Types of research Basic Research Pure or fundamental research Direct practical applications? Investigates underlying psychological, anatomical, or physiological mechanisms Example: 21 Types of research Applied Research – Research that has direct practical application – Based on a general premise (assumption) that is not directly tested in the study Example: 22 Types of research Translational research Application of basic scientific findings to clinically relevant issues, and simultaneously, the generation of scientific questions based on clinical dilemmas. Example Human Genome Project “Collaborative research program whose goal was the complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings.” 23 Types of research Continuum of research 3 categories 1) Descriptive 2) Exploratory 3) Experimental 24 Descriptive research (1) Descriptive Describing a group of individuals on a set of variables to document their characteristics. Examples: Amino acid profile of eggs. Describing personality traits among in-residence first-year university students. (A) Case study 25 Descriptive research (B) Normative study Establishing baseline statistics for specific groups of people. Based on age, sex, ethnicity, etc. (n = 171,513), 2000/01 & 2003). 26 Descriptive research 27 (2) Exploratory research Examining the interaction of various factors on people’s behaviour/characteristics. (A) Epidemiology Example: 28 (2) Exploratory research (B) Cohort study Following a group of people over time (healthy). Observing if group develops a condition... (C) Case-control study Selecting groups of individuals based on the presence of the condition investigated. 29 (2) Exploratory research (D) Correlational-predictive research Examining relationships between variables. Simple correlation Relationship between……. Regression analysis Attempting to predict the outcome of variable Y given variable X. Numerical equation…….. Single variable…... Multiple regression 30 Correlational study 31 Correlational study KEY POINTS Identify the dependent variable (this is the variable that we are trying to predict)...... Identify the independent variable (i.e., the x-axis variable)....... Make a scatterplot of the data Perform the “intra-ocular” test....... 32 (2) Exploratory research (E) Methodological studies Evaluating/demonstrating the reliability, validity, and/or viability of measurement instruments and/or procedures. Validity Is the instrument measuring the intended variable.. Reliability Is the measurement consistent with the instrument? Involves….. 33 (3) Experimental research Designed to compare groups to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. (A) RCT – Randomized Controlled Trial “Gold standard” for experimental designs Controlling factors that can affects of the results of a research study. 34 (3) Experimental research (B) Quasi-experimental designs Same as experimental designs, but with less control Contains more threats to internal validity So why use quasi-experimental design?.. (C) Pre-experimental designs 35