e079 Research Methodology from Theory to Practice

Faculty of Sports Studies
autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Michal Bozděch, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Michal Bozděch, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Michal Bozděch, Ph.D.
Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Supplier department: Department of Physical Education and Social Sciences – Faculty of Sports Studies
Prerequisites
Students enrolling in this hybrid course should have a basic understanding of research principles and scientific inquiry, particularly in the context of sports and exercise science. Familiarity with essential research terminology and methods is expected, as well as the ability to critically assess academic literature. Competence in reading and understanding English-language academic texts is required, along with the skills to actively engage in discussions and practical sessions. Students should also be prepared to apply theoretical knowledge to case studies and research tasks, demonstrating analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of research methodology as applied in the field of sports science. The primary objective is to equip students with the skills necessary to develop and execute rigorous research projects, encompassing all stages from hypothesis formulation to data analysis. Students will learn to critically evaluate existing research and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods in their own studies. The course also aims to enhance students' knowledge of contemporary research techniques, ethical considerations in sports research, and the interpretation and presentation of research findings. Furthermore, students will gain insights into the current trends and innovations in sports science research methodology, preparing them to contribute effectively to academic and professional research environments.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

- Identify and explain key concepts and principles of research methodology as applied to sports science;
- Design and implement comprehensive research projects, including hypothesis development, data collection, and analysis;
- Apply both qualitative and quantitative research methods to real-world sports science problems;
- Critically evaluate scientific literature and research findings in the field of sports science;
- Analyze and interpret data using appropriate statistical tools and techniques;
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in research and apply ethical principles in the design and conduct of research projects;
- Effectively present research findings in written and oral formats, adhering to academic and professional standards;
- Stay informed about current trends and developments in sports research methodology and apply these insights to future academic or professional work.
Syllabus
  • 1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
  • 1.1. A review of the Fundamentals: Methodology, Method, Methodical Guidelines
  • 1.2. Fundamental Terms in Science: Science, Theory , Research
  • 1.3. The Literature Review: Meaning of Literature Review, How to Conduct a Literature Review, Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
  • 1.4. Type of Research: Selected Types of Qualitative Research, Selected Types of Quantitative Research
  • 1.5. Research Ethics: Fundamental Principles of Research Ethics, Helsinki Declaration, Examples of Unethical Practices, Project Registration
  • 1.6. Research Project: The Research Process, Reporting Guidelines
  • 1.7. The Research Hypotheses: Formulating Hypotheses, Types of Research Hypotheses, Hypothesis Evaluation Process, Rejecting the Null Hypothesis
  • 1.8. Sampling: Method of Sampling
  • 1.9. Data Collection: Collecting and Analysing a Secondary Data, Collecting and Analysing a Primary data, Quantitative Data Analysis, Qualitative Data Analysis, Data Preparation
  • 1.10. Statistical Power and Power Analysis: Power Analysis
  • 2. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
  • 2.1. Pioneers of Statistical Methods
  • 2.2. Characteristics of a Good Test: Reliability, Validity, Objectivity, usability
  • 2.3. Research Variables: Types of Variables, Classification by Value Types
  • 2.4 Levels of Measurement: Examples of Levels of Measurement
  • 2.5 Descriptive Statistic: Data visualization, Measures of Distribution, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Measures of Position
  • 2.6 Inferential Statistic: The Lady Tasting Tea Experiment, Hypothesis Testing, Choosing a Comparison Test, Choosing a Correlation Tests, Choosing a Regression Tests
  • 2.7 Interpretation of Statistical Test Results: Chi-Square Test, Odds Ratio Test,One-Sample t-test, Paired-Samples t-test, Independent-Samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U Test, One-way ANOVA
  • 2.8 Multiple Comparisons: Methods to Correct for Multiple Comparisons, When Not to Correct for Multiple Comparisons, Practical Application in Sports Science
  • 2.9 The Effect Size: Common Measures of Effect Size
  • 2.10 Misuse of Statistics: Probability in Sports Studies, Classic Probability, Frequentist Probability, Bayesian Probability
  • 2.12 Bayesian probability: Applications of Bayesian Probability
Literature
  • PUNCH, Keith. Introduction to social research : quantitative & qualitative approaches. 3rd ed. USA, 2014. ISBN 978-1-4462-4092-2. info
  • ZHÁNĚL, Jiří, Vladimír HELLEBRANDT and Martin SEBERA. Metodologie výzkumné práce - skripta v PDF ke stažení (Research methodology - University textbook [PDF]). 1st ed. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, Fakulta sportovních studií, 2014, 66 pp. 1. ISBN 978-80-210-6857-5. URL info
  • ZHÁNĚL, Jiří. Statistické metody v kinantropologii a antropomotorice (Statistical Methods in Kinantropology and Anthropomotorics). In Statistika v aplikacích. 1st ed. Praha: Portál s. r. o., 2014, p. 345-360. 2546. ISBN 978-80-262-0700-9. info
  • PUNCH, Keith. Základy kvantitativního šetření. Translated by Jan Hendl. Vydání první. Praha: Portál, 2008, 150 stran. ISBN 9788073673819. info
Teaching methods
Teaching Activities and Methods for Research Methodology from Theory to Practice:

Lectures: Theoretical introduction to research methodology, key concepts, and principles.
Class Discussions: Active engagement in discussions on research design, ethical considerations, and current trends in sports science research.
Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions focusing on data collection techniques, statistical analysis, and the use of research software.
Group Projects: Collaborative work on designing and conducting small-scale research projects, including hypothesis formulation and data interpretation.
Student Presentations: Presentation of research findings, both individually and in groups, following academic and professional standards.
Homework and Independent Reading: Regular assignments and readings from academic literature to deepen understanding of research methodologies.
Online Learning: The course may also be conducted online via live stream or MS Teams. Access to hybrid online learning will be provided to students upon request from the course guarantor.
Assessment methods
The final test consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. Each question offers three options, with only one correct answer. For each correct answer, the student is awarded one point. To pass the test, a student must achieve at least 18 points (60%).
The test will take place during the exam period at the end of the year. Students are required to register in advance; otherwise, they will not be granted access to the test.
The test will last 30 minutes, and students can begin the test within a 60-minute window on the scheduled date.
At least three test dates will be offered, and additional dates can be arranged upon agreement with the course guarantor.
Hybrid Format: The final test will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing students to participate either in person or online.
Náhradní absolvování
Students can choose either in-person or hybrid participation in the course. If absences exceed the set limit, an individual study plan will need to be requested, which must be mutually agreed upon with the course guarantor in advance. In extreme situations, students will be assigned an extra seminar paper on the topic of missed material.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
Mgr. Michal Bozděch, Ph.D.

učo 360366

Assistant professor EDUC FSpS MU

Room D33/333

Kamenice 5, Brno

Phone: 549 49 6863

Email: michal.bozdech@fsps.muni.cz

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