Research Methods

General Foundation

General Foundation

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: • Understand the types of research and the stages involved in organizing and conducting a research study. • Identify, formulate, and define a research problem. • Design and implement qualitative and quantitative research plans. • Study, comprehend, and evaluate published research in the fields of Physical Education and Sport Sciences. • Search for bibliographic sources and conduct literature reviews.

COURSE PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION The course Research Methods aims to introduce students to the methodology of scientific research, with a focus on applications within the field of Physical Education and Sport Science. Through theoretical instruction and example-based analysis, students learn to formulate research questions, design and implement both quantitative and qualitative research methods, identify reliable sources, and evaluate published research articles. The course lays the foundation for understanding and producing scientific knowledge, with emphasis on validity, reliability, and research ethics. COURSE OBJECTIVES The course aims to: - Promote understanding of the fundamental principles and stages of the research process. - Enable students to identify and define research problems. - Develop the ability to design and apply quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. - Guide students in the search, analysis, and synthesis of bibliographic sources. - Familiarize students with the key principles of academic writing. - Cultivate critical thinking in the evaluation of research studies in Physical Education and Sport Science. LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired: Knowledge - Describe the key characteristics of major types of research (quantitative, qualitative, systematic review, etc.). - Understand concepts such as validity, reliability, research ethics, and generalizability. - Recognize the fundamental structure and principles of writing and presenting research findings. Skills - Formulate research questions and choose appropriate methodological approaches. - Search and utilize scientific sources from databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus). - Write methodologically sound research reports and present findings in a scholarly manner. Competencies - Critically evaluate published research in the field of Physical Education and Sport. - Make responsible decisions throughout the research process with attention to ethical standards. - Apply research knowledge to understand and address real-world challenges in the discipline. COURSE CONTENT AND ALIGNMENT WITH LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Introductory Lecture – Basic Concepts and Definitions Introduction to core research concepts: types of research, stages of the scientific method, and the role of research in academic and professional practice. Learning Outcome: Students will understand what scientific research entails and identify its key features. ⸻ 2. Validity, Reliability, and Generalizability Explanation of the main concepts that determine research quality. Learning Outcome: Students will evaluate measurement tools and discuss the generalizability of findings. ⸻ 3. Literature Review and Formulating a Research Question Presentation of the literature review process and how to frame a clear and feasible research question. Learning Outcome: Students will identify research gaps and formulate appropriate questions. ⸻ 4. Searching in Databases (PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus) Introduction to using scientific databases to find credible sources. Learning Outcome: Students will search for and retrieve relevant sources from reliable databases. ⸻ 5. Data Collection and Methodology Presentation Analysis of data collection methods (quantitative and qualitative) and how to present methodology in a study. Learning Outcome: Students will design and describe the methodology of a research project. ⸻ 6. Presentation of Results and Discussion Guidelines for clearly presenting and interpreting results and linking them with existing literature. Learning Outcome: Students will present findings clearly and relate them to previous studies. ⸻ 7. Writing a Research Paper or Thesis Structure and format of scientific writing according to academic standards (e.g., APA). Learning Outcome: Students will understand the steps and formatting of academic papers or theses. ⸻ 8. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Introduction to structured methodology for systematic reviews and the fundamentals of meta-analysis. Learning Outcome: Students will understand the steps for conducting systematic reviews and basic analyses. ⸻ 9. Ethical Issues in Research Discussion on research ethics, informed consent, participant protection, and publication standards. Learning Outcome: Students will recognize the ethical principles guiding research involving human subjects. ⸻ 10. Qualitative Research Overview of basic qualitative research techniques such as interviews and content analysis. Learning Outcome: Students will describe qualitative methods and identify when they are appropriate. ⸻ 11. Historical and Philosophical Research in PE Presentation of historical and philosophical research approaches within Physical Education. Learning Outcome: Students will understand the relevance of historical and philosophical studies in sport science. ⸻ 12. Other Types of Descriptive Research Overview of additional descriptive methods, including case studies, surveys, and epidemiological research. Learning Outcome: Students will recognize alternative research methods and their range of applications. ⸻ 13. Review Lecture Recap of key course concepts and Q&A session in preparation for the final assessment. Learning Outcome: Students will consolidate understanding of core topics and be well-prepared for evaluation.

exercise, research methods, review, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, meta-analysis

15-06-2025