PRT 501/601 XXX
PRT 501, 601 (12/8/11)
Research Methods in Recreation
Spring 2012 (9:00am – 11:00ish)
Instructors: Karla A. Henderson, 4012G Biltmore 513-0352
Dorothy H. Anderson, 4008 Biltmore 515-3675
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: and
Catalog Description for 501: Examination and understanding of advanced scientific investigative methods in their application toward explaining recreation and leisure behavioral phenomena and for resolution of recreation management problems. (Graded A – F) (pages 1-5, 10-13)
Course Description for 601: Research studies, scientific articles and progress reports on research effects presented and critically evaluated. Each student pursuing a graduate degree expected to take this offering twice for one hour of credit each time. (Graded S-N) (pages 6-9, 10-13)
General Description: PRT 501 and 601 are courses designed for PRTM MS students. We will team teach the courses and try to integrate them in a way that will be most useful to you. This class is small so we appreciate help you can give to make this course most meaningful. The goal is to provide an introductory graduate level course along with a laboratory for practice that will familiarize you with systematic inquiry/research/evaluation methods and strategies for data collection and management. This knowledge will enable you to interpret research regarding the body of knowledge in our field and to apply systematic inquiry strategies to problem-solving. We hope to give you tools that will aid your understanding of research and start you on the road to becoming a “master” of research and systematic inquiry. This syllabus is your GUIDE for the courses. Almost all the material that you will need to complete assignments is contained here (additional instructions will be given in class and through MOODLE). The 501 course is divided into 3 units that have individual objectives. These are followed by the schedule of class meetings, reading assignments, and assignment writing information to enable you to meet the objectives.
Textbooks:
Orcher, L. T. (2005). Conducting research: Social and behavioral methods. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing.
Plus other assigned readings posted on MOODLE (some chapters from Henderson, K. A. & Bialeschki, M. D. (2010). Evaluating leisure services: Making enlightened decisions. State College, PA: Venture)
Expectations: We assume that you have a personal and professional commitment to understanding PRTM and building a body of knowledge in this field. We assume that you possess above average reading and writing skills or you would not be in graduate school. We also assume that you are adults and wish to be treated in that way. Therefore, this class is where each of us has a responsibility for the course conduct. We expect you to ask questions and to participate in the class. We expect you to attend ALL classes, be on time, and come prepared. If you cannot come to class due to some extenuating circumstances, please let us know. We expect you to work hard in preparation for class (i.e., do the assigned reading BEFORE coming to class) and in undertaking your assignments. We expect assignments turned in on time. (If they are turned in on time they will be evaluated and returned in the next class period). To create an environment where mutual learning is possible, we as the instructors as well as you must be prepared for class. We must challenge each other to think critically, express ourselves effectively, experiment with new ideas, respect and listen to everyone’s ideas, and focus on a positive and encouraging learning environment. Hopefully we will have a little fun along the way.
We encourage you to make an appointment to see one or both of us, or to take a chance by dropping in, if you have questions or just wish to chat. We also encourage you to contact us via email. We are looking forward to getting to (better) know each of you and to sharing in this learning process.
Assignments and Evaluation:
Each assignment is to be turned in at the start of class. On most days we will discuss the assignments given for PRT 501. On many days, the work you do for PRT 601 will complement the material you will discuss in class and will be further refined during the latter part of the meeting time. Extensions may be given for work if you discuss the issue with us at least 24 hours in advance of the due date. Exams are to be taken the day they are scheduled during the class time.
Each of the 501 assignments will be graded using the following criteria: Assignment is followed according to the guidelines given (10%), adequacy (breath and depth) of analysis of the assignment (40%), direct evidence that material is synthesized into the assignment from the class material and readings (30%), and professionalism (writing style, presentation, organization, and grammar) (20%). The criteria for each paper will be further described related to each specific assignment.
Individual PRT 501 assignments will be graded on a point basis as indicated in the percentages above:
· Systematic Inquiry Component Drafts 120 points (10 assignments for 12 points each)
· Exam 20 points
· Proposal Paper/Presentation 60 points
______
TOTAL 200 points
The following distributions will be used to calculate final grades for 501: A+ (99-100%), A (94-98%), A- (91-93%), B+ (89-90%), B (83-88%), B- (81-82%), C+ (79-80%), C (73-78%), C- (71-72%), D etc (70 and below). If you are on the border of one of the grades, and attendance and class participation have been exceptional with assignment grades improving over the semester, the grade may be moved upward. We encourage you not to focus on points or the letter grade but on doing your BEST in all your work and striving to improve over the course of the semester.
The focus of the assignments is on critical thinking and synthesizing the materials discussed in class and through the readings for your use during your college career and into your professional career. We expect papers to be written in a professional manner. You are expected to write using the American Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) (sixth edition). If you do not have a copy of this book, we encourage you to purchase it if you plan to do further writing in your graduate program (and all of you will!!).
The assignments for this class will include short writing activities that relate to your research, making a presentation about your anticipated research proposal, participating in a poster session, and taking two exams. The content of PRT 501 class will be coordinated with the activities undertaken in the PRT 601 laboratory time.
Thesis Proposal Paper/Presentation: During the last class session, you will be given 15-20 minutes to present your research proposal. We anticipate that you will have discussed the ideas quite extensively with your advisor and will have synthesized the elements of this course into a presentation and proposal that will be the foundation for your thesis. You will write a 10-12 (minimum) page paper about your topic addressing the basis for and the design of the project. The paper should be written in the standard format for an empirical proposal. The paper will include an appropriate title, a 120 word abstract, an introduction, a literature review, a discussion of the method and why it is appropriate for your research question, proposed instrumentation and procedures, and proposed analyses. Include a full reference list done in APA style. Include as a separate page a timeline and proposed budget (if applicable).
Exam: One exam will be given toward the end of the semester. The major focus will be on tying the units of the course together and demonstrating your ability to comprehend research and use it in your future academic and professional work. The exam will be a combination of in-class group discussion and 2-3 short essay questions.
Systematic Inquiry Component Drafts: The following 10 assignments will be required of you as assigned. Many of these drafts will contribute to your overall research proposal development to meet the requirements for your degree. We expect you to do above average work on each of these assignments and will give you the opportunity to rewrite if needed, and in consultation with us. The following elements (double spaced with 12-point font and NOT to exceed the suggested page limit) will constitute these assignments:
1. Epistemology Statement—Examining your values and beliefs about research is important in any field. Write a 2-3 page paper that describes your fundamental and foundational beliefs about research. Also describe briefly your previous experience with evaluation/research. List 3 broad areas that might be of interest to you in doing research and describe the ideas in 2-3 sentence. For each topic, address what brought you to this topic. Also, on a 1-5 scale with 1 = little interest to 5 = great interest, rate how interesting each topic is to you and explain why that rating.
2. Problem/Purpose Statement and Research Questions—Research and evaluation are undertaken for specific purposes. They have a rationale and focus on questions that address “so what?” Describe a research problem that you would like to address (it may be one that you described briefly in your epistemological statement). Provide a justification for studying this issue based on your previous experience, published literature, and your own professional knowledge. Restate this problem as a research question. Also restate the problem using a research hypothesis. The paper length will be no more than 2-3 pages.
3. Literature Content Analysis—Choose a topic of interest to you. Find at least 5-10 articles from research journals related to that topic. Summarize and integrate the articles to show what they conclude that will help to expand your (and our!) understanding of the topic. This assignment is NOT an annotated bibliography but an integration of how research studies relate to one another. Include a reference list done according to APA style. The paper should be 3-4 pages with an addition page with the reference list.
4. Article Review #1—We will assign you an article to read that might be considered for publication. You will write a review (critique) of the article. The review should be 2-3 pages and should be written in a critical but constructive manner. The following criteria should be the focus of this review:
1) Significance of the topic (topic is relevant to PRTM, timely, makes a contribution to the body of knowledge in PRTM)
2) content of the research (strengths and weaknesses of the research in terms of methods, basic understanding, good review of the literature and tie back to the literature in the discussion, appropriate sampling and statistical or qualitative analysis, no fatal flaws)
3) quality of presentation (writing is clear, accurate, and concise, tables and figures appropriately used, correct grammar, adherence to 5th edition APA guidelines)
The best reviews highlight strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript and suggest how it might be improved.
5. Development of Draft Introduction, Theoretical or Conceptual Framework, and Outline of the Research Design (including Sampling Framework)—All research studies have a design related to the methods to be used, the conceptual framework, instrumentation, and sampling. Write a 3 page paper that describes and outlines a design that you might use for your thesis or project, which includes the above. Use the information you have received to now to put together a realistic prospectus for your project project.
6. Instrument Draft—Based on an interest of yours (it may or may not pertain to your research) develop a valid self-administered survey instrument that might be appropriate for your interest. At least two quantitative question types and two question structures should be used with a minimum of ten questions. Do not use more than 1-2 open ended questions. You may use a computer program such as SurveyMonkey or paper and pencil questionnaire. Types and structures will be explained in detail in class. You will turn in the questionnaire written and formatted appropriately, along with a 1-2 page evaluation of the process you used to design the questionnaire and how this questionnaire might be appropriate to your interest or for a thesis or project that you want to undertake. Pilot testing the instrument is highly encouraged! You should pilot test with at least 2-4 people. Pilot testing will give you information that will aid in designing the best possible questionnaire.
7. Literature Methods Analysis— Choose a research method (e.g., questionnaire, focus group, mixed methods, observations) of interest to you. Find at least 5-10 articles from research journals that use the method. These articles DO NOT have to relate to your topic but should focus on potential good use of methods. Summarize and integrate the articles to show what they conclude relative to their strengths and weaknesses that will be helpful to you in doing future research. Include a reference list done according to APA style. The paper should be 3-4 pages with an additional reference list..
8. Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation—You will be given a qualitative data set and asked to code it and identify the main themes that emerge from the data (a grounded theory approach). You will write 3-4 pages that summarize the themes and also include examples of the quotations that exemplify the major themes. Also include a summary paragraph that describes reflexively how you undertook this assignment.