Parts of a Research Article
Abstract
Introduction/purpose
Methods
Results
Discussion/conclusions
References
What are Parts of a Primary Research Article?
No "cause-and-effect."
Cross-sectional.
Example: Time-motion analysis.
What is Descriptive Research?
Numeric.
Has a clear question.
Hypothesis (expected result).
Controlled and valid procedures.
Includes: Purposeful sample and statistical analysis.
What is a Quantitative Research Study?
Available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
What is Evidence?
Undergoes a peer-review process.
Examples:
Journal of Applied Physiology
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
What is Scientific Literature?
Introduces the reader to important topics relevant to the study.
Provides a purpose statement.
Proposes a hypotheses (expected outcomes).
What is the Introduction?
Collecting data at one time point.
“What’s happening at this moment.”
What is Cross-Sectional Research?
Based on thoughts and feelings.
Includes surveys & questionnaires.
More common in psychological and educational domains.
Narrative Review.
Example: Sports Psychology.
What is a Qualitative Research Study?
Act of assigning a number based on the amount of a specific attribute.
Ex. Time for a 40-yd dash.
What is a Measurement?
Not peer-reviewed.
Subjective.
Opinion-based articles.
Can increase people's awareness of issues.
Examples: Articles published in popular magazines, newspapers, blogs and websites.
What is Non-Scientific Literature?
Design of a research article.
What is the Method?
Longitudinal.
Manipulates variables.
Examples: drug trials, rehab interventions.
Moves closer to cause-and-effect.
What is Experimental Research?
Researcher manipulated variables.
Is the "cause" or what is changed to see if it influences the outcome.
What is a Independent Variable?
Statement of quality, goodness, value, or merit about what was measured.
Involves comparison, judgment and decision making.
Ex. 40-yd dash is “faster” or “slower.”
What is an Evaluation?
First hand account of observations, research, events, time periods.
What is a Primary Source?
Detailed information on how the results fit into a theory, or body of literature on a subject.
Ties in other studies.
Is subject to author’s interpretation.
What is the Discussion?
No immediate application.
Expands knowledge.
Formulates, evaluates, expands theory on cells, tissues, and animals.
What is Basic Research?
Outcome measures.
The result of a study.
What is a Dependent Variable?
The degree of truthfulness in a measurement.
Measures what it intends to.
What is Validity?
Combines and interprets primary sources to better explain a topic.
Examples:
Textbooks- written for teaching purposes.
Professional books- may be a “reference” book for professionals or researchers.
What is a Secondary Source?
A statistical technique that combines and analyzes the results from multiple independent studies on the same topic to provide a more precise and powerful overall estimate of an effect.
What is a Meta-Analysis?
Attempts to solve practical problems.
Involves intact humans vs. cadavers.
Examples: rehab strategies, hypertrophy, improve VO2 max.
What is Applied Research?
Qualitative type of literature review that provides a descriptive and synthesized overview of research on a topic.
What is a Narrative Review?
The consistency or repeatability of a measurement.
What is Reliability?
Narrative review.
Meta-analysis (statistical review).
Example: Sports Medicine.
What is a Secondary Source?