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Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation PDF

Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation PDF

Author:
$59.00 USD

 

Product Format

    The importance of research and evaluation in the park and recreation industry is becoming increasingly evident as agencies are being asked to justify their existence to a variety of stakeholders. By properly evaluating programs, recreation professionals can better understand the impact of their programs and, with data in hand, justify future investments. Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation helps students build the competencies they need in order to meet professional standards.

    Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation is the only text that integrates research, evaluation, and basic statistical analysis and links these concepts directly to the recreation field. Using a logical format and accessible language, the book provides students with the foundational knowledge they need in order to move through the research process. They’ll explore the various types of research commonly used in the field (including qualitative, quantitative, and action research) and then learn about the steps involved in designing a project, from developing the research problem, reviewing literature, and identifying variables and hypotheses to defining the population to study, developing the instrumentation plan, and choosing the appropriate data-collection tools. Then they’ll move on to evaluation concepts, including internal validity, data analysis, and reporting methods.

    The author’s approach to the material makes this textbook truly unique. Each chapter builds on the previous one to clearly explain the steps of the research process and show how all of the concepts are interrelated. Students will learn not only why the steps and concepts are important but also how they relate specifically to the field. Each chapter closes with features that help students apply what they’ve learned: a case study, exercises, and For the Investigator, an ongoing research project that uses a hypothetical recreation survey to give students realistic practice in recreation research. The text contains many other features that will help students better understand and apply the concepts they’ve learned. Chapter-opening scenarios offer examples of the kinds of research that students might be expected to undertake. Objectives highlight the key points of each chapter, and a glossary offers easy access to definitions of unfamiliar terms. Professional Perspectives sidebars describe real research projects from current professionals with an explanation of the project’s importance to the organization.

    Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation also includes an online student resource (OSR) that provides additional opportunities for students to apply the information they’ve learned. Students will analyze two scholarly articles—one qualitative and one quantitative—throughout the course based on the concepts learned in each chapter. The OSR also contains a case study for each chapter that can be used in assessing students’ comprehension of the concepts covered or as the basis of in-class discussion and exercises to help students better understand and apply the material. In addition, the For the Investigator project appears in the OSR so students can easily download documents and data related to it.

    Through the practical approach of Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation, students will gain the foundational knowledge they need in order to become confident in using their research and evaluation skills to meet the demands of their profession.

     

    Chapter 1

    Investigative Overview

    Foundational Knowledge for Researchers

    Benefits of Conducting Research and Evaluation

    CAPRA Issues Related to Research and Evaluation

    Benefits of Research and Evaluation for the Professional

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 2

    The Research and Evaluation Process

    Elements of the Scientific Method of Inquiry

    Elements of the Evaluation Research Process

    Comparing the Scientific Method of Inquiry Research and Evaluation Research

    Steps of the Research Process

    Quantitative and Qualitative Study Designs

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 3

    The Research Problem

    Defining the Research Problem

    Purpose of the Study

    Research Questions

    Quantitative Research Designs

    Qualitative Research Designs

    Action Research

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 4

    Review of Literature

    What Is a Review of Literature?

    Why Conduct a Review of Literature?

    How to Find Literature

    Synthesizing the Literature

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 5

    Variables and Hypotheses in Study Designs

    Relationships

    Variables

    Hypotheses

    Measurement Scales

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 6

    Ethics in Research

    Protection From Harm

    Confidentiality

    Parental Permission

    Avoiding Deception

    Using All Data

    Avoiding Coercion

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 7

    Sampling

    Defining the Population

    Sampling Techniques

    Sampling Issues

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 8

    Instrumentation

    Selecting a Leader

    Defining the Population

    Making an Instrumentation Plan

    Kinds of Data

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 9

    Data Collection Tools

    Data Collection Tools

    Instrument Selection

    Instrument Considerations

    Validity of the Instrument

    Reliability of the Instrument

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 10

    Internal Validity

    Review of Validity

    10 Threats to Internal Validity

    Validity in Qualitative Designs

    Reliability

    Relationship Between Validity and Reliability

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 11

    Data Analysis

    Descriptive Statistics

    Range

    Standard Deviation

    Additional Statistical Analysis

    Qualitative Data Analysis

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

    Chapter 12

    The Research Report

    Executive Summary

    Purpose of the Study

    Background

    Methods

    Results

    Recommendations

    Conclusion

    Learning Aids

     

    Diane C. Blankenship, EdD, is an associate professor at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, where she teaches courses in research methods in the recreation and parks management program. She also serves on the program’s graduate thesis and project committee.

    Blankenship has extensive and varied experience, having worked as a professional Boy Scout and a recreation therapist; in residential camps, aquatic facilities, recreation centers, and outdoor recreation facilities; and for the Department of the Army in Germany.

    Blankenship has used her skills in recreation and leisure research methods to assist local and state organizations in the evaluation of their programs and facilities and in strategic planning. She is a member of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) and has served numerous times on the conference committee and as the coordinator of data analysis for all conference evaluations. In addition, she serves as a site visitor for the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and as a recreation commissioner for the City of Frostburg.

    In her free time, Blankenship enjoys walking rail-trails, knitting, and traveling with her daughter to Native American reservations. She and her husband, Calvin, and their daughter reside in Frostburg.

    All ancillaries are free to adopting instructors and available online.

    Instructor guide. The instructor guide contains sample course syllabi, guidelines for the semester-long research project, teaching suggestions, chapter outlines, and exercise questions and answers.

    Test package. The test package consists of 273 ready-made multiple-choice and true-and-false questions.

    Presentation package. The presentation package includes 168 slides covering all 12 chapters in PowerPoint format.

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