Chapter 12 Experimental

methods

Contents

• Introduction• Principles of experimental research• Validity• Quasi-experimental designs• Experimental methods in leisure and tourism research

Introduction

• Use of experimental methods in leisure and tourism research thought to be rare

• In fact, it is surprisingly common – see examples in the last section

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Principles

• Components:– Dependent variable– Independent or treatment variable– Treatment of experimental group of subjects– Control group of subjects

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Classic experiment (Fig. 11.1)

Random selection of subjects from the population

Treatment group: Rt

1. Subjects randomly allocated to groups Control group: Rc

RS

2. Pre-test observation for both groups

Oc2

3. Experimental treatment applied to treatment group only X

Oc1Ot1

4. Post-test observation: both groups measured again

5. Comparisons made

Ot2

Oc1 – Ot1

Ot2 – Ot1 etcA. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Validity

• Factors which raise doubts as to whether change in the dependent variable can be attributed entirely to the independent variable/treatment

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Threats to Validity (Fig. 11.2)

Internal validity Experimental design-related Maturation Change to subject during the study period – eg. fatigue. History External change during study – eg. weather conditions. Testing The test/observation process itself may affect subjects Instrumentation Inconsistency / unreliability in measuring/observation. Selection bias Treatment /control groups significantly different Mortality Attrition of subjects from a study.

External validity Generalised beyond the study subjects and setting.Reactive effects of testing

Tests/observation may sensitise/affect subjects

Effects of selection Subjects may not be representative of wider population

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Quasi-experimental design

• Examples:• One-shot: No control group, No pre-test• One group pre-test/post-test: No control group• Static group comparison: No pre-test• Latin square: two or more treatments in different

sequences

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Experiments and sport projects

• One research project is likely to comprise many experiments

• Projects are therefore likely to be exploratory/ inductive

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Experimental methods in sport research (Fig. 11.14)

• Mostly quasi-experiments• Training/coaching• Sport policy/management pilot/trial projects• Psychological/perceptual • Equipment• Experimenting with research methods• Children's physical activity/play• Other:

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Experiments in leisure/tourism research contd

• Other approaches:– Action research – researcher involved with subjects in joint

action– Discrete Choice Experiments – hypothetical choices– Q methodology – choices involve ordering cards– Qualitative methods: non-standardised interviewing is a form

of ‘treatment’– Mind mapping: using MRI scanners

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Experimental methods: Case studies11.1 Training patterns and performance 11.2 Visual and auditory cues and behaviour11.3 Pre-competition stress 11.4 Sport participation promotion projects: review 11.5 Sport and crime reduction 11.6 Psychological/perceptual studies 11.7 Players and sporting equipment 11.8 Experiments with research methods 11.9 Children’s physical play experiments 11.10 Discrete choice experiment: sport facility preferences of soccer attendees

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge