research

HS2000 Introduction to Health and Health Behavior

Fall 2021

Research Report #2

100 points

1 Fall 2020

Assignment guidelines:

• In addition to the points below, you will be graded on the quality of writing, which

includes use of proper grammar, spelling, and clarity of thought in writing. You must use

complete sentences for your responses.

• Reports should be typed in a Word document. Only .doc or .docx files will be accepted.

• Reports should be formatted using the numbering system. For example, type 1. and

afterwards include your answer for question 1.

• Reports must be submitted to Moodle by the due date. Any emailed/late submission of

assignments may be assessed with late penalties. See your course syllabus for late

penalties.

• APA format must be used for all in-text citations and for the formatting of the references

section. All sources used must be credible.

• You must paraphrase, do not use direct quotes. All work submitted should be in

your own words and represent your own work – this assignment should be

completed on your own. Your assignment will be checked for plagiarism and

cheating.

Learning Objectives In completing this assignment students will demonstrate that they can: 1. Create a testable hypothesis and interpret statistical data to identify hypothesis support. 2. Effectively find and use credible and peer-reviewed sources. 3. Explain and critique study design and variable measurement. 4. Describe sample characteristics and identify similarities with and differences between the samples and the study population. 5. Identify health risks of physical inactivity. 6. Apply recommendations to the interpretation of sample characteristics. 7. Interpret p-values and r-values to explain statistical relationships between variables. 8. Develop conclusions about a research study grounded in the data collected and analyzed.

Research Report 2 will focus on the relationship between work, BMI, sleep, and physical

activity. In Research Report 1, you read and referred to a previously published research article

to answer specific questions about research and the research process. In Research Report 2,

you will be presented with the data collected from the “Data Survey/Packet” online and asked to

interpret the results yourself. You are the author of the paper now! To answer the questions,

you will need to refer to 2 documents: 1. Fall 2021 Class Survey Data and 2. Fall 2021 Class

Survey Questions (both are available on Moodle).

Topic of Research Report #2

2 Fall 2021

1. In one sentence, write your hypothesis about the relationship between work and BMI, GPA,

OR physical activity. Be sure your hypothesis only includes 2 variables (1. work, 2. BMI, GPA,

or Physical Activity) and be specific about how you expect the independent variable to influence

or change the dependent variable. (6 points)

2. What is the independent variable of your hypothesis? (1 point) 3. What is the dependent variable of your hypothesis? (1 point)

4. What is the study design of the class survey study (cross-sectional, longitudinal, retrospective, prospective, or experimental)? After identifying the type of research study design, explain HOW you know it is that type of study design. (2 points) 5. In the class survey study, how was work measured? Be specific. (2 points) 6. In the class survey study, how was physical activity measured? Be specific. (2 points) 7. In the class survey study, how was BMI measured? Be specific, including what data was collected in the survey and the equation (including units) used to calculate BMI. Include an in- text citation and full reference on the reference page. The source must be credible and you cannot use your textbook. (4 points) 8. What is the BMI definition for obesity? Include an in-text citation and a full reference on the

STEP 1: HYPOTHESIS FORMATION

A hypothesis is a statement that predicts a relationship between variables. It is specific and falsifiable. A hypothesis is written in one sentence and includes both the independent and dependent variables. In this report, you will write a hypothesis for the relationship between work and BMI OR GPA, OR physical activity. (8 points)

STEP 2: METHODS The methods component of a research study are how data are collected. In our class survey study, data was collected from students taking HS 2000 during the Fall 2021 semester. In this section you will describe and explain how the data were collected and identify strengths and weaknesses of the methods. (16 points)

3 Fall 2021

reference page. The source must be credible, you can not use your textbook. (2 points)

9. Who was the sample in class survey study? Be sure your answer fully describes the

sample, including characteristics. (2 points)

10. Describe how data was collected in the class survey study. Be sure to include enough information so a reader could replicate the data collection procedure. (2 points)

11. Define what generalizability means in the context of a research study. (2 points) 12. Complete the following table to compare and contrast the HS 2000 class characteristics (Table 1) to the OU Student population (https://www.oakland.edu/ucm/ou-fast-facts/) on the following variables. (3 points)

Note: For GPA, you will only report the GPA of incoming freshman under the OU undergraduate population column. The university does not report GPA for all undergraduate students, only incoming freshman.

Variable HS 2000 Students OU undergraduate population

Gender % male % female

GPA Incoming Freshman:

Residence % On-campus % Off-campus

13. Based on the information in the table above, do you think the findings of this survey are generalizable to the OU student population as a whole? Why or why not? In your answer include a discussion of sample size AND two (2) other characteristics. You do NOT need to provide an in-text citation as we have told you where to find your information, but you do need to reference this source on your reference page. (6 points) 14. Look at Table 2 and answer the following questions about physical activity.

14a. What is the average days/week of physical activity for HS 2000 students? (1 point)

14b. How does the average days/week of physical activity of HS 2000 students

STEP 3: RESULTS

The results section is where researchers describe their sample, their findings,

and explain statistical relationships. (55 points)

4 Fall 2021

compare to national data on physical activity? For this answer you will need to find a valid, credible source. In your answer specify what the averages are for HS 2000 students and for the United States and provide an in-text citation and a full reference on the reference page for your valid, credible source. (3 points) 14c. What is the recommended amount of physical activity per week? For this answer you will need to find a valid, credible source and include an in-text citation and a full reference on your reference page. (2 points) 14d. Based on the class average of physical activity per week, explain the health benefits OR health risks you would expect the average HS 2000 student to experience. For this answer you will need to find a valid, credible source and include an in-text citation and a full reference on your reference page. (3 points)

15. Look at Table 2 and answer the following questions about BMI in HS 2000 students.

15a. What is the average BMI for HS 2000 students? (1 point)

15b. How does the average BMI in our study compare to the recommendations

for a healthy BMI? In your answer specify what the recommendations are and

include an in-text citation and a full reference on your reference page. You will

need to find a valid, credible source, you may not use your textbook. (3 points)

15c. Based on the class average, explain the health benefits OR health risks you would expect the average HS 2000 student to experience based on BMI. For this answer you will need to find a valid, credible source and include an in-text citation and a full reference on your reference page. (3 points)

16. Look at Table 3. Identify and interpret the statistical relationship between work and BMI. 16a. List the p-value. Is this statistically significant? How do you know? (1 point)

16b. List the r-value. If the relationship is statistically significant, interpret the r- value. (1 point) 16c. What is your interpretation of the relationship between work and BMI? Be sure your answer describes the relationship by interpreting the direction and size of the r-value if the relationship is significant. (1 point)

17. Look at Table 3. Identify and interpret the statistical relationship between work and GPA. 17a. List the p-value. Is this statistically significant? How do you know? (1 point)

17b. List the r-value. If the relationship is statistically significant, interpret the r- value. (1 point) 17c. What is your interpretation of the relationship between work and GPA? Be sure your answer describes the relationship by interpreting the direction and size of the r-value if the relationship is significant. (1 point)

5 Fall 2021

18. Look at Table 3. Identify and interpret the statistical relationship between work and physical activity. 18a. List the p-value. Is this statistically significant? How do you know? (1 point)

18b. List the r-value. If the relationship is statistically significant, interpret the r- value. (1 point) 18c. What is your interpretation of the relationship between work and physical activity? Be sure your answer describes the relationship by interpreting the direction and size of the r-value if the relationship is significant. (1 point)

19. Look at your Hypothesis in Question 1. Was your hypothesis supported? Based on the

statistical analysis and interpretation of Table 3 (see questions 16, 17, or 18), was your

hypothesis supported? Answers will need to include p-values and reference statistical

significance. You are graded on your assessment of support based on Table 3, NOT if your

hypothesis was supported or not. (5 points)

20. Explain why you think your hypothesis was or was not supported. That is, thinking critically,

why do you think this result occurred? If your hypothesis was supported, what is the link

between variables? If your hypothesis was not supported, what are some alternative

explanations? You are graded on your explanation and ability to critically think. (5 points)

21. Look at Table 4 and answer the following questions.

21a. What is the average BMI for students who sleep less than 7 hours and students who

sleep equal to or more than 7 hours per night? (1 point)

21b. What is the p-value? (1 point)

21c. Is this statistically significant? (1 point)

22. Look at Table 4 and answer the following questions.

22a. What is the average physical activity for students who sleep less than 7 hours and

students who sleep equal to or more than 7 hours per night? (1 point)

22b. What is the p-value? (1 point)

22c. Is this statistically significant? (1 point)

23. Look at Table 5 and answer the following questions.

23a. What is the average physical activity for students who live on campus and students

who live off campus? (1 point)

23b. What is the p-value? (1 point)

6 Fall 2021

23c. Is this statistically significant? (1 point)

24. Common on whether or not you expected the results in #23 and why. (3 points)

25. Describe how the way physical activity was measured in our class survey study may impact the results for the relationship between work and physical activity. (4 points)

26. Find a peer-reviewed, original research study that examines work and BMI, GPA, or

physical activity published in the past 10 years that specifically examines college students. Cut

and paste the abstract as your answer for this question. Include an APA style in-text citation at

the end of the abstract and an APA citation on the reference page. Meta-analysis, review

papers, or conference abstracts are NOT original research studies. (5 points)

27. Describe your search process by: naming the search database used, identifying search

terms, any limiters you used, and how many results the search returned. (2 points)

28. Identify TWO reasons the study you found is a good comparison to the research article. This

can be due to measurements, sample size or characteristics, or the results. To answer this

question, you will need to read the entire research article you chose for question 26. (2 points)

Create a reference page according to APA citation formatting. Provide full citations for

references questions requiring a citation. Use APA citation formatting for the references (and in-

text citations). For guidance on APA citation see the Purdue OWL website:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html

If you use any kind of software or program that formats your citations, you should double check

that the citation actually follows ALL of the APA formatting guidelines. Sometimes they are not

correct! This includes the citations produced by Google Scholar. (5 points)

STEP 5: DISCUSSION

Discussion sections of research studies summarize the research and make conclusions about the study. Discussion sections also look to other published, peer-reviewed studies to compare their findings to. (16 points)

STEP 6: REFERENCES

Last, but not least, all research papers must include references. References give

credit to the authors work and allows readers to get more information on topics

that are interesting. (5 points)