Chapter 1: Knowledge, Research Methods, and Philosophical Worldviews in Kinesiology

60 VOCABULARY flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on knowledge, research methods, and philosophical worldviews in kinesiology.

Knowledge

Information and understanding essential for professionals; derived from experience or sources; not limited to personal experience.

Personal experience

Knowledge gained from one’s own life and practice; may be limited or biased.

Outside sources

Information obtained from sources beyond personal experience, such as conversations, classes, or mentors.

Experts

People deemed to have specialized knowledge; reliance on them can be fallible.

Research process

Structured activities used to answer questions and build a body of knowledge.

Kinesiology

The study of human movement, exercise, sport, and related activities.

Science

A process of careful and systematic inquiry; formation of theory from facts; discovery of knowledge.

Theory formation

Creating a theory based on observed facts to explain phenomena.

Discovery of knowledge

The process of uncovering new information and understanding.

Problem solving

A structured approach to addressing questions and solving research problems.

Quantitative research

Research that generates numerical data and emphasizes precision and generalizability.

Qualitative research

Non-numerical research focusing on meanings, perspectives, and patterns in natural settings.

Mixed methods

Research design that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Numerical data

Data expressed as numbers and measurements.

Non-numerical data

Qualitative data such as words, images, and observations.

Arts-based research

Qualitative methods that use artistic processes to explore meaning.

Emergent design

A research design that develops and adapts as the study progresses.

Natural setting

Research conducted in real-world environments rather than laboratories.

Themes

Recurring patterns or ideas that emerge from qualitative data.

Researcher as instrument

The researcher is an integral part of the data collection and interpretation.

Sample size

The number of study participants; can be small in qualitative research.

Physiological worldview

Beliefs guiding a researcher’s approach to science and study design.

Ontology

Belief about the nature of truth and reality.

Epistemology

Belief about how knowledge and truth are obtained.

Postpositivism

The view that there is a single objective reality, investigated by the scientific method.

Determinism

The idea that events are caused by preceding conditions.

Reductionism

Explaining complex phenomena by breaking them into simpler parts.

Constructivism

Belief that multiple realities exist and meanings are socially constructed.

Pragmatism

A focus on practical solutions; truth and knowledge depend on what works.

Transformative worldview

A belief system centered on social justice, advocacy, and change.

Two-eyed seeing

Integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge to understand the world.

Indigenous knowledge

Knowledge systems developed by Indigenous peoples.

Western knowledge

Knowledge systems developed in Western/European scientific traditions.

Equity in knowledge systems

Fair representation and valuation of diverse knowledge traditions.

Co-learning

Mutual learning between researchers and participants.

Respect

Principle of treating all knowledge holders and processes with consideration.

Politics in research

The idea that research can be connected to advocacy and social change.

Action agenda

A plan to use research findings to effect real-world improvements.

Theory testing

Using data to evaluate the validity of a theory.

Hypothesis

A testable statement proposed to explain phenomena.

Data collection

Methods used to gather information for a study.

Data analysis

Techniques used to examine and interpret collected data.

Interpretation

Making sense of results and drawing conclusions.

Application-focused

Emphasis on applying research findings to real-world problems.

Population generalizability

Ability to extend findings from a sample to a larger population.

Small sample size

A limited number of participants, common in qualitative research.

Large sample size

A large number of participants; not always required, depending on design.

Research design

The overall plan for conducting a study, including approach and methods.

Research approach

Qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods orientation of a study.

Research methods

Specific techniques for data collection and analysis.

Scientific method

A systematic set of steps: formulate problem, formulate hypothesis, collect data, analyze, interpret.

Problem formulation

Developing the research problem and questions.

Objective truth

The idea of a single, real truth to be discovered.

Solutions to problems

Finding workable answers in research, central to pragmatism.

Multiple realities

The view that there can be more than one valid reality.

Subjective meanings

Meanings of experience that are personal and influenced by perspective.

Socially constructed reality

Reality created through social processes and interactions.

Complexity of meanings

Meanings can be varied, nuanced, and interconnected.

Emergence of themes

Patterns that appear from data during analysis.

Relationship among worldview, ontology, epistemology

How beliefs about reality (ontology) and knowledge (epistemology) relate to a researcher’s worldview.