RESEARCH METHODS
IN
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
DR. SUDHIR KUMAR SHARMA
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2
UNIT-I
MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
1.1 Meaning of Research
Research is considered to be the more formal, systemic and intensive
process of carrying on scientific method of analysis. It involves a more
systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations
that may lead to the development of generalization, principles of theories.
The meaning of the term “Research” varies from person to person
and it is understood well through definitions given by many authors.
Rusk writes,
“Research is a point of view, an attitude of enquiry of a frame of
mind, It asks questions which have a hitherto not been asked, and it seeks
to answer them by following a fairly definite procedure. It is an attempt to
elicit facts and to face them one they been assembled when successful,
research adds to the scientific knowledge of the subject.”
Research – an attitude of enquiry.
George Moule defines research as.
The systemic and scholarly application of the scientific method,
interpreted in its broader sense, to the solution of problems.
Research -A systemic and scholarly application of the scientific
method
Clifford woody writes,
Research is a careful enquiry or examination in setting facts or
principles, as investigation to ascertain something. Research is not merely
a search for truth, but a prolonged, intensive and purposeful search.
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Research comprises defining problems, formulation hypothesis, collecting,
organizing and evaluating data; reaching conclusive and carefully testing
the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
Research –A careful enquiry
C.C Crawford states,
“Research is a systematic technique of thinking, employing
specialized tools, instruments and procedures in order to obtain more
adequate solution of a problem than would be possible under ordinary
means”.
Research – A systematic technique for obtaining a more adequate
solution for a problem.
According to P.M. Cook,
“Research is an honest, exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts and
their meaning or implications with reference to a given problem.”
Research-an honest, exhaustive and intelligent searching for facts
and principles.
From the above given definition, “Research “is understood as a
systemic and scholarly application of a scientific method to make a careful
enquiry to seek facts or principles.
The researcher defines the title of the problem chosen by him,
formulates a hypothesis or assumption of a result , conduct the test using
a scientific tool, collect the data, analysis and evaluate the data , reaching
conclusions and testing the results to determine whether the hypothesis
formulated is correct or incorrect.
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1.2 Need, Importance and scope of research in Physical
Education
Research is needed to cause changes, for, without change, there will
be no progress and change, whether we like it or not, is the only
permanent thing in this world.
In this educational and related field, vast studies have been made
through research in the area of psychology, administration, teaching,
methodology, Measurement and Evaluation, Attitude etc.
Physical Education derives principles from Anatomy, Physiology,
Psychology, Sociology, Mechanics, and Bio Chemistry etc. The appropriate
aspects of these associated disciplines shall be utilized well for the
promotion of physical education.
To establish the interdisciplinary nature of physical education, the
following points shall be discussed.
How the individual learns is a function of psychology,
How this knowledge can be supplied to complex motor performance
is physical education;
How the principles of motivation shall be useful for better
performance in competition is physical education.
The origin and attachment of muscles are function of anatomy, the
knowledge of the muscles involved in various physical performance is
physical education, mechanics involves the principles of laws of motion,
equilibrium, centripetal and centrifugal forces lever etc; the application of
these principles in the form of Biomechanics by physical education coaches
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and teachers for efficient performance in sports and games skills is physical
education.
The experts in physiology, psychology, sociology and mechanics do
not adequately understand man as an individual involved in motor
performance. They have not studied the relationship of man’s muscular
and physical fitness to his physical fitness, mental alertness and emotional
stability. As they are not scholars in physical education they don’t
understand the need for better performances in physical activities.
In the colleges of physical education and the departments in physical
education under the universities highly appreciable changes in the
curriculum have taken place in recent years and subjects like exercise
physiology, Anatomy, Bio mechanics in sports, Research Methods and
Statistics. Sports Medicine, Kinesiology has been introduced and
successfully taught.
With a knowledge gained in the above subjects at graduate and post
graduate levels , in Physical Education , a physical educator, nowadays
called Physical Education Scientist, should plan and do research in the field
of his interest to improve himself and the profession.
Physical education Scientists must serve jointly with scientist in other
disciplinary in doing research.
New term such as Bio–Engineering, Bio Medical and Bio Mechanics
are being used to denote combined works taken up by graduates and post
graduates at these fields. It is a felt need for the students in physical
education at M.P.Ed., M.Phil, and Ph.D. Levels to join hands with student
sand experts in Medicine, Engineering, Physics, and Bio-Chemistry etc. to
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conduct research studies which would contribute to the field of physical
education.
At post graduate and M.Phil. level adequate training in research
methods, experiments design, utilization of statistics methods for treating
the data etc are very much needed. Research areas in physical education
must be identified. The doctoral student should be prepared not only foe
university teaching and research guidance but also for university research.
Advanced courses for those interested in disciplines such as exercise
physiology, sports psychology, mechanics of Movement, growth and
development and Motor learning and sports medicine must be included.
Countries, which bag medals at international competition, put their
athletes and players in research laboratories to find out experimentally how
to improve their performance even during the process of training. Research
in physical education carried out in our country at present is at a very low
percentage.
To improve the scope of research, experts in this field of physical
education working in colleges of physical education and university
departments should sit together; find out reasons for the drawbacks and
plan to set up research laboratories in all centers. Laboratories sufficiently
functional to handle the collation and analysis of data of problems would
serve the purpose. Adequate space, personnel and funds must be made
available to establish the following laboratories...-
Human performance or Exercise physiology laboratory.
Motor analysis or Bio mechanics laboratory; and
Motor learning and sports psychology laboratory
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Bio chemistry laboratory.
The areas of research for the post graduate students shall be made
known through seminars and workshops in research. Outcome of research
discussions in seminars and workshops must be utilized for improvement.
Students doing research are being provided with scholarship and financial
assistants for purchasing research equipment’s and books. The university
grants commission has come forward to provide incentives for teachers
who qualify with M.Phil. And Ph.D. in the form of increments and higher
posts.
As the scope of research in physical education is improving day by
day, Students and experts in the field should make use of them for their
benefits, to improve the profession to increase the status and also for the
development of sports and game through achievement in performance.
1.3 General Characteristics of Research
Research gathers new knowledge or data
It discovers general principles
It is expert, systemic and accurate investigation
It uses new devices or instruments
It is mostly objective
Research is carefully recorded and reported
Conclusions are arrived at carefully and cautiously.
Significance of the term ’’ Research’’
Each letter of Research is explained briefly to understand the
importance of research.
R-Rational way of thinking
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E-Expert and Exhaustive treatment
S-search for solution
E-Exactness
A-Analysis of adequate data
R-Relationship of facts
C-careful recording, critical observation
H-Honesty
1.4 Types of Research
Research may be classified under the following three categories.-
1 Basic Research or fundamental research
2 Applied Research
3 Action Research
1. Basic Research or fundamental Research
It is also called as pure research aiming at the discovery of basic
truth or principles.
According to Travers,
“Basic research is designed to add to an organized body of scientific
knowledge and does not necessarily produce results of immediate practical
value.’’
It emphasizes control and precision and gives less attention to direct
application of the results in a field situation.
It seeks to increase men’s understanding of his own environment.
“Physical activity is a biological necessity and participation in physical
activities would improve and maintain physical fitness among individuals’’-
is the principles or generalization which has come out of basic research.
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Basic research in the social and behavioral sciences may be concerned with
the development of theories of behavior.
Experiments conducted on the track or in the play field or swimming
pool may be just basic research like other laboratories researches which
would arrive at generalization. Basic research seeks to obtain information
about unknown factors. It seeks to broaden the base of knowledge
common to all skills or techniques, or it rather than being specific to one
skill or technique.
A wide range of methods are used to locate the research problem.
Highly specific hypothesis are developed. Complex analysis and high
statistical significance are often given importance.
2. Applied Research
Applied research, called as field research is concerned primarily with
establishing relationship and testing theories in the field and applying to
other samples of the population from which the research subjects are
taken. It is undertaken to solve specific problems and to add the
knowledge of the results to science
3. Action Research
Action research is focused on the immediate application, not on the
development of theory, nor upon general application. It is based on the
findings of problem of local setting. The evaluation is made only on the
local applicability.
Action research is defined as the research a person conducts in order
to enable him to achieve his purposes more effectively.
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A teacher conducts action research to improve his teaching; a
physical education teacher normally takes decision about his work on
teaching and coaching skills for better performance on the basis of
tradition or recommendation of experts or his own experience guided by
common sense.
Action research may be individual or co-operative.
When the problem area is selected, say, cardiovascular fitness in
school, the researcher shall define it more specifically, for example
cardiovascular fitness of players of Basketball players of a particular age or
class.
For action research, only a limited training is needed. Even the
research skills of a teacher are low. Action research can be consultant.
There is no need of on intensive review of literature. A guidance of the
review is sufficient for a general understanding of the area of research.
Simple analysis of data is usually considered sufficient.
Findings are applied immediately to solve the local problem of the
teacher to improve teaching, training and coaching.
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UNIT-II
FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
2.1 THE PROBEM
The researcher worker, before outlining the research procedure, has
to locate and define the problem. The experienced researcher worker has
no difficulty in finding the problem. At the graduate level, most researcher
are required to develop a research plan submit it for approval and then
pursue it completion. All the various steps have to be followed in a
sequence under the guidance of a professor –in –accordance with carefully
prepared time –table. The first step for all the graduate students is the
identification of a suitable problem as early as possible in the programme.
At the master’s level, the selection of topic or research thesis is especially
difficult since the degree programme covers a short period of time. For the
doctoral dissertation, this is not such a severe problem, for the study
programme is longer, the subject matter has greater depth and the student
himself is apt to be more matured. In addition, he may have already
completed a master’s thesis that has provided him with knowledge at doing
research. It is a mistake to think the master’s thesis as some sort of
standard problem .The primary differences between the master’s thesis
and the doctoral dissertation has greater breadth and for depth than the
thesis; as a result it takes longer to compete and is deeper. However, both
must be scientifically sound.
2.2 LOCATING THE PROBLEM
For the appropriate choice of a research topic (for locating a problem) a
number of suggestions are offered. A variety of areas are available where
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investigation is needed, it would not be proper to give a list of specific
research topics , the following suggestions are designed to provide
directions in the search for a research problem.
1. Systematically record unsolved problems
His professional reading may point out several unsolved problems
that could be taken as research topics. These should be noted systemically
with the source, a few notes of explanation and perhaps suggestions for
solution. Class discussion yields ideas for unsolved problem. While having
conversations with other students of his own class, he may get some
unsolved problem. For example a student may take on motivation in which
study he may not be really interested. Another student, who is interested
on the field of Basketball, shall take up a motivation a study using some
techniques of motivations which will improve the skill of shooting in
Basketball.
A professor in a class will occasionally indicate an area which
has not been taken up as research topic for study.
For example, he may suggest that a case study (studying the life
history of an eminent figure or a professional leader in physical education
like Mr. Buch .D Thomas or Dr. Robson and writing thesis on their
biographies which would not have been so far taken up for study.
2. Analysis literature in an area or subject field:
One of the most important sources for research problems is through
an analysis of the literature in a particular field. The proper way of using
the library is essential. A book in a particular discipline may give suggestion
of an area on which researcher would not have completed and or may
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point out deficiencies existing in a research completed. Occasionally writers
of certain books indicate certain research topics that are needed to be
taken up for study.
3. Study research already completed
The thesis and dissertation reflect the skill of research in graduate
programme. The review of related literature (chapter-II) in thesis already
completed may point out the need for new or slightly different studies or
perhaps to other problems of a similar nature. Under the last chapter in a
thesis, the investigator may recommend some related studies which could
be undertaken. For example, if a study with a topic study of pulse rate on
school Athletes and Non-athletes has been competed a similar study on
college Athletes and non- Athletes should be undertaken by a new
investigator.
4. Consult with members of the faculty;
The students shall consult the members of the faculty of the college
and each student shall for his study will be assigned to an advisor (one
staff member). When this student does not have an approved topic, there
is often difficulty; strained relations may develop when a student expects a
faculty member to provide the research problem.
An investigator should explain the topic that has planned to choose
and only when it is accepted he can continue with. If not accepted, he shall
consult his advisor for change of his topics or any slight modification that
could be done. Suggestions of a topic by an advisor with student
investigator not at all even trying to select a problem are not at all
acceptable. The students may wish to study the literature in his advisors
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area of specialization and may determine whether appropriate topics can
be chosen. An advantage of their topic will be that the study can easily be
operated upon due to the availability of equipment for immediate use.
5. Read all the reports and journals to get problem:
By reading the reports on the research of physical education discipline and
allied science, it is easy to critically think to make out new problems,
similar to the studies taken.
Examples: 1. Encyclopedia of research
2. Research Quarterly
3. Review of research in Physical Education
2.3 CRITERIA IN SELECTING A PROBLEM
A number of factors should be considered in deciding whether or not
to proceed with a particular study. The following criteria are given:
1. Is the problem of interest to you?
One should have interest in the topic he has chosen. This means that
he should select or locate a research problem in which he is really
interested. Certainly, if the research subject is disinterested or is clearly
distasteful for the research worker, there seems to be little point in
continuing with the topic.
For example, some may not be interested an animal studies
especially if dissection is required. Some other individual may find the
library study required for historical research too boring. Repetition of
testing required for experimental study may not be restful to some persons
and too much statistically analysis may be distasteful to others. But
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anyhow, if one is not much interested in a problem, he becomes
enthusiastic about his work once he is involved in it.
2. Is it possible to obtain data appropriate to the problem?
If this question is not answered affirmatively, there is little value in
proceeding with the research... No amount of skill can save the project if
the data are in appropriate.
Suppose, a research worker has taken a study with a topic “Effect of
weight training exercises on short-cut performance” for which he has
selected college students. The college, in case goes on strike. How is it
possible to continue taking the performance and administer the test on
students?. The investigator should see whether it is possible to collect the
data needed from the subjects (students).
The performance of high jumper in a research study “Relationship
between springing and high jump performance can depend upon the
students springing ability as well as the technique of jump he utilizes. A
student may clear the bar in Scissors role ‘’ used by another student. In
this case, the latter shall perform better, through both the students are
having the same springing ability. The springing ability of students could be
measured by vertical jumping test. To avoid inappropriate collection of
data, the research worker should insist upon only one type of style by
students to clear the bar.
Even while recording the performance if the divide differs to accuracy
from one day to another, it will lead to the collection of inappropriate data.
Due to modern scientific advances, so many new devices have come
into existence which could be utilized as measuring scales in the research
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study tests. Using any other device instead of electron microscope for a
detailed analysis of muscular contraction, will not be considered
appropriate and the data collected without using the appropriate technique
will not be completely accepted.
A study on vital capacity requires, a wet spirometer and on “”blood
pressure’’ requires sphygmomanometer. If these are not available for the
study taken, the study must be abandoned. If instrument required for the
programme are not available to the student at his institution, the solution
may be found by borrowing the instrument from other institution or going
there to conduct the research. Blood analysis or animal tissue analysis not
only requires special equipment but needs special assistant. Such inter-
department co-operation should be encouraged since it enlarges research
possibilities.
3. Is the research feasible?
The feasibility is connected with the problem of cost and time. One
must have some consideration to the length of time it will take to complete
the study usually for a doctor study one take longer time as against a
masters which is to be completed within this course of study. For example,
a study on ‘growth and development needs a longitudinal data collection,
The Medford Boys growth study which was started in 1956, continued for
12 years. Conditioning and training studies will take a long period of time.
In these cases, the investor should see if is possible to compete the study
within the course of study.
The study of cost is also a major factor for any researcher. A function
of the department, in which he is studying, is to supply the necessary
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instruments required for the study at the graduate level. If the necessary
instruments are not available and cannot be borrowed or purchased in
time, the selected problem must be discarded. If incase, a survey study
has been taken, one has to spend more for paper and postage. If on the
spot interview are not to be held individually then traveling and lodging
expenses may be large. All most in a study the students voluntarily act as
subjects. In some cases, the subjects may have to be given some
remuneration by the investigator either to obtain full cooperation for the
successful completion of his study or as an incentive for participation. In
some department, the students may have to pay for using the computer. If
the money required is not sufficient, the particular problem should not take
for study.
4. Does the researcher have adequate training and experience
to interpret the results?
In experimental studies, laboratory skills are required for collection
the data. Some skills are required for extensive training whereas other
need only relatively little experience.
For example, for recording the blood pressure, one should have the
knowledge of using the sphygmomanometer for which he can be trained
adequately by a medical officer. Of course, for the doctoral study, he is
expected to undergo a period of study even for years to gain adequate
training knowledge required for the subject field.
Similarly at the graduate level, adequate training is required in
statistics for the interpretation of results in experimental studies.
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5. Will the problem make a significant contribution?
The problem should contribute something to the field or knowledge
or to the profession.
For example, if, under a study, “The effect of Bull worker exercise on
short-put performance’’, it is proved that Bull worker exercises improve the
shot put performance, then putters will try on doing exercises with bull
workers. In the same way, the same study, taken by a post graduate
student, may be taken up by doctoral student with greater depth.
2.4 Defining and delimiting problem:
When the title is given, the investigator should define the terms in
the title and also define the unknown term, which makes the reader
understand the title as well as the research problem to be dealt with.
For example, in a study “Effects of breathing exercises on the
sprinters and Kabaddi players”, certain terms are defined as follows:
1. Breathing Exercise:
This is an exercise in respiration with a voluntary control over the
duration of inhaling, retention and exhaling process.
2. Sprint: Run for short distance with utmost speed.
3. Cant: “The repeated and clear sounding of the approved word
“kabaddi “within the course of one respiration shall be called a cant”
2.5 Limitations:
Limitations of studies are usually those items that show the
restriction in the study. A section of limitations should in an honest way
reflect any drawbacks to the study that should be shown to the student.
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The study mentioned above “The effect of Breathing Exercises’… was
confined (limited) to the subjects selected from one school of the locality
because of the shortage of time and his financial limitations. He could not
conduct the study by collecting the data from the students in the state and
hence he selected only one school to avoid extra- ordinary expenses. He
could not spend time and money to visit to the various libraries outside the
town and he had to confine himself to the local libraries.
Sometimes, at the beginning of the study or at the middle, some
external factors may affect to the study for which the solution is to indicate
the extent that his affects the present study and enter it in the limitations
section.
For example, in a study in which blood pressure and pulse rate are to
be recorded, the atmospheric temperature may be so high on one day and
on the other day. You cannot aim for the same temperature daily, which
you think may affect the recording s of blood pressure and pulse rate. In
that case, you can state in the study under the imitation that the
atmosphere temperature was not taken in consideration.
In the study mentioned above (Effect of breathing exercises
sprinters…) the air resistance, temperature etc. may affect the study which
should be mentioned under limitation.
2.6 Delimitations:
Delimitations should be interpreted to mean the boundaries of study.
This selection gives a brief idea of the restriction made on such items as
the number and kind of subjects to be used. In a study to be conducted on
school students, for which a school has been selected and shown under
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imitations, it is absolutely impossible to experiment on all the students of
the school. The study may be restricted to either 40 or 50 students only.
The investor should mention the age, sex etc. of the students. In the
above mentioned study (Effect or breathing exercises…) though 100 mts,
200 mts and 400 mts, running was taken under spring for the study. The
type of various taken for study should also be mentioned here.
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UNIT-III
LITERATURE SEARCH
The beginner school will not have a deep understanding of the
published research in his field. To acquire this knowledge is the aim of the
graduate programme. After locating a problem the next step is to examine
the literature to make certain that the study has not been done before, to
develop an understanding of the various technique available for such a
study and to know the methods of interpreting the data. To accomplish
these purposes, a systemic and thorough study of the research literature is
to be made. The survey of literature must be accomplished before the data
have been collected which, in no doubt, will prevent duplication (repetition
of the same study)
3.1 Need to survey related literature
The survey of related literature should do several things
1. Determine if study has been already completed and published
The investigator, as he reads and analysis the research literature, can
easily find out whether or not a comparable study has already been
completed. In case, if the same study with the same topic or title has been
previously taken by an investigator and completed, the new investigator
can avoid repetition of the same study or duplication. This is possible only
if he goes through the previous literature. Suppose if the new investigator
has selected a physiological study, being interested in it, he should study
the literature to know that type of techniques that could be used for his
own study, methodology to be used and also the interpretation of the
results using statistics.
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Even if a same type of study has already been completed and
published, the new investigator shall go deeper into the study with more
significance. In the review of related literature, even unpublished studies
like thesis and dissertation are not to be ignored.
2. Determine if study of similar type nature is in progress
If a study is still in progress, it is difficult to find out related literature
from it. It has not been completed and published and hence if is also
difficult to find out the investigator who is proceeding with the topic. No
problem if the sole right of an investigator and the chance of exact
duplication would seem extremely remote. Technically even, if a study of a
similar nature has been in progress, the same type of study could be
taken. If such a study is in progress, one can add more significance to the
problem change the hypothesis and modify the methodology.
In one study, one administer a test to record the pulse rate and
blood pressure, when that study is in progress, a similar study could be
taken recording only the pulse rate using the same type of subject.
A study may be in progress on male subject using Harvard step. A
similar study, administering a modified Hardward step test (using a step-
bench of local height) shall be made on female students. In this case,
though being similar study variables and subjects have been changed;
examples from scientific literature can be found where studies of a similar
nature were being conducted simultaneously in laboratories separated
widely by geographic location. The information, that the similar study is in
progress, is obtained from the faculty member of his institution.
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3. Discover research allied to the problem.
If the new investigator goes through the research studies allied to his
own problem that gives him more breath of understanding about his own
subject field. In this, he will also clearly come to understand the type of
methodology to be used and to be interpreted to the results statistically.
For understanding cardio vascular variables, a study or the allied literature
on circulatory endurance would be useful.
An investigator , who is under study with topic “Effect of weight
training exercise on shot put performance” , can refer to the literature of
an allied problem with the title “Effect of weight training exercise on the
performance of Disc throw” to get a better understanding , to use the
techniques efficiently and to interpret results properly.
4. Provide explanations and hypothesis valuable in
understanding and formulation the problem
In addition, understanding the results of other studies, the
investigator must depend upon the interpretation and discussion of the
data provided by other authors in an effort to formulate adequately the
problem. For the formation of hypothesis and for the problem
development, instead of depending upon the text book, one can depend
upon the published literature.
5. Locate comparable material useful in interpreting the results
The result of the literature may assist the new investigator in the
interpretation of his own study. Often possible interpretations of his
findings will be suggested so that the results are placed in proper
connection with the published body of knowledge. For example, in the
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review of related literature one would refer to an athletic faunal (Human
being), giving statement that a best Olympic sprinter showed a normal
pulse rate of about 40.in a cardiovascular study taken by the investigator,
he may obtain an average pulse rate of about 48 using college students as
subjects. The investigator may state in hypothesis that the average pulse
rate of the athletes will be less. If the results obtained are positive as
expected, it is obvious that a reference in the review of related literature
has supported the study. If the data obtained are not in agreement with
the expected outcome, the disagreement should be pointed out in the
results stating the reasons for that (such as atmospheric temperature etc).
6. Be included in the review of related literature:
The materials collected by him from other research studies, will be
presented in the II chapter of his thesis review of related Literature.” For
the thesis, reference to some literature will appear in introductory material
where the problem is stated. Other similar related studies using the similar
procedure or instrument in his description of method may be given in his
thesis in order to justify the inclusion of specific techniques in his study.
3.2 MAJOR SOURCES OF LITERATURE
It is impossible to present all the available sources of information
available to researcher in health, physical education and recreation.
The researcher is apt to look only for studies that are directly related
that is that have been done exactly on the same topic. The researcher may
look into a study in which similar experimental variables have been taken
up rather than on the theory involved in it... If a study on the effect on
weight training exercises has been taken up, the investigator shall go
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through the literature (of a study already completed) on the same type of
study already using different type of variable and different methodology.
1. Critical Literature
There are certain published studies that related directly to the topic
under investigation and so are critical to the subject. These studies must
be cited for the review of literature to be complete.
Examples:-
a) Study already completed on muscular endurance “Effects of cold
on the muscular endurance of adult males”
b) The research topic now under study by an investigator on
muscular endurance. ‘’Effects of decreased environment
temperature on muscular endurance for college-aged
males”
In the above studiers temperature is the variable differently used and
college –aged males and adult males are of almost of the same ages.
2. Allied literature
Allied literature involves those studies that are related to the
investigation but are more peripheral than central in nature. The literature
allied to the problem might include those studies that have investigated
other temperatures (Hot), those concerned with muscular strength or other
variables and perhaps utilizing other age levels.
Collection of review of related literature can be made for a study
cited under (now under research.
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Effects of weight training exercises on the performance of shot- put
using college “from a study already completed, allied to it, which is given
below:
“Effects of weight training exercises on the performance of discus
throw using school athletes.”
3. Justification and understanding of tests used
Tests that are in use continuous y and are we known may not need
much justification. A familiarity with the literature concern in the test items
to be used in the study is necessary. This is particular true for those test
items that are new or unfamiliar to most readers. Tests of recording blood
pressure, pulse rate and also some other measurement are employed so
often, may be understood by readers. If tests to be employed to a measure
grip strength using dynamometer, are new to the readers , then it is better
to include these literature already completed using those test items which
could be cited in the review of related literature part.
The important point is that the researcher should know the tools with
which he is working. If the experiment is well known to the investigator no
difficulty will be experienced. The first research effort by a student often
results blind acceptance of any test that has been previously, especially if it
has been published. If there is a basic defect in the original test, the
student’s results will add another defective study to the literature. If the
new investigator knows that the test items, used in already completed
study, are wrong, he can use that appropriate methods, showing the
inappropriate items in the review of related items.
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3.3 LIBRARY SOURCES
The source material to be sought in the field of health, physical
education and recreation is scattered through the various library divisions.
The researcher will have to discover from the source the materials required
for his research study. He will also learn very quickly how to use his library,
the location of library rooms and other details of library management when
once is interested in understanding a research project. A student of
historical study is more involved in library than a student of experimental
study. Quite often the student for all the studies as needed. In fact, the
growth of graduate faculty population often is greater than the increase in
the library financial support. In case, if the required material is unavailable
it will have to be met by inter-library loan. If a journal cannot be sent by
mail, a copy of the article present in that journal which is required for the
library can be obtained. Willingness to travel to a neighboring place can
usually solve most of these problems.
The following are the sources of literature present in the library.
1. Research quarterly Indexes
Research quarterly is probably the most widely used source of articles in
Health, physical education and recreation. So it is essential to survey these
volumes. The researcher, who goes through the library, is expected to
know the three types of indexes available for locating by subjects and
author references in the research quarterly.
a) Volume Index: Each year in December issue of the Research
Quarterly, an index for the current volume appears with author
names and important topics given.
28
b) 10- year indexes: The same information has been assembled for
3-10 periods from 1930, 1940 to 1949 and 1950 to 1959 and
appear the publications of research quarterly , as follows:
1930-39 December, 1952 Supplement
1940-49 December, 1951 supplement
1950-59 December, 1962 Supplement
C) 30 Years index: Published in 1980 to 2009 for 30 years period.
2. Abstracts
A number of already completed research reports, which are helpful in
researching the relevant literature. Many abstracts were seen chiefly in the
issues of Research Quarterly which were prepared by the members of
Research Council of the American Association for Health, Physical
Education and Recreation. (RAPHER).
3. Published Bibliographic
There are number of bibliographic concerned with health, physical
education, recreation and related areas. For example, George B. Afflecks
bibliographies appeared annually in American Physical Education, Review
from march 10,1910 to June 1929 and then appeared in the Research
Quarterly in October,1930, May,1931 , October,1932, December,1932 and
every December thereafter through 1971. Affleck also published a
bibliography of spring field College thesis 1929-34 in the May 1935
supplement of Research Quarterly. Late in the year 1940, at spring field
College, several bibliographies were published.
Micro cards: - Micro card Committee, a national governing body
was responsible for the development of micro card, starting its operations
29
of coordination with institutions in the year 1944. In January 1949, spring
field College was authorized to publish micro cards of areas related to
health, physical education and recreation.
Nearly 2000 complete references can be had for a reasonable cost or
available in many libraries and they bring to the researcher a valuable
source of information.
Periodicals:
The following are some of the journals used by students in the field
of health, physical education and recreation.
American Heat Journal
American Journal of Cardiology
American Journal of Anatomy
American Journal of Hygiene
American Journal of Physiology
American Journal of Physical Medicine
American Journal o Sociology
British Journal of Statistical Psychology Journal of
PESY
3R
VyayamSetu
SNIPES
Journal of Physical Education & Sports
American Corrective Therapy Journal
Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sports
British Journal of Sports Medicine
30
Camping child Development
Circulation Recreation.
3.4 LIBRARY READING
1. Use of Library for locating problem
The library is the store house of the knowledge and wisdom and
whatever worth knowing is probably recorded in one of the volumes in the
library. The researcher should know how to locate materials in the library
for without such a skill, he is simple a hunter lost in the forest. There are
various departments in the library. They are the (1) Circulation department
(2) the reference room, the periodical room, reading room etc. By locating
the source of literature, the investigator can save much of the time and
utilize his time for reading.
The starting point is to get a clear picture of the problem to be
solved. It is advisable to read the book concerning the research problem
which is the more specialized source The next source to be surveyed is the
area in which the related studies like such as Research quarterly Effective
library work also depends upon the ability to read at high rate speed The
student must learn to skim over the materials to see whether relevant
materials are present in the area or not only after the relevance has been
stabilized should it be read in detail , Notes should be taken using the
bibliography cards.
2. The Card Catalogue
In small libraries, we know that the catalogue helps one to locate a
book, which contains all the titles of books available. In big library in order
31
to facilitate systemic location, the system of card catalogue is followed. The
card catalogue alphabetical listing may be compared to the index of the
book it is the index to the entire library, listing the contents of all
publications found in the library with the exceptional of periodicals. Each
Volume is catalogued under author, title and subjects cards, 3”*5’’ cards,
arranged in alphabetical sequence in row after row of drawers.
AUTHOR CARD
LB 2261 Mouly Gorge J.
The Science of Educational Research
Eurasia Publishing House, New Delhi 1964
TITLE CARD
LB 2261 the Science of Educational
Research
BY Gorge J. Mouly
Eurasia Publishing House, New
Delhi 1964
SUBJECT CARD
LB 2261 Research Educational
Gorge J. Mouly,
Eurasia Publishing House, New
Delhi 1964
32
All cards pertaining to a given research, the investigator can save
much time in searching and reading processes an appropriate way to
proceed initially this is to begin with taking notes, abstracting them, noting
down the pages of references and then tracing backwardly date. This is
called primary listing Secondary list should be developed from primary list
by consulting the appropriate indicant and bibliographic under heading that
are appropriate to the problem
3. BIBILOGRAPHY CARD
The useful practice is to use 3” * 5” or 5”*8’’ card with a single
reference on each side. The following specific information should be
recorded. :
I Book
1 Library call Number
2 Author’s Name ( Last Name first)
3 Title of the book
4 The place of publication
5 The name of publisher
6 Copy right year
7 Total Number of pages.
II Articles (Articles published in a journal)
1. Author’s Name (Last Name first)
2. Title of the articles in quotation
“-----------“
3. Name of the journal
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4. Volume Number
5. Issue Number
6. Month and Year
7. Inclusive page Number of the article
It may be desirable to have two sets of cars of different colors. One
for books and one for articles. The researcher should write on one side of
the card so that it may easy to sort and classify the card. He can arrange
the card either in alphabetical order or according to the year and date of
publication.
3.5 Skimming or scanning
The first thing to do when one looks into a book is to skim over the
book. For a book table of contents is helpful in giving a rapid overview of
the material to be covered and will point out the most likely sources where
specific information are the preface or forward , the index , introductory
chapter and final chapters or summaries.
3.6 Critical Reading or Gleaning (Deep Reading)
The researcher must study the whole materials and try to understand
the author’s explanation and the opinion of others. From this he can form
his own opinion also. Without a careful systematic system of note taking
much of what is read is quickly forgotten.
1. Reference notes have been classified as follows
1) Quotation: The exact words of an author are reproduced enclosed
in quotation marks. It is essential to copy each statement
accurately, and to indicate the exact page reference so that the
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quotation must be properly foot noted in the written report. Even
misspelled words should be written the way they were found.
2) The researcher states the author’s thought in his own words.
UNIT-IV-
HISTORICAL RESEARCH
4.1 Definitions and Scope of Historical Research
P. V. Young explains
“Historical research is an accurate record of how, when and where
the event started; how it progressed and how and when it ceased”.
Morg explains historical research as, “the systematic objective location,
evaluation and synthesis of evidence in order to establish facts and draw
conclusions concerning past events”.
History brings information about and to tell an accurate, continuous
story of past events. It aims at a complete understanding of some phase of
former periods. The historical researcher uses historical documents
accounts and other data with great care, evaluates and then records them.
Historical Research must be encouraged because it relates to the
heritage of any field. No established profession has depth, tradition or
customs without a history. The heritage in any field should be recorded
and preserved for future generations.
4.2 Subjects for Historical research in any field of profession
1. Origin , growth and development
2. Problem faced and solved
3. Important events happened
4. Changes in implements , facilities and costume
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5. Thoughts and actions of the problem and leaders who shaped the
profession.
In physical education, historical research has been almost negated.
Researchers in physical education do not give importance for studies on
social sciences. They concentrate more on physical exercise.
“Research studies on “History of sport’’ may be conducted. The
results of which shall be added to the basic knowledge of sports and
game through books. The following aspects may be studied in the
History of sport.-
a) Chronological aspect (the study of scientific period of the game or
event in chronological age).
b) Geographical aspect (studies of origin and development of game
and areas such as U.S.A, Australia and India etc.)
c) Political aspect (influence of government, nationalism on sports
and games).
d) Institutional aspect ( influence of institutions on physical
education- -industrial sport)
e) Biographical aspect( role of individual top players and athletes to
sports in a country)
f) Cultural aspect ( role of sports and games on the culture of
society)
In India, historical studies of the origin, growth and development of
each game or sport in every state, contributions made by eminent
personalities like H.C. Buck, Dr. Robson, and Dr. P.M. Joseph. Dr. J.P.
Thomas. Dr. Mull and other and biographical and personality studies on
36
famous Indian athletes like Milkha Singh ji, Ranjit Sigh ji, Duleep Singh ji
and others shall be conducted.
Other studies suggested:
1. History of Hockey in India
2. History of Wrestling in India.
3. History of individual physical educational colleges in India
4. Sports and game for women in India.
5. Technology of sports in India
4.3 Steps in Historical research study
1. Defining the problem ( explanation of research topics)
2. Collection of relevant data
3. Evaluation ( criticism) of data
4. Presentation of facts and interpretation
5. Conclusions in readable form
“There shall be no personal maturity that is not built upon
reflection of events of yesterday. When we can pluck an example
and use it to help us today that is very practical use of history”
4.4 Sources of Historical data
There are two sources of historical materials available. They are:
1. Primary sources and
2. Secondary sources
4.4.1 Primary Sources
Primary sources are original materials. For a primary source, only one
mind comes between the event and the user of the source. There sources
are considered as solid basis for historical writing. The research scholar
37
should mostly try to collect and survey the original documents. A number
of following primary source can be identified.
1. Official records
If a historical study is conducted on state or district or national
professional associations ( Educational administration in a district or
District Sports Council or Indian Hockey Federation), these
association offices would have minutes of meeting , reports of
committees, annual reports budget, honors and awards received ,
attendance records , papers presented etc from where necessary
information shall be collected, state departments ( education or
physical education) have syllabi reports of committee and meetings,
published materials etc. of committees and published materials etc.
2. Personal Records
For a case study –biographical study, personal records such as
letters, diaries, autobiographies, lecture notes, honors, diploma,
honorary degrees, articles and books written by him and original drafts
of speeches would be very useful as data.
3. Oral statements.
Oral statements given by the individuals on their family history,
superstitions held by them, ceremonies of a religion or a cultural group
shall be taken primary sources.
Eye witness accounts of events as told by one who has seen the
event occurred and the tape recorded or video recorded interview foam an
individual about him are sources of primary data.
4. Pictorial records;
38
Photographs drawings, paintings, sculpture and movies are primary
sources.
5. Published materials
Published materials like syllabi and courses of study may serve as
primary sources for a study on programme of physical education in a
particular institution. Matters printed in Newspapers, pamphlets, magazines
or journals and souvenirs are considered as primary sources. Journals and
souvenirs are considered as primary sources.
6. Physical remains
Buildings, facilities, equipment, awards, costumes and various
implements are examples of physical remains of primary data.
7. Printed materials
Text books, certificates, report cards, newspaper advertisements etc,
serve as primary sources about an individual or institution.
8. Mechanical records.
Primary source material also includes tape or video recording or
interview, meetings and speeches.
4.4.2 Secondary sources
Secondary sources are not firsthand reports. More than one mind
comes between the original happening and its description. They are written
by persons who were not in connected with the events reported. They are
written by persons who did not live in the period under study.
Text books, newspaper articles written from interviews with on-the–
spot observers and historical accounts are examples of secondary sources.
39
Secondary sources will be useful for investigators who cannot obtain
the original sources because of their unavailability. However, a secondary
source is reliable depending on the reliability of the person who produced
it.
In some documents, both primary and secondary may appear. A
reporter’s account of a street riot may describe incidents he actually saw as
well as those described to him by other people.
4.5 Evaluation of Historical Materials or Historical criticisms
The authenticity, accuracy and validity of any sources material must
be tested. A remain may not be genuine, a record may not be correct, a
photograph may be false or ‘doctored ‘or a speech may have been written
by a ghost writer. Hence these materials must be evaluated by applying
two types of criticism. These criticisms explaining the types of evaluation to
be made. The two types of criticism are (1) External criticism and (2)
Internal criticism.
4.5.1 External criticism
By answering the following questions, the historical research scholar
shall test the authenticity, origin, genuine and legality of the materials
collected.
1. Who is the author?
Some documents do not possess the name of the writer. A writer
may use a pseudonym (false name), which may make his
identification very difficult. A historical researcher would want to
establish author ship of a book or any document before accepting it a
primary or secondary source.
40
2. Was the document written by a ghost writer or by another
person?
In politics and public life, high level people or others may ask writers
or officers to prepare speeches for them which may not be of their
own ideas. In a research paper or book written, a lecturer or
graduate student may use the name of a professor at a university.
3. What were the qualifications of the authority?
To write on a subject matter say “psychology ‘, a writer or author
must be thorough in the subject. A technical knowledge of skills and
strategy are much needed to be interpreted by an author while
reporting on a tournament in that game in a newspaper or journal.
Hence, it may be tested by the researcher whether the author’s
reporting is genuine.
4. Is equipment and apparatuses or costume authentic?
Equipment and apparatus used to several years before in sports and
game, which are to be accepted as source by researcher, must be
tested for validity, date of origin etc. A study on history and
development and changes that have been taken place in a game may
need correct information about the equipment’s used etc. historians
would accept original findings only after checking.
4.5.2 Internal criticism
In internal criticism, the meaning and accuracy of statement are
questioned. The following questions shall be answered in establishing
validity through internal criticism.
1. Is meaning of the words the same?
41
The meaning of words may change after some days or so or
the same word may have different meaning for different people. For
example the word ‘Football” may be American Football, Soccer or
rugby with different playing rules. The research scholar shall verify
the correctness of the word used.
2 Is the author writing seriously?
An author may not be writing an article in a serious manner. He
may press in a humorous or iconic manner. The researcher must be able
to find out the real difference between the serious, straight forward words
and other forms.
3 Is author expressing his real beliefs?
An author may express these ideas which are not at all only to
make the audience enjoy his speech. Political speeches are examples of
this fault.
4 How soon after the event was the document written?
The shorter the time after the event occurred, the more reliable
the information given by the individual will be. A person may not
exactly remember what happened before five, ten or fifteen years
ago.
5 Was the author biased in any way?
Both primary and secondary sources may be biased due to the
influence of religion, nationality, political party or professional body
42
due to the need for defensive action. Reality in expression must be
tested by the researcher.
4.6 Writing the Report
The researcher scholar in the historical study following the same
procedure as that of other researcher in other methods of research.
He must clearly give the statement of the problem indicating
limitations of the study taken. The hypothesis of the study may be stated,
if necessary. Primary and secondary sourced collected must be identified
and presented clearly. Organization of materials collected is very important
in writing the thesis. The historian researcher shall write in a systemic
order such as chronological or geographical order. The report must be
accurate and interesting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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UNIT –V
PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
5.1 Need for philosophical studies
Philosophical studies are needed in education, which of course,
includes physical education, recreation and health.
In the field of education of course in physical education too, the
objectives, the organization of curriculum, the content of course and the
selection of methodology are decided only through philosophical method of
research. The facts given by scientific research are also considered to be
discussed by a philosophical researcher.
The changes in the course content (syllabus) in the different courses
in physical education such as B.P.Ed., or M.P. Ed. are the results of
philosophical thinking of the experts who meet every year in “board of
studies”.
1. Nature of study philosophical methods
Although the philosophical method is not scientific in nature, this is
needed to solve certain kind of problems. This method of research is
subjective and the solution is reached only by critical thinking of an
individual researcher or a group. The study of philosophy includes logic,
mathematics and metaphysics. Philosophy is the study that includes
thought and conduct. Philosophy gives ideas of principles derived from
experience and knowledge for guiding man’s choice and conduct. It takes
44
principles from science and uses these facts as role materials to develop
viewpoints.
Principles of organizing a physical education programme are derived
from philosophical research based on scientific facts. A few principles are:
1. Physical activity in a biological necessity
2. Physical activity is a daily necessity
3. The programme should be chalked depending upon the facilities
available.
Based on the results of physical studies that exercise would keep a
vital organ of the body fit and balanced the above first two principles
were derived.
2. Thinking
There is a close relationship between philosophy and science. A
scientific study also needs critical thinking like a philosophical study. A
scientific study needs statement of the problems, formulation of
hypothesis, collection of data and analysis and conclusions, but a
philosophical study needs more critical thinking than a scientific analysis. In
philosophical studies, existing knowledge in a field is discussed and
analyzed critically to arrive at results which would give new changes in
every field.
--------------------------------
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UNIT- VI
SURVEY AND CASE STUDIES
6.1 Broad Survey by questionnaire
The purpose of broad survey is to obtain responses from a large
number of individuals who could not be interviewed personally within a
short period of time and with less expenditure.
The tools or instrument used in collecting information from persons in
different areas (attitudes or opinions) is the questionnaire.
6.2 Types of information collected (may be collected)
The following types of information may be collected
1. Status studies
To collect detailed information on the present status of individuals,
group or institutions to know and analyses and probably recommend any
change on the curriculum, facilities, custom and traditions, a questionnaire
will be helpful.
For example, a research scholar wants to collect on the status of
facilities and achievement in the schools of particular district to find out the
relationship between achievement and the facilities, he may choose the
topic given below.-
“A study of facilities and achievement in the higher secondary schools
of Ghaziabad District”.
46
To study the opinion or attitude or a group on a particular aspect and
thereby recommending the government or department for any changed, a
questionnaire called “opinionnaire” may be constructed.
2. Expert opinion
Opinion of experts may be collected using a well-constructed
questionnaire Deans and Heads of Departments, principals, headmasters,
presidents, and coaches and other are called as experts in the respective
fields. From them opinions on particular aspects related to curriculum etc-
can be collected.
Study as an example
‘’Attitude of principals and Heads of departments towards the
introduction of physical education as a major theory subject.”
6.3 Development of the questionnaire construction
The investigator should take care in developing the questionnaire
which will collect adequate response and result in meaningful data. In
constructing the questionnaire the following suggestions are useful’-
a. The research worker should have adequate training and experience
to conduct a study developing and using questionnaire in a
competent manner.
b. The researcher should have clear purpose of the study and with
definite objectives only he should prepare items for the
questionnaire.
c. The investigator should first explain the study and its purpose. He
should list down the categories of information needed (in the form of
47
dimensions) to be collected to avoid repeating of questions on same
information.
d. Questions or items must be written in an orderly manner. To make
the reader realize the importance of the study, the researcher should
see that nothing of importance is omitted.
e. The questions or item must be arranged in a logical order. They
should proceed from simple to complex and easy to difficult. Each
succeeding question should be constructed depending upon the
previous question.
f. Each question must be clear and easy to understand. A statement
should not have ambiguity in meaning or grammatical error because
it may mislead the respondent. The use of words must be clearly
defined. If the respondent does not understand the meaning of the
words, he cannot respond correctly.
g. The question should be prepared so that short answers are given by
the respondent. If questions require long answers respondent may
be discouraged. They may not find time to answer questions in long
essays.
h. Researcher shall use Likert scale if his questions are constructed to
obtain opinion.
Example
Statement Likert scale
Inter school Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly
competition agree disagree
48
for elementary
school children
is harmful
Points or score in the following manner for the responses may be allotted
to analysis the data quantitatively, if a statement is of the above type
Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly
Agree (A*) (UD*) (DA*) Disagree
( SA *) (SDA*)
5 4 3 2 1
*Abbreviations used in the questionnaire
The allotment of points may change depending on the nature of statement.
6.3 Appearance of questionnaire
The following items must be considered in effective presentation of the
questionnaire.-
1. Paper on which the statement or question are printed shall be of a
size of 8 ½* 11 inches which is convenient to be put in standard sized
envelope. The paper need not be white. Different colors may be used to
categorize different subjects in the questionnaire response.
2. Care must be taken to arrange the heading symmetrically with
major headings agree than sub-headings. Printed questionnaire is
preferable which should be neat and with proper spatial (local)
arrangement of questions.
49
3. Adequate space for answers must be provided. Providing little
space is a common error. Space must be given to fill up the name and
address of the respondent.
4. For an objective response for a question parenthesis ( ). A block
or other schemes may be used. A short dotted line or solid line (. . . . . or -
---------) may be needed for some answers.
5. At the top in the first page the questionnaire should contain the
following items.
a) Complete name and address of the investigator so that the
respondent knows clearly who the researcher is.
b) The purpose of the questionnaire requesting the respondent to help
him by answering.
c) Complete clear cut instructions for filing up the questionnaire. For
example, the respondent should be requested to give the best single
answer.
6.4 Questionnaire Development
The following procedures apply to development of questionnaire.
I. Initial writing
Before the final draft is prepared questionnaire must be organized
progressively for which several revisions are made. Meaning must be clear
to the reader, in a proper sequence and with clear directions. Following
difficulties must be avoided even at initial writing.
1.1 Using difficult special terms
If the term is “interscholastic” is used instead of ‘inter school’ it
may be difficult for a reader to understand.
50