Course Title/Number: PRM 447 Research and Evaluation in Parks and Recreation Management
Semester Offered: Spring & Summer
Credit: 3
Instructor: Charles Hammersley, Ph.D.
Office Address: Parks and Recreation Management Program, PO Box 15016, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5018
Phone: (928) 523-6655 Fax: (928) 523-2275
E-mail: charles.hammersley@nau.edu
Office Hours: Hours available by appointment.
Course Prerequisites: STA 270 Applied Statistics
Course Description: Empirical research methods used in leisure service delivery programs; how to chose and apply selective research methods and software packages; design, collection and analysis of information; program evaluation; reporting results; interpreting research literature. Summer
Required Text:
 |
Mitra, A & Lankford, S. (1999). Research Methods in Park, Recreation, and Leisure Services. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing. ISBN: 1-57167-030-0 |
Suggested Reference Text:
 |
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). (2001). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ISBN: 1-55798-791-2 (pbk) |
On-line
Textbook Ordering Options: The book citation and ISBN number are provided
above. You may use the NAU Bookstore or any on-line book service, several
are listed below for your convenience (these are not endorsed by the course
facilitator). Please be sure to order your texts well in advance of the class
date to be sure you have it in time.
 | NAU Bookstore |
| Amazon |
| ebay |
| ecampus.com |
Course Policies:
Course Objectives: ( Competency Areas): Having successfully completed this course you will:
|
Understanding of and the ability to analyze programs, services, and resources in relationship to participation requirements (NRPA 8.20) |
| Understanding of procedures and techniques for assessment of leisure needs (NRPA 8.21) |
| Knowledge of the purpose, basic procedures and interpretation, and application of research and evaluation methodology related to leisure services (NRPA 8.24) |
| Ability to apply computer and statistical techniques to assessment, planning and evaluation processes (NRPA 8.25) |
| Understanding of principals and procedures for evaluation of leisure programs and services. (NRPA 8.26) |
| Ability to
formulate, plan for implementation, and evaluate to which goals and
objectives for the leisure services and for groups and individuals within
the service have been met (NRPA 8.27). |
Additional Course Competencies:
| Have been exposed to key concepts of research and understand how they can be used in the tourism and leisure sciences professions; |
| Recognize and correctly use basic terminology of research; |
| Understand and be able to explain the interaction and connections among research design, data collection methods, sampling, and measurement; |
| Understand and be able to demonstrate how to use various types of research designs (naturalistic, case-study, correlational, differential, quasi-experimental and experimental) in recreation and tourism research; |
| Have an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the following data capturing techniques, commonly used in social sciences: unobtrusive measures (physical traces/archives), observation, individual survey techniques (mail, telephone, face-to-face interview), group survey techniques (nominal group, delphi, focus groups) and others as time permits. |
| Be able to produce simple, but technically robust, research reports and proposals. |
| Be able to read, interpret, review, and critique research articles, publications and reports. And |
| Be able to understand the nature and limitations of data and their use in making and supporting professional judgements. |
Course Content:
Chapter 1, Introduction to Research Concepts
| Identify the Problem |
| Review literature |
| Specify hypothesis |
| Develop a research plan |
| Choose subjects, conduct the study, collect the data |
| Conduct data analysis, and report findings |
| Discuss implications of the findings, make recommendations |
Chapter 2, Methods of Data Collections
| Leisure research methods |
| Qualitative and quantitative methodologies |
| Assumptions of differences and similarities |
| Data collection techniques: surveys, experimental treatment, observations, documents |
Chapter 3, Measurement in Leisure Research
| Nature of measurement |
| Variables and units of analysis |
| Validity and reliability |
Chapter 4, Research Design
| Research designs |
| Internal and external validity |
| Examples of Experimental designs |
Chapter 5, Leisure and Survey Research
| Basic research |
| Applied research |
| Components of survey research |
Chapter 6, Sampling for Leisure and Recreation Surveys
| Sampling basics |
| Type I and Type II Errors |
| Types of samples and selection procedures |
| Determining the optimum sample size |
Chapter 7, Questionnaire Design
| Asking questions |
| Focus groups |
| Questionnaire wording and formatting |
Chapter 8, Data Collection
| Introduction |
| Response rate |
| Modes of data collection |
| Self-response |
| Alternative forms of data collection |
Chapter 9, Preparing for Data Analysis
| Variables; Independent and Dependent |
Chapter 10, Data Analysis
| Descriptive analysis |
| Test of difference |
| Factor analysis |
Chapter 11, Data Reporting
| Organizing a report |
| Using graphs and charts |
| Microsoft Excel |
| SPSS |
| SAS - JUMP |
Course Requirements & Grading Basis:
| Research Proposal | 30% |
| Assignments (5) | 25% |
| Tests (3 @ 15% each) | 45% |
| Total points | 100% |
Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Any violation of academic honesty in any assignment or test will result in the student receiving a failing grade (F) for the assignment or test in question AND a failing grade (F) for the class. The student will be allowed to re-take the class in question at a later time.
To Calculate your Grade:
1) Add the three test grades; then divide that number by 3; then multiply that
number by .45;
2) Add the five assignment grades; then divide that number by 5; then
multiply that number by .25;
3) Multiply the Research Project grade by .3;
4) Add the numbers from step 1, step 2 and step 3 to get your numerical grade.
5) See the information below (Grading Basis) for converting your numerical grade
to a letter grade.
Grading Basis: Grades will be assigned as:
90 – 100 = A; 80 – 89 = B; 70 – 79 = C; 60 – 69 = D; less than 59 = F
Important Note: No assignments or tests will be
accepted after their due dates. All
assignments and tests must be submitted by 5:00 PM on their due date.
References
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). (2001). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Agnew, N. M. and Pyke, S.W. (1987). The science game - An introduction to research in the social sciences (4th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc..
Babbie, E. R. (1983). The practice of social research (3rd ed.). Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Co., Inc.
Bailey, K. D. (1987). Methods of social research (3rd ed.). New York: The Free Press, a Division of MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc..
Blalock Jr., H. M. (1982). Conceptualization and measurement in the social sciences. Beverly Hills, California: Sage Publications.
Dilllman, D. A. (1978). Mail and telephone surveys - The total design method. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
DeVelfis, R. F. (1991). Scale development: Theory and applications. Applied Social Research Methods Series (Vol. 26). Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications, Inc..
Krueger, R. A. (1988). Focus groups - A practical guide for applied research. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications
Loffand, J. and Lofland, L.H. (1984). Analyzing social settings - A guide to qualitative observation and analysis. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park California: Sage Publications, Inc.,
Riddick, C.C. & Russell, R.V. (1999). Evaluative Research in Recreation, Park, and Sport Settings: Searching for useful information. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing
Ritchie, J. R. and Goeldner, C.R. (1987). Travel, tourism, and hospitality research. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Rossi P. H., and Freeman, H.E. (1989). Evaluation : A systematic approach. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Shadish, W. R., Jr., Cook, T. D. and Leviton, L.C. (1991). Foundations of program evaluation. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Scheaffer, R. L., Mendenhall, W. and Ott, L. (1986). Elementary survey sampling. Boston. PWS Publishers
Siegel, S. and Castellan, N.J., Jr. (1988). Nonparmetric statistics for the behavioral sciences. New York. McGraw Book Company
Stainback, S. & Stainback, W. (1988). Understanding and conducting qualitative research. Dubuque, IA: Kendal/Hunt,
Strauss A. and Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Stewart, D. W. & Shamdasani, P. N. (1990). Focus groups - Theory and practice. Applied Social Research Methods Series (Vol. 20). Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Yin, R. K. (1989). Case study research. Applied Social Research Methods Series (Vol. 5). Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
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2001. Northern Arizona University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED