Sunday, April 3, 2011

Research Bias

Research bias is a major issue relating to any particular research plan.  In relation to an action research plan, I feel that the researcher should have a complete idea of all issues and sides pertaining to the issue at hand.  In middle grade sciences, you learn early to always have in mind a hypothesis relating to your experiment.  Although as I have gotten older I have come to realize my lack of creating that particular hypothesis in relation to any kind of research.  When I began my research into the issue of self-esteem improvement, I was unclear as to where the data would lead me.  During the literature review, I was able to consolidate my vision into one question:

Does exercise have a indirect or direct influence on the improvement of self-esteem?

After reading about research biases I have looked further into the idea, and realized, through data collection, the biases related to this subject. Through my research I have developed two proposition statements related to this question.

1. Exercise does have a indirect effect on the improvement of self-esteem in students.
2. Exercise will have a greater effect on the self-esteem of males over females.

I feel that in order to complete a well-rounded research action study, the researcher needs to explore all sides of the issue at state. In my research study I will consider information from both sides of the effects of exercise on the improvement of self-esteem, but I hope to find my hypothesis to be correct.

1 comment:

  1. I think my bias on this topic would be that the self esteem of males is effected by exercise more often than the self esteem of females, but not necessarily to a greater degree. I know some female athletes who are effected just as much as male athletes, but there doesn't seem to be as many of them.
    Then again, I expect that females are less likely to try exercise as a way to boost their self esteem.
    I would love to see your results Heather!

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