RECR 5110

Critical Analysis of the Professional Literature

PEB 219

Joseph T. Walker Ph.D.University of North Texas

PEB 210 PDepartment of KHPR

940-565-4845 Office Hours: M & W

11-12:30

or by appointment

Purpose:The purpose of this course is to introduce graduate students to the process of acquiring appropriate literature that supports the research that is the foundation of the recreation industry (psychosocial, education, marketing, and management).

Objectives:Students will review a series of seminal research articles and complete an overview of research articles related to major topics and theories within the recreation industry.

Students will complete a variety of written, discussion, and presentation assignments that will provide evidence of the student’s comprehension of the topics.

Students will complete assignments that develop an acceptable level of mastery of the American Psychological Association technical writing style.

Required Reading:Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

(Paperback)by the American Psychological Association

Class Assignments

APA Quizes 50

Theory Presentation 1 50

Journal Article Reviews (4 total)200(50 points each)

Poster Submission 100

Attendance/ In Class Discussion100

Participation points 100

Final Paper 200

Total800 points

Grading of Assignments:

A = 100-90ExcellentIndicates exceptional achievement. Discussed relationships

thoroughly, relates evidence supporting or refuting viewpoints.

B = 89-80Good Indicates extensive achievement. Discussed relationships and

Viewpointsrequested.Use of course material is obvious.

C = 79-70SatisfactoryIndicates acceptable achievement.

F = 59-00Unsatisfactory Indicates inadequate achievement.

This class will provide you an awareness and introduction into the primary literature that you would use to support a specific future program direction or investment into a new program or strategy.

This class will also cover how to process research material and produce a properly written review of the relevant topics that support your ideas.

You will also review a series of methods that explain how to actually measure psychometric concepts.

Examples of these topics include the following:

Serious LeisureSatisfactionAthletic/Leisure Identity

Leisure SatisfactionWork Group CohesionPlace Attachment/Bonding

Work Group CohesionFan SatisfactionService Quality

SportsmanshipQuality of Life

Theory of Planned Behavior Substitution Socialization

Athletic/Leisure Motivation Leadership Theory Trait Theory

Involvement Theory AgingRisk/Adventure

Social Exchange Theory Social Networks Ethnicity

Gender, & Androgyny Social FacilitationPush Pull Motivation

Metrics and Behavior Patterns

Household Characteristics (Education – Income – Marital Status)

Park Use Trail UseBMI

Skill Ability Experience Use History

Theory Review Papers

Provide a 1-2 page review of the general concept and the following items

Value

1. Describe the general concept of the theory – explain what it is, how was it developed? 20

2. Explain one way the concept/theory is operationalized (measured by survey).10

3. What is the importance of this theory to your profession? 10 Or

Why does this have no importance to your profession?

4. How can you use this information to your advantage? 10

Or

Why is this of no use to your future career?

Total 50

Research Poster Meta Analysis

Each student will convert an existing scientific article into a poster as if it were to be presented at a research conference. The final poster is to be developed as a single power-point slide that provides a general review of the entire research study presented in the published article.

Value

Quality/relevance of research selected 30

Poster explains the purpose and importance

of the program changes clearly.

Introduction of the underlying theory/model20

-Include a graphic of the model AND MEASUREMETN SCALE

Matrix of past literature 30

Recognizing the GAP 10

Overall visual layout of poster10

The layout and illustrations

(pictures, text, background) that supports

the theme of the poster.

Total 100

Theory Presentation: (50 points)

Each student will present a theory presentation from the class topics to the class and lead the class discussion on that topic. The power-point presentation should provide the same information that is provided in the theory review paper (Definitions – history of the concept – operationalization - measurement - prior use). Creativity in the delivery of the topic in class testing is always justification for awarding bonus points.

Literature Review Paper (200 points)

The purpose of the literature review is to document the state of the art (science), with respect to a particular question or problem.

The literature review is itself a research method. It takes raw data (the annotated bibliography) and converts it into information (a critical appraisal). The review should:

  • be organized around and directly related to a research problem / question you are thinking of developing
  • organize and Synthesize the findings of previous researchers into a summary of what is and is not known
  • identify areas of controversy in the literature
  • formulate questions and require further research

The review is PROSE, not a list describing or summarizing one citation after another. Organize the review into sections that represent themes or sub-topics, or identify trends.

Part 1 Introduction to the Topic and why it is Important

Part 2 A summary of content covered by the 10 citations – theory citations

And the content from the annotated Bibliography – General review of the articles + citations

Part 4 Final Paper – 6-10 pages providing a comprehensive overview of the topic – the primary past studies, how it has been investigated, and finally your preferred way to measure (scale)

Part 5 Binder of all related paper items

Class Assignments

APA Quiz #110

APA Quiz #2 10

APA Quiz #310

APA Quiz #4 10

APA Quiz #5 10

Journal Article Review #1 50

Journal Article Review #2 50

Journal Article Review #3 50

Journal Article Review #450

Theory Presentation 1 50

Poster Submission 100

In Class Discussion/Contribution100

Homework/In Class Activities #1 20

Homework/In Class Activities #220

Homework/In Class Activities #3 20

Homework/In Class Activities #4 20

Homework/In Class Activities #5 20

Final Paper (Binder) 200

Total800 points

Every student in the class has an undergraduate degree, therefore the grading of this material is toward the standard within the PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY. All of your work and articulation of your work via presentation is graded with the expectation that it would be presented at an INDUSTRY CONFERENCE.

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