This week, you will be completing a final research proposal for the course. The following components should be included within your quantitative research proposal: (The focus of this proposal is going to be on safety issues in American football. Mainly looking at ways to avoid and prevent injuries during football games) The statement of the problem, the purpose of the research, the research question(s), and hypotheses from the previous assignment showing evidence of the use of feedback from the previous assignment. A new two-page research methods section that explains the following components:

QUESTION

This week, you will be completing a final research proposal for the course. The following components should be included within your quantitative research proposal: (The focus of this proposal is going to be on safety issues in American football. Mainly looking at ways to avoid and prevent injuries during football games)

1. The statement of the problem, the purpose of the research, the research question(s), and hypotheses from the previous assignment showing evidence of the use of feedback from the previous assignment.
2. A new two-page research methods section that explains the following components:

1. Describe and justify the type of quantitative research design employed to address the research question.
2. Describe the population and the sample participants for your study. Be sure to show clear evidence that you know the difference between populations and samples in research.
3. Summarize how the data will be collected by naming and describing your proposed research instruments.
4. Indicate how validity and reliability will be supported.
5. Describe how the ethical treatment of the sample participants will be ensured, any additional ethical issues in need of consideration, and any limitations of the study.

Be sure to include only peer-reviewed primary source research articles.

Length: 4-5 pages, not including title and reference pages

References: Include a minimum of 5 peer-reviewed resources.

ANSWER

Enhancing Safety in American Football: A Quantitative Research Proposal

Introduction

American football is a popular sport in the United States, but concerns regarding player safety and the prevention of injuries have gained significant attention in recent years. This research proposal aims to investigate ways to avoid and prevent injuries during football games. By employing a quantitative research design, this study seeks to provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance safety in American football.

Statement of the Problem

The safety of players in American football is a pressing concern due to the high risk of injuries associated with the sport. Despite efforts to improve player safety through rule changes and equipment advancements, the incidence of injuries remains significant. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive research to identify effective strategies to prevent injuries and improve safety during football games.

Purpose of the Research

The purpose of this research is to examine and evaluate various approaches to enhance safety in American football. By investigating the factors contributing to injuries and analyzing potential preventive measures, this study aims to provide actionable recommendations that can minimize the risk of injuries during football games.

Research Questions

What are the primary causes of injuries in American football?

Which preventive measures are most effective in reducing injuries during football games?

How can the implementation of safety protocols and equipment improvements mitigate injury risk?

Hypotheses

H1: There is a positive correlation between specific causes of injuries and the likelihood of occurrence during American football games.

H2: The implementation of safety protocols and equipment improvements will lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of injuries during football games.

Research Methods

Quantitative Research Design

This study will employ a cross-sectional design, utilizing survey-based data collection methods to investigate safety issues in American football. The cross-sectional design allows for the examination of variables at a single point in time and enables the exploration of associations between variables.

Population and Sample Participants

The population of interest for this study includes football players in the United States. However, due to feasibility constraints, a sample of players will be selected. The sample will be obtained through stratified random sampling, considering various factors such as age, experience level, and position played. By selecting a diverse sample, the study aims to ensure the representation of different player demographics and playing styles.

Data Collection

The primary data for this research will be collected through a self-administered online survey. The survey will consist of structured questions, addressing aspects such as player demographics, injury history, perceived causes of injuries, and opinions on preventive measures (Villarejo et al., 2014). The use of an online survey ensures efficient data collection and provides anonymity for participants, encouraging honest responses.

Validity and Reliability

To ensure the validity of the research, multiple strategies will be employed. Firstly, the survey instrument will be developed based on a comprehensive review of the existing literature on football injuries (Mastaglia et al., 2003). The inclusion of validated measures and consultation with experts in the field will further enhance the instrument’s content validity. Additionally, pilot testing will be conducted to assess the clarity and reliability of the survey items.

Ethical Considerations and Limitations

The ethical treatment of participants will be ensured by obtaining informed consent, guaranteeing confidentiality, and using data in an aggregated and anonymized manner. Furthermore, the study will adhere to ethical guidelines and obtain necessary institutional approvals (Wilkie et al., 2023). However, it is important to acknowledge that self-reported data may be subject to recall bias and social desirability bias. Moreover, the generalizability of the findings may be limited to the sample selected.

Conclusion

This research proposal outlines a quantitative study aimed at addressing safety issues in American football. By investigating the causes of injuries and evaluating preventive measures, this study intends to provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance player safety. The proposed research design, sampling approach, data collection instruments, and ethical considerations align with the objectives of the study. By conducting this research, valuable insights can be gained to promote the safety and well-being of football players.

References

Mastaglia, B., Toye, C., & Kristjanson, L. J. (2003). Ensuring content validity in instrument development: Challenges and innovative approaches. Contemporary Nurse, 14(3), 281–291. https://doi.org/10.5172/conu.14.3.281 

Villarejo, D., Ortega, E., Gómez, M. I., & Palao, J. M. (2014). Design, validation, and reliability of an observational instrument for ball possessions in rugby union. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 14(3), 955–967. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2014.11868771 

Wilkie, B., Jordan, A., Foulkes, J., Woods, C. T., Davids, K., & Rudd, J. (2023). Examining the validity, reliability and feasibility of capturing children’s physical literacy through games-based assessment in physical education. Examining the Validity, Reliability and Feasibility of Capturing Children’s Physical Literacy Through Games-based Assessment in Physical Education, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1188364