Istorijski aspekti metodologije naučnog istraživanja u sportu i fizičkom vaspitanju

Abstract

The aim of the doctoral dissertation was to present the historical development of methodology of scientific research in sport and physical education in Serbia. The presentation of historical aspects of methodology of scientific research was performed using quantitative and qualitative analysis of an ample body of scientific papers published in leading Serbian scientific journals: 1. Facta Universitatis, Series: Physical Education and Sport; 2. Serbian Journal of Sports Sciences; 3. Exercise and Quality of Life; 4. Physical Culture. The methodology of scientific research in sport and physical education was thus reviewed completely, establishing its dynamics and trends of development. The historical and descriptive methods were used in the study of historical aspects of scientific research in sport and physical education. An instrument was created for the purpose of the study, and used in the classification and profiling of scientific research papers published in journals of sport and physical education in Serbia. Based on the above instrument, all published papers were classified into defined categories, observing the following parameters: research field, type of scientific research work, characteristics of samples of examinees (gender, age, number, status), sample of measuring instruments (data collection methods), data processing methods (statistical analysis), and research design (longitudinal or cross-sectional study). In the last phase of the study, a chi-square test was used to assess the differences in methodology of scientific research between the periods and between the journals. In view of the fact that the papers, in accordance to the above criteria, were previously classified and represented in tables, the frequency of observed characteristics of methodology of scientific research was established (field of research, type of research, examinee sample, sample of measuring instruments, data processing methods, etc.), and then the differences were identified using this non-parametric statistical method. The obtained study results indicated that there were significant differences in the applied methodology of scientific research between the analyzed journals. It was also established that the methodology of scientific research in sport and physical education evolved and changed with time and with development of this relatively new scientific field.