Understanding Scientific Writing
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MOPS & MOES is one of the few podcasts and blogs that cites the research they reference. This establishes credibility and provides a good opportunity for tactical athletes and coaches to broaden their knowledge base. However, reading and interpreting scientific literature can feel like deciphering a foreign language. To help, we are going to break down how to effectively interpret key components of journal articles. We’ll focus on understanding the purpose statement, identifying the target population, getting into the methods section, and going well beyond just the abstract. By mastering these skills, leaders in military human performance can quickly discern whether a study’s findings are relevant, reliable, and applicable to your goal.
The Purpose Statement: Your Roadmap to the Study
At the heart of any research article lies the purpose statement. Think of it as the mission statement of the study, it outlines what the research aims to achieve. Think of this like the mission statement from an OPORD.
What Is a Purpose Statement?
A purpose statement concisely presents the overall aim of the study. It explains the gap in knowledge the research addresses and clarifies the intent behind the investigation. In the human performance contexts, a clear purpose statement might, for example, explain how a study aims to evaluate a training plans effect on ACFT scores or an educational initiatives impact on overall sleep quality.
How to Identify and Interpret the Purpose Statement
Locate the Purpose Early: Often found in the introduction or early sections of the article, the purpose statement should be one of the first things you read. Look for a sentence that answers the question, “What is this study trying to achieve?”. It is not hidden many introductions end with “the purpose of this study is…”
Identify the Research Problem: Notice how the statement directly links to a research problem. This might be a gap in existing literature or an unanswered question relevant to tactical human performance. This also should be explained in the intro.
Focus on the Research Questions: The purpose should hint at the specific questions the study is addressing. Whether the study is designed to explore, describe, or evaluate, the verbs used (e.g., “explore,” “assess,” “determine”) indicate the study’s direction.
Significance and Context: Consider if and why the research matters to you. In our field, a study might be significant if it promises to improve training outcomes or injury prevention among soldiers.
Digging Deeper: Beyond the Abstract
While the abstract gives a brief overview of the study, it is only the wave tops. To gain a full understanding of the research, you need to explore the article further. This means reading more than just the abstract.
What the Abstract Won’t Tell You
Methodological Details: Abstracts typically summarize the methods without providing the details you need to assess the study’s validity.
Population Nuances: The target population is often mentioned briefly, leaving questions about the sample’s specifics, such as age, fitness level, or military branch.
Context and Limitations: Understanding the context in which the research was conducted, and its limitations, is crucial for applying its findings to our work.
Steps to Go Beyond the Abstract
Read the Introduction Thoroughly: This section often outlines the research problem, background, and justification for the study. Look for statements that connect the research with real-world issues you see. Tying it back this is where you will find the purpose statement.
Examine the Methods Section: Here, you’ll find details about how the study was conducted, which is critical for evaluating its reliability (more on this in the next section).
Review the Results and Discussion: These sections provide insights into what the researchers discovered and how they interpret their findings in the broader context of the field. You may interpret things differently based on your practical experience, that’s good, it shows critical thinking and interpretation.
Critically Analyze Limitations: Recognizing the study’s limitations helps you understand whether the conclusions drawn can be confidently applied to your own practices. For example, a lot of human performance research is done on male college age exercise science students, due to availability, this may not be applicable to your target population.
Understanding the Methods Section
The methods section is often the most technical part of an article, but it holds the key to evaluating the study’s quality. For professionals in human performance, understanding the methods used in research is critical for applying findings to target populations. A study that uses a rigorous, well-defined methodology is more likely to have reliable insights that can be integrated into training regimens or injury prevention strategies.
Breaking Down the Methods Section
Study Design: Identify whether the study is qualitative, quantitative, or employs a mixed-methods approach. This distinction influences how the data is collected and analyzed.
Quantitative Studies: These often use structured surveys, statistical analysis, and measurable outcomes. In research, quantitative methods might be used to assess performance improvements or injury rates.
Qualitative Studies: These may involve interviews, focus groups, or observational techniques to gather detailed insights into behaviors or perceptions. These often identify questions that need to be answered.
Mixed-Methods: Combining both approaches, these studies can provide a more comprehensive view but may require you to be familiar with both types of analysis.
Sample and Target Population: The methods section should detail the characteristics of the study’s participants.
Who’s in the Study? Effective research will list characteristics such as age, gender, occupation, or fitness level. For tactical human performance, the study might specify active duty soldiers, ROTC cadet, veterans, or recruits. Compare the target population with your own context. If the study involves elite athletes or a very specific subgroup of military personnel, think about whether the conclusions can be generalized to your population.
Context and Setting: Understand where the study was conducted, was it in a lab, a field setting, or within a specific military unit? The environment in which the research was conducted can significantly impact its findings. Research conducted in a controlled lab setting may yield different results compared to studies done in real-world military training environments
Data Collection Techniques: How did the researchers gather their data? Were they using surveys, direct measurements, or observations?
Data Analysis Procedures: Check for the statistical analysis methods used. The robustness of these procedures can affect the credibility of the conclusions. Without a background in statistics or research this is hard.
Practical Example
Imagine a study investigating the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiovascular fitness among Marine recruits. The target population is clearly defined: Marine recruits undergoing rigorous physical training. If your goal is to improve overall soldier readiness, these findings might directly inform your training protocols. However, if your focus is on injury prevention in a different demographic, you may need to interpret the results with caution.
Integrating Research into Practice
Interpreting research articles is not just an academic exercise, it directly impacts how we develop and refine our training programs.
Application in the Field
Evidence-Based Decisions: By understanding the purpose statement, methods, and target population, you can determine if a study’s findings are relevant to your population. For example, if a study shows that a supplement improves perceptual levels of fatigue post exercise among soldiers, you can consider its integration into your regimen, provided the study’s methodology is sound.
Continuous Learning: The ability to critically assess research is a tool in the toolbelt, it allows you to utilize academic information to improve your craft. This does not mean anecdotal or practical experience-based learning is any less valuable.
Risk Mitigation: Not all studies are created equal. By critically analyzing the methods and target populations, you can avoid pitfalls, such as applying findings from a non-representative sample to a broader target population.
Conclusion
Interpreting journal articles requires more than a quick skim of the abstract. It demands a careful reading of the purpose statement, an understanding of the research problem and questions, a detailed look at the methods, and an appreciation of the study’s scope and target population. For tactical human performance professionals, these skills are valuable for making informed, evidence-based decisions that can improve training programs, enhance soldier readiness, and ultimately, support the mission.
Mark A. Christiani is a Tactical Strength, and Special Operations Army Veteran. He has human performance experience in the worksite wellness, collegiate and tactical settings. Mark holds a Master of Science in Sports Medicine from Georgia Southern University and several certifications, including CSCS and RSCC. Currently, he serves as an on-site Human Performance Specialist with the US Army Reserves. Mark's extensive background in research, coaching, and injury rehabilitation underscores his commitment to advancing the field of sports science and human performance.