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Kinesiology major Research Paper

Kinesiology Major Research Paper

Gabrielle Reyes
RWS 1301
Professor Hinojosa

Gabrielle Reyes

Kinesiology major Research Paper

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INTRODUCTION

My objective of study is Kinesiology and exercise concentration. The focus of this

discipline is to understand the human development and fitness health of people.

This discipline

is in the college of Heath Sciences. This department has roughly 10 full time faculty members.
As stated in the PDF document (Utep by the numbers) in fall 2007 there was a percentage of 7%
of students enrolled in this department. Studies show that in fall 2012 that percentage went up to
9%. This department is located in the health science and nursing building. This discipline is
rapidly growing through the campus. I have chosen this discipline because I would like to go into
strength and conditioning or become an exercise physiologist. I feel this major would help
pursue my career goals. From a student to student prospective, I feel that this discipline is very
time consuming, but if you like the research of human development and human health/ fitness
this is this discipline for you. From conducting my research I have discovered what will help me
be a successful student in my disciplinarily.
1. What kind of environment would I have to surround myself with to be able to
become a more successful student?
2. Are there any internships or programs offered that can help me learn more
about this disciplinarily to become more successful?
3. What skills will help me be a successful student to get into the P.T program
These Questions are appropriate for my inquiry because the research I will get from
answering the research questions will help me be a successful student in my disciplinarily

Gabrielle Reyes

Kinesiology major research paper

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BACKGROUND
This discipline requires 120 credit hours in order to get a bachelors degree. Majoring in
kinesiology you can go into many fields. Stated from Professor Sean Miller many students go
into the PT program, OT program, many students even go into the medical field. After
conducting my second interview with Professor Miller I learned information that was very
beneficial. UTEP does offer many internships for students however not every program needs
internship hours. However In my class observation, there was a guest speaker, Dr. Sandor Dorgo.
He explained to the kinesiology class that, In order to get in to graduate school, which was
highly recommended, you need if not hundreds but thousands of hours outside your course core
curriculum. All t is research I have conducted has helped me understand the discipline I am
going into and make me realize that this is what I was to pursue. The interview, the observation,
and the rest of my research will help me understand the social values, skills, time and
environment required to be an successful student academic wise.
METHADOLOGY
Data methods selection:
The research I had done was very beneficial and would be beneficial for any student
anting to now about the Kinesiology discipline. I conducted for forms of research; Interview,
survey, document analysis, and site observation.
Data collection:
Interview
The first thing I did was schedule an interview. I had done two interviews. The first
interview was with Dr. King. He is the Associate Professor for Kinesiology and Associate Dean
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Kinesiology major research paper

for the College of Health Science. The information I had received from him was not very
beneficial to my research. So I had scheduled another interview but with Professor Sean Miller.
The research I had received from Professor Miller was very beneficial towards my research.
Professor Miller is a faculty member and lecturer in the UTEP Department of Kinesiology. Both
interviews took place in the health sciences and nursing building. Each Interview took no longer
than 30 minutes. I believe if you interview the correct person you will get the information and
answers you are looking for. Interviews are one of the best ways to gather research.
Survey
Another form of research that I conducted was a survey, this ties into the site
observation. The class that I observed was the class I surveyed. The class was called the
foundations of kinesiology, which is a course I should be taking very soon. The students that I
surveyed were all either sophomores or some juniors. But mainly sophomores since it was a
lower level class. There were roughly about 90 students in class but I only passed out 63 surveys.
After passing those out, I got 47 surveys back. I did not expect to get so many back. I do believe
this method of research is somewhat effective because you will get a student-to-student
perspective. But however not all students do the survey or they just answer however because
they do not want to do the survey. But I did get great results from the students.
Documents
The documents I used were a course syllabus and a curriculum vita from the department
chair of kinesiology. I had chosen the course syllabus because it shows what is expected of
students in the course and I will need to take that course in a semester or two. So it would be
very beneficial to my research to help me prepare what to expect. I chose the curriculum vita
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from the chair of kinesiology because I feel it is very important to know how well educated your
professors and faculties are. You will see where they learned everything. Also, if you would d
like to intern or work for a faculty member/ professor you can contact them through here. You
will also see what their research interests are, so that you know if you want to be a researcher
assistant.
Site of observation
On November 6, 2014, I went to observe Professors Millers class. His class was an
Auditorium in the HSSN building. There were about roughly 90 students in the room. I took a
seat in the middle of the class. So that I can blend in with the other students. I was surrounded by
a lot of students in workout clothes or people who looked physically fit. Of course not everyone
was like this but the majority were. After the class I did get to talk with some of the students I the
class and got their input of what this disciplinarily really takes. I asked what their majors were
and what they had to do not only for this class but for the disciplinarily.
Data Coding
The research I have received was very effective for my paper. I have used the survey and
site of observation to see the students perspective. These sources of data showed what students
value social wise and what environment will help them become a successful student in their
disciplinarily. The interview that I had with Professor Miller, helped me understand the
dynamics of the work ethics and responsibilities that come along with the study of kinesiology. It
requires a lot of hands on and volunteer hours. He explained what was needed of me to be able to
get into the P.T program.

Gabrielle Reyes

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Kinesiology major research paper

RESULTS
These three research questions I have put together are what will help me answer my
research question. With all the research I have done, my questions is answered. I believe these
three research questions were very appropriate for my inquiry.
What kind of environment would I have to surround myself with to be able to become a more
successful student?
According to the student survey and Site observation, I would have to surround myself
with peers with the same goals as mine. The students claim that the disciplinarily requires a
lot of work outside of the classes. Referring back to my interview with Professor Miller, he
had mention that in order to be successful a student need to set priorities straight and put
school first. Most undergrads do work but when students reach grad school Professors do not
recommend for students to work. I believe my research questions was fully understand. I had
no difficulties find the answer to my question.
Are there any internships or programs offered that can help me learn more about this
disciplinarily to become more successful?
There are many internships offered for the P.T program. Most grad programs require
internship hours. I learned this in the interview with professor miller and the Document
analysis. As stated In the course syllabus (Miller,2014) there are many resources on the
syllabus that can help a kinesiology student be more successful. I believe this question was
successfully answered from the data I have gathered. I did not have any trouble trying to get
my research question answered.
What skills will help me be a successful student to get into the P.T program?
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This research question I feel I did not get successfully answered. I believe I worded this
question too much like my previous research question. I did get some goof answers but I
believe I can go more into depth of how to get in to the P.T program. In the site observation
we listened to Dr. Dorgo talk about grad school for a bit. He explained that you need a high
GPA but of course we all know that. I want to know what will help me stand out from the
other applicants trying to get into grad school as well. I did have some difficulties answering
this research question.
CONCLUSION
My disciplinarily requires a lot of time, work ethic, and dedication. This is what I have
learned from the data I have gathered during my research. I believe this is a 100% true. From
all the research I have done, I know what it takes to become a successful student in my
disciplinarily. After all the research I have gather, many kinesiology students have their work
cut out for them. But with the research have gathered and all the data resources that I have
used. I believe using these data resources will help and student be a successful student in the
kinesiology disciplinarily. I believe all my research questions were answered except for one.
I believe I should have changed it to get more sufficient information about my disciplinarily.
But regardless I was still successful get the information I needed.
I believe this information I have gathered will be very beneficial to any kinesiology
student trying to be successful in their disciplinarily. I believe I can go more into depth but I
believe since I am a freshman, I believe I am limited to get all the information I can because I
am currently only a freshman. But I was still successful on getting the information to answer
my research questions. These three research questions I have put together is what will helped

Gabrielle Reyes

Kinesiology major research paper

me answer my research question. With all the research I have done, my question is answered.
I believe the three research questions were very appropriate for my inquiry.

Gabrielle Reyes

Kinesiology major research paper

REFERENCES
Miller Sean, (Fall 2014), Foundations of Kinesiology KIN 1301 syllabus, UTEP
kinesiology department.

Kinesiology Department, Catalogue (2014-2015), Undergraduate degree plan, UTEP

kinesiology department. Retrieved from
http://kinesiology.utep.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ES2007.pdf

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APPENDIX

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Appendix A

1.

Does a student need a doctorates degree to put their kinesiology degree to good use?

What career path can you take with this degree?

2.

What social values should a student have in order to become a successful student in this

disciplinarily?
3.

In order for a student to get their degree will they have to do internship hours? Where are

internships offered for the college of health sciences?

4.

What skills do you believe will help a student be successful in this disciplinarily?

5.

Would you recommend for a student to work while going to school for this degree? Is it

time consuming?
6.

What electives would you recommend to help a student understand their major classes

more?
7.

What is the most challenging obstacle a student can come across while trying to get their

degree in kinesiology?
8.

What environment should a student surround their selves with in order to be able to be

successful in this disciplinarily?

(Like to know questions)
1.

What makes a successful student to you?

2.

What science classes would a student have to take to complete their kinesiology degree?
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Appendix B
1.Can you name one thing you wish you knew about the major before joining the major?

2.Would you say this major is very time consuming?

O Strongly agree
o Agree
o Neutral
o Disagree
o Strongly disagree
3.The course objectives are clear

What is your academic

classification?
o
o
o
o

Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior

O Strongly agree
O Agree
O Neutral
O Disagree
O Strongly disagree
4.How much knowledge have you gained from this course?
O Strongly agree
O Agree
O Neutral
O Disagree
O Strongly disagree
5.What organizations have helped you with your major?

6.Do you believe this class is effective will help you when trying to get your degree?
O Strongly agree
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O Neutral
O Disagree
O Strongly disagree

7.Do you consider this course to be difficult?

O Strongly agree
O Agree
O Neutral
O Disagree
O Strongly disagree
8.What kind of teaching in this course would you say you see the most of?
O Lecture
O Collaborative work
O Hands on projects
O Discussion

Gabrielle Reyes