RPTS 336: Recreation
Research and Analysis
ZACH 119B, MWF 8:00-8:50 a.m.
Peter A. Witt
Bradberry Recreation and Youth Development Chair
Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences
Room 303C Francis Hall
Phone: 979-845-0446
E-mail: pwitt@tamu.edu
Office Hours: 9-10 MWF
Teaching Assistant
Sam Roberson
Room: 303B
Email: samg@tamu.edu
Office Hours: XX or by appointment
Outline and Required Readings
Assignments
Grading
Henderson, K. A., & Bialeschki, M. D. (2005). Evaluating leisure services: Making enlightened decisions (2nd Edition). State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
Other readings will be made available on an as-need basis.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
The focus of this course is to help students acquire skills to conduct needs assessments, implement program evaluations, and interpret research conducted by others. This course will introduce students to various techniques, concepts and issues involved in conducting and understanding research in recreation, parks, and tourism settings.
After completing this course you should be able to:
1. Understand and apply principles of the scientific method;
2. Evaluate the “goodness” of research conducted by others.
3. Define a research problem as it relates to the recreation, park, and tourism field and determine the research technique which best fits the problem;
4. Develop the appropriate procedures (e.g., survey methodology) and instrument (e.g., questionnaire) to study the problem;
5. Implement a needs assessment or evaluation study;
6. Analyze and interpret the results from your study;
7. Prepare and present a final written report of your findings; and
.
The approach of this course will include lectures, class discussions and in-class exercises.