Need help with research paper on skydiving

[steveorino 7]

Soon I will need participants in a research on skydiving for my research methods class for my Masters degree in counseling. But right now I need to refine the research topic/question.

ATTENTION ALL YOU ACADEMIC TYPES!
Please give me some ideas on the research topic. I was thinking along the line of "do skydivers jump because they lack something that makes them feel more normal and the adreniline rush of skydiving gives it to them", or "do skydivers jump because they have something chemically/biologically that others do not have?"

This would be related to those regularly skydive, not those who have made a jump or two.

Any ideas for the research topic would be deeply appreciated. Please be serious. I'm on a time crunch.

steveOrino

[Mostly_Harmless 0]

Stony Brook University (in conjunction with SDLI and the military) is doing an on going study about how different people handle there first tandems. First time tandem students can choose to participate in the study by having there body monitor during the jump (they also have to give a blood sample before and after the jump). From what I head this study stems from the military wanting to be able to screen potential recruits for programs like the seals (apparently they have a high drop out rate which cost them a lot of money). It is an interesting study. Oh and the tandem students get there jump for free if they participate. So maybe a research paper on the effects of first time jumpers.

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[NWFlyer 2]

What kind of guidelines do you have for the topic? That might help us help you (not that I'm an academic type or anything ).

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[raggdoll 0]

Try www.scholar.google.com or http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=skydiving&hl=en&lr=.

I read an excellent academic paper by Lipscombe yesterday, but as it's a .pdf file and on the school's database, I can't retrieve it at the moment. If you google the name, though, you'll find some more interesting topics.

[steveorino 7]

No real guidelines to speak of, but it needs to somewhat fit into the "pysche" area of skydiving.

For instance, "Do no skydivers drink more beer than the average person?" would not be a good research project. (we all know they do)

Again something like: Why do they jump from planes? With the hypothesis they are lacking something others normally have or either they have something others don't.

Of course, it needs to sound a lot more academic than that. Although I'm somewhat new to pyschology, I'm do well with the therapy type courses, but this research course is kicking my butt!

steveOrino

[kbordson 8]

Are you actually going to be completing this research project or is this just prelim assignments to prep you for the research and you're considering having multiple topics?
Have you already done a lit search? I found these on Pubmed
Wil you be getting funding? What kind of human subjects committe does this have to pass?
Will you have access to MRI/PET scans or labs (hormone concentrations)?
With the counseling background, would you want to do more demographic research and less objective data?

[steveorino 7]

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Are you actually going to be completing this research project or is this just prelim assignments to prep you for the research and you're considering having multiple topics? yes and no. Yes, just the prep work if I stay with MAFT, the full enchilada if I go fo rthe MSPC

Have you already done a lit search? No, just trying to write the research question right now. I found these on Pubmed
Wil you be getting funding? no What kind of human subjects committe does this have to pass?two professors at SNU
Will you have access to MRI/PET scans or labs (hormone concentrations)?practically, no? -- theorectically ??
With the counseling background, would you want to do more demographic research and less objective data?

Actually I'd like to relate it to risk behaviors

steveOrino

[kbordson 8]

1. Perception of "normal" social behaviour by skydivers.

2. A comparison of risk understanding (knowledge/comprehension) and risk prevention (action) in the skydiving population. (easy questionaire that discusses different risk situations -ie seatbelt use, smoking, RSL use, ADD and then asking about that persons actual choices)

3. Historical correlation between childhood risk behaviors and skydivers compared with a nonskydiving population.



Eligible: Skydivers with at least an A license or equivalent experience.

Exclusions:

[StreetScooby 5]

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No real guidelines to speak of,

What "measurement techniques" are in your toolkit?

We are all engines of karma

[Jewels 0]

Rats. I was hoping you'd do something on door fear and I could be your guinea pig--as long as you weren't trying to INDUCE door fear. I pretty much have that covered. Sounds like you have some great suggestions!

TPM Sister #102

[steveorino 7]

Well, because it is merely a proposal right now anything goes. (in other words I don't have to actuall do it, just write the proposal -- unless I go for the MSPC instead of the MAFT) But I'd prefer to keep it in field of pyschology such as personality, anxiety, etc.

Here are the skills objectives for the course.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
1) formulate a research hypothesis, based on a given set of background information.
2) define the independent (predictor) and dependent (criterion) variables which derive from a research question.
3) develop appropriate operational definition(s) for the variables of interest.
4) utilize appropriate data collection methods to measure defined variables.
5) develop an optimal research design to study a designated research question.
6) formulate an appropriate statistical hypothesis, based on a designated research question.
7) utilize an appropriate statistical method to analyze data collected, from a designated research design.
8) appropriately and accurately interpret analyzed data, especially with regard to the original research question.
9) orally communicate the essential findings of a research study.
10) accurately communicate in written form (using appropriate APA style), the research question addressed, the literature reviewed (and its relevant findings), the methods and procedures to be used in the study, the results and conclusions of one's research study.

steveOrino

[StreetScooby 5]

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Well, because it is merely a proposal right now anything goes. (in other words I don't have to actuall do it, just write the proposal -- unless I go for the MSPC instead of the MAFT) But I'd prefer to keep it in field of pyschology such as personality, anxiety, etc.

So, you can make up anything?

We are all engines of karma

[airtwardo 7]

I did an extensive interview with someone doing something similar back in 1980.

I can't recall the guys name, but it was supposed to be research for a book he was working on.

It was quite interesting...testing both physical and mental, as well as two 6 hour taped interviews.

The gist of his research was something about Risk Assessment and Management among those involved in Extreme Sports.

He was trying to find out if there is a common trait either physical, chemical or environmental that attracts certain people to risky endeavors.

Also...how they went about assessing the risk of 'their' sport in comparison to 'other' extreme sports.

And what the difference was 'in their life' in regard to 'how' they manage risk of varying types in their every day endeavours NOT associated with extreme sports...comparing attitude and action of such things as job, love life, auto accidents etc. both before and after one became involved in an extreme sport...seeing if it changes the core behavior of the subject...being accustom to more than normal risk.

Somewhere in all my JUNK, I think I still have the written 'test'...

I kept it because it was so well done, asking the same questions several different ways to
qualify your answers.

I figured I might use it as a guide should I ever need to do an in depth survey.
(I was a Marketing major at the time)

Good luck, keep us informed!!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[steveorino 7]

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. Perception of "normal" social behaviour by skydivers.

2. A comparison of risk understanding (knowledge/comprehension) and risk prevention (action) in the skydiving population. (easy questionaire that discusses different risk situations -ie seatbelt use, smoking, RSL use, ADD and then asking about that persons actual choices)

3. Historical correlation between childhood risk behaviors and skydivers compared with a nonskydiving population.

Very good ideas, Karen, thanks! I was free associating other ideas such as:

1. Does the presence of a particular character trait predict who will complete skydiving training from 1st jump course to A license?

2. Do skydivers have more self esteem than the average population?

steveOrino

[airtwardo 7]

Do skydivers have more self esteem than the average population?


***


No..just LESS money!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[steveorino 7]

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Well, because it is merely a proposal right now anything goes. (in other words I don't have to actuall do it, just write the proposal -- unless I go for the MSPC instead of the MAFT) But I'd prefer to keep it in field of pyschology such as personality, anxiety, etc.

So, you can make up anything?

No, it is a proposal. I don't have to actually test anyone -- so if I were to use MRI imaging after a skydive I wouldn't have to fund that. I won't "make up" the results. I just may not do the results unless I can keep it more on the psychology, personality trait theme. I have access to those tests and I will probably complete them even if I never write the whole paper. Although knowing me, I'd probably write it regardless if it was needed for a grade or not..

steveOrino

[Beverly 1]

What about the effect that skydiving has on relationships and what relationships have on skydiving...

I think true friendship is under-rated

Twitter: @Dreamskygirlsa

[jshatzkin 0]

I would throw an MMPI into the mix to assess full personality types, looking at things such as impulsive, addictive personality,..etc. Just my .02

Jen

[Programmer 0]

How about relating risk-taking characteristics in skydivers to risk-taking in stock traders or others who take financial rather than physical risks? Or, since you're going for a degree in counseling, risk-taking attitudes in skydivers compared to risk-taking in career criminals who risk getting caught with every car they steal, for example?

[kbordson 8]

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How about relating risk-taking characteristics in skydivers to risk-taking in stock traders or others who take financial rather than physical risks? Or, since you're going for a degree in counseling, risk-taking attitudes in skydivers compared to risk-taking in career criminals who risk getting caught with every car they steal, for example?

Or... (doing the whole free association thing from here)

-examine intelligence and skydiving (include school stuff such as highest level completed, GPA but aslo some abbreviated IQ test cuz book learning aint all intelligence). correlate that to knowledge of risks and compare that to actual action.

Then - as Programmer recommended - compare those set of variables to a group matched for age, gender and intellegence in other high risk activities (special ops guys, stock traders, sexually promiscuous convicts, professional croquet players)

That will give you many variables to play with and examine!!!!!

[StreetScooby 5]

Here's an idea -

Have you heard of Briggs-Meyers? They have an interesting personality test described at http://www.typelogic.com/. There's a simple version for free. Have skydivers take that test, and see what kind of correlations come out of it. I'm an INTJ.

We are all engines of karma

[StreetScooby 5]

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sexually promiscuous convicts

Sounds like Airtwardo

We are all engines of karma

[Jib 0]

How about the motivation for doing a tandem in relation to the likelihood of continuing onto A license and 2, 5 and 10 years in the sport. IE life check list, adrenaline, always wanted to, peer pressure, challenge, shock value, military made me, ...

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[djd 0]

ATTENTION ALL YOU ACADEMIC TYPES!
Please give me some ideas on the research topic. I was thinking along the line of "do skydivers jump because they lack something that makes them feel more normal and the adreniline rush of skydiving gives it to them", or "do skydivers jump because they have something chemically/biologically that others do not have?"


I watched a program on british tv, very popular doctor over here think his name is robert winston...(very popular..lol)
he was talking about the difference in gene make up off humans and split it into catogories, quite simply there are the boundry pushers and the thinkers or something like that, if the world was full of thinkers we would still be living in caves and if it was the boundry pushers we wouldnt have made 100 years let alone how ever long we have been here....
not quite that cut and dry i know but sort of remember it.
might have archives at the BBC website... will be co.uk not .com

dont think this will help but what the hell.....lol

[JAC 0]

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Here's an idea -

Have you heard of Briggs-Meyers? They have an interesting personality test described at http://www.typelogic.com/. There's a simple version for free. Have skydivers take that test, and see what kind of correlations come out of it. I'm an INTJ.

I'm an INTJ too! Perhaps there is a correlation. :)