Chapter 1: Measurement
Student Resources
I use the 4 “P’s” framework to help you learn the material in this chapter: Prepare, Practice, Participate, and Perform. To increase the chances to succeed in this course, I strongly encourage you to complete all four “P’s” for each chapter.
1 Prepare
1.1 Chapter Overview
Before diving into the chapter details, familiarize yourself with the key concepts and vocabulary. The materials below will help you build a foundation before reading the full chapter.
1.2 Multimedia Resources
The following table provides access to video and slide resources for this chapter. Click the links to open them in an overlay for better viewing on all devices.
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Long Video Overview | A detailed video explaining the key concepts of measurement, reliability, validity, and statistical inference in movement science research. | 🔗 Watch Video |
| Slide Overview PDF | PDF slides that serve as an overview of this chapter. Read these before the textbook to introduce the main concepts and vocabulary. | 🔗 View Slides |
| Slide Deck HTML | Interactive HTML slides for class. During class, the instructor controls the presentation; after class, review at your own pace. | 🔗 Open Slides |
| Slide Deck PDF | PDF version of the slide deck for download and offline viewing. | 🔗 Download PDF |
1.3 Read the Chapter
Read (Weir & Vincent, 2021, p. Ch1) and (Furtado, 2026, p. Ch2) - optional but recommended - to understand measurement concepts, research, and statistical inference in movement science.
To succeed in this course, you must read the textbook chapters assigned for each topic. This is the only way to learn the material in depth.
Once done, proceed to the next section to practice what you learned.
2 Practice
Practicing what you learned in the chapter is essential to mastering the material. Below are some resources to help you practice the material in this chapter.
2.1 Frequently Asked Questions
Measurement is the process of assigning numbers or labels to objects, events, or characteristics according to specific rules. In movement science, measurement allows us to quantify physical performance, physiological responses, and behavioral outcomes in a systematic and objective way.
Measurement is fundamental to movement science research because it allows us to: - Objectively assess physical performance and fitness - Track changes over time - Compare individuals or groups - Test hypotheses about movement and exercise - Make evidence-based decisions in practice
Reliability refers to the consistency or reproducibility of measurements. A reliable test produces similar results when repeated under the same conditions. Validity refers to whether the test actually measures what it is supposed to measure. A test can be reliable without being valid, but it cannot be valid without being reliable.
The main types of validity are: - Content validity: Does the test adequately represent the construct being measured? - Criterion validity: How well does the test correlate with an established criterion? - Construct validity: Does the test measure the theoretical construct it claims to measure? - Face validity: Does the test appear to measure what it claims to measure?
Statistical inference is the process of drawing conclusions about a population based on data from a sample. It involves using probability theory to estimate population parameters, test hypotheses, and make predictions while accounting for uncertainty.
Descriptive statistics summarize and describe the characteristics of a dataset (e.g., mean, median, standard deviation). Inferential statistics use sample data to make generalizations about a larger population and test hypotheses (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, correlation).
2.2 Test your Knowledge
Take this low-stakes quiz to test your knowledge of the material in this chapter. This quiz is for practice only and will help you identify areas where you may need additional review.
3 Participate
This section includes activities and discussions that will be completed during class time. Your active participation is essential for deepening your understanding of the material.
During class, we will: - Discuss real-world measurement challenges in movement science - Practice evaluating measurement tools for reliability and validity - Work through case studies of research designs - Engage in collaborative problem-solving exercises
4 Perform
4.1 Apply Your Learning
Now that you’ve prepared, practiced, and participated, it’s time to demonstrate your mastery of the material through assignments and assessments.
I strongly encourage you to complete the previous “Ps” (Prepare, Practice, Participate) before attempting any assignments or assessments associated with this chapter.