Exploring the Meaning of the Components on the Psychophysical Energy Level Questionnaire Via Content Analysis
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Authors
Kennamore, William
Issue Date
2006
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the source of the responses to the original 50- questions posed in the Psychophysical Energy Level Questionnaire. The original questionnaire was designed to identify the effects of the dynamics of human condition, life's environmental factors and the foundations of an exercise or workout routine; which when not adhered to can cause a "distortion of view" in individual's perceptions and attitudes about exercising or working out. The focus of this study was to determine whether in the original questions the correlation to exercise or working out as perceived by participants was concise, clear and complete enough to provide information for understanding an individual's lack of effort to start or maintain his/her routine. Fourteen adults, six males, (two Blacks, one Asian and three Whites) and eight females (one Black, one mixed Asian and Black, one Asian and five Whites) between the ages of 25 and 65 years participated. The Likert scale responses, "never /seldom / sometimes / often / always" were removed from the questionnaire and each participant was handed one-by-one the 50- questions placed on 5x8 cards. They were asked for their own answer; for example, "can you tell me how you respond to these questions?" and "When asked this question, how would you respond to it?" The purpose of asking participants these questions was to understand the meaning of the various responses from the perspective of the participant. All responses that were similar were counted and grouped. Four analyses were conducted and the responses were sorted into groups according to the patterns and themes that emerged. Each participant's responses were examined for the range of interpretations and meanings that they placed on the items, thus creating a map of the most common parameters of each item as in the original questionnaire. The analysis confirmed that the experiences of each participant's effort as well as what a routine provided were two important outcomes that were interpreted from this study.