2. The question:
Why do people engage in running as a lifestyle and
running events?
What is a “runner” for the purposes of this
study?
For the purposes of this study a “runner” will be
defined as a person that engages in running events
(10k, 15k, marathon, etc.) of more than 5 miles in
distance, and who runs for training/ lifestyle at least
twice a week.
How will data be collected?
Quantative data will be collected by online survey,
qualitative data will be collected by real-time
informal interviews.
3. Where will they come from?
Group of 20 people
•Researchers will place ads on online
Running Forums. Ages 18+
•Ad-hoc encounters on running trails Must have:
Around the SF Bay Area Participated in a
•On social networks like Facebook and running event of
RunKeeper.com more than 5 miles in
the last year
Is planning on
participating in at
least 1 event of
more than 5 miles in
the next year
Engages in “training”
behavior for these
events at least twice
a week
4. Survey:
Survey will include quantitative and categorical
information about participants:
age, gender, ethnicity, how long the person has been
running, the number of training runs they do a week,
injuries sustained, etc.
Interview:
Conversational (informal) tone
Face-to-face or over the telephone
Ideally interviewers will be runners themselves
and better able to keep the tone peer-oriented.
Will explore questions of personal motivation, how they
mentally prepare for running events, philosophical
outlook on running, training regimens, how running
affects mental and physical health
5. Quantitative data will
be broken down into
charts and graphs, and
analyzed for patterns
or correlations.
Interviews transcribed
for later analysis
Grounded theory
approach to analysis:
looking for patterns and
correlations between
participants
6. Ifno statistically significant
trends or correlations are
observed:
Study can be used as a jumping off
point for further inquiry.
Ifstatistically significant trends or
correlations are observed:
Researchers will seek to publish the
study
Researchers might seek to perform
further in-depth studies depending
on observable trends.
