Studying Physical Activity Using Social Media: An Analysis of the Added Value of RunKeeper Tweets

Research Methods In Physical Activity

A review of the relevant literature indicates the existence of a wide range of research methods and data collection techniques that are applied to the study of physical activity. Among them, self-reporting methods, observational methods, and the use of objective measurement devices are among the most common (Strath et al., 2013; Thomas, Nelson, & Silverman, 2010). A combination of these methods is often used.

Self-reporting methods, as the name indicates, rely on research participants to provide accurate responses to questions regarding behavior or attitudes. Self-reporting methods such as quantitative surveys, for example, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) can afford relatively fast, low-cost, and large scale data collection (Booth, Ainsworth, & Pratt, 2003; Hagstromer, Oja, & Sjostrom, 2006; Hallal & Victora, 2004; van Poppel, Chinapaw, Mokkink, Van Mechelen, & Terwee, 2010). The accuracy and trustworthiness of the responses, however, can be an issue due to reliance on the research participant’s memory (Trost, Pate, Freedson, Sallis, & Taylor, 2000; Prince et al., 2008), potentially socially desirable answers (Shephard, 2003). Various standardized physical activity questionnaires exist, of which IPAQ is commonly used (Booth, Ainsworth, & Pratt, 2003).