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Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Activity
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Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Activity



240 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Designed especially for students in sport and physical activity, this book provides a detailed guide to planning, undertaking, and writing up qualitative research. Opening with a discussion of the main traits of qualitative inquiry and its use in sport and physical activity, the authors provide a coherent and accessible overview of qualitative research using numerous examples to bring research alive. The book is divided into five parts informed by stages in the research process with chapters on:
  • Early steps in the research process
  • Ethics
  • Choosing an approach
  • Methods of data collection
  • Analyzing the data
  • Writing up and disseminating your findings
This is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students carrying out a qualitative research project in sport and physical activity and for PhD students looking to refresh their knowledge.
 
PART ONE: INTRODUCING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN SPORT
 
Qualitative Research and Its Use in Sport and Physical Activity
The Main Characteristics of Qualitative Research

 
Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Activity

 
 
Ethical Considerations in Research
Recruiting Participants

 
Informed Consent

 
Confidentiality and Anonymity

 
Avoiding Harm

 
 
Developing the Research Question and Writing the Proposal
The topic and Research Question

 
Writing the Proposal

 
 
The Role of the Literature in Qualitative Research
The Literature and the Proposal

 
The Literature Overview

 
The Inductive Approach

 
The Ongoing Dialogue with the Literature

 
Keeping Track of References

 
 
Sampling
Purposive Sampling

 
Sampling Types

 
Sampling Decisions

 
Accessing the Sample

 
Referring to the Sample

 
 
PART TWO: COLLECTING QUALITATIVE DATA
 
Interviews
Types of Interview

 
Variety of Interviews

 
Asking Questions

 
Interviewing Skills

 
The Relationship Between Interviewer and Participants

 
Practical Sspects of Interviewing

 
Potential Problems in Interviewing

 
 
Focus Groups
The Origin and Purpose of Focus Groups

 
Choosing the Sample: Size, Number and Composition

 
Conducting Focus Group Interviews

 
The Involvement of the Interviewer

 
Analysing Focus Group Data

 
Ethical Issues

 
Advantages and Limitations of Focus Groups

 
 
Participant Observation
The research Setting

 
Types of Observation

 
Getting Started

 
Keeping a Record

 
Using Documentary Sources of Data

 
Problematic Issues

 
 
PART THREE: CHOOSING THE RESEARCH APPROACH
 
Grounded Theory
The Origins of Grounded Theory

 
The Main Elements of Grounded Theory

 
The Process of GT: Data Collection and Analysis

 
The Developing Theory

 
Problems in Grounded Theory

 
 
Ethnography
Fieldwork

 
A Focus on Culture

 
Ethnographic Methods

 
Sample and Setting

 
The Ethnographic Record

 
Analysis and Interpretation

 
Problems in Conducting Ethnographic Research

 
 
Phenomenology
Descriptive and Interpretive Phenomenology

 
Eliciting Life-World Descriptions

 
The Use of Bracketing and Sensitising

 
The Findings of Phenomenological Research

 
Sampling

 
Phenomenological Interviews

 
Analysis in Descriptive and Hermeneutic Phenomenology

 
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)

 
Limitations

 
 
Narrative Research
Stories and Their Structure

 
Types of Story

 
The Functions of People’s Stories

 
Collecting Data

 
Narrative Analysis

 
The Distinctive Nature of Narrative Research

 
A Critique of Narrative Research

 
 
Mixed Methods Research
Adopting Mixed Methods Research

 
Designing Mixed Methods Research

 
The problems Inherent in Mixed Methods Research

 
 
PART FOUR: ANALYSING AND REPORTING QUALITATIVE DATA
 
Data Analysis
Managing the Data

 
Transcribing and Writing Memos

 
Data Reduction and Conceptualisation: Codes, Categories and Themes

 
Computer-aided Analysis of Qualitative Data

 
Interpreting the Data

 
 
The Quality of Qualitative Inquiry
Validity and Reliability

 
Alternative Criteria for Qualitative Research

 
How to Ensure Trustworthiness

 
 
Writing Up Qualitative Research
Writing in the First Person

 
The Format of the Report

 
Checklist Before Submission

 
Telling the Tale: Creativity and Originality

 
Publishing and Presenting the Research

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

This is a 'must have' book for aspiring qualitative researchers in the field of sport and physical activity. The book is well structured, providing the researcher with a step-by-step guide to the processes that need to occur to undertake methodologically sound qualitative research. It is intellectual and yet pragmatic which makes this a book that I will recommend to my PhD students and colleagues alike.
Murray Drummond
Professor in Sport, Health and Physical Education, Flinders University


This text provides students with an excellent foundation for understanding qualitative research studies and for conducting their own qualitative inquiries, in fields ranging from sport management and marketing to sport sociology and psychology.
Paul M. Pedersen
Professor and Director, Sport Management Doctoral Program, Indiana University-Bloomington


This book, whilst fairly basic, gives a good overview of qualitative research methods for sport and exercise. This works very well for this introductory research methods module.

Dr Janine Coates
School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University
September 14, 2016

This text provides all the relevant details our students will need when planning their research projects. The ethical considerations will be a must for them as it sets out the project in small concise steps.

Mr Andy Petch
School of Sport, New college Pontefract
May 27, 2016

wonderful book. Focuses on an interesting angles

Dr Ilan Tamir
school of communication, Bar-Ilan University
September 29, 2015

A useful text that provides learners with relevant information when starting a research project. Further reading would be recommended to explore factors in greater depth. However much of the content is subject specific allowing readers to apply to there own research project.

Mr Mark Treagust
Dept of Applied Health Sciences, Farnborough College of Technology
March 23, 2015

Very useful book.
Split in to easily manageable sections.
The students comment it helps them in their assignments.

Mr Stuart Priestley
Sport, Myerscough College
January 7, 2015

I have given this book as good overview on Qualitative research methods for students during their independent studies. It allows them to consider the type of methods available to them when making decisions on their research methodology.

Mr Peter Gilliver
Outdoor, Countryside, adventure and ecotourism, University of Derby, Buxton
November 18, 2014

I would recommend this text to students searching for a comprehensive overview of appropriate techniques to qualitative research from all levels of degree study. Especially useful for independent projects, a good read.

Mr Mark Treagust
Dept of Applied Health Sciences, Farnborough College of Technology
October 28, 2014

Really interesting, clear and structured nicely. Will be informing the library to acquire a copy.

Dr Adam Benkwitz
Sport and Physical Activity Quality Group, University of Cumbria
October 7, 2014

This is a useful text in addition to other Research Methods texts. Offers expertise and good views on Qualitative Research as well as providing learners with an alternative angle from which to understand the topic. Excellent to use for further reading due to the plethora of references throughout the text.

Mr John Harrison
Care, Sport and Leisure, Tyne Metro College
July 10, 2014

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


Ian Jones

Ian Jones is the Head of the Department of Sport and Physical Activity/Associate Professor in Sport at Bournemouth University.  More About Author

Lorraine Brown

Dr Lorraine Brown is Associate Professor in Qualitative Methodology at Bournemouth University. More About Author

Immy Holloway

Immy Holloway teaches Qualitative Methodology at the University of Bournemouth.  More About Author

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