You are here

Disable VAT on Taiwan

Unfortunately, as of 1 January 2020 SAGE Ltd is no longer able to support sales of electronically supplied services to Taiwan customers that are not Taiwan VAT registered. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information or to place a print-only order, please contact uk.customerservices@sagepub.co.uk.

Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Activity
Share
Share

Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Activity



November 2012 | 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 the text 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 your an approach

• methods of data collection

• analysing the data

• writing up and disseminating your findings.

This is essential reading for undergraduate and Masters 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 text provides a great introduction to qualitative research within the field of sport and exercise. It covers each stage of the research process while incorporating relevant examples throughout. Each chapter is well structured and easy for students to follow.

Mrs Marie Clare Grant
School of Social and Health Sciences, University of Abertay, Dundee
March 1, 2013

A concise overview of qualitative rsearch methods suitable as an introduction for undergraduates.
A great place for beginner researchers to gain an understanding of the core principles of a range of methodologies.

Mr Ben Jane
Faculty of Sport Media and Management, College of St Mark and St John
February 27, 2013

A good basic introduction to qualitative research, which is portrayed in an accessible format to inspire students undertaking projects in sport and physical activity. It is indeed an introductory level text, and none the worse for that. Clearly structured and written. I liked the inclusion of a chapter on Phenomenology, which actually provides some of the philosophical underpinnings of the approach, rather than (as some other texts do) viewing phenomenology merely as either another label for qualitative research, or as a set of techniques. A very welcome effort at covering the complexities of this particular perspective.

The inclusion in each chapter of examples and references relating to specific studies is very helpful. Overall, an excellent, engaging and very useful text that I shall recommend to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Dr Jacquelyn Allen-Collinson
Sport, Coaching and Exercise Science, Lincoln University
January 22, 2013

This is a clear and well structured text which I believe students will find easy to follow and digest.

Mrs Stella Williams
Department of Psychology, Newman University College
January 22, 2013

A great new resources for the area of physical activity and sport. Provides an in-depth overview of qualitative research and the philosophical underpinnings of different approaches.

Dr Ailsa Niven
Department of PE, Sports and Leisure Studies, Edinburgh University
January 15, 2013

This is one of very few texts which uses case study and examples from the fields of sports and recreational physical activity. Its breadth and depth is at an introductory level appropriate for UG research and evidence modules. It provides core basic qualitative principles in topic specific chapters which will aid the first time reader. Together this makes it an engaing text for sports and physical therapy students. The use of practical cases from the world of sports and recreational physical activity clubs are relevant and illuminating.

Mrs Sarah Westwater-Wood
Divison of Physiotherapy Education, Nottingham University
December 11, 2012
  •  

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


For instructors

Please select a format:

Select a Purchasing Option


Paperback
ISBN: 9781446207451
£51.00

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781446207444
£139.00

SAGE Knowledge is the premier social sciences platform for SAGE and CQ Press book, reference and video content.

The platform allows researchers to cross-search and seamlessly access a wide breadth of must-have SAGE book and reference content from one source.