Qualitative Research Methods for Sport Studies

Introducing the core concepts and most important techniques in qualitative research, this practical textbook is the perfect companion for anybody undertaking a research project in sport. Full of real-world cases, data and examples and featuring the voices of researchers at all levels, from experienced professors to student researchers doing their thesis, the book introduces the reader to the qualitative methodological journey. It explains why qualitative methods are useful and important, and it guides the reader through the entire research process, from designing a research project to analysing data and writing up results. The book demystifies qualitative methods, such as interviewing, focus groups, online research and visual methods, with short, practical and digestible chapters, giving the reader all they need to know to get started. A final section explains how qualitative research skills can be an invaluable tool in building a career, whether in academic research or in working environments beyond the university. With useful features in every chapter to help break the subject down and encourage understanding, this is an essential textbook for any student in sport, exercise or physical activity, as well as early career researchers (ECRs) and practitioners, looking to use qualitative methods in their work.

Chris Mackintosh is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Development at the Manchester Institute of Sport, Department for Sport and Exercise Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He has advised the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Sport England, Sport Scotland and the Sport and Recreation Alliance and undertaken over 125 industry-facing qualitative research projects. Since 2000, he has been teaching at five UK universities, examining PhDs and master's by research (MRes) and supervising undergraduate (UG) dissertations. Most recently, he has supported and led PhDs to completion in qualitative methodological studies of sport policy. In 2020-2021, he was appointed special policy advisor to the UK House of Lords Select Committee Inquiry into sport, health and well-being.

Part 1: Introducing qualitative research. 1. Introduction. 2. Knowing stuff about things that matter: A practical journey towards abstract ideas. 3. Why qualitative methods? A contrasting view from public policy, management and industry. Part 2: Before entering the field. 4. Starting out in ethics and your qualitative sport research journey. 5. The unspoken reality: Messiness, organising and co-ordinating data planning and collection. 6. Starting out in the qualitative research fieldwork: Positionality, reflexivity and researcher diaries. 7. First impressions of the field. Part 3: Doing fieldwork: Research methods and researcher stories. 8. Introducing doing qualitative research methods for sport. 9. Key considerations for doing Participatory Action Research in sports studies. 10. Using one-to-one interviews and group interviews in sport studies research. 11. Qualitative approaches in community sport programme evaluation. 12. Participant observation in sport studies. 13. Online methods. 14. Visual methods. 15. Introduction to digital storytelling. Part 4: Methods of qualitative data analysis. 16. Choosing, doing and understanding qualitative data analysis in sport. 17. Narrative analysis. 18. Thematic analysis in sport studies. 19. Grounded theory. 20. Interpretative phenomenological analysis. Part 5: Mapping and navigating your qualitative research methodological journey. 21. Getting your head around theory: Key contemporary themes, issues and challenges. 22. Careers in industry and academia in qualitative sport research. 23. Conclusions and future directions in doing qualitative sport research.