Chapter 2: Approaches to research in sport

Chapter 2: Approaches to research in sport

Content • Disciplines • Approaches, dimensions, issues, terminology A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Disciplines • Main disciplines involved in sport research: • sociology/cultural studies • economics • geography/environmental studies • psychology/social psychology • history & anthropology • political science • Applied disciplines/fields of study: • physical education • management • marketing • planning A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Research questions: Sociology • Descriptive • What proportions of the population participate in specified sports activities? • What are the trends in the numbers playing team sports over the last ten years? • Explanatory • Why do members of middle class, highly educated, groups make greater use of sport facilities than members of other groups? • What factors influence rises and falls in individual sports as compared with team sports? • Evaluative • To what extent have policies designed to boost women's participation in sport been successful? • How successful was the hosting of an international sporting event in increasing employment and incomes? A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Research questions: Geography/Environment • Descriptive • What is the spatial area from which most users of a particular sport facility travel? • What impacts does a particular ski resort have on the environment? • Explanatory • What is the relative importance of distance and travel time in affecting use of a particular sport facility? • How do the different styles of sport tourism (motor sport, skiing, cycling) impact on the environment? • Evaluative • How effective is the local council in meeting the sport demands of all neighbourhoods in its area? • How effective is the sport tourism strategy in protecting the environment from the impacts of sport tourism? A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Research questions: Economics • Descriptive • What proportion of household expenditure is devoted to sports goods and services? • What proportion of the labour force works in the sport industries? • Explanatory • What is the relationship between level of income and expenditure on sport? • What is the relationship between travel cost and level of visits to a sport facility? • Evaluative • What are the costs and benefits of hosting the Olympic Games? • What has been the economic impact of developing a sport-tourism project at destination X? A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Psychology/social psychology • Descriptive • What satisfactions do people obtain from engaging in sport? • What is the level of stress among teenagers regarding body image? • Explanatory • To what extent is Maslow's hierarchy of need relevant to sport? • Does engaging in sport activity relieve stress? If so, how lasting is this? • Evaluative • How effective has a youth sports programme been in enhancing participants' self-esteem? • How effective has a marketing policy been in boosting sport participation? A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

History/Anthropology • Descriptive • How has the role of sport in shaping national identity changed since 1900? • What is the history of the Olympic Games? • Explanatory • What was the influence of marketing and sponsorship on sport over the last 25 years? • What has caused the growth in sport gambling over the last 25 years? • Evaluative • How successful have public policies to increase physical activity been over the last 30 years? • Over the last 30 years have governments helped or hindered the development of sport? A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Political/policy science • Descriptive • What are the sport policies of the major political parties? • What proportion of publicly-owned sport facilities are managed by commercial contract? • Explanatory • How has changing political philosophy affected sport policies in the last two changes of government? • How is power exercised in sporting contexts? • Evaluative • How effective are policies directed at 'inclusion' in increasing sport participation? • How effective have joint public-private partnerships been in sport development? A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Approaches/Dimensions/Issues/Terminology (Fig. 2.2) A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Approaches/Dimensions/Issues/Terminology contd A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Circular model of the research process (Fig. 2.3) Inductive Deductive B. Observation/ description C. Analysis/ testing D1 Hypothesis confirmed/ disproved A1 Hypothesis D2 Question answered? A2 Question A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Chapter 2: Approaches to research in sport