Qualitative Research Methods for Sport Studies
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 19. February 2026
Book
Hardback
332 pages
978-1-032-77729-0 (ISBN)
Description
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 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 that's 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 and practitioners, looking to use qualitative methods in their work.
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 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 that's 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 and practitioners, looking to use qualitative methods in their work.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Undergraduate Core
Illustrations
17 s/w Tabellen, 7 s/w Abbildungen, 7 s/w Zeichnungen
17 Tables, black and white; 7 Line drawings, black and white; 7 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
737 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-77729-0 (9781032777290)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Chris Mackintosh
Qualitative Research Methods for Sport Studies
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Chris Mackintosh
Qualitative Research Methods for Sport Studies
Book
approx. 02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€65.60
Not yet published
Chris Mackintosh
Qualitative Research Methods for Sport Studies
E-Book
02/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Person
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, Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Sport England, Sport Scotland, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, and undertaken over 125 industry-facing qualitative research projects. He has taught at five UK universities, examined PhDs and masters by Research and supervised undergraduate dissertation since 2000. Most recently he has supported and led PhDs to completion in qualitative methodological studies of sport policy. In 2020-21 he was appointed special policy advisor to the UK House of Lords inquiry into sport, health and wellbeing.
Content
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 of Data Management: Messiness, Organising and Coordination 6. Starting Out in 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