Research Methods in Physical Education and Youth Sport

This is the first research methods book to focus entirely on physical education and youth sport. It guides the reader through the whole research process; from the first steps to completion of a dissertation or practice-based project, and introduces key topics such as: formulating a research question qualitative approaches quantitative approaches mixed method research literature review case studies survey, interviews and focus groups data analysis writing the dissertation. Each chapter includes a full range of useful pedagogical features, including chapter summaries, practical activities, case studies, dialogues with active researchers and guidance on further reading and resources. With contributions from some of the world’s best-known researchers in the field, this book is indispensible reading for all students and professionals working in physical education, youth sport, sports coaching and related subjects.

Table of Contents:
Section 1: Planning the Research Process 1. What is your Research Question – And Why? 2. Research Principles and Practices: Paving the Research Journey 3. Positioning Yourself as a Researcher: Four Dimensions for Self-Reflection 4. What Counts as ‘Good’ Research? Section 2: Methodology: The Thinking Behind the Methods 5. Thinking about Research Frameworks 6. Conducting Ethical Research 7. Qualitative Approaches 8. Quantitative Approaches 9. Are Mixed Methods the Natural Approach to Research? 10. Listening to Young People’s Voices in Physical Education and Youth Sport Research Section 3: Selecting the most Appropriate Method(s) 11. Reviewing Literature 12. Experimental Research Methods in Physical Education and Sports 13. Measurement of Physical Activity 14. Surveys 15. Observational Studies 16. Case Study Research 17. Interviews and Focus Groups 18. Narrative Research Methods: Where the Art of Storytelling Meets the Science of Research 19. Action Research in Physical Education: Cycles, not Circles! 20. Visual Methods in Coaching Research: Capturing Everyday Lives 21. Grounded Theory 22. Discourse Analysis and the Beginner Researcher Section 4: Data Analysis – Consider it Early! 23. Analysing Qualitative Data 24. Analysing Quantitative Data Section 5: Communicating your Research 25. Effective Research Writing 26. The Dissertation

About the Author :
Kathleen Armour is Professor of Education and Sport, and Head of the Department of Sport Pedagogy at the University of Birmingham, UK. Her research interests are in teacher/coach career-long professional development, physical activity and health pedagogies and the role of sport in the lives of disaffected/disengaged youth. Doune Macdonald is Professor and Head of School of the School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Australia. Her research interests have addressed the challenges of curriculum reform and its impact, and more recently broader questions of physical activity, health and young people.

Review :
"For the emerging researcher, this is an invaluable source of possible tools for asking the important questions in a field of study. For the advanced student of physical education and youth sport, this is a refreshing approach to the challenging discipline of academic research. Recommended.", Choice magazine "Strengths of the text are that is it well written throughout, and the examples used will be relevant and interesting to the reader. The writing style throughout is accessible to the novice researcher, and this is a text that will cover the needs of those beginning their research journey in the field of youth sport and physical education, as well as those slightly more advanced researchers, for example those beginning doctoral research will find this book a good starting point [...] this will be a welcome addition to the research methods literature in sport, and one that I could fully recommend to anyone starting their research journey in the area." Ian Jones - Bournemouth University