Qualitative Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health - 9780415578349

The qualitative method is perhaps the most dynamic and exciting area of contemporary research in sport, exercise and health. Students and researchers at all levels are now expected to understand qualitative approaches and to employ them in their work. In this comprehensive introductory text, Andrew Sparkes and Brett Smith take the reader on a journey through the research process, offering a step-by-step guide to the fundamentals of qualitative research.

Each chapter includes practical exercises to enable new researchers to engage with and experience core methods and procedures, from semi-structured interviews to content analysis. The book also explores the ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ questions within all of the central traditions within qualitative research. For example, what is ethnography? When might it be appropriate to use an ethnographic approach, and how does one conduct an ethnographic study? Each chapter is also vividly illustrated with cases and examples from real research in sport, exercise and health, and each includes discussion and revision questions, definitions of key terms and suggestions for further reading. The book also goes further than any other textbook in exploring innovative contemporary methods, such as visual and sensual ethnography.

Qualitative Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health is essential reading for any student, researcher or professional working on a research project in a sport, exercise or health context.