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A. J. Veal and S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

3. Chapter 1: Introduction to Research: What, Why & Who?
PART I: PREPARATION
Chapter 1: Introduction to Research: What, Why & Who?

4. PART IV COMMUNICATE RESULTS
Structure
PART II DATA COLLECTION
PART III ANALYSIS
PART I PREPARATION
7. Secondary data
14. Secondary
1. Introduction
8. Observation
2. Approaches
9. Qualitative
15. Qualitative
3. Starting out
10. Questionnaires
16. Survey data
4. Research ethics
11. Experimental
17. Statistical
5. Range of methods
12. Case studies
6. Reviewing lit.
PART IV COMMUNICATE RESULTS
13. Sampling
18. Research report
A. J. Veal and S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

5. Content Scope What is research? Why study research? Who does research?
Who pays?
Outputs
25 slides
A. J. Veal and S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

6. Scope Sport – non-organised Sport - organised Other exercise
Fig. 1.1 Physical exercise and sport
Sport – non-organised
Sport - organised
Other exercise
Leisure time
Walking – leisure
Cycling – leisure
Physical exercise
Work/domestic/personal time
Walking – transport
Cycling – transport
Physical work – domestic
Physical work - employment
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

7. What is research? Research defined Scientific research
Social science research
Three types of research
A. J. Veal and S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

8. Definition:
“The aim, as far as I can see, is the same in all sciences. Put simply and cursorily, the aim is to make known something previously unknown to human beings. It is to advance human knowledge, to make it more certain or better fitting .. The aim is .. discovery”.
- Norbert Elias
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

9. Scientific research Research conducted within the rules of science
Based on:
Logic
Systematic examination of evidence
Ideally can be replicated
Knowledge is cumulative
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

10. Social science research
Deals with people (individually and in informal and formal groups)
Uses methods and traditions of social science
People are less predictable than non-human phenomena
The social world is constantly changing
People can be aware of research being conducted on them
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

11. Three types of research (Fig. 1.2)
Descriptive - finding out, describing what is
Explanatory - explaining how or why things are as they are (and using this to predict)
Evaluative - evaluation of policies and programmes
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

12. Descriptive research
Because the social world is constantly changing, descriptive research is continuously needed
E.g. Periodic data on sport participation
Descriptive research needed for:
market profiles
needs assessment, etc.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

13. Explanatory research Involves: why and how?
Causality: A is caused by B
Prediction: a change in A will result in a change in B
Biological and social science – A causes B to a predictable extent
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

14. Evaluative research To what extent has a programme achieved its aims?
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

15. Why study research? (Fig. 1.3)
Understanding research reports, etc. which you read
Conducting academic research projects – eg a thesis
Research is a management tool in:
policy-making
planning
managing
evaluating
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

16. Examples of policy/planning/management research
Fig. 1.4
Level
Governing body of sport
Policy
Host world championships
Plan
Develop key facilities
Prepare/submit a bid
Management
(If successful) Manage the championship event.
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

17. Examples of policy/planning/management research
Level
Governing body of sport
Community sport centre
Policy
Host world championships
Maximise use by all age-groups
Plan
Develop key facilities
Prepare/submit a bid
Two year plan to increase visits by older people by 50%
Management
(If successful) Manage the championship event.
Implement daily morning keep-fit sessions for older people
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

18. Examples of policy/planning/management research
Level
Governing body of sport
Community sport centre
Sport club
Policy
Host world championships
Maximise use by all age-groups
Develop junior competition
Plan
Develop key facilities
Prepare/submit a bid
Two year plan to increase visits by older people by 50%
Prepare strategy plan to recruit teams/coaches & secure venues/ sponsorship
Management
(If successful) Manage the championship event.
Implement daily morning keep-fit sessions for older people
Implement the strategy
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

19. The Rational-Comprehensive Planning/ Management Process (Fig. 1.5)
1. Terms of reference/brief
Research can play a role in all stages
2. Values/mission/vision/goals
3. Decide planning approach
5. Consult with
stakeholders
4. Environmental appraisal
6. Develop options
7. Evaluate options
8. Decide strategy/goals/objectives
9. Implement/manage
10. Monitor/evaluate/feedback
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

20. Example of planning/management + research (Fig 1.6)
Steps
Planning/policy/management activity
Associated research
1. Brief
Increase young people's participation in sport
Existing research indicates 40% participation rate
2. Set values/ mission/goals
Increase participation level to 60% over 5 years -
3. Decide planning approach
Needs-based, demand-based, etc.: for discussion, see Veal (2010: Ch. 7)
As below
4. Environmental
appraisal
Consider existing supply - demand
Existing programs & infrastructure fully used
5. Consult
stakeholders
Consult sporting clubs, schools, young people
Survey indicates support in all groups; confirms feasibility
6. Develop options
1. Publicity campaign
2. Free vouchers
3. Build more community facilities
4. Provide support to clubs/ schools
5. Train leaders/coaches/ teachers
Review of experience of each option in other regions, based on published accounts and a survey
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

21. Example contd. Steps Planning/policy/management activity
Associated research
7. Evaluate options
Evaluate options 1-5
Each option costed; on basis of survey evidence, estimate made of cost-effectiveness of each option.
8. Decode strategy/ gals/objectives
Options 3 & 4 adopted
Options 3 & 4 recommended
9. Implement/
manage
Implement options 3 & 4 -
10. Monitor/evaluate/ feedback
Assess success in terms of increased participation. Continue program: increase resources for training coaches/ leaders
Survey indicates participation increase to 45% after 1 year, but shortage of coaches/ leaders
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

22. Who does research? (Fig. 1.7)
Academics
Part of the job description. Knowledge for its own sake = some engagement with industry/professions
Students
Coursework projects + Theses
Government and commercial organisations
To inform/evaluate ‘evidence-based policy’
Managers
To inform practice. monitor performance, aid decision-making
Consultants
Under contract to govt and industry
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

23. Managers conduct research on: (Fig. 1.7)
Current customers
Potential customers/community – market research
Environmental appraisal
Organisational performance
Sales
Efficiency
Staff performance/motivation
Competitors
Products
Existing
New
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

24. Who pays? (Fig. 1.9) Unfunded University internal funds
Government-funded research councils
Private trusts
Industry – public, commercial or non-profit
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

25. Research outputs (Fig. 1.10)
Academic journal articles
Professional journal articles
Conference presentations/papers
Books
Policy/planning/management reports
Position statements
Market profiles
Market research
Market segmentation/lifestyle studies
Feasibility studies
Sport/recreation needs studies
Sport tourism strategies/marketing plans
Forecasting studies
A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge