Research methods in sport and exercise psychology: quantitative and qualitative issues

Abstract

This paper sought both to review and challenge quantitative and qualitative researchers within the domain of sport and exercise psychology. Gilbourne contributed to the qualitative phase of the paper. In addition to the general review of established protocols, a series of critical observations questioned the training of qualitative researchers, queried the inductive nature of qualitative analysis, noted the inconsistent application of trustworthiness criteria and outlined different ways of undertaking qualitative research. The paper concludes by encouraging qualitative researchers within sport and exercise psychology to embrace new methodologies and to represent their data through a range of writing styles.