Book reviews

Research methods put into practice – theory, cases and practical guidance

January 22, 2026

Klara Boije af Gennäs
Dept. of Sport Sciences, Malmö University

*A. J. Veal & Simon Darcy*
**Research Methods in Sport Studies and Sport Management: A Practical Guide**
616 pages, paperback
Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge 2014
ISBN 978-0-273-73669-1

Research methods and the process of conducting research are integral parts of higher education, from the bachelor’s level to the doctoral level and beyond. Sport sciences is a young multi-disciplinary field founded in the 1990’s (Larsson, 2013) derived from several disciplines, such as sociology, medicine, psychology, pedagogy and psychology (Heinemann, 2000). For example, the sport sciences are now developing its own curricula, scientific journals, professional organisations and perspectives. In recent years, the field of sport sciences has developed its own research methods, specifically designed for studying sport and sport management. However, the field is still relying on methods used in the mother-disciplines.

As part of my PhD studentship, I have been teaching quantitative methods to sport management and sport studies students. However, as an interdisciplinarian—and given the inherently interdisciplinary nature of sport studies, I adopt an open-minded approach to methods and paradigmatic worldviews (ontological and epistemological). I advocate for choosing methods pragmatically: ‘horses for courses’, which method best fits the research question? Are we seeking breadth, depth, or both? Should we ask what, why or how? Are mixed method design and triangulation required to achieve the desired validity and reliability?

Research Methods in Sport Studies and Sport Management is a practice-oriented book and like most methods literature it’s heavy stuff (I know since I’ve been carrying it with me for a month). Eighteen chapters over 616 pages provide the reader with a guide and relevant literature from the start to finished report. The book is written for students, teachers and researchers, but also described as relevant for sport management professionals. Specifically, the aim of the book is to provide “‘how to do it’ and also to offer an understanding and practicing managers to become knowledgeable consumers of the research of others.” (p. xxxi). The authors are A.J. Veal, an Adjunct Professor, and Simon Darcy, a Professor of Events, Sports and Tourism, both at the Business School, University of Technology in Sydney.

My current role as a PhD student involves both learning and teaching, which allows me to approach this book from two distinct perspectives: that of a student and that of a teacher.

The book consists of four main parts, comprising of 18 chapters, each designed to provide both theoretical foundations and practical applications reflecting its title “a practical guide”. To facilitate active learning, every chapter includes test questions and exercises that reinforce key concepts. The index offers a detailed roadmap of the book, including subheadings, lists of tables and figures, and 30 case studies drawn from real-world sport science research projects. These case studies are integrated throughout the text to demonstrate how research principles are applied in practice.

Part I, Introduction and Preparation (Chapters 1–6), establishes the groundwork for research, covering fundamental approaches, ethical considerations, and strategies for developing research plans and proposals. It also introduces the range of research methods and guides readers through the process of reviewing literature.

Part II, Data Collection (Chapters 7–13), addresses the practical aspects of gathering data, including secondary sources, observational techniques, qualitative and quantitative methods, survey design, experimental research, case study methodology, and sampling strategies.

Part III, Data Analysis (Chapters 14–17), focuses on interpreting and analysing data, offering guidance on working with secondary sources, qualitative and quantitative datasets, and applying statistical techniques to ensure rigor and reliability.

Finally, Part IV, Communicating Results (Chapter 18), emphasizes the importance of presenting research findings effectively, equipping readers with strategies for clear and impactful communication.

In summary, the structure of this book reflects a step-by-step approach to research, from conceptualization to dissemination. It is intended not only as a textbook but also as a practical guide for conducting meaningful and methodologically sound research in sport and sport management science.

Having completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree and now in the final year of my PhD studies, all in sport science, I have developed a passion for research methods. My current role as a PhD student involves both learning and teaching, which allows me to approach this book from two distinct perspectives: that of a student and that of a teacher. This dual viewpoint has shaped my review and informed the observations presented below.

From a student’s perspective, the book’s practical step-by-step guide on how to use common software tools such as Excel, SPSS and NVivo is invaluably useful. This feature is particularly valuable for students and practitioners seeking hands-on guidance to manage and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data. However, the treatment of qualitative material tends to lean toward a more quantitative approach, especially in the analysis of interviews. What is missing is the depth and interpretative discussion that characterizes the social science and humanities research. Including this perspective would have demonstrated the breadth of approaches available for analysing qualitative data from an interpretivist worldview, thereby enriching the book’s methodological balance.

From a teacher’s perspective, the book combines both qualitative and quantitative methods in a single volume. In my experience, researchers teaching methods in sports studies often focus on either qualitative or quantitative approaches, rarely both. While it is certainly possible to capture the essence of both within one book, a critical observation is that although this book covers a wide range of topics and draws on a reasonable amount of relevant literature, it primarily provides a solid foundation for teaching. However, for those wishing to explore specific areas in greater depth, the references are not clearly indicated. The authors argue that omitting detailed references in the text improves readability, but this choice also limits the ability to critically evaluate the book’s statements and makes it harder to efficiently locate original sources. Furthermore, including references would offer an opportunity for students to practice engaging with cited literature, an essential skill when reading scientific texts. Therefore, from both perspectives, only a detailed references list after each chapter may be counterproductive.

As a scholar with expertise in both the social and natural sciences of sport, I found that the book does not sufficiently elaborate on qualitative methods with the depth and nuance expected in scholarly work. The discussion of qualitative approaches appears primarily directed toward students and researchers from sub-disciplines with a positivist epistemological orientation, such as technology, psychology, biomechanics, and medicine. While this focus may suit readers from these areas, it limits the interpretive depth that qualitative research can offer. Nevertheless, the book’s structure and practical examples are exemplary, providing clear guidance that facilitates the application of theory to practice, an aspect that will undoubtedly benefit students seeking to translate methodological concepts into real-world research.