Research Designs in Sports and Health Science

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 168 - 178

Dr Mwebaze Nicholas , Diriisa Mugampoza , Annet Nankwanga , Loyce Nahwera , Ricky Richard Ojara , Linika Lumbuye , Mark Kamwebaze

Abstract

Research design is the heart of a good study in health and sport science, defining how data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted to advance knowledge and practice. This systematic narrative review addresses both quantitative and qualitative research designs commonly employed in these disciplines, describing their methodology characteristics, applications, and drawbacks. Quantitative designs covered are descriptive, correlational, experimental, quasi-experimental, longitudinal, cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, and survey research. Recent examples of sports and health research illustrate how these designs allow causality, prevalence, risk factor, and intervention effectiveness. The review also analyses qualitative designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case studies, and narrative research based on how they help to explore lived experiences, social context, and meaning making processes that are pivotal to the understanding of athlete behavior and health outcomes. Furthermore, the review mentions major gaps through the incorporation of mixed methods research that integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide richer analyses. Among some of the emerging new innovative designs like ecological momentary assessment, adaptive trials, and technology-enabled data collection are explained in terms of how they can achieve maximal ecological validity and accuracy. The intersection of data science and digital technologies, such as machine learning and wearable sensors, is seen to be transforming research possibilities, demanding adaptive methodological designs. Research design choice issues in research settings, especially in low-resource settings like in Uganda, are also considered to be culturally acceptable and viable. Ethical issues in sport and health studies, such as participant consent and confidentiality, are also considered. The review concludes with a guide for researchers and practitioners to choose a suitable designs based on their research questions, accessible resources, and norms of ethics. By incorporating current trends and existing frameworks, the paper is a handy reference to construct methodologically rigorous and efficient research in sports and health science.

Keywords

Research designs , Health science , Quantitative methods , Qualitative methods , Mixed methods

Ethical Statement

Not Applicable

Supporting Institution

UPDF/Kyambogo

Thanks

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Editor of the International Journal of Recreation and Sports Science for the opportunity to submit my manuscript titled "Research Designs in Sports and Health Science." Your dedication to advancing scholarly contributions in the field of recreation and sports science is truly appreciated. I am honoured to contribute to this esteemed journal and deeply value the time, effort, and commitment you and your editorial team invest in supporting academic research and publication. Thank you for considering my submission. I look forward to your kind review and feedback.

Spor ve Sağlık Bilimlerinde Araştırma Tasarımları

Abstract

Araştırma deseni, sağlık ve spor bilimlerinde iyi bir çalışmanın kalbidir; verilerin nasıl toplandığını, analiz edildiğini ve yorumlandığını tanımlayarak bilgi ve uygulamanın gelişmesine katkı sağlar. Bu sistematik anlatı taraması, bu disiplinlerde yaygın olarak kullanılan nicel ve nitel araştırma desenlerini ele almakta, yöntemsel özelliklerini, uygulama alanlarını ve sınırlılıklarını açıklamaktadır. İncelenen nicel araştırma desenleri arasında tanımlayıcı, korelasyonel, deneysel, yarı-deneysel, boylamsal, kesitsel, kohort, olgu-kontrol ve anket araştırmaları yer almaktadır. Spor ve sağlık araştırmalarından güncel örnekler, bu desenlerin nedensellik, yaygınlık, risk faktörleri ve müdahale etkinliği gibi alanlarda nasıl kullanıldığını ortaya koymaktadır.
İnceleme ayrıca, sporcu davranışlarını ve sağlık sonuçlarını anlamada önemli olan yaşantı deneyimleri, sosyal bağlam ve anlam oluşturma süreçlerini keşfetmeye yardımcı olan fenomenoloji, köklü kuram, etnografi, olgu çalışmaları ve anlatı araştırması gibi nitel araştırma desenlerini de analiz etmektedir. Ayrıca, nicel ve nitel yaklaşımları birleştirerek daha zengin analizler sunan karma yöntem araştırmaları aracılığıyla mevcut büyük boşluklara değinilmektedir. Ekolojik anlık değerlendirme, uyarlanabilir deneyler ve teknoloji destekli veri toplama gibi yeni ortaya çıkan yenilikçi araştırma desenleri, ekolojik geçerliliği ve doğruluğu en üst düzeye nasıl çıkarabilecekleri bağlamında açıklanmaktadır.
Veri bilimi ve dijital teknolojilerin (örneğin makine öğrenimi ve giyilebilir sensörler) kesişimi, araştırma olanaklarını dönüştürmekte ve uyarlanabilir yöntemsel tasarımları gerekli kılmaktadır. Özellikle Uganda gibi kaynakları sınırlı araştırma ortamlarında, araştırma deseni seçimlerinin kültürel olarak kabul edilebilir ve uygulanabilir olması gerektiğine de değinilmektedir. Spor ve sağlık araştırmalarında katılımcı onamı ve gizlilik gibi etik meseleler de göz önünde bulundurulmaktadır. İnceleme, araştırma soruları, mevcut kaynaklar ve etik normlar doğrultusunda uygun desenlerin seçilmesine yönelik araştırmacı ve uygulayıcılara bir rehberle sona ermektedir. Mevcut eğilimler ve yerleşik çerçeveler dikkate alınarak hazırlanan bu çalışma, spor ve sağlık bilimlerinde yöntemsel açıdan titiz ve etkili araştırmalar inşa etmek için pratik bir başvuru kaynağıdır.

Keywords

Araştırma desenleri , Sağlık bilimi , Nicel yöntemler , Nitel yöntemler

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