Research Methods in Applied Sport Psychology

Research methods (and statistics) underpin much of the work undertaken in applied sport psychology settings and remain at the heart of scholarship in undergraduate and postgraduate courses and professional practice training. Students benefit from learning to understand, synthesise, and critique research in their field of study; however, to learn these skills, they need suitable precepts to guide their learning.

This new textbook combines five main areas within applied sport psychology: 1. conceptual issues about science and knowledge; 2. research process (ethics, planning research, etc.); 3. methods (designs, sampling, surveys, interviews, etc.); 4. data analysis (parametric/nonparametric tests, qualitative methods etc.); and 5. reporting research (writing a journal article). Research Methods in Applied Sport Psychology begins with an introduction to conceptual issues within sport and exercise psychology to orient the student about science and knowledge before examining the planning, designing, and starting of research projects. The book then goes on to explore the various methods and issues that arise in research then introduces data analysis for qualitative and quantitative research.

This new text, the first to examine research methods specifically for sport psychology is key reading for all sport and exercise psychology undergraduate and post -graduate students as well as invaluable reading for students on sport and exercise science courses who are set to undertake a research project.

Paul McCarthy, PhD, leads the taught doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University.. He is a BPS chartered psychologist, HCPC registered sport and exercise psychologist, and Senior Teaching Fellow. He developed the first taught doctorate in sport and exercise psychology in Scotland and the UK. He works in private practice in professional sport.

Sahen Gupta, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Sport Psychology at the University of Portsmouth, a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, and a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. He specialises in resilience, positive environments, integrative psychotherapy, and youth sport environments. He has worked with athletes from cricket, football, tennis, and track & field, having held positions in international and national cricket governing bodies in several countries.

Jamie Barker, PhD, is a Reader in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology at Loughborough University, a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, and a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council. Jamie has an international and world -leading research profile with research interests in stress, group dynamics, wellbeing, and mental health. As an applied sport psychologist, Jamie has over 25 years of experience working in business, professional sport, and the military.