William A. Pitney
Published: 2009
Total Pages: 218
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Qualitative research is increasingly more common in the health professions, but most general research texts are limited in their discussion of the guiding principles of qualitative research. As a result, it is difficult for students and practitioners in the fields of athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical education, fitness, and health to sort out and apply the concepts involved in this method of research. Qualitative Research in Physical Activity and the Health Professions puts to rest any confusion or misunderstanding about this type of research. The text clearly explains the underlying principles of qualitative inquiry, making it easy for students and practitioners to understand how to design, conduct, and evaluate qualitative research studies. It contrasts the more familiar quantitative designs with qualitative ones, making it easy to follow the flow of information and make associations about how the two methods complement one another. It also presents examples from current literature to accentuate the components of an authentic qualitative research study, including observations, interviews, open-ended questions, and a format for analyzing data. Through Qualitative Research in Physical Activity and the Health Professions, readers learn how to frame a researchable problem, how to develop questions to gain valuable insight that specifically applies to the problem, and how to guide the procedures for data collection and analysis. This text will greatly appeal to physical activity and health students and professionals alike as they seek to learn how to use qualitative research in their work.