Going beyond the interview: Methodological considerations for “getting at” life skills transfer using a longitudinal integrated qualitative approach

Abstract

ABSTRACTLife skills transfer represents an ongoing process by which an athlete learns/refines a life skill in sport and subsequently applies the same skill beyond sport. Many qualitative investigations on transfer have used the ‘one-shot’ interview design to explore the experiences of athletes, thus offering static snapshots of perceived life skills learning and application. The integration of multiple qualitative methods has been advanced as having the potential to more comprehensively capture or ‘get at’ the life skills transfer process. The study’s purpose consists of detailing a longitudinal integrated qualitative approach that can be used to examine life skills transfer from sport to life. The integrated approach is illustrated through an exemplar case of a 23-year-old athlete and her process of learning/refining and applying emotional regulation skills. Three individuals able to speak to the athlete’s behaviour outside of sport (i.e., mother, classmate, and work colleague) were also part of the case. Data collection occurred over eight months and involved the integration of (a) individual semi-structured interviews, (b) chronological chart, (c) timeline, and (d) solicited journal. Findings provide a tangible illustration, based on empirical data, of how qualitative techniques can be integrated to capture the athlete’s process of life skill learning in sport and skill application beyond sport. In doing so, the longitudinal integrated qualitative approach produced insights into the life skills transfer process to an extent not previously gleaned through interviewing alone. Lastly, key considerations for using integrated methods in sport, exercise, and health research are offered.