Qualitative methods in sport sciences: a special FQS issue

Abstract

Qualitative research has its own particular strengths and therefore is able to grasp the multidimension ality of meanings, contexts, unanticipated phenomena, pro cesses and explanations which can be found in the world of sport, games and physical activity. The article gives an overview over the different subject fields and articles cov ered by this special issue of the Forum Qualitative Sozial forschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research on sport science(s). 1. Grasping the Multidimensionality of Sport, Games and Physical Activity The term Sciences suggests plurality. Accordingly, the domain of sport sciences is a multiand interdisciplinary research area that includes a number of disciplines, ranging from the psychology and sociology of sports to the physiology of sports performance. Early in its development, the sports sciences were dominated by a quantitative approach to understanding that drew its inspi Address all communications to: Reinhard Stelter, Institute of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Norre Alle 51, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; E-mail: rstelter@ifi.ku.dk ; Ina Hunger, Universit?t Osnabr?ck, Fachbereich 3 / Sport und Sport wissenschaft, Sportzentrum, Jahnstra?e 41, D-49080 Osnabr?ck, Germany; E-mail: ina.hunger@uni-osnabrueck.de. First published: Stelter, Reinhard, Sparkes, Andrew & Hunger, Ina (2003, February). Quali tative Research in Sport Sciences?An Introduction [11 paragraphs]. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung /Forum: Qualitative Social Research [On-line Journal], 4(1). Available at: http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs-texte/l-03/l-03hrsg-e.htm.