Sport and Society Ch. 2 Research

Chapter 2 Research and Methodologies

• Importance of varying techniques of research when studying sport and its connection to society.

Page 2: Types of Research

• Quantifiable: Data that can be measured or quantified.

• Qualitative: Research aimed at understanding phenomena through in-depth observation and interviews.

• Surveys: Systematic methods of collecting data from groups of people.

• Interviews/Focus Groups: Gathering insights through direct conversation with individuals or small groups.

• Content Research: Examining media and textual resources to gather information.

• Ethnography: Comprehensive study of individuals and cultures in their natural environment.

• Historical: Analyzing historical documents and events.

• Societal Analysis – Social Theories: Exploring sports through various theoretical frameworks.

Page 3: Research Methods

• Quantifiable: Involves numerical data and statistical analysis.

• Qualitative: Focuses on understanding subjective experiences.

Page 4: Research Methods Continued

• Surveys: Valuable for collecting a wide range of data.

• Interviews/Focus Groups: Provides richer data through personal insights.

Page 5: Content and Historical Research

• Content Research - Media: Analysis of various media sources to understand societal narratives.

• Ethnography - TIDES: Method for studying community dynamics within sports.

• Historical - Timeline: Reviewing historical events to understand changes over time.

Page 6: Societal Analysis – Social Theories Overview

• Six Social Theories to analyze sports:

  1. Functionalist

  2. Conflict

  3. Critical

  4. Feminist

  5. Interactional

  6. Figurational

Page 7: Application of Social Theories

• Comparisons between trends in sport and social theory.

• Describing existing social situations and formulating beliefs based on analyses.

Page 8: Functionalist Theory

• Sports as a social institution reinforcing societal values.

• Maintains the status quo; emphasizes community engagement and traditional values: Hard Work, Discipline, Competition.

• Examples include films like "Rudy" and "Rocky 1."

Page 9: Conflict Theory

• Grounded in economic power; critiques capitalism.

• Focus on the power dynamics within sports (owners, leagues).

• Examples include player strikes and spectator protests against price increases.

Page 10: Critical Theory

• Evaluates how authority influences culture and social struggles.

• Focuses on potential for sports to change perceptions rather than just mirror society.

• Sample examples: Jackie Robinson's impact on civil rights and the importance of physical education in combating obesity.

Page 11: Feminist Theory

• Critiques male-dominated cultural traditions in sports.

• Analyzes women's roles, equality, and the stigma of homophobia.

• Examples: Progress in women's positions in sport management; financial inequalities and objectification.

Page 12: Interactionist Theory

• Bottom-up approach focusing on individual experiences in sports.

• Involves ethnography and personal storytelling.

• Examines subcultures within sports - e.g., youth sports, extreme athletes.

Page 13: Figurational Theory

• Emphasizes interconnections among individuals in social networks.

• Changes in social dynamics as people evolve and socialize.

• Examples include shifts in athletic camaraderie and increasing violence in sports.

Page 14: Pro and Cons of Social Theories

• Evaluates strengths and weaknesses in applying each theory:

  • Functionalist

  • Critical

  • Conflict

  • Feminist

  • Interactional

  • Figurationalist

Page 15 & 16: Summary of Findings

• Continuation of sociological insights in sport research, advocating for a diverse approach to methodology.