The use of qualitative research in sport management: Asystematic review

Abstract

Problem Statement: The academic development of Sport Management occurred from the expansion of its practice, being an academic independent area in the United States, Europe, and Australia. In Brazil, the Sport Management academy slope is still under development and presents limitations, mainly in the studies' methodological part. In parallel, it is possible to observe a growth of qualitative researches in the area, both in English and Portuguese journals, with researchers indicating methods, instruments, and techniques for this approach. Purpose: The study aims to verify the use of the qualitative approach in articles published by the main English and Portuguese-speaking journals on Sport Management, identify the qualitative research methods, instruments, and techniques employed and check if they are related to the area methodological literature. Approach: A systematic integrative review of the articles published in 2016 in the leading journals written in English and Portuguese was carried out. Results: It was identified that the use of the qualitative approach is growing and is greater in the Portuguese language journals. The most adopted research method was the case study, the interview was a preeminent instrument in data collection, and the most used analytic technique was interpretation based on codification and categorization. The most of qualitative research methods, instruments, and techniques identified was quote in the methodological literature of the area although it is few used. Conclusions: Several methodological problems were identified in the Brazilian articles and actions for improvement were suggested for academics.