Chapter 6: Reviewing the

Literature

Roles of the literature in research (Fig. 6.1)

• The entire basis of the research• Source of:– ideas on topics for research– information on research already done by others– methodological or theoretical ideas– comparison between your research and that of others– information that is an integral or supportive part of the

research – for example statistical data on the study area population

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Sources of information (Fig. 6.2)

• Library catalogues• Specialist indexes & electronic databases• The Internet• Google Scholar• Published bibliographies• General sport studies/management books• Reference lists• Beyond sport• Unpublished research

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Compiling and maintaining a bibliography

• It is good practice to develop and maintain a personal bibliographic database.

• Always record full details.• Use of software, such as Endnote, is worthwhile.• It should only be necessary to type out a reference

once in your life!

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Reviewing the literature

• Types of review (Fig. 6.3)

• Inclusive – everything written on the topic• Inclusive/evaluative – as 1. + your commentary• Exploratory – finding out what is known/ not known –

focus on a question/issue• Instrumental – finding convenient, up-to-date source for

a theory/framework/summary• Content analysis/hermeneutics – technical, analytical

analysis of texts

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Questions to ask when reviewing (Fig. 6.4)

• Individual items:• Empirical basis of the research?• Relationships to other writing on the topic?• Theoretical framework being used?• Geographical area covered?• Social group(s) included?• When conducted? Still valid?

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Questions to ask when reviewing contd

• The literature as a whole:• Range of research conducted?• Methods generally used? Methods neglected?• What does the research tell us?• What does the research not tell us?• Contradictions in the literature? • Deficiencies - substantive or methodological?

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Summarising/Making sense (Fig. 6.5)

Main Topic/Issue

Theory A

Data set A

Theory B

Data set B

Sub-theme X

Sub-theme Y

Related issue

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Referencing the literature

• Generic reference format (Fig. 6.6)• A book or report:– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of Book or Report in Italics.

Place of publication: Publisher.• NB Publisher is not the same as printer.

• An article from a periodical (journal/ magazine/newspaper):– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of article. Title of Periodical in

Italics, Volume number (Issue number), Page numbers.

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Generic reference format (Fig. 5.7)

• A book or report:– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of Book or Report in Italics.

Place of publication: Publisher.• NB Publisher is not the same as printer.

• An article from a periodical (journal/ magazine/newspaper):– Author(s), Initials (Year) Title of article. Title of Periodical in

Italics, Volume number (Issue number), Page numbers.

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Two referencing systems

• Author-date or Harvard system• Footnote or endnote system

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Comparing the two systemsFeature Harvard/Author-date Footnote/EndnoteReference in text Author (date) Superscript number, e.g.: 1

Reference format Author (date) Title. Publishing details.

1. Author Title. Publishing details, date

Reference list format

Alphabetical list at end of report Numbered list at: - foot of pages, or - end of chapters, or - end of report

Disadvantages - obtrusive in text- can’t add notes

- no alphabetical bibliography

A. J. Veal & S. Darcy (2014) Research Methods for Sport Studies and Sport Management: A practical guide. London: Routledge

Advantages - alphabetical bibliography- easy to use- date of publication seen in text

- unobtrusive in text- can add other notes/ comments