Doing your Research Project in Sport - Practical Student Guide

In this review of Doing your Research Project in Sport the core finding is simple: this book is a practical, student-focused guide that helps reduce the common stress of planning and completing a higher education research project. Aimed at undergraduates and taught postgraduates studying sport, the book walks readers through the entire process from identifying problems to presenting findings, and the reviewer found it particularly useful for clarifying early design choices that otherwise cause later frustration. Its approachable tone and stepwise advice make it a reliable resource for anyone new to applied research in sport.

Key Features

• Stepwise guidance: The book breaks the research process into clear stages so students can move from idea to presentation without missing key steps.
• Practical examples: Realistic discussion of experimental design helps readers avoid common early mistakes that lead to wasted time later on.
• Accessible writing: The language and structure make complex research concepts easier to understand for readers new to methodology.
• Focus on presentation: Advice on presenting findings ensures students can communicate results clearly to assessors or peers.
• Course relevance: Content is tailored to higher education sport courses, aligning with the requirements of undergraduate and taught postgraduate projects.

Who It's For

Doing your Research Project in Sport is best suited to undergraduate students and taught postgraduate learners enrolled on sport science, coaching, or applied sport research modules who need a hands-on, stage-by-stage guide to completing a project. It is particularly helpful for those who feel uncertain about designing experiments or turning a topic into a feasible research question.

Researchers who already have extensive methodological training or who require highly technical statistical treatment may find the book less detailed in those areas and should supplement it with advanced methods texts. It is not aimed at practitioners seeking purely professional development without an academic research component.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, structured approach that reduces early-stage errors in project design.
• Practical focus on experiment design and question formulation makes it immediately usable for coursework.
• Accessible tone helps students grasp methodological steps without excessive jargon.

Cons

• Not a substitute for advanced statistical or specialist method textbooks, so readers needing in-depth analysis guidance will need additional sources.

Specifications

Title	Doing your Research Project in Sport
Series	Active Learning in Sport Series
Author	Chris Lynch
Intended audience	Undergraduate and taught postgraduate sport students
Coverage	From identifying problems to presenting findings
Focus	Practical research project design and presentation guidance

Our Verdict

Doing your Research Project in Sport is a practical and well-structured guide that will save students time and anxiety by clarifying early design choices and guiding them through to presentation. Recommended for undergraduate and taught postgraduate sport students as a primary how-to reference, it represents good value when paired with more technical method texts for advanced analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for beginners?
Yes. It is written to guide students with little prior research experience through each stage of a sport research project.

Does it cover statistical analysis in depth?
No. The book focuses on design, question formulation and presentation rather than in-depth statistical procedures.

Will it help with presenting results?
Yes. The final sections include practical advice on presenting findings clearly to assessors and peers.