Mixed Methods Research in the Movement Sciences - Practical Case

In this review of Mixed Methods Research in the Movement Sciences, Marta Castaner offers a focused resource for researchers who want to combine quantitative and qualitative approaches in sport, physical education and dance. The book's single biggest strength is its practical orientation: it presents mixed methods procedures and design specifically tailored to studying habitual behaviour and events in naturalistic movement contexts, making it immediately useful for applied researchers and postgraduate students who need concrete examples rather than abstract methodology.

Key Features

• Field-focused coverage: The book applies mixed methods explicitly to sport, physical education and dance so readers see how designs map onto real movement contexts.
• Comprehensive design overview: The opening section summarizes mixed methods procedures and design, helping readers choose appropriate multi-method strategies.
• Naturalistic emphasis: Case studies focus on habitual behaviour and concurrent events, which benefits researchers studying behaviour in real settings.
• Sequential and concurrent approaches: The text highlights both concurrent and sequential multi-method designs, clarifying when each is most informative for movement science questions.
• Practical examples: Case studies illustrate how to combine quantitative measurement and qualitative observation in cohesive research projects.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at researchers, doctoral students and practitioners in sport science, physical education and dance who need a grounded introduction to mixed methods applied within movement contexts. It is especially useful for those designing field studies where behaviour unfolds across time and events occur simultaneously.

It is less suitable for readers seeking a general textbook on quantitative statistics or a beginner's primer on qualitative theory alone; users who need step-by-step statistical tutorials or a standalone qualitative methods manual should look to complementary texts before or alongside this volume.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Directly tailored to movement sciences, so examples are highly relevant to sport and dance researchers.
• Clear discussion of both concurrent and sequential mixed methods designs, aiding practical study planning.
• Emphasis on naturalistic habitual behaviour helps bridge lab work and real-world observation.

Cons

• Not a replacement for detailed manuals on advanced statistics or qualitative coding techniques, so some readers will need supplemental methodological texts.

Specifications

Title	Mixed Methods Research in the Movement Sciences
Series	Routledge Research in Sport and Exercise Science
Author	Marta Castaner
Subject focus	Sport, physical education and dance
Method focus	Mixed methods: quantitative and qualitative integration
Approach	Case studies and design overview

Our Verdict

For applied researchers and advanced students in sport, physical education and dance, this book is a practical, well-targeted guide to using mixed methods in movement research. It provides clear design guidance and relevant case studies that make it good value for anyone planning field-based, multi-method projects, though users should pair it with specialist statistical or qualitative resources when deeper technical detail is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover both concurrent and sequential designs?
Yes. The text highlights when to use concurrent versus sequential multi-method designs and provides examples for each approach.

Is it suitable for beginners?
It is best for readers with some prior research experience; beginners may find it more useful alongside an introductory methods textbook.

Does it focus on real-world studies?
Yes. The book emphasizes habitual behaviour and naturalistic contexts common to sport, physical education and dance research.