Choosing, doing and understanding qualitative data analysis in sport

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students and researchers to the diversity of research techniques, approaches and tools within the broad data analysis domains. It will set the scene for the forthcoming chapters that examine individual disciplines or traditions in detail. It will also signpost students and researchers to wider reading, critical sources of support in data analysis and current support in IT and technological support in data handling. A key feature of this opening section of this chapter is to use researcher stories to problematise the notion of a linear ‘staged’ approach to data analysis and offer insights into the specific challenges inherent to a specific methodology (e.g., GT, narrative analysis or thematic analysis). Many textbooks set out a vision that a pick-and-mix approach to analysis occurs without any mistakes, errors or changes of heart.