A decade of research literature in sport coaching (2005–2015)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed analysis of the research literature in sport coaching for one decade (2005–2015). This study followed a similar process to Gilbert and Trudel’s (Analysis of coaching science research published from 1970–2001. Res Q Exerc Sport 2004; 75: 3) study by following a four-step process: (1) an exhaustive search process was conducted on the sports coaching literature between the years 2005 and 2015, (2) articles were obtained and reviewed, (3) inclusion and exclusion criteria were executed; researchers negotiated themes and type of research method for each article for validity purposes, and (4) an analysis of the literature was conducted. There were 612 sport coaching-related research articles published between 2005 and 2015 in 119 different journals. Three researchers independently evaluated whether each article was sport coaching-specific or not, and agreement exceeded 90%. Researchers then coded and negotiated (inter-rater reliability) the type of research method employed for each study and the themes for each article until absolute (100%) agreement was achieved. Findings demonstrate a general increase in sport coaching publications over the 11-year period, and most articles (49%) utilized a quantitative research approach; in addition, sport psychology was the most reoccurring theme among the articles in this review. These findings provide valuable insight for future scholarly work in the field of sport coaching to enhance the coaching literature-base and are discussed later in this paper.