Reviewing research evidence and the case of participation in sport and physical recreation by black and minority ethnic communities

Abstract

The paper addresses the implications of using the process of systematic review in the many areas of leisure where there is a dearth of material that would be admitted into conventional Cochrane Reviews. This raises important questions about what constitutes legitimate knowledge, questions that are of critical import not just to leisure scholars, but to the formulation of policy. The search for certainty in an area that lacks conceptual consensus results in an epistemological imperialism that takes a geocentric form. While clearly there is a need for good research design whatever the style of research, we contend that the wholesale rejection of insightful research is profligate and foolhardy. A mechanism has to be found to capitalise on good quality research of whatever form. In that search we draw upon our experience of conducting a review of the material available on participation in sport and physical recreation by people from Black and minority ethnic groups. The paper concludes with a proposal for a more productive review process that makes better use of the full panoply of good quality research available.

El estudio de iniciativas deportivas locales para jóvenes migrantes desde una perspectiva política: retos metodológicos y prácticos

“…Firstly, Long & Hylton (2012) present a detailed meta-analysis of sport participation in young BME (Black Minority Ethnic) in the UK. Secondly, the literature review of studies and conferences that Domínguez et al (2011) have compiled by Spanish regions (Madrid, Catalonia and Valencia) and other countries of immigrant reception must be highlighted.…”

The British Asian Muslim male sport participation puzzle: an exploration of implications for sport development policy and practice

“…This is supported by the Carnegie Research Institute, (2009) who argue that there is a disconnection between research, sport policies and equality policies. This viewpoint is supported by Long and Hylton (2012) who state that policies involving BME participation and sport struggle to bridge the gap in trying to actually engage such individuals in sport.…”

“…This component was not undertaken in the recent Sport England faith-based community research that considered solely Christian settings and activities (Sporting Equals, 2012;. Research undertaken by Long and Hylton (2012) state that the weight of evidence surrounding issues involving race and ethnicity has grown considerably within the UK due them having a higher political profile. This is important as these issues are now associated with being a problem within society, specifically because of events on a wider political scale which in fact involve the negative stereotyping of the Muslim community.…”

Sport participation, international sports events and the ‘trickle-down effect’

“…A number of commentators have noted the tension between these two sorts of knowledge in the sport sector. For example, Long and Hylton (2014) have raised doubts as to the suitability of the formal controlled experiment format of scientific/ medical research for the sport policy sector. Piggin et al (2009) go so far as to call evidence-based policymaking in sport a sham, at least in relation to the marketing and public relations activities of one national sports agency.…”