Trend of Physical Education Classes Research with Mixed Methods Research in the English Literature

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine trends in international English journals on research of physical education classes using mixed methods research. Research articles on PE classes published from 2003 to 2020 in seven journals were identified from SPORTDiscus™ with Full Text. These articles were analyzed regarding the purpose of research, mixed methods design, data collection and analysis methods, and the presentation of results.As a result, extracted articles were 19 articles. The purpose of research was classified into three categories: research on the actual conditions and outcomes related to learning and teaching models and methods (Teaching and instructional methods) , research on the actual conditions such as learners behavior and psychology (Learners) , and research on the actual conditions such as teachers behavior, psychology, and perceptions (Teachers) .About the mixed methods design, Convergent design was used in research on Teaching and instructional methods and Teachers , while three basic types of mixed research design were used in research on Leaners . According to the focus of the study, various approaches were used in data collection and data analysis.It was confirmed that the presentation of results depended on not the purpose of research, but the mixed methods design These results suggest that following issues in the study of physical education classes using the mixed method research in Japan. First, the characteristics of mixed methods research and which mixed methods design was used and that reasons must be described. Second, in qualitative data analysis, systematic theory was required for approaches for establishment of reliability and validity. In addition, in order to clarify the reasons for and factors contributing to learner behavior in physical education classes, it is useful data collect approaches that collect data using open-ended questionnaires, a small number of subjects, and relatively short interviews.