ABSTRACT
The focus of this chapter is on providing the reader with an overview of the sociological theories and research methods employed within the study. Throughout this work, theory and method are not treated as distinct and unrelated aspects of the process. In fact, there is an important two-way relationship between the theoretical framework and methods employed within the book. In short, one informs the other throughout each stage of the research process. In addition to synthesising the extensive literature available on the subject of the American Dream and sport, provided in Chapters 1 and 2, the aim of this chapter is in providing insight to the complex motivations of students for embarking upon a soccer scholarship. The opinions of students, coaches and athletic directors are sampled in order to generate primary data.
