ABSTRACT
In research measurements, the essential qualities are the same as in any measurement: validity, reliability, and objectivity. In sport research, replicating sport activity under laboratory or other controlled conditions can be difficult. Sport contests frequently involve over two hours of intense physical activity, making it difficult to replicate these conditions practically, ethically, and safely. Qualitative research uses an ecological approach to investigate phenomena in specified environments. In most cases, it is field research as opposed to laboratory research. Imagine a hypothetical situation in which research investigators are applying to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for grant funding. Qualitative research has its own unique set of measurement challenges, particularly in regard to evaluation. Evaluating qualitative research is a bit "qualitative" itself. Test-retest reliability, critical in quantitative research, is not as highly valued in qualitative research because of the dynamic nature of qualitative research.
