ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book offers some reflections on sport coaching and sport coaching research. Coaching effectiveness remains something of an elusive concept in the sport coaching research literature with some highlighting the problems of producing a convincing definition, while others offer tentative approaches. A major contention of this book has been that underpinning philosophical and meta-theoretical ideas have a significant influence on research practices and outputs. Scientism, interpretivism, pragmatism, critical theory and critical realism are all viable options for undertaking research work. Although critical realism does not offer a preference about which layer - biological, psychological, or social, there is a general sense that social practices/actions are a useful research/analytical starting point. The book has significant implications for sport coaching researchers. However, it is hoped that sport coaching policy-makers may also find resonance, and intellectual, practical value in the ideas expressed.
