Structure and dynamics of European sports science textual contents: Analysis of ECSS abstracts (1996-2014)

The article discusses general structure and dynamics of the sports science research content as obtained from the analysis of 21998 European College of Sport Science abstracts belonging to 12 science topics. The structural analysis showed intertwined multidisciplinary and unifying tendencies structur...

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Published in:European journal of sport science 2017-02, Vol.17 (1), p.19-29
Main Authors: Hristovski, Robert, Aceski, Aleksandar, Balague, Natalia, Seifert, Ludovic, Tufekcievski, Aleksandar, Cecilia, Aguirre
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
analysis
Biomedical Research - classification
Cognitive science
Dynamical systems
Humans
modelling
Models, Theoretical
Neuroscience
Publications - classification
Quantum field theory
Research Design
Science history
Semantics
Software
Sport science
Sports
Sports Medicine
Text analysis
Variables
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Summary:The article discusses general structure and dynamics of the sports science research content as obtained from the analysis of 21998 European College of Sport Science abstracts belonging to 12 science topics. The structural analysis showed intertwined multidisciplinary and unifying tendencies structured along horizontal (scope) and vertical (level) axes. Methodological (instrumental and mode of inquiry) integrative tendencies are dominant. Theoretical integrative tendencies are much less detectable along both horizontal and vertical axes. The dynamic analysis of written abstracts text content over the 19 years reveals the contextualizing and guiding role of thematic skeletons of each sports science topic in forming more detailed contingent research ideas and the role of the latter in stabilizing and procreating the former. This circular causality between both hierarchical levels and functioning on separate characteristic time scales is crucial for understanding how stable research traditions self-maintain and self-procreate through innovative contingencies. The structure of sports science continuously rebuilds itself through use and re-use of contingent research ideas. The thematic skeleton ensures its identity and the contingent conceptual sets its flexibility and adaptability to different research or applicative problems.
ISSN:1746-1391
1536-7290
DOI:10.1080/17461391.2016.1207709