SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Ulusal Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1

A Bibliometric Analysis of Participant Observation in Interdisciplinary Fields

Disiplinlerarası Alanlarda Katılımcı Gözlemin Bibliyometrik Analizi

Devrim Zerengök(MANISA CELAL BAYAR UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-8042-5898
Pages
36–61
Publication Date
2026-06-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that participant observation research has grown steadily over the last three decades and that the method has moved beyond its traditional sociological and anthropological contexts to become an interdisciplinary research approach.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Participant observation which is a qualitative research method rooted in sociology and anthropology is increasingly used across various disciplines, including sport sciences, recreation, leisure studies, education, health sciences, and management information systems.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The study included peer-reviewed English-language journal articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science and published between 1990 and 2026.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that participant observation research has grown steadily over the last three decades and that the method has moved beyond its traditional sociological and anthropological contexts to become an interdisciplinary research approach.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2026 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Katılımcı gözlem · Bibliyometrik analiz · Etnografi

Abstract

Participant observation which is a qualitative research method rooted in sociology and anthropology is increasingly used across various disciplines, including sport sciences, recreation, leisure studies, education, health sciences, and management information systems. The aim of this study is to examine the historical development, interdisciplinary diffusion, thematic concentrations, and methodological transformation of participant observation through bibliometric analysis. The study included peer-reviewed English-language journal articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science and published between 1990 and 2026. Publication trends, disciplinary distribution, keyword networks, international collaboration patterns, research clusters, and thematic evolution were examined using bibliometric analysis techniques. The findings indicate that participant observation research has grown steadily over the last three decades and that the method has moved beyond its traditional sociological and anthropological contexts to become an interdisciplinary research approach. Sport sciences, recreation, and leisure studies emerge as important and developing fields of application for participant observation. In addition, digital ethnography, online participant observation, e-sports, inclusive recreation, sustainability, and hybrid research designs appear among the current methodological and thematic orientations of the field. In conclusion, participant observation offers strong methodological potential for understanding experiences, social relations, identity formation processes, and participation practices in their natural contexts. Therefore, the more systematic and reflexive use of participant observation is recommended in sport sciences, recreation, and leisure research.

Özet

Sosyoloji ve antropoloji kökenli bir nitel araştırma yöntemi olan katılımcı gözlem, günümüzde spor bilimleri, rekreasyon, serbest zaman, eğitim, sağlık ve yönetim bilişim sistemleri gibi farklı disiplinlerde giderek daha fazla kullanılmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, katılımcı gözlem yönteminin tarihsel gelişimini, disiplinlerarası yayılımını, tematik yoğunlaşmalarını ve metodolojik dönüşümünü bibliyometrik analiz yoluyla incelemektir. Araştırmada Scopus ve Web of Science veri tabanlarında indekslenen, 1990-2026 yılları arasında yayımlanmış, İngilizce ve hakemli dergi makaleleri analiz kapsamına alınmıştır. Yayın eğilimleri, disiplin dağılımı, anahtar kelime ağı, uluslararası iş birliği örüntüleri, araştırma kümeleri ve tematik evrim bibliyometrik analiz teknikleriyle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, katılımcı gözlem araştırmalarının son otuz yılda istikrarlı biçimde arttığını ve yöntemin klasik sosyoloji ve antropoloji bağlamlarının ötesine geçerek disiplinlerarası bir araştırma yaklaşımına dönüştüğünü göstermektedir. Spor bilimleri, rekreasyon ve serbest zaman araştırmaları, katılımcı gözlemin gelişmekte olan önemli kullanım alanlarından biri olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Ayrıca dijital etnografi, çevrim içi katılımcı gözlem, e-spor, kapsayıcı rekreasyon, sürdürülebilirlik ve hibrit araştırma tasarımları yöntemin güncel yönelimleri arasında yer almaktadır. Sonuç olarak, katılımcı gözlem yöntemi deneyimlerin, sosyal ilişkilerin, kimlik oluşum süreçlerinin ve katılım pratiklerinin doğal bağlamlarında anlaşılması açısından güçlü bir metodolojik potansiyel taşımaktadır. Bu nedenle yöntemin spor bilimleri, rekreasyon ve serbest zaman araştırmalarında daha sistematik ve refleksif biçimde kullanılması önerilmektedir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Zerengök, D. (2026). A Bibliometric Analysis of Participant Observation in Interdisciplinary Fields. Ulusal Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 1, 36–61. https://doi.org/10.30769/usbd.1917865

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (46)

  1. Atkinson, P., & Hammersley, M. (1998). Ethnography and participant observation. Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry. Sage, 248-261.
  2. Buckley, R. (2012). Rush as a key motivation in skilled adventure tourism: Resolving the risk recreation paradox. Tourism Management, 33(4), 961–970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.10.002
  3. Campbell, M. (2005). Climbing culture: Participant observation in the Scottish climbing community [Master's thesis, University of Edinburgh].
  4. Champ, J., Nesti, M., Ronkainen, N., Tod, D., & Littlewood, M. (2020). An exploration of the experiences of elite youth footballers: The impact of organizational culture. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 32(2), 146–167. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2018.1514429
  5. Corrigan, O. (2003). Empty ethics: The problem with informed consent. Sociology of Health & Illness, 25(7), 768–792. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-9566.2003.00369.x
  6. Dawson, E. (2014). "Not designed for us": How science museums and science centers socially exclude low-income, minority ethnic groups. Science Education, 98(6), 981–1008. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21133
  7. Derbyshire, P. (2014). Spiritual transformation of imprisoned boys in the Philippines [Doctoral dissertation, University of Birmingham].
  8. DeWalt, K. M., & DeWalt, B. R. (2011). Participant observation: A guide for fieldworkers (2nd ed.). AltaMira Press.
  9. Dhobi, S. (2023). Social research methods and methodologies. Patan Prospective Journal, 3(2), 202–219. https://doi.org/10.3126/ppj.v3i2.66187
  10. Doggett, L. (2013). Community, identity and social ties: An ethnographic study of an amateur ice hockey team [Master's thesis, University of Ottawa].
  11. Dolles, H., Soderman, S., & Stroh, J. (2013). Participant observation in sport and event management research. In S. Soderman & H. Dolles (Eds.), Handbook of research on sport and business (pp. 411–428). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781005866.00036
  12. Donnelly, P. (2014). Sport and social theory. In R. Giulianotti (Ed.), Routledge handbook of the sociology of sport (pp. 11–23). Routledge.
  13. Donnelly, P., & Young, K. (1988). The construction and confirmation of identity in sport subcultures. Sociology of Sport Journal, 5(3), 223–240. https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.5.3.223
  14. Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
  15. Ford, M. (2020). Communication, identity, respect: a case study of collaborative music practice in a community music project. Music Education Research, 22(3), 287–303. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2020.1763287
  16. Franco, A., & Ye, X. (2021). Exiting fieldwork "with grace": Reflections on the unintended consequences of participant observation and researcher-participant relationships. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 24(3), 357–370. https://doi.org/10.1108/qmr-07-2020-0094
  17. Gallmeier, C. P. (1988). Methodological issues in qualitative sport research: Participant observation among hockey players. Sociological Spectrum, 8(3), 213–235. https://doi.org/10.1080/02732173.1988.9981855
  18. Glancy, M., Willits, F. K., & Farrell, P. (1986). Adolescent activities and adult success and happiness: Twenty-four years later. Sociology and Social Research, 70(3), 242-250.
  19. Glabinski, Z. (2016). Analysing the tourism activity of seniors by applying the method of participant observation. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 33(33), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1515/bog-2016-0024
  20. Gold, R. L. (1958). Roles in Sociological Field Observations. Social Forces, 36(3), 217–223. https://doi.org/10.2307/2573808
  21. Hassan, D., Dowling, S., McConkey, R., & Menke, S. (2012). The inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in team sports: Lessons from the Youth Unified Sports programme of Special Olympics. Sport in Society, 15(9), 1275–1290. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2012.695348
  22. Holloway, I., Brown, L., & Shipway, R. (2010). Meaning not measurement: Using ethnography to bring a deeper understanding to the participant experience of festivals and events. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 1(1), 74–85. https://doi.org/10.1108/17852951011029315
  23. Hong, L., & Duff, C. (2002). Modulated participant-observation: Managing the dilemma of distance in field research. Field Methods, 14(2), 190–205. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822x02014002004
  24. Houston, D. (2011). Ethnography of the city: Creativity, sustainability, and social justice in Seattle, Washington [Doctoral dissertation, University of Washington].
  25. Johnson, J. C., Avenarius, C., & Weatherford, J. (2006). The active participant-observer: Applying social role analysis to participant observation. Field Methods, 18(2), 111–134. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822x05285928
  26. Li, J. (2008). Ethical challenges in participant observation: a reflection on ethnographic fieldwork. Qualitative Report, 13(1), 100-115.
  27. Mackenzie, S. H. (2012). The psychology of adventure recreation: A phenomenological study of risk, motivation, and self-regulation [Doctoral dissertation, University of Otago].
  28. Moore, J., & Yager, S. (2011). Understanding and applying participant observation in information systems research. Proceedings of the ACM Symposium on Applied Computing, 1992–1996. https://doi.org/10.1145/1982143.1982158
  29. Nandhakumar, J., & Jones, M. (2002). Development gain? Participant observation in interpretive management information systems research. Qualitative Research, 2(3), 323–341. https://doi.org/10.1177/146879410200200303
  30. Newswander, L. K., & Borrego, M. (2009). Engagement in two interdisciplinary graduate programs. Higher Education, 58(4), 551–562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-009-9215-z
  31. Oliveira, C. (2023). Social participation in science museums: A concept under construction. Science Education, 107(1), 125–148. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21829
  32. Pålsson, H. (2007). Participant observation in logistics research. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 37(8), 652–673. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030710734857
  33. Purdam, K. (2014). Citizen social science and citizen data? Methodological and ethical challenges for social research. Current Sociology, 62(3), 374–392. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392114527997
  34. Ribeiro, R. (2017). Boxing culture and serious leisure among North-American youth: An embodied ethnography. The Qualitative Report, 22(11), 2817–2843. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2715
  35. Roque, L. (2023). Community-based participant-observation (CBPO): A participatory method for ethnographic research. Field Methods, 35(2), 153–170. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822x231198989
  36. Rowe, K. (2013). Women's cycling participation in Australia: Examining influences and the role of cycling education [Doctoral dissertation, Deakin University].
  37. Sandhaus, S., Kaufmann, D., & Ramirez-Andreotta, M. (2019). Public participation, trust and data sharing: gardens as hubs for citizen science and environmental health literacy efforts. International Journal of Science Education, Part B, 9(1), 54–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2018.1542752
  38. Schenkel, K., & Barton, A. C. (2020). Critical science agency and power hierarchies: Restructuring power within groups to address injustice beyond them. Science Education, 104(3), 500–530. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21564
  39. Scholl, J. (2020). An ethnography of early Canadian varsity esports [Master's thesis, University of Windsor].
  40. Seaton, A. V. (2002). Observing conducted tours: The ethnographic context in tourist research. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 8(4), 309–319. https://doi.org/10.1177/135676670200800402
  41. Seim, J. (2021). Participant observation, observant participation, and hybrid ethnography. Sociological Methods & Research, 50(2), 430–465. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124120986209
  42. Sparrman, A. (2005). Video recording as interaction: Participant observation of children's everyday life. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2(3), 201–217. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088705qp041oa
  43. Stebbins, R. A. (1982). Serious leisure: A conceptual statement. Pacific Sociological Review, 25(2), 251–272. https://doi.org/10.2307/1388726
  44. Varley, P. J. (2011). Sea kayakers at the margins: The liminoid character of contemporary adventures. Leisure Studies, 30(1), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614361003749801
  45. Watts, J. (2011). Ethical and practical challenges of participant observation in sensitive health research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 14(4), 301–312. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2010.517658
  46. Wood, L., & Danylchuk, K. (2012). Playing our way: Contributions of social groups to women's continued participation in ice hockey. Sport in Society, 15(8), 986–1006. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2011.606778