Research

College Recreational Sports Research Clearinghouse

Inventory aims to promote collaborative research in the rec sports field

The National Research Institute for College Recreational Sports & Wellness is working toward developing a college recreational sports (CRS) research clearinghouse with the purpose of promoting collaborative CRS research. Collaborative research involves working jointly and cooperatively with others on a research project. Within the research setting, there are different types of collaborations. For example, multicenter collaborative research involves two or more institutions engaged in a research project. Multidisciplinary collaborative research involves researchers from different disciplines, possibly CRS and preventive medicine. Another type of collaborative research involves an experienced researcher, a mentor, working with a novice researcher. Collaborative research may also involve researchers from the same discipline working together. Working collaboratively allows for the disbursement of responsibilities with the overall project being less daunting.

According to academic leaders on college campuses, collaborative research has countless advantages when compared to independent research. One of the primary benefits is experiencing the richness of each member’s expertise. Integrating the expertise of group members creates a high potential for rigorous research design and significant and generalizable results. Another benefit of collaborative research is the creation of a safe and relaxed environment conducive to mutual support and critique. Acquaintances on the academic side of the campus indicate that they collaborate on research projects for synergistic reasons as well as to motivate and to provide satisfying and enjoyable interactions. One professor commented that the collaborative approach dispelled fears of the research process. Another commented that the process was easier and more enjoyable. Overall, participation in collaborative research demystifies the research process and provides exciting teaching and learning opportunities.

To facilitate collaborative research within CRS, the National Research Institute for College Recreational Sports & Wellness is compiling an inventory of past, present, and future research in the field of CRS. If you have conducted research in the past 10 years, have a research project planned, or have ideas on the direction that research should take in CRS, please take a few minutes and complete the web survey. The data from the inventory will be compiled and shared on the Research Institute website.