Abstract
Objectives
Research partnerships between academics and community members can promote deliberate planning, shared decision-making, and knowledge exchange (Hoekstra et al., 2018). These partnerships can also be susceptible to barriers (e.g., misalignment of values, power imbalances) that compromise meaningful engagement and partnership sustainability (Welty Peachey & Cohen, 2016; Whitley et al., 2023). Literature reviews on sport research partnerships can inform guidance on how to navigate these challenges and promote partnership successes. This study’s aim was to conduct a scoping review on sport research partnerships.
Methods
Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) methodology, five databases (SPORTDiscus, PsychINFO, ERIC, Education Source, and Web of Science) were systematically searched, yielding 3562 records. A two-phase screening process was used to included records that described or evaluated sport research partnerships, and exclude unrelated or incomplete records. From the final 67 records, data were extracted on each record’s settings, scope (local to national), competition levels (introductory to elite), partnership goals, approaches, strategies, and outcomes. The data were collectively analyzed to generate themes on the nature and experience of partnerships.
Results
Several themes were generated: (a) equity-driven foci (e.g., strategies to involve the community, value diverse knowledge, autonomy in engagement); (b) partnership challenges (e.g., resource issues, differing priorities, institutional devaluing of partnership); and (c) promoting success (e.g., focus on relationship-building, creating space for informal time and learning on another’s needs, sharing resources and building capacity).
Conclusion
This work makes a valuable contribution to sport sector members in compiling guidance for engaging meaningfully in research partnerships to promote their success.
