The Routledge Handbook of Qualitative Methods for Researching Disability in Physical Education has been published as a comprehensive reference for scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of disability and physical education. Edited by Anthony J. Maher, Justin A. Haegele, and Janine Coates, the first edition was released in January 2026 by Routledge.
This volume is the first to systematically introduce qualitative research methods for studying disability in physical education. It presents key concepts and theories before examining a wide range of methodologies for research design, data collection, analysis, and representation. Each chapter is authored by leading international researchers and offers a clear overview of a specific theory, approach, or method, alongside critical discussion of its application and future research directions.
The handbook covers established and emerging qualitative approaches, including narrative inquiry, ethnography, phenomenology, action research, participatory and co-produced research, creative nonfiction, sensory methods, and arts-based approaches. A central focus is placed on research practices that recognize disabled children and young people as active contributors rather than passive subjects, and on ethical and meaningful ways to represent lived experiences in physical education contexts.
Structured across three parts, the book addresses theoretical and conceptual foundations, methodological frameworks, and innovative strategies for gathering and representing data with disabled children and youth. With 474 pages, it provides both depth and practical guidance.
This handbook is an essential resource for postgraduate students, researchers, pre-service and in-service educators, and coaches seeking to conduct rigorous and inclusive qualitative research in disability and physical education.
