International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry
Articles and Papers
The Usefulness of Appreciative Inquiry as a Method to Identify Mass Sports Program Success
BERNADINE VAN GRAMBERG (2010) TRANSYLVANIAN REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES, 30E, 118-131 HTTP://RTSA.RO/TRAS/INDEX.PHP/TRAS/ARTICLE/VIEW/172/168
This paper considers Appreciative Inquiry as an approach to evaluate the effectiveness of sport service providers who offer mass sports programs. The need for this study is premised on the understanding that there is a relationship between physical activity and good health. With an eye on the intended outcome, it is essential to evaluate mass sports programs that engage people at large. Appreciative Inquiry facilitates understanding and addressing the gap in evaluating the services offered by these programs. Using a strengths-based mechanism, AI focuses on identifying what works best in a culturally sensitive environment, and what draws on lessons from successful mass sports program for future implementation.
Looking Beyond What’s Broken: Towards an Appreciative Research Agenda for Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
ELMEAR ENRIGHT, JOANNE HILL, RACHEL SANDFORD, & MICHAEL GARD (2014) SPORT, EDUCATION AND SOCIETY, 19(7) DOI:HTTP://DX.DOI.ORG/10.1080/13573322.2013.854764
This paper makes an attempt to use Appreciative Inquiry to conceptualise, change and imagine the pedagogy for sport and physical education. Scholars in the field of physical education realise the absence of effectiveness in the pedagogy of physical education and the need to make it effective. An explicit philosophical move towards a strengths-based approach emphasises questions such as “What keeps me healthy and active?” rather than “What risks, diseases and behaviors should I learn to avoid?” Though this paper explicitly suggests looking at possibilities, at the same time encourages keeping an eye on deficit stories as well. It proposes keeping an overall view of what exists and following a strengths-based approach.
An Appreciative Inquiry Exploring Game Sense Teaching in Physical Education
SHANE PILL (2014) SPORT, EDUCATION AND SOCIETY, 21(2) DOI:HTTP://DX.DOI.ORG/10.1080/13573322.2016.1160373
This report of research shares a strengths-based appreciative inquiry into the use of a game sense approach for sport and games teaching in physical education. The stories that were part of this research reveal elements “giving life” to the PE teachers’ practice. It is a very interesting report about the use of appreciative inquiry in the context of research, education, and sport.
Changing Lives Through Sport: The Story of the Positive Mental Attitude Sports Foundation Trust
JANETTE HYNES (2010) ADVANCES IN DUAL DIAGNOSIS, (3)1 DOI:HTTP://DX.DOI.ORG/10.5042/ADD.2010.0193
The Positive Mental Attitude Sports Foundation Trust (PMASFT) is a community interest company that uses sport as a therapeutic tool to support the recovery and social inclusion of people living with enduring mental health issues. The PMASFT seeks to engage participants in meaningful activity, build their confidence, support the development of life skills and healthy living, improve physical health and promote education, training and employment opportunities. Through their work the PMASFT develops a sustainable working partnership with health and social care organisations, local authorities and other community services. This paper describes how the PMASFT came into being and highlights some of its achievements.
Books
Flourishing for Sports: Well-Being of a Sportsman from Perspectives of Positive Psychology
CRYSTAL WU (2014) ISBN: 978-1482826043
This book is about flourishing of life in the field of sports. It contains the latest concepts about psychological well-being, from the perspectives of positive psychology. We expect sports fan or just pursuers of happiness and a quality life will find this book enjoyable and get ideas for pursing a flourishing life.
Leisure and Positive Psychology: Linking Activities with Positiveness
ROBERT STEBBINS (2015) ISBN: 978-1137569936
This book explores, from a leisure studies perspective, the central role that leisure has to play in positive psychology, exploring themes such as flow, fulfilment, altruism, well-being, and interpersonal relationships.
Websites & Multimedia
Advising the College Student Athlete: Issues and Strengths
MATTHEW L. KELLY HTTPS://GOO.GL/GZNPLP
Matthew Kelly shares an article online about academic advising for college students who participate in athletics, with a special emphasis on students who are often labeled as “at-risk”.
The Opportunity of Adversity
AIMEE MULLENS (2009) HTTPS://GOO.GL/1T3RNY
In this TED Talk, Aimee shares her own example of how adults in positions of power can ignite the power of a child. She describes her life experiences and how “our language isn’t allowing us to evolve into the reality that we would all want, the possibility of an individual to see themselves as capable.” She further shares that “The human ability to adapt, it’s an interesting thing, because people have continually wanted to talk to me about overcoming adversity, and I’m going to make an admission: This phrase never sat right with me, and I always felt uneasy trying to answer people’s questions about it, and I think I’m starting to figure out why.”
Exploring Advising Models for Effective Student Athlete Advisement
ROBERT LYONS JUNIOR, E NEWTON JACKSON JUNIOR, AARON LIVINGSTON (2015)
THE SPORT JOURNAL HTTP://GOO.GL/LSURQB
This paper focuses on the significance of effective advising in sports education. Citing the advantages of advising students in sports, the authors examine various academic advising models. The appreciative model for academic advising discussed here, is based on Appreciative Inquiry that allow students to make connections between their current academic experience and their future career aspirations. The authors assert that appreciative advising optimises advisor interactions with students in both individual and group settings.
Using Coaching to Unlock Creativity
PERSONNEL TODAY (2008) HTTP://GOO.GL/A4G7GH
This article emphasizes on using coaching with an appreciative lens to release creativity. Appreciative Inquiry is viewed as a focused approach to unleash creativity due to its capability to generate powerful conversations in the process. Compared to a negative or degenerative environment, the presence of a positive environment facilitates generation of creative thought, which is further enhanced by appreciative inquiry. This article intends to give directions in coaching that can be used in various circumstances including sports. This article presents a brief discussion on ‘poetry in motion’, which many enthusiasts can apply in any chosen field.