Assignment Overview
For this assignment, you will need to:
- Identify, research, and critically analyze one sector (e.g., professional, collegiate, recreational) and write a research paper explaining the structure, major organizations, and challenges.
- Use academic writing for the paper.
- Write an organized paper using proper APA 7th edition formatting.
Please scroll down and read the specific instructions to help you complete the assignment and earn the best possible grade.
INSTRUCTIONS
Before You Start Writing
Review any chapters in the textbook and PowerPoints that are relevant for this assignment, where you will choose one sector (e.g., professional, collegiate, recreational) and write a research paper explaining the structure, major organizations, and challenges. You should also utilize/reference a minimum of one (1) scholarly, peer-reviewed source and your textbook to inform your reasoning for the paper.
Read through the rubric to see what will be evaluated and graded.
Writing the Paper (requirements)
The paper must be a minimum of two pages (not including a Title Page and Reference Page[s]), double-spaced and formatted according to APA 7th edition standards. Each paragraph should contain a minimum of three sentences.
Include a Title Page as the first page of your paper. Ensure that this page is completed and formatted according to the correct APA 7th edition style.
Write the paper. Include the following required content using these APA 7 first-level headings (see this link for more: APA Headings and Seriation - Purdue OWL® - Purdue UniversityLinks to an external site.) in this order, following APA 7th edition standards:
- Title of Your Paper (insert your paper's title here- this is known as the title header, title case, centered and bold. Create a clear, specific title [example: Challenges and Inequities in Youth Sport Participation in the United States]).
- Introduce your chosen sport sector.
- Clearly state the purpose of your paper.
- Identify the main issue you will focus on.
- Explain why this issue is important in sport today.
- Background and Context of the Chosen Sector (Level 1 section header, title case, centered and bold).
- Background and Context of the Chosen Sector.
- Describe how the sector developed historically.
- Explain key structures and how the system works.
- Provide relevant social or historical context.
- Identify why the sector operates the way it does today.
- Analysis of the Issue (Level 1 section header, title case, centered and bold).
- Identify major challenges or controversies in the sector.
- Discuss different perspectives (athletes, families, coaches, organizations, etc.).
- Explain how inequality, policy, economics, or culture influence the issue.
- Impact and Implications (Level 1 section header, title case, centered and bold).
- Explain how the issue affects individuals (athletes, families).
- Discuss organizational or institutional impacts.
- Address short-term and long-term consequences for sport participation and development.
- Application and Recommendation (Level 1 section header, title case, centered and bold).
- Provide one clear, realistic recommendation to improve the system.
- Explain how your recommendation would improve access, fairness, or outcomes in sport.
- Conclusion (Level 1 section header, title case, centered and bold).
- Summarize your key points.
- Restate the importance of the issue.
- End with a strong closing reflection on why this topic matters in sport today.
A References Page is required for this assignment as well as all references being cited within the paper.
Address the topic of the paper using critical thought. The required information listed above should clearly stand out and be unambiguous. Otherwise, it will be determined to be missing.
Submit your paper as a Microsoft Word document. PDFs will not be accepted. See attached grading rubric for what will be assessed:
- Woods, R. B., & Butler, B. N. (2026). Social issues in sport (5th ed.). Human Kinetics. ISBN: 978-1-7182-3502-1