Abstract
The sport-for-development (SFD) field has experienced tremendous growth in research activity over the past 20 years, including an increasing number of frameworks and models guiding SFD research. These are often positioned within two broader research frameworks commonly used in SFD: instrumental and descriptive. In this chapter, we explore the value these frameworks bring to SFD research, along with common critiques about their use. We conclude the chapter with a look at three features that are critical to advancing research in SFD, regardless of the framework being used: transdisciplinarity, systems thinking, and participatory-based approaches. We identify examples of each feature, yet advocate for an integrated approach where SFD scholars embrace systems thinking through participatory-based approaches in transdisciplinary teams.