Developing the Research Portfolio (RP) Chart: A Reflection Tool for Clarifying Researcher Identity among Sports Scientists in Japan

This study developed and evaluated a Research Portfolio (RP) Chart program designed to support sports scientists in clarifying their research philosophies, identities, and goals. Adapting the Teaching Portfolio (TP) Chart framework to the research context, a PowerPoint-based RP Chart worksheet was created to facilitate systematic reflection. A total of 35 early-career sports scientists participated in a workshop held in December 2024. Pre- and post-training questionnaire surveys demonstrated significant improvements across all measured dimensions, including organization, reflection, clarity of research identity, and goal setting. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) ranged from 0.48 to 1.37, indicating moderate to large effects. Qualitative analysis of participants’ open-ended responses further suggested enhanced awareness of research philosophies and goals. Although some participants reported increased anxiety about their research activities following the reflection process, the RP Chart program overall proved to be a valuable tool for promoting researcher identity formation and sustainable research engagement. The findings highlight the potential of the RP Chart to contribute to strengthening both the quality and quantity of sports science research in Japan.