Determining the factors that encourage academicians in sports sciences to work with individuals with special needs

The purpose of this research is to examine and determine the factors that encourage academics in sports sciences to work with individuals with special needs. The case study (case study) design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. The study group of the research was reached using criterion sampling and snowball design, one of the purposeful sampling methods. The criterion for the criterion sampling method is "working at the faculty of sports sciences, writing a doctoral thesis about individuals with special needs and having published at least 5 articles in the field". The data of the study was collected using a semi-structured interview form. The analysis of the data obtained within the scope of the study was carried out using the content analysis method. As a result of the analysis of the data, the factors that encourage academicians in sports sciences to work with individuals with special needs were addressed under three themes: "reasons for working in the field", "advantages of working in the field", and "disadvantages of working in the field". As a result; academicians stated that orientation to work in the field, previous experience, scientific reasons and pragmatism; advantages of working in the field: personal development, academic advantage and spiritual satisfaction; disadvantages of working in the field: individuals with special needs, academic disadvantages and educational difficulties.