Researching the Coaching Process

CSC202 Week One

Introductions
Me
A little about me You A little about you Your name Your sporting & coaching interests Motivation Why are you here?

Expectations
Punctuality
Be ready to start on time Attendance Attend all sessions Avoid missing vital work Conduct

Maintain a professional approach Be motivated to meaningfully engage and contribute

Learning Outcomes
Aim To introduce the module outline, content, delivery and assessment methods To explore concepts of research and knowledge within the field of coaching Objectives To define research and knowledge and explain the interrelationship To introduce and explain the research cycle and its relevance to study and practice in coaching To analyse the value of research within coaching

Module Overview
Outline
Introductions Assignment Skills Qualitative Methods Quantitative Methods Project

Teaching Methods

Lectures Tutorials Assessment Feedback Discussions

Q&A
Research

Practical Investigation

Module Assessment
Presentation Report

15 Minute Presentation 30% Weighting Weeks 12 & 13

2,000 Word Research Report

70% Weighting Submitted by Monday 17th December 10:00am Deadline

Progressive Delivery
Weekly lectures on the appropriate subject matter
Typically one hour in length

The two seminar groups then take place in the two hours subsequent to the lecture with the aim of consolidating learning Each session is a step in the process of conducting a research project
This will lead you progressively towards the completion of your assignments

Additional material will be available on Moodle

Basic Questions About Research

So what is research? And what is knowledge? How do we acquire knowledge? What do we know? How do we know it is correct? How do we know what we know? Are beliefs knowledge? Epistemological questions
the study of knowledge and justified belief

Inductive Research
I think

Deductive Research
Current thinking is

Scientists discover knowledge that can be verified and represents a truth or fact rather than belief or assumption

Research Applications in Sport

Assess fitness Monitor fitness Understand problems Develop techniques Develop tactics Advance coaching science Team motivation Assess agility Plan programs Goal setting Monitor progress Leadership Training effectiveness Technical ability Injury rehabilitation

Seminar

Activity 1
In small groups:
Agree on a definition for the following terms
Research
Knowledge

Definitions (OED)
Research In general gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge In science performing a methodical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer to a question Knowledge

expertise and skills acquired through experience or education what is known in a particular field or in total awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation

Alternative Definitions for Research

Gratton & Taylor
systematic process of discovery and advancement of human knowledge

Encarta methodical investigation into a subject in order to discover facts, to establish or revise a theory, or to develop a plan of action based on the facts discovered

Simple Diagram
Knowledge

Knowledge
Research

Activity 2
In pairs:
Interview each other to find out
What people know most about/what it is important to them to know about in sport What they would need to research to improve that knowledge

Activity 3
In small groups:
Produce a flow diagram to show the parts or stages of research

The Research Cycle

Activity 4
In pairs:
Draw out of your partner that they would need to do in order to improve knowledge in an area that is important/meaningful to them

Homework
Come up with a title for a piece of research that interests you in the field coaching
Write a basic research proposal (250 words maximum) that answers the following questions:
What? How? Who? Where? Why?

Find relevant and informative references using the available resources in the library:
One journal article One book Internet resource