Gathering Data

What is gathering data?

Gathering data is a process of collecting information to find out our strengths and

weaknesses.

Gathering data means to perform a test.

Data can be qualitative or quantitative.

Qualitative data is data based on somebody's opinion. E.g. Sport Environment Questionnaire and Emotional Questionnaires are examples of this.
Quantitative Data is data which produces a score or time. E.g. Bleep Test

Why gather data?

Performers gather data to find out information about their performance. This allows you to...

Identify strengths and weaknesses
Create a personal development programme (PDP) to improve their weaknesses.
Set appropriate targets.
Compare yourself to a model performer and/or against other people your age (classmates).
Monitor your progress by re-testing throughout your PDP.

Gathering Data

Profile Performance Wheel

What is a Profile Performance Wheel?

This test can be used for ANY factor. The test is completed by the performer and they put the sub factors around the outside and score themselves from 1-10. 1 is an area of weakness and 10 is a strength. They then shade in from the middle up to whatever box they select.

Describe a method you used to gather data on the Physical, Social, Emotional or Mental Factor (4 marks)

Example Answer: One method I used to collect data on the mental factor was the Performance Profile Wheel. I completed the PPW myself, before a game. The performance profile wheel is an A4 piece of paper with a circle on it. The circle has different segments. You write the sub factors around the outside and then score yourself from 1-10. 1 is an area of weakness and 10 is an area of strength.

Physical

General Observation Schedule: Physical Skill

What is a General Observation Schedule?

This method looks at the whole performance. It allows you to see which skills are a strength and a weakness.
This method is best completed with an video.
Remember when describing this method you must mention what the test looks like, where and how you completed it.

Describe a method you used to gather data on the Physical Factor (4 marks)

Example Answer: A method you can use to collect data on physical factors is the General Observation Schedule (GOS) in Basketball. The GOS is arranged into a table with the skills (shooting, passing, etc.) placed along the top and their level of effectiveness (very effective, fairly effective, etc.) placed down the side. Underneath some skilled column headings were sub-headings of different techniques. For example, the shooting column was divided into jump shot and lay-up.

My partner watched me play 3 matches against opponents of a similar ability to me whilst standing on a bench at the halfway line. Whenever my partner saw me play a skill, they placed a tally in the appropriate box. For example, if I played an accurate chest pass to a teammate, they placed a tally in the 'chest pass-very effective' box. At the end of the final match, my partner counted up all of my tallies and placed them in the total boxes.

Focused Observation Schedule: Physical Skill

What is a Focused Observation Schedule?

Focussed observation schedule focuses upon one skill breaking it down into the preparation, action and recovery stages. This can allow us to see which part of the technique is going wrong or needs to be improved.
This method compares you to a model performer.
This method is best completed with a video to ensure accuracy.

Describe a method you used to gather data on the Physical Factor (4 marks)

Example Answer: The Focused Observation Schedule (FOS) is a method a performer could use to collect data on the physical factor (skill accuracy/consistency). In particular, the overhead clear in Badminton.

The FOS consists of a table that has 2 main column headings: successful and unsuccessful. Down the side there are 3 main rows: preparation, action and recovery. Within each of these rows are a list of sub-routines for that appropriate stage. For example, in the preparation phase, it says ‘performer turns side on and tracks the shuttle from base’.

To complete this test accurately you need to use a video to allow you to slow down and zoom in on the action to identify which part of the skill is going wrong.

Bleep Test National Norm

Bleep Test: Physical Fitness

What is a Bleep Test?

The Bleep Test is a standardised test which is used to measure a performers level of stamina.
The test involves running between two cones 20m apart before the beeps. If a performer misses two beeps in a row they are out. At the end of the test they receive a score.

Describe a method you used to gather data on the Physical Factor (4 marks)

Example Answer:

One method I used to collect data on the physical factor was the Bleep Test. To complete the Beep Test 2 cones were set up 20 metres apart. The teacher set up an iPad with the bleep test soundtrack on it connected to a speaker. To carry out the bleep test I had to run from one cone to the other before the bleep. This continued with the beeps getting closer together until I missed 2 consecutive beeps. At this point, I noted down my score and compared my performance to the NORMS. I completed this test on my own.

Mental

Click here to complete the Mental Toughness Questionnaire: https://www.competitivedge.com/athletes-%E2%80%9Chow-tough-are-you%E2%80%9D-0

Mental Toughness Questionnaire

What is a Mental Toughness Questionnaire?

This is a questionnaire completed by athletes. The statements deal with an area of mental toughness, reboundability, concentration, confidence and motivation.
For certain questions you score a point for answering true or false. The key at the bottom allows you to see a total score.
A high score indicates a good level of mental toughness.

Describe a method you used to gather data on the Mental Factor (4 marks)

Example Answer:

One method I used to collect data on the mental factor was the Mental Toughness Questionnaire. I completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire myself, before a game. The MTQ is an online test that has 30 questions split up into 5 sections; rebound ability, handling pressure, concentration ability, level of confidence and motivation. I answered each question by selecting true or false. At the end you got marked out of 30. Anything below 21 is considered a weakness.

Social

Youth Sports Environment (YSE) Questionnaire

What is a Youth Sports Environment (YSE) Questionnaire?

The Youth Sports Environment (YSE) Questionnaire is a method performer can use to collect data on social factors (co-operation, relationships and team dynamics).

Describe a method you used to gather data on the Mental Factor (4 marks)

Example Answer: One method a performer could use to collect data on the social factor is a Youth Sports Environment Questionnaire.

The YSE Questionnaire has 18 statements that are split into 3 categories: social cohesion, task cohesion and spurious negative. For each statement is a scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 9 (strongly agree).

The performer would complete the questionnaire at home. They would read each statement and place a circle that best represents their response to each statement. The performer would then analyse their results and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Emotional

Click here to complete the SCAT Test: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/scat.htm

SCAT Test

What is a SCAT Test?

The SCAT Test is an emotional test for anxiety. The performers reads the 15 statements and ticks whether they agree with them sometimes, rarely or often. They then consult the table and compare their marks which allows them to get a total score. They compare this score to the key at the bottom which tells them their level on anxiety.
You will need to memorise some of these questions so that if you are asked to describe it you know how to answer correctly.

Describe a method you used to gather data on the Emotional Factor (4 marks)

Example Answer:

One method I used to collect data on the emotional factor was the SCAT Test. I completed the SCAT Test myself, before a game. The SCAT Test is an online test that has 15 anxiety related questions. I answered each question by selecting "Rarely", "Sometimes" or "Often" depending on how I felt when competing in football. At the end you got marked out of 30. Anything below 17 is considered a weakness. I then compared my score to a model performer to see if my anxiety is a strength/weakness.

Challenges with Gathering Data

There are some challenges that can apply to any method of gathering information.

Challenges may include:

Effort levels
Experience of the observer,
Not using video
Honesty
Human error
Not using the same test conditions.

For example, the knowledge and experience of the person watching when completing an observation schedule. They might miss things/not fully understand/information not reliable.

Challenges when gathering data

Explain the challenges you may face when gathering reliable data on two selected factors (3 marks)

Example Answer:

A challenge I may face is the knowledge and experience of the person watching when completing an observation schedule. They might miss things/not fully understand which makes the information collected not reliable.

Another challenge I may face is being honest when completing the SCAT Test. I was concerned that people will find out the results of my test and realise I am very anxious. I do not want this to happen as I would feel very embarrassed. As a result, I lied instead. This means that my results are not valid.

Another challenge I face is organisational issues. Organising the broad observation with video takes a great deal of logistical planning. The process of watching the video and filling it out is also very time consuming. This impacts on my training time giving me less time to improve.

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