Applied Coaching Research Journal Research Journal 1 | Page 16

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2018, Vol. 1
Respondents were asked to rate each item on a
four-point scale according to two criteria:
Rating A
Rating B
How important the item How well they think
is for the successful
they demonstrate it.
performance of their role.
1
2
3
4
=
=
=
=
not at all important
not very important
quite important
very important
1
2
3
4
=
=
=
=
not at all well
not very well
quite well
very well
The core questionnaire was semi-opaque, meaning
that responses were more likely to provide a true
reflection of learning and development needs
compared to more traditional survey questions.
The questionnaire also included a small number of
questions relating to respondents’ prior experience
of learning, their learning styles and preferences,
challenges and barriers to learning, as well as key
socio-demographic variables.
Analysis
Comparing the responses to “Rating A” and “Rating
B” provided an assessment of where the greatest
learning and development needs lie. Simple
subtraction was performed for each item within
the questionnaire, subtracting “Rating B” from
“Rating A” and yielding a difference score. The
items were ranked in order of the magnitude of
the difference. The greater the difference between
the two ratings suggested a greater learning need.
The questionnaire enabled learning needs to be
identified within each superordinate category, as
well as between categories.
The data was analysed using descriptive
statistics to measure central tendency and
variability. While there is some controversy
surrounding the calculation of mean scores for
ordinal measures, this type of methodology
is widely used in healthcare settings and is
adopted by the World Health Organisation 11 .
16
Key findings
Overall, 322 survey responses were received.
While the number of coaches responding to the
survey was relatively small compared to the overall
population of coaches in the UK, this number was
satisfactory for testing purposes.
The majority of respondents were aged 45-54
(30%); with 21% aged 55-64, 17% aged 35-44 and
14% aged 25-34. More men than women completed
the survey (54% and 40% respectively). The
majority of respondents were white (85%) and one
in 10 respondents had a physical or mental health
condition.
Most respondents were experienced coaches (71%
had coached for five years or more); 13% had one
to three years of experience; and 11% three to five
years of experience. Only 5% had less than one
year of coaching experience. In addition, most had
higher level coaching qualifications: 42% a Level
2 qualification; 22% Level 3; 9% Level 4 and 11%
degree level or above. Overall, coaches from over
52 different sports responded to the survey.
People skills
In the people skills category there were eight items,
presented here.
People skills
A. Establishing a good rapport with people
B. Communicating effectively with people
C. Creating a warm and welcoming environment
D. Understanding participants and their individual
needs
E. Supporting participants to achieve their
individual goals
F. Supporting participants through difficult or
stressful times
G. Building positive relationships with the parents,
guardians or carers etc
H. Addressing and resolving problems, complaints
or conflict.