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
How important the item is for the successful performance of their role .
1 = not at all important 2 = not very important 3 = quite important 4 = very important
Rating B
How well they think they demonstrate it .
1 = not at all well 2 = not very well 3 = quite well 4 = 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 .
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 .
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