Questionnaires in coach-athlete relationship research: critical evaluation

¶ … Athlete Relationship

Critically evaluate the use of questionnaires to research the coach-athlete relationship

In this paper, we aim to present arguments for and against the use of questionnaires to conduct research on the overall relationship that exists between an athlete and his/her coach. The paper starts off by explaining some of the inconsistencies that have existed in studies using questionnaires to study the same phenomenon; the paper then moves towards explaining the basics of what a questionnaire is meant to measure and how. The paper then moves on to making 3 arguments and counter arguments for the use of questionnaires in research that is pertaining to studying the relationship between an athlete and a coach.

Past use of questionnaires

Being an expert or a novice doesn't make a difference when it comes to reading journal articles pertaining to the relationship between coach and athlete. This is so since it isn't easy deciphering what researchers are saying. The reason behind this is that research is complex and uses jargon which is alien to most people. Apart from that, it could be because research takes in different philosophical ideas in consideration (Anon., 2013).

Furthermore, upon analysing a long span of 38 years worth of research, we see over 500 questionnaires employed in differnet educational studies to assess the rate of return, kinds of responses required, techniques for increasing returns, validity, reliability and respondent information's source (i. e. aspects of fact, opinion, memory). However, practitioners and analysts observed that these reports removed a large chunk of important information, for instance length and amount of returns of questionnaires. The authenticity and reliance of these questionnaires hence are very low; And their results can't be taken in consideration. Hence, better statistical technique is required to assess validity and reliability of the future researches that are conducted using questionnaires to assess the relationship between an athlete and coach (Potter, et al., 1972).

What a questionnaire measures

The researchers typically make use of questionnaires to assess emotion, attitudes, knowledge, cognition, intention and behavior. This method is of great importance as it uses self-observed observations of a person and is employed in assessing perceptions. A typical structuring of the questionnaire requires that the questions are lined up And presented to the respondent, orally or in written form, and the respondent has to answer in a series or quick succession. The responses from the participants are then accumulated and analyzed later. This data collection method is useful since questionnaires are a fast way of accumulating information and quick to complete whilst being economical (Bowling 1997).

However, this method of data collection has its criticism as well. It basically assumes that responder and researcher have a level of understanding about statement and language. Also, closed questions are used frequently which constrict participant involvement (Bowling 1997), hence the quality of data can turn out to be quite average. Hence, close - ended questionnaires aren't preferred sometimes since they work with the least amount of information about the respondent and the topic. Instead, qualitative questionnaire methods (e.g. open ended questions) should be used in future studies focusing on the relationship between an athlete and coach (Rattray & Jones, 2005).

Argument #1: room for misinterpretation

Some researchers assert that the questionnaires are developed in a standard manner hence there is room for error as responders might misinterpret too (Milne, n.d.). With this standardized set of questions, assessing a relationship is very constricted and leaves room for explanation. The options thus presented in the questionnaires may not represent the gut response of the respondent and it may need further explanation. For instance, a question like, 'in a coach-athlete relationship, input of one party is enough for success?' This question requires a detailed answer rather than a yes / no.

Counter Argument #1: standard methods lead to objectivity

Many scholars counter argue that when responses are accumulated in a standard format, the overall objectivity of the questionnaires increase and thus can be easily measure as opposed to interviews (Milne, n.d.). They further argue that sometimes, the respondents answer their questions lazily with confusing or incomplete sentences making it hard to decipher for the researcher. They do further assert that with a standard questionnaire (based in the need of the topic), the answers are obtained more easily with relevant information as required. For instance, a question like, 'do you think that a good relationship between athlete-coach is necessary for success' needs only a yes or no.

Argument #2: Long questionnaires can be distracting

The supporters of the use of questionnaires debate that the respondents will answer quickly, in case the questionnaire is a long one. They assert that one common blunder with the questionnaire method is asking bundle of questions, which should be evaded (Milne, n.d.). With too many questions, the interest level of the respondent decreases, so their answers may not be objective, unless they are being engaged in an interactive manner. They state that the long questionnaires will take away the interest of athletes and coaches; hence they should be engaged in interactive manner.

Counter Argument #2: quick and timely responses

As observed, many advocates assert, questionnaires collect information more speedily than other methods (Milne, n.d.). The general perception is that athletes and coaches don't have a patient nature by default; hence it's hard for them to talk about relationship matters. Furthermore, the researchers also claim that coaches and athletes don't feel comfortable in revealing about the intricacies of their relationships to other people, so assigning them a questionnaire is more effective than conversing with them about it.

Argument #3: face-to-face questions get more accurate answers

Advocates for questionnaires stare that face-to-face questionnaires are effective for completing the questionnaire by identifying the proper person (Anon., n.d.). They state that it's an extremely rare incident when the respondent finds it hard to understand the question asked by the researcher in a face - to - face structure; hence both can stand at arm's length and answer questions in an interactive manner. face-to-face questionnaires are thus best advised by researchers for analysing the relationship that exist between an athlete and his coach since proper understanding is needed for a proper response.