A review of the use of a systematic observation method in coaching research between 1997 and 2016

Cope, Ed; Harvey, Stephen; Partington, Mark

Abstract

© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. A systematic observation method has been one of the most popularly employed methods in coaching research. Kahan’s review of this method conducted between 1975 and 1997 highlighted the key trends in this research, and offered methodological guidance for researchers wishing to use this method in their research. The purpose of this review was to provide an update of the use of a systematic observation method in coaching research and assess the extent to which the calls made by Kahan have been addressed. While in some respect this field of study has progressed (i.e., the introduction of qualitative methods), researchers adopting this method have failed to attend to many of the issues Kahan raised. For this method to continue to make a positive contribution towards the coaching research literature, researchers need to more critically reflect on how and why they are employing this method. At present, some of the decisions made by researchers who have conducted work in this area are not justified with a rationale. It is our intention that this review will serve as guidance for researchers and practitioners, and editors and reviewers of journals when attempting to assess the quality of this type of work.

Citation

Cope, E., Harvey, S., & Partington, M. (2017). A review of the use of a systematic observation method in coaching research between 1997 and 2016. Journal of sports sciences, 35(20), 2042-2050. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1252463

• Acceptance Date: Oct 17, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Nov 23, 2016
• Publication Date: Oct 18, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 24, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: May 29, 2018
• Journal: Journal of sports sciences
• Print ISSN: 0264-0414
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 20
• Pages: 2042-2050
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1252463
• Keywords: Systematic observation, Coaching, Coaching behaviour, Methodology, Coaching practice
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/444511
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2016.1252463
• Additional Information: This is a description of an article which has been accepted for future publication in: Journal of sports sciences, 2016.
• Contract Date: Oct 24, 2016