1. Collecting Information (Gathering Data)

2. Why Gather Data?
To find out what your strengths and areas in need of development (weaknesses) are.
This information will allow you to plan a development programme that will improve your areas of weakness.
Due to gathering data your training can be more targeted at the areas you really need to improve.

3. Why Gather Data?
By gathering data you will identify your starting point. This will help you to set realistic goals for your training programme.
This will also help you to monitor your progress as you could redo the methods you used to gather data during and at the end of your programme to check for improvements.

4. Methods of Gathering Data
Any method that is used to collect information must gather information that will allow you to identify your strengths and weaknesses (areas you need develop).
This is important as it will allow you to plan a development programme that will improve your areas of weakness.

6. Effectiveness of a Method
When considering the effectiveness of a method used to gather data the following must be considered
Reliability
Validity
Practicability
Specificity
Permanent Record

7. Reliability
How likely is it that the data collected is giving a true reflection of what you/your performance is consistently like?
If you were to repeat the method of gathering data again would you get the same or similar results?
Considerations with regards to reliability are:
Amount of data collected
Use of video and video functions
Following protocols/procedures/rules/criteria
Circumstances surrounding data collected (emotions/injury/time of day/within competition)
Subjectivity of data
Honesty of responses

8. Validity
How well does the method gather data on what it is supposed to. How correct and accurate is the data being collected.
Considerations with regards to validity are:
Level of opponent
Knowledge/experience of recorder/data gatherer
Accuracy of data collection
Following protocols/procedures/rules/criteria
Understanding of questions & instructions
Honesty/Accuracy of responses or reflections

9. Practicability
How easy is it to carry out the process of gathering data and how simple is it to interpret the results
Consideration with regards to practicability are:
Time, Equipment, Cost, Organisational issues, Impact on others, Simplicity of method, Ease of identifying and understanding results.

10. Specificity
The approach must be specific to the factor/feature being investigated.
The method used must be suitable for the factor/feature. For example self reflection is a good way to gather data on emotional factors as only you truly know what emotions you feel.

11. Permanent Record
Ideally when gathering data you will have a permanent record of the data that you have collected so that you can easily look back and compare your results to any data you gather in the future.
This allows you to easily monitor you’re your progress. This is useful as if needed you can make changes to your programme or it can motivate you if you can see you are making progress.

12. Subjective (OPINIONS)
Types of Information
Objective (FACTS)
Impartial measurement without bias or prejudice. Observation of measurable facts
E.g. Observation schedule, Leger Test, Sit and Reach
Subjective (OPINIONS)
Based on personal opinions, interpretations, points of view, emotion and judgement
E.g. Questionnaires, Coach Feedback, Self Reflection

13. Types of Information
Quantitative Data – This is data that is collected that involves a value or quantity.
The Leger Test gives quantitative data on an athletes aerobic endurance as they get a score.
Qualitative Data – This is data that describes performance.
A coach saying that a player stopped tracking back and his passes were sloppy towards the end of the game is an example of qualitative data that might show poor aerobic endurance.
Although not PE related the webpage below will help you understand the difference

14. Collecting Information on Your Performance

15. Methods of Gathering Data

16. Methods of Gathering Data
There are many ways to gather data on performance.
The factor/feature you are collecting information on will impact on the best method(s) to use to gather data.

17. Methods of Gathering Data
Method used to Gather Data
Factor(s) most suited to
General Observation Schedule
Physical (Skills)
Focused Observation Schedule
Performance Profiling Wheel (Self Reflection)
All*
Self Reflection Sheets
Questionnaires
Mental/Emotional/Social
Coach/Peer Feedback
All
Standard Tests
Physical (Fitness)
*We used this method to gather data on mental and emotional factors

18. Appropriateness of Methods Used To Gather Data

19. What makes a method appropriate
It must gather information that will allow you to identify your strengths and weaknesses (areas you need develop).
This is important as it will allow you to plan a development programme that will improve your areas of weakness.
It should provide a permanent record of the data that you have collected so that you can easily look back and compare your results to any data you gather in the future
The approach must be specific to the factor/feature being investigated. The method used must be suitable for the factor/feature.

20. What makes a method appropriate
The information collected must be reliable. This means that the information collected must give true reflection of you/your performance?
Do you get information about what you/your performance is consistently like?
If you were to repeat the method of gathering data again would you get the same or similar results
The information collected must be valid. The data collected must be accurate in order for it to be worthwhile and useful?
The process of gathering the data must be practicable. This means
The process must be easy to complete.
The data collected must provide data that is easy to understand and interpret.
It should be easy to organise and not be too time consuming or costly.