Methods for the mental factor
In order to collect data, you must select an appropriate method. Below are some methods used to collect data on mental factors.
- sport competition anxiety test (SCAT)A questionnaire made up of 15 questions that gathers information on how well you control your anxiety levels during performance.
- decision-making observation scheduleA form prepared prior to data collection which breaks down the features which should be observed during the performance.
- performance profiling wheel (PPW)A method of collecting data based completely on your own thoughts of your social performance during an event.
Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT)
The SCAT is a questionnaire that gathers information on how well you control your anxiety levels during performance.
It contains 15 statements to which the response choice is:
rarely
sometimes
often
Each answer is given a score which you then add up at the end and compare to the norms.
It is a qualitative Qualitative data cannot be measured or described as a quantity. It usually takes thoughts, feelings and opinions into consideration. method as it requires you to provide your thoughts on how much you agree or disagree with a statement.
Despite receiving a figure at the end of the SCAT, it is a qualitativeResults that are not expressed as numbers or numerical data, eg they can be expressed as present or absent, or as colours. method because the score comes from your opinion about how well you control your anxiety in certain situations.
Below are the benefits and limitations of the SCAT.
| Benefits | Limitations |
| Easy to complete so unlikely to make mistakes in a quick process. | Qualitative method so you could lie to impress your coach and affect reliability of results. |
| Easy to understand statements so easy to answer correctly. | You may have an inaccurate perception of yourself and accuracy of results can be questioned. |
| It is a permanent record which can be compared to in future re-tests. |
| Benefits | Easy to complete so unlikely to make mistakes in a quick process. |
|---|---|
| Limitations | Qualitative method so you could lie to impress your coach and affect reliability of results. |
| Benefits | Easy to understand statements so easy to answer correctly. |
|---|---|
| Limitations | You may have an inaccurate perception of yourself and accuracy of results can be questioned. |
| Benefits | It is a permanent record which can be compared to in future re-tests. |
|---|---|
| Limitations |
Let's now deconstruct the sport competition anxiety test (SCAT)A questionnaire made up of 15 questions that gathers information on how well you control your anxiety levels during performance. and break it down into smaller parts. In doing this, we are:
- identifying an important part in the process
- then showing why this part is important in making the process work
- You must complete this method immediately after a big event. This is because the feelings you experienced will be fresh in your head and you will be able to answer accurately.
- You must complete this method on your own so you do not feel pressurised by anyone watching or judging you. You can therefore answer honestly.
- Finally, you should have a dictionary to hand just in case you misunderstand any key words. This will help you answer correctly as you will know exactly what is being asked.