Methods for the physical factor (skills)
General observation schedule (GOS)
A GOS is used to collect data on your skill accuracy and consistency in an activity of your choice.
- It involves performing over several games against opposition of a similar level to you.
- A partner will watch you perform and place tallies in the appropriate boxes. These boxes relate to how successfully you perform a skill and/or technique.
- At the end of the observation, the skill/technique with the most tallies in the successful box is identified as a strength and the one with the most tallies in the unsuccessful box is noted as a weakness.
This method leans more towards the Results that can be expressed using numerical values. end of the data type continuum as it involves someone factually tallying how you perform based on what they observe.
However, there are numerous question related to this method as their knowledge of the activity and the speed at which it is played can affect the reliability of data.
The data produced in the GOS can be made more quantitative by combining it with In Higher PE, this is a method of collecting data which involves recording your performance and watching it back. It is often used in conjunction with other methods such as a disciplinary record..
Below are benefits and limitations of the GOS.
| Benefits | Limitations |
| Easy to complete which reduces the number of mistakes made in the process of data collection. | Some activities like badminton can be very fast-paced, meaning the observer may miss information. |
| Easy to identify strengths and weaknesses. | If the observer has poor knowledge of the activity, they may put tallies in the wrong boxes. |
| Written on paper allowing it to be viewed as a permanent record which can be compared to results in future re-tests. |
| Benefits | Easy to complete which reduces the number of mistakes made in the process of data collection. |
|---|---|
| Limitations | Some activities like badminton can be very fast-paced, meaning the observer may miss information. |
| Benefits | Easy to identify strengths and weaknesses. |
|---|---|
| Limitations | If the observer has poor knowledge of the activity, they may put tallies in the wrong boxes. |
| Benefits | Written on paper allowing it to be viewed as a permanent record which can be compared to results in future re-tests. |
|---|---|
| Limitations |
Let's now deconstruct this method 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 be observed playing against opposition of a similar ability to you, in order to give a fair reflection of how often you perform certain skills and the extent to which you perform them well. This gives a realistic overview of your skilled performance.
- You must be observed over at least three games so you can eliminate the risk of you being judged when having a bad day. Doing this ensures a valid picture of your true performance levels.
- Select an observer who has good knowledge levels of your activity so they know what each shot looks like and if it is successful or not. Doing this ensures they will put the tallies in the correct boxes and your data will be accurate.