About the Project
The Project
Applications are invited for a fully-funded full-time PhD studentship exploring coaches’ decision making through the lens of the Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM).
Context
Despite the increasing acceptance of the dynamic and complicated nature of sports coaching and the inherent importance of decision-making (DM) for both athletes and coaches, there has been little empirical investigation into how DM is negotiated by either group (Lyle & Vergeer, 2013). Whether considered from the perspective of the coach or the team sport athlete, sport represents a highly variable endeavour which requires the negotiation of many conscious and sub-conscious decisions (Richards et al., 2009). Recent literature has proposed the framework of Naturalistic Decision-Making (NDM) as a potentially useful mechanism through which to better understand these phenomena (Harvey et al., 2015).
Aims and Objectives
Applications are invited for a fully-funded full-time PhD studentship exploring coaches’ decision making through the lens of the Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM) framework by tracking their conscious intentions over the course of a competitive season. Furthermore, this investigation seeks to empirically test the two NDM-based models proposed by Richards et al. (2017) relating to the development of individual athlete and collective team DM. Additionally, this project will seek, in conjunction with a number of National Governing Bodies (NGB) of Sport, to develop and test an educational initiative to enhance decision making in coaches and their athletes.
Supervisors:
Dr Don Vinson (Director of Studies), Dr Andy Cale and Christian Edwards; Institute of Sport and Exercise Science.
Indicative methodology
This project will adopt a pragmatic research perspective, featuring a number of real-world, multi-method case studies. This project will comprise two major phases. Phase 1 will involve an in-depth investigation into real coaches’ everyday practice. There will be a focus on understanding the coaches’ current practice in relation to their own DM and how they guide their athletes’ individual and collective team DM from a NDM perspective. Phase 2 comprises the construction and testing of a coach education initiative aimed at developing coaches’ understanding of NDM both in terms of their own, and their team’s, practice. This phase will be conducted in conjunction with partnering NGBs.
Details of the studentship
During the period of your studentship you will receive the following:
• a tax free bursary of £14,553 for a period of 3 years
• a fee-waiver for 4 years
• a laptop
• use of the Research Student Study Space in Research School
• access to the Research Student Support Scheme to cover costs and expenses related to your research
You will be expected to play an active role in the life of both the Research School and of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science. You will be given opportunities to gain experience in learning and teaching within the Institute under the guidance of your Director of Studies.
Qualifications needed
Essential:
Applicants should have or be able to evidence:
• A First or Upper Second (2.1) Honours Degree, or expect to receive one by October 2018;
• A sound understanding of, and interest in sports coaching
• Experience of relevant research methods and skills;
• Ability to contribute to research study design;
• Computer literacy;
• Proficiency in oral and written English;
• Ability to organise and meet deadlines;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a team;
• Commitment and an enthusiastic approach to completing a higher research degree;
Desirable:
• Education to Masters Degree level in a relevant area.
As part of its mission statement the University is committed to widening participation for its higher degrees. Although most candidates will have an undergraduate and/or a Masters degree, the University is happy to accept applications from candidates with relevant professional qualifications and work related experience.
The interview will provisionally be held on Wednesday 6th June 2018.
Funding Notes
Details of the studentship
During the period of your studentship you will receive the following:
• a tax free bursary of £14,553 for a period of 3 years
• a fee-waiver for 4 years
• a laptop
• use of the Research Student Study Space in Research School
• access to the Research Student Support Scheme to cover costs and expenses related to your research
References
Harvey, S., Lyle, J. W. B., & Muir, B. (2015). Naturalistic decision making in high performance team sport coaching. International Sport Coaching Journal, 2(2), 152-168.
Lyle, J., & Vergeer, I. (2013). Recommendations on the methods used to investigate coaches' decision making. In P. Potrac, W. Gilbert, & J. Denison (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Sports Coaching (pp. 121-132). Abingdon: Routledge.
Richards, P., Collins, D., & Mascarenhas, D. R. (2017). Developing team decision-making: a holistic framework integrating both on-field and off-field pedagogical coaching processes. Sports Coaching Review, 6(1), 57-75.
Richards, P., Mascarenhas, D. R., & Collins, D. (2009). Implementing reflective practice approaches with elite team athletes: parameters of success. Reflective Practice, 10(3), 353-363.
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