Rodriguez Figueroa, Joaquin Antonio (2023) Science and Professional Football: A Troubled Relationship Off the Pitch? Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
The research-practice gap is a widely acknowledged issue in many different fields. Efforts to document it in professional football have predominantly centred around the practices and beliefs of coaches. However, a limited body of research suggests that other members of these institutions may also exhibit a problematic relationship with science and evidence-based practice. Through a qualitative design, this study seeks to provide a preliminary view of the research-practice gap in professional football clubs that includes a broader group of professionals. Sixteen individuals holding roles at the administrative, human resources, scouting, and psychology departments of professional football clubs participated in a structured interview to uncover perspectives, understandings, practices, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the role of science at their institutions. Coding of interview responses was achieved through the application of Thematic Analysis, giving way to three main themes and one sub-theme. The analysis uncovered a limited perspective of potential scientific applications, attitudes towards science (with a sub-theme on scouts’ scepticism), and an overreliance on human judgment in player and personnel selection decisions. Furthermore, interview responses exposed the use of several questionable psychological tests, assessment tools, and the presence of other scientifically unfounded practices. The findings reflect that the research-practice gap in professional football clubs concerns a broader group of individuals, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the mechanisms that cause the beliefs and practices contributing to this discrepancy. Implications and limitations are discussed. Keywords: research-practice gap, professional football, qualitative research, Thematic Analysis
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Meijer, R.R. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Talent Development and Creativity (TDC) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 06 Nov 2023 15:00 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Nov 2023 15:00 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2923 |
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