Where is the evidence in our sport psychology practice? A United Kingdom perspective on the underpinnings of action.

Abstract

Practitioners advocate the importance to engage in evidence-based practice at the forefront of issues regarding the provision of applied sport psychology. Accordingly, the present study sought to contextualize the process of theory-research-practice. Specifically, four attentionalbased techniques established within the sport psychology literature were depicted as applied scenarios and presented as a survey task. Experienced UK-based practitioners (n = 14) and individuals currently undergoing training (n = 14) were recruited to ascertain their theoretical and mechanistic knowledge, and whether these techniques were being utilized in the applied environment. Results suggested that the application of the techniques, in addition to the theoretical, and mechanistic knowledge may decrease from the trainee to experienced practitioner. The study highlights the need for an increase in research designed to be impactful in the applied setting, and addressing the needs of sport psychology practitioners, if our discipline is to advance and remain as evidence-based.

The role of ‘pracademics’ in education and development of adventure sport professionals

“…This understanding of the contextual frame and cultural sensitivities is essential, and is perhaps what the coaches focus on and feel that the academics miss. This is clearly apparent in the literature as the relevance to practice highlighted by Winter and Collins (2015), or in statements such as "….the voice of the teachers" mentioned by Cochran-Smith and Lytle (1990, p. 1).…”

“…Mode 1 research is investigator-initiated and discipline-based, while mode 2 research is problem-focused, inter/multi-disciplinary and contextual (cf. Christina, 1987; see also Winter & Collins, 2015). In building on this distinction, MacLean, MacIntosh and Grant (2002) attempted to map mode 2 features against action research, cooperative enquiry and grounded theory.…”

Applied Sport Psychology: A Profession?

“…It is, therefore, seen as fundamental to engage in evidence-based practice at the forefront of issues regarding the provision of applied sport psychology and is consistent with the demands of being a profession (cf. Cropley, Hanton, Miles, & Niven, 2010;Winter & Collins, 2015a).…”

“…At its most basic level, evidence-based practice describes a means of facilitating wellreasoned decisions by encouraging the practitioner to effectively integrate scientific research findings, the preferences, circumstances, and uniqueness of each client, and his or her professional judgment (Moore, 2007;Winter & Collins, 2015a).…”

An Exploration of Trainee Practitioners’ Experiences When Using Observation

“…However, as a profession with accrediting 121 bodies that champion evidence-based practice (Winter & Collins, 2015a;, applied sport 122 psychology is surprisingly limited in both guidance and training of observation, and instead 123 assumes that practitioners instinctively know how to observe (Holder & Winter, 2016).…”