The construction of knowledge amongst expert golf coaches from Europe, working at elite level

Colclough, David John (2009). The construction of knowledge amongst expert golf coaches from Europe, working at elite level. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

At the elite level, expert coaches are expected to work with and understand a wide range of subject knowledge. However, as coaching seeks to be considered a profession, there appears little research into the “required knowledge/ expertise necessary for effectual practice” (Brewer & Jones, 2002, p.139). It has been proposed that to be expert in any domain requires extensive deliberate practice (Ericsson & Charness, 1994; Schempp et al., 2006b). Within the field of expertise, and specifically golf coaching, little is known of the tasks (or activities) used by golf coaches to acquire and construct their knowledge (Schempp et al., 2008). Five expert coaches who have worked at elite level for a number of years were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. An interpretive, constructivist stance was taken in analysing the data that emerged from the interviews. The findings of this study conclude that the five expert coaches developed along very idiosyncratic routes and appear to utilise a number of similar activities previously documented in research on expert coaches in other sports. Learning was a very socially orientated endeavour, where most knowledge was constructed through interactions with other coaches, students and players of the game whilst actively engaged in a coaching environment. The coaches demonstrated a deep approach to learning and appear to view knowledge as having multiple constructs.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

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