TITLE OF RESEARCH STUDY: Elevating Work with Neurodivergent Athletes: Development of an Educational Module to Enhance Coaching Knowledge & Efficacy
RESEARCH TEAM: Nicole Robertson, EdD (nrobertson@students.uws.edu) and Christopher Stanley, PhD (cstanley1@uws.edu)/Sport & Performance Psychology
You are being asked to participate in a research study. Taking part in this study is voluntary. The investigators will explain the study to you and will answer any questions you might have. It is your choice whether you take part in this study or not. If you agree to participate and then choose to withdraw from the study, that is your right, and your decision will not be held against you.
You are being asked to take part in a research study about coaching neurodivergent athletes (those with ADHD, Autism Spectrum, or dyslexia) and if an educational module can assist with coaching knowledge and confidence.
This research is being funded by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Your participation in this research study involves completing some surveys, then watching an educational module related to coaching neurodivergent athletes. after completion of the module, you will take the same surveys. Two weeks later, you will again be contacted to answer some more questions related to what you learned and how you may have implemented changes in coaching approach or technique.
You might want to participate in this study if you are aware you have neurodivergent athlete(s) on your team and would like to enhance your skill set in working with these athletes. However, you might not want to participate in this study if you do not have the time to watch the module entirely.
You may choose to participate in this research study if you are 18 years of age or older, have held a coaching position for at least one year, and can read and understand the English language proficiently.
The reasonably foreseeable risks or discomforts to you if you choose to take part is potential discomfort in answering survey items and/or viewing the module, which you can compare to the possible benefit of enhanced knowledge and efficacy with neurodivergent athletes (i.e., ADHD, Autism spectrum, dyslexia). You will receive compensation for participation, a $50 Amazon gift card.
DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RESEARCH STUDY: The following is more detailed information about this study, in addition to the information above.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study is to further test an educational program for coaches to benefit their coaching environment and athletes. A core research question relates to whether a coaching education module may enhance coaches’ knowledge of neurodivergent conditions (i.e., symptoms and impact upon sport performance) and relevant coaching skills and strategies aimed at enhancing participation and performance.
TIME COMMITMENT: Participation in this study is expected to total 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, this is broken up into phases, including pre-test surveys (± 5 minutes) + module (± 60 minutes) + post-test surveys (± 10 minutes) + two-week follow-up (± 10 minutes).
STUDY PROCEDURES: This study is entirely online. First, participants will fill out demographic form, content quiz, and an efficacy scale. Then, participants will view the online coaching module about coaching individuals with neurodivergent conditions, covering elements related to behavioral expectations, environmental considerations, progress evaluation, and communication with family members. Participants will not be able to save their module progress and continue later. Immediately after the module, participants will again complete the content quiz, the efficacy scale, as well as open-ended questions related to general impressions, content, applications, and challenges. The efficacy scale will be used pre- and post-module to verify if coaches report changes in their perceived knowledge and efficacy with coaching individuals with neurodivergent conditions. The post-tests will occur twice: immediately upon finishing the module and then four weeks thereafter. The latter post-test is used to verify continued perceived efficacy. After completion of the module and post-test, participants will be prompted to respond to some open-ended questions related to general impressions, content, applications, and challenges. These questions are related to the way(s) in which they may have made applications of content material, challenges, and remaining areas of professional. You may skip any questions which make you feel uncomfortable.
POSSIBLE BENEFITS: Possible benefits of participation include expanding your coaching skill set and helping develop subsequent versions of the module for future dissemination
POSSIBLE RISKS/DISCOMFORTS: Participating in research may involve a loss of privacy and the potential for a breach in confidentiality. Study data will be physically and electronically secured by the research team. As with any use of electronic means to store data, there is a risk of breach of data security. This research study is not expected to pose any additional risks beyond what you would normally experience in your regular everyday life. However, if you do experience any discomfort (e.g., survey item(s), module content), please inform the research team. Remember that you have the right to withdraw from any study procedures at any time without penalty and may do so by informing the research team.
COMPENSATION: Participants will receive a $50 Amazon gift card after completion of all phases of the study.
CONFIDENTIALITY: Participation in this online survey involves the potential for the loss of confidentiality similar to a person’s everyday use of the internet. The results of this study may be published and/or presented without naming you as a participant. The data collected about you for this study may be used for future research studies that are not described in this consent form. If that occurs, an IRB will first evaluate the use of any information that is identifiable to you, and confidentiality protection would be maintained.
While absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, the research team will make every effort to protect the confidentiality of your records, as described here and to the extent permitted by law. In addition to the research team, the following entities may have access to your records, but only on a need-to-know basis: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA (federal regulating agencies), the reviewing IRB, and sponsors of the study.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY: If you have any questions about the study you may contact Nicole Robertson (nrobertson@students.uws.edu) or Chris Stanley (cstanley1@uws.edu).
If you have technical issues with getting access to the survey or module, contact Nicole Robertson (nrobertson@students.uws.edu).
If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, contact the University of Western States IRB at IRB-UWS@uws.edu or (971) 449-9213.