L3 - Qualitative vs Quantitative Methods

• What is Quantitative Analysis - Quantifying:

  • Involved quantification of movement
  • Usually involves movement
  • Motion capture
  • Forces
  • Muscle activity
  • Modelling & simulation
  • Common in research
• Quantitative Analysis - Advantages:

  • Accurate measurements
  • Required for research
  • Also depends on set up etc
  • Numerical comparisons
  • Between individuals (eg injured vs not)
  • Across time (of same individual, change skill)
  • Across skill levels (pro/elite vs recreational)
  • Databasing (to look at)
  • Allows data visualisation
  • Segments coloured by speeds
  • eg speed move up body for a cricket bat
• Quantitative Analysis - Disadvantages:

  • Expensive
  • Steep learning curve
  • No single skill set
  • Many different systems
  • Difficult to summarise data
  • A lot can be calculated, heaps of variables
  • Time consuming
  • Lacks ecological validity
  • Isolated skill
  • Lab based
  • Doing in lab alters what they are doing, out of natural situation/environment = limited use
  • Does it represent how they would normally do it?
• What is Qualitative Analysis?

  • Judgement of the quality of the movement
  • Based on (video) observation
  • Can involve qualitative analysis of video or of quantitative data
  • Structured approach & knowledge of mechanisms are important
• What is Qualitative Analysis?

  • Should be done in natural environment whenever possible
  • A lot cheaper, don’t really need equipment can just watch, but videos good
  • Highlight feature of movement, describing technique
• Qualitative Analysis - Advantages:

  • Inexpensive, faster, convenient
  • Field based
  • Less technical skill needed
  • Can be more intuitive
  • Coach-friendly
  • Client-friendly
• Qualitative Analysis - Disadvantages:

  • Findings not quantified
  • Reliability often overlooked
  • Observer bias
  • Appearance of being easy to do & unsophisticated
• Current Trends:

  • Quantitative
  • Biofeedback
  • Qualitative
  • Mobile technology
• How can we Enhance Movement?

  • Decide what you want to improve
  • Movement quality?
  • Performance?
  • Power
  • Consistency - contact or aim
  • Learn new shots
• How can we Enhance Movement?

  • Make a plan
  • Video or quantitative methods?
  • Physical limitations?
  • What’s available?
  • Time frame
• Structured Approach to Qualitative Analysis:

  • Preparation Stage
  • Observation Stage
  • Evaluation & Diagnosis Stage
  • Intervention
• Structured Approach to Qualitative Analysis:

  • Preparation Stage
  • Most important got to have a plan
  • Needs analysis
  • Purpose - what they want from you
  • Gather understanding of movement
  • Build model
  • Observation strategy
  • How, video setup etc
• Structured Approach to Qualitative Analysis:

  • Observation Stage
  • Implement observation strategy
  • Record video
  • Reconsidering focus of observation, observation location, number of observations
  • Quality of video, landmark location (position of marks)
• Structured Approach to Qualitative Analysis:

  • Evaluation & Diagnosis Stage
  • Evaluate strengths & weaknesses
  • Address validity & reliability
  • Decide how to intervene
  • What aspects of movement need to be changed & how
• Structured Approach to Qualitative Analysis:

  • Intervention
  • Use feedback to improve performance (how, where, when?)
  • Review analysis in the context of needs analysis
  • Cycles through, fix any problems