How Can We Measure What We Cannot See? Measurement Issues in Sport Psychology

Abstract

The assessment of an athlete's mental strengths and weaknesses can be a key role for a sport psychologist. Sport psychologists work with athletes for a number of different reasons one of which is to try to improve performance by helping an athlete prepare mentally. The present article examines considerations when measuring athletes' mental states. Self-report is the commonly used method but is limited by its subjective nature. Individuals might be genuinely unclear on how they are feeling, and consequently can only provide an estimate. Test interpreters should be cognisant of the inherent subjectivity in completed self-report measures. Test developers however attempt to reduce error measurement through the use of rigorous validation studies that require large samples and analyse data using theory-led methods.