Team leadership selection preferences in student-athletes

Graduation Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Kinesiology, 2011

Committee Chair Name

Richard Stull

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Kinesiology, Leadership, Decision-making, Athletics

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the perception and preferences of athletes on independent sport teams regarding team leadership selection in hopes of making team leadership selection in sports an educated decision. A secondary purpose was to develop a questionnaire that effectively facilitated the gathering of this information. METHODOLOGY: 37 DII track and field athletes completed an online qualitative survey designed by the researcher regarding their preferences toward team leadership selection. The researcher used an open coding method to separate data into categories, themes, and sub-themes. RESULTS: Four main categories emerged from coding: (a) call for election, which included support for democratic participation; (b) call for appointment, which included support of an autocratic method of selection; (c) indifference to method, which included statements neither in favor of nor opposed to either decision-making style; and (d) other, which included statements unrelated to the previous categories that still pertained to the purpose of the study. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: As participants expressed opinions in support of and in opposition to team leadership selection by election and by appointment, the researcher recommends that a consultative method of team leadership selection will give coaches the best chance of optimizing athlete satisfaction by catering to all student-athlete preferences while neglecting none.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/w0892d44v

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