Exploring the balance of types of knowledge in novice and expert coaching.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a comparison between expert and novice coaches in terms of the knowledge types which they posses. In order to explore this topic a number of specific areas were explored; firstly the knowledge types that the participants both possessed and valued were established before investigating whether or not these knowledge types have changed or developed over time and if so, how they have been developed. In order to compare expert and novice coaches, four coaches where interviewed about their practice, two of them considered expert and two considered novice. The interview process consisted of a semi-structured interview, in which the participants could give detailed information about their coaching practice. The interviews were recorded and transcribed before being analysed to discover themes, the emerging themes were then discussed and conclusions could be drawn with regards to the differences in the knowledge types possessed by the coaches and how best to develop these knowledge types.