Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.1.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Diagnostic Methods in Sports Psychology

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
DN_225
Branch of Science
Basic medicine; Clinical medicine; Economics and Business; Health sciences; Law; Media and communications; Medical biotechnology; Other medical sciences; Other social sciences; Political science; Psychology; Sociology and social work
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Clinical Pharmacy; Communication Science; Dentistry; Health Management; Juridical Science; Management Science; Medical Technologies; Medicine; Nursing Science; Pharmacy; Political Science; Psychology; Public Health; Rehabilitation; Social Anthropology; Social Welfare and Social Work; Sociology; Sports Trainer
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Žermēna Vazne
Structure Unit Manager
Dace Bandere
Structural Unit
Department of Doctoral Studies
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, dn@rsu.lv, +371 67409120

About Study Course

Objective

To provide students with knowledge and understanding of modern psychological diagnostic methods in sports psychology.

Preliminary Knowledge

General and Developmental Psychology; Social and Communication Psychology; Basics of Sports Psychology (at bachelor's or master's level).

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Demonstrates understanding of the ethical and scientific aspects of diagnostic methods used in sports psychology.

Skills

1.Analyzes and creatively synthesizes scientific research results, knows how to interpret the conceptual guidelines of diagnostic methods in sports psychology.

Competences

1.They are competent to independently and with arguments evaluate the relationship between scientific research and practice in sports psychology and critically evaluate the choice of diagnostic method.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Results of the latest psychological scientific research on ethical aspects in sports psychology
-
-

Results of 3 latest psychological scientific studies on ethical aspects in sports psychology (up to 3 lectures). Title, year of publication (2020-2025), goal, hypothesis, tasks, methods, justification of the basic concepts of the study, analysis and evaluation of the results.

Work in scientific databases, based on the individually selected topic of the doctoral thesis:

Pro Quest ,EBSCO host(SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus , Web of Science , Science Direct , SAGE journals , PubMed
2.

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' self-efficacy and mental toughness in sports and performance indicators (theories and research results)
-
-

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' self-efficacy and mental toughness in sports and performance indicators (theories and research results) up to 4 lectures. Title, year of publication (2020-2025), goal, hypothesis, tasks, methods, justification of the basic concepts of the study, analysis and evaluation of the results.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host (SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed
3.

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' personality traits and anxiety and performance indicators.
-
-

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' personality traits and anxiety and performance indicators. Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' team cohesion and performance indicators. Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between athletes' imagery indicators and performance indicators. Theories and research results.

3.topics:

1 study on the relationship between athletes' personality traits and anxiety and performance indicators.

1 study on the relationship between athletes' team cohesion and performance indicators.

1 study on the relationship between athletes' imagery indicators and performance indicators (up to 5 lectures).

Analysis and synthesis, theory and research results. Title, year of publication (2020-2025), goal, hypothesis, tasks, methods, justification of the basic concepts of the study, analysis and evaluation of the results.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host (SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed
4.

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between attitudes towards work and stress tolerance and performance indicators (theories and research results).
-
-

2 studies on the relationship between work attitudes and stress tolerance and performance indicators (analysis and synthesis of the theory and research results). For 7 lectures.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host (SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed
5.

Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between reaction time and attention and performance indicators (theories and research results).
-
-

2 studies on reaction speed; attention in sports. To 8 lectures.

Work in scientific databases based on an individual topic of the promotion thesis:

Pro Quest, EBSCO host (SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMed

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Course Requirements
-
10 points

Constructive cooperation in discussing lecture questions and independent work, quality of independent work 70%, written test 30%
2.

Assessment Criteria
-
-
  1. Knowledge and ability to justify theories and models used in sports science in sports psychology, methods and techniques used in sports psychology.
  2. Ability to analyze and creatively synthesize scientific achievements to identify research problems in sports psychology.
  3. Competence to evaluate the relationship between scientific achievements and practice and offer solutions in the choice of diagnostic methods in sports psychology.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Requirements for the use of diagnostic methods in a sports environment - principles of appropriateness, ethics and confidentiality.
Description

In the lecture, students will learn about the most important conditions that must be taken into account when choosing diagnostic methods in sports psychology, including in the context of age groups and a specific sport.

Topics for Classes:

  1. What specific sport-related differences should be considered when selecting a diagnostic methodology and why?
  2. What dilemmas in interpreting psychological indicators can you name?

Literature:

  1. Lindsay, G., Qvreelde, H., Koene, G. (2024). Ethics for European Psychologist. 2nd ed. Hogrefe
  2. Vazne, Z., Eikena, D., Simonenkova, I., Ulme, G. (2022). Methodological recommendations for practicing sport psychologists. Riga: Latvian Sport Psychology Association

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Requirements for the application of diagnostic methods in a sports environment - reliability, validity and standardization.
Description

In the lecture, students will learn about the internal consistency, validity, and standardization of diagnostic surveys according to sport and age group.

Topics for Classes:

  1. Why is it important to determine and understand not only the validity of a survey, but also the internal consistency of individual items and scales?
  2. What does the validity of a survey indicate?
  3. How do the standardized survey indicators affect the interpretation of survey scores?
  4. What types of survey standardization can you name?

Literature:

  1. American Psychological Association, APA (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing 7nd ed.
  2. Washington: APA. (Edition 8 is planned for 2025/26) Cohen R.J., Sverdlik M.E. (2018). Psychological testing and assessment. McGraw Hill.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Theoretical basis for the use of psychological surveys in a sports environment and interpretation of survey data (physical and general self-efficacy, mental toughness in sport, psychological preparation inventory in sport)
Description

The lecture will analyze the theoretical basis of the physical and general self-efficacy, mental toughness in sports, and psychological preparation inventory alternative version, and provide a general and individual scale description of the questionnaires.

Topics for Classes:

  1. What theories and concepts are the theoretical model of self-efficacy based on?
  2. What theories and concepts are the theoretical model of mental toughness in sport based on?
  3. What theories and concepts are the theoretical model of the psychological preparation inventory alternative version based on?

Literature:

  1. Sheard, M. (2010). Mental toughness: the mindset behind sporting achievement. London, Routledge (theoretical basis of the test). 

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Theoretical basis for the use of surveys in a sports environment and interpretation of survey data (personality structure model - short version, aggression in sports, anxiety in sports)
Description

The lecture will cover the personality structure survey - short versions; the theoretical basis of the surveys for types of aggression in sports, anxiety in sports, as well as the general and individual scale characteristics of the surveys.

Topics for Classe:

  1. What theories are the conceptual model of the personality structure survey based on?
  2. What theories are the conceptual model of the anxiety and restlessness survey in sports based on?
  3. What theories are the conceptual model of the aggression survey in sports based on?

Literature:

Cohen R.J., Sverdlik M.E. (2018). Psychological testing and assessment. McGraw Hill

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Theoretical basis for the use of surveys in the sports environment and interpretation of survey data (team cohesion in sports, imagery in sports)
Description

In the lecture, we will analyze team cohesion in sports and analyze the theoretical and practical significance of different types of imagery.

Topics for Classes:

  1. What theories are the conceptual model of the Team Cohesion in Sport Survey based on?
  2. What theories are the conceptual model of the Imagination Scale in Sport Survey based on?

Literature:

  1. American Psychological Association, APA (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing 7th ed. Washington: APA.
  2. Cumming, J., Williams, S. (2015). The Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire Manual. 10.13140/RG.2.1.1608.6565

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Theoretical basis for the application of psychological tests and interpretation of test data (attitude towards work and stress tolerance in sports)
Description

In the lecture, we will examine issues related to the application of psychological tests in sports psychology. We will discuss their theoretical positions and interpretation of test data. Students will learn about various personality qualities when working under conditions of increased stress and pressure.

Topics for Classes:

  1. What theories and concepts are the work attitude test based on? Name the test scales and describe them.
  2. What theories and concepts are the stress tolerance test based on?

Literature:

https://www.schuhfried.com/en/vienna-test-system/about-the-vienna-test-sytsem/ (specific test)

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Theoretical basis for the application of psychological tests and interpretation of test data (reaction speed; concentration, switching and division of attention in sports)
Description

During the lecture, students will learn about the relationship between an athlete's reaction speed test results and mental health, and about the interpretation of various functions of attention in sports.

Topics for Classes:

  1. What theoretical concepts did scientists use to develop the reaction speed and latency reaction test?
  2. What theoretical concepts did scientists use to develop the attention test? What do the test results show in the field of sports psychology?

Literature:

https://www.schuhfried.com/en/vienna-test-system/about-the-vienna-test-sytsem/ (specific test)

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Theoretical basis for the use of psychological tests and interpretation of test data (determination of cognitive abilities)
Description

The lecture will examine issues related to the determination and interpretation of athletes' cognitive abilities and logical decision-making in sports psychology.

Topics for Classes:

  1. What theoretical concepts did scientists rely on in the process of developing a cognitive ability test?

Literature:

https://www.schuhfried.com/en/vienna-test-system/about-the-vienna-test-sytsem/ (specific tests)
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Cohen R.J., Sverdlik M.E. (2021). Psychological testing and assessment. McGraw HillSuitable for English stream

Additional Reading

1.

American Psychological Association, APA (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing 7th ed. Washington: APA. (8 izdevums plānots 2025/26.g.)Suitable for English stream

2.

Cumming, J., Williams, S. (2015). The Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire Manual. 10.13140/RG.2.1.1608.6565Suitable for English stream

3.

Sheard, M. (2010). Mental toughness: the mindset behind sporting achievement. London, Routledge (testu teorētiskais pamatojums/test substantiation).Suitable for English stream

4.

Vazne, Z., Eikena, D., Simonenkova, I., Ulme, G. (2022). Methodological recomendations for practicing sport psychologists. Riga: Latvian Sport Psychology AssociationSuitable for English stream

Other Information Sources

1.

Vienna Test System.Suitable for English stream

2.

Darbs zinātniskajās datu bāzēs, balstoties uz individuālajiem darba uzdevumiem: Pro Quest, EBSCO host (SPORTDiscus with Full Text), Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SAGE journals, PubMedSuitable for English stream

3.

Publikācijas žurnālos: The Sport Psychologist, Applied Sport Psychology, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Journal of Sport Psychology in action, International Journal of Sport Pschology, Psychology of Sport and Exercise.Suitable for English stream