SPECIAL PURPOSE EXAMINATION (SPEX) | 2026/2027 LATEST
UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+
Systematic decision making -
ANSWER
Evidence must be carefully examined and weighted with an open mind.
Practitioner experience/knowledge should be used as a lens.
Steps of EBP -
ANSWER
1. Develop an
ANSWER
able question
2. Search for best evidence
3. Evaluate evidence
4. Apply best evidence
5. Evaluate outcomes
Step 1 of EBP -
ANSWER
Develop
ANSWER
able question - PICOT
What does PICOT stand for? -
ANSWER
Population characteristics
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome
,Time
Step 2 of EBP -
ANSWER
- Search for best evidence
- Search peer-reviewed lit
- Discuss with other coaches or academics
Step 3 of EBP -
ANSWER
Evaluate evidence.
- Determine quality and applicability of evidence: pay attention to reproducibility and sources of bias
Step 4 of EBP -
ANSWER
Application of best evidence.
- Decision should be based on the strength of research, athlete needs, budgetary restrictions and
professional judgement
Step 5 of EBP -
ANSWER
Evaluate outcomes.
- Assessment of effectiveness of application
What defines strong evidence? -
ANSWER
- Systematic responses from a number of studies.
- RCTs
- Small CIs
- Homogeneity of research findings (i.e. lots of sources saying the same thing)
Order of source prioritisation -
,ANSWER
1. Research evidence
2. Work-based research
3. Feedback from organisation
4. Practitioner experiences and expertise
Hierarchy/levels of evidence (5) -
ANSWER
GRRAP
1. Generalisability
- applicability of findings
2. Reliability
- result stability and consistency
3. Replicability
4. Authority
- study results from a well-known and respected academic
5. Peer-reviewed
- study been through checking process and critique by fellow researchers
What is Validity? -
ANSWER
Degree to which a test measures what it says it measures.
2 types of Validity -
ANSWER
1. Internal
2. External
, What 3 things can change the Internal Validity of a study? -
ANSWER
1. Subject variability
2. Size of population
3. Time
What is External Validity? -
ANSWER
Is the research question applicable to the situation being observed
What is 'A' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
RCTs with a rich body of data
What is a 'B' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
RCTs with a limited body of data
What is a 'C' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
Non-randomised trials or observational studies
What is a 'D' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
Expert opinion
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome? -
ANSWER
What drives the stress response during exercise
UPDATED VERSION | QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+
Systematic decision making -
ANSWER
Evidence must be carefully examined and weighted with an open mind.
Practitioner experience/knowledge should be used as a lens.
Steps of EBP -
ANSWER
1. Develop an
ANSWER
able question
2. Search for best evidence
3. Evaluate evidence
4. Apply best evidence
5. Evaluate outcomes
Step 1 of EBP -
ANSWER
Develop
ANSWER
able question - PICOT
What does PICOT stand for? -
ANSWER
Population characteristics
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome
,Time
Step 2 of EBP -
ANSWER
- Search for best evidence
- Search peer-reviewed lit
- Discuss with other coaches or academics
Step 3 of EBP -
ANSWER
Evaluate evidence.
- Determine quality and applicability of evidence: pay attention to reproducibility and sources of bias
Step 4 of EBP -
ANSWER
Application of best evidence.
- Decision should be based on the strength of research, athlete needs, budgetary restrictions and
professional judgement
Step 5 of EBP -
ANSWER
Evaluate outcomes.
- Assessment of effectiveness of application
What defines strong evidence? -
ANSWER
- Systematic responses from a number of studies.
- RCTs
- Small CIs
- Homogeneity of research findings (i.e. lots of sources saying the same thing)
Order of source prioritisation -
,ANSWER
1. Research evidence
2. Work-based research
3. Feedback from organisation
4. Practitioner experiences and expertise
Hierarchy/levels of evidence (5) -
ANSWER
GRRAP
1. Generalisability
- applicability of findings
2. Reliability
- result stability and consistency
3. Replicability
4. Authority
- study results from a well-known and respected academic
5. Peer-reviewed
- study been through checking process and critique by fellow researchers
What is Validity? -
ANSWER
Degree to which a test measures what it says it measures.
2 types of Validity -
ANSWER
1. Internal
2. External
, What 3 things can change the Internal Validity of a study? -
ANSWER
1. Subject variability
2. Size of population
3. Time
What is External Validity? -
ANSWER
Is the research question applicable to the situation being observed
What is 'A' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
RCTs with a rich body of data
What is a 'B' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
RCTs with a limited body of data
What is a 'C' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
Non-randomised trials or observational studies
What is a 'D' level of evidence? -
ANSWER
Expert opinion
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome? -
ANSWER
What drives the stress response during exercise
