Analyzing The Reliability And Validity Of Talent Identification Practices For Athletes: An Adaptation Study

Abstract

In nations like Ethiopia, talent identification is vital for fostering competitive athletes by pinpointing individuals with promising potential and guiding their development through specialized programs.The aim of this study was to assess the significance and relevance of the reliability and validity of talent identification in Ethiopian athletes for an adaptation study.A descriptive survey method was employed. Five public clubs were purposefully sampled, with 156 athletes randomly selected from a total of 257. Data were collected using the talent identification questionnaire (TIQ), revealing a reliability value of 0.808 (r) in a pilot study conducted to ascertain the scientific authenticity of the adapted questionnaire. Hypotheses were tested at a significance level of 0.05.The original TIQ has five dimensions, namely: anthropometry (ANTH), sociological predictor (SP), physiological predictor (PHYP), psychological predictor (PSYP), and technical skill predictor (TSP). The mean and standard deviation values for each dimension were 4.14±0.96; 3.78±1.05; 4.18±0.74; 4.47±0.76; and 4.28±0.76, respectively. Thereafter factor analysis was performed result increased from five to six dimensions, among six dimensions, five dimensions were hybrid whereas one dimensions are independent, and the factors were named: i) SP, PSYP, and TSP; ii) ANTH and PHYP; iii) SP and PSYP; iv) PSYP and TSP; v) SP and PSYP; vi) PSYP. Mean and standard deviation values of eachdimension were 3.87±1.06 (p<0.000), 4.21±0.85 (p<0.001), 3.98±1.15 (p<0.000), 4.02±1.08 (p<0.002), 3.83±1.23 (p<0.001), and 4.31±0.76 (p<0.000), respectively.The study considered questions regarding data reduction, feasibility, validation, and reliability of Ethiopian adaptations of TIQ. The analysis indicated enhanced reliability (test-retest) for the Ethiopian adaptation along with significant factor loadings (ranged from .745 to .863) as compared to the original TI(.621 to .726). Ethiopian adaptation of TI correlation increased (range: 0.194 to .890**) surpassing the original range (.134 to .873*). Cronbach's alpha improved from r = .879 to r = .885, affirming future validity in the Ethiopian population.In summary, the study recommends the consideration of Ethiopian adaptations for all purposes with sufficient construct validity based on the improved reliability and internal consistency observed in the adaptation compared to the original version of TIQ.