Constructing and Standardizing the Sunk Cost Fallacy Scale for Coaches

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to construct and standardize a sunk cost fallacy scale for football coaches as perceived by youth football players in the southern region.

Materials and Methods. A descriptive correlational design was used. The population comprised 213 youth football players; purposive sampling was applied. The scale construction sample included 100 players, a pilot sample included 13 players, and a standardization sample included 100 players. Item development was based on literature review and expert judgment using a five-point Likert response format. Psychometric testing included item discrimination (independent-samples t-test for upper vs. lower 27%), item-total correlations (Pearson), dimension-total correlations, and reliability estimation using Cronbach’s alpha and split-half (Spearman–Brown). Analyses were conducted with SPSS version 25.

Results. The final scale contained 25 items across five dimensions (team and player management; training and injuries; tactical decisions during the match; strategic planning; coach’s personality). All items demonstrated acceptable discrimination and significant item-total correlations (p < 0.05). Reliability was high (Cronbach’s alpha 0.876; Spearman-Brown split-half 0.943).

Conclusions. The instrument provides a standardized tool to assess sunk cost fallacy related to coach retention decisions from the perspective of youth players and may support evidence-based administrative decisions and further research.