Questions vs Habits: Do You Want Data or Changes in Behavior?

Author Teofe Ziemnicki is TeamBuildr's Head of Sport Science and an accomplished Strength & Conditioning Professional.

With the introduction of our Consistency Coach feature, it may be time to examine the difference between questionnaire administration and using a habit-tracking feature. When is a questionnaire more appropriate, why would one question be more impactful when administered in the form of a habit-tracking questionnaire as opposed to a forward-facing-only question form? Which draws better results? Well, like most things, it depends!

What does research point to?

Though there is no direct research showing the differences between using a questionnaire or a habit tracker, in most studies done on habit tracking, the outcome being examined is whether the habit is consistent in the absence of the application used to track it. Even further, they determine if the application can cause any sort of change in behavior while in use[1]. The examination of questionnaires, especially in athletes, is generally to determine whether they are effective at determining the reliability and accuracy of subjective responses concerning objective information[2].

With this in mind, it might be fair to stick with what research is looking to prove or disprove in each category as to assume that to be the most effective avenue to administer either one of these tools. Habit tracking should be used to signal a change or continuation of behavior and help in the administration of that. Questionnaires should be used to acquire information that would closely match an objective measure, ie. load, fatigue, etc.

How to approach habits

Is your goal to modify and reward a certain behavior? Sleep patterns, water intake, academic responsibilities, etc. should likely be tracked as a habit. But why? All of the above are things that stack daily and are probably expected daily. Even more, all of these directly impact a person’s daily ability to function in their particular environment and therefore deserve a place in their hands to review. It has been theorized that habits and the ability to change them happen more often during a transitory time. The habit discontinuity effect states that with the change in environment and lack of old cues, it becomes easier to adhere to a behavioral change[3]. So timing of administration might be best, especially in a group setting. The best time to administer these might be at the beginning of the year when there is a complete change in the team.

When is a questionnaire better?

When posing a question to an athlete, you’re often expecting an answer that will draw you to some conclusion. If the answer is being used for something MORE than a binary (yes, no) and you want to analyze the response against previous data, or other information to draw further conclusions, use a questionnaire format. All of that to say, if the answer to the question is going to lead to further analysis, and the value is greater than a simple 0/1 response, it is likely best to make it a question with a scale or range.

How to spin this together?

It’s not lost on me that there is merit to understanding that 7.5 hours is sufficient sleep for most people but if the question on a habit tracker is “did you sleep 8 hours?” the answer in this case would be “No, but…..”. So why not use a questionnaire in the first place? My question to that question is, “Will they be ready for a conversation about why ‘just under’ may lead them to miss their goals”. Starting with a simple binary and some direct feedback, like streaks, will instill the habit of monitoring and logging, this opens the door to more conducive conversations about more nuanced topics that surround a question regarding sleep, nutrition, etc.

Habit tracking is a foundational approach to being able to capture more relevant information. Even further, if a team can't keep up with habits that are afforded to them daily, how can they be expected to comply in a relevant manner to a questionnaire?

Questionnaires can also facilitate the creation of new habits. Is someone having academic issues or stress from school? Create a habit of checking in with a tutor every other day, and create study habits of committing a certain time frame each day to academics.

Data Utilization or Data Hoarding?

What HABITS are you exhibiting in this process? This style of information can often lead to feedback fatigue. I’m not sure if this is a term coined in this manner, but I'm sure many practitioners have seen a decrease in compliance over time. My suggestions would be, especially in a team or group setting, anything you collect you should be reporting on. Whether that is visually or verbally, there needs to be points of expression that the information is being put to use. “Hey, I noticed everyone is doing well in answering the questionnaires, that has helped us push a little more since I can have confidence that you are handling the workload!” - “I noticed that our recovery habits have been slipping, are we not taking recovery seriously? Or are we not finding habit tracking to be important?” - Just a simple sign that the data is not only being tracked and used, but it is important because it merits time to be discussed. Data is not a replacement for conversation, it’s to inform a conversation and drive it in the direction it needs to go.

Athletes are not a vehicle to collect data to show professional worth and value. The information they provide should be expressed back to them with the intent of furthering their development.

Anything you track, be willing, able, and prepared to deliver intervention for change if the results you are seeing are not lining up with expectations and standards. It’s not enough to say “Hey you haven't met your sleep goal, you need to sleep more”, there needs to be an honest conversation with the person to ensure a strategy set in motion is not only agreeable but obtainable for the individual.