Development and Standardization of an Attentional Shifting Scale for Under-19 Football Players

Abstract

This research aimed to develop and standardize a scale for attentional shifting among young football
players under 19 years of age in Baghdad Governorate clubs, and to identify their level of attentional shifting. The
researchers used the descriptive method, as it was suitable for the nature of the research. The research population
consisted of 275 players from Baghdad Governorate clubs under 19 years of age during the 2025–2026 sports
season. The sample was divided into pilot, development, and standardization samples according to the
requirements for constructing psychological scales. The researchers adopted scientific procedures in developing
the scale, including defining its domains, formulating the items, presenting them to experts, and verifying the
psychometric properties of the scale through validity, reliability, internal consistency, discriminatory power, and
objectivity, as well as extracting scores and normative criteria. The results showed that the scale items had a good
ability to discriminate between players, and the scale possessed appropriate levels of validity, reliability, and
internal consistency, confirming its suitability for use in measuring attentional shifting among young football
players. Furthermore, the standardization procedures contributed to developing scientific criteria for interpreting
raw scores and converting them into scores. Standardized scales were used, and the scores revealed variations in
attentional shifting levels among the sample, reflecting individual differences. The standardized tables proved
effective in objectively classifying players into different levels. The researchers concluded that the scale is a suitable
and reliable scientific tool for assessing attentional shifting in young players and can be utilized in sports evaluation
and selection processes, as well as in designing future training and research programs.