Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module SPRT2432: Contemporary Research in Sport and Exercise Sciences

Department: Sport and Exercise Sciences

SPRT2432: Contemporary Research in Sport and Exercise Sciences

Type	Tied	Level	2	Credits	40	Availability	Available in 2022/23	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Tied to	C603
Tied to	C605
Tied to	C609
Tied to	C606
Tied to	C607
Tied to	C608
Tied to	LMV0
Tied to	LMVA

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

Develop conceptual knowledge and understanding of qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods in sport and exercise sciences with a contemporary and applied focus.
Understand the reasons and protocol for obtaining research ethical approval.
Expand searching and critiquing skills, along with understanding of the scope of literature underpinning practice in sport and exercise sciences.
Widen understanding of the application and value of research in practice.
Understand the principles of research design and validity.
Develop and apply skills in designing a research study.
Understand a range of methods for collecting and analysing qualitative data.
Understand approaches to quantitative data analysis, and develop abilities in statistical analysis.
Develop an essential and in-depth understanding of research purpose, design and planning, thereby providing an informed foundation for the final-year Dissertation module and beyond.

Content

Team-taught lectures, seminars and workshops to deliver on:
Research philosophy, process, design and practice;
Research ethics;
Searching for and reviewing published literature;
Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research;
Writing a data analysis plan;
Academic writing.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Research philosophy, design, and practice;
Data collection and analysis for quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research in sport and exercise sciences;
Research ethics

Subject-specific Skills:

Skills in research design;
Skills to design and write a high quality research proposal.

Key Skills:

Developing independence;
Literature searching and reviewing;
Research design and planning;
Academic writing skills;
IT skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching and learning will take the form of weekly lectures, seminars and SPSS workshops.
The module summative assessment will have two components:
1. Online research methods test (60 minutes);
2. Written dissertation research proposal (3000 words). The proposal should represent an idea for a dissertation. It is recognised that students may wish or need to change their idea by year 3.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	20	Weekly	1 Hour	20
Seminars	16	Weekly	2 Hours	32	■
SPSS workshops*	4	4 in Term 2	2 Hours	8	■
Preparation and Reading				340
Total				400

Summative Assessment

Component: Online Test		Component Weighting: 40%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Online Test	60 minutes	100%
Component: Dissertation Research Proposal		Component Weighting: 60%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Written assessment	3000 words	100%

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment will take place through regular online quizzes and completion of the dissertation topic form. Feedback can also be requested through tutorials.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University