Module SPRT2432: Contemporary Research in Sport and Exercise Sciences

Department: Sport and Exercise Sciences

SPRT2432: Contemporary Research in Sport and Exercise Sciences

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 and develop abilities in deploying these methods.
• Understand approaches to quantitative data analysis, and develop abilities in statistical analysis.
• Acquire knowledge, skills and experience in the communication of research.
• Ultimately, develop an in-depth understanding of research purpose, design and planning, thereby providing an informed foundation for the final-year Dissertation module and beyond.

Content

• Lectures, Research Carousels*, Seminars and Workshops to deliver on:
• Research philosophy, process, design and practice;
• Research ethics;
• Stakeholder involvement and the trans disciplinary approach;
• Searching for and reviewing published literature;
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research;
• Writing a data analysis plan;
• Communicating research.
• *Research Carousels feature guest speakers to present on their own SES research and application/value in practice. The Research Methods Proposal Presentation provides students with practical experience in presenting a research proposal and responding to questions.

Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
• Knowledge of research philosophy, design, and practice;
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis for quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research in sport and exercise sciences;
• Knowledge of the importance of ethical research and protocols for ethical approval at Durham University.

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
• Skills in transdisciplinary research design;
• Skills to design and implement a qualitative data analysis plan;
• Skills to design a quantitative data analysis plan and to perform statistical analyses.

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
• Developing independence;
• Literature searching and reviewing;
• Research design and planning;
• Presentation skills;
• IT skills.

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

• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:
• Teaching and learning will take the form of weekly lectures and weekly seminars or workshops and ‘Research Carousels’.
• The module summative assessment will have two components:
• 1. In-class Research Methods test (60 minutes);
• 2. Dissertation research proposal that will be assessed via a written assessment (1500 words).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Research Design Proposal Presentation (10 minuts A1 poster presentation with 5 minutes for questions).

■ 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