Module JXH-2016:
Research Methods

Module Facts

Run by School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Ross Roberts

Overall aims and purpose

Do you want to understand why, for example, some athletes perform better than others under pressure, why obesity is on the rise, how training and recovery influences performance or something else related to sport and physical activity? If so this module is for you! Research is fundamental to what we, as scientists, do and informs practice in the sport, health and fitness industry. Therefore, developing good research skills and being able to analyse scientific data are key skills to develop in order to support your successful career. The module is hands on and involves practical activities relating to data management, running data analyses, understanding different approaches to science, and developing your own research projects. These are real world graduate skills that will help make you more employable.

Course content

Delivered by active researchers and practitioners within the sport and exercise domain, this module is split into two components:

Part A Approaches to conducting successful research and designing scientific studies

Part B How to analyse and understand data: Computational statistics

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Acceptable level of understanding presented

good

Reasonably comprehensive coverage. Well organised and structured. Good understanding of the material.

excellent

Comprehensive and accurate coverage of the area clarity of argument and expression. Depth of insight into theoretical issues.

Learning outcomes

  1. Appreciate how different philosophies about ways of knowing influence one’s approach to research design

  2. Understand sampling procedures

  3. Understand the principles underlying measurement in quantitative research

  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles underlying variance testing (e.g., ANOVA) and regression (simple and multiple regression)

  5. Organise data in an SPSS spreadsheet.

  6. Interpret the main features of SPSS computer printout from ANOVA and regression analyses.

  7. Carry out basic procedures in the analysis of qualitative data

  8. Understand the principles of experimental design

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
EXAM Part A Midterm Exam 20
EXAM Part B Midterm Exam 25
COURSEWORK Part B Coursework

This assignment involves practical real world research skills requiring you to make sense of statistical outputs, interpret data and make sense of findings

 25
EXAM SAQ Part A Exam 30

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Practical classes and workshops

Part B 2 1 hour practical sessions

 2
Lecture

Part B 11 2 hour lectures + 5 online 30 minute lectures

 25
Private study

Part B private study to include reading, formative assessments, updating portfolio/ notes, exam preparation

 74
Practical classes and workshops

Part A 4 1 hour practical sessions

 4
Lecture

Part A 11 2 hour lectures

 22
Private study

Part A - private study to include attendance at enhancement sessions, reading, updating portfolio/notes, exam preparation

 74

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team

Subject specific skills

  • research and assess paradigms, theories, principles, concepts and factual information, and apply such skills in explaining and solving problems
  • critically assess and evaluate data and evidence in the context of research methodologies and data sources
  • describe, synthesise, interpret, analyse and evaluate information and data relevant to a professional or vocational context
  • demonstrate effective written and/or oral communication and presentation skills
  • work effectively independently and with others
  • demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical basis of scientific paradigms
  • demonstrate evidence of competence in the scientific methods of enquiry, and interpretation and analysis of relevant data and statistical outputs.
  • develop transferable skills of relevance to careers outside of sport, health and exercise sciences.
  • communicate succinctly at a level appropriate to different audiences.
  • demonstrate effective robust data collection methods

Resources

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Pre-requisites:

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: