Module JXH-2059:
Research Expedition
Research Expedition 2023-24
JXH-2059
2023-24
School of Psychology & Sport Science
Module - Semester 2
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Tommie Du Preez
Overview
The module content is designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn from each other and from experienced staff members. In this context, you will receive feedback from the staff on a regular basis, and if necessary, further training. Throughout this module, you will develop valuable skills required to plan, manage, and participate in a scientific research expedition. In addition, the scientific topics will highlight the multi-stressor environment typically experienced on expeditions, including issues related to fluid and energy balance, thermoregulation, sleep deprivation, as well as group dynamics and leadership issues.
Assessment Strategy
Excellent (-A / 70%>) Shows excellent knowledge and in-depth understanding of the theories. Shows evidence of extensive and appropriate selection and critical evaluation of reading/research beyond the prescribed range to direct arguments. Arguments and explanations are consistently provided and well supported by the literature. Writes in an eloquent and professional manner to both academic and non-academic audiences. Demonstrates a sustained academic approach to most aspects of the task and evidences a competent understanding of all the relevant taught content. Further, students must show that: they can plan a remote expedition, within a group, exercising excellent skills and judgement in respect of safety; have a comprehensive understanding of environmental hazards and possess a full range of appropriate strategies for coping with them, logistical challenges (e.g. broken equipment) and group health and wellbeing challenges (e.g. exhausted group member)and that they can evaluate, with a high degree of accuracy, their own skill, knowledge and the understanding levels, and the levels and those around them, to successfully deliver a remote expedition that is challenging and rewarding to all its participants.
Good (-C / 50%>) Shows good knowledge and understanding of the theories balanced towards the descriptive rather than critical or analytical. Shows evidence of appropriate selection and evaluation of reading/research, where some may be beyond the prescribed range, but generally reliant on set sources to direct arguments. Arguments and explanations are provided that are typically supported by the literature and in some cases may challenge some received wisdoms. Writes effectively and in a coherent manner. Demonstrates an academically rigorous approach to some aspects of the tasks. In addition, students must be able to show that: they can plan a remote expedition, within a group, exercising good skills and judgement in respect of safety; that they can identify, prioritise and respond to most commonly encountered environmental hazards, logistical challenges (e.g. lock downs) and group health and wellbeing challenges (e.g. exhausted group member) and that they can evaluate, with a good degree of accuracy, their own level of skill, knowledge and understanding to successfully deliver a remote expedition.
Threshold (-D / 40%>) Knowledge and understanding are sufficient to deal with terminology, basic facts and concepts but fails to make meaningful synthesis. Shows some ability to select and evaluate reading/research, however, work may be more generally descriptive. Arguments and explanations are limited in range and depth although some are adequately supported by the literature albeit descriptively rather than critically. There is a general reliance on set sources to advance work. Writes in a way which shows clarity but the structure may not always be coherent. Although the approach applied to some aspects of the tasks may lack academic rigour, there are some clear areas of competence within the prescribed range. In addition, students must show that: that they can plan a remote expedition within a group, without endangering themselves; that they can identify and respond to all environmental hazards, logistical challenges (e.g. lock downs) and group health and wellbeing challenges (e.g. exhausted group member) and that they can demonstrate a rudimentary knowledge and understanding of expedition planning.
The workshops and the practical expedition are compulsory. If a workshop or the expedition itself is missed without a mitigating circumstance, the student will have to re-sit the module in their third year. This will count as a re-sit and will be capped at 40%.
Module failure that prevents you from passing the year will require resit assessment and attendance at Supplementary Assessment Week (dates TBC). All resit work is capped at 40% for UG modules and 50% for PGT modules.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse and present scientific findings in an executive summary format.
- Apply problem solving skills commonly encountered during expeditions and group work. Additionally, they will demonstrate a high level of environmental awareness and proficiency in sustainable expedition skills.
- Proficient in successfully organising and actively participating in a wilderness expedition in a expedition environment.
- Successfully complete scientific research by collecting data in a field-based setting.
Assessment method
Written Plan/Proposal
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Written Research Expedition Plan: This module is integral to the Sport Science (Adventure Sport Science) degree, offering students a valuable opportunity to apply the scientific knowledge, outdoor activity skills, and life skills acquired throughout the course. After attending subject-specific scientific lectures and hand-on preparation workshops, students will engage in a mountain and/or water-based research expedition in a wilderness environment. The primary objective of this assignment is to enhance students' proficiency in planning and organising a research expedition in the wilderness. Their task is to write a comprehensive research expedition plan showcasing their capacity to develop a detailed and thoughtful strategy for a research expedition to a specific destination and adventure activity. The written plan needs to present a thorough plan, including emergency procedures, which they will execute during the practical expedition.
Weighting
25%
Due date
24/03/2024
Assessment method
Demonstration/Practice
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Group Performance Evaluation during Expedition: This module is integral to the Sport Science (Adventure Sport Science) degree, offering students a valuable opportunity to apply the scientific knowledge, outdoor activity skills, and life skills acquired throughout the course. After attending subject-specific scientific lectures and hand-on preparation workshops, students will engage in a mountain and/or water-based research expedition in a wilderness environment. During the practical expedition, students will be evaluated on their ability to complete/resolve various scenarios/tasks (e.g., first aid, lost / broken equipment, navigation skills). Students are presented with a scenario or task which they need to resolve/complete as a group. Students will receive an combined group mark for the task/scenario.
Weighting
12.5%
Due date
16/03/2024
Assessment method
Other
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Peer Appraisal Marking: This module is integral to the Sport Science (Adventure Sport Science) degree, offering students a valuable opportunity to apply the scientific knowledge, outdoor activity skills, and life skills acquired throughout the course. After attending subject-specific scientific lectures and hand-on preparation workshops, students will engage in a mountain and/or water-based research expedition in a wilderness environment. After successful completion of the practical expedition, students will peer mark each other on both the organising of, and actual participation in the practical expedition and its associated tasks.
Weighting
12.5%
Due date
30/03/2024
Assessment method
Report
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Written Scientific Report. This module forms an essential part of the Sport Science (Adventure Sport Science) degree, providing an opportunity for students to put into practice scientific knowledge, outdoor activity skills and life skills gained in other parts of the course. Following preparation workshops, students need to complete a mountain and/or water-based research expedition in a wilderness environment. During the research expedition students have to both run and take part in field-based scientific data collection activities. Students are to write an executive summary report on the scientific data they collected during the research expedition. The assignment should demonstrate ability to present scientific findings in an executive summary format.
Weighting
50%
Due date
07/05/2024