Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

60.000 Credits or 30.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Anthony Blanchfield

This module has been developed to help you carry out your own dissertation in an area of your choosing. This choice may be based on future career aspirations, previous experience and expertise, or equally, just because you are passionate about a particular research question. However, your dissertation should be driven by a goal to contribute in a meaningful way to the current knowledge base within a specific area of interest to you.

This module provides the opportunity to work closely with, and be supported by, an expert member of staff on a one-to-one or small group basis to help carry out your dissertation ideas. This module will enable you to put into practice many of the competencies gained throughout your Masters across a range of disciplines e.g. subject specific expertise, as well as more transferable skills such as critical thinking or being able to disseminate findings effectively to academics and/or practitioners. Completion of your dissertation should provide you with an in-depth understanding of the current evidence-base within an area of your choosing, pertinent to the field of sports science.

excellent

The student presents a critical understanding of relevant literature and theory to support arguments. There is evidence of an outstanding level of independent study. The dissertation is well structured and methodological approaches are appropriate. There is also evidence of original interpretation of findings. Project presentations and practical implications are communicated excellently to both academic and lay audiences.

good

The student presents a very good understanding of relevant literature and theory to support arguments. There is evidence of a very good level of independent study. The dissertation is well structured and methodological approaches are appropriate. There is also evidence of some original interpretation of findings. Project presentations and practical implications are communicated well to both academic and lay audiences.

threshold

The student presents a superficial understanding of relevant literature and theory to support arguments. There is evidence of a satisfactory level of independent study. The dissertation is structured ok and methodological approaches are somewhat appropriate. There is little evidence of original interpretation of findings. Project presentations and practical implications are communicated to both academic and lay audiences, but understanding of implications may be less well understood.

1. Be able to critique a chosen research area, identifying key take-home messages and gaps in the literature.

2. Implement an appropriate methodological approach in line with your dissertation aim / question e.g. a discursive approach, meta-analysis or systematic review.

3. Effectively synthesise and disseminate dissertation findings in a succinct manner via a written report.

4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate your Dissertation effectively to a lay audience in a clear, engaging and concise manner, focusing on key application and implications.

		Hours
Private study	Students will be required to complete independent study to complete their dissertation. This will consist of reading, organising literature, interpreting findings and assignment preparation.	580
One-to-one supervision	Students will be responsible for arranging regular tutorials with their supervisor who will provide guidance throughout the development of the dissertation.	20

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• 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.
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• 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
• plan, design, execute and communicate a sustained piece of independent intellectual work, which provides evidence of critical engagement with, and interpretation of, appropriate data
• apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems
• develop a sustained reasoned argument, perhaps challenging previously held assumptions
• demonstrate effective written and/or oral communication and presentation skills
• work effectively independently and with others
• take and demonstrate responsibility for their own learning and continuing personal and professional development
• self-appraise and reflect on practice
• 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.

Reading list

Jahan, N., Naveed, S., Zeshan, M., & Tahir, M. (2016). How to conduct a systematic review: A narrative literature review. Cureus, 8, 864. DOI 10.7759/cureus.864.

Pae, C.U. (2015). Why systematic review rather than narrative review? Psychiatry Investigation, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2015.12.3.417.

Compulsory in courses:

• B6AP: MSc Exercise Rehabilitation year 1 (MSC/EXREHAB)
• C6AV: MSc Sport and Exercise Physiology year 1 (MSC/SEP)
• C6AW: MSc Sport and Exercise Science year 1 (MSC/SES)
• B6AN: MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology year 1 (MSC/SPEXPSY)