Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

120.000 Credits or 60.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr Anthony Blanchfield

The aim of this module is for students to complete 120 credits of research activity as part of a research project. To this end, four assessments are completed: a written proposal, verbal proposal, a written project and a verbal presentation of the final project

The aim of this module is to allow students to complete a research project in an area of mutual agreement with their supervisor in the School of Human and Behavioural Sciences. Students will have the opportunity to produce an original piece of research work and integrate knowledge and skills developed previously.

The content is student/project specific and will depend on the work the student does with his/her supervisor

good

The student’s work will demonstrate: a good degree of original interpretation; good re-construction and critical analysis of material; the use of recent research perspectives; and good depth and breadth of understanding. The communication style will be precise and concise with minor typographical or other errors. There will be very good referencing of primary source material where appropriate.

excellent

A and above: The student’s work will be of a standard that is close to that which would be acceptable for submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. This will involve original interpretation, critical analysis of material, the use of recent research perspectives, and will demonstrate excellent depth and breadth of understanding. The communication style will be precise and concise with very few typographical or other errors. There will be comprehensive referencing of primary source material where appropriate.

A- and above: The student’s work will be of a standard approaching that which would be acceptable for submission for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. This will involve some original interpretation, critical analysis of material, the use of recent research perspectives, and will demonstrate very good depth and breadth of understanding. The communication style will be precise and concise with reasonably few typographical or other errors. There will be comprehensive referencing of primary source material where appropriate.

threshold

The student’s work will demonstrate: some original interpretation; some evidence of extensive and thorough study; reasonably good reconstruction and critical analysis of material; the use of recent research perspectives; and reasonably good depth and breadth of understanding. The communication style will be acceptable with likely some fairly minor typographical or other errors. There will be good referencing of primary source material where appropriate.

1. Present a written report that communicates the completed, research project and their understanding of it;

2. Use existing literature to formulate research hypotheses and develop appropriate research methods in order to address a chosen research question

3. Demonstrate an ability to manage a substantial research project, including the ability to manage the ethics process.

4. Demonstrate a systematic, critical and analytical approach to the collection, organisation, and interpretation of scientific data

5. Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills appropriate to postgraduate level study.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION	verbal proposal	In this presentation you will present an initial proposal of your MRes project. Powerpoint slides must be submitted to Blackboard by 09:00 on 6th December 2021. Presentation of the verbal proposal must be arranged by you with your supervisor and verifier at a convenient time within the week beginning 6th December 2021. These presented slides must be the slides that you have submitted to Blackboard and must not be modified for your verbal presentation in any way. The length of the presentation will be 12 minutes with an additional 3 minutes of questions afterwards.	5.00
ESSAY	written proposal	In this assignment you will complete a written proposal of your MRes project. Guidance can be found within the module handbook	20.00
ESSAY	written project	In this assignment you will complete the full written submission of your MRes research project. Guidance can be found within the module handbook	70.00
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION	verbal project	In this assignment you will verbally present the findings of your MRes research project Powerpoint slides must be submitted to Blackboard by 09:00 on 30th August 2022. Verbal presentation of the project must be arranged by you with your supervisor and verifier at a convenient time within the week beginning 30th August 2022. These presented slides must be the slides that you have submitted to Blackboard and must not be modified for your verbal presentation in any way. The length of the presentation will be 12 minutes with an additional 3 minutes of questins afterwards	5.00

		Hours
Individual Project	In this module, a heavy emphasis is placed on independent learning. The module is therefore driven by the supervisor and the MRes student. The student should work autonomously while maintaining frequent contact with their supervisor in order to design, plan manage, analyse and report the research project(s) in a way that is reflective of the scientific process. Throughout the academic year it is the responsibility of you as the student to arrange meetings with your supervisor to seek adequate tutorial guidance for the preparation and completion of your MRes research project (including all summative assignments). As a 120-credit module, a rule of thumb might be to dedicate approximately 1200 hours to this module. This will include activities such as supervisory meetings, formative and summative assignment completion, research project planning and development (including ethics application(s)), and data collection and analysis. You should agree an appropriate level, and timing, of tutorial support with your supervisor. For this module, no specific deadline is set for formative submissions. It is therefore essential that agree dates for all formative assessment submissions with your supervisor.	1200

• 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.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• 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

• 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
• plan and design practical activities using appropriate techniques and procedures whilst demonstrating high levels of relevant skills
• project manage and execute practical activities using appropriate techniques and procedures whilst demonstrating high levels of relevant skills
• recognise and respond to moral, ethical, sustainability and safety issues that directly pertain to the context of study including relevant legislation and professional codes of conduct
• 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.

Compulsory in courses:

• C6AC: MRes Sport and Exercise Physiology year 1 (MRES/SPEPH)
• C6AD: MRes Sport and Exercise Psychology year 1 (MRES/SPEPS)
• C6AE: MRes Sport and Exercise Sciences year 1 (MRES/SPES)