Overview

This module is the second building block in your journey to learn about research methods and develop the skills that will ultimately support you in your final research project.

In this module, we will build on what you already know by including ways to test for relationships and differences between variables of interest. You will also learn how to report and how to interpret research findings which will be a crucial skill required throughout your degree and in your future employment. We will also learn about some of the issues that researchers face, for example, ethical issues, how to devise and test hypotheses among many other skills.

Not only will these skills support your degree journey, but they are fundamental skills for understanding, interpreting, and using the wealth of information that we are exposed to in everyday life and in future employment.

This module is assessed with weekly homework in which you will practice the skills you have learnt each week. You will also analyse data independently and write it up as a scientific research report. We'll sometimes have short quizzes in class, which won't be graded but are designed to help you to assess whether you've understood the content. We will also have in-class discussions to discuss experimental design and methodologies, and you'll design new studies to help you to practice your skills.

Topics to be covered include: parametric and non-parametric tests of association and tests of difference, reporting research and interpreting findings. There are two components to your module. Each week during the semester there will be a two hour lecture to introduce a topic. To support this lecture, there will be a one hour seminar every week, where you will gain hands-on experience of scientific research. The sessions involve discussions about a range of issues in experimental methods and statistics along with the opportunity to collect and manipulate data. Some of the activities will include considering ethical issues in research, devising research studies on selected themes, undertaking data collection and analyses, using electronic tools and hand calculations to describe and analyse data. You will also learn how to communicate the results of research in written reports. Each student should expect to complete 100 hours of work for this module across the semester (including scheduled classes, independent research, and completing assignments).

For reading list, please refer the BlackBoard site for this module. https://blackboard.bang...es/_110192_1/cl/outline

Assessment Strategy

Threshold: D- to D+ Knowledge of key principles only. Many errors and weaknesses in terms of presentation and accuracy. A little understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Little use of evidence to support the points made. Arguments were presented in written assignments, but they did not flow, and there was no evidence of original interpretation nor critical thinking. Very little use of evidence to support the points made, and little evidence of additional reading. Relatively interesting and relevant research questions were presented, but lacked a firm understanding of research methods. No evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

Satisfactory: C- to C+ Satisfactory presentation of knowledge about research methods in a relatively clear manner, but with a few inaccuracies. Satisfactory understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Satisfactory use of evidence to support the points made. Satisfactory development of critical arguments in written assignments, however the arguments presented lacked coherence. Very little evidence of additional reading. Satisfactory presentation of interesting and relevant research questions, demonstrating some understanding of research methods and a satisfactory evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

Good: B- to B+ Good presentation of strong knowledge about research methods in a clear, concise, and accurate manner. Good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Good use of evidence to support the points made. Good and logical development of critical arguments in written assignments, evidence of additional reading, and original interpretation. Good use of additional research, to support the points made. Good presentation of interesting and relevant research questions, demonstrating a true understanding of research methods, and a good evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

Excellent: A- to A** Excellent presentation of comprehensive knowledge about research methods in a clear, concise, and accurate manner. Excellent understanding of the advantages and disadvantages associated with different research methods. Excellent use of evidence to support the points made. Excellent and logical development of critical arguments in written assignments, evidence of additional reading, and original interpretation. Excellent use of additional research to support the points made. Excellent presentation of interesting and relevant research questions, demonstrating a true understanding of research methods, and an excellent evaluation of the theoretical and practical applications of the field.

Learning Outcomes

• Become proficient in using the statistical package SPSS: correctly inputting data, independently running appropriate statistical analyses, and interpreting the output, thereby demonstrating an understanding of statistics as used in psychological and sports science research.

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of measurement, observation and experimental design as methodological techniques in psychological and sports science research, and how to apply these techniques within the context of a research project by producing a well-written research report that follows the guidelines of the APA.