SP5012 - Sport Research in Practice

The module will be primarily seminar led and enquiry based. Seminars will guide you through the research process and provide a practical understanding of some of the possible research approaches adopted and processes used to research in sport. They are intended to help you develop broad knowledge of the different types of research undertaken in sport and exercise, while at the same time facilitating your personal choices in terms of research direction.

Your learning on this module will be developed around, and will result from, designing a research project, which will involve you in carrying out a literature search, , investigating a topic that interests you and providing an outline of data collection and analysis methods that you would use in your proposed project. Each seminar will guide and engage you in the next part of the research process. Interactive sessions will provide the opportunity for detailed discussion and allow you to gain valuable experience in research data collection techniques such as interviews and questionnaires or observations. You will also be given time to use computer based tools to enhance quantitative data analysis. To help you develop data analysis and collection skills you will complete set tasks to facilitate your learning, during seminars.

Lectures will be used minimally to engage you further in your understanding of the underpinnings to key elements of the research process and its application in sport, and to feed forward to future seminars and the assessment. In addition, tutorials will support preparation for module assessment.

To complement taught sessions, you will be provided with a workbook at the start of the module which will scaffold your learning and guide you through the key stages of the module assessments. Additional content via the Electronic learning Portal (eLP) and an electronic interactive reading list is provided. Tutors will provide constructive feedback on your project and assessment development, via tutorials and responding to questions via the modules elP discussion board so that all students can benefit. During the module you will be able to take advantage of the University Library’s Skills Plus programme as you develop your skills as an undergraduate researcher.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Justify an appropriate research design and process involved in research in Sport Development, Management and Coaching
2. Select appropriate means of analysis and interpretation for data generated by research in Sport Development, Management and Coaching.
3. Review and interpret relevant academic literature for the purpose of a research project.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Construct a research portfolio based on a chosen research question.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate understanding of ethics and the ethical approval process.

Summative assessment

Portfolio (100 %) – You will be required to produce a portfolio which will cover the research process, linked to a a topic area that interests you (2500 words) (LO 1, 2, 3,4, 5).

Formative assessment

You will continually undertake formative assessment around the research process, in regards to research design, data collection and analysis, as well as the ethics process. Continuous feedback will be provided in seminars and tutorials to assist the completion of your portfolio.

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Sport Research in Practice will equip you with the knowledge and skills to conduct social science research in your sport subject area. It is a vital foundation preparation for the final year Dissertation. Through research led, tutored and enquiry based learning you will design an ethically sound research project, to address a question that interests you within your subject area. Skills of analysis, early stages of critical thinking and enquiry will be developed. Communication skills through data collection, tutor and peer discussion will be honed and your writing and planning skills will be extended.