SP6020 - Sport Development, Management and Coaching Dissertation (UG)

On this module you will learn about and will conduct an applied research project. You will develop in-depth knowledge of a specific area in sport (within the remit of your degree programme) in relation to a research problem of contemporary relevance to the industry or profession. You will do this by conducting and writing up a research project, through independent study, under the supervision of a tutor. As such, you will use the knowledge and skills previously developed in level 5, Sport Research and Practice and multiple-knowledge based modules, to engage in the research process. You will define a research question, critically review previous literature, design and implement an empirical study, after ethical approval. You will learn to design a project that is well planned, coherent, logical and ethical. After this you will learn how to disseminate research in written and poster format. You will learn how to apply the knowledge you create to make practice recommendations.

Your learning on this module will be a combination of taught sessions, directed learning and independent and critically reflective enquiry. The module is taught by staff who are experienced in sport research areas across the diversity of the programmes and the main part of the module delivery will be tutorial support from a designated supervisor. A research question will be formulated in consultation with the allocated supervisor. You will then design an appropriate study in consultation with the supervisor, receiving feedback on your plans. After completing the Department Ethics screen and subject to approval you will conduct your research project. Tutorials will be used to discuss progress with the study and write up.

Tutorial support is complemented by lectures covering the requirements of the module and seminars, where you will complete formative tasks (e.g. on research paper reviewing, research question identification, ethical considerations, research design and analysis), at appropriate points, to complement individual supervision. The schedule of contact and guidance within tutorials will be discussed by you and your supervisor, but must conform to Departmental Guidelines for Supervision.

Your learning on this module will be a combination of taught sessions, directed learning and independent and critically reflective enquiry. The module is taught by staff who are experienced in sport research areas across the diversity of the programmes and the main part of the module delivery will be tutorial support from a designated supervisor. A research question will be formulated in consultation with the allocated supervisor. You will then design an appropriate study in consultation with the supervisor, receiving feedback on your plans. After completing the Department Ethics screen and subject to approval you will conduct your research project. Tutorials will be used to discuss progress with the study and write up.

Tutorial support is complemented by lectures covering the requirements of the module and seminars, where you will complete formative tasks (e.g. on research paper reviewing, research question identification, ethical considerations, research design and analysis), at appropriate points, to complement individual supervision. The schedule of contact and guidance within tutorials will be discussed by you and your supervisor, but must conform to Departmental Guidelines for Supervision.

Aside from formal lectures, seminars and supervisor tutorials, learning is supported by an informative handbook which details the learning and teaching process and gives you guidance on the study conduct and write up. In addition, you will make use of electronic and on-line resources such as the module e-learning portal (elP), an online Department ethics screen process and an electronic reading list. Group


seminar activities will provide tutor and peer, support and feedback on your project. Support is also delivered via a module elP discussion where the module leader will respond to your questions, so that the whole group can benefit.

Aside from formal lectures, seminars and supervisor tutorials, learning is supported by an informative handbook which details the learning and teaching process and gives you guidance on the study conduct and write up. In addition, you will make use of electronic and on-line resources such as the module e-learning portal (elP), an online Department ethics screen process and an electronic reading list. Group


seminar activities will provide tutor and peer, support and feedback on your project. Support is also delivered via a module elP discussion where the module leader will respond to your questions, so that the whole group can benefit.

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)

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. You will demonstrate a critical awareness of the design, methods, and appropriate analysis necessary for a research project
2. You will develop specific understanding of the chosen area of study, of your research project.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will demonstrate the ability to plan, initiate, conduct, complete and synthesise findings from, an ethically sound independent research project
4. You will appropriately disseminate the research findings, application of this knowledge and - evaluation of both, to an audience.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will ethically plan, design, conduct, disseminate findings and store data from, a research project and will learn how to apply for, and achieve, ethical clearance for research.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will demonstrate a critical awareness of the design, methods, and appropriate analysis necessary for a research project
2. You will develop specific understanding of the chosen area of study, of your research project.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will demonstrate the ability to plan, initiate, conduct, complete and synthesise findings from, an ethically sound independent research project
4. You will appropriately disseminate the research findings, application of this knowledge and - evaluation of both, to an audience.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will ethically plan, design, conduct, disseminate findings and store data from, a research project and will learn how to apply for, and achieve, ethical clearance for research.

The assessment of the module consists of:

Formative assessment
Your tutors will support you in developing your project, through regular tutorial discussion and feedback on a research proposal, ethics screen, ‘plan on a page’ and 2 pages of example writing from each chapter. At the poster planning stage some interim feed forward from the Dissertation assessment will be given by supervisors to aid discussion of your study practical implications and limitations.

Summative assessment
1.) an 8,500 word research Dissertation (LOs 1-3, 5, 80% of the total mark). The assessment is designed to evaluate your ability to plan, initiate, conduct, complete, and present a research report This includes an introductory context, literature review, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion. The limitations of the study, future research directions and implications for practice are not included and instead form a focus for assessment 2.
(Feedback is provided via an ESAF distributed summary comment sheet).

2.) an A1 poster presentation and 10 minute oral response to questions (L.O.'s 2, 4 - 5 20% of the total mark). The assessment is designed to allow you to briefly present your research findings, then focus on the impact of these findings, the limitations and future research directions and disseminate appropriately to an audience.

(Feedback is provided via a written summary comment sheet, addressing the marking criteria).