Students will be expected to provide a detailed lab report (1750 words) that outlines a review of relevant literature, the rationale and methodology of the provided data, analysis of said data, and a discussion of findings relative to previous research. Students will receive formative feedback throughout the module, comprising task-related feedback on a week-by-week basis, together with discussions to encourage peer-learning, in addition to comments from the relevant tutor.

This module develops students’ understanding of the research process within sport and exercise psychology and prepares them for their independent research project. Learners will engage critically with contemporary issues and emerging trends in the field, identifying how theory and evidence inform research priorities and practice.

Students will explore how to move from a broad topic area to a clearly defined and researchable question, developing skills in literature searching, reviewing, and critical evaluation. Emphasis is placed on understanding and applying appropriate research designs, methods, and analytical approaches used in quantitative research within sport and exercise psychology.

Through applied workshops and guided activities, learners will gain experience in planning data analysis, aligning research aims with appropriate methodologies, and communicating research findings in an academic format. By the end of the module, students will have produced an ethically sound, theoretically informed, and methodologically robust research report that is suitable for investigation at Level 6.

1. Critically evaluate contemporary research, theory, and ethical principles in sport and exercise psychology to¿identify¿gaps in knowledge and formulate coherent, researchable questions

Learning Outcome: Critical Reasoning & Collaboration, Research Skills

2. Demonstrate an understanding of quantitative research designs and analyses in psychology

Learning Outcome: Personal Development & Entrepreneurship, Digital Literacy

Students follow a single-semester study programme. Students will learn through a combination of asynchronous lectures, synchronous lectures, and webinars. Video lectures will be posted on the virtual learning environment (VLE), and students will be required to view these each week prior to completing the webinar activities, which will then be used to build upon the material presented in the video lectures. In addition, students can access support material via the virtual learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) and Microsoft Teams.

Students are required to access additional support material independently.

Students will learn through a combination of video lectures, independent activities, formative feedback tasks, peer to peer discussions, and 1-2-1 tutor support.

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment
Microsoft Teams
Internet access
Library facilities
SPSS

Harrison, V., Kemp, R., Brace, N., &¿Snelgar, R. (2021).¿SPSS for psychologists. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology prepares you to design and justify psychological research in sport and exercise contexts. You will critically engage with contemporary debates and emerging research to identify meaningful gaps in knowledge and develop researchable questions. The module develops core research skills, including literature review, methodological planning, ethical decision-making, and proposal writing. By the end of the module, you will have produced an ethically sound research report, providing a strong foundation for Level 6 independent research.