Achievement of postgraduate diploma with 120 credits.

Bryman, A. (2001). Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gratton, C. and Jones, I. (2004). Research Methods for Sports Studies. London: Routledge.
Glathorn, A. (1998) Writing the winning dissertation: A step by step guide. London: Corwin Press.
Hart.C (1998) Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the social science research Imagination, London:
Hart.C (2001) Doing a Literature Search: a comprehensive guide for the social sciences, London: Sage Publications.
Hart.C (2005) Doing your Masters Dissertation Sage: London
Hopkins, W.G. A New View of Statistics, to be accessed at:
http://www.sportsci.org/resource/stats/index.html
Ntoumanis, N. (2001). Step-by-Step Guide to SPSS for Sport & Exercise Studies ISBN: Willig, C. (2008). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Access to an appropriately specified PC, with accompanying Word, PowerPoint, Adobe and Java software.

Biomechanics Laboratory and other resources as identified in individual projects.

Learning will be self-directed, supported through the process of supervision and focussed upon achieving the learning outcomes. Regular tutorials with supervisors will be offered with the maintenance of a paper based written record of the meetings to provide feedback and support. Electronic Group discussions and seminar presentations will be offered to provide opportunities for the sharing of experiences/progress which are also intended to provide a mechanism for informal peer support and develop a post-graduate research culture amongst your group. Students will be required to access additional support material independently.

All pre course reading materials, course documentation and power point presentations delivered during contact weekends will be available through blackboard. Students are encouraged to participate in the discussion forums within blackboard to enhance the teaching / learning experience.

Once ethical approval has been obtained students will work with a supervisor to complete the dissertation using agreed milestones.

In this module you will demonstrate your ability to undertake a piece of research of your choosing investigating an aspect from your subject area. You must focus your research in a particular research area forming the title of your final award.
In the early stages of the module you will need to demonstrate an ability to persue the development of a research proposal in conjunction with your supervisor. This will very likely involve revisiting and revising some of your earlier work. You will need to take your proposal through approval processes, including adherence to ethical protocols where necessary/appropriate.

Students will be required to complete 2 pieces of summative assessment.

(1) To provide a detailed research proposal (2000 words) that outlines the rationale, proposed method, proposed analyses, costings, a schematic timetable of research and consideration of ethical issues to the Dissertation and Ethical Approval Committee. This is worth 10% of the module grade and assesses LO 1 .

(2) To submit a dissertation in line with the guidelines provided. Depending on the award specific demands, the dissertation will be a 12,000 word (maximum) thesis typically comprising an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion, This is worth 90% of the module grade and assesses LO's 2-7.

In addition, students are required to submit to the module leader three, two monthly, progress reports, following a template provided at the beginning of the module. Students are required to submit 2 bound hard copies of their dissertation. Formative feedback will be given in meetings with supervisors. In the dissertation you will need to critically evaluate philosophical issues, the research method employed, ethical issues associated with conducting the research or in appraising the existing published research, analyse the data collected, reflect upon and evaluate the findings and make a statement that demonstrates how your findings may influence your specialist subject area.

All assessment elements of the module must be passed.

Additional Assessment Details:
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via tutorial sessions and email discussions.