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This module supports students in identifying a suitable area of research and gaining ethical approval for a MSc research project. More specifically, students will develop their competencies of conducting a critical literature review within a topic area of interest and aligned with their course. Students will cover advanced topics in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis, as well as ethical issues in research in sport and exercise. Also, the development of the overall research project will be a key focus, including how to develop a suitable research question(s), and methodology. Students will develop skills on how to write a suitable research proposal (including ethical approval application).

Further, the module supports students conducting a rigourous and ethically-sound MSc-level research project in the students’ topic area of choice within their course remit. Following ethical approval for their research project, under the supervision of an academic member of staff within sport and exercise, students will independently manage and execute their research project. More specifically, this will involve developing relationships to organise data collection, collect suitable quantitative and/or qualitative data, input data appropriately, apply suitable quantitative or qualitative analysis techniques on their data, interpret the outcomes of analysis, critical evaluate the outcomes of the research in terms of theory, literature, and practice. Students are expected to meet regularly (online) with their allocated supervisor. These activities will lead to the production of a journal research article. Following submission of the journal article, all students will undertake a 30-minute viva voce (online) of their research project. Students will additionally develop a range of interpersonal skills and competencies including written and verbal communication, project management, leadership, relationship building and maintaining.

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 analysis, costings, a schematic timetable of the research, and consideration of ethical issues to the Sport and Exercise Dissertation Approval Committee (and where appropriate to the University Ethics Committee). This is worth 10% of the module grade and assesses LO1.

(2) To submit a dissertation in line with the guidelines of a selected journal (8000 words) and undergo a 30 minute viva voce examination of the submitted dissertation. This assessment is worth 90% of the module grade and assesses LO's 2-7.

Students will initially follow an five-week guided study programme and access support material via Blackboard. Students are supported to undertake and complete their MSc research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff. Students will primary work independently to execute their research project. They will agree with their allocated supervisor to meet up/review progress online as appropriate throughout the process. Students will be required to access additional support material independently with a focus on their research area of interest. Students will use the collaborative discussion boards to further reflect on and analyse their own work, and the work of their peers to facilitate learning. The assessment set within the module will allow students to demonstrate understanding and critical analysis skills via content and task related activities drawn from the module topic areas, with a particular focus on producing a rigourous and ethically-sound research journal article. Students will receive formative feedback throughout the module comprising feedback from their allocated supervisor (e.g., on a draft of the thesis excluding the Discussion section), as well as through conversations during online meetings.

1. Choose an appropriate award specific research question and plan a suitable research project. Analysis
Knowledge and understanding
Learning

2. Demonstrate appropriate rigour in executing and conducting ethically appropriate research Analysis
Knowledge and understanding
Learning
Application

3. Demonstrate a critical awareness and evaluation of appropriate research literature.
Analysis
Application
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning
Enquiry
Problem Solving

4. Design and conduct a methodologically sound piece of research in award specific area.
Analysis
Application
Knowledge & Understanding
Enquiry
Problem Solving

5. Demonstrate competency in appropriately applying quantitative and/or qualitative methods to collect and data
Analysis
Reflection
Knowledge & Understanding
Enquiry
Problem Solving

6. Critically evaluate the outcomes of the research project.
Analysis
Application
Knowledge & Understanding
Enquiry
Problem Solving
Reflection

7. Produce a professionally styled research report, along with defending the research project in a viva voce examination
Analysis
Communication
Knowledge and understanding
Reflection

Access to an appropriate PC, with accompanying software including Office 365 (MS Teams, One-Drive, Word, PowerPoint et al.), Adobe, and Java software.
Access to appropriate reading materials, which can be accesses through the Staffordshire University library resource page for sport and Exercise.
SPSS for quantitative projects (note SPSS does not work on Chromebooks).
This module is delivered via Blackboard, with support via MS teams.

BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct (2009). Available from: https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/BPS%20Code%20of%20Human%20Research%20Ethics.pdf

This module supports students in conducting a rigorous and ethically-sound MSc-level research project in the students’ topic area of choice within their course remit. Students will independently manage and execute their research project, under the supervision of an allocated member of staff. These activities will lead to the production of a written journal article (as chosen by the student), followed by a 30-minute viva voce.