SR3D005 - Dissertation 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 6

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SR3D005
Module Title: Dissertation
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Stuart Jarvis
Module Team: Ioan Paval, tony wallis, Dean Parsons, Sara Gray, Nathan Evans, Tom Owens
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100095 - sports coaching 100962 - research skills
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 6
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To enable the student to design and conduct an independent study and to be able to critically evaluate scientific data and literature.

Content Summary

Types of dissertation projects. Procedures used to organise experimental studies including the basis of experimental design. How to write and reference a research project proposal. Review of statistical theory (e.g. probability, error, power, and sample size), and a range of statistical techniques. Methods of data tabulation and graphic presentation. Review of qualitative theory and action research frameworks, in addition to appropriate data collection, analysis and presentation techniques. How to understand and access the scientific media and literature. Issues involved in human experimentation, ethics, governance, health and safety, data protection. Communication skills.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Tutorial 6
Independent Study 193
Directed Study 193
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 The student will be able to demonstrate an ability to critically review, evaluate and synthesise scientific literature from a range of appropriate sources.
LO2 The student will be able to design and conduct an experimental/investigative study and be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of various research designs, including the strengths and weaknesses of their own study.
LO3 The student will be able to organise, analyse and report scientific data using appropriate statistical and/or qualitative techniques and present the research in a clearly written, academically cogently argued, logically structured and appropriately referenced form.

Module Requisites

Code Title Requisite Type
MOD006502 Research Methods pre-requisite
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Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 Students will present and defend their dissertation project. 20 N/A 25 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Dissertation / Major Project 1 Students will complete a dissertation. 0 6000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 A brief outline of a research project to include hypotheses and methodology. Dissertation students will be expected to follow appropriate USW procedures for gaining and achieving ethical approval prior to beginning their dissertation. 0 2000 25 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1
Dissertation / Major Project 1
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1

Reading List

Link to Library reading list:  

https://rl.talis.com/3/southwales/lists/25B7D88F-651C-A40A-1E65-4975F78FECDC.html?lang=en

Clark, T. et al. (2021) Bryman’s social research methods. Sixth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.  

Field, A.P. (2018) Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. 5th edition. London: SAGE Publications.  

Jones, I. (2022) Research methods for sports studies. Fourth edition. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. 

Nelson, L., Groom, R. and Potrac, P. (2014) Research methods in sports coaching. London: Routledge.  

Ntoumanis, N. (2001) A step-by-step guide to SPSS for sport and exercise studies. London: Routledge.  

Skinner, J., Edwards, A. and Corbett, B. (2015) Research methods for sport management. London: Routledge.  

Sparkes, A.C. (2014) Qualitative research methods in sport, exercise and health: from process to product. New York: Routledge. 

Smith, M.F. (2018) Research methods in sport. 2nd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.  

Thomas, J.R. et al. (2023) Research methods in physical activity. Eighth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Weir, J.P. and Vincent, W.J. (2021) Statistics in kinesiology. Fifth edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, Inc.