SR2S176 - Research Methods (On-line) 01 Sep 2018 - 31 Aug 2024 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SR2S176
Module Title: Research Methods (On-line)
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Health, Sport and Professional Practice
Faculty Sub Group: Sport Science and Coaching
Module Leader: Andy Thomas
Module Team: George Rose
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100096 - sports development
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2024

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to build on the students experiences of research skills that was gained from their level 4 module in Academic, Research and Professional Skills. In addition, this module seeks to highlight the importance of research within both an academic and professional context. It is intended to raise the students’ appreciation of the range of approaches to research utilising qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. The module provides students’ with the opportunity to develop a research / project proposal in preparation for their elected level 6 Dissertation / Applied Professional Project module.

Content Summary

Within this module the student can expect to learn how to:-
Identify a problem from an academic / applied practice context
Identify the benefits of research to academic / applied practice
Identify various methods used in the process of research
Effectively use literature search tools
Purposefully review research papers
Think and write in a critical manner
Make an effective argument within an academic context
Effectively use both quantitative and qualitative method for data collection
Utilise appropriate software for analysing collected data
Prepare and present a research proposal
Be ethically aware during the research process

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 100
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically examine current contemporary and research literature pertaining to an area of interest and explain ethical considerations that are inherent in research / professional practice. 
LO2 Critically analyse and reflect on the use of Qualitative and Quantitative research tools that are used to elicit meaningful conclusions from obtained data and develop a detailed research proposal for an undergraduate dissertation / applied professional project within an area of interest. 

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 2 Students to present a research proposal in preparation for Level 6 Dissertation / Applied Professional Project 0 2500 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1 Portfolio of directed tasks that explore subject/themes identified from contemporary literature and research undertaken. 0 2500 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 2
Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1

Reading List

Armour, K. M. and MacDonald D. (2012) Research methods in physical education and youth sport. London: Routledge. 

Bryman, A. (2016) Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Jones, I., Brown L. and Holloway I. (2013) Qualitative research in sport and physical activity. London: SAGE.

Jones, I. and Gratton C. (2015) Research methods for sports studies. London: Routledge.

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

O’Donoghue, P. (2010) Research methods for sports performance analysis. London: Routledge.

Saunders, M., Lewis P. and Thornhill A. (2016) Research methods for business students. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

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

Smith, M. F. (2010) Research methods in sport. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Sparkes, A. C. and Smith B. (2014) Qualitative research methods in sport, exercise and health: from process to product. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Thomas, J. R., Nelson J. K. and Silverman S. J. (2011) Research methods in physical activity. Champaign, Ill: Human Kinetics.