5B014E - Red Card! Investigating Issues in Sport 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B014E
Module Title: Red Card! Investigating Issues in Sport
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Delme Parfitt
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language:
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh:
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100439 - broadcast journalism 100440 - digital media 100442 - journalism 100445 - multimedia journalism
HECOS Code Weighting: 25 25 25 25

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The main aims of the module are: 

  • To develop students’ understanding of investigative research methods used in both academic and professional sports journalism. 

  • To foster ethical awareness and critical evaluation in researching and reporting complex issues. 

  • To enable students to present their findings clearly and responsibly for different audiences, using both written and multimedia formats. 

Content Summary

This module introduces students to the principles and practices of investigative journalism and research within the context of sport. It develops the skills needed to identify, research, and communicate complex issues ethically and accurately. Through guided workshops and applied investigation, students will explore how to use interviews, data, and open-source materials to uncover and explain important stories. They will also engage with professional and academic frameworks of ethical research and reporting, understanding consent, sensitivity, and responsibility in storytelling. The module bridges academic inquiry and industry practice, preparing students for independent research and final-year investigative work by encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and professional integrity. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Scheduled Learning and Teaching 56
Guided Study 10.5
Summative Assessment 60
Independent Study and self-directed learning 173.5
Total Hours Selected 116

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply research methods and ethical principles to investigate a sports media issue.
LO2 Present findings effectively for both academic and professional audiences.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project Output 1 5-minute audio-visual feature (equivalent to 1,500–2,000 words). 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Online) 1 10-minute oral or visual presentation + 5-minute Q&A. 15 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project Output 1
Presentation (Synchronous Online) 1

Reading List

Week 1 – Introduction to Research in Journalism 

Essential Reading 

  • De Burgh, H. (2021) Investigative Journalism (3rd ed.). Routledge. 

  • Harcup, T. (2022) Journalism: Principles and Practice. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • BBC Academy (2023) Investigative Reporting Basics. 

  • Reuters Institute (2022) Investigating Sport: Data and Sources. 

 

Week 2 – Research Design and Ethics 

Essential Reading 

  • Wimmer, R. & Dominick, J. (2019) Mass Media Research: An Introduction. Cengage. 

  • Keeble, R. (2021) Journalism Ethics and Regulation. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • IPSO: Guidance on Investigations. 

  • TED Talk: The Ethics of Storytelling. 

Week 3 – Using Sources and Data 

Essential Reading 

  • Houston, B. (2018) Data for Journalists: A Practical Guide for Computer-Assisted Reporting. Routledge. 

  • Bradshaw, P. (2020) The Online Journalism Handbook. Routledge. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Google News Initiative (2023) Data Journalism Tools. 

  • Full Fact: How to Verify Information Online. 

Week 4 – Interview Techniques and Case Studies 

Essential Reading 

  • Boyd, A. (2018) Broadcast Journalism. Routledge. (Ch. 8). 

  • Lawrence, G. (2020) The Sports Writing Handbook. Bloomsbury. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • The Guardian (2023) Behind the Story: Sport Investigations. 

  • Podcast: BBC File on 4 – Sports Scandals Exposed. 

 

Week 5 – Communicating Research Findings 

Essential Reading 

  • Briggs, M. (2019) Journalism Next. CQ Press. 

  • Pavlik, J. (2020) Converging Media. Oxford University Press. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • Reuters Institute (2023) Visualising Data in Journalism. 

  • YouTube: Narrative Structures in Investigative Reporting. 

Week 6 – Professional and Academic Presentation 

Essential Reading 

  • Belbin, R. (2018) Writing Research Reports for Media Students. Routledge. 

  • USW Study Skills Centre (2024) Presenting Research Professionally. 

Supplementary Reading 

  • LinkedIn Learning: Public Speaking for Researchers. 

  • SJA (2023) Investigative Sports Reporting Awards Casebook.