Sport and Exercise Sciences  MRes

• Introduction to the use of sociological theories with particular reference to sport and exercise;
• The role of values and ideology in theoretically informed research;
• Detailed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of various dominant theories for an understanding of sport and exercise, including Marxism, Neo-Marxism and cultural studies, symbolic interactionism, figurational sociology, feminisms, post-structuralism and Bourdieu

• To develop in students a critical insight and awareness of the key sociological theories, as they have been applied to an understanding of sport and exercise. 

• Philosophy and theory - philosophical perspectives;
• Science & values;
• Ethical issues in research;
• Theory & data;
• Research and policy formation;
• Starting the research process: identifying the research problem;
• Timetabling research;
• Library & information science;
• Reviewing the literature;
• Sampling & survey techniques;
• Interviewing;
• Use of statistics, official data, historical documents;
• Content analysis;
• Observation & participant observation.

• To provide students with a critical understanding and knowledge of a variety of research techniques in order that they can justify their choice and use in subsequent independent research projects

• Applications to the Faculty Research Ethics Committee.
• Formulating the research question.
• Developing appropriate studies for hypotheses testing.
• Key factors in research design, reliability, and validity. Population sampling techniques.
• Current controversies in sports science research.
• Data analysis techniques - quantitative approaches, including a review of the use and application of old and new statistical analysis, flaws and faults in statistics.
• Introduction to data analysis software (SPSS for Windows) and descriptive and inferential statistics, using appropriate examples and data from Sports Science. 
• Reporting findings.
• Research ethics.

This module is designed to develop in students an understanding of research methods applicable to post-graduate study within the field of sports science. It is designed to facilitate students’ ability to evaluate research methods and critique current research within the sub-disciplines of sports science. These core skills have been identified as key skills of the sports scientist (BASES Research and Accreditation Guidelines). In particular, students will develop and broaden their knowledge of ethical issues in Sports Science research, quantitative research methods and analysis techniques through the examination of published research in order for them to prepare a research proposal and complete the Research Project.

In the first four weeks of the module students will further develop an understanding of the roles of the sports scientist (research and applied) and develop core competency skills and knowledge relating to code of conduct, ethical implications of applied sport science support work, and designing and implementing intervention strategies. In addition, students will also be provided with opportunities to develop skills related to applying and preparing for job interviews in applied sport science. While the approach to deliver the general material will be fairly broad, students will be able to focus the development of specific skills on their area of interest, i.e. psychology, physiology, movement analysis, nutrition, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, medicine).

Each student will work in their chosen area of sports science/medicine undertaking work for an assigned tutor and/or client. This may include links through the tutor with outside individuals and or organisations where appropriate. Where students are on placements external to the University, the Department, and the student, will ensure that the placement complies with the advice offered on the QAA’s ‘Code of Practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education: Placement learning’

• To prepare students for applied research in the field areas of sports science and medicine;
• To further develop in students the skills and competencies necessary for preparing and completing job applications and interviews in sports science/medicine;
• Develop the core practical skills necessary for working with athletes and coaches in field and laboratory settings;
• To develop transferable work placement skills (team work, communication, report writing).

On completion of the taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their taught programme of study. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the Dissertation Module Leader (Research Co-ordinator). The subject matter may be related to any area of the scientific discipline chosen by the student.

Students will be required to plan, conduct and report upon an independent piece of research and in doing so fulfil the post-graduate QAA benchmark of demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously. Through successful completion of the module students will gain experience in the research process by pursuing a topic of their choice utilising appropriate methodologies. The module will also provide a secure research grounding for those students who wish to go on to work for a higher degree by research
(MPhil / PhD.). The aims of the module are:

1. To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically and in depth a scientific topic of direct relevance to the programme of study and his/her personal interests.
2. To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in their chosen broad scientific field.
3. To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of two publishable scientific papers.
4. The ability to present and defend orally their research and answer questions relating to the research rationale, hypothesis, methods, results and interpretation of findings.

On completion of the two taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their chosen specialist pathway. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the Dissertation Module Leader (Research Co-ordinator). 

Students will be required to plan, conduct and report upon an independent piece of research and in doing so fulfill the post-graduate QAA benchmark of demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously. Through successful completion of the module students will gain experience in the research process by pursuing a topic of their choice utilising appropriate methodologies. The module will also provide a secure research grounding for those students who wish to go on to work for a higher degree by research
(MPhil / PhD.). The aims of the module are:

To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically and in depth a scientific topic of direct relevance to their chosen specialism and his/her personal interests.

To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in their chosen scientific specialism.

To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of two publishable scientific papers.

The ability to present and defend orally their research and answer questions relating to the research rationale, hypothesis, methods, results and interpretation of findings.

On completion of the two taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their chosen specialist pathway. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the Dissertation Module Leader (Research Co-ordinator).

Students will be required to plan, conduct and report upon an independent piece of research and in doing so fulfill the post-graduate QAA benchmark of demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously. Through successful completion of the module students will gain experience in the research process by pursuing a topic of their choice utilising appropriate methodologies. The module will also provide a secure research grounding for those students who wish to go on to work for a higher degree by research
(MPhil / PhD.). The aims of the module are:

To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically and in depth a scientific topic of direct relevance to their chosen specialism and his/her personal interests.

To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in their chosen scientific specialism.

To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of two publishable scientific papers.

The ability to present and defend orally their research and answer questions relating to the research rationale, hypothesis, methods, results and interpretation of findings.

On completion of the two taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their chosen specialist pathway. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the Dissertation Module Leader (Research Co-ordinator).

Students will be required to plan, conduct and report upon an independent piece of research and in doing so fulfill the post-graduate QAA benchmark of demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously. Through successful completion of the module students will gain experience in the research process by pursuing a topic of their choice utilising appropriate methodologies. The module will also provide a secure research grounding for those students who wish to go on to work for a higher degree by research
(MPhil / PhD.). The aims of the module are:

To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically and in depth a scientific topic of direct relevance to their chosen specialism and his/her personal interests.

To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in their chosen scientific specialism.

To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of two publishable scientific papers.

The ability to present and defend orally their research and answer questions relating to the research rationale, hypothesis, methods, results and interpretation of findings.

On completion of the two taught modules, students will have developed their knowledge base and attained a high level of competence in the application, analysis and evaluation of theory and practice. This knowledge and critical skills will have been assessed in all previous assignments, thereby providing students with the opportunity to undertake a research project relevant to their chosen specialist pathway. The dissertation subject will be agreed with an appropriate supervisor and the Dissertation Module Leader (Research Co-ordinator).

Students will be required to plan, conduct and report upon an independent piece of research and in doing so fulfill the post-graduate QAA benchmark of demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously. Through successful completion of the module students will gain experience in the research process by pursuing a topic of their choice utilising appropriate methodologies. The module will also provide a secure research grounding for those students who wish to go on to work for a higher degree by research
(MPhil / PhD.). The aims of the module are:

To provide the student with an opportunity to investigate systematically and in depth a scientific topic of direct relevance to their chosen specialism and his/her personal interests.

To enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in their chosen scientific specialism.

To present the outcomes of personal research in the form of two publishable scientific papers.

The ability to present and defend orally their research and answer questions relating to the research rationale, hypothesis, methods, results and interpretation of findings.