Dissertation
Module title | Dissertation |
---|---|
Module code | SHSM029 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 60 |
Module staff | Dr Gavin Buckingham (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 | 7 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
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Module description
This module gives you the opportunity to pursue a research topic that is of personal interest to you. It will enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of the theoretical background, methodological techniques and skills that are related to your topic of interest. The dissertation can be conducted within a single discipline or be interdisciplinary in nature. You will be supervised by a member of staff and be expected to demonstrate independence in the conception, development, implementation, and reporting of the research project. It is hoped that the project will lead to a scientific conference presentation and/or publication in an academic journal.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The dissertation is an opportunity for you to pursue systematically, and in depth, a personal interest in a particular topic, utilising the concepts, techniques, and skills developed within module SHSM030 on quantitative research methods. The dissertation may be based within a particular area of the programme or may be interdisciplinary in nature, and will encourage the synthesis of appropriate knowledge from different fields. It will cultivate independence of thought and develop your ability to find, and present material, according to selected approaches to understanding and prescribed methods of investigation.
Graduate attributes. As part of this module you are expected to develop the following skills:
- Strategic thinking and problem solving in designing your data collection
- Application of knowledge in interpreting findings of your research
- Building confidence as a communicator in discussing your research with peers and your supervisor
- Enquiring mind in pursuing further reading on topics covered in the module.
- Data management skills in collecting and recording data and analysing findings
- Ethical awareness when planning your research
- Writing a scientific paper for publication
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an increased depth of knowledge regarding the specific topic of research interest
- 2. Select an appropriate form of investigation
- 3. Use appropriate techniques of data collection and analysis
- 4. Present work using specified journal guidelines
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Identify a research problem or issue within sport and health sciences
- 6. Review relevant literature or documentation
- 7. Interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions
- 8. Organise and present material in a clear, well-structured form
- 9. Critically assess and evaluate evidence
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Manage time effectively and prioritise tasks by working to strict deadlines
- 11. Take responsibility for your learning by planning tasks with limited guidance, identifying your resources and seeking and making use of feedback
- 12. Evaluate and assess your abilities, performance and understanding and reflect on your learning
Syllabus plan
September to April: Ethics application, literature review, data collection and write-up
May: Journal article submission
May: Viva voce oral defense
NOTE: You are required to obtain ethical approval by the Sport and Health Sciences Ethics Committee. Any dissertation submitted without ethical approval will receive a mark of zero. Please ensure that you are aware of the ethics committee deadlines. Failure to submit an ethics application before the final ethics deadline will result in a mark of zero for the written form of assessment.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
9 | 591 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | Dissertation supervision meetings |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 4 | Dissertation conference |
Guided independent study | 150 | Complete ethics application, research and produce review of the literature and methodologies |
Guided independent study | 340 | Carry-out research project and analyse data |
Guided independent study | 101 | Write up final version of dissertation and prepare oral presentation |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Commenting on one draft of the dissertation (not to include the discussion section of the dissertation) | To include the abstract, introduction, methods and results sections of the dissertation. Word count will vary according to the specific requirements of the target journal but is likely to be in the region of 2500-4000 words. | All | Written and oral |
Preparation for the viva voce oral defence | 15 minute tutorial | All | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
60 | 0 | 40 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Written journal article, formatted in accordance with the target journal | 60 | Between 3500 and 8000 words depending on the target journal | All | Written |
Viva voce oral defence | 40 | 30 minutes | All | Written |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Written journal article | Written journal article | All | August/September assessment period |
Oral presentation | Oral presentation | All | August/September assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to retake the assessments you have failed. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- American Psychological Association (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: APA.
- Barrass, R. (2002). Scientists must write: A guide to better writing for scientists, engineers, and students (2nd ed.). London, UK: Routledge.
- Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics (4th ed.). London, UK: Sage.
- Huck, S. W. (2008). Reading statistics and research (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
- Nevill, A. M., Atkinson, G., &a Scott, M. A. (2009) Statistical methods in kinanthropometry and exercise physiology. In Eston, R.G. and Reilly, T. (Eds.) Kinanthropometry and exercise physiology laboratory manual: Tests, procedures and data (3rd ed., Vol 1, pp. 250-299).
- Vincent, W. J. (2005). Statistics in kinesiology. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
- Winter, E. M., Eston, R. G., & Lamb, K. L. (2001). Statistical analyses in the physiology of exercise and kinanthropometry. Journal of Sport Sciences, 19, 761-775.
- Sternberg, R. J., & Sternberg, K. (2010). The psychologist’s companion: A guide to scientific writing for students and researchers (5th ed.) New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
- Strunk, W., Jr., & White, E. B. (2000). The elements of style (4th ed.). New York, NY: Longman.
- Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013).Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
- Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K., & Silverman, S. J. (2011). Research methods in physical activity (5th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
- Williams, C., & Wragg, C. (2004). Data analysis and research for sport and exercise science: A student guide. London, UK: Routledge.
You should also take the opportunity to read exercise and sport science journals. The special issue of Journal of Sports Sciences (Volume 19, Number 10, October 2001) on research methods will be of particular interest.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Taught postgraduate dissertation guidelines. This is a detailed document available to all taught postgraduate students via ELE at the commencement of the programme.
Credit value | 60 |
---|---|
Module ECTS | 30 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | SHSM030 and SHSM031 |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 03/06/2016 |
Last revision date | 18/11/2016 |