Explore UCD

UCD Home >

PERS30110

Academic Year 2025/2026

Research Thesis and Biostats (PERS30110)

Subject:
Performance Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
15
Module Coordinator:
Dr Massimiliano Ditroilo
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 5
Spring 10
Trimester:
2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Research/Capstone Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will build on the concepts developed in Research Methods in year 2 (PHTY30120), to engage students in a piece of applied/translational research in an area that falls within the current academic faculty research expertise and interest, e.g. exercise science, exercise physiology, sport rehabilitation, sport and exercise psychology and sport and exercise biomechanics.
The engagement of students in research will be achieved by using a group-based work structure where about 5 students will work together on a single project under the direct supervision of a designated research thesis supervisor. While planning and data collection will be carried out in groups, data analysis, writing up and reporting will be individual.
The module will offer an opportunity to revise and improve the understanding of some of the topics covered in Research Mehtods in year 2, such as quantitative and qualitative research; reviewing and critically appraising the literature; research integrity and ethics. It will increase the students' understanding of quantitative research design and will examine the association between choice of research design and appropriate statistical analysis. It will introduce concepts of exploratory and confirmatory research; open science; understanding of data and data management; associations between variables and reliability of measurements.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

- Demonstrate advanced understanding of quantitative research design and link it to appropriate statistical analysis
- Appreciate the importance of research integrity and the benefits of open science practices
- Use advanced features of Jamovi and Excel software for data analysis and presentation of results
- Work in a supervised group to carry out a research study, including planning, ethics application/approval, and data collection
- Communicate and disseminate their research findings individually, both in the format of a scientific paper and a debated poster presentation

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Small Group

90
Computer Aided Lab

12
Project Supervision

30
Specified Learning Activities

44
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

312

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will attend a weekly class (throughout the Autumn and Spring trimester), which will be in the format of a lecture or practical computer session or active/task-based learning. The research project will imply both supervised and unsupervised group work.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PHTY30120 - Research Methods


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): These timed exams will be conducted after each six week statistics block, assessing theory and software competence. Week 12 Autumn, Week 6 Spring Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes
30
 Yes
Thesis/Dissertation: This will be in the format of a journal article to be written individually. It will report the work carried out during the group project. Week 14 Spring Graded Yes
40
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): This will be a poster presentation, including 3 min oral presentation + 2 min questions Week 15 Spring Graded Yes
20
 Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: Students will engage in peer-assessment of their group members using FeedbackFruits. Week 12 Spring Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Ricardo Piper Segurado Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Ruairí Weiner Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mrs Karen Ryan Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 7-12 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Computer Aided Lab Offering 50 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 7-12 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 26 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 1 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 2 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Computer Aided Lab Offering 50 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.