SMGT30010 Research Methods for Sport

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module explores the research process and prepares students to be able to design, conduct and report on their selected sports studies-related topic for the Stage III Sports Dissertation. The module provides an overview of the theoretical, empirical and logistical issues which confront the researcher administering a study within the field. This includes considerations about different types of research methods, the requirement for a robust research design, obtaining ethical approval, as well as data collection, analysis and the presentation of research results.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- understand the key features of research design within the field of sport studies;
- appraise and critically review selected bodies of literature within the field of sport studies;
- identify research gaps, define research objectives, formulate researchable questions and /or testable hypotheses within a specific area of sport studies;
- write up a detailed project plan / proposal which can form the basis for an actual research project;
- embark on, within confidence, a fully design final year research project.

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1, Seminar 1:
Introduction to the module, description of assessment items and understanding the research process
Suggested Readings:
Gratton and Jones* (2010), chapters 1 and 2
Skinner, Edwards and Corbett* (2015), chapters 1, 2 and 3 *full citation above

Week 3, Seminar 2:
Systematic reviewing: refining the research question, defining research objectives, and identifying research keywords
Gratton and Jones (2010), chapters 4, 5 and 7
Skinner, Edwards and Corbett (2015), chapter 3

Week 5, Seminar 3:
Systematic reviewing: using library resources to access and critically evaluate published research
https://libguides.ucd.ie/sports
http://libguides.ucd.ie/endnote
http://www.ucd.ie/library/elearning/endweb/story.html
http://libguides.ucd.ie/ld.php?content_id=4605428

Week 7, Seminar 4:
Quantitative research studies and data analysis
Suggested Readings:
Gratton and Jones (2010), chapters 8 and 12
Skinner, Edwards and Corbett (2015), chapters 15, 16 and 17

Week 9, Seminar 5:
Qualitative research studies and data analysis
Suggested Readings:
Gratton and Jones (2010), chapters 9 and 13
Skinner, Edwards and Corbett (2015), chapters 4 and 5

Week 11, Seminar 6:
Module review: preparing for the Sports Dissertation
Suggested Readings:
Gratton and Jones (2010), chapters 14 and 15

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

65
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The research stream of the BSc Sport & Exercise Management in Stage 3 is where students are required to work most independently. On this module, SMGT30010 Research Methods for Sport, students work on a research project from a list of topics that have been specified in advance by expert supervisors within the Centre for Sports Studies.

This work entails a systematic literature review of the available research evidence in the chosen topic area. Students will learn how to articulate a meaningful research question, and they will be introduced to the techniques and technologies that expert scientists in the field of sport and exercise science and management use to answer them.

Although the module promotes independent learning, students will be supported over the course of the semester by attending the six research seminars in weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Students will also have the opportunity to meet with the expert supervisor who has devised the topic that they have chosen to specialise in. The approach to teaching and learning on the module is therefore one of guided discovery - a teaching and learning environment where students are actively participating in and collaborate on the discovery of new research knowledge. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
SMGT10260 - CoreSkills for SportManagement


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Literature Review Week 12 n/a Graded No

50
Journal: Research Planning Portfolio Week 7 n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will received feedback directly on their Week 7 Portfolio submission. This is intended to 'feed forward' into the students final Literature Review submission in Week 12. No direct feedback will be given on the Week 12 Literature Review submission. Instead, students will work on the Literature Review with their Sports Research Project or Dissertation supervisors in Semester 2.

Name Role
Ms Amy Bermingham Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Eamonn Delahunt Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Varsha Eswara Murthy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ross Neville Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Diarmuid Stokes Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Giampiero Tarantino Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Eleni Theodoraki Tutor