Description
Research Methods and Analytical Procedures
Module title | Research Methods and Analytical Procedures |
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Module code | SHSM024 |
Academic year | 2019/0 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Dr Brad Metcalf (Convenor) Dr Melvyn Hillsdon (Lecturer) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 35 |
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Description - summary of the module content
Module description
Studying at Master's level provides opportunities to take part in and design exciting and innovative research. This module aims to provide you with the skills you need in order to make your research the best it can be. You will gain a better understanding of research methods, design and ethics, and learn how to use advanced-level statistics in research, including techniques that most of you will use to analyse your dissertation data.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will provide you with the tools to prepare for a Master’s level dissertation using quantitative research methods. The module will involve the development of an understanding of the use of advanced-level statistics in research, and will introduce you to some of the statistical data analysis techniques that might be used for their dissertation. It will also create an appreciation of what is involved in setting up a research study in terms design and ethics.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Analyse and evaluate experimental and non-experimental quantitative research design methods
- 2. Select and employ analyses using SPSS and evaluate and explain the SPSS outputs
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Describe the advanced statistics used in research in exercise and sports science
- 4. Critically appraise and evaluate different aspects of a research proposal and an ethics application
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Develop effective use of computer programs and online resources to solve problems and enhance research
- 6. Competently input, analyse and interpret various forms of quantitative data
- 7. Summarise the ethical implications of research
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
- Introduction to the module and lecture: the nature and strength of evidence
- Understanding a research proposal; understanding systematic reviews
- Understanding ethical issues and applications in research
- Research skills: managing data in SPSS and using online resources
- Dependent and independent t-tests, single-factor ANOVA
- Factorial ANOVA I (independent samples and fully-repeated measures ANOVA)
- Factorial ANOVA II (mixed model ANOVA)
- Power and sample size calculations; correlations and regression
- Multiple regression analysis I (forced entry, stepwise, hierarchical)
- Multiple regression analysis II (as above with moderation/interactions)
- Logistic regression using questionnaire data / assessment of repeatability
- Exam revision and formative assessment
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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33 | 267 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 33 | Lecture and seminar classes |
Guided Independent Study | 132 | Completing readings and weekly task on ELE |
Guided Independent Study | 135 | Preparation for assessments and exams |
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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ELE independent study tasks | Various | 1-2, 4-6 | Self-assessment / generic |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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75 | 25 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Research design report | 30 | 2000 words | 1-5, 7 | Written |
Data report | 45 | 1500 words | 1-3, 5, 6 | Written |
Examination | 25 | 1.5 hours | 1-3, 6 | Written |
Re-assessment
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 |
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Research design report | Research design report | 1-5, 7 | August/September assessment period |
Data report | Data report | 1-3, 5, 6 | August/September assessment period |
Examination | Examination | 1-3, 6 | 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 sit a further examination. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Field, A. (2009 or 2013). Discovering statistics using SPSS. 3rd or 4th edition. Sage: London (See also: Andy Field’s complementary website: http://www.statisticshell.com/ (on his website, click on “Statistics Help”). There is a link to this and other useful websites on ELE.)
- Huck, S. W. (2009). Reading statistics and research. 5th edition. New York: Addison-Welsey Longman (See also: Schuyler Huck’s complementary website: http://www.readingstats.com/. There is a link to this and other useful websites on ELE.)
- Vincent, W. J. (2005). Statistics in kinesiology. 3rd edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
The following texts are listed as additional recommended reading only. There are not necessarily multiple copies of all these texts, as they are not core reading. They may, however, be a useful resource. Most are on TR.
- Gratton, C. and Jones, I. (2004) Research methods for sports studies. Abingdon: Routledge.
- Nevill, A. M., Atkinson, G. and Scott, M.A. (2009) Statistical methods in kinanthropometry and exercise physiology. In Eston RG and Reilly T (Eds) Kinanthropometry and Exercise Physiology Laboratory Manual: Anthropometry, pp 250-299
- Ntoumanis, N. (2001). A step-by-step guide to SPSS for sport and exercise studies. UK: Routledge.
- Stevens, J. (2001). Applied multivariate statistics for the social sciences. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Tabachnick, B., and Fidell, L. S. (1996) and (2000). Using multivariate statistics. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
- Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K. and Silverman, S.J. (2011). Research methods in physical activity. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Module has an active ELE page
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 16/08/2012 |
Last revision date | 01/06/2017 |