INTRODUCTION
The primary aim of this assessment task is to enable you to develop a critical approach to research and to explore and apply philosophical, methodological, analytical and ethical issues associated with research in sport. Specifically, the assessment will require you to engage with a range of traditional and emerging methods in order to develop an understanding of the methodological challenges posed by researching sport in a changing society. Accordingly, you will need to draw from your knowledge of the module, while applying this to a specific ‘topic area’ relevant to your course.
This task will assess the following learning outcomes:
Explain, apply and evaluate the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of research.
Critically appraise relevant literature to underpin arguments and develop sound research questions.
Design ethical research studies and justify appropriate methodologies specific to the context.
The assessment will be summatively assessed by the submission of an essay.
The assessment is worth 100% of the overall module grade, and is assessment 1 of 1.
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ASSESSMENT QUESTION
REFER Information
The REFER Assessment will require two submissions: 1) a revised version of your original assessment; 2) a ‘List of Changes’ document.
As part of the REFER Assessment you will be required to modify your original submission in accordance with the feedback provided. Once you have made changes to the assessment, you will complete and submit a ‘List of Changes’ document (this can be accessed via the Assessment folder on My Hallam). This will highlight to the assessor where changes have been made.
Drawing upon a selected topic from your discipline, construct a Research Proposal that effectively outlines a clear and coherent study. Overall, your proposal should detail what you want to research, and why; your understanding of existing literature; and, your selected sample and method.
To help with this task, the following layout should be followed:
Research Title
Aims, Objectives and Research Question(s)/Hypothesis
Highlight the central aims and objectives that will structure your research. Aims can be specific, but objectives should be clear and measurable. Use these aims/objectives to outline a research question. Multiple questions/hypothesis can be provided (but no more than three).
Research Context/Literature Review/Rationale
Briefly appraise the key texts, theories and approaches that relate to both your topic and your question(s). This section should highlight your ‘awareness’ of the research area, as well as identifying potential ‘gaps’ within the literature that your research will meet.
Research Methodology
This section should provide a definition of both ontology and epistemology; using these definitions to support your positivist, interpretivist or critical realist approach. In addition, you will critically appraise both the advantages and limitations of your particular position in order to justify its relevance. This section should provide a philosophical justification for your chosen research method (see below).
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Research Method
Following your chosen methodology, your proposal should adopt a relevant Research Method. This will include a discussion of the method as well as a justification for your chosen data sample. Importantly, the relative strengths and weaknesses of your chosen Research Method should be discussed as well as any ethical considerations.
Significance of Research
What is the significance of your Research? In answering this question, this section will summarise the strengths of your project, highlighting how it will make a contribution to knowledge and the topic area. Attention can also be given to examples of applied practice.
