Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHE5102

 
TITLE Research Methods in Physical Education and Sport (2)

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Institute for Physical Education and Sport

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will first provide an overview of the qualitative methodological framework, where discussion will revolve around methodological 'fit', and the links between ontology, epistemology, methodology, and selection of research tools vis-a-vis qualitative research. Students will be guided through the whole process of identifying a topic worthy of study, finding relevant literature, planning methods and choosing the right tools, collecting data, analysing and presenting results, conclusions and recommendations for qualitative research.

A significant part of this study-unit will focus on practitioner research, which entails systematic investigation of professional practice in different settings, including schools setting and sport settings. Such systematic investigation is carried out by professionals working within the identified setting. The concepts of self-study research as well as action research will be analysed for their valuable utilization as methodologies that enhance practitioner research. Biographical accounts and life stories as data collection methods, together with grounded theory approaches will be discussed, as will various methods of analysing qualitative data.

Study-Unit Aims:

- To develop students' research planning skills;
- To familiarise students with key concepts regarding ontology, epistemology, methodology, and selection of research tools;
- To teach students how to build appropriate research tools for qualitative data collection;
- To help students understand the analysis of qualitative data;
- To make students aware of the importance of interpretation;
- To enable students to start working on their dissertation;
- To make students aware of how to avoid plagiarism and how to use appropriate referencing.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate knowledge through argumentation of the link between different research methods;
- Distinguish the difference between grounded theory methods and thematic analysis, and the rationale behind these analytical methods;
- Apply analytical methods through reflective and critical application;
- Interpret results emanating from qualitative data;
- Analyse the benefits of practitioner research while applying it in context;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the process and applicability of action research;
- Present arguments backed by qualitative data;
- Utilize concepts and techniques used in biographical research;
- Analyse critically the methodological assumptions and approaches to existing research in physical education and sports;
- Possess the knowledge and skills necessary for undertaking research in sports studies.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Critically evaluate research literature in physical education and sport;
- Interpret findings;
- Build logical arguments strengthened by qualitative data;
- Identify a research area and topic in physical education and sport;
- Develop research questions;
- Design a research study;
- Evaluate the necessity of adhering to research ethics;
- Use different methods of analysis of data.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Menter, I., Elliot, D., Hulme, M., Lewin, J., & Lowden, K. (2011) A Guide to Practitioner Research in Education. Los Angeles: Sage
- Mertler, C.A. (2014) Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators (4th Edition) Los Angele

Supplementary Readings:

- Adams, J., Cochrane, M., & Dunne, L. (2012) Applying Theory to Educational Research: An Introductory Approach with Case Studies. West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell.
- Atkinson, R. (1998). The life story interview (Vol. 44): SAGE Publications, Inc.
- Attard, K. (2012) The role of narrative writing in improving professional practice, Educational Action Research, 20(1), 161-175.
- Bertaux, D. (2003). The usefulness of life stories for a realist and meaningful sociology. In Biographical research in eastern Europe, altered lives and broken biographies: Ashgate Publishing Company.
- Birks, M., & Mills, J. (2015). Grounded theory: A practical guide. Sage.
- Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory. Sage.
- Clough, P., Goodley, D., Lawthom, R. & Moore, M. (2004) Researching Life stories: Method, theory and analyses in a biographical age. London, Routledge.
- Douglas, K. & Carless, D. (2015) Life Story Research in Sport: Understanding the Experiences of Elite and Professional Athletes through Narrative. London, Routledge.
- Elliott (2005) Using Narrative in Social Research: Qualitative and quantitative Approaches, SAGE.
- Sparkes, A. (2002). Telling tales in sport and physical activity: A qualitative journal: Human Kinetics.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (15 Minutes) SEM2 Yes 15%
Report SEM2 Yes 25%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 60%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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