module specification

This module will enable students to reinforce the skills necessary to carry out a scientific programme requiring significant research.  It will allow students to demonstrate the final development of their subject knowledge, skills and understanding through extended research based on laboratory, literature or field work, or meta-analysis of databases. This research will lead to the presentation of a detailed written report.

ST5060

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Educations Qualifications. This module aims to encourage students to reflect and build upon their subject knowledge and expertise by means of a specific investigation requiring significant research. During the course of the module they will develop the skills necessary to plan, carry out, analyse and report upon the results of an experimental or analytical programme on a scientific topic. The module gives students the opportunity to attain achievement of a high level of personal development by working independently with the minimum necessary supervision. This module aims to provide students with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and, the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Students will reflect upon their scientific background and intended academic outcome in choosing the subject for their dissertation. Students carry out an experimental project, preceded by an appropriate directed literature survey, within an area of staff expertise in the School of Human Sciences. Students are expected to work independently throughout the project.
Practical work:  Application of scientific knowledge and experimental skills to the design and execution of a subject-based practical project.
OR
Literature or database analysis: Application of scientific knowledge and research skills to the design and execution of a subject-based dissertation or meta-analysis.
Analysis, appraisal and presentation of the results. Work will be communicated both as a fully documented scientific report and in an oral presentation
The research programme will be carried out in consultation with a supervisor who will normally be an academic staff member of the School of Human Sciences.

Students will be guided in the use of directed reading and other learning resources in order to seek, handle and interpret information. In the written report, they will be required to produce a synthesis of their own and published findings.  Students will work as individuals on the design and execution of their projects but they are expected to take the initiative in maintaining regular contact with their supervisor.  They will be encouraged to think critically about their findings and, where appropriate, to provide solutions through the design of related experiments or alternative approaches to research. Students are presented with opportunities to gain peer and lecturer formative feedback on their projects and Graduation Statements within small group seminar sessions that take place throughout the year.

Students’ study responsibilities are articulated in the FLS Staff/Student Agreement which is available via the Faculty Web site.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Gather background information on a particular scientific topic and use this to plan a programme of  work directed to a specific aim.
2. Carry out a plan of work, modifying it as necessary in response to analysis of results.
3. Reflect upon the outcomes of the work and, using scientific creativity, propose additional research  desirable to further clarify the area.
4. Present a written report of the project in an appropriate scientific form.
5. Defend the work undertaken and its written presentation during an oral interview.
6. Work safely with due regard to the Department's Codes of Practice (practical work only).
7. Demonstrate their personal development through updating their curriculum vitae to produce a  graduate statement and keeping a logbook recording the developmental aspects and results of their  project.

The students are assessed by their supervisor  on a continual basis (logbook = 15% of overall mark, 1600 words), taking into account the student’s ability as an experimentalist/researcher, the ability to plan and reflect upon his/her work, and the general level of industry and initiative. This coursework will also contain an assessed element of the PDP. The logbook will be used to provide formative feedback and summative assessment. The final dissertation (65% of overall mark, 6000 words) is assessed independently by at least two members of staff, excluding the project supervisor(s). In awarding a mark the examiner takes into account the achievement of the student in terms of the results obtained, the clarity of presentation and layout, and the standard of the discussion including the student’s consideration of the wider context of the investigation in relation to sport and exercise science. If the two marks differ significantly, the final report is reassessed by a third examiner. An oral examination (20% of overall mark, 15 minutes), carried out by one of the readers of the final report in the presence of the project supervisor, assesses the students ability to give a verbal account of his/her work, to think and reflect critically on the work, and to communicate effectively. An overall aggregate mark of 40% or more is required to pass the module. All assessment instruments must be attempted. There is an attendance requirement for the delivered sessions.    

Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project, (4th ed.) Open University Press
Gore, C.J. (ed.) (2000) Physiological Tests for Elite Athletes, Champaign IL: Human Kinetics
Holtom, D., and Fisher, E (2006) Enjoy Writing your Science Thesis, London: Imperial College Press.
Peck, J., and Coyle, M (2005) The Student’s Guide to Writing, (2nd ed.) London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Peck, J., and Coyle, M (2005) Write it Right, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K. and Silverman, S. J. (2010) Research methods in physical activity 6th ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. [CORE]
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/celt/celt-for-students/ This is the main link to the University’s Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching. It contains links to Writing Essays, Writing Reports, Prevention of Plagiarism, and Writing up experiments and projects.