This module aims to:

Provide the opportunity for students working/volunteering in organisations within or connected to the sport industry to undertake a self-managed process of systematic practitioner inquiry;

Enable students to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired during the MSc to investigate an issue that impacts on the practice within their organisation using appropriate management research methodologies and/or data collection methods;

Enable students to problem solve and generate recommendations on actions for practice in order to address key challenges;

Create a collective and reflective learning experience through the sharing and discussion of findings and potential recommendations with the module cohort prior to final write up.

(LO1) Students will be able to diagnose and analyse a problem or issue within a sport related organisation using a structured process.

(LO2) Students will be able to analyse ambiguous information, synthesise knowledge and data in order to make reasoned judgements and sustainable recommendations underpinned by ethical values.

(LO3) Students will be able to prepare and present findings, conclusions and recommendations in a verbal and written format.

(LO4) Students will be able to develop and execute a structured plan in order to undertake independent, practice based research using appropriate methods.

(LO5) Students will be able to reflect on their personal development through undertaking the module.

(S1) A problem solver.
The work based project will enable students to develop their ability to diagnose and address problems within a sports organisation.

(S2) Organised and able to work under pressure.
The virtual conference and work based project will require organisation of self in terms of time and resources.

(S3) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
The virtual conference will enable the development of verbal and visual communication skills, whilst the work based project will require well developed written communication skills.

(S4) Internationally aware.
The virtual conference will enable students to appreciate the range of problems that challenge sports organisations globally.

(S5) A lifelong learner.
The work based project includes a reflection that will enable students to identify actions for personal development.

(S6) Ethically aware.
Within the work based project students will consider the ethical implications of the issue that is analysed and their proposed solutions.

The first part of the module will be delivered through six e-lectures/seminars which will enable students to develop critical understanding of the research methodology, methods and planning that will underpin the work based project. Individual online tasks and discussion boards will be used to develop students learning, these will be moderated by the module tutor to ensure individual and group feedback, and to support the development of the virtual conference presentation groups. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 18 hours

Description: The e-lectures/seminars will equate to 3 hours/week over 6 weeks, undertaken asynchronously.

Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform

Additionally, one scheduled synchronous seminar will be delivered (if there are issues with time zones another seminar will be provided).

Scheduled Directe d Student Hours: 2 hours

Description: The scheduled seminar will equate to 2 hours undertaken synchronously. The date and time of the seminar will be confirmed at the start of the module.

Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform.

Students will be required to prepare for the virtual conference. This will involve them drawing out the key points from their report and creating a presentation.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 8 hours

Description: The preparation will equate to 8 hours, undertaken asynchronously.

The virtual conference will involve students presenting the analysis, findings and recommendations of their project to each other in order to elicit discussion and feedback that will inform their final written project.

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 2 hours

Description: The virtual conference will be undertaken synchronously for the group over 6 weeks. The dates and times will be confirmed at the start of the programme, and where necessary, the conference will be repeated depending on the number of students and the time zones of the students’ location.

Attendance Recorded: Yes - tracked via the learning platform.

Students will be allocated a project supervisor for their work based project. It is expected that students will have at least four supervisory meetings, and the first meeting will involve the approval of a proposal for the individual project.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 4 hours

Description: The first meeting will include formative feedback on the student's project proposal, and the content of the other three meeting will be dependent on the needs of the student.

Attendance Recorded: Yes – tracked via the learning platform

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 566 hours

Description: Initially students will undertake independent tasks and reading in order to support the learning in the e-lectures/seminars and also to develop their contribution to the virtual conference. In the second phase of the module, students will work on their project proposal and, after formative feedback on the proposal, continue on to work on their project.

Literature survey and conceptual frameworks;
Locating research questions within a theoretical framework;
Factors influencing selection of research methodology and method and gathering and analysing data;
Research ethics;
Constructing a project (research) plan;
Presenting the research, findings and recommendations;
Style and formats of presenting the project.