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HL50602: Research methods

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department for Health
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Ethics Submission Form (CW 50%)
  • Research Proposal (CW 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: At the completion of this unit the student will be able to:
* develop and defend an interesting or novel set of questions and an appropriate set of methods to investigate those questions (K4);
* make judgements about what to include/exclude in producing a critical literature review (i6, P2);
* demonstrate awareness of the potentially contradictory methodological and theoretical frameworks that can be selected (i2,i4);
* demonstrate an understanding of the practical challenges of collecting and analysing data using different methods, (including reflection on any ethical issues raised) (K2);
* use a referencing system (i.e. Harvard Bath) with consistency and accuracy (P4);
* Develop viable alternatives and how they would address sport management issues (K1,i3);
* Present reflections in written and oral form (P3)


Aims: This unit aims to help students and potential managers to appreciate the ethics and value of research in planning and executing their own research project or response to an organisational challenge. Its specific focus is to introduce the philosophical principles underpinning research design and execution, the research methods necessary to successfully undertake an advanced research project and/or advanced written report and to introduce modes of analyses and data interpretation.

Skills:
* Ability to select, analyse and present numerical or non-numerical data;
* Reflective practice;
* Presentation skills;
* Ability to formulate a research question;
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines;
* Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance;
* Comprehensive and scholarly written communication (e.g. essays);
* Ability to select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources;
* Ability to formulate a research question;
* Ability to critically review literature;
* Ability to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data;
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines; 

Content: Semester 1: Principles of Research Philosophical foundations of research; Research ethics; Research design (both quantitative and qualitative); Data collection and handling; Data analyses (both quantitative and qualitative)

Semester 2: Advanced Research Methods Track/Practice Track External organisations to present a range of issues or problems describing a management challenge. 

Course availability:

HL50602 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following courses:

Department for Health

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.