Overview

This module provides the opportunity to work closely with, and be supported by, an expert member of staff on a one-to-one or small group basis to help carry out your dissertation ideas. This module will enable you to put into practice many of the competencies gained throughout your Masters across a range of disciplines e.g. subject specific expertise, as well as more transferable skills such as critical thinking or being able to disseminate findings effectively to academics and/or practitioners. Completion of your dissertation should provide you with an in-depth understanding of the current evidence-base within an area of your choosing, pertinent to the field of sports science.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -•Insufficient to fulfil the associated learning outcomes •Deficiencies in Knowledge even of key areas/principles•No evidence of understanding, even of main areas•No evidence of background study•Answer relies on tangential material and lacks a coherent structure•No arguments presented •Many factual/computational errors•No original interpretation •No links between topics are described•No attempt to solve problems•The presentation is very weak containing many inaccuracies -good -•Knowledge of key areas/principles•Understands main areas•Limited evidence of background study•Answer focussed on question but also with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure•Arguments presented but lack coherence•Has several factual/computational errors•No original interpretation •Only major links between topics are described•Limited problem solving•Some weaknesses in presentation and accuracy -excellent -•Comprehensive knowledge•Detailed understanding •Extensive background study•Highly focused answer and well structured•Logically presented and defended arguments•No factual/computational errors•Original interpretation •New links between topics are developed•New approach to a problem•Excellent presentation with very accurate communication

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to critique a chosen research area, identifying key take-home messages and gaps in the literature.

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate your Dissertation effectively to a lay audience in a clear, engaging and concise manner, focusing on key application and implications.

• Effectively synthesise and disseminate dissertation findings in a succinct manner via a written report.

• Implement an appropriate methodological approach in line with your dissertation aim / question e.g. a discursive approach, meta-analysis or systematic review.