Research Project

This module involves the detailed study of a specific topic in sport, exercise, health or nutrition. The choice of topic is by negotiation between the student and an appropriate member of teaching staff acting as a supervisor. The project should, where possible, be original research and include some elements of design and planning and some form of data collection, analysis of findings and development of new hypotheses. Data collection may be laboratory experimentation, questionnaires, social or behaviour observation. Systematic literature reviews are also appropriate research projects.

Projects begin in the Research Methods module, where topics are chosen, and initial research on the topic is carried out. Students progress by completing an elevator pitch to the supervisory committee, receiving feedback and completing their ethics applications. A final project proposal document is submitted, and data collection, analysis and write-up are completed as part of this 30-credit research project module. Students present and defend their project upon completion.

In full-time delivery, this module is completed in the first semester of second year. In part-time delivery, this module is completed over first and second semesters of the third year of study.

Projects are written up in a format for a relevant journal in the area (for example, International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism) to optimise opportunities for publication. 

In the context of an industry-based project, a case may be made for an alternative report format for submission.

1. Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solutions of problems in human nutrition, health, sport/exercise science or digital innovation for sport.

2. Conduct appropriate research, and undertake design and development of a problem in nutrition/health/sport and exercise science/digital innovation for sport and critically place the problem and its solution within the context of the body of knowledge in the selected topic area.

3. Demonstrate and apply safe working practices, professional standards and ethical procedures.

4. Generate new hypotheses for the selected topic based on relevant research and own research.

5. Systemtically review the literature and present a coherent and defensible analysis.