Module Code - Title:
SS6133
-
RESEARCH PROJECT 2 SPORTS COACHING
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
As practitioners who observe, develop and evaluate their practice, sports coaches benefit from developing research skills. As such, students complete one research project across two linked modules (SS6142 Research Project 1 Sports Coaching in the Spring and SS6133 Research Project 2 Sports Coaching in the Summer); despite being split across two modules, the project should be considered as one integrated whole. This project is primarily aimed at enhancing the student's own practice and professional development, while also allowing for insights that may contribute to the wider coaching community. This module (SS6133) represents the concluding phases of the project while SS6142 represents the initial phases of the project. SS6142 is M graded with SS6133.
Syllabus:
Across the two modules (SS6142 and SS6133), students will undertake a single research project in an area of current or potential future relevance to their coaching practice. As such, the exact syllabus covered by each student will differ. Students will develop knowledge and skills in relation to reviewing relevant literature, communicating a rationale for the project, evaluating and applying methods of data collection and data analysis, drawing implications from data for practice and future research, and evaluating the broader research process. More generally, the project should develop the student's ability to perform independent research and engage in self-directed learning. While the emphasis will vary depending on the stage of the research project, at all stages students will be concerned with situating their work in the existing literature, methodological questions, and the practical implications of their research for a variety of stakeholders.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
- Critically evaluate current research literature to inform an investigation of a complex research question relevant to your sports coaching practice.
- Design a methodologically sound empirical research project which applies appropriate methods and procedures in data collection and analysis, cognisant of ethical considerations.
- Critically analyse research findings to draw logical conclusions and make appropriate recommendations for practice, cognisent of the dynamic nature of the sports coaching context.
- Communicate research process and outcomes effectively to both scholarly and practical coaching audiences, demonstrating academic integrity, clarity, and coherence.
- Reflect critically on the research process, addressing limitations, ethical considerations, and implications for future research and professional practice.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
- Demonstrate an appreciation of independent research in the study of sports coaching as part of a coach's suite of reflective practices.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Regular contact with supervisor (approximately 1 hour per week).
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Nelson, Groom, and Potrac (Eds) (2025)
Research Methods in Sports Coaching
, London Routledge
Bell, J., Waters, S. & Johnson, H. (2024)
Doing your research project (8th ed.)
, Open University Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Casey, A., Fletcher, T., Schaefer, L., & Gleddie, D. (2017)
Conducting practitioner research in physical education and youth sport: Reflecting on practice
, Routledge
Smith, B. M., & Sparkes, A. C. (Eds.). (2016)
Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise.
, Routledge
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Summer
Module Leader:
philip.kearney@ul.ie