As practitioners who observe, develop and evaluate their practice, sports coaches benefit from developing research skills. As such, this module provides the student with an opportunity to undertake a research project primarily aimed at enhancing their own practice and professional development, while also allowing for insights that may contribute to the wider coaching community. 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 module (SS6142) represents the initial phases of the project while SS6133 represents the concluding phases of the project. SS6142 is M graded with SS6133.

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.

- 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.

- Demonstrate an appreciation of independent research in the study of sports coaching as part of a coach’s suite of reflective practices.

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The module SS6142, being the first of an integrated two-module research project, will require the student to investigate their chosen topic and develop their own thinking and assessment of it. Thus, the emphasis of the module is on self-directed learning with the supervisor supporting both the content of the project and the student’s capacity to self-direct learning. Students will work with a specific supervisor, although the project may be supported by more than one member of the faculty staff. A project may be undertaken by more than one student clustered around a central focus. Working arrangements, including a schedule of regular meetings, will be established during initial project meetings. Meetings may involve a combination of in person/telephone/e-mail/online formats. In terms of how the learning environment is designed to foster a transformative learning experience, the module is student-centred by supporting the student to work on a project central to the evolution of their coaching practice. Students are all practicing coaches, thus the lessons learned from the research should have immediate personal application as well as the potential to influence the broader coaching community. In terms of graduate attributes, this module emphasises students being: Courageous in pursuing a personally-challenging research question; Curious in relation to what they are investigating and how they are investigating it; and Responsible with regard to ethical responsibilities towards research participants and stakeholders.